Bradley County's Jeff Morelock to seek re-election

photo Bradley County Commissioner Jeff Morelock
Arkansas-Ole Miss Live Blog

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Bradley County's 3rd District commissioners have announced their intentions for the 2014 elections: Jeff Morelock will seek re-election, but Brian Smith will not.

"It has been my pleasure to serve all the citizens of Bradley County and especially the citizens of the 3rd District during my first term," Morelock, a Democrat, said in a recent news release.

During that time, he has served on the County Commission's finance and education committees, which have given him insights to the challenges facing Bradley County, he said.

Key concerns for the county include major renovations for Lake Forest Middle School, humane and affordable animal control and coordinated growth, Morelock said.

"We cannot stop growth, nor do I think we want to, but I would like to see growth coordinated among the various interest groups where we can maintain our way of life in Bradley County," he said.

Smith's announcement also acknowledged the role that the Bradley County Commission has played in facilitating industrial growth during his two terms in office.

"[Bringing] large industrial companies into our community ... will benefit us as Bradley County and Cleveland City taxpayers in years to come," said Smith, a Republican.

"I've been blessed to have worked with some great community leaders; ordinary people, like myself, who have as much compassion and vision for Bradley County as I do," he said.

Smith said he was proud to serve his community and to have headed the county's juvenile,l aw enforcement, education and workhouse committees during his eight years on the Bradley County Commission.

However, said Smith, it is time for him to seek other opportunities and for others "to serve this great community."

Morelock is the first Bradley County commissioner to announce his intentions to seek re-election in 2014.

Smith makes the fourth commissioner who will not seek re-election to the Bradley County Commission, joining Commissioners Ed Elkins, Connie Wilson and J. Adam Lowe, who serves as commission vice chairman.

Lowe is campaigning for the state House District 22 seat, as is fellow Republican Dan Howell, who has taken a leave of absence as executive assistant to Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis.

Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, who now holds the seat, is campaigning to become sheriff of Bradley County.

Petition forms are available for prospective County Commission candidates at the Bradley County Election Administrator's Office.

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