JUMP
Qualifying
On July 15, the Democratic candidates for Sheriff – Cecil Barber, Dwayne Guess, Mark Steedley, and incumbent Winston Peterson – will vie for their party's nomination. The winner of that partisan election will then face the Republican candidate (Ferrell Howell) and the independent candidates (Griffis and Raymond Peterson) in the November 4 general election.
Per county policy, Raymond Peterson, who serves as a deputy in the Clinch County Sheriff's Department, took a leave of absence effective Friday.
A date for Sheriff Peterson's trial has not been set, but will not be held before the July 15 primary election.
A community political forum will focus on the four contested primary contests on Thursday, July 10. The forum, sponsored by Clinch County Farm Bureau, will be held at the Homerville Municipal Complex (City Hall) on Thursday, July 10, starting at 7 p.m.
No questions will be taken from the audience at the event. All questions will need to be submitted prior to the forum. Question sheets are available at the Clinch County Farm Bureau, The Clinch County News office, Heritage Bank, and Farmers & Merchants Bank. Questions can also be sent via e-mail at clinchforum2008@gmail.com.
The contested races on the Democratic primary ballot include: Sheriff - Cecil Barber, Dwayne Guess, Winston Peterson (incumbent), and Mark Steedley; County Commission Chairman - Wayne Clifton, Roger Metts, Wink Strickland (incumbent); Probate Court Judge - Karleen O'Berry (incumbent), Annie Ruth Steedley; Board of Education, Post 5 - Charles Handley (incumbent), Lisa Johnson.
Ferrell Howell has also qualified for Sheriff as a Republican.