LinkedIn

 Doug studied at Miami University in Ohio. 

Doug is a retired journalist with decades of experience. His last job was as a National Desk Editor for CNN. Since then, Doug has been a landlord, providing affordable single-family rentals in the Atlanta suburbs of DeKalb and Gwinnett.

Doug Rink (Gilmer County Commissioner Board Post 1, Georgia, candidate 2024)

Doug Rink’s campaign for county commissioner is his first entry into politics.

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Comprehensive Recreation Plan: Develop a comprehensive, systemic plan for recreation amenities to avoid piecemeal promises and ensure efficient goal achievement."

Plans to develop a comprehensive, systemic plan for recreation amenities to avoid piecemeal promises and ensure efficient goal achievement.

- Plans to develop a comprehensive, systemic plan for recreation amenities to avoid piecemeal promises and ensure efficient goal achievement.

Public Services

The candidate's website says, "Tax Burden Mitigation: Avoid increasing the local tax burden on Gilmer businesses and families while addressing the challenges of growth and development."

Wants to avoid increasing the local tax burden on Gilmer businesses and families while addressing the challenges of growth and development.

The candidate's website says, "Fiscal Responsibility: Prioritize tasks without imposing additional taxation on local homes and residents."

Plans to prioritize tasks without imposing additional taxation on local homes and residents.

- Wants to avoid increasing the local tax burden on Gilmer businesses and families while addressing the challenges of growth and development.
- Plans to prioritize tasks without imposing additional taxation on local homes and residents.

Economy

As of June 24, 2025, Doug Rink’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

The candidate's website says, "Improving Fire and EMS Services: Address the need to bring fire and EMS services in Gilmer County up to levels that match our population growth."

Wants to address the need to bring fire and EMS services in Gilmer County up to levels that match our population growth.

Wants to ensure adequate public safety funding to meet the needs created by growth and explore new amenities in a serious and responsible manner.

- Wants to address the need to bring fire and EMS services in Gilmer County up to levels that match our population growth.
- Wants to ensure adequate public safety funding to meet the needs created by growth and explore new amenities in a serious and responsible manner.

Public Safety

The candidate's website says, "Balancing Neighborhood Preservation and Economic Growth: Ensure the protection of neighborhoods while promoting Gilmer's tourism-based economy."

Wants to ensure the protection of neighborhoods while promoting Gilmer's tourism-based economy.

The candidate's website says, "Inventory of Unbuilt Subdivision Lots: Conduct an accurate assessment of existing but unbuilt subdivision lots to understand the county's inventory and plan accordingly."

Intends to conduct an "accurate assessment of existing but unbuilt subdivision lots to understand the county's inventory and plan accordingly."

The candidate's website says, "Responsible Growth Management: Manage growth responsibly by involving all Gilmer citizens as stakeholders in the planning process and protecting unspoiled areas while respecting property rights."

Plans to involve all Gilmer citizens as stakeholders in the planning process and protecting unspoiled areas while respecting property rights.

The candidate's website says, "Ellijay Annexations Oversight: Monitor Ellijay annexations closely to assess potential risks or costs to unincorporated Gilmer County."

Will monitor Ellijay annexations closely to assess potential risks or costs to unincorporated Gilmer County.

- Wants to ensure the protection of neighborhoods while promoting Gilmer's tourism-based economy.
- Intends to conduct an "accurate assessment of existing but unbuilt subdivision lots to understand the county's inventory and plan accordingly."
- Plans to involve all Gilmer citizens as stakeholders in the planning process and protecting unspoiled areas while respecting property rights.
- Will monitor Ellijay annexations closely to assess potential risks or costs to unincorporated Gilmer County.

Housing & Urban Development

The candidate's website says, "Infrastructure Maintenance: Prioritize the maintenance of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure to prevent basic government services from falling behind as the population grows."

Plans to prioritize the maintenance of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure to prevent basic government services from falling behind as the population grows.

The candidate's website says, "Investment in Public Safety and Infrastructure: Ensure that public safety and infrastructure are adequately funded to meet the needs created by growth and explore new amenities in a serious and responsible manner."

Plans to ensure adequate infrastructure funding to meet the needs created by growth and explore new amenities in a serious and responsible manner.

- Plans to prioritize the maintenance of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure to prevent basic government services from falling behind as the population grows.
- Plans to ensure adequate infrastructure funding to meet the needs created by growth and explore new amenities in a serious and responsible manner.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Facebook

Doug Rink

As of May 16, 2024, Jim Parmer did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

 Jim Parmer qualifies for post commissioner

Jim served as a school administrator for pre-K through 12th grade for 29 years. Jim is also a retired command sergeant major from the United States Army Reserves with 24 years of service. During his military service, he spent time in Vietnam as an English language instructor and was activated during Iraqi Freedom 1 and 2 while serving as the principal of Oakland Elementary School.

Jim Parmer has served on the Gilmer County Board of Education for eight years.

As of June 24, 2025, Jim Parmer did not have a website or any information online.

Jim Parmer

Karleen serves as the vice president of the Habitat for Humanity Fannin Gilmer Board of Directors. She is also involved with the North Georgia Outdoor Excursion Social Club. She is married and has two children. She follows the Christian faith. 

Karleen is the owner of Karleen’s Creations & Collectibles, the owner of Stay Active Ellijay, and is based in East Ellijay, Georgia. Previously, she served as the Events & Activities Director at Talona Ridge RV Resort.

Ferguson announces candidacy for post 1 commissioner

Karleen Ferguson served a three-year term as Post 2 Commissioner for Gilmer County from 2019 to 2021. 

Supports building a new community recreation center.

- Supports building a new community recreation center.

As of June 24, 2025, Karleen P. Ferguson did not have a website or any information online.

Supports workforce and elder affordable housing.

Advocates for the protection of natural resources.

- Supports workforce and elder affordable housing.
- Advocates for the protection of natural resources.

Karleen P. Ferguson

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Gilmer County Commissioner, Republican Primary

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (3)