Editor’s note: There was a editorial mistake that has since been corrected. – KtE
Polk County officials have so far received four names have already submitted their names for consideration for the Polk County Commission, and more may sign up before the January 25 deadline for the open District 1 seat.
Two of those names will be political newcomers to local politics, while two are well known and looking to get back into service.
Before getting into the candidates, a reminder: County Commissioners will be holding a public forum on February 12 to consider who they might wish to serve in the District 1 seat. The deadline for District 1 residents to be considered for the seat is on January 25, 2024 by close of business. A letter of intent and a resume are requested to be submitted to County Clerk Jaime Armstrong by email to jarmstrong@polkga.org.
The district covers from the Alabama state line to Collard Valley from west to east, and north to south from the Floyd County line down to the north half of Cedartown and as far south into Esom Hill, but not including Piedmont Highway. (Check out the map here for more details.)
Here’s some info on who is seeking the seat so far:
Deborah Connelly
Deborah Connelly is a local business owner and longtime produce grower in Polk County. The Marietta native moved to Polk County in 2006 after starting her business DAC Tax Services in 1997 in Annapolis, Maryland. After she settled down in Polk, she continued her business and began to grow fresh, award-winning produce in her backyard for sale.
Connelly and her husband Hank shared their lives together in Polk until he passed away in 2018. Even though she lost her “backbone in the garden” she continues to work in the soil and dive into numbers.
She has multiple areas where she feels the county should grow, which she provided in the following statement to Polk Today for readers along with some additional biographical information:
I have over 45 years of corporate and small business experience in the tax, finance and agricultural world. I sold locally grown produce from my back yard in Polk County for 18 years. I’m currently working as a self-employed Tax Professional and my business is called DAC Tax Service.
I was born and raised in Marietta GA but I’ve lived in Cedartown/Polk County for over 18 years. Cedartown has always been my second home visiting the Wood Farm every Sunday as a child. I care deeply about the citizens of Polk County and I believe that they deserve the best government services that we can afford.
The most important item on my list of things to improve upon is fire services. The citizens of Polk County deserve a full-time Fire Department and I will work hard to make that happen. This will decrease the 911 response times to medical emergencies and will be a HUGE savings to our citizens in the form of lower homeowner insurance rates. If selected, it will be my honor to protect the health, safety and welfare of all Polk County citizens.
A second item that I would like to bring back to the community is a volunteer tax preparation service. I’ve volunteered my time and services with AARP Tax Aide Program for over 10 years and would love to see something similar take it’s place in the future. Polk County citizens deserve these programs that provide free help/services and I will work hard to bring this program back to our community.
Lastly, I want to hold our county fiscally responsible for how we spend your tax dollars. It has been a long time since we have seen legitimate oversight. I will use my experience to bring accountability to the county and to ensure that the taxpayers’ dollars are not being wasted.
My background provides me the ability to negotiate and resolve issues by maintaining fiscal discipline and provide responsible oversight when needed. I’m a problem-solver with a strong financial and agricultural background which I think will work well in this position.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to working with all of you.
Janet Jolly Edwards
A retired educator and lifelong advocate of the outdoors, Janet Jolly Edwards is seeking consideration for the seat to help Polk County residents by first learning what they need from local government.
Edwards spent 30 years in the classroom an educator, but she remains at work with local children via Murphy Harpst Children’s Center in Cedartown.
She and her husband Mark love the outdoors, with interests ranging from mountain climbing to long distance running.
She provided the following statement to Polk Today for readers:
I have lived in Cedartown the majority of my life. I was born in Anchorage, Alaska as my father was in the Army. When his military service ended, he and my mother returned to their hometown to raise their family.
I graduated from Cedartown High School and attended Shorter University and the University of West Georgia. I recently retired from a 30 year teaching career with Polk School District. I am currently employed at Murphy Harpst Children’s Center.
I have served the children of Polk County my entire career and wish to continue to serve the citizens of Polk County through the County Commission.
I value fiscal responsibility and employee accountability. I fully support organizations such as Keep Polk Beautiful that maintain our streets, roadways and recreational areas.
Jordan Hubbard
Jordan Hubbard, a former Cedartown City Commissioner who served as chair as well as a local entrepreneur with several business interests (including Ideal Bakery.) He is seeking to get back into politics after he came off the Cedartown board when he and his wife Jessica moved out of the city limits and into a new home in 2019 following his election to a second term in office two years prior. He was first elected to office in 2013 to the City Commission.
Alongside his businesses, Hubbard keeps up a busy schedule in the classroom as well. The Shorter College graduate who also has coached tennis in the past to keep up his game also teaches dual enrollment courses for Georgia Northwestern Technical College and Georgia Highlands College in Politics and History at both high schools. He also works as an adjunct professor on both campuses as well.
He provided the following statement to the County Commission, which he asked to share on Polk Today:
Commissioners:
I want to start by saying thank you for your consideration. I know this action is a difficult task, especially with the absence of a personality like Scotty Tillery. I know his heart. I know his commitment. I know his drive. I also understand where you, as a commission, are heading; (so) it would be an honor to serve alongside each of you to continue in that direction.
Serving in a leadership position for the community I love is not a task I take lightly. I have always stood with the motto that we must leave this place better than we found it because we owe that to the youth of POLK County.
My background is multi-faceted, which gives me a unique perspective in the realm of local politics. In an ever-changing world, we must approach all issues with as many viewpoints as possible.
Again, we owe that to the future of POLK County by making the best decision we can based on the facts at hand.
It would be an honor to serve our community,
Jordan Hubbard
Andrew Carter
A former Cedartown City Commissioner who capped off his service at the end of 2023 is throwing his hat back into the ring for office again as well. A two-term commissioner with the city, Carter is also the voice you hear on the airwaves at all times of the day locally.
Carter is the station manager and the voice of Cedartown Bulldogs sporting events and many other shows and more on WGAA Radio. Along with his radio duties, Carter is also the Music Director at First Baptist Church of Rockmart and spent many years involved with community organizations.
Here’s the statement he provided to the County when he submitted his name for consideration:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to formally declare my interest in filling the vacant District 1 post on
the Polk County Board of Commissioners.
I feel that my prior experience as an elected official for two four-year terms on
the Cedartown City Commission, where I served two years as chair, plus my ties
to both Cedartown and Rockmart could be of benefit to the county commission.
I feel that I could do a good job in the position if the current board of
commissioners sees fit to offer the post to me.
Regardless of who gets the post, I trust that the commissioners will make the
best decision based on whom they perceive is best to fill the seat.
Scotty Tillery is irreplaceable and his loss is felt by all. If appointed to the Post 1
seat, that I would strive to serve the citizens of Cedartown and Polk County to
the best of my ability.
Respectfully,
Andrew Carter
Stay tuned for additional news of those seeking consideration for the County Commission seat on Polktoday.com as that information becomes available.
