Jackson County Commissioner Bruce Yates announced late Tuesday night that he will not run for chairman of the board of commissioners, as he previously planned.
The announcement came at the end of one of Yates’ town hall meetings in Braselton, which he has hosted for more than five years. After several county officials gave updates on various projects, Yates read from a prepared statement outlining his decision to suspend his campaign for the chairman’s seat.
On the BOC, Yates represents District 3 — an area that largely includes West Jackson. He talked about his recent travels in his district since his announcement in March that he would seek the chairmanship.
Yates
Yates bows out of BOC chairman race
“Countless key supporters wished me well, but said you’ve been a good commissioner for our district, I wish you would continue,” he said. “I’ve had a change of heart. So, I shall suspend the campaign for chairman and remain on the board of commissioners for the remaining term, as I was elected. I apologize for this change of heart — it’s been difficult. It is in the best interest for me, my family and I believe the district, as well.”
Yates’ announcement was met with applause from the small audience that attended Tuesday’s town hall meeting.
Current BOC chairman Hunter Bicknell isn’t seeking re-election because he’s running for Congress in the new 9th Congressional District. Yates was the first person to announce his intention to follow Bicknell in the chairman’s seat.
Another county commissioner, District 1 representative Tom Crow, then announced that he would seek the chairmanship.
Because Yates’ term would have expired in two years, the county was preparing to hold a special election either in September or November to fill his seat. Qualifying is May 23-25 for all other elected positions that will be on the ballot.
Had he qualified for the chairmanship, Yates would have been required to resign from his District 3 seat on the BOC because his term still had two years remaining. Crow isn’t required to resign from District 1 seat if, and when, he qualifies for the election.
Hoschton council member Theresa Kenerly had announced that she planned to seek Yates’ District 3 seat on the BOC, when he resigned and a special election was established.
After his announcement, a reporter asked Yates if his decision had anything to do with three of the five current members of the BOC seeking other elected offices.
“I kinda believe that any time you have a change, it brings about issues,” he said. “So whether or not…that’s always a consideration, to some degree. But, it’s not something that would be the main factor. The main factor were the people here in the west side of the county – that’s where it all comes to.”
Yates said he began to reconsider his run for the chairmanship about a week ago.
“As I was going around meeting with the people, especially in West Jackson, people kept asking me, why I was leaving,” he explained. “And I said I wouldn’t be leaving, but they’ve been very supportive of me, but at the same time — that was the same question that came up.”
The primary election is Tuesday, July 31 and the general election is Nov. 4.
Yates said he will continue to serve on the District 3 seat. He is also a former Braselton Town Council member and assistant principal at Jackson County Comprehensive High School.
Yates’ announcement was met with applause from the small audience that attended Tuesday’s town hall meeting.
Current BOC chairman Hunter Bicknell isn’t seeking re-election because he’s running for Congress in the new 9th Congressional District. Yates was the first person to announce his intention to follow Bicknell in the chairman’s seat.
Another county commissioner, District 1 representative Tom Crow, then announced that he would seek the chairmanship.
Because Yates’ term would have expired in two years, the county was preparing to hold a special election either in September or November to fill his seat. Qualifying is May 23-25 for all other elected positions that will be on the ballot.
Had he qualified for the chairmanship, Yates would have been required to resign from his District 3 seat on the BOC because his term still had two years remaining. Crow isn’t required to resign from District 1 seat if, and when, he qualifies for the election.
Hoschton council member Theresa Kenerly had announced that she planned to seek Yates’ District 3 seat on the BOC, when he resigned and a special election was established.
After his announcement, a reporter asked Yates if his decision had anything to do with three of the five current members of the BOC seeking other elected offices.
“I kinda believe that any time you have a change, it brings about issues,” he said. “So whether or not…that’s always a consideration, to some degree. But, it’s not something that would be the main factor. The main factor were the people here in the west side of the county – that’s where it all comes to.”
Yates said he began to reconsider his run for the chairmanship about a week ago.
“As I was going around meeting with the people, especially in West Jackson, people kept asking me, why I was leaving,” he explained. “And I said I wouldn’t be leaving, but they’ve been very supportive of me, but at the same time — that was the same question that came up.”
The primary election is Tuesday, July 31 and the general election is Nov. 4.
Yates said he will continue to serve on the District 3 seat. He is also a former Braselton Town Council member and assistant principal at Jackson County Comprehensive High School.
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#1
JustPlainOldBob
on
05/09/12 at 05:22 AM
[Reply]
We need some resignations and Mr. Crowe is one of them. Just a good ole boy.