County Commissioner JaNice Van Ness confirmed she is running for a third term to the Board of Commissioners Post 2 seat.

Van Ness, owner of the Peachtree Academy private school and daycare, said it was the response from the community that convinced her to run again.

"I've had a myriad of people ask me to run again for the better interest of the community," she said, including being stopped and urged at the farmer's market to run again.

"I feel like I have one of the best jobs out there. There's such a great spirit of volunteerism," she said about Rockdale's community.
She said the role of commissioner still held the most promise of making a difference in the community. On the local, county level, officials can have an impact in matters such as the local roads and taxes, which affect the quality of life, she said.

"It's a great way to be very effective in the community," she said.

She said the part-time nature of the Post 2 Commission seat allowed her to make a difference but still be involved in family life.

"I appreciate the time with my family that this part time position affords me, to be able to go to their school activities and sports activities," she said.

Plus, she said she has developed relationships and communication with the county staff and directors in the eight years she's been in office.

Van Ness was first elected to the Post 2 Commission seat as a Republican in 2006. In 2010, she won reelection against Democratic challenger Courntey Dillard with 52.9 percent of the vote.

School board member Katrina Young had announced last fall that she would be running for the Post 2 Commission seat as a Democrat. But after being chosen as the Continuing Education Director for Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Young confirmed that she is bowing out of the race, due to her new responsibilities.

Van Ness is involved activities and programs such as Phoenix Pass, Rockdale Republican Party and the Women's Service Association civic group. In 2004, she was awarded the Jerry Barboe Small Business Award from the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce. She is also a graduate of Leadership Rockdale, Fayette, and Newton. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commissions' Leadership Institute and has participated in the Georgia Academy for Economic Development.

Van Ness, a Rockdale native, has roots going back in the county four generations. She and her husband Ken have three children, Lawson, Samantha and Emerson Elise, and they are members of Rockdale Baptist Church.

For more information, contact janice@peachtreeacademy.com or go to Facebook at the "JaNice-Van-Ness-Rockdale-County-Commissioner" page.