Statesboro council candidate Maleek Jones says running is an extension of his calling to public service

STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) - Statesboro residents in District 2 will vote in just over three weeks to select their next city council member.

The special election is a three-person race to fill the District 2 seat, which has been vacant for nearly five months. Maleek Jones is one of the three candidates running.

Jones first came to Statesboro as a Georgia Southern University student more than a decade ago. After leaving the area, he returned to finish his education, start and raise a family, and is now running for public office.

Jones said his motivation for running is a lifelong commitment to public service.

“It’s not me trying to become a servant, it is a servant stepping into a new role,” Jones said.

Data center zoning vote

In August, Statesboro City Council approved a zoning map amendment that would allow a data center to be built within city limits. Because District 2 was unrepresented, Mayor Jonathan McCollar broke a tie to push the approval despite resident protests.

Jones said his top priority is forming a bond with each member of the community. He said if elected, he will set aside personal opinions on data centers to focus on constituents.

“It’s not about, ‘I want this or I don’t want this,’ my job as a representative of district two would be to go and probe their voice go and hear what the community says and make sure they’re getting what they,” Jones said.

Budget priorities

Jones said he will go directly to taxpayers to hear where they think the city needs to allocate money. He said he wants to prioritize maintaining youth programs.

“Listening to the needs of the people, it’s one thing to say ‘ooh I’ve got a good idea let me do this or advocate for this,’ I want to make sure that I actually hear the hearts of the people hearing their voices, finding out what they think we need,” Jones said.

Leadership experience

Jones has never held public office. He said leadership in other areas of his life, including serving as a deacon at his church, working as a success coach at Georgia Southern University, and being a husband and father, prepared him for the role.

“Having integrity, being honest, being transparent, having all those things to serve people because you’re our representative, you’re supposed to represent your people, that gave me the confidence to step forward and throw my hat in the ring,” Jones said.

When asked why voters should support him, Jones pointed to his vision for the district.

“My desire is for district two to have a strong voice and a shared future, for me, that means us joining together and making sure we are pushing forth the city in a direction we would have to see fit,” Jones said.