MACON, Ga. — Macon-Bibb commissioners have been off the last couple of weeks, but behind the scenes, there's a lot going on.
That includes the swearing-in of a new District 9 commissioner: Brendalyn Bailey. She's new to the position, but not new to west Macon. She grew up in the area and lived there nearly her entire life.
"I've lived here in District 9 for more than 50 years," Bailey said.
Her roots run deep. They run so deep, there's a street named after her family.
"My grandfather's Alvin Middleton Bailey. It's actually named Middleton Avenue," she said.
So, it's natural the would-be world traveler eventually returned home to stay.
"I completed my internship in Russia," Bailey said. "When I heard about how cold it was, I was like, 'Oh, this Georgia peach has to go back home."
Bailey has experience in Bibb County classrooms, degrees from Mercer University and Wesleyan College, and nearly two decades of experience teaching at Central Georgia Technical College.
"Business and computer science and the medical focus of business," Bailey said, listing her courses.
Bailey's medical training is from the Army. She traveled the nation, setting up medical clinics as a pharmacy specialist.
"The other portion of my duties was as a medic, and I served in the hospitals next to the physicians," Bailey explained.
She says in her next role as a Bibb County commissioner, she plans to support the Macon Violence Prevention program. Bailey hopes it will not only make west Macon safer, but also bring more business.
"Start here first of all, because we definitely want businesses to come here to District 9, and remain here in District 9, and remain viable," Bailey said.
Bailey says she's looking forward to new opportunities for economic growth, like the Atrium Health Amphitheater. On a lighter note, she pledged to get the Fillmore Thomas Park splash pad fixed in time for summer.
Bailey's first commission meeting will be Feb. 6. She takes over for former Commissioner Al Tillman, who stepped down to start an entertainment commission.