The field of contenders looking to dethrone longtime Liberty County Sheriff J. Don Martin just got more crowded.
Riceboro entrepreneur Jimmy T. Jones announced Friday his intention to jump into the sheriff's race, joining Fort Stewart Police Department Lt. Warren Waye in challenging Martin.
The 70-year-old owner of J.T.'s Barbecue said he was throwing his hat in the race because he enjoyed working for the Liberty County Sheriff's Office Auxiliary for more than 20 years and thinks it's time to change the culture of the department.
"I'm running because I want to make the department better for everybody. I want the deputy sheriffs to be friendlier to the people," Jones said. "I would like for all the deputy sheriffs to be friendlier because if people see things going on in the county, they'll want to work with the department to make the county safer."
Jones said compared to the incumbent and the other challenger, he's "the best person for the job" because most of his life's work has been based in community service and showing courtesy to everyone, which he believes is a key trait for a sheriff.
"I've helped a lot of people in the county, no matter their race, no matter if they were high or low status," he said. "I enjoy helping everybody because everybody is somebody important and as sheriff I'm going to help the whole county."
In a race that could easily become the most heated and watched local race in local election, Jones said he plans to stay positive and cordial toward his competitors throughout the campaign.
"I'm running a clean race," he said, "no mud slinging."
Riceboro entrepreneur Jimmy T. Jones announced Friday his intention to jump into the sheriff's race, joining Fort Stewart Police Department Lt. Warren Waye in challenging Martin.
The 70-year-old owner of J.T.'s Barbecue said he was throwing his hat in the race because he enjoyed working for the Liberty County Sheriff's Office Auxiliary for more than 20 years and thinks it's time to change the culture of the department.
"I'm running because I want to make the department better for everybody. I want the deputy sheriffs to be friendlier to the people," Jones said. "I would like for all the deputy sheriffs to be friendlier because if people see things going on in the county, they'll want to work with the department to make the county safer."
Jones said compared to the incumbent and the other challenger, he's "the best person for the job" because most of his life's work has been based in community service and showing courtesy to everyone, which he believes is a key trait for a sheriff.
"I've helped a lot of people in the county, no matter their race, no matter if they were high or low status," he said. "I enjoy helping everybody because everybody is somebody important and as sheriff I'm going to help the whole county."
In a race that could easily become the most heated and watched local race in local election, Jones said he plans to stay positive and cordial toward his competitors throughout the campaign.
"I'm running a clean race," he said, "no mud slinging."