Albany, Dougherty County consider new emblems as residents question spending priorities

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Albany and Dougherty County commissioners are considering new emblems for the Government Center chamber, but the proposal is drawing criticism from residents who question whether it should be a priority.Ward 5 City Commissioner Colette Jenkins presented the idea to the City Commission at its annual retreat, where she and her fellow commissioners voted to move forward with the proposal.The idea calls for two emblems representing the governing bodies of the city and county. They would hang above where the mayor and chairman sit during their respective commission meetings.Jenkins later presented the proposal to the Dougherty County Commission, which is expected to take another vote in the coming weeks. At that meeting, she presented two AI-generated images showing her vision for the emblems.If approved, the city and county would put out a joint bid for an artist to design and create the emblems.But not everyone supports the idea. Burton Newcomb, a resident who spoke o