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Edwards adjusting to job

• Dougherty County's newest commission is watching city elections with keen interest.

Carlton Fletcher

ALBANY — As the newest Dougherty County commissioner, Muarlean Edwards, puts aside a little time each day for what she calls her “PMS regimen” — that would be prayer, meditation and study.

Those who know the retired social worker, though, will attest that most of the rest of her days are spent TCB ... That’s taking care of business.

“Politics doesn’t stop in this building,” Edwards said during a recent conversation at the commission’s conference room in the Government Center. “If I’m out in the community, at the grocery store or anywhere else, people want a listening ear. I knew when I got into this race that that was part of the job.

“This is a job where you can’t let yourself get in the way. You can’t ever be a lone voice crying out because you are there to represent the people who elected you.”

Edwards took office six months ago, elected to finish the unexpired term of Brenda Robinson-Cutler, who resigned before pleading guilty to theft- by-taking charges. The learning curve Edwards has experienced has been an extensive one.

“If anything I bring a few surprises to the table,” Edwards laughed when asked about breaking into the ranks of the commission’s “boys club.” “Being a female my age, I get a great deal of respect from the gentlemen on the commission. That group has made themselves available to help me in any way they can.

“From the other commissioners to our county administrator (Richard Crowdis) to our excellent office support, things are a little easier because the people keep things appropriate and professional. I think they’ve welcomed me for what I bring to the table.”

Commission Chairman Jeff Sinyard agrees.

“Ms. Edwards came in with the listening concept versus the speaking concept,” Sinyard said. “That’s very important in a group like this where there is such a huge learning curve. I’m a perfect example of that process: I first joined the commission when I was 29 years old, and I wanted to change the world in 24 hours. I found out that’s not the way things work in about 24 seconds.

“I was part of a commission with people who had been there more than 30 years and others more than 15 years. They respect the fact that you care about what you do, but you get more done by working as a team. Muarlean has certainly become a team player.”

Edwards will watch the approaching city elections with a careful eye, as most of the candidates share her District 3 constituents.

“(City) Commissioner Jon Howard’s ward (1) and the ward (Commissioner) Tommie Postell and (challenger) David Williams are in (6) overlap into my district,” she said. “And the mayor’s race involves everyone in the city, so I will be watching these elections closely.

“I think an exchange of ideas between city and county officials is important. We have all been elected to serve the people of Albany and Dougherty County. I’m as interested in knowing what’s going on in the city as I am the county.”

A former educator and an active participant in the Civil Rights movement, Edwards has long been known as an individual. She said she has to push that part of herself aside while serving on the county commission.

“I’ve had to be a little more humble,” she said. “I can’t really concentrate so much about what I personally think is best; I have to listen to my constituents and consider what is best for them.

“This is one of those 24- hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week jobs, but it’s a job I love. In fact, I’d do it 25 hours a day, eight days a week if that were possible.”

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