Waiting in the wings

Commissioner Elect Robert Jones preparing for January takeover

By Dan Pool

    Commissioner-Elect Robert Jones and his family treated more than 300 supporters, 

county employees to an informal dinner Saturday night.    

In a packed Chamber of Commerce building, the man who will take over the top position

 in county government this January shook hands with those who supported his campaign 

and those who will work for him starting next year.

    Several people commented on the size of the crowd, particularly considering 

there was both a Georgia Bulldogs game and NASCAR race on television at the same time.

    Jones said they had no idea how many people would turn out. He said his campaign 

committee felt strongly that he should host this type of event to say thanks to all 

his supporters and reach out to the community. While some of the food was catered, 

much was prepared by his supporters.

    ³We sent invitation to all our supporters and all county officers,² he said. 

³We wanted to give them a good meal and to sit down and shoot the breeze.²

 Following the dinner, Jones said he shook hands with most of the crowd and listened. 

He said most people were still just saying congratulations, but there was some early 

lobbying on different issues by members of the community. Jones said he heard people express general 

concerns about roads and growth, but he also heard some specific comments about particular issues.

    The commissioner-elect said he knew there were people among the county personnel 

and other members of Saturday¹s nights crowd who had worked with incumbent Billy Newton¹s 

campaign and that was fine. ³This is a small community and I want everyone 

to feel they are part of the county government,² he said. ³We need to all still be friends.²

    The campaign between Newton and Jones remained cordial with very few negative advertisements 

or statements.

    From now until January, Jones said he will be meeting with local clubs and organization 

and establishing working relationships with personnel in the DOT and other state agencies.

    ³I want to have all my bases covered,² he said. ³I don¹t want to come in and get blindsided 

the first day on the job.² 

    Jones said he will be participating in two specific training sessions offered by state 

agencies prior to taking office. The first is a week-long course on county tax issues presented 

in October and then a second course for all new county commissioners this December.