By Powell Cobb

Managing Editor

Steve Brock and Greg Murray swore into their new roles as Decatur County Commissioners in December, and officially took office Jan. 1.

Brock, taking the District 2 seat in place of Butch Moseley, and Murray, taking the District 5 seat formerly held by Russell Smith, are both excited to join the other commissioners and county administrator Alan Thomas.

Brock said he was excited and a little scared for such an important position, but knew he had the support of his district and others around the state.

“I know it’s going to be a lot to learn still, but I have met a lot of people all across the state, and I have help anywhere I need it,” Brock said. “I can pick up a phone if I need advice. I have 100 people I can call.”

Brock has two main goals he wants to accomplish during his four-year tenure: attract industry and work on the county’s road system. The former is a task both Decatur County and Bainbridge are in the midst of working on, but the latter is something Brock believes deserves more attention than it’s getting.

“I would like to put a big focus on the county roads,” Brock said. “I say it is the most important part of the county. Without a good road, nothing else matters. I think in the last eight to 10 years, there hasn’t been enough focus on them.”

He hopes repairs and paving of the smaller roads around the county can be finished over the next five years.

Brock also mentioned Memorial Hospital and Manor’s financial situation as a “tremendous concern.”

“I am hoping to see it succeed,” Brock said. “We need it to be successful.”

Murray agreed that attracting new industry was a priority, albeit one that will take a lot of work.

“Industry is tough,” Murray said. “But I think we are making some headway on it.”

His biggest goals are to run the county well and lower taxes for Decatur County residents over the next few years. A lower millage rate is toward the top of Murray’s list.

“Lowering the millage rate is one my things,” Murray said. “Maybe not this year. But as the economy improves and we get the economy back on sounder footing, I don’t see why we couldn’t.”

Murray added that he was happy the Board of Commissioners was working well with the Bainbridge City Council, and that, “Things are going in the right direction,” he said.

The Decatur County Board of Commissioners’ first meeting of the year is next Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 9 a.m. at the Decatur County Commission Building.