Jerry Boatright will likely fill the District 6 seat on the Blackshear City Council.
Boatright was the only person to express interest in the position after the council began seeking candidates last month.
Boatright’s appointment was slated to be approved at last night’s meeting of the Blackshear City Council (held after The Times’ deadline).
Boatright will fill the seat left vacant by Mark Deal’s relocation to a home outside his old district.
Boatright will serve the remainder of Deal’s term through December 31.
The seat is up for election in the municipal election in November.
Boatright says he will be a candidate for a full term in the November election.
“I love Georgia and I love Blackshear especially,” Boatright said, “and I complain about politics enough that I decided it was time to do something to actively take part.”
Boatright and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 34 years. For 22 of those years he has been an employee of the Pierce County school system in facilities maintenance. His three sons, Aaron, James and Jordan, all attended Pierce Co. schools as kids, and the way Boatright sees it, “If it weren’t for the kids I wouldn’t have my job, so I work for them and their parents already.”
Boatright admits he has never run for office before and never thought he would, but says he is looking forward to the experience.
Mayor Keith Brooks said that as a potential appointee Boatright’s vision for Blackshear’s future seemed to align closely with the rest of the council.
When Boatright stands for re-election this November it will be to represent the newly redrawn District 2. Due to post-census redistricting, any candidate, including Boatright must reside in not only the current District 6 but also the future District 2.
The present Disctrict 2 is currently represented by Sharon Komanecky. Komanecky has said she will not be running for re-election.
