HARRIS COUNTY: District 4 Commissioners Race, meet Jim Kelly
HARRIS COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL)— As May primaries draw near, WRBL is committed to getting you prepared before you cast your ballot.
In Harris County, there are two contested races. Five candidates are vying for seats on the Board of Commissioners for Districts 4 and 5. WRBL plans on speaking with each candidate, first introducing Jim Kelly.
Kelly has called Harris County home for the past 30 years. He is a father to seven, grandfather to 13, and great-grandfather to six. He is running for the District 4 County Commissioner seat that covers portions of Cataula, Mulberry Grove, and Fortson that is currently filled by Bobby Irions.
Kelly says this is the first time he has ever run in a local election.
“In the past, I didn’t have the time because I was always busy. I was always gone. But I have the time now, I’m retired. So, I have the time now. My daddy always taught me to give back. So, I’m ready to serve the county.”
Kelly boasts more than 20 years of military experience. After retiring from the military, he taught ROTC in Eufaula for three years before finishing out his career in security with Newark Corporation, Homeland Security, and FEMA.
He believes his 40 years of leadership experience and education in business will be assets to his role as commissioner. He outlines some changes he plans on making if elected.
“There are some changes I’d like to make. First of all, is communication with the people. I think sometimes the commissioners lose sight with the people that voted them in office. I’ve been here 30 years and I’ve never had anybody come ask me what I thought about this issue,” Kelly said. “Unless it was in the paper, I hear about it and then we have to go to the courthouse and then you sign up to talk and you got one guy who’s talked for an hour, and nobody gets a chance to say anything.”
Kelly says the first thing he wants to do to improve communication between commissioners and residents is establish a hotline he can respond to within 24 hours. To voters, he shares one message.
“I want them to know that I want to be here for them. I want to speak for them. They vote for us,” Kelly shared. “And I don’t want to be a rubber stamp everything. I want to be able to talk to the people who put me in from my district, get together with them prior to an issue that comes up and ask them how they feel about it. Ask them what they’d like to see happen and fight for them.”
Anyone with additional questions for Kelly can reach him by email at jim.kelly23694@gmail.com.
Kelly is one of three candidates vying for the District 4 seat, other candidates include incumbent Bobby Irions and small business owner Richie Grantham. Early voting for this election begins April 29, election day is May 21.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
