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ZEBULON - This is a four year seat that is currently held by Incumbent Jimmy Thomas. Incumbent Jimmy Thomas and Challenger Geoffrey Zimbelman have thrown their hats into the ring.
I am uploading 500 word or less candidate statements as I receive them at editor@pikecountytimes.com.
Geoffrey Zimbelman, Challenger
Geoffrey Craig Zimbelman Jr. was born on March 8, 1985 in Fulton County Georgia. His parents both served in the United States Army and lived on the base at Fort Gillem in Forest Park Georgia. Geoffrey grew up in the Clayton and Henry County areas and graduated from the Peoples Baptist Academy in McDonough. While in school he played sports and participated in other activities such as drama and chorus. During his summer breaks Geoffrey enjoyed spending time helping his Aunt and Uncle at the New Dawning Ranch in North Carolina, a home for troubled youth, and traveling with a mission group called Craftsmen for Christ that provided volunteer labor to build and repair churches. Geoffrey graduated high school in 2003 and attended classes at Pensacola Christian College, planning to major in Criminal Justice. He had to return home due to finances and worked several jobs until he married his wife Julie in 2008. Later that year, Geoffrey and Julie started Exterior Accents of Atlanta, a home exteriors company specializing in decks and porches. Geoffrey began working as a Jail Officer for the Pike County Sheriff’s Office in 2010. He attended the Police Academy at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Columbus, and graduated with honors in 2012. Geoffrey and Julie moved to Pike County in the fall of the same year to fulfill a desire they both shared to be close to work, their church, and to be able to raise their children in the community they love. Geoffrey and Julie currently reside in Williamson with their four children: Ava (6), Bailor (5), Aspen (3), and Beau Abram (1). They are members of the Faith Baptist Church in Zebulon where Geoffrey teaches the Adult Sunday School class and serves on the Board of Trustees, as the Music Director, and as Church Treasurer. Julie serves as a Nursery and Children’s Church Assistant, as well as Director of the Mission’s Closet. Geoffrey’s service as a Mandated Peace Officer for Pike County includes work in Uniform Patrol, the Traffic Unit, Accident Investigator, School Resource Officer, and serving on the Pike County Honor Guard. Geoffrey is a registered Republican and Dedicated Conservative.
“I am honored to be considered for this position and want to thank those who have given us their support. I believe my experiences in life have prepared me for this office and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. I would like to share with you a verse found in Luke 16:10a – “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful in much:” I count it a privilege to have been able to serve here in Pike County for the last five and a half years and look forward to serving for many more to come! Thank You!” – Geoffrey Zimbelman
Jimmy Thomas, Incumbent
I’m running for re-election for Sheriff of Pike County. It has been an honor to serve you the past 16 years. Through team efforts we provide professional leadership to make your family and home secure. I need your vote and support to maintain professional services Pike citizens deserve from the Sheriff’s Office.
I have over 30 years experience in Public Safety. Here are some of my training achievements three levels of management training from the University of Georgia, crime scene processing, business ownership and the Police Academy, graduating in 1980.
I was employed at the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and served on the Georgia Task Force in Florida during a national disaster. I have 120 hours investigation training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center and graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
I earned the Award of Excellence from the Regional Organized Crime Information Center, developed a civil and warrant division, received awards for humanitarian assistance after Hurricane Katrina, placed three School Resource Deputies, teach CHAMPS, developed a K-9 unit, received an award from the National Equipment Register for one of the largest theft recoveries in Pike’s history, converted reports and jail management to electronic record paid for by inmate telephones, received recognition from the DEA and FBI for an investigation targeting a Mexican drug cartel and earned the Griffin Judicial Circuit Agency of the year in both 2012 and 2013. I have also been appointed by the Governor to serve on the executive board for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
I want to continue to run the department with Honesty, Integrity and Professionalism. It will be my honor and privilege to continue as your Sheriff.