Jones seeks re-election to county commission
Eastpoint resident Ricky Jones is seeking re-election to the District 1 county commission seat, which encompasses all of St. George Island and portions of Eastpoint.
Jones, 53, of 258 Sago Drive in Eastpoint, is facing a challenge from Republican Russell Turner, 68, who resides at 419 US Highway 98 in Eastpoint.
At the primary election August 20, all registered voters, including Democrats and those without party affiliation, will be eligible to vote.
The following is a statement provided by the Jones campaign.
Ricky Jones, a dedicated family man and community leader, hails from Eastpoint, where his family has long been entrenched in the seafood industry, owning both an oyster house and a retail market. He embarked on his journey with Elizabeth by his side, marrying her while they attended Holmes Bible College in Greenville, South Carolina.
Ordained as a bishop of the Church of God Cleveland, Tennessee, Ricky’s spiritual guidance extends to his involvement in the Redemption Point Church of God, where he serves on the Pastor’s Council under the mentorship of Pastor Larry Sterling.
Balancing his spiritual calling with a thriving career, Ricky has excelled as the manager of Carquest Auto Parts in Eastpoint since 1999. His commitment to community extends beyond the church and workplace, as he has volunteered extensively, coaching baseball and basketball teams and serving as an assistant coach for the Franklin County High School boys basketball program.
Ricky’s dedication to public service began with his appointment by Gov. Rick Scott to the Eastpoint Water & Sewer District in 2015, a role he continues with distinction as vice-chair, reappointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. In 2016, he was elected Franklin County
commissioner for District 1, subsequently reelected in 2020, and is currently seeking a third term.
Ricky has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his tenure, serving as chairman of the commission for the past four years. His commitment to tourism development led to his appointment as chair of the Franklin County Tourist Development Council in 2018. Additionally, Ricky’s regional influence extends to the position of chair of the Apalachee Regional Planning Council.
On the state level, Ricky is a staunch advocate for small counties, serving as Region 1 representative on the board of directors of the Small County Coalition since 2020. His contributions to the Florida Association of Counties, from 2018 to the present, showcase his dedication to legislative policy committees such as agriculture and rural affairs, water and environmental sustainability, tax and finance.
Ricky Jones embodies the values of leadership, service, and community, driving positive change for Franklin County and beyond.
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.