Shirley elected GSYH’s Secretary/Treasurer for 2018-19

Another Stephens County elected official and resident has received a special honor.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley has been elected to serve as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes for 2018-2019.

Shirley told WNEG News the appointment is significant for two reasons.

The first, he says, was the result of the election was unanimous; thus, signifying a widespread support from Georgia’s Sheriffs.

He added that the second reason was because his grandfather, Sheriff Wilmer Shirley, was the acting chair of the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes’ Steering Committee in 1958, and was instrumental in acquiring 604 acres of land for a Boys Ranch.

“I am excited about this opportunity,” Shirley said. “One of the members of the steering committee was my grandfather, Sheriff Wilmer Shirley, the acting chair of the Steering Committee during the yearlong search for property to build a Boys Ranch. It is my honor and privilege to serve both the citizens of Stephens County and the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes.”

In 1958, eight Sheriffs from across the state were selected to serve as members of a steering committee to locate land for a “Boys Ranch;” and, in 1959, the committee acquired 604 acres in Hahira, Georgia.

Today there are five Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes serving both boys and girls from abused, neglected and abandoned homes.

New officers installed for the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes Inc. included: President, Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum; 1^st Vice President, Murray County Sheriff Gary Langford; 2^nd Vice President, Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, and Secretary-Treasurer, Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley.

In 2021, Shirley will become President of the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes.