Allen to run for commission

Martinez entrepreneur Trey Allen announced Monday his run for a Columbia County Commission seat.

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Allen wants to replace retiring District 2 Commissioner Tom Mercer.

Mercer referred to Allen as a "young gun" with "lots of energy."

"He's very ethical," Mercer said. "He's a good man with a lot of integrity, and he's an honest person."

Allen said he intends to build on the legacy of community service started by Mercer and other commissioners.

"I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel," said the toy store owner and, like Mercer, a Springlakes subdivision resident. He said a commissioner's duty is to provide for the public safety while improving the quality of life in a fiscally responsible manner.

The Augusta native moved to Martinez six years ago. He maintains ties to Richmond County, including a friendship with Augusta Commissioner Joe Bowles, who spoke at the announcement ceremony. Allen said he hopes to use those ties to improve relations with the neighboring county and promote the area as a unit.

Allen worked on Bowles' campaign and those of Superior Court Judge David Roper and state Sen. Bill Jackson.

"He (Allen) is a man of integrity and goodness," Jackson said. "I always say that to be a good public servant you have to be a good person."