By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
Morgan County District 4 Commissioner Stacy George and Sheriff Greg Bartlett are taking their battle to the ballot box.
George announced late Tuesday he has qualified for the Sheriff's race. He and Bartlett, both Republicans, will face off in the June primary. George had earlier announced his intentions to seek a seat on the Public Service Commission, a statewide post, but now says he'd rather serve in the sheriff's office.
Bartlett and George's latest battle is over staffing of the new jail.
Bartlett originally asked for 102 personnel to staff the jail. George disputed this request and the matter quickly disintegrated into name calling.
The Commission agreed Jan. 25 to hire 78 additional correctional personnel to accommodate the new jail. The county will spend $1.9 million to provide funding for the facility through the end of September.
Some $550,000 of the money will come from a road and bridge reserve fund. George objects to this, saying that money should be used on those projects.
County Commission Chairman John Glasscock said he anticipates initially only needing three of the jail's four pods. Each pod holds about 100 inmates. He said he believes the county should only hire the amount of personnel needed for the initial opening. More personnel could be added as the jail population increases.
Bartlett is seeking his second term as sheriff. George, the first Republican elected to the county commission, is also in his second term. The Morgan County Republican Party issued a statement earlier this week denouncing George, apologizing for what they described as his "boorish and unacceptable behavior."
Democratic candidate Tom Little is also seeking the sheriff's post.