Long-time Dougherty Commissioner Stone wants one more term in office

ALBANY — It would have been easy enough for Jack Stone to call it a career, to walk away as his 28th year on the Dougherty County Commission wound down, his legacy intact.

Stone has, after all, dealt with a number of health issues over the past few months that has limited his mobility.

But anyone who knows the feisty District 6 County Commissioner knows that if there’s anything to get his blood up, it’s a challenge. So when Anthony Jones announced that he would qualify to run against Stone, the long-time commissioner rose to the challenge.

“If I’d felt confident that the right person was running for this seat, I could have walked away,” said Stone, a semi-retired businessman who still does more work in a day than many men half his age. “But I wasn’t sure about the representation the people of the district would be getting, so I decided I’d give it one more go. Besides, there are still some things I want to get done.”

Topping Stone’s priority list is completion of an East Albany industrial park that could potentially bring new business and/or industry to the community. Stone has asked County Administrator Richard Crowdis for an update on the county’s efforts to finish the industrial park.

“We were supposed to use (special tax) money to finish the industrial park out by the airport and one in East Albany,” Stone said. “But we ended up using all of the money on the one out by the airport. I agreed to that because I felt it was the best thing for the county at the time. But now it’s time to get this other park finished.

“I’m making this my first priority if I go back in for one more term. (Getting the park finished) means jobs for this community, and Lord knows we need jobs.”

Stone’s health issues have kept him from spending a lot of time campaigning, but he said his almost three decades of service will stand for his campaign as the May 20 Democratic primary nears.

“I’m getting a late start getting my yard signs out, but I’ll get that done,” he said. “And I’m not one to do all that door-knocking. The way I look at it, my record is out there for anyone to look at. Any candidate who has served in office should be running on his record anyway.

“I hope the people of our district will look at the things I’ve done and realize that I’ve always tried to do what was right. I’ve treated all people the same, no matter what color, religion or political affiliation. I’ve always tried to do what’s best for the people.”

Stone said when he looks back on his career, he’ll be most proud of bringing EMS and fire stations to East Albany, to getting railroad tracks in his district repaired, and spearheading the drive to build the U.S. 82 flyover that has made travel much simpler on the busy thoroughfare.

“The proof is in the puffing,” Stone said. “I’ve done what I said I was going to do. There are a few more things I want to get done, and I think I can get them done in one more term. I don’t plan to ask for another.”