Former fire chief Johnny Eubanks has announced plans to run for the Ward 5 seat on the Commerce City Council.
The special election to fill the unexpired term of the late Richard Massey will be held Tuesday, March 16. Eubanks, 58, is the first candidate to publicly state his intentions.
Johnny Eubanks to run for Ward 5 council seat
“I have known Richard all my life and appreciate his service to the people of our ward,” said Eubanks. “His shoes will be hard to fill, but given the opportunity, I would like to carry his legacy of service forward for the people of Ward 5.”
Eubanks retired from the Commerce Fire Department in 2006 after 29 years of service and nine as its chief. He served as a firefighter, lieutenant and captain during his career.
Eubanks served as a certified fire instructor for the Georgia Fire Academy. He is a state Class A certified firefighter, a member of the Georgia Firefighters Association, was a member of the Georgia Fire Chiefs Association and was active in the Jackson County Firefighters Association, serving on the original Burn Building Planning Committee.
Eubanks is a manufacturing manager for Baldor-Dodge-Reliance in Athens, where he’s worked for 40 years.
A graduate of Commerce High School, Eubanks has served on the Commerce Planning Commission for two years.
Eubanks retired from the Commerce Fire Department in 2006 after 29 years of service and nine as its chief. He served as a firefighter, lieutenant and captain during his career.
Eubanks served as a certified fire instructor for the Georgia Fire Academy. He is a state Class A certified firefighter, a member of the Georgia Firefighters Association, was a member of the Georgia Fire Chiefs Association and was active in the Jackson County Firefighters Association, serving on the original Burn Building Planning Committee.
Eubanks is a manufacturing manager for Baldor-Dodge-Reliance in Athens, where he’s worked for 40 years.
A graduate of Commerce High School, Eubanks has served on the Commerce Planning Commission for two years.
God help us that someone with a record of public service should be tied via his spouse's employment to someone else with a record of public service. Surely we'd rather have candidates who have never done anything for their community than "good old boys" who have actually worked to make things better.
Use of the term "good old boy system" is a lame attempt at criticizing Eubanks. You're trying to smear him by associating him with someone the citizens of Commerce have found worthy of re-election time and time again, and you insult the voters by suggesting they need to "wake up."
Nice work.
Conflict of interest is only the ice berg in this city. Mayor and district Commissioner, father son, now more of the same.
In regards to voting, the votes are being counted by a close friend, church member, and employee of the mayor. So yeah, I'd say that makes it unethical.
And for those who were against the $6 million fire training center disaster, the one Buzzy's boy said he would make sure was not built, Eubanks was all for it, and was part of the deciding group.
Of course people will be spending less for Christmas!!! I believe Jackson County unemployment was around 12% last month.
I know of 4 families on my street where one or both parents are out of work.
The city is straining to adjust their budget due to lower Sales Tax revenues and other user fees.
If the 5 or 6 ruling families of Commerce are really concerned about falling revenues, cuts in city services, or the plight of all citizens, perhaps we can use the wonderful strides in Downtown Development to wider benefit.
Other communities have established Expanded Economic Development Zones within their limits to take advantage of grants & tax benefits. This would allow for restricted, limited commercial zoning of previous RESIDENTIAL ONLY zones.
Those unemployed citizens have talents, hobbies, resources that our shrinking job market cannot tap. The city could designated an area (say 2500 ft on either side of the railroad tracks), pursuant to all commercial building, fire, and insurance codes, limits on parking & traffic patterns, etc for our citizen to utilize these talents in money making ventures. The city would increase revenue from occupational taxes, Sales Tax, inspections, etc.
This type of COTTAGE INDUSTRY helped develop our country, and was dominant in towns, like Commerce, until WWI. A small building of less than 300sq ft would be enough to have a sewing shop, craft workshop, small engine repair, whatever. Some of these enterprises could produce items to be sold in local businesses, and well as income for our general population (outside of the controlling interest of downtown).
A COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE would be a win-win for ALL citizens of Commerce. I am open to all comments.
City Hall mirrors First Baptist Church's board? Really? Name one elected official or city employee on the "board" at the First Baptist Church.
Commerce is a ghost town? When WAS the last time you looked? 1980?
You clearly have no idea how or by whom votes are tabulated during city elections, or else you're just another losing candidate who can't face the fact that voters didn't want any part of you.
Your ignorance is surpassed only by your anger and bitterness. You should seek professional counseling and get a life. Oh, I guess THIS is your life.