Effective immediately, I resign from my position on the Turner County Board of Commissioners.

I joined this board with optimism and a genuine commitment to move our county forward. But it has become clear that misinformation, political games, and the protection of the status quo have taken priority over real progress. Turner County will never move forward if the same “good old boys” culture continues to control decisions — a culture that has been reinforced by commissioners who have sat on this board for years and decades and have become complicit in keeping things exactly as they are.

I encourage every citizen to ask themselves why this continues to happen:

• Opportunities for change are met with resistance.
• Accountability and transparency are treated as optional.
• Turner County is not growing, while businesses continue to close.
• Leaders of organizations designed to help say they never hear from Turner County and find it hard to partner with our government.
• The county has not had a manager to oversee daily operations for a while and struggles to keep one.
• Our enabling legislation and codebook are out of date.
• It has been years since Turner County received a major grant.
• County savings accounts have dwindled to under one million dollars.
• Specific departments consistently go over budget.
• Recreation is consistently targeted for scrutiny over other departments.
• Employees are afraid to express themselves.
• Our county buildings are in terrible shape.
• Large amendments are repeatedly made at the end of the year to cover overspending.
• Poor budget management decisions are made intentionally, including knowingly excluding payments we are obligated to make.
• Bad deals — such as the ABM project and the Phoebe building purchase — have cost the county money.
• Funds for capital improvements are not allocated, with no effort toward strategic fund management.
• Control is concentrated in the hands of a few, with special treatment for favorites.
• Leadership lacks commitment to forward-thinking planning.
• Meetings draw frustration when they run longer than a couple of minutes, even when important work is being done.
• Commissioners lie — to the public and to each other.
• Some blame their jobs for missing the meetings they were elected to attend.
• And the list goes on.

I’ve learned that giving the benefit of the doubt can only go so far — eventually, we must choose not to stay in broken systems that refuse to grow.

Yesterday’s meeting was simply another example. Commissioner Brad Calhoun and Commissioner Joe Burgess undermined me as acting County Manager and elected Commissioner Nick Denham to the role — a decision added to the agenda the day before the meeting without public discussion. Although I do not believe he is the right person for the job, I wish him the best.

At that same meeting, I was told by the sheriff — a person I have always respected and admired — that he did not want to speak with me individually about his budget, despite my responsibility as both a commissioner and a tax-paying resident of Turner County. Moments like these, yesterday’s and many before it, highlight the lack of respect, accountability, and the unhealthy culture that continues to define our county’s government.

I want to give a huge thanks to Commissioner Dana Whiddon, who is the smartest, most collaborative, bravest, and most financially responsible mind on the board. Her dedication, strength, and willingness to do what’s right have been an inspiration.

I also want to thank my supporters. I have deeply felt your encouragement both online and in person, and I hope that one day the same energy will be shown at the podiums, in the seats at public meetings, and through your voices where decisions are made.

Some may point out that I have stepped away from roles before. As the saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” I am not built to be a politician in a system committed to maintaining the status quo. My skills, passion, and energy are better spent where they can make a real, measurable impact — without being stifled by politics that keep us standing still.

I will continue to invest in Turner County through my businesses and community work. These are the spaces where I can innovate, build, and contribute alongside people who value what I bring to the table. I will be pouring back into the work that fuels my God-given talents and reclaiming my peace. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and to serving this community in ways that don’t require playing political games.

True change will only come when voters demand it — not just online. Until then, I choose to serve from the outside, where progress isn’t just promised, it’s delivered.

Stay tuned, Turner County.
I have more exciting projects on the horizon and remain committed to finishing what I started — including continuing to share how local government works and pursuing grant opportunities, not as a politician, but as a citizen.

Make no mistake — my role may have changed, but my presence will not fade.

Yours truly,
James Burgess