Candidates For Oconee County Board Of Commissioners Told Attendees At Candidate Forum Why They Should Be Elected

Chuck Horton was the first asked the question, and he said voters should choose him for the Board of Commissioners in the November election because of his experience.

Horton, 62, has served two terms on the Board of Commissioners and two terms of the Board of Education, and he said he has experience with the issues the county will face in the next two years.

Ben Bridges was asked to speak next, and he said Oconee County voters should elect him to fill the unexpired term for Post II commissioner because “Oconee’s in my heart. Oconee’s in my blood.”

Bridges, 50, has lived in Oconee County all his life, and living in the county and growing up in the county have given him insights that will benefit the Commission, he said.

Marcus Wiedower said he should be the voters’ choice because of his experience in planning.

Wiedower, 41, worked for Beall, Gonnsen and Co., specializing in land planning, engineering and property zoning issues before moving to custom home building. He said his planning experience has helped him understand the ripple effects of Commission decisions.

The three candidates gave these reasons why they should be elected in response to the final question posed by moderator Charles Bullock in a candidate forum on Thursday (Oct. 13) night at the University of North Georgia.

Oconee County School Superintendent Jason Branch also addressed the forum, giving background on the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales tax that also will be on the ballot in November.

For more on the story and for videos of the session, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Moderator Charles Bullock