Candidates for County Commission District 1
The Polk County District 1 county commission race has four candidates with former Cedartown City Commissioner Jordan Hubbard, who was appointed by the county commission last month to serve the remainder of Scotty Tillery’s term, up against James Vines, Debbie Connelly, and Michael Gravett.
Vines is a retired senior officer and specialist with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Atlanta, and owner and operator of I&M Properties property management firm. Connelly is a self-employed tax professional who has been a farmer, managing a produce stand and supporting local farmers markets. Gravett recently served as the Polk County Public Works Director and has been the construction manager for Paulding County.
NOTE: The candidates’ answers were taken from the April 23 and April 24 Candidate Forums presented by the Polk County Chamber of Commerce. Answers have been edited for content and length.
Q: What inspired you to run for county commissioner?
Hubbard: I remember being in middle school. We got to go see Bill Cummings in the state capitol. And I got to meet people like Bill Cummings and Senator (Nathan) Dean and I thought, you know, those are the folks that show up. They were at every event in Polk County. They worked real hard for Polk County. They brought back a ton of stuff to Polk County.
My entire 20s were spent in civic service, from chamber days to the Downtown Cedartown Association to Government Affairs Committee under GMA to later running for city commission and I had the same aspect. Again, if I have the ability to serve, I’m gonna do anything I can for the youth of Polk County.
Vines: I think giving back to communities is one of the highest forms of service to your fellow man. I was always taught to help others out and to look for ways to make the place that you live a better place to be. So if I’m elected, I look to bring the hard work ethic and a positive attitude to bring in new solutions to some of the problems that we have in the county and hope I can be of help to anyone who needs it.
Connelly: I started asking questions around the county about how property values are done and so forth. And the answers that I was getting, I was like, you know, I think I can help them. I think I can show them ways that things could be done differently and just provide a service to them because I think that’s what you should do once you’re retired and have the time to serve your community. You should do it. And if you have the background to do certain things, like I have a background in taxes and finance, this gives me the ability to know things about real estate and things like that.
Gravett: I have a servant’s heart. I served the Polk County government for about six years and served the Paulding County government for about nine years. Time took me in a different direction. And I tell you, not being here every day made me want to continue my service ship here in Polk County. I’m constantly striving to help do better for the community. I’m on several different boards. I feel like I bring a unique perspective to the board with my background. I’ve got about 25 years experience in the civil industry. I feel like I can take my knowledge and experience and bring it right back to where I started.