Rockdale Newton Citizen, Rockdale chairman candidates answer final questions before election

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Richard received a degree in Education and Industrial Relations from Kent State University. He lives with his family in Rockdale County, Georgia. 

Richard is a Senior Managing Partner for a technology consulting firm. He has previously worked as a Chair for the Atlanta Regional Commission Governance Committee for two terms and Chair for Kiwanis International Strategic Planning, Research, and Development. 

Richard Ogden's previously served as the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners for 8 years. 

Rockdale Newton Citizen, Rockdale County Chairman Richard Oden honored for eight years of service to county

Supports the creation of "new trails and the completion of Old Covington Highway Underpass"

Supports compliance to water safety standard in Rockdale.

- Supports the creation of "new trails and the completion of Old Covington Highway Underpass"
- Supports compliance to water safety standard in Rockdale.

Public Services

As of June 10, 2025, Richard A. Oden did not have a website.

Economy

Education

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

As of June 10, 2025, Richard A. Oden did not have a website or any information online.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Richard A. Oden

As of May 12, 2024, Brian Lynn Jenkins did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

As of June 10, 2025, Brian Lynn Jenkins did not have a website or any information online.

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Twitter

Brian Lynn Jenkins

James Sendelbach received his Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University. He also holds a Master’s degree in theology. He has been married to his wife, Dr. Susan, for more than 40 years. He actively supports environmental action groups and community organizations.

James Sendelbach works as a local business owner and licensed psychotherapist. 

As of May 12, 2024, James Sendelbach’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of June 10, 2025, James Sendelbach’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "Rockdale County has a high unmet need for commercial enterprises to pay taxes and reduce the tax burden on property owners. I’ll find ways to reduce the tax burden on residents."

- Said, "Rockdale County has a high unmet need for commercial enterprises to pay taxes and reduce the tax burden on property owners. I’ll find ways to reduce the tax burden on residents."

Wants to improve education by establishing a "a collegial relationship with the superintendent to improve our standing."

- Wants to improve education by establishing a "a collegial relationship with the superintendent to improve our standing."

Wants to stop building "cookie-cutter townhomes, apartment buildings, warehouses, storage facilities, and gas stations."

- Wants to stop building "cookie-cutter townhomes, apartment buildings, warehouses, storage facilities, and gas stations."

Said, "We need to stop the growing burden on county infrastructure, such as roads and our water supply. What we do need is more green space, sidewalks, and walking paths."

- Said, "We need to stop the growing burden on county infrastructure, such as roads and our water supply. What we do need is more green space, sidewalks, and walking paths."

James Sendelbach

Janice has been married for over 26 years to Ken and they are the proud parents of three children: Lawson, Samantha, and Emerson Elise. They have been active members of Rockdale Baptist Church since 2005. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science / International Relations with a double minor in Business from Auburn University and her Associates of Arts and Sciences degree in Liberal Arts from Oxford College of Emory University

Janice Frey Vanness has been a business owner for over 25 years. She is the Founder of Peachtree Academy Private School K-12.

Ballotpedia, Janice Frey Van Ness

Janice Frey Vanness has served two terms as an elected Rockdale County Commissioner. She was also on the Georgia State Senate from 2015 to 2017.

Said, "It’s essential we preserve the rich resources and heritage of Rockdale County while embracing changes that build upon our foundation and lead us to an even better County."

- Said, "It’s essential we preserve the rich resources and heritage of Rockdale County while embracing changes that build upon our foundation and lead us to an even better County."

Said, "My goal for Rockdale County is to properly plan so that we can build a strong community that will continue to attract businesses, which will, in turn, help sustain our tax digest."

Said, "I believe in smaller government with local control as much as possible."

Said, "I’m opposed to tax increases and believe in ethics reform to increase accountability."

- Said, "My goal for Rockdale County is to properly plan so that we can build a strong community that will continue to attract businesses, which will, in turn, help sustain our tax digest."
- Said, "I believe in smaller government with local control as much as possible."
- Said, "I’m opposed to tax increases and believe in ethics reform to increase accountability."

Said, "I will collaborate with county leaders to make education a top priority for Rockdale County so that every child can maximize his or her potential."

- Said, "I will collaborate with county leaders to make education a top priority for Rockdale County so that every child can maximize his or her potential."

Said, "I believe more must be done to stop illegal immigration in Georgia, and I am opposed to the creation of sanctuary cities."

- Said, "I believe more must be done to stop illegal immigration in Georgia, and I am opposed to the creation of sanctuary cities."

As of June 10, 2025, Janice Frey Vanness’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "I am determined to identify solutions to ease traffic congestion, which will improve the quality of life for residents."

- Said, "I am determined to identify solutions to ease traffic congestion, which will improve the quality of life for residents."

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Janice Frey Vanness

Rokdale County, Oz Nesbitt, Sr.

Oz attended Voorhees College where he studied Public Relations and Political Science. He is married to his wife Robernett, and together they have two daughters and two sons. They live in Augusta, Georgia.

Oz is the President/Chief Consultant with SPEAK UP! Communications, Inc. He has 15 years of law enforcement experience. He also worked as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Nalley Automotive Group.

Oz Nesbitt has served two terms as Commissioner Post 1 and is currently serving a second term as Chairman of Rockdale County’s Board of Commissioners in Conyers, Georgia.

Implemented a Community Improvement Team to "help remove trash and household debris from the roadways as well as in hidden lots county-wide."

- Implemented a Community Improvement Team to "help remove trash and household debris from the roadways as well as in hidden lots county-wide."

Candidate website

Supports local small businesses and entrepreneurs through media exposure and partnerships, offering seminars and dedicated TV segments to promote community economic growth.

The candidate's website says, "Chairman Nesbitt dispatched Rockdale Channel 23 to go out into the community and help capture and tell the stories of countless local Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our community. …"

- Supports local small businesses and entrepreneurs through media exposure and partnerships, offering seminars and dedicated TV segments to promote community economic growth.
- The candidate's website says, "Chairman Nesbitt dispatched Rockdale Channel 23 to go out into the community and help capture and tell the stories of countless local Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our community. …"

As of June 10, 2025, Oz Nesbitt’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports enhanced local transportation by hiring Brian Allen, who leverages connections for Rockdale County's project advancement, yielding significant improvements in a short period.

- Supports enhanced local transportation by hiring Brian Allen, who leverages connections for Rockdale County's project advancement, yielding significant improvements in a short period.

Oz Nesbitt

- County Commission Chairs oversee the Board of County Commissioners, which create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- The County Commission Chair is specifically responsible for preparing the county budget, which must be passed by the rest of the County Commissioners. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commission Chairs have additional executive duties including coordinating with the office of the Mayor for your county, appointing Commissioners to committees, and representing your county at official functions.
- County Commission Chairs are elected to 4-year terms in county-wide elections.