With less than two weeks to go before a runoff, Fulton County Commission candidate Bill Edwards is trying to get his message out to the voters.

Edwards finished second in the crowded field with 13 percent of the vote and hopes that voters will take the time to vote Nov. 28.

"I hope this national situation doesn't poison them on voting," he said.

Edwards has lived in South Fulton for more than 25 years and owns Edwards Allstate Agency. He believes the key to revitalizing the area is economic development, coupled with better education for the region.

"A lot of people say that I'm running for commissioner and I can't do anything about education, but I think I can," he said.

Edwards would want a task force established with members of the commission, Fulton County Board of Education and others to help focus on making the schools better.

"If an industrial prospect comes to the area, one of the first things they are always interested in is school for their employees' children," he said.

While many companies locate in South Fulton, the employees will live in other counties to send their children to better schools. If the parents aren't living in South Fulton, the tax dollars are going somewhere else, which hurts everybody in the county, he said.

In addition to focusing on improving education, Edwards wants to get the message out that the area is prime for economic development. The area has fallen in the shadow of development in north Fulton for so many years that Edwards wants more efforts put into luring companies to the area.

On other issues, he believes MARTA is a regional transportation system, but believes you have to "play with the hand you've been dealt."

"I agree with Mike Kenn's recent statements, but we also have to focus on getting this system off the backs of the poor and minorities for funding," he said.

Edwards was one of the leading opponents of a sixth runway at Hartsfield International Airport, but said, "That airport is not going to go away."

Leaders in the area near the airport need to find a better way to work with airport officials to increase more opportunities for everybody in the region, he said.

Edwards has been heavily involved in the community during the last 25 years.

Some of his service positions and accomplishments have included:

Atlanta Regional Commission, 13th District commissioner.

Hartsfield Atlanta Airport Master Plan.

Legacy Coalition chairman.

Old National Merchants Association president.

South Fulton Chamber of Commerce board member.

In the end, Edwards wants voters to look at his qualifications and know that he is well-prepared for the job, he said.

"It is my mission to ensure that South Fulton receives more smart-growth development," he said.

Editor's Note: Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, the leading candidate in a field of 13 candidates in last Tuesday's balloting, thus far has not responded to The Citizen's requests for an interview.