ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Albany’s newest city commissioner said she’s frustrated by the pace of progress among city leaders after only eight months on the job. Ward 6 Commissioner Diana Brown said she feels a disconnect in her first year on the commission.

Brown is known around town as the commissioner with a lot of opinions, for her Facebook Lives and for her famous catchphrase “Chine in, Chine in.” She said she wants to do right by her constituents.

“It’s a primary obligation to Ward 6. They need a leader that’s going to speak out and be real about what they are saying, bring the resources, and show them how their tax dollars are being used,” Brown said.

Commissioner walks out over Henderson Park funding

Brown recently came under fire after she walked out of a commission meeting when her colleague, Ward 5 Commissioner Bob Langstaff Jr., voted not to allocate funds for Henderson Park. Brown said the project was crucial for her ward.

“Yes, but every time something comes up, Mr. Langstaff, when it comes to any Black events and Black projects, you always vote no on everything,” Brown said.

After she walked out, Brown went on Facebook Live and explained why she was upset. Many people later debated on social media whether that was the best way to handle the situation.

“I govern differently. I don’t call what’s right wrong and I don’t call what’s wrong right. I call it like I see it on the paperwork. They judge me a little differently because I’m vocal, and they say I’m too hard, but I’m not. It’s not difficult at all. I’m not going to let them push that toward me. I’m passionate about what I do,” Brown said.

Fellow commissioner suggests different approach

Ward 1 Commissioner Jon Howard believes hard conversations should happen before they reach the meeting.

“If there’s an issue that’s going to be concerning, maybe we should have the call... Let’s have a conversation prior to the meeting… and include the county side and the school board,” Howard said.

For Brown, the job sometimes gets heavy. Things in Albany take time, and it’s difficult to enact immediate change.

“Sometimes I want to resign, but if I give them what they want, my constituents will not have a voice around the table,” Brown said.

Brown said she will continue to fight for her community.

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