Originally published in Savannah Now
Candidates in five contested races in Effingham County will meet during a forum sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Mars Theatre in Springfield.
Two journalists and representatives from the Republican and Democratic parties will question the contenders who will be on the May 24 ballot.
The public is invited to attend the forum, which will be streamed on the web live by students from the county’s two high schools.
The Superior Court judgeship being vacated by John R. Turner, who decided not to run for re-election, is being sought by Springfield lawyers Martha Hall and Mickey Kicklighter and Assistant District Attorney Michael Muldrew. The Ogeechee Circuit is comprised of Bulloch, Effingham, Jenkins and Screven counties.
The chief magistrate’s seat being vacated by Scott Hinson is being sought by Springfield Police Sgt. Bryan Burgess, Effingham Sheriff’s Office Maj. Scott Lewis and lawyer R. David Swords.
The at-large county commission chairmanship will pit former Rincon City Manager Wesley Corbitt against incumbent Wendall Kessler.
In the race for state representative in District 159, Daniel Almond of Clyo will challenge fellow Republican and incumbent Jon Burns.
And in District 5 of the Board of Education, incumbent Vickie Decker will face challenger Delmons White, a Baptist pastor.
Here’s a little about each of the candidates. Go to www.effinghamnow.comto read more about them.
Superior Court judge
Springfield lawyer Martha Hall is a partner at the Hall Law Group, P.C., which has offices in Statesboro and Springfield. She has more than 21 years of experience in the courts as a prosecutor and as an attorney in private practice.
She served as assistant district attorney for the Ogeechee Circuit for six years, was elected the state court solicitor for Screven County and served as the municipal court judge in Oliver and Newington.
Mickey Kicklighter, who has been a lawyer for 33 years, is a former assistant district attorney and chief assistant district attorney.
He has worked in private practice for decades in almost every area of the law, served as a prosecutor and public defender in trials, practiced civil law to protect the rights of clients and protected clients in zoning and land use cases.
Michael Muldrew has been an assistant district attorney for 20 years.
“No other position in the legal system better prepares one to be an effective judge than that of a prosecutor,” Muldrew said. “Of all the participants before the court only the prosecutor is mandated to seek justice above all else.”
Chief Magistrate
In the race for Chief Magistrate, Bryan Burgess, a sergeant with the Springfield Police Department, is a native of Effingham County. His wife Amanda Zahrt Burgess has been a teacher at Springfield Elementary since 2004. They have six children.
Scott Lewis has been major of operations for the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office for six years, supervising about 65 people. He said he has been in a lot of homes in the county and sees both sides of issues that come before the magistrate.
Guyton lawyer R. David Swords said the chief magistrate doesn’t have to be a lawyer, but it sure would help. He said electing someone with a detailed knowledge of the law would make cases move smoother and faster and would be more fair for participants.
County chairman
For the at-large chairmanship of the county commission, former Rincon City Manager Wesley Corbitt is challenging incumbent Wendall Kessler.
Corbitt resigned after four years as city manager in February, citing a “difficult” working environment.
Corbitt, who has lived in Effingham for 35 years, was a certified public accountant and pastor and founder of Grace Community Church on Goshen Road, where he remains an elder.
Kessler, who lives in the Guyton area, is a home builder. He said his business and banking background have helped him as commission chairman.
State representative
In the race for State Representative, District 159, Daniel Almond, a corrections officer at the Effingham County prison, is challenging Jon Burns.
Almond said he is looking forward to standing firm against cronyism and corruption and fighting for the ideas of personal freedom and limited government.
Burns, who was first elected to the state House in November of 2004, is House Majority Leader.
Burns sits on the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs; Appropriations, Higher Education Subcommittee; Economic Development and Tourism; Ethics; Game, Fish and Parks; Rules; and Transportation Committees.
School board
In the race to represent the Effingham Board of Education, District 5, incumbent Vickie Decker faces challenger Delmons White.
Decker, who has served on the board for eight years, cites financial and educational accomplishments achieved during tough economic times.
White, a Baptist pastor, said he has nothing against Decker; he would like to serve and help make the school system even better.
Originally published on May 4, 2016.
Originally published in Savannah Now
