South Bryan resident Butch Broome announced his candidacy Thursday for Toby Roberts’ 4th District seat on the Bryan County Commission.

Roberts, whose fifth term expires in December, announced Tuesday that he will not be running again. Qualifying for seats is in April and the primary is in July.

Broome is a 15-year resident of South Bryan, owns the restaurant Fish Tales at the Fort MacAllister Marina, is a former Richmond Hill Recreation Association president and current Richmond Hill High School football team booster president.

"It’s something I’ve thought about for a long time," Broome said. "I’ve always been involved in the community in some capacity and have given it 100 percent. I think I could serve this community well as a member of the county commission."

Broome has been a business owner since the age of 19. He said this has garnered him experience that could be valuable to a government position – especially when faced with a recession.

"I’ve always felt that anyone in government should come from a business background," Broome said. "Running government is a business and has to be run like a business. I think that’s part of the problem with the United States today – you’ve got too many politicians that have never had a job, that have never had to worry about payroll or the money aspect of running a business and taking care of employees."

Broome sold his True Green Chemlawn company four years ago with the intention to spend the rest of his days hunting and fishing. But he quickly got bored with that lifestyle.

"I quickly learned that my hobby is work," he said.

Broome said he then pursued opening Fish Tales. He said the restaurant is running very smoothly and he has the time available to dedicate to another venture.

Broome said, if elected, he pledges to pursue the interests of the majority of the people of Bryan County, regardless if he agrees with them or not.

"I’m a firm believer in controlled growth and not shotgun growth," Broome said. "I think Bryan County over the last 5-7 years has been through what I call a shotgun approach. I think the people making decisions made the decisions they felt were right at the time, but I think we need to get more of a rifle approach and lay the groundwork now so that when this economy turns around we’ll be better prepared for growth."