This pictorial review includes highlights from late-October depicting a “week in the life” of Williamson County Commissioner Cynthia Long.
History?
First elected as Williamson County Commissioner in November 2006, I am currently in my second term. After graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in business administration, I began my career in information technology, working in the private sector for the State of Texas, and eventually began my own IT consulting company. I have been actively involved in my community for more than 20 years, serving two terms on a local city council, and seven years on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. I also helped start a local branch of the YMCA. Currently, I serve on the board of directors of a local hospital. I am very active in my church and enjoy volunteering and supporting our local veterans’ projects. I couldn’t do any of what I do without a husband and daughter who are incredibly supportive.
Is it what you expected?
Having served as an elected official before, I had some idea of what to expect from a governing perspective. However, county government is so different from municipal government that I had much to learn.
Typical day?
There really is no typical day. I looked at my calendar, and in a relatively typical week I had meetings in which the topics varied from parks and trail planning, a road construction update, indigent health care, elections, budget issues, economic development, regional transportation planning, and emergency radio system tower placement. The diversity of issues that I deal with has been amazing to me.
Biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge is prioritizing my time so that I can address the important issues, figure out what I need to delegate, and ultimately determine what I have to say no to.
Favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is solving problems and helping constituents. Sometimes it is as simple as providing a constituent information regarding a county service. Most recently it was my office helping some of the victims of our Central Texas fires find interim housing. It truly is an honor to be in a position where we can help people, and to be a part of a team making Williamson County a better place to live.
