Tommie Postell to seek fourth term on Albany City Commission

ALBANY — Saying there’s still work to be done, Ward VI Albany City Commissioner Tommie Postell told The Albany Herald Tuesday morning he will seek a fourth term on the commission.

Postell, 81, said he’d considered stepping down at the end of the year, but his constituents have encouraged him to continue his work during what Postell called a “time of transition.”

“I talked about it with my son, my friends and people in the ward, and they told me they wanted me to run again,” Postell said during a conversation at his south Albany home. “Now that Irene (Postell’s wife of 53 years) has passed, I have more time on my hands. I’d like to use that time helping the people of this ward and the people of this city.”

Postell said the commission is preparing for a leadership transition with the pending exit of interim City Manager Tom Berry.

“This is a very crucial time in the city’s future,” Postell said. “We have to make sure we bring in the right person to take Mr. Berry’s place so that we continue the momentum we’ve built. That’s why the City Manager Search Committee (comprising Postell, Ward I Commissioner Jon Howard and Ward V Commissioner Bob Langstaff) must do a thorough job of vetting the candidates.”

The Ward VI commissioner, who has the second-longest tenure on the commission, said the committee had narrowed a list of some 50 applicants down to a final five, who will be informed of their selection and invited for interviews.

“We had more than 50 applicants, and Mr. Berry scrutinized them and narrowed the list to 10,” Postell said. “The committee has narrowed it to five, and now we’ll find out their interest. They may not be ready to come here at this time. I think it’s important that we talk to the finalists face-to-face. Anybody can put together a good resume on paper. I could write a resume that would get me your job, and I can’t write a thing.

“We are not using race, sex, gender or locale to determine the best candidates. We want the best person for the job. If these don’t work, we’ll go back and find the right person. The important thing is to take our time and fully scrutinize the candidates before making a decision.”

Postell said two of the five finalists for the city manager’s position are from south Georgia, two from Florida and one from Minnesota.

Berry said the committee has done an “excellent job” in its search for a permanent city manager.

“I think these three gentlemen, who have the longest tenure on the commission, are doing an excellent job in their search to find the right person for the position,” the interim city manager said. “They are conducting this process the way it should be done.”

As he prepares to run for a fourth term on the commission, Postell said a number of issues face the board. In addition to finding a city manager, commissioners must work with Albany Utility Board officials to pave the way for maximizing utilities income throughout the region, must determine what employees will be eligible for an early retirement incentive package that will help cut the city’s budget and must prepare for the loss of millions of dollars in Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia credits that will stop coming in at the end of 2018.

Postell said he’s personally working to see that lighting is installed on Westover Road from Gillionville Road to Oakridge Drive, an area that includes the Exchange Club Fairgrounds, that the Chehaw Park Authority continues its path toward growth and that south Albany is promoted for future business growth.

“I feel like I’m a resource for this community,” the long-time educator said. “My ward is the biggest in Albany, covers parts of south Albany, east Albany and even into north Albany. People who don’t know me or how I operate have said things about me over the years, but I am always about doing what’s best for our community.

“I’m going to be Postell. People need to understand that I know when to stop Postell and when to let him go. I’m in good health, and while I had to have minor surgery on an ingrown toenail, I’m back to normal, ready to go. I’m sharp mentally and ready to take on the city’s challenges for another four years.”

Qualifying for this year’s municipal elections is set for Aug. 31-Sept. 4 at the Elections office. Advance voting will begin Oct. 12 and continue until Oct. 30. The general election will be conducted Nov. 3.

In addition to the Ward VI seat, the Ward I, Ward IV and mayor’s offices will be decided in the general election. Only Postell and incumbent Ward IV Commissioner Roger Marietta have confirmed they will seek re-election, although incumbent Mayor Dorothy Hubbard has indicated she is “leaning toward re-election.” Ward I’s Howard, the longest-serving commissioner, has not said publicly if he will seek another term.