Dougherty County Commission OKs new year’s appointments

ALBANY — Dougherty County commissioners kicked off the new year Monday by naming District 2 Commissioner John Hayes commission vice chairman for the calendar year.

The board conducted a work session and a business meeting, both of which had light agendas.

After getting a report from Albany Fire Department Chief Ron Rowe and County Public Works Director Larry Cook on recent joint city/county flood recovery efforts, the commission considered reappointing County Administrator Richard Crowdis as County Legislative Coordinator to the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and appointing Glenn Harris to vacant seats on the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council and the Southwest Georgia Housing Task Force.

Harris was the only applicant for both positions.

In the business meeting that immediately followed the work session, the board approved Crowdis’ reappointment to the ACCG position and Harris’ appointment to both the Community Action Council and the Housing Task Force.

Commission members praised Rowe and other emergency personnel for their “collaborative” response to rising flood waters that left the Flint River at more than 6 feet above flood stage. Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas commended county employees for their response to the flooding and thanked Albany City Manager Sharon Subadan and Assistant City Manager Phil Roberson, who attended the meeting, for the city’s efforts to keep city and county residents safe.

“Thank you and all of our emergency personnel for your continued commitment to our community,” District 3 Commissioner Clinton Johnson told Rowe.

District 1 Commissioner Lamar Hudgins offered a moment of comic relief during the meeting when his cellphone chimed. As he hurriedly switched off the phone’s ringer, Hudgins quipped, “I’m filling in for Jack,” a reference to late long-time Commissioner Jack Stone.