All quiet in Springfield
The first day of qualifying passed in Springfield without anyone signing up for one of the three available council seats or to run for mayor by 4:15 Monday afternoon.
Rincon City Councilman Ken Baxley will not seek another term on council, he announced Monday.
Baxley, in his first term on council, cited educational and family commitments in his decision.
It wasn’t an easy decision,” he said.
He began thinking about stepping off back in April or May when his son-in-law deployed to Afghanistan with the Georgia Army National Guard, and he and his wife became more involved with helping their daughter and granddaughter.
He is also returning to college this fall to complete his degree, something his company, GEICO, strongly encourages. He is attending St. Leo’s University to get his BBA degree. He said he’s been waiting to complete his studies for 20 years and is glad to finally have the opportunity to do it.
Baxley has been on the council for four years and said that between his work on council and a stint on the planning and appeals commission, he has almost nine years devoted to serving Rincon.
“I regret that we haven’t established the kind of relationship with the county commissioners I would like to have,” he said.
He also said he had wished more restaurants had opened in Rincon but understands the economy has slowed that kind of progress recently.
Baxley had advice for anyone seeking to serve on the city council.
“Be ready to put in some hours,” he said. “It’s not just showing up for council meetings and you’re done. I’ve enjoyed it.”
He said a council member gets $150 a month, “no matter how many times you meet. You do it because you want to make a difference.”
At presstime Monday afternoon, only one person, Frank Owens, had qualified for a council seat. Owens has served previously on the council .
Anyone desiring to run for one of three council seats up for election this year would have to meet the following qualifications: be a registered voter in the city; be a city resident for at least one year; be at least 18 years of age; pay qualifying fees ($54); must not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude unless a full pardon has been received and all rights restored; and must submit the appropriate affidavit required by the Georgia Municipal Election code.
Council members are elected citywide and forms and information are available at Rincon City Administrative Offices located at 302 S. Columbia Ave. Qualifying will close Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Other Rincon seats up for election this year are those of Levi Scott, Scott Morgan and Mayor Ken Lee.
