VALDOSTA — Candidates vying for Lowndes County offices squared off during the Lowndes County Political Forum Tuesday evening.

Moderated by VSU Political Science Department Head, Dr. Jim Peterson, the forum gave several candidates the opportunity to voice their views and stances for the last time before the July 15 primary election. The forum included candidates for the positions of Lowndes County Sheriff, Lowndes County Tax Assessor for Posts 1, 2 and 3 and Lowndes County Commission, District 1.

First, sheriff candidates addressed several anonymous questions from audience members. Candidates included Roy Hart (D), Chris Prine (D), J.D. Yeager (D) and Freddie Taylor (R).

The session focused mainly on the candidates’ visions for the future and feats they hope to accomplish within the next term if elected. Hart expressed hopes to obtain accreditation for the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office if elected. He explained that accreditation would save the agency money in the long run and create better operations, while minimizing the cost of insurance and the risk of lawsuits.

Prine stated his main goal was to create an open door policy as well as an environment where LCSO, Valdosta police, the Georgia State Patrol and the FBI can work together. Yeager, who is currently the second in command at LCSO, mentioned plans to continue with current expansion and improvement projects, which include the joint city and county crime lab, the increase in jail space and a program to assess employee pay and promotions more accurately. If elected, Taylor hopes to get the LCSO more involved in community-based efforts and increase the citizens' confidence in the department.

Next, tax assessor candidates answered questions submitted by audience members. Candidates included David DeMersseman (R) and Incumbent Earl Wetherington, Jr. (D) for Post 1, Steve Davis (R), Allan Dear (D) and Incumbent Doyle Kelly (D) for Post 2, and Mike Hill (D) and Incumbent W.G. Walker (D) for Post 3.

Certification was a major focal point during the session, particularly since Lowndes County is the only county in the state that elects its assessors rather than appoints them based on certification. DeMersseman, Dear and Hill all agreed that certification as an assessor would be a top priority if elected. Wetherington, Kelly and Walker maintained that while they are not certified as tax assessors, they are still qualified to do the job the citizens voted on them to do. While Davis did not express his stance on the certification of the next elected tax assessor, he expressed his desire to make common sense a factor in assessing property value.

The final session included statements from Joyce Evans (D), Dexter Sharper (D) and Incumbent Edgar Roberts (D), all vying for the position of District 1 Commissioner. The candidates' discussion centered around commission expansion, the construction of a new equine facility and representing the majority of the people in District 1.

While all of the candidates agreed that the commission should be expanded, Roberts and Evans suggested that the commission should seat five while Sharper suggested a 7-member commission to ensure adequate representation in the future. Roberts and Evans agreed once again that the equine facility was a great vision and provided several opportunities for the future. Sharper did not deny that the facility was a good idea; however, he mentioned that its construction may not be best at this time due to the economy.

When asked whether they felt the commissioners should always vote according to the views of the majority of their district, Sharper and Roberts stated that while they are voted in by the people, the commissioners may have more information about a situation than the people and should vote based on what is best for Lowndes County. Evans stated that as a good representative, one should look at what the people feel is best for them and stand up for the people in his or her district.

Each session was concluded with closing statements from the candidates.

The forum was dedicated to Virginia Louise Branan, who was actively involved in several community and statewide organizations. Sponsors include the American Association of University Women (Valdosta Branch), American Association of University Professors, VSU College Democrats, VSU College Republicans, Lowndes County Democratic Party, Lowndes County Republican Party, National Association of Social Workers, The Home Builders Association of South Georgia, Inc., The Valdosta Daily Times, VSU Department of Political Science and Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce.