Meet The Candidates!
Read the profiles of each candidate vying for seats in the June 17 election.
As early voting has begun throughout the area, voters are now taking to the polls to select their candidates for two local offices in Vidalia and Wheeler County. To help better inform readers on their voting choices in the upcoming June 17 Special Election, The Advance has asked the candidates in these races to respond to four questions, which are listed below.
1. Personal Profile. (100 words or less) List your education, family, career, affiliations, etc.
2. Why are you running for office? What qualifies you to hold this office? (200 words or less) 3. If elected, what changes would you implement? (250 words or less) 4. List the specific goals that you want to accomplish while in office and explain how you would achieve these goals. (250 words or less) continued from page
Vidalia City Council Ward 3 Seat
Two candidates are facing off to fulfill the unexpired term of the late Mayor Pro Tem John Raymond Turner.
Sharon Hall
1. My name is Sharon Hall and I’m a proud Vidalia native. I have a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from Mercer University. I have worked in multiple departments in the financial services industry including Finance, Accounting, and Regulatory/ Compliance. In addition to working, I’m currently pursuing a Master in the Study of Law at Hamline University. I have a 12 year-old daughter and we are members at East Park COGIC.
2. I’m running for Vidalia City Council because I care deeply about this community and believe we can do better together. I’ve seen the needs in District 3 up close, and I know we deserve more investment, more opportunities, and more of a voice at the table. I’m not a career politician, and I think that’s a strength. I bring a fresh perspective, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to serving people.
I’ve built a career on listening, solving problems, and following through. Whether working in business, mentoring youth, or serving locally, I’ve stayed grounded in what matters: helping people thrive. I understand how to work with budgets, build partnerships, and bring folks together to get things done. That’s what this role demands. I’m stepping up because I want to help shape a city that works for all of us.
3. I want to make sure District 3 gets its fair share of attention, resources, and opportunities. That means improving streets, parks, and safety. Too many areas have been overlooked for too long, and it’s time to change that.
I would push for better communication between the city and residents. Folks shouldn’t have to chase down answers or feel left in the dark about decisions. I’d work to create more open channels, regular community updates, and clear follow-through when people raise concerns.
I’d also work to attract more local investment and small business support. Vidalia has so much potential, but we need to make it easier for entrepreneurs to get started and stay rooted here. That includes offering better support, stronger partnerships with schools and training programs, and tapping into regional opportunities that benefit our city.
I believe we can also strengthen how we serve our youth. More mentorship programs, job training, and safe spaces give them reasons to stay and succeed right here. These changes aren’t just ideas, they’re steps to a more connected, thriving Vidalia.
4. I have three clear goals: invest in neglected areas of District 3, strengthen communication and trust between residents and city leadership, and create more opportunities for youth and small
businesses. I would work to prioritize street repairs, lighting, and park improvements in District 3. That starts with walking the neighborhoods, talking directly to residents, and making sure their voices guide the priorities. I’ll advocate for those projects every time the council sets its budget.
To rebuild trust, I’d host regular District meetings and share updates on what’s happening—and what’s not. People deserve transparency and real-time feedback. I’d also make it easier for folks to get involved by simplifying how they submit concerns or ideas.
For youth and business support, I’d partner with local schools, nonprofits, and regional groups to create new training and mentorship programs. We can connect young people to internships, help them build skills, and support small businesses with workshops and funding leads.
None of this happens alone. I plan to build strong relationships with other council members and community leaders to make progress real, not just promised. If we work together and stay focused, I know we can move Vidalia forward starting right here in District 3.
Ronald Miller
1. Birthplace Vidalia, Georgia. Parents were the late David and Lucy Miller. I attended and graduated from Vidalia public schools. Associate of Arts Degree (AA) from Brewton- Parker College, Mount Vernon, Georgia, a Bachelor of Science from Florida Memorial University, Miami, Florida, and a Master of Divinity from Turner Theological Seminary (ITC), Atlanta, Georgia. Mediation Training Certificate from the Atlanta Justice Center in Atlanta, GA, and Certificate of Training from the Center of the Visually Impaired in At-lanta, GA.
Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Ordained pastor. Former high school teacher and coach, and district manager for a major restaurant chain.
2. I am deeply committed to transforming the conditions in our community— the very place where I grew up and currently pastor St. Paul AME Church. Over the past two years, I have attended nearly every City Council meeting, equipping myself with a profound understanding of how a dedicated voice in council discussions can drive positive changes for our residents. I also attended meetings about municipal funding sources for the City of Vidalia, which has allowed me to become knowledgeable of opportunities to bring resources to Ward 3.
During my time as a pastor in New Jersey, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, I was appointed to various municipal commissions by mayors. This background not only showcases my commitment to civic engagement but also underscores my ability to navigate the complexities of local government. Facing challenges of losing my sight, my inner vision has never wavered. I was inspired to establish Enhancing Low-Income Communities Economically (ELICE), to revive and uplift our Ward. The results are evident in the improvements to MLK, Jr. Ave. The street has benefited from new streetlights illuminating our neighborhood and a new paved street. ELICE also spearheading the cleanup and maintenance of the East Park Cemetery.
3. If elected, my immediate focus will be on actively engaging all residents of Ward 3 to ensure their voices are heard on issues that matter most to them. I propose establishing regular Ward 3 meetings in accessible locations throughout the Ward, creating a platform for citizens to share their concerns and ideas. This collaborative approach will allow me to address the diverse needs of both individuals and business owners in the city council’s executive session meetings.
I believe that meaningful change requires the input and participation of our entire Ward community. By facilitating open dialogue through the Ward meetings, we can work together to find solutions that benefit everyone.
I am committed to being readily available to all constituents, prioritizing their concerns and fostering a sense of shared responsibility in our growth and development.
Understanding that there are major concerns throughout Ward 3 with crime and infrastructure issues (sewer drainage, bad streets and bad water), I will immediately introduce sound proposals for council approval to address these concerns. For example, not only will I continue to advocate for increasing funding for the police department, I will also seek comprehensive studies on crime prevention not only in Ward 3 but throughout Vidalia. I believe that the City Council must seek proposals to permanently resolve these problems.
I intend to address the need for better parks and recreation services for our youth and senior citizens. I hope to establish a strong joint Ready to Read program with the school system.
4. My primary goal as Councilman for Ward 3 is to achieve significant changes that will im-prove its appearance to match that of the other wards in Vidalia. In certain neighborhoods within Ward 3, there is little to no street lighting, the sidewalks that do exist have not been properly maintained, and poor water quality has become a recurring complaint, often addressed only with temporary fixes. My aim is to end the neglect of our ward. I believe my proven track record of openly addressing issues with city officials, which has already led to positive results, demonstrates what I can accomplish for Ward 3 while serving as City Councilman.
All the goals I wish to accomplish depend on two key factors: 1. acknowledgment by city officials that improvements are needed, and 2. once this acknowledgment is made, the appropriate city officials’ commitment to locating funds through state and federal funding sources to facilitate the necessary improvements.
To achieve these goals, I will not only rely on the information presented but will conduct independent research to identify additional resources available to the city. For example, I am exploring whether a professional city planner is necessary to address the issue of Ward 3 being a primary destination for unwanted and unattractive buildings. A professional city planner will not only benefit Ward 3 but will benefit the city of Vidalia.
My goal is to work together Now for a better Tomorrow for all citizens in Ward 3 and citizens of Vidalia!
Wheeler County Tax Commissioner Four candidates are vying for the position of Wheeler County Tax Commissioner, as former Wheeler County Tax Commissioner Kim Clark resigned earlier this year to accept a position in the private sector.
Bradley Davis
1. I am a proud lifetime resident of Wheeler County and will always call Wheeler my home and the people of Wheeler my family. I am a graduate of Wheeler County High School, and I have been in the timber industry for 11 years while behind the scenes preparing myself for a role in county government. I am married to Logan Davis, the mother of my two wonderful children Roy and Heidi Davis. We as a family also own and operate a consignment business named Whippoorwill Ridge Trail & Performance Horses.
2. I have always sought to hold an elected office for the County. Being in such a close relationship with my grandfather Roy Braswell, I found a love for my community at a very early age by being so impressed by what I saw on a daily basis. Everything I have done with my adult life to date has been a precursor to where I want to be in the future which is, without a doubt, In the Courthouse offering myself to the people of this beautiful county. This is not an idea that I conjured up overnight, this is a plan of many years in the making and the beginning of a lifetime commitment of dedication and service to Wheeler County. I feel that I am dually Qualified for this position because I have acquired a fairly extensive knowledge of computer skills and business sense to prepare me for things that will be asked of me in the future as well as an unmatched ability to learn quickly and to excel in anything that is put in front of me. Of most importance my heartfelt dedication to keep fairness, honesty and morals on the forefront of everything I do.
3. If elected, the changes that I would make would be to improve the relationship that the people have with the Tax Commissioners office as well as county Government altogether by being the most dependable, trustworthy, hardworking, and humble person serving the people of my home county. Even a well ran office has room for improvement and my goal overall is to apply every positive change that I can by hearing the voice of the people and working hard to develop the best balance of love and respect for the office. Communication between the people and the office will be fair and clear and my voice against corruption will be heard if need be.
4. The goals that I would achieve, are many, but if I must say, the main goal that I would without fail achieve, is to increase the standard for integrity in county government and our small-town politics. My commitment to this county is a lifetime commitment from a man whose heart is in the right place and is headstrong enough to make a change and say the things that need to be said. I am not implying that corruption or poor standards are a problem that we have, but I am saying that with me in office I will be a voice against anything that is not a positive improvement. Lord willing, I have many years of my life left to offer myself to the people of Wheeler County. Starting out as a young man my main long-term goal is to be remembered by the people of Wheeler after I’m gone as a man that kept the high standard climbing and that everyone was happy to know, trust and depend on. This election is the beginning of of a long-term plan and with your help at the ballot box, we can get this plan in motion to achieve great things in our county! Whitney Clark Griffin
1. I was born the last of 5 children (Tim and Alicia Hartley, Michael and Courtney Palma, Blake and Samantha Clark, and Jamey and Clarissa Jenkins) to Tommy and Pat Clark and was raised in Wheeler Co. my whole life. I graduated from Wheeler County Schools in 2005; then, I obtained certificate for Medical assisting and phlebotomy. I worked at Alamo Discount Pharmacy before opening Country Charm Flowers & Gifts. I fell in love with this county and the people. I married Doug Griffin in 2011, and we have four children, Kennedi (10), Kamille (8), KC (6), and Knoxx (4).
2. I wasn’t sure at first why I was running for this position as it began as a discussion amongst friends. After prayer and questioning my family, I made the announcement that I would be running. It wasn’t long after the post was made that I realized this was an answer to a prayer that had been on my heart for a long period. I had several people reach out to me stating they had been praying I would run. I have always been a firm believer in everything happens in His time and for His purpose, so I listened with no reservations. I am qualified for this position. I’m technologically savvy and proficient with spreadsheets, invoices, and payroll payouts. I have paid taxes for years with my business and sent out invoices, kept spreadsheets for merchandise, paid payroll and payroll taxes. I have collected money from delinquent accounts charged at my shop, which is not an easy job to do but I was able to do it in a friendly manner to keep people coming back. This is a valuable quality to have for this position.
3. Our former Tax Commissioner, Kim Clark, did a phenomenal job at getting the county in an exceptional position. Our county has a 90(+) percent collection rate of property taxes as of today. The taxes that are collected from our tax payers go to various important entities around the county. With that in mind, we live in a rat race world, everyone is on the go 24/7. I have had a few people complain of not being able to pay their taxes online. As I started doing some research, Wheeler County is one of the few counties that are not on the department of revenue website for access to be able to make payments. I know in these busy times, that would be helpful for full time employees that work and cannot always find time to get up to the courthouse. I would do whatever I could to get in touch with the department of revenue and jump through all the hoops to have Wheeler County added to the portal and make this access available to our citizens.
4. One goal I have that I would like to see implemented connects my love for our county and my love for continuing education. One constant that I have heard over the last month is that we need our young people involved. The truth is that the younger generation has no connection to the county or county seats or knowledge there of. I would like to get with Mrs. Janice at the Chamber office and rotate students from the Leadership program in the tag office. I believe this would be a wonderful way to include the younger generation, as well as inform them of this office, what it does, why it’s important in our community, meet the citizens and have to connect on a personal level to their community. It will also give them a big responsibility for a very important job for a day or so. The younger generation is our tomorrow and it’s sad to know that most of them do not understand what offices are in the courthouse and what each position does for our county. They have to get their heads out of their phones and CONNECT to their environment, and the people around them. I believe by incorporating the young adults from the leadership program, this will ultimately benefit the county as a whole and our future leaders. Another goal is to maintain and hopefully improve upon the current return rate the has been implemented by our former tax commissioner.
Curtis Hay
1. My Name is Curtis Hay, I live in Alamo with my wife Katie Dixon Hay, and our four kids, Aiden, Mallory, Jocie, and Carter. I am a 2006 graduate of Montgomery County High School. I attended Georgia Southern University and later graduated with honors from The University of Arizona. I was in law enforcement for 10 years, and served the citizens of Wheeler County for 8 of those years. I am currently a Project Manager for a commercial construction company where I am responsible for organizing, budgeting, ordering materials, and scheduling several multi-million dollar projects at one time. 2. I am running for the office of tax commissioner because I have a passion for serving. When I moved to Wheeler County I knew this was where I wanted to raise my kids. In our rural county the taxes collected by the Tax Commissioners office are one of the main sources for funding. This money helps fund our schools, county offices, law enforcement, and many many other services provided by the county. As a project manager I am already budgeting, collecting continued from page
and processing payments, distributing payments, organizing and distributing data all in a fast paced, high demand, high stress environment. As former law enforcement I understand that sometimes laws have to be enforced. This may involve proceeding with legal actions when taxes are not paid. While this action is never desired it may be required at times, and I am prepared to take action as necessary. This position will give me the opportunity to use my skills to serve you all and continue to make Wheeler County a great place to live for us and future generations.
3. There are very few changes that need to be made with this position. An excellent foundation has been laid, and I plan to continue to build upon what has been set. I will continue to work with you all to ensure that everyone is receiving fair and equal treatment.
4. My goals are to continue to operate the office in a fair and efficient manner. I plan to work closely with all county officials including County Commissioners, and the Tax As-sessors office to ensure that I can serve you all to the best of my abilities. I will be hands on and present diligently working to serve you all. The Rev. Dr. Marvin J. Howard, Sr.
1. Associate (Funeral Service) Ogeechee Technical College B. S. and Master’s (Middle Grades) Albany State College Specialist (Leadership) Troy State University Doctoral (Leadership) Nova Southeastern University I am married to Susie A. McRae Howard. We have three children: Jerome, Angel, and Landon.
I served in several roles in education: teacher, coach, assistant principal, alternative school director, principal, school superintendent, and board member. I retired after 40 years of service. I own Howard Mortuary, and have been a pastor for 44 years, leading congregations across the state. The skills I’ve gained in these roles will help me succeed in this position.
2. I’m running for this office because I am fully qualified to serve the people of Wheeler County. As the individual responsible for collecting taxes, I will carry out my duties with honesty, integrity, and a deep respect for every member of our community. With 44 years of experience in ministry, I have dedicated my life to sharing the love of Jesus and treating all people with dignity and compassion. I will bring that same heart and commitment to this role.
3. If elected as Tax Commissioner, I would focus on improving transparency, efficiency, and customer service within the office. My key priorities include: Improved Communication: Making it easier for citizens to understand their tax responsibilities through clearer notices, updated online resources, and accessible customer service.
Modernizing Systems: Exploring secure and costeffective technology upgrades to streamline payment processing, reduce wait times, and minimize errors.
Stronger Community Engagement: Holding regular informational sessions or open office hours to hear concerns, answer questions, and build trust with the public.
Fair and Equal Treatment: Ensuring that every taxpayer is treated with fairness, respect, and compassion— regardless of their background or circumstances.
My goal is to create an office that serves the people with the same dedication, care, and honesty that I’ve demonstrated throughout my 42 years in ministry.
If you let me know your specific values or goals, I can customize this further.
4. A. Increase Office Efficiency and Responsiveness Goal: Reduce wait times and ensure faster processing of actions.
How: Implement updated software systems for smoother processing and record-keeping.
Cross-train staff on a variety of tasks, improving flexibility and reducing bottlenecks. Introduce online appointment scheduling and additional self-service options.
B. Improve Communication and Transparency Goal: Ensure all citizens clearly understand their tax obligations, deadlines, and options.
How: Simplify and redesign tax notices for clarity. Maintain a regularly updated website and social media presence with FAQs, deadlines, and announcements. Offer public Q& A sessions at least twice a year. C. Ensure Fair and Equal Treatment Goal: Treat all taxpayers with respect and impartiality, ensuring consistent enforcement and support.
How: Create clear, fair policies for payment plans and hardship accommodations. Provide regular customer service training for all staff, emphasizing empathy and professionalism. Personally oversee challenging cases to ensure fairness and compassion.
D. Strengthening Community Trust Goal: Build trust in the office through ethical leadership and public service.
How: Operate with full transparency in all dealings. Make regular reports available to the public detailing office performance and improvements. Be available and visible in the community—not just behind a desk, but at local events and meetings.
E. Promote Financial Responsibility and Education Goal: Help residents better understand their taxes and how those funds support the county.
How: Partner with local organizations or schools to provide workshops or printed materials on tax literacy. Send out brief educational updates along with tax notices explaining where funds are going.
State Election
The Vidalia and Wheeler County local races will be on the ballot, along with the District 3 PSC seat This year’s PSC election marks the first election since 2020, as District 2 PSC Commissioner Tim Echols and District 3 Commissioner Fitz Johnson have served extended terms on the commission because of a pending lawsuit regarding the practice of electing delegates to the commission. After the case was solved earlier this year, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger issued an official call for an election on February 19, as he declared that the primary election would be held on June 17, and the general election would be held later in November.
The General Assembly further solidified this plan of electing delegates to the Commission, as they passed a bill authorizing the election to be held this year for Districts 2 and 3, while the District 5 election will be held in 2026 and the Districts 1 and 4 elections will be held in 2028.
The Georgia PSC District 2 spans throughout several coastal counties within the state from Chatham County to Hart County, and goes as far inland as Emanuel, Candler, Bulloch, and Spalding Counties. The Commission’s District 3 includes Montgomery, Toombs, Treutlen, and Wheeler Counties – spreading as far north as Monroe, Jones, and Baldwin Counties to the southern border, and from the southern coast of Bryan, Liberty, and McIntosh Counties to the Georgia/ Alabama Border.
Incumbent District 3 Republican Commissioner Fitz Johnson is running unopposed in the primary election, while four candidates are vying for the democratic candidacy: Dekalb County Energy Expert and Clean Energy Advocate Peter Hubbard, Former State Representative Keisha Sean Waites, Technology Adviser Robert Jones, and former Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Daniel Blackman.
Voting Locations
Early Voting began on Tuesday, May 28, and will be available daily – Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. – until Friday, June 13. Two Saturday voting days will also be available from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on May 31 and June 7. Early voting will be held at the following locations: Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Government Annex, located at 251 S. Richardson St. in Mt. Vernon Toombs County: the Toombs County Courthouse, located at 100 Courthouse Square in Lyons Treutlen County: the Treutlen County Government Annex, located at 650 Second Street in Soperton Wheeler County: Wheeler County Board of Elections Office, 16 W. Forest Avenue in Alamo Absentee ballots may be requested until June 6.All absentee ballots must be submitted by 7 p.m. on Election Day ( June 17) to be counted.
For more information about your voter registration or polling locations, visit the Georgia My Voter Page at www.mvp.sos. ga.gov.
Curtis Hay
Marvin Howard
Whitney ClarkGriffin
Ronald Miller
Sharon Hall
MCMS STAFF MEMBERS OF THE SEMESTER – Montgomery County Middle School 8th Grade Physical Science Teacher Brittany Galbreath (left) and 8th Grade Georgia Studies Teacher Lee Burkett (right) were named the Montgomery County Middle School Staff Members of the Semester. The teachers were nominated for the award by their coworkers. They have been recognized for their dedication and hard work and have received a $25 gift certificate that was donated from Merle Norman in Vidalia as a token of appreciation.
