Johnny Westmoreland seeking re-election

Published 6:05 pm Monday, April 1, 2024

Johnny Westmoreland, currently in his 12th year serving as the District 5 commissioner in Baldwin County, is seeking re-election to a fourth term.

Westmoreland, who turns 77 later this month, and whose wife, Janice, serves as chairwoman of the Baldwin County Republican Party, faces opposition from two political newcomers, Scott Little and Pam Peacock, who also are Republicans.

“I have the time and experience and required training needed to represent District 5 and Baldwin County residents on day one,” Westmoreland said. “It will be my honor to continue the journey with you in moving our county forward.”

Asked why he wants to continue to serve on the Baldwin County Board of Commissioners, Westmoreland replied that several projects have been started but not yet completed.

“I’d like to see those projects finished,” he said. 

A few of those projects include the Harrisburg park improvements, including the Collins P. Lee Memorial Public Library Branch; the new Baldwin County Aquatic Center; the Baldwin County Government Community Park; the new Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) road improvements; and LMIG, which the county received for additional road improvements; the new design on the Oconee Heights Streetscape project; replacing sewage lines; the new water line project on Log Cabin Road; and the new 20 pickleball courts at the Walter B. Williams Jr. Park.

Westmoreland was asked what he likes most about serving as a member of the Baldwin County Board of Commissioners.

“I like working and talking with my constituents throughout District 5,” Westmoreland said. “And I like working with other county commissioners through the ACCG (Association of County Commissioners of Georgia) and going to training sessions where I’ve learned over the years that most counties have a lot of the same type of problems. The difference is when something happens in the bigger counties, they have more money in which to handle it. We still share the same type of problems, though. We’re not really that different when it comes to problems.”

Westmoreland said he prides himself on being a good listener.

“I learned a long time ago that sometimes it’s best to keep your mouth shut,” he said. “I learned that from my mom and dad. They taught me to just listen sometimes. And then when you get off by yourself, all of that listening comes back around where you can then make a decision. These decisions that are made at a snap are not always good decisions.”

Westmoreland said he also seeks counsel and advice from God.

“I don’t take my constituents for granted,” Westmoreland said. “I listen to them and anything they have to say to me means a lot because you’re going to make some bad decisions and you’re going to make some enemies. And I don’t want any enemies. I’ve got a few. I’m in this job to try to satisfy the public and do the best we can with what we have.”

Westmoreland and his wife worked at Robins Air Force Base. He worked as a supervisor in the design and drafting section for 20 years.

His first job was at Happs Manufacturing, a men’s clothing store in Macon. From there, he went straight to the Air Force base, where he launched his career.

There have been many accomplishments thus far during his time as a county commissioner. He noted that during his tenure, the county has replaced 18 miles of water lines; completed the installation of the new water meters; and replaced and completed 9,200 linear feet of sewer lines, not counting an additional 4,000 linear feet of sewer lines that are currently in progress.

Westmoreland said between 2016 to 2022, the county resurfaced between 35 and 40 miles of roadway with the use of LMIG funds from grants.

“We also did the county’s first roundabout out there at Kings and Stembridge roads, but I think getting T-SPLOST is one of the biggest things that’s happened in our county,” Westmoreland said.

When it comes to economic development, Westmoreland said he hopes some grant funds will be awarded to the county for upgrades at the county’s Sibley-Smith Industrial Park later this year.

“Baldwin County is a great place to come for a new business,” Westmoreland said.

However, he said he feels the county is a little slack when it comes to workforce.

“And I can’t tell you a county that’s not, right now, in Georgia,” he said.

Westmoreland said he would like to see the county grow with new industry.

“We’ll just have to sit back and wait around and see what happens,” he said.

He said he hopes it happens sooner rather than later.

Not only is Westmoreland the presiding chairman of the county commission, but he also is chairman of Overview and works closely with The Development Authority of Milledgeville and Baldwin County and the Middle Georgia Regional Commission.

The Westmorelands have been married for 44 years. They have three children — two sons and a daughter. They also have three grandchildren.