With election approaching for several Effingham County offices, four incumbents have announced their intention to be returned to their posts.
First District Commissioner Forrest Floyd and 4th District Commissioner Reggie Loper announced last Wednesday they are running for re-election, as did Tax Commissioner Linda McDaniel and Chief Magistrate Scott Hinson
Loper, if re-elected, will serve a fourth term on the county commission.
“We’ve had a lot of changes,” said Loper, who is retired. “We’ve rebuilt the old courthouse, the hospital, the sheriff’s office, we’ve got a new EMS building and we’ve got OmniFlight up here.”
Floyd was elected to office in 2012 and his in his first four-year term. Floyd brought up the commission’s efforts to expand recreation in the county, especially the purchase of more than 100 acres off Highway 21 and Ralph Rahn Road for a planned central complex.
“We’ve had a lot of great things happen in the community over the last three years,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of road improvements. We’re going to try to continue that as the budget will allow. I think the most important thing we’ve been able to accomplish in the last three years is working with the municipalities and the other elected officials. We do have a great bunch of leaders in this county that strive for the common goal of doing what’s best for this county. I want to be a part of that in the future.”
McDaniel, who is seeking a third term as tax commissioner, said her office has come “light years” in service and use of technology. Property records are available online, McDaniel pointed out.
“The biggest thing we’ve done in our office is we’ve had transparency,” she said. “You can pay online. You can pay with a credit card.”
Hinson also is seeking a third term and alluded to Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie’s decision to run again.
“I think the sheriff’s office and the judicial system have been working pretty well together,” Hinson said. “It’s a working relationship that benefits the entire community.”
County commission Chairman Wendall Kessler, whose seat also is up for election this year, has indicated he will run again.
Qualifying for county offices will be held March 7-11, beginning at 9 a.m. that Monday and ending at noon that Friday. Qualifying fees will be $1,894.94 for tax commissioner, probate judge, chief magistrate and clerk of courts.
Qualifying fees for commission chairman are $499.45 and for commission districts 1 and 4 are $454.05. For the three school board seats up for election — districts 2, 3 and 5 — qualifying fees are $72. Qualifying for coroner will be $546.
The presidential preference primaries will be held March 1. General primaries and nonpartisan general elections will be held May 24. School board seats are nonpartisan.
