Peacock seeks District 5 commission seat
Mar. 26—Pam Peacock is among three candidates vying for the District 5 seat on the Baldwin County Board of Commissioners.
Peacock has lived in Baldwin County for nearly 20 years, and in the past several years, she has attended county commission meetings and voiced concerns about matters related to the county animal control shelter and transparency in government.
Peacock said she has 40 years of work experience in banking, business organization and management.
She pointed out that she wants to work with all citizens of the county to bring about improvements and new ideas of which everyone can be proud.
"I've seen things that I think we can do differently in Baldwin County," Peacock said in a recent interview with The Union-Recorder. "We need open and transparent governance. There have been some instances where I thought the board of commissioners lacked transparency and accountability."
Peacock contends the residents of Baldwin County deserve no less than open and transparent government at all times.
"I've actually had to involve the Georgia Attorney General's Office in some of those matters," Peacock said. "The citizens of this county deserve to know what's going on and to have a say in their government."
Peacock, a Republican, is vying against two other Republicans in the race — incumbent Johnny Westmoreland and Scott Little. Westmoreland is commission chairman. Little is a political newcomer.
Peacock and her husband, Terry, a service technician for Yancey Brothers in Macon, have lived at Lake Sinclair in Baldwin County for the past 19 years.
The couple has a son, William, owner of a mobile dog grooming business.
Peacock works as the office manager at Lake Country Pools in Eatonton.
She also is former founder and president of PAWS for Georgia, an animal advocacy group. She is still active with the organization and today serves as its secretary.
Peacock said she also has other concerns when it comes to county government.
One of those concerns is related to property taxes.
"I believe the lake landowners carry a good bit of the tax burden in the county and I also think some property values in the county are out of proportion," Peacock said.
She said property tax assessments need to be examined more closely to see what, if anything, can be done to alleviate the burden facing county property owners who live at Lake Sinclair.
Peacock said other issues that she believes need to be addressed in the county include trash and short-term rental agreements.
Another issue involves poor road conditions.
She said she is hearing from more and more residents about bad road conditions.
Just the other day, she said one of her neighbors discovered she was seeking political office and inquired about the road conditions.
Peacock also was questioned about her views on economic development.
"We need new industry that will bring better paying jobs to Baldwin County," Peacock said.
She is a native of Bulloch County, where her father, the late Richard Malone, worked as a deputy with the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office after serving in the Army. He later served as police chief of the Statesboro Police Department for several years.
Like the Peacock family, Pam's mother, Sue, lives on the lake in Baldwin County.
Peacock's brother, Ray, is a former trooper with the Georgia State Patrol.
"I'm committed to finding the best path forward on some of the issues I've previously mentioned, and others, and that's why I'm running for the District 5 seat on the county commission," Peacock said. "I believe that Baldwin County is changing and evolving just as the political climate."
Regardless of political affiliation, Peacock said she will work for all citizens of the county if elected.
"I believe in listening to all the concerns of all constituents to find solutions that benefit everyone, not just certain groups," she said.
