Candidates seeking various offices in Schley County had the opportunity at a “Meet the Candidates” forum to tell a little bit about their platforms. The event was held Saturday at the Ellaville City Center.

The following is a summary of the contested races,

Terry Whaley is challenging incumbent Johnny Wall for the Schley County coroner position. Wall said he has been the coroner for the 15 years, and he is running on his record and service to the community.

Whaley said he has 15 years of experience as an EMT and paramedic. He feels that Wall has served Schley County well, but Whaley just feels it is time for a change in the coroner’s office.

Greg Barineau is challenging Dan Gattis in the at-large seat on the Schley County Board of Commissioners. Gattis has been on the Board for 15 years. He said he and his fellow commissioners have worked hard for the citizens and accomplished a lot, but there is still a lot of hard work ahead.

Gattis said the Board has expanded and improved the County’s water system, which has proved essential with the recent drought years. He said the state is in the process of implementing even more stringent water conservation on its counties.

Gattis said the Schley Board of Commissioners needs experienced members to address these challenges. He also pointed out that the Schley County landfill will need about $700,000 in improvements during the upcoming years. He said the Board of Commissioners will secure some funding from the state to offset some of this landfill cost.

Barineau moved from Donalsonville to Ellaville about five years ago to work at the Central Bank of Georgia where he is a senior vice president. He said Donalsonville and Ellaville are much alike.

Barineau said he has embraced the community and has a child in the local school system. He said Schley County is a great community, but it faces financial uncertainty.

He said he would be honored to bring his financial expertise to the Board of Commissioners. Barineau thanked Gattis for his service to the community, but he feels like it is time for a change.

Candidates for superior court judge and district attorney for the Southwestern Judicial Circuit also spoke at Saturday’s event. Jimmy Brown, an attorney who lives in Leesburg, is challenging Superior Court Judge Rucker Smith for his seat.

Smith used his opportunity to summarize his extensive and long career as a district attorney and then a judge in the Southwestern Judicial Circuit, which tallies about 27 years.

Smith said his opponent is a “newcomer” to the people of Schley County and practices law in Albany. Smith said he has deep and strong roots in neighboring Americus.

Smith said virtually everyone in the room at the forum knew him on a personal basis, but personal feelings don’t ever enter his universe when he is presiding over a case.

He said the people who live in the Southwestern Judicial Circuit know that the Circuit courts run very smoothly.