Meet the Candidates: Tommy Edwards [The Duncan Banner, Okla.]

Mar. 28--Born and raised locally, City Council candidate Tommy Edwards is no stranger to the City of Duncan. He graduated from Duncan High School then left for Central State University, now the University of Central Oklahoma, where he graduated with a degree in business. He worked at Sears for several years, then came back to Duncan to work in the family furniture store. When his father sold the store, Edwards went into the insurance business and has been doing that ever since.

Edwards is on the Duncan Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the local Kiwanis Club, a Sunday School teacher at his church, and was actively involved in youth activities as a high school referee for 20 years. He also serves as a sheriff's reserve officer and is currently the head of the Stephens County Reserves.

Edwards is a current council member, and has served for four years. He was appointed for one year since a council member moved away from Duncan, then won the last election to serve his first full term.

In that time, Edwards has been instrumental in several policies in Duncan. He was the first to bring up the idea of the Social Host ordinance, which would fine any adult who hosts a party that has underage drinking in their home. He was also a big part of instituting a code of ethics that city employees, as well as elected officials must sign and abide by.

He said his current business location allows him a unique perspective that not all other council members can offer to community members.

"I'm able to see people in my business," Edwards said. "It affords me that open door policy, and people can come see me anytime.

"Other candidates or council members don't have that option with some of their work, but I'm accessible to the people."

As far as his customer service experience goes, Edwards believes that Duncan should be treated more like a business, and its citizens more like customers to that business.

"You have to have that 'customer is always right' mentality," Edwards said. "Whatever the problem is, try to help them."

He said that customer service with the City of Duncan is something that needs to be improved on and one of the biggest complaints he has heard from citizens is the installment of the 4-day work week, a policy that he originally voted for.

"I'm man enough to say I think I made a mistake," Edwards said. "Customer service is more important than saving just a few bucks."

As well as instilling a good customer service attitude, Edwards said he would also like to see a recycling program started in Duncan. The topic has been discussed numerous times in council meetings, but a solid proposition has not yet been made.

He also talked about the current street situation, saying the streets are continuing to improve, and he is very pleased with the progress being made with what the city has to work with. But he also said that the street problem will be a perpetual one, and Duncan isn't the only community with street issues.

"The winter weather was not kind to the streets in Oklahoma anywhere," Edwards said. "It's an ongoing issue, and it also takes money."

Edwards said he wants to be on the council again to continue with making Duncan a city he can be proud to live in. Two of Edwards' sons moved back to Duncan after leaving for college. He said Duncan has been a good community to him, and he wants it to be a great one for his sons as well.

"Most kids graduate high school and say they're outta there, and they're never coming back," Edwards said. "I said the same thing, but I ended up coming back.

"God didn't put you here to take all the time and to just take up space, and I truly believe that."

Edwards said that he would like to return to the council so he can give back to the community that has given him so much and continue to make Duncan a great place to live.

"It may be cliche, but that's just how I feel," Edwards said.

-Kevin Kerr is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354 Ext. 147 or by e-mail at [email protected].

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Copyright (c) 2010, The Duncan Banner, Okla.

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