Incumbent Jerry Lee is up against Billy Rhinehart and Jessie Thornton in the Tuesday, Oct. 7, Catoosa Utility District Authority annual board member election.

Residents who are Catoosa Utility District Authority customers, which means they must have a meter on their property, are encouraged to cast their vote at the water company from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A driver’s license, or other state-issued photo identification, is required to vote.

Here is a closer look at the candidates:

Jerry Lee

Jerry Lee, 58, has worked as a self-employed businessman for 41 years and has six years experience with the Catoosa Utility District Authority, serving as vice-chairman for more than a year and now serving as chairman. He has attended the Georgia Rural Water Association state conference for the last six years.

“During my time in office, we have spent $9 million in upgrading old water lines and installing new ones without increasing water rates for the past five years,” he said.

“I would appreciate your vote and look forward to serving you in a second term on the commission,” he said.

Lee and wife Martha have lived in Morris Estates subdivision near Graysville for 31 years. They have a son, a daughter and three grandchildren.

William E. Rhinehart

Billy Rhinehart has been a resident of Catoosa County for the past 65 years.

He graduated from Ringgold High School in 1957, served in the U.S. Army and is a member of VFW Post 4848.

Rhinehart is actively involved with the city of Ringgold’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day Flag Projects. He is retired from the trucking industry, where he held positions as terminal manager, dispatcher and driver. He is a member of New Liberty Baptist Church on Graysville Road.

He and wife Carolyn have been married for 42 years, and they reside at 1211 Old Three Notch Road. They have one daughter, Carla, and a grandson, Hayden Adkins.

Jessie Thornton

Lifetime Catoosa resident Jessie Thornton, born in 1960, is the son of the late Willie and Sarah Mae Thornton.

“Although I have not been involved in politics, I have always been interested in the community and the families that live here,” he said.

Thornton graduated from Ringgold High School and Electronic Computer Programming Institute. A local businessman for 22 years, Jessie owned the United Karate School on U.S. 41 North in the early 80s, and since 1987 has owned Jessie Thornton’s United Karate Studio in Ringgold.

He is the youngest of nine children, and three of his sisters and other family members reside in Catoosa.

Thornton said he seeks to be a board member for the Catoosa Utility District Authority because he wants the opportunity to help and give back to the people of Catoosa County.

“I feel deeply that the community has made me the person I’ve become, and I seek to help others,” he said. “I’ve decided to run for the utility board after several local citizens requested that I do so.”

He said his interest in the county, community and the people give him a strong desire to fight for others.

He and wife Joy have been married for 16 years. He has two sons, Desmond of Ringgold and Lavaris of East Ridge, Tenn., and two grandchildren.

The couple are members of Mt. Peria Missionary Baptist Church in Ringgold where he serves as a deacon and a member of the male chorus and senior chorus