Meet the Candidates

Toombs County Board of Commissioners District 4 Chris Duane Reaves 1. I am 50 years old. My family moved to Toombs County when I was 3 in 1979. I attended all my years in the Vidalia school system, graduating in 1993 from Vidalia Comprehensive High School. I have been married to my wife, Jana, for nearly 22 years, and together we have six children: Daylyn (21), Christopher (20), Karaleena (19), Kerith (19), Celina (18) and Frances (17). We are also blessed with our first grandchild Braxton (6 months). My wife and I also foster. I retired from the Georgia Department of Correction in 2021 after 29 years of service, the last 21 years on the Canine Unit. I’m currently a Sergeant with the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office.

2. I am running for County Commissioner because I have a heart to serve and want to continue giving back to this community in a new way beyond my career in law enforcement. I love Toombs County and want to help ensure it remains a great place for families like yours and mine to live, work and raise future generations.

With over 30 years of public service, I have built my carer on honesty, integrity, and accountability. My experience in law enforcement has taught me the importance of leadership, sound decision making, and treating people fairly. I believe in being transparent and approachable to the citizens I would serve.

As Commissioner, I will work to find a balance between being a good steward of tax payers dollars and maintaining the quality of services our community depends on.

3. If elected, my first priority will be to listen and learn. I recognize that there may already be plans and projects in place, and I believe it is important to understand what is working well before making unnecessary changes. I am not running to overhaul what is already effective, but rather to support and strengthen what benefits the citizens of Toombs County.

4. I see key areas where continued focus is essential. Maintaining and improving our county infrastructure, especially roads will continue to be a top priority. Safe, reliable roads are vital for our residents and emergency services. I also support continued investment in public safety to ensure our law enforcement, fire and emergency personnel have the resources they need to protect and serve effectively.

In addition, I want to explore ways to better support our local farmers, who are the backbone of our community. This could include working with state and local partners to identify incentives and opportunities that help sustain and grow our agricultural economy.

Overall, my approach will be practical and steady, focused on responsible growth, strong community services and making decisions that reflect the needs and values of the people of Toombs County.

David Beasley

1. A lifelong resident of Cedar Crossing and a graduate of Toombs Central Schools, I, David M. Beasley have dedicated my life to serving Toombs County. Married for 36 years, I am a devoted husband, father to two sons, Matthew and Caleb, and a grandfather to six, Jackson, Peyton, Drew, Jacee, Everly and Reid. Currently a nuclear warehouseman at Plant Hatch, my extensive public service includes over 34 years with the Toombs County Fire Department, where I serve as Assistant Chief. I also serve my community as an Associate Pastor. Formerly a co-owner of Beasley’s Roofing for 25 years, I combine business experience with a deep-seated commitment to faith, family and public safety.

2. I am running for County Commissioner because I desire to be a true spokesman for the people. My goal isn't to simply hold a title; it is to ensure that the citizens of Toombs County have a loud, clear voice in their local government. While I believe we live in the best county in Georgia, I am running because I believe there is always room for improvement. I want to shift the focus toward long-term infrastructure health and enhanced public safety to keep pace with our county's growth.

My qualifications are rooted in decades of leadership and service. Having co-owned Beasley’s Roofing for 25 years, I understand the challenges of small business owners, the importance of budgeting, and the value of hard work. My 34 years in the fire service, currently as Assistant Chief, have given me a unique perspective on the needs of our first responders and the mechanics of county operations. Furthermore, my role as an Associate Pastor has fostered a heart for service. I am prepared to lead with integrity, listening to the needs of every resident to ensure our county remains a place we are all proud to call home.

3. If elected, my primary objective is to implement a comprehensive 10-year infrastructure plan. Rather than applying temporary patches to our roads, I will work with engineers and the budget committee to prioritize full-depth reclamation and long-term paving solutions. Our families and grandchildren deserve safe roads, and a structured, decade-long plan ensures fiscal responsibility while achieving permanent results.

4. Secondly, I am committed to bolstering our public safety and emergency services. As Toombs County grows, our need for emergency personnel increases. I will advocate for a budget that supports more full-time fire personnel and additional deputies on patrol to better control crime. I also plan to focus on the continued modernization of our EMS and 911 systems to ensure rapid response times when seconds matter most.

Finally, I aim to revitalize community spaces and local economy. I will work to repair and replace equipment in our community parks, providing a safe and modern environment for our children to play. To keep property taxes at a minimum, I will aggressively pursue new business development to expand our tax base and create local jobs. I will achieve this by increasing communication between elected officials and the public. By hosting regular town halls and maintaining transparency, I will ensure that the community has a direct say in the decisions that impact their lives. I am ready to be a servant-leader who works tirelessly to improve every corner of our county.

Timothy Truxel

1. I earned an engineering degree from Penn State University. I have been married to my wife Lisa for 34 years. We have four children, all of whom live in Toombs County. I have been employed by Dot Foods for 30 years, including the last 22 years in Toombs County as General Manager. I have been actively involved with organizations important to our community, including the Toombs County Development Authority, United Way, Meadows Hospital, the Onion Festival, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Vidalia City School Board, Peoples Bank, and many others.

2. For the past 22 years, I have had the privilege of being actively involved in the growth and development of Toombs County. I have seen firsthand what strong leadership, collaboration, and responsible decision-making can accomplish. I am proud of the progress we have made and want to continue serving our county by helping guide its future in a thoughtful and responsible way.

I believe my business and leadership experience, deep commitment to our community, and proven ability to work as part of a team have prepared me to serve effectively as your County Commissioner. Through my board experience, I understand the responsibilities of a productive board member and the importance of working together to make decisions that serve all citizens.

3. If elected, I am not looking to make major changes, but rather to apply my business and leadership experience to complement the strong leadership already in place. Toombs County is on solid ground, and we must continue working together to make sound decisions that benefit both current and future citizens.

We must protect our rural lifestyle while also planning strategically for growth to maintain and expand our tax base. The need for change is more long-term than immediate, which makes strategic planning essential. To attract and retain future generations, we must provide both quality employment opportunities and the amenities they value, while still supporting our current residents.

We have a strong industrial base, and with the right leadership, we can identify and support growth opportunities within these industries. We must also focus on increasing affordable housing while maintaining the integrity of our existing neighborhoods. My goal is to help keep Toombs County strong and moving forward.

4. My first goal is to be a strong voice for the citizens of District 4. I plan to listen, ask questions, and represent their interests to the best of my ability. While it may not be possible to meet every request, I will work to make thoughtful decisions that benefit the greatest number of people.

I want to see continued growth in Toombs County. I have seen firsthand how effective teamwork among our governing agencies contributes to success, and I will work to maintain and strengthen that collaboration.

My focus is simple: support steady growth, make sound decisions that benefit our county, and always put the people of Toombs County first.

Board of Education District 5 Stephen Hutchison (Incumbent) At the time of press, Stephen Hutchison had not submitted a candidate questionnaire.

Joseph Cecil Potter

1. I have been married for almost 17 years to my wife, Maranda Potter and I’m a proud father to our two daughters, Lilah and Lenox. I am currently employed with Assa Abloy and have been involved in the security industry for over twelve years. I am a U.S. Army Veteran and an active member of the Lyons Lions Club, NRA and VFW. I am also a member of Calvary on Aimwell where I serve as the Director of Security and Discipleship training and as an usher. I am currently working toward my bachelor’s degree in theology from Liberty University.

2. I am running because I believe our schools should be focused on what matters most, student safety, strong academics, and preparing our kids for the real world. As a father of two kids in this school system, this is not just politics to me, it’s personal. I want my children, and every child in this system, to have the opportunity to succeed in a safe and supportive environment.

What qualifies me for this position is a combination of real-world experience and a willingness to step in and serve. As a U.S. Army Veteran and someone who has spent over a decade in the security field, I understand responsibility, structure, and the importance of getting the basics right. I have also taken the time to attend meetings, review policies, and understand the role of the board.

I believe leadership requires transparency, accountability, and stewardship. I’m not running for a title. I’m running to serve and help move our schools forward.

3. If elected, my focus would be on strengthening the foundation of our schools.

First, I would prioritize a full review of outdated policies, especially those related to student safety, discipline, and bullying. These are not areas that should go years without review. Policies should be current, clear, and consistently enforced.

This includes not only enforcing discipline but also exploring solutions like counseling and support for students involved in bullying, addressing the root of the issue while maintaining accountability. It also means strengthening cybersecurity measures to better protect student information and ensure our systems are secure.

Second, I would work to improve transparency and communication. Our parents and community deserve to be informed and included in the decisions that affect them. That includes better access to information, clearer communication, and making sure parents and teachers have a voice.

Third, I would review spending to ensure we are taking care of the basics first. Safe facilities, necessary resources, and support for teachers should always come before non-essential projects.

Fourth, I would focus on preparing students for life after graduation. Not every student takes the same path, so we need to support both college and career opportunities, including workforce development and practical skills.

Finally, I would work to build a stronger trust between the board and the community by being present, listening, and making decisions based on what is best for students.

4. My first goal is to improve student safety. I would work with administrators and local law enforcement to review current safety measures, identify any gaps, and ensure policies are consistently enforced across all schools.

My second goal is to strengthen academic performance and accountability. This includes regularly reviewing student performance data, supporting teachers with the resources they need, and ensuring expectations are clear and consistent.

Third, I want to increase transparency and community engagement. I would advocate for clearer communication, better access to information, and more opportunities for parents and staff to be heard before decisions are made.

Fourth, I aim to ensure responsible financial stewardship. This includes carefully reviewing budgets, prioritizing essential needs, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

I would work to achieve these goals by staying engaged, asking thoughtful questions, collaborating with fellow board members, and keeping students at the center of every decision.

David Beasley

Timothy Truxel

Joseph Cecil Potter