After being the last candidate to qualify moments before the deadline four years ago, Commissioner Mell Merritt is announcing his intentions to seek re-election a few days ahead of time this go-round.

Merritt (R) said he would like the opportunity to continue to represent District Three and see the Georgia Regional Industrial Park materialize into an asset for Jones County and the Central Recreation Complex on Highway 18 developed and expanded to include the 60 adjacent acres.

Merritt is an assistant vice president and loan officer at Security Bank of Jones County. He is married to wife Tonya and the couple has two children, Courtney and Carson, who attend Gray Elementary School.

He has lived in Jones County for 17 years after graduating from Georgia College with an accounting degree.

“I met Tonya in college, and she was from Milledgeville. We wanted to be close, and we planned to stay in Gray for two years,” Merritt recalled.

He said he soon discovered that Jones County is a great place to live and raise a family.

Merritt said he had no idea of the work and training involved in being a commissioner when he ran for election in 2004. He said it took him about two years to become comfortable as a board member, and that included attending classes to become certified.

“I feel like I can be a more effective commissioner the next four years because of my experience,” he said. “I think the industrial park and recreation are big for the future of Jones County.”

Merritt said the industrial park will help maintain and perhaps lower taxes while continuing expected services. He also said he supports sustained expansion and improvements to the water system.

The commissioner said he is proud of the accomplishments of the board, including the paving of Davis Road and the chip sealing and striping of Cumslo and Lite-N-Tie roads.

He said half of Morton Road was paved under the LARP program, and the second half should be completed under the program next year.

Merritt’s district includes the City of Gray, and he feels he has contributed to improved relations between the city and county.

“We’ve reinstated quarterly meetings, and I think that communication needs to stay open.”