Special to the Star-News

Greg White announced this week that he will seek election to serve as Chairman of the Covington County Commission in 2016. He will be subject to the Republican Primary scheduled for March 8, 2016.

“I believe that the experiences I bring from having served 13-and-a-half years as chairman previously will enhance our successes in Covington County in the coming years,” White said. “I thoroughly enjoyed serving the people of Covington County over the years, and I will be honored if given the opportunity to serve in this capacity again.”

White explained that he has a proven record of working across the aisle to serve the best interests of the citizens.

“During my earlier tenure as Chairman of the Covington County Commission, the issue of Democrat or Republican never entered into the discussion of what was best for our County. “I also have a record of bi-partisanship in my involvement with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, where we worked together across the state – Democrats and Republicans – to improve county government.”

“I look forward to visiting all areas of the county in the coming months, and hearing the issues that concern voters, as well as their ideas for ways to improve our county government’s accountability and efficiency.

Government will need to become more effective – and carefully consider what its mission is, if we are to survive in lean times” White stated. “I believe that my 13½ years of service in Covington County government give me a perspective that will allow me to influence the discussions and debates of the County Commission to the benefit of the retirees and working men and women in our county.”

“I have a strong record of supporting our education systems and recreation in Covington County. The various county Administrations that I was privileged to work with completed almost 40 school and recreation projects – including construction of ballfields and site prep for school construction. My interest is in looking for better ways to utilize the taxpayers’ money to benefit all of our county.”

White was appointed by former Governor Fob James in 1995 to Chair the Covington County Commission, and was three times elected by the voters of Covington County to serve in this capacity.

Greg grew up in Covington County. He and his wife, Jan, have lived in Covington County since moving back here in 1980.

In 2010, Gov. Bob Riley appointed Greg as one of six Alabama Commissioners to represent our state on the Southern Rail Commission. He was reappointed by Gov. Robert Bentley in 2014, and he was elected by his peers to serve on the three-state compact’s Executive Committee, where he presently serves as Vice Chairman.

White was a founding board member of Sav-A-Life, Crossover Ministry, and the Andalusia City Schools Foundation.

He continues to be involved in each of these, and in numerous other religious and civic efforts across Covington County.

He and Jan are active members at Southside Baptist Church in Andalusia, where he has participated in several mission trips to Haiti and in the choir.