Candidate for council runs unopposed

Two candidates met Wednesday's deadline to enter the Nov. 6 race to complete the unexpired term of former Grovetown City Councilman George James, but only one will run.

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On Monday, Brian Martin, the first vice chairman of the Columbia County Republican Party, filed to fill the remaining two years of James' term.

On Thursday, Martin withdrew, leaving longtime city resident and Grovetown

Museum board member Rosa Lee Owens as the sole candidate.

Owens did not immediately return messages seeking comment. She was unsuccessful in previous bids for seats on the county school board and the county commission.

Aside from possible write-in candidates, Owens will run unopposed for the post.

James, who resigned from the council Aug. 27, is the only candidate in the bid to replace Mayor Dennis Trudeau.

James, who was elected to a four-year term in 2005, also served from 1988 through 1991.

Martin said he was forced to withdraw from the race after learning he was not permitted to run because of a conflict with his new job as an insurance agent.

Voters also will decide among three candidates for two at-large city council seats. Councilmen David Daughtry and Dick Manion face Robert Len Newman.

The top two finishers will serve four-year terms.

The Grovetown Merchants Association will play host to a stump meeting for the candidates to meet the public in October.

The association has not yet announced the date and location for the meeting.