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For the Troup County Commission in District 2, incumbent Ellis Cadenhead is running once again for his seat. He will face opposition in the Republican primary from Ken Ragan, who has a listed occupation as president of Ragan Grading and Septic Tanks. 

The winner of this race will move on to face Andrew Moody Sr, who is running as a Democrat. 

After multiple attempts to contact Ragan, he could not be reached for an interview. 

“After four years in office, I feel like we have accomplished a lot,” Cadenhead said. “I feel like we still have a good bit more that we want to accomplish. I really enjoy working with people and this community.” 

Cadenhead said he always looks forward to being able to resolve any issue a taxpayer may have. 

“I look at as opportunities to help — not problems,” Cadenhead said. “We try to be positive about everything.” 

During his four years at the commission post, Cadenhead said he has helped the commissioners make sure roads have been paved or resurfaced, help raise the salary of employees and more. 

“We raised the salary of our employees, especially the public safety employees, and that to me really helped keep some of the people we could have lost due to the salary difference,” Cadenhead said. “We have also bought new trash trucks, which fixed an issue when LaGrange went out of the trash business. We tackled that and went into business ourselves of transporting trash. Trash will continue to be a big issue over the next few years.” 

Cadenhead said they would have to make a hard decision in the future when it comes to trash collection services, but he is prepared for it. 

If re-elected, Cadenhead has a goal to continue to grow county staff and be a voice for Troup County.

“We don’t always agree, and I think it speaks highly of how we come together and do a consensus when we do,” Cadenhead said. “Working with the three cities, I believe all our four governments work extremely well. We have House Bill 49 (related to water services) coming up that we will have to do something about by the end of this year to those renegotiate services.”

Cadenhead said he wants to continue to work together with the commissioners. 

“We were able to face the trash issue head-on and solve it together,” Cadenhead. “We have done really well with active life, and I would like to see that continue, and even get better. Growing in that program is a major opportunity that I can help with.” 

In the past few years, Cadenhead has seen major personnel change, including hiring a new county manager. 

“We have hired a new Chief Financial Officer, a county fire chief and a number of other personnel changes,” Cadenhead said. “We have put together a really great team, and I am very proud of that.” 

Cadenhead said he just wants to help and listen to citizens on what they need. 

“It may be a challenge sometimes, but I and the board certainly do our best to work with the citizens of Troup County,” Cadenhead said. “I am a great listener.”