Qualifying for open Bulloch County Commission and Bulloch County Board of Education seats is coming up fast. One BOE incumbent is retiring, and the other incumbents whose seats are up for grabs have not yet decided on their plans.
    All three county commission incumbents are ready for the race, with plans to qualify when the time comes.
    Bulloch County Board of Education seats up for election are District 2 (incumbent Scott Bohlke), District 4 (incumbent Kenny Stone), District 5 (open, due to the resignation of incumbent Dr. Charles Bonds), and District 6 (incumbent Susan Riley.
    Bulloch County Commission seats up for election are Seat 1B (incumbent Anthony Simmons), Seat 2B (incumbent Walter Gibson), and Seat 2D (incumbent Robert Rushing).
    In the BOE race, Bohlke and Stone each said they have not yet decided whether they will run. Bonds announced earlier this year he would retire when this term ends, and Riley said Friday she would run only if "no other qualified person steps up to the plate."
    Riley said she is "on the fence" about running again. Her youngest child is a junior in high school, and she feels school board members should have children in the school system.
    If someone qualifies for her seat she feels is a good candidate, Riley said she will step down and not run again.
    "I want a good quality person. If someone like that steps up, I won't run again," she said.
    Bohlke said he is considering another term and will make his decision closer to qualifying. Stone said " I have not made that decision yet."
    Qualifying for Board of Education candidates is $72. BOE candidates qualify as nonpartisan.  Qualifying begins June 28 at 9 a.m. through noon July 2. Candidates will appear on the ballot in the November 2 General Election (with a runoff, if necessary, November 30).

 Bulloch candidates going again

    Bulloch County Commissioners Rushing, Gibson and Simmons all said they definitely will seek another term.
    When asked whether he will run again, Rushing said  That is my plan. I feel like it took my first term to learn my job. I feel I can be a more valuable county commissioner now and provide more input with a little more knowledge."
    Rushing said economic development and paving roads are priority on his list if elected again.
    Gibson also said roads, bring in in new industry, and maintaining a balanced budget and open communication are key points he hopes to promote if elected again.
    Simmons said he is interested in furthering economic development as well, and hopes to see continued cooperation between the city and county and to see the completion of the community center on MLK Boulevard at Luetta Moore Park.
    For County Commissioners, the qualifying fee is $225, and candidates qualifying in the Democratic or Republican Party Primaries can qualify beginning April 26 at 9 a.m. through noon April 30.  The General Primary is July 20 and run-off August 10.
    Candidates running as an independent candidate may qualify from June 28 at 9 a.m. through noon July 2. These candidates must contact Election Supervisor Patricia Lanier Jones beforehand, as candidates will need additional information. 
  Candidates will appear on the ballot in the November 2 General Election (with a runoff, if necessary, November 30).
    Those who wish to be write-in candidates for either office must give proper legal notice no later than September 7 in the Statesboro Herald.  An affidavit must be filed with Board of Elections and Registration no later than September 13, Lanier said.
    Basic qualifications for both county commissioner and BOE seats are that candidates must have been a resident of the county for at least 12 months prior to election or appointment; be a qualified voter registered in Bulloch  County; must reside in the district in which they wish to qualify and be at least 21 years old.
    BOE candidates cannot be employed by or be serving on a governing board of any private educational body or institution, including the local Board of Education, State Department of Education or State Board of Education.
    For more information contact Lanier at (912) 764-6502