Larry Maxey
Rhonda Selman Wallace
Probate Judge Steve Burkhalter will swear in Larry Maxey and Rhonda Wallace in the Community Room on the second floor of the County Administration Building, 12 E. Fourth Ave.
Maxey said their first official actions will come at the board’s Aug. 14 meeting, but County Manager Blaine Williams is setting up tours of each department before then.
They’ll also get a briefing book to tide them over until the Association County Commissioners of Georgia offers training sessions in December.
Wallace said she’s made unofficial visits to the courthouse, water department, tax office, fire department and sheriff’s office.
“I’m trying to be proactive, to meet as many people as I can,” she said.
The two were chosen in July 31 special elections to fill the unexpired terms, through Dec. 31, 2014, of Chad Whitefield and Eddie Lumsden. The County Commission has been operating with just three members since March.
Commissioners have deferred action on some items until the board was at full strength — but several new options allowed by the Georgia General Assembly this year still may not move.
Neither Wallace nor Maxey indicated they would push for a November vote on Sunday alcohol package sales in the unincorporated area. Rome and Cartersville already allow it and Bartow County voters approved it last week .
“It’s not high on my list of burning issues,” said Wallace.
County commissions also may now call for a vote to expand the freeport tax exemption for businesses and industries, and re-establish the local sales tax on energy used in manufacturing.
The commissioners-elect said Monday they want to research the potential impact to see if either action would benefit the county.
“I’ve been talking to a lot of the citizens, getting their feedback on issues, but I know enough to know I don’t know enough yet,” Maxey said.
Wallace said public safety and job growth are her top priorities. She voiced concern that police and other county employees have gone without raises for years.
“We have to look at that, not only to keep the employees we have but to attract others,” she said. “It’s disappointing when good people leave us to go somewhere else for more money.”
Voters in the July 31 primaries also chose their party’s candidates for the Nov. 6 general election.
The contested races in Floyd County are for the U.S. Congressional District 14 seat, state House District 12 seat, clerk of court, sheriff, County Commission Posts 2 and 3, and County Board of Education District 4, representing the Model and Johnson communities.
Floyd County General Election Contested Races
Most Floyd County races are down to a single candidate following the July 31 primaries. The following seats are contested in the Nov. 6 general election:
(Covers Floyd, Chattooga, Polk, Gordon, Walker, Dade, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Haralson and Paulding counties)
Democrat: Daniel “Danny” Grant
Republican: Tom Graves (I)
(Covers all of Chattooga and the western half of Floyd County)
Democrat: Barbara Massey Reece (I)
Republican: Eddie Lumsden
Democrat: Barbara Penson (I)
Republican: Mark McAllister
Democrat: Tim Burkhalter (I)
Republican: Cary Cooper
Democrat: Gary D. Harrell
Republican: Garry E. Fricks (I)
Democrat: Richard C. Garrett
Republican: Irwin Bagwell (I)
(Model and Johnson communities)
Democrat: Everett Ballard
Republican: David Cox (I)
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