Outgoing Mayor Tomzak Says City Is In Good Hands

Councilman-elect Matt Kelly said that when he served on Fredericksburg City Council with Mayor Tom Tomzak from 2004 to 2010, they would drink a few beers after the meeting if it went well.

But if the meeting had been raucous, Tomzak would go for the scotch—on the rocks.

After two terms on City Council, Tomzak decided not to run for re-election this past May. Before Tuesday night's council meeting, city staff, friends, council members and Tomzak's wife, Suzanne, had a small celebration upstairs in City Hall for the outgoing mayor.

"We didn't always agree, but we ended up still friends," Kelly said to Tomzak as he handed him a gift of Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky.

"I'm glad you're back," Tomzak said to Kelly, who will return to City Council next month.

Tomzak was elected in 2004, upsetting the incumbent Mayor Bill Beck, who owns an antiques store downtown. In 2008, he defeated challenger and former council member Debby Girvan.

Tomzak never . .  Despite how his words come out in public, those who are closest to Tomzak say he has a good heart and he truly cares about the welfare of underprivileged families in Fredericksburg. In October 2006, Tomzak left his private practice and joined the Virginia Department of Health, where he is a physician supervisor for five maternity clinics in Planning District 16. His experiences as a doctor got him deeply involved in teen pregnancy prevention and women’s health issues.

His wife, Suzanne, joked that she has to do an awful lot of apologizing when she is out and about in Fredericksburg.

"If he angers one more group in the city, we won't be welcomed anywhere," she said to laughter. "My mantra has always been, 'Do not misspeak,' but he continues to do so."

Tomzak thanked his wife for being his biggest supporter.

"She's been a real supporter and claimed she's watched every meeting from home, although I don't know about that," he said.

Councilwoman and Mayor-elect Mary Katherine Greenlaw said the councils that Tomzak has led have accomplished quite a bit in two terms. She rattled off a list of them, including the downtown Marriott, a new police station, two new schools, Dixon Park pool, the downtown parking garage and finding a use for Maury School. Tomzak added that the city has a good start on the riverfront park on Sophia Street.

"You guys really did a lot," Greenlaw said.

Tomzak said fellow council members George Solley and Kerry Devine were helpful in getting some of those accomplishments finished.

"We couldn't have done it without working together," he said.

Doug Fawcett, the city's director of public works, gave Tomzak a Public Works white hat as a memento.

"Just remember: If it snows next winter, I do have your cell phone number," Tomzak joked to Fawcett.

At the beginning of the City Council meeting, Tomzak thanked council members, staff and city residents. Greenlaw gave Tomzak a plaque and Fawcett gave him a city watch that is usually given to employees who retire.

"Citizens of Fredericksburg, I leave you in good hands," Tomzak said.