Realtor will seek seat on commission

Charles Allen officially announced his intention to run for the District 3 Columbia County Commission seat during a Monday news conference.

//

A commercial Realtor, Allen hopes to replace retiring Commissioner Diane Ford.

The 64-year-old grew up in Columbia County and is a 1961 graduate of Evans High School, where he played football.

Allen credits the introduction of a football program into Columbia County schools in 1957 as the origin of the county's growth spurt.

At his announcement, Allen called himself a conservative who believes in disciplined fiscal management of his business.

"The government should be no different," he said. "I support an efficient and conservative government."

Other campaign goals include improving the county's roads, expanding its recycling program and adding greenspace.

The husband of Columbia County Tax Commissioner Kay Allen, Charles Allen once served two terms on the county commission in the 1980s. He also was a member of the Coalition for Quality Government and the Martinez/Evans Jaycees, and was the chairman of the Columbia County Republican Party. He belongs to the Merchant's Association of Columbia County and the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

Columbia County Planning Commission Chairwoman Deanne Hall also plans to seek the District 3 seat.