Lee County Commissioner Greg Frich decides to not seek re-election

LEESBURG — A day after the lone finalist for the vacant Lee County manager position decided not to take the job, one of the county’s sitting commissioners announced he will not seek re-election.

Businessman Greg Frich, a retired Marine who is in the last year of his four-year term as representative of the Redbone District, said Wednesday morning that he had decided not to qualify for a return to his seat on the board.

Citing a desire to spend more time with his wife and family, Frich said, “The demands on myself and my family, along with other commitments, have been growing to the point that I’m starting to run into a deficit with regards to time. To serve the people of our community the right way — the only way I will ever serve — requires the commitment of a lot of time.

“I’m the kind of person who responds to every call, and when we deliver a service in response to citizens’ concerns, I go out and follow up. That’s the way I serve. Running into a negative with the time I need to invest in my family, especially during the next few precious years while our children are still young and at home, with my job and with outside activities like the Civil Air Patrol made me realize that I needed to make this difficult decision not to seek re-election.”

Albany-Dougherty County Planning Services Director Paul Forgey had informed the Lee commission on Monday that he would remain in Albany rather than take the manager’s position that had been offered to him.

With Frich out of the District 5 race, the man he ousted from that seat in the 2012 election, certified public accountant Bill Williams, and businessman Lee Johnston are the only candidates who have qualified as of Wednesday afternoon to seek the seat. Qualifying continues through Friday at noon.

“I appreciate the service that Greg has provided to the county,” Williams said Wednesday. “His decision (not to run) does not change the way I plan to conduct my campaign. I’ve attended every County Commission meeting since I came off the board, so I am well aware of the issues that are vital to our community.

“Now that Greg has decided not to run, I look forward to campaigning against Lee and wish him the best in the coming weeks.”

Johnston said he expects to have Frich’s support during the campaign leading up to the May 24 Republican primary.

“Greg’s decision doesn’t impact the way I will campaign,” Johnston said. “I know that I will have his support, and I hope the people who supported him will follow me now that he’s decided not to seek re-election. I’m confident I can continue the good works that he has accomplished while on the commission.

“The issues with our volunteer fire department, our EMS shift changes and finding a new county manager are big hurdles the commission is dealing with right now. I hope those matters are settled by the time I would become commissioner, but if not I am well-versed enough in the issues to deal with them.”

In announcing his plan not to run, Frich cited a number of accomplishments he said the board achieved during his three years as a member, including the county’s first public safety awareness fair, establishment of a risk mitigation plan, ordinance reform that makes small businesses more competitive, improved roadways in the southeast Lee County district, development of the annual Heroes Run, and designation of the part of U.S. Highway 19 that runs through the county as Veterans Memorial Highway.

“I’ve paddled alongside many of you cleaning the Kinchafoonee and Muckalee creeks during the county’s Rivers Alive program, and I’ve stood beside so many of you supporting our community, our churches and their congregations, encouraging, rejoicing, mourning and praying with you,” Frich said. “And, regarding the issue that launched my goal to run as a county commissioner five years ago, trash collections are being effectively accomplished without them being added to our annual property tax bills.

“In 33 years of public service, serving as (Lee County) commissioner has been the most rewarding position I have ever held. And although I will not be serving on the board for the next four years, I have every intention to continue to serve the extraordinary people of Lee County. And I will continue to serve as I have the previous three years during this final year of my term.”