WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – The election for White County Board of Commissioners this year will be a rerun between two Republican candidates who ran for the office in 2010, incumbent Terry Goodger and Jerry Nicholson.

Goodger defeated Nicholson by about 140 votes then and received 58.4 percent of the vote to Nicholson’s 41.6 percent.

NOTE: FYN will have a profile article on Nicholson today.

Goodger, has served as commissioner since 2011. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Bachelor of Architecture from LSU.

He has an extensive history of public service, having served as chairman of the Downtown Development Authority and Helping Hands Clinic. He also is a member of the American Legion, North Georgia Veterans Society and Woodmen of the World. From 1963-1966, he was a United States Marine who retired with the rank of captain. He is an active member of First Baptist Church of Cleveland where he is a teacher and deacon.

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as county commissioner for the past nine plus years,” he said. “It’s not a job I take lightly and have approached it with an attitude of ‘How can I make White County a better place to live, work and play.’”

Goodger said he became interested in the urban development of cities during his college years and has used his knowledge along with his vision for the county to be proactive in the development of a growing county.

“I still have that passion to lead in the county development and I would like to continue to serve as county commissioner,” he added.

During his nine-year tenure, Goodger said the county has realized a “dream come true” with the construction of the Appalachian Parkway. “That was 20 years in the making and the final phase is now under construction,” he said. The county has also added a new detention center, sheriff’s office, road department, tax commission office and animal control building during those years

“With the bonds for the detention center being paid off this December, the only other debt we have is for the new ballfields at Yonah Preserve,” he said. “The county is still developing the 1,000-acre site with 10 plus miles of hiking and biking trails. A trail head facility with a picnic area, restrooms, fishing and boating has been built using mostly tourist tax dollars to fund those assets and it has been pay as we go.”

As far as the next four years, Goodger said, building a new courthouse and focusing on business and industry will be top priorities.

“I am excited about what has been accomplished and look forward to continued growth,” he added. “I have been blessed to have received great support during my tenure in office and would appreciate continued vote and support of our citizens.”

 

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