Today’s Long County election preview focuses on the sheriff’s race. The first part of the preview looks at challengers Darrell Ballance and James E. Rogers. The second part of the preview will run Friday and look at challenger Frank McClelland Jr. and incumbent Craig Nobles.

Each candidate received the same questions.

Darrell Ballance

Can you provide a brief biography?

I am a lifelong resident of Long County and have worked for the local telephone company in Ludowici for 37 years. I also have been a member of the Ludowici/Long County Volunteer Fire Department for 34 years and am the chief of the department, as well as the county’s emergency management director. I have served in these two leadership roles since 1997. I have been married to Tammy Ryals Balance for 35 years, and I am a member of the First Baptist Church of Ludowici.

What makes you qualified to be sheriff of Long County?

I voluntarily enrolled in the Southeast Georgia Police Academy in Savannah in 2007 so I would be qualified to run for sheriff and to insure that the people of Long County would not have to train me for the job. I did this at no cost to the taxpayers.

What would be some of the first actions you would take as sheriff? Also, would you attempt to make any major changes over your term?

To ensure the people that the Long County Sheriff’s Office will be run in a professional and respectful manner, to treat all people equally and to protect and serve the citizens of the Long County.

What role does the sheriff’s office play?

As sheriff, I will lead by my example. I also will ensure that my officers deal with and treat all of the citizens of the county in a fair manner as they uphold the laws of Georgia.

How do you see the office changing with population growth?

To keep up with growth, we will need to add more officers so that we can continue to protect the taxpayers of Long County and give them the service they deserve. As the school system expands, we will need more resource officers to place one at each of the three schools.

Any comment on a jail?

We need a jail in Long County, and we need to work with the county commissioners to achieve this through grants. But we also must construct and operate it in the most cost-effective manner possible for the citizens of the county. I believe one way of doing this would be placing both the sheriff’s office and the Ludowici Police Department in the same building. I don’t mean that they combine; we still would be separate, but we would be under the same roof. This would mean that both of us are not paying for the same services or duplicating services. I believe we could work together and make both departments provide better service, be more efficient and save the taxpayers their precious dollars.

Anything else?

If anyone would like to talk to me about any issue I have addressed or anything else, please call me at 294-6499.

James E. Rogers

Can you provide a brief biography?

I was born in Long County, and I’ve lived here all of my life. I was married to Nancy Mitcham, also of Long County, and we have two sons, James E. Rogers II and Walter D. Rogers. I spent three years in the Georgia National Guard, and since leaving the guard, I served in law enforcement agencies until I retired in 1992.

What makes you qualified to be sheriff of Long County?

I grew up knowing about public service due to the fact that my father was a state representative. I feel that I am qualified to serve as sheriff since I have the following experience: I was a law-enforcement officer for the alcohol and tobacco tax unit as a special agent in charge over four counties; I was a police officer for the Ludowici Police Department for one year; and I was a detective for the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department for 11 years. I have 27 years of service in law enforcement. After retiring from law enforcement, I founded Rogers Construction and supervised from 20-25 employees.

What would be some of the first actions you would take as sheriff? Also, would you attempt to make any major changes over your term?

When elected, I will analyze the department and see how it meets the county’s needs. Based on this, I will add experienced law-enforcement officers. Changes will be made to create a professional law enforcement department.

What role does the sheriff’s office play?

I will be an active, hands-on sheriff available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, as will my officers. We will be the primary law-enforcement department of the county with the goal of keeping the county safe for all citizens.

How do you see the office changing with population growth?

As growth demands, I and my officers will increase our training accordingly.

Any comment on a jail?

I am in favor of a jail in Long County but not at the present. This is based on the economy and the increase of property taxes in recent years. The people have all the taxes they can stand at the present, but further down the road, a jail will be considered.

Anything else?

I would like to thank the people for the way that they have responded and opened their doors to us over these last few weeks. They have been open with their concerns for their county. Thank you.