CHATSWORTH, Ga. – The sole commissioner elected in Murray County this summer will face myriad problems, ranging from job shortages and budget woes to an unused county jail and lack of available health care, based on the questions asked by the community during a forum Thursday night.
The 15 candidates – 14 men and one woman – lined up along five tables at the Veterans Memorial Park to face an audience of more than 100 people seated on the gym bleachers.
The lineup of candidates vying for the job come from a wide range of career backgrounds, including a health administrator, several small business owners and a civil engineer.
Most of the candidates introduced themselves as graduates of Murray County schools and longtime residents of the county.
They are Frank Adams, who is retired; Jason Griffin, a residential contractor; Paul Hall, a Lotus Domino administrator; Jim Hazel, a land clearer; Greg E. Hogan, who works in trucking and forestry; Larry E. Morrison, who is self-employed; Steven Noland, who works in sales; Brittany D. Pittman, a financial manager; Ricky L. Pritchett, director of operations; Bruce Reed, who works for a lumber company; Stephen Richards, a civil engineer; Dwight Scott, a builder; Tom Starnes, county manager; Johnny Stover, president of Floods Auto Parts; and Leonard “Leo” Worley, IT worker for Shaw Industries.
Because of the large number of candidates, only three or four candidates got a chance to answer one question before moving on to the next question.
“I’ve lived in Murray County all my life, and we got a lot of things to offer here in this county,” Greg Hogan told the crowd. “But I don’t like to see the shape that it’s in.”
The county has battled high unemployment since the recession. Recent studies show it ranks as one of the lowest in the state in health rankings, particularly in access to health care.
Many of the candidates promised to bring more businesses to the area and to find ways to capitalize on Murray County’s outdoor and recreational opportunities.
The June 21 election was called after David Ridley resigned in March, just days after a county employee filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint against him alleging sexual harassment
The unusually large number of candidates is expected to trigger a run-off, which will be held on July 19.
Several candidates referenced Ridley’s resignation, saying the new commissioner needed to restore dignity to the position and build trust in the community.
“I will restore some dignity and quality to office of county commissioner and restore prestige to county itself,” Frank Adams pledged.
Adams also pledged to reduce his salary by 25 percent if he is elected, the only candidate who promised to take a pay cut.
The position of sole commissioner pays a salary of $98,174. A normal term is four years, but since this is a special election, whoever wins will serve until December 2012.