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Hagan announces bid for Bryan County Sheriff
Al Hagan Announcement
Standing in front of his supporters at Hendrix Park Saturday, Al Hagan announced his candidacy for Bryan County Sheriff. Photo by Mark Swendra.

Alfonza "Al" Hagan formally announced his candidacy Saturday to become Bryan County Sheriff in 2020, replacing longtime sheriff Clyde Smith, who is expected to retire.

Approximately 100 people came out to Hendrix Park on a hot and humid morning to show their support for the Pembroke resident whose career in law enforcement spanned decades.

Hagan is retired from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and was previously a chief investigator for the Bryan County Sheriff's Office, and a patrolman with the Pembroke Police Department. He is owner of Central Georgia Polygraph.

Hagan said, if elected, he will maintain a "well-trained" law enforcement agency that is open and transparent, one that can be a "bridge-builder" in the county.  

Brian Childress, who retired last year as chief of the Valdosta Police Department, spoke on behalf of Hagan, calling him a "community-oriented cop who represents everybody of every race."

 Hagan, a Democrat, joins at least three others seeking the sheriff title who have officially announced:

* Mike Fordham, of Richmond Hill, a detective with the Bryan County Sheriff's Office.

* Mark Crowe, former Pembroke police chief.

* Mike Maxwell, of Richmond Hill, a deputy with the Bryan County Sheriff's Office.

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Decision on potential Parker's Kitchen location delayed
Decision on potential Parkers’ Kitchen location delayed
A picture of the Burnt Church Cemetery in Richmond Hill, Georgia. Residents at Tuesday's county commission meeting believe that the potential rezoning for the proposed Parkers' Kitchen location will negatively disrupt the historic gravesite. Photo credit: findagrave.com.
Bryan County Commissioners on Tuesday night deferred a decision on whether to rezone some 3.8 acres near the historic Burnt Church Cemetery to allow a Parker’s Kitchen convenience store. The vote to defer the decision for 30 days to look into concerns raised by opponents to the project came after several residents – including parents of children buried in the 195-year-old cemetery – urged commissioners to deny the rezoning.
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