Deal appoints legislator to parole board

ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal today announced the appointment of a state legislator to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.

State Rep. James Mills, R-Gainesville, will start his term on Jan. 1. Mills will succeed Gale Buckner; her term ends Dec. 31.

“Rep. Mills has served the people of Georgia in the state House of Representatives for nearly 20 years and has been closely involved in the most difficult and important matters our state faces,” Deal said in a statement. “The duties of the Pardons and Paroles board involve equally important and difficult decisions. James Mills is a man of strong faith, who will ably balance our hopes for rehabilitation with our need for community safety. He is a small businessman, husband, father, church volunteer and community leader; he’ll bring all these perspectives to his work on this board.”

Mills will resign from the House on Oct. 1, clearing the way for a special election to the District 25 seat on Nov. 8.

The governor, who is also from Gainesville, said he announced the decision early so that voters may choose Mills’ successor during regular local elections in November. That, officials say, will result in a cost savings and ensures the district will have representation when the legislative session begins in January.