Melba Powell's 40-year career in Walker County's tax office enabled her to do what she loves most, working with the public. She will be recognized Sunday at Walker Civic Center for 40 years of service to Walker residents. She is spending her last few weeks in office catching up on her reports. She said she hopes to mail out tax notices before she leaves office and Tax Commissioner-elect Carolyn Walker takes over. Powell, a life-long resident of Catlett, began working part-time in the tax office in 1960 for Tax Collector J. M. Pickle, she said. Powell was appointed deputy tax commissioner in 1983 when Tax Commissioner R. W. Aiken became ill. Three men vied with her for the Democratic nomination for tax commissioner in 1984. Powell, one of the first women elected to public office in Walker, said she fulfilled her campaign promise to open a satellite tax office in the Rossville area. She also promised to mail out vehicle tag pre-bills, "which I think has helped Walker County tremendously." For the rest of the story, pick up a copy of the Wednesday, Dec. 6, edition of the Walker County Messenger