Veteran police officer Lt. John “J.P.” White is getting ready to close one career of public service and pursue a new venue for serving area citizens.

White, 49, will retire from the Cullman Police Department in a few months. In the meantime, he is hitting the campaign trail to seek the Place 2 seat of the Cullman County Commission.

The eastside district seat is currently held by Stanley Yarbrough.

“I’ve thought about this for years and a lot of people have recently asked me about running,” White said. “I’m not wanting to retire from public service after retiring from the police department. I enjoy service and seeing people get involved in their communities.”

A resident of the Logan community, White is married to the former Tamara Peinhardt. The couple has three children. The family raises poultry and cattle.

“I would like to see more citizens get involved in local government instead of just three commissioners who sit and give their opinions,” White said. “I would like to hold meetings in different communities and talk to people about issues. (School Superintendent) Billy Coleman went to every community and explained the half-cent sales tax and fielded questions and the tax passed with the voters. The point is that reaching out to residents is important in solving issues.”

White said he is also interested in exploring the establishment of a new work program to go with sentencing guidelines.

“What I have seen in law enforcement is that many people who get into trouble are not bad people. A lot of them need guidance and supervision to help turn things around,” White said.

White said he would also be interested in discussing the pros and cons of a five-member county commission.

“It’s hard to serve everyone under the system we have,” White said. “Looking at an expanded commission you would first have to realize there is an opportunity to provide better representation for residents. It’s an idea that’s worth exploring and the larger commissions are used throughout most of the state.”

White said he would strive to maintain good character, honesty and integrity as a commissioner.

“I have no personal agenda for running for the commission seat. I am interested in working for the citizens of Cullman County,” White said. “During my law enforcement career I have had to confront problems and ultimately make decisions to resolve those problems.”

White is youngest son of Beverly White and the late John White. He graduated from Cullman High and attended Wallace State Community College.

* David Palmer may be contacted at dpalmer@cullmantimes.com or 256-734-2131, ext. 116.