2012 Elections Take Shape

More than a year away, 's 2012 election is shaping up to be one with important seats up for grabs and several candidates willing to fill them.

Tax Commissioner VaLenda Bailey will not seek re-election in 2012.

"They say you will know when it is time to retire. Recently I realized that I am ready to retire," Bailey said in a press release. "It has been my pleasure to have worked in the tax office for more than half of my lifetime. When I retire at the end of next year, I will have worked 38 years in the tax office.  

"I have always enjoyed my job. I have gained some very dear friends through my work. The ladies in this office are the finest you will find anywhere. We all care for each other personally and professionally and consider ourselves family. I will not miss the work but I will definitely miss the staff and the people of Bartow County."

Bailey added several candidates plan to seek her seat.

Three people already have thrown their hats in the ring to fill the seat of retiring, long-time County Commissioner Clarence Brown.

• Veteran Bartow employee and current Building Inspector Tony Tidwell was the first to announce his candidacy. Tidwell, who said his experience with the county would be a benefit, told his focus would be controlling expenditures and managing the budget of a county suffering the effects of an economic downturn.

• Former large engineering/architectural firm senior vice president and entrepreneur Mike Bearden announced his candidacy for the seat, according to . Bearden would focus on jobs, and budget and growth management.

• Michael Abernathy, Georgia Power management retiree and current pastor, says he's looking forward to April when candidates register, according to the newspaper. He cites moral and spiritual values, frugality in spending and improvements to operations as focuses.