When Mark Devoti resigned last month from the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, he left vacant the seat representing the county's largest district.
The five candidates stumping to fill the remaining year on Mr. Devoti's term said the continued expansion of infrastructure is crucial to District 4, which lies south of Interstate 20 and includes the cities of Harlem and Grovetown.
The winner of the November election will have only a short time to make an impact on the board but should enjoy the benefits of incumbency during next year's elections.
Lee Anderson, a farmer and self-employed businessman, spent eight years as a Columbia County School Board member.candidates,} Mr. Anderson said his relationships with residents in the rural parts of the district should work in his favor in this election.
He said safety and economic development are pressing issues for the area, as is investment of county funds in the area.
Former Harlem Mayor John Bentley said his experience in the office would help him represent District 4 voters on the commission.
Harlem's infrastructure was a key issue when he was mayor, said Mr. Bentley, who is a nurse in the emergency room of Doctors Hospital.
when the county's landfill closes next year and ensuring timely ambulance services to the west end of the county are key issues.}Last month, George James was sitting on the Grovetown City Council when Mr. Devoti tendered his resignation to take a job in Virginia and approached the Grovetown resident about running.
As part of his campaign, Mr. James said he has stressed the need for more water lines in the district and for a study on consolidating fire services throughout the county.
Sam Jones, a family and marriage therapist, also said Grovetown's water and sewer infrastructure is in desperate need of upgrading in many areas.
"Grovetown has a contract that's got to be renewed with the county next year," he said. "We want to do what's best for the people that will be using it."
Retired schoolteacher Rosa Lee Owens has not held office before, but she said she has been involved in the community and fought for improvements.
"If you want to stand out and be counted, you have to persevere," she said. "They don't have water lines, they don't have roads paved (in the rural areas). We need to be interested in improving our area."
Reach Vicky Eckenrode at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or vicky.eckenrode@augustachronicle.com.
