Longtime County Manager Announces Run for Tax Commissioner

The first to announce a bid for tax commissioner of Bartow County, Republican Steve Stewart is planning to seek election to replace the .

A lifelong Bartow resident, Stewart has been the county's projects and facilities manager for 25 years.

"I have the utmost respect for Tax Commissioner VaLenda Bailey and the current staff in her office," Steward said in a press release. "Bartow County has been in good hands under VaLenda's leadership.

"With her decision to retire, I have chosen to further serve my community. I am humbled to have the opportunity to seek election as Bartow County tax commissioner, and will work hard to serve the people of this great county."

Active in Bartow, Stewart, who lives in Adairsville, is a 20-year member of , co-chairs the 's Golf Tournament Committee, and serves on the Bartow County Committee for Relay for Life and the Bartow County Committee for the March of Dimes.

He also is a member of the Encourage Kids to Greatness program and a 15-year member of the chain crew for Adairsville High School football. Past community involvement includes: board member, mentor and Cartersville Exchange Club and Library Building Committee memberships.

"Steve, whose father was an Air Force veteran of both the Korean Conflict and Vietnam, learned at an early age the importance of community service," according to the press release , which adds Stewart also is the public service representative and records retention manager for the commissioner's office. "Steve has been an important part of many current facilities in Bartow County. These include the , the Bartow County jail, both senior citizen centers, the health department, 1903 Historical Courthouse, the compactor sites, the , the new fire station facilities, the new Georgia State Patrol post, the driver's license [facility] expansion [and] the upcoming fire and EMS headquarters located on Felton Road."

A graduate who attended Hiawassee Junior College and Middle Tennessee State University, Stewart and wife, Connie, are members of Adairsville First United Methodist Church. They have two grown children, Elliott and Erynn, who both attend college.

for the July 31 primary election is set for May 23 to 25.

For all of our 2012 voting coverage, visit Elections: Participate in 2012.

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