IN BRIEF: About 40 people turned out to the Rockdale County Think Tank’s Sheriff Forum on Saturday, May 19. Candidates for the sheriff’s position pitched to the audience their ideas about ensuring public safety in the county.

Current Sheriff Jeff Wigington, along with candidates Eric Levett and Donald Ferguson formed the panel. Candidates spent about 20 minutes discussing their platforms, followed by questions from the audience.

Rockdale citizens pressed candidates on deputy salaries, the recent $1000 county employee bonus passed by the board of commissioners, budget concerns, education vs. experience and general public safety issues among many topics.

Notable guests included several candidates running for various elected positions in the county: Commissioner Oz Nesbitt, Kimberly Baker for the county board of education post 2, Phinia Aten for Chief Magistrate judge and Sherri Washington for Georgia house district 92.

Caycie Dix for Probate Court Judge, Sam Smiley for commissioner post 1, Ed Conway for county commissioner chair, Tom Harrison for commissioner post 1, Brian Jenkins for county commissioner chair and Gerry Washington for Rockdale County Superior Court Judge also attended.

District Four Congressman Hank Johnson (D), who is running to keep his seat, closed out the forum with what some may call a campaign speech highlighting the sustained collective spirit of the community in spite of the county’s changing ethnic demographic.

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