Note: This article was updated to correct an error over when the Ross family moved to Rockmart. – KtE

Mayor Sherman Ross wants a shot at a second term in office, and today he made that official by filing paperwork with the Board of Elections office in Rockmart.

He was the first candidate to put his name up for the ballot in the 2023 Municipal Election coming up in November. Local candidates are qualifying this week in Aragon, Cedartown and Rockmart races for the two councils and the Cedartown City Commission.

Ross, who moved with his wife Debbie to the community in 1995 when they opened their State Farm Office near the corner of South Marble and East Elm Street, and previously served on the City Council.

During his term in office, the city was dealt hard blows from COVID-19 to the loss of longtime City Manager Jeff Ellis. Despite this, Ross noted during his term the city has seen population growth, new businesses and hiring of several key positions including City Manager Stacey Smith and her assistant (and still) Fire Chief Todd Queen, City Planner Delmos Stone, and a new recreation director.

“Since my public service began ten and a half years ago, first as City Councilman for Ward
4, I have had a passion to improve the quality of life for residents of our older neighborhoods,” Ross said. “Although there has been some improvement, because of the investors acquiring run-down properties and bringing them up to Standards, we still have a lot of work to do. My hope is by continuing to advocate for the residents, we can see more improvements in our neighborhoods.”

Along with numerous projects underway during his term on the council and as the city’s Mayor, he advocates and helps with cleanups on the Silver Comet Trail, is an active member of several organizations, and took part in the city’s Georgia Initiative for Community Housing program in years past.

Ross said his hope is to continue serving citizens to his utmost.

“When reelected, I assure you my passion to work for the betterment of all of Rockmart
will continue,” he said.

Other races

The Mayor’s seat isn’t the only one open in Rockmart. Council members Marty Robinson and Rick Stone have said they will seek new terms in office and are expected to qualify this week to serve new terms on the City Council.

The other two cities in Polk County will also see incumbents qualify and have the potential for new candidates coming up.

The Aragon City Council has three seats open this year, and acting Mayor Judd Fee has already made his intentions known that he will seek to serve a full term in his current seat. Fee was moved up to Mayor from his Pro Tem position after the resignation last week ahead of the City Council meeting of former Mayor Debbie Pittman.

Two additional council seats during the normal election cycle are up this year in Aragon as well, along with a third that was left vacated when former Council Member Daniel Johnson resigned. The city has left the seat vacant for the time being until the election in order to save on costs.

Additionally, Cedartown has two seats up this year for City Commission. Andrew Carter and Dale Tuck are both up for this election cycle.

Qualifying closes up this week. Check back for more updates as they become available on candidates getting onto the November ballot.