Candidate: Eric Ronald (Ron) Jones

My name is Ron Jones and I am a Republican running for County Commissioner District 5. I started my career in the television industry in 1965. In 1969 I applied to WJRJ in Atlanta, Georgia and was hired as director/editor. While employed with the company, it was sold to Turner Communications Group. Before Turner purchased the station, my wife, of 50 years, Janet, and I discussed moving to Florida. I sent resumes to several stations--one being WJHG. WJHG was going full color and because of my knowledge and experience with color, I was offered employment. I was tickled--a place where I had Spring Break’d in the 60\'s, and fallen in love with. When I turned in my notice with TBS they were not pleased. The next day I was asked to meet with the general manager and Ted Turner--they asked me to stay on and take a promotion. Turner talked about broadcasting to the world from the station. Keep in mind, this was way before what we now know as \"Satellite TV\". Well, the rest is history....enter CNN, Cable News Network. I accepted the position with WJHG as Production Manager. I was later promoted to Executive Program Director. In 1993, WVTY. in Dothan, was pondering opening a satellite station in Panama City Beach and approached me about moving from WJHG to put the new station on the air. I did and started my own show, “Fishing With Ron.” After 19 years, I am still on the air with \"Down Home In The Tri-States\", and currently air on WMBB News 13. Like I always tell my viewers, \"I don\'t do this show to make money. I do it because I want to keep something alive, something that you don\'t see much anymore--local, down home, clean family entertainment. My work relationships with many people and organizations have allowed me to gain much knowledge in just about every area of the field and industry. I have worked with many greats in the business from John Wayne, Danny Thomas, Jerry Lewis, David Jansen, Shari Lewis, Joan Van Ark and a host of others. I was cinematographer for several scenes of \"Condominium\" filmed on Panama City Beach. I also assisted with the filming of \"The Frogs\" starring Ray Milland, filmed at Eden State Park, carried the first camera into the courts in Florida, was the first ever to film on Death Row at Florida State Prison (see youtube.com: Death Row-Florida State Prison Documentary.) In the 70\'s, my \"Day In The Life\" film for a local attorney won the largest legal cash settlement, in Bay County at that time. Working closely over the years with government agencies, Tourist Development, charitable organizations, and the Chambers has allowed me to gain very valuable experience. As President of The Junior Museum in Panama City, I brought national historical exhibits such as The Mechanical Dinosaur Exhibit to Panama City-A first for the area. Among my other endeavors, I served as adjunct professor at Gulf Coast Community College. At present I am President and CEO of Florida Legal Videos, LLC. . A couple of years ago and due to many heavy rains, a huge hole from washout on my road led to what looked like a sinkhole. It was about 7 feet deep and 8 feet in diameter. The traffic could only flow on one side of the road, I called it the “Ben Road Death Trap.” It took almost 9 months to get a response and get the problem taken care of. Three years ago I started a campaign to get illegal dumping and the roadside litter problem addressed. After staying on top of the issue, plus announcing my intention to run for the office of County Commissioner District 5, the problem was addressed-But the Folks who dump their trash on public and private property are not going to take the time to go out of their way, they are going to find a short easy way to dispose of their trash, and that’s to dump it! Washington County needs to crack down on the people responsible. After moving to Washington County in 2003, I have repeatedly witnessed the lack of effort economic growth in Washington County. In order to improve the economy the County needs to be promoted properly. In order to insure economic growth Washington County needs to offer potential companies and businesses positive reasons to locate here.. Look at the counties surrounding Washington and ask yourself, why we can’t get businesses and jobs like they do? On the roads issue, most, if not all dirt roads, and some paved, are in terrible condition, the tax payers have got to have a say in where their tax dollars are spent. If elected-when you visit the official county web site, you WILL see my face, you will know the person you elected, and you will get what you expect and deserve as tax paying citizens. I am not a lifelong resident of Washington County, nor did attend local schools. I owe no one anything nor any favors, just a duty to the tax payers. Please vote for RON JONES County Commissioner District 5.