THOMASVILLE — The city’s two first-time elected officials say they are ready to begin serving their community.

Thomasville City Council-elect Greg Hobbs, who defeated District 1 incumbent Earl Williams Jr., said he spent the morning on the phone.

“I’ve gotten phone calls all morning and I’ve not had the chance to check my e-mail yet,” he said. “I see how people supported me and to be able to win is just a good feeling. I don’t even know how to describe it.”

Hobbs will no longer serve on the planning and zoning board because of his election, but he looks forward to taking his seat on the council and learning the ropes.

“I look forward to taking my seat and seeing how things are done. It will be learning experience for me. Once I learn how things work and the processes, then I can start working on trying to accomplish some of my goals.”

These include buying reasonably-priced vehicles and equipment, seeing that the remainder of dirt streets in Thomasville are paved and working to route more businesses to Thomasville.

“We need to finish paving the city’s dirt streets, as well as repairing some of these streets that are in real bad shape,” Hobbs said. “I know the city and county are in the process of acquiring land for a new industrial park. I look forward to helping get businesses to Thomasville and creating jobs.”

Hazel Thomas Jones, who defeated Lewis Brunner in the race for the Thomasville City Board of Education’s District 1 seat, said she’s “very proud” to be chosen to serve her community.

“I am ready to get on board and am excited,” she said.

Her first priority will be to work with the board and schools in improving student achievement “by ensuring best practices for all schools.”

“To add additional programs would be a plus, but the major emphasis would be to continue to improve academic performance for all students. Standards and curriculums are changing so quickly that we want to make sure all students are academically proficient in different areas enough that they can successfully pass their tests.”

Jones, who is coordinator for Project Excel Youth Mentoring Program, plans to continue her volunteer duties in the schools.

“I’m not paid for any of it and I have a group of other people helping,” she said. “I plan to continue to serve in that capacity. I enjoy doing it and it gives me personal satisfaction by helping others.”

She looks forward to getting on the board, learning how things work and helping to solve issues.

“I would like to take an active role in any issues taking place at this time,” Jones said. “I want to be an active participant.”

One current issue is continued cuts in state funding. She’s eager to get an overview and an understanding of the budget so she can assist in recommendations.

“As we face these different challenges with the economy and budget cuts, we will be forced to make the necessary changes in order to meet the budget,” Jones said. “In the past, I think the system has done a fantastic job of making provisions to maintain job security and academic performance.”