Walker County, Ga., will have a new candidate for sole commissioner on the Nov. 8 ballot. Perry D. Lamb, Jr. made history by being the first Independent candidate for commissioner in recent memory to collect the signatures needed to be on the ballot. Georgia law required him to collect 1,650 signatures on a petition supporting him for the ballot.
Incumbent Bebe Heiskell is also running as an Independent. Since she is already in office, she was not required to collect the signatures.
Shannon Whitfield is the Republican candidate.
The Lamb campaign said the candidate and supporters went door-to-door every day and attended numerous county events during the 180 days they had to collect the signatures.
Mr. Lamb said, “It is the people of Walker County who made this possible. It is their voice, and this is what they want to happen.
“I am use to hard work and long hours. Unlike my two opponents, my career has not been limited to a desk job. I have actually done the type of jobs I would be overseeing. For example, I’ve worked in a road department repairing roads and bridges and in a water and sewer department. I want to be a hands-on commissioner who can manage from personal experience for the benefit of all the people. During my petition drive, I learned a lot about what Walker County residents want from their county government. My goal is to see their will is done.”
The Lamb campaign said the candidate "takes a pro-active stance to move Walker County beyond its high debt and sluggish economy and has a plan of action ready to implement. He would first initiate a forensic audit of the county finances to show where and how the taxpayers’ money has been spent by the last county commissioner."
He stated, “I will stop the holes where money is leaking from our county into special interest pockets and direct it back into services for the taxpayers. I will focus on developing small business and entrepreneurs to provide more jobs and taxes back into the county. These small businesses will bring their families and create a family friendly county where people can enjoy both living and working.”
Mr. Lamb and his wife, Heidi, said they chose Walker County as their “forever home” because they fell in love with the beauty of the land. They not only built a house in LaFayette, they have purchased land elsewhere in the county to build and develop a farm.
Mr. Lamb has worked for the past 20 years as a certified surgical first assistant at Erlanger Hospital and before that in city government at Tampa, Fla. His wife manages a medical billing company.
The campaign said, "They both are committed to making Walker County a good place to live and work with honest government."