Incumbent Tom Worthan is touting his experience and accomplishments through two terms while challenger Romona Jackson Jones said she will lead the county from being “ordinary to extraordinary” as they battle to be the next Douglas County Commission chairman.

Jones and Worthan will face each other in the Nov. 6 election for the job leading the county government.

Worthan, the Republican nominee who is seeking a third four-year term, served as a district commissioner and Georgia House of Representatives member before being elected Commission chairman in 2004.

“I grew up in Douglas County, and I know our people because they have been my neighbors and friends for my whole life. I was brought up on Douglas County values, and I keep and honor them today,” said Worthan, in an e-mail.

Jones, the Democratic nominee, is a 10-year county resident whose career has included the health care industry and the U.S. Army. She said she would work “to foster integrity, trust, honesty and respect to promote a unified government.”

“If elected, I will go above and beyond to maximize the quality of life for all citizens and strive to make Douglas County the standard of excellence in the state of Georgia,” she said, also in an e-mail.

Worthan said he led the commission in dealing with drought, the 2009 floods and the national recession that severely affected such major industries as homebuilding in Douglas County.

“We did not panic. We led with resolve and dedication, and we now have a reliable water system, better roads and bridges, and a financially stable county government,” he stated. “I have been tested and proven able to lead in tough and good times.

“Financially, we are in better shape than almost any county in the nation because we have been fiscally conservative. The only long-term debt we have will be paid off in November 2013. Our employee pension plan is fully funded. We have a reserve fund to handle emergency situations.”

Jones, an operations manager, said she has led “significant hospital emergency preparedness and command center projects” in coordination with four federal agencies on airplane crashes, hazardous materials exposures and natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and blizzards.

“As chairman, I will work diligently to create opportunities and remove barriers by activating an aggressive and competitive plan to attract new businesses to the county and region as well as helping local businesses in our community become stronger or expand,” she said.

“I will work diplomatically, ethically and professionally with local, state and federal business officials to bridge the gap between ideas, infrastructure projects and services,” she said.