A former Reserve medic and Greensboro resident is running for the District 1 seat on the Greene County Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 8 election.
Melanie Miller, 54, hopes to take Angela Deering’s seat for one of the largest districts in the county. District 1 covers a large swath of Greensboro, as well as Siloam and White Plains. Deering has held the seat now for eight years.
Miller, a 1987 graduate of the former Greene County-Taliferro High School, is currently the board chair of the Housing Authority. She stated there is a significant disconnect with the cities of Siloam, White Plains and Greensboro, creating a void in key communications exchange with the Greene County Board of Commissioners.
“The disconnect leaves a void for both the residents and municipalities, especially Siloam and White Plains,” she said. “Citizens I have spoken with don’t even know their current commissioner, Ms. Deering. We need to do a much better job with both. It is fine if we don’t agree, but there is certainly room for improvement.”
A current example she cited was the recent vote to discontinue animal control. She asserts that none of the mayors were aware of the vote. Further, she feels that key decisions are being made at the county level with no discussion with each city.
“This should not be the case and is a clear example of one not knowing what the other is doing,” Miller said. “They, as well as the citizens, are finding out at the back end. If the municipalities don’t agree, at least compromise. We can’t do that if there is little to no communication.”
Miller is active in a number of Veteran Affairs groups, namely “Red, White and Blue” and “The Mission Continues.” She obtained an honorable discharge from the Reserves but feels her participation in the groups keeps her current with needs.
As a board member of the housing authority, she has become instrumental in the rollout of housing initiatives in Greensboro for those seeking housing. She partnered with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta and the local Family Connections for a local seminar for residents. Recently she conducted an introductory seminar for 17 residents at the Boys and Girls Club. The introduction includes home ownership responsibilities such as financing, down payment assistance, credit rebuilding and one-on-one counseling.
Miller is currently employed by Bealls of Madison as an Assistant Manager and owns and operates Miller Freight.