2 candidates vie for Dalton mayor's seat

IF YOU GOWhat: Debate between Dalton mayoral candidates Miller T. Jones III and Dennis MockWhen: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30Where: City Hall

photo Miller T. Jones III
photo Dennis Mock

Dalton, Ga., has been without a mayor since March.

That's when David Pennington stepped down and made an unsuccessful challenge to Gov. Nathan Deal in the Republican primary.

George Sadosuk left his position on the Dalton City Council to serve as mayor pro tem, which left that four-member panel with an open chair and an increased workload. The council is eager for a new mayor to be elected to finish Pennington's unexpired term, Councilman Gary Cruise said.

Dalton held three days of qualifying for mayoral candidates, but it was only on the final day that two people stepped forward to run, said City Clerk Bernadette Chattam.

"I was not worried that people wouldn't qualify," Chattam said. "A lot of time candidates like to wait until the last minute to surprise everyone."

Republicans Miller T. Jones III and Dennis Mock are facing off in the November election. The winner will serve until January of 2016. A public debate between the two is set for Sept. 30, sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Dalton Daily Citizen.

Mock, 60, ran in 2010 for the District 4 seat in the Georgia House of Representatives, losing by 177 votes -- less than 5 percent -- to Roger Williams. He ran again in 2012 he lost to current Rep. Bruce Broadrick.

Mock works in sales at Whitco Produce, a family-owned wholesale produce company in Dalton. He and his wife, Debbie, co-own DLM Ventures, a real estate company, and have two grown sons.

Mock said he was inspired to run for election because of the shapely holly tree in his backyard.

He said that his tree is like the city government. The tree and the city both need to be trimmed and kept in shape.

"The job isn't always easy, but it is my responsibility," he said.

Mock believes that Dalton is moving forward, and if he's elected mayor he plans to "hitch our wagon to the forces that are moving us right now."

"I am running the campaign like I am going to win," Mock said. "I am out learning as much as I can."

Jones, 39, is new to politics and said he is running because he feels led to serve his community.

"Dalton has been a great place for me and my family," Jones said. "Dalton is a city of young professionals, and families like mine need to step up."

Jones and his wife, Mary Lynn, have two young daughters. Jones served in the U.S. Navy and is a partner at Laughter & Jones Financial Management.

Jones said hard decisions need to be made regarding the city's pension fund and that his background in financial management qualifies him for the job.

If he wins, Jones plans to work with the city and county to improve their cooperation and communication.

Jones plans to run again in the November 2015 election if he wins this year.

"I am going in with at least a five-year plan. Almost meaningless to go in with any less," he said.

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.

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