Seven names are on the list for Polk County Commissioners to decide who will take over the seat open for a new member to join before March as the deadline to submit applications closed at the end of business today.
Derinda Stephens added her name earlier today, and Jose Iglesias included his application late in the day to complete the list of candidates who are seeking the District 1 seat previously held by Commissioner Scotty Tillery.
Due to Iglesias’ late entry and following a conversation with him this evening, he will be submitting information to share on Friday.
Here’s information about the latest candidates:
Derinda Stephens
Derinda Stephens was the sixth candidate to add her name to the list being considered for the District 1 appointment ahead of today’s deadline at the close of business this afternoon.
Stephens is a lifelong resident of the county, who began Integrity Realty in 2012 to sell properties across the county and around the region, and has been active in community organizations and on local boards. She raised her children in Polk, who are graduates of Cedartown and Rockmart High School.
She’s a graduate of the Polk County Leadership Academy, took part in the Take Back Polk program for three years, has been part of the Rotary Club of Polk County and Kiwanis.
Stephens has also served on the Polk County Board of Assessors for the past 5 years.
“As a lifelong resident of Polk County, I have found that what I invest in my community, my community, in return equally invests in me,” she provided to Polk Today in a statement this afternoon. “Starting as early as 1985 Polk County has aided me on my path toward success.”
Here’s the Letter she submitted along with her resume to the county:
As said above, Iglesias’ late submission caused a slight delay in getting information to Polk Today to provide to the public. For the moment: Jose Iglesias served for a short time as an appointee on the Polk County Commission following the resignation of Jason Ward. He owns and operates Taxes de America on Main Street in Cedartown, and has called Polk home for many years with his wife and children.
The District 1 seat became open due to the untimely passing of Commissioner Scotty Tillery at the beginning of the year.
Candidates will now get a chance to answer questions posed by County Commissioners in an upcoming forum set for February 12. The details of that Forum have yet to be fully announced.
Commissioners will have to decide who will fill the seat no later than March 1, when the 60-day deadline will expire.
Today was the final day for current residents who have lived in District 1 for at least a year to submit their names for consideration for appointment.
Check back for more on Friday.
