A. G. VanLandingham has announced his candidacy for the County Commission Post 1 seat currently held by Glen Gosa.

Gosa has announced he will not seek reelection.

“Our past growth has produced situations that have brought hardships to our citizens,” said VanLandingham in his announcement press release. “It's for certain we have more growth coming. This being a certainty, we need to utilize a smart growth pattern.”

A 15-year resident of Fayette, VanLandingham said he moved here to a farm owned by his wife Sandra's grandfather. The family's roots go back over 100 years, he said.

VanLandingham grew up in central Georgia and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1954, honorably discharged after eight years. He worked in manufacturing for the DuPont company, then in maintenance at Ralston Purina's Fairburn plant for 20 years before retirement.

“We decided to retire here and remain here,” he said. The couple has six children, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Using the land in a way that will “bring together our economic, community and environmental objectives” will help create a more positive growth pattern, said VanLandingham. “My feeling is that we have to be in a position to protect our citizens, educate our children and preserve our environment. If a negative impact in these areas comes about by growth, then my feeling is that the growth should not happen until the negatives are removed,” he said.

Citizens should be informed and involved in government, he added. “I will work to encourage involvement and keep the public informed,” he said. “I hope to start town hall meetings soon and carry them through my term in office.”

More cooperation among local governments also is important, he said. “We are a county comprised of parts undivided by boundaries,” he said.

VanLandingham ran for the at-large Post 5 commission seat in 1998.