With election day coming up on Tuesday, two candidates face off for the title of Pulaski County sole commissioner.
Pulaski County is home to about 11,000 people, and two of its members are running to be the next sole commissioner. Candidate Jenna Mashburn has lived in the county for more than 30 years, and candidate Tim Young has lived there for more than 25 years. The winner of this race will take on the role of former sole county commissioner, Butch Hall, who decided to resign. Mashburn says she has plans to attract more people to the area.
"I really want to bring some new industries. We really need to bring some new business back into our community," said Mashburn.
Young says his experience as Hawkinsville city manager for four years gave him a chance to work with economic development.
"For the last couple of years, we've been very successful and had well over 100 full-time jobs added to the community," said Young.
The sole commissioner's responsibilities include setting the agenda, budgeting, and overlooking daily operations for the county. Mashburn has worked in the medical field as a sales representative for more than 17 years and says it's important to know how to sell the community to people.
"I feel like there are a lot of the skills that I've learned as a sales representative and a marketing representative that I can apply to this position," said Mashburn.
Young worked as a manager at the Hollingsworth & Vose Mill for about 12 years and says those skills are useful as the sole commissioner.
"I've had management responsibilities in a government setting and a management setting in a business world, and I think both of those combined make me a great candidate," said Young.
Mashburn graduated from Valdosta State University and Young graduated from Bob Jones University in South Carolina. Both candidates says despite who gets your vote, get out and exercise your right to do it.
"The thing we really need to have is so many people to get out and vote," said Young.
"Make sure that you let your voice be heard," said Mashburn.
Probate Judge and Interim County Commissioner Jeff Jones says the sole commissioner serves four-year terms. Since former commissioner Butch Hall had two years left to complete, the winner of this race will serve the rest of that term.