By Stanley P. Parel
There is a difference between holding public office and truly serving the public. One requires winning an election. The other requires showing up long after the votes have been counted.
When Carla Coley became the first woman elected mayor in Cochran’s history, she accomplished something historic. But I believe her legacy should be defined by more than being the first woman to hold the office. It should also be defined by what she chooses to do with it.
According to Section 2.33 of the City of Cochran’s Charter, the mayor’s duties are fairly straightforward. She presides over city council meetings, serves as the city’s official spokesperson and chief advocate of policy, administers oaths, signs approved documents and votes in the event of a tie.
The charter gives the mayor limited authority. She cannot independently make decisions for the city council, direct every department or solve every problem brought to her attention.
For some, those limitations might provide a convenient excuse to do only what is required.
Attend the meetings. Sign the paperwork. Represent the city when necessary. Go home.
Technically, the job is done.
But should meeting the minimum requirements of public office be enough?
What stands out about Mayor Coley is her willingness to go beyond those requirements.
She attends meetings where her presence is not mandatory, including Planning and Zoning meetings. These discussions affect neighborhoods, property owners, businesses and the future of Cochran. She understands the importance of being informed about decisions that impact the people she represents.
Her involvement also extends to community organizations and boards, including those connected to the Chamber of Commerce and our local library. While mayors often serve in an ex officio capacity on various boards, there is a difference between holding a position and actively participating.
But perhaps what deserves the most recognition is what happens away from public meetings.
We often judge elected officials by what we see. Ribbon cuttings, photographs, speeches and public appearances receive attention. Yet some of the most meaningful work in public service happens behind the scenes.
It happens through phone calls, private conversations, meetings with concerned residents and efforts to help someone find a solution to a problem.
Mayor Coley takes time to listen to citizens. She hears their concerns and works to help them, even when the authority to resolve an issue belongs to someone else.
She cannot fix every problem. No mayor can. But she can ask questions, make calls, follow up and advocate for those who feel their voices are not being heard.
And sometimes, knowing that someone in public office genuinely cares enough to try makes a difference.
Not every act of public service comes with a photograph. Not every problem solved deserves a press release. And not everyone making a difference receives the credit they deserve.
That does not make the work any less important.
For years, the mayor’s office has largely been viewed through the responsibilities outlined in the charter. Previous mayors have approached those responsibilities in their own ways. But Mayor Coley is demonstrating that the charter should establish the minimum expectations of the office, not necessarily the limits of someone’s commitment to the community.
That does not mean every decision she makes will be right. It does not mean Cochran’s challenges have disappeared, nor should it place her above criticism or accountability.
Public officials should always be held accountable. But we should also be willing to recognize genuine effort when we see it.
Mayor Coley does not need additional authority to attend a meeting, listen to a resident or advocate for someone who needs assistance. Those actions require initiative, compassion and a willingness to serve.
Imagine what Cochran could accomplish if every elected official, appointed board member and community leader approached their responsibilities with one simple question:
Not “Am I required to do this?” but “Will this help the people I serve?”
Being Cochran’s first woman mayor will always be part of Carla Coley’s story. That achievement alone earned her a place in our city’s history.
But what deserves our attention now is not simply that Carla Coley became mayor.
It is the kind of mayor she is working to be.
Because at the end of the day, the charter tells Mayor Coley what she is required to do. It does not place a limit on how much she can care.
And for the citizens of Cochran, that distinction matters.
Editor’s Note: This column represents the personal opinions and perspectives of its author. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Ledger – Our Community, Our News, its publisher or its editorial staff. The Ledger welcomes a diversity of viewpoints and encourages respectful public discussion of issues affecting our community.
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