Candidate Q&A: Russell County Commission, District No. 5

Below are responses from the Opelika-Auburn News' candidate questionnaire. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Responses have been edited for clarity.

Cedric Darrell Darty

Age: 54

Hometown: Columbus, Georgia

Family: Late James Lee Darty and Sammie Lee Vann Darty

Job: Retired Columbus fire fighter, Georgia Department & Business Owner

Prior elected office: None

Other public service: Established the Justice and Bustin' Out Bail Bonds, Inc. Book Scholarship Program, Alabama Department of Human Resources Job Programs, voter registration drives, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Citizen of the Year 2007, United to Save Ourselves Hometown Achiever Award 2014, United to Save Ourselves Community Service Award 2016, The Betty/Lagayle Foundation Men Advocate Award 2016, Russell County Alabama Volunteer Citizen of the Year 2017-2018 and Basileus's Award for Superior Service 2023. Justice and Bustin' Out Bail Bond, Inc. received Best of 2022, and Hall of Fame 2023 for Bail Bond Services presented by the Phenix City Awards Program, NAACP

Education: Advance High School Diploma from Pacelli High School, Associate Degree in General Studies from Troy State University, bachelor's in criminal justice with a minor in psychology from Troy State University, Master of Science in Elementary Education from Troy State University, Education Specialist Elementary Education from Troy State University

Q&A

What unique expertise or experience would you bring to this office?

Darty: I am a business owner, educator, and retired firefighter. This is my first run for public office. Our County Government faces many challenges, including lagging infrastructure Improvements of Roads, education, military families, veterans, and other issues. The people of District 5 want a new approach. I humbly ask the people for the opportunity to serve them with bold leadership and a comprehensive new strategy of working together to advance the interest of all citizens by implementing sound and limited self-governance.

What is the most pressing problem facing the community, and how would you fix it?

Darty: Economic development, senior citizens, military family and veterans, youth development, and town hall meetings. I will have hands-on experience working with the county engineer to provide sewerage to our district; I will make an appropriation to provide different transportation services to our Senior Activity Center, coordinate various programs and work aimlessly with the county engineer to install a recreational area for the children and outside bathroom facilities to accommodate the walking trail at the Senior Citizen Activity Center; I will work hands-on with the State of Alabama military transitional coordinator to ensure the military family and veterans have the proper resources needed to adjust in our district; I will create ways to keep our young people actively engaged positively during their summer break and free time, such as summer job programs and recreational opportunities...

What do you most want for your community?

Darty: I was born and reared in Fort Mitchell, Alabama, on Highway 165. I remember growing up here, there was no Subdivision, Dollar General, Family Dollar, or Dollar Tree. I want to give back to the community who have poured so much into my life. We have a great foundation to build off. I like to continue to lead this district with solid leadership like we have had for many years with our former Commissioners. Look at us now. Together, we can continue to make District 5 a more fantastic place to live. As we stand here today, I want to present a brief synopsis of my platform. Today, we will be discussing six needs of continuous growth.

The Opelika-Auburn News made multiple attempts to reach Democratic candidate Bob Franklin by deadline. Those attempts were unsuccessful.