A two year loan through a Chattooga County bank will be sought to pay for three Dodge Chargers for the sheriff's office, Commissioner Jason Winters said Friday.

The commissioner will seek bids from local banks on who will give the county the best loan to pay for three patrol cars. The loan term will be for two years. As the commissioner looks for the best loan, Sheriff John Everett will seek prices from auto dealerships for three Dodge Chargers.

The sheriff and commissioner have disagreed on the purchase of new patrol cars. Here is the original story that ran in the Jan. 26 edition of The New. . . .

The sheriff’s race could draw the largest number of potential candidates than any other political post in Chattooga County, according to those saying they are interested in running.

So far, five people say they are interested in the job, including incumbent Sheriff John Everett. But with the official qualifying date months away, things could change.

“I’ve not fully made up my mind,” possible sheriff’s candidate Aubrey Smith said during a “Meet the Candidates” forum hosted by the local Democrats last month.

Smith is troubled with the number of candidates running. The pool of voters could be divided and hurt people’s chances at defeating an incumbent.

“I think we might split the votes up,” Smith said.

Several running could also force a run-off election if no one gets more than 50 percent of the vote. Smith, the county’s animal control officer, is worried that would create additional expense on the taxpayers.

Charles Latta, a former Trion Police Chief, is studying his chances.