20+ Candidates Speak at Forum Monday
More than 20 people seeking elective office attended a forum at Springfield Baptist Church annex Monday evening, and after brief opening remarks, took questions from the audience for nearly three hours. The questions were written by audience members and turned in to the moderator, Juanita Davis, who asked the questions.
Tibia Williams was timekeeper.
Introduction
Joan Bell, a candidate for District 4 County Commission, was the first to speak. She said she had lived in Jasper County for 12 years, and is married to a Jasper County native, William Bell. She said it is important to communicate and essential to collaborate if anything is to be accomplished. She said that she respects others, and expects to be respected. She also said she is straightforward in her speech, and therefore easy to understand.
Erin Lynch, who is challenging incumbent Phyllis Norwood for the District 2 Board of Education seat said she is a parent of rising third, fifth and seventh graders, and feels “we have a great school system.” She said she has served in numerous volunteer positions throughout the years. She has helped out in the classroom, been an officer of Parent-Teacher organizations, and serves on the parent advisory board to the superintendent. She said she wanted to serve to help keep our schools good.
Donnie Pope, a candidate for sheriff, thanked the people who put on the forum and thanked those in attendance, saying being informed makes the voter in the best position to make a decision. He outlined his credentials, saying he went to work in law enforcement in 1996 while he was still working his way through college. He graduated in 1997 with a degree in criminal justice. He graduated at the top of his class from the police academy. In his DARE instructor training he was recognized as the most outstanding in the class. He said he thinks it is important to mold the young people. He said he has 1,900 hours continuing education. He said that credentials are important because being sheriff is a huge responsibility and also a huge liability to the county. He closed by saying, “I have chosen to serve the people of Jasper County my entire career, and want to continue.”
Angie Steele, a candidate for Tax Commissioner, said she has worked for the county 10 years, and she looks forward to continuing to serve the people of the county, but in the new role of tax commissioner. She said she and her husband have seven children, ranging in age from four to 19. Mrs. Steele currently works in the clerk’s office.
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Ken Jackson, incumbent Chief Magistrate who is seeking re-election, thanked Springfield for providing the forum as a valuable community service. He said he is an 1984 graduate of Monticello High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. He received his undergraduate degree in health and physical education from Georgia College in Milledgeville, and after teaching a few years began law school at Mercer University. He graduated with his law degree in 1994. Since then he has had a private practice, done government work and community service, he said. Mr. Jackson said he is completing his fourth term as Chief Magistrate, and he has 300 hours of magistrate training. He said he is proud of the improvements made in the office since he began serving, citing new computers that were purchased through the clerk’s authority at no cost to the county. He and his wife, Susan, have five children.
Rick Cook, candidate for sheriff, said he has been a Jasper County deputy for nearly 10 years, and that he moved back to Shady Dale about 12 years ago. He is a member of Belmont Baptist Church in Conyers. He said that he has been to the school of hard knocks. Mr. Cook said that while working the roads for the last 10 years he has met people and talked with people and heard what they have to say which has prepared him for the office of sheriff.
Greg Sands, another candidate for sheriff, said he is a lifelong resident of Jasper County, and several years ago he decided he wanted to “give back.” He put himself through mandate school. He said that the sheriff’s office has many letters on his professionalism in doing his job. He said he has several hours of training and he is working on getting his criminal justice degree. He said he encourages all officers to further their education. He said he encourages the deputies to be respectful, and to take pride in themselves and their county. He said he would seek federal grants to help take the burden off taxpayers. He said that he believes every man should be treated equal. He also said that he puts a lot of time into the young people of the county. He and his wife, Sonia, have seven children and two grandchildren. He wants to keep the community much the way it is. He praised the current sheriff, and said he taught him above all to be honest.
Harry John “Skip” No-wetner, a candidate for District 3 County Commission, explained how he came to be called Skip, and said he was born and raised in New Jersey, but had lived in Georgia over 30 years. He said he moved to Jasper County 22 years ago, and he thinks it’s a great place to live. He talked about his background as an electrician, and the training he went through. He went on to say he had worked on and supervised jobs all over the world. He has worked with budgets, and with people. He said we all know that the most important road in the county is the road you live on. He said roads must be kept passable not just for residents but for emergency vehicles. He said Jasper County needs to grow wisely.
Phyllis Norwood, incumbent District 2 Board of Education member, said she is a lifelong citizen of the county, and has served more than 18 years on the school board, 14 of them as chair. She said she was happy with the progress that had been made. She said she has two passions—working with young people and working with older people. She said the school’s goal is that every child receives an education and is treated fairly. She said she was glad people were concerned and interested, that is a good thing. She said everyone needs to take part in the school system.
Charles Hill, incumbent District 2 County Commissioner, said he had been on the board for 16 years and loved every minute of it. He said he holds the highest certification possible through Association of County Commissioners Georgia (ACCG). He said he had served as chair six or seven times and it is unbelievable. He works at FiberVision where he has for 42 years. He and his wife, Sarah, have three children. He serves on the finance committee for the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials (GABEO) and on the general government committee for ACCG. In addition he sits on the regional T-SPLOST board and the Four County Development Authority.
Jack Bernard, incumbent District 3 County Commissioner, said he is seeking his third term on the board. He and his wife, Linda, have three children and eight grandchildren. Two of his children are doctors and one is a teacher, he said. He said the Board of Commissioners needs a strategic plan developed with the input of all commissioners as well as the public. He said that sometimes our goals aren’t clear to you. He talked about four important areas of concern—Emergency Medical Service (EMS), Business Development, Roads and Taxes. He said that the commission had lowered taxes, something many people did not realize. He said we have to bring jobs to the county. He talked about his role counseling small businesses. He said that the county needs a rational plan for roads, and that the county needs to get politics out of road paving.
Alan Cox, incumbent District 5 County Commissioner, said he lives in Jasper County by choice, not by birth. He said he had lived a lot of places, but that he has more friends here than anywhere he lived before. He said he tries to help people whenever he can. He said he takes calls from constituents any time. He said he is also certified through the ACCG. Mr. Cox said he has 40 years management experience, and when he sought election the first time he said the county must be run like a business. People told him it could not be, but he said it has worked. He said that the commission has been able to eliminate waste, but that you come into office wanting to work miracles, and it turns out you can’t.
Bruce Henry, a candidate seeking the District 2 County Commission seat, said he moved to Shady Dale 24 years ago. He served on the Shady Dale City Council for a time, but then his wife fell in love with a house outside of Shady Dale so they moved, and he could no longer serve. He said he used to travel a lot in his job, but now he is home every night so he has time to get involved. He said he is a strong supporter of public safety, and that the county should make attainable budgets and be supportive. He also cited the importance of the hospital, recreation, and water resources. “I will work hard for this county.”
Angela Walsh, a candidate for tax commissioner, said she has lived here since she was 10 years old. She said when she graduated from high school a lot of her friends wanted to leave Jasper County, but that she loves it and did not want to leave. She said she hoped to serve the people of Jasper County and that she would strive to run a friendly, helpful office. She said she possesses integrity. She said she will present records in a timely manner. She said one change she would like to make to the office is to institute an electronic payment system. She and her husband, Michael, have two children, Laura and Tyler.
Charles Ledford, a candidate for sheriff, said he has worked in law enforcement since 1985. He has done everything, he said—run roads, run courthouse, run jail, and now he is in charge of the school resource officers in Newton County. He said he oversaw construction of the county’s new jail, because the sheriff had confidence in him because he knew how to read blueprints. He said he would do the best job he could and make everyone proud.
Tim Lam, who is challenging Ken Jackson for the Chief Magistrate position, said he married his wife, Janice, in 1989, and adopted her two daughters. Since then, he said, seven grandchildren have come along, but he and Janice have adopted two of them, so they are actively raising children now. He said his platform is that he will only charge the county for hours he actually works. He said he estimates that he can cut back $30,000 to $50,000 a year on magistrate funding. He said everyone deserves to be treated fairly. There will be no high man, no low man, when he presides, he said, all are equal.
Gene Trammell, a candidate for District 3 County Commissioner, said he had only lived in Jasper County for six years…that it took him 60 years to get here but he got here as quickly as he could. He said Jasper County is a wonderful place to live; it’s a diamond in the rough. He said there are more possibilities here than anywhere. He said he worked 21 years as a school superintendent, and that he knows that you live and die by grants. He said that more grants need to be explored. He also said that a strategic plan is a must. He said he believes in a balanced scorecard. He said one of his greatest achievements was when his first grade teacher wrote on his report card, “plays well with others.” If you can’t build a team, you can’t move forward, he said. He closed by saying he would be delighted to have the opportunity to serve.
Billy Norris, incumbent coroner, said he was first elected in 1984 and that he always strives to do a courteous and professional job, and would continue to do so.
Craig Salmon, a candidate for District 4 County Commission, was unable to attend the forum as it was his four-year-old’s birthday, but he talked with Mrs. Davis and provided her with some information to read on his behalf. He said that Jasper County is a great place to live. He said that we need to come together with a clear vision. In addition, the commission must be accountable and be good stewards for the county. He said respect is essential; that the commissioners must find common ground. He said Jasper County has many resources and we need to tap more of them. He said he has coached ball at Jasper County Recreation Department and at Shiloh Baptist Church.
Before those candidates for contested offices spoke, those gathered heard briefly from candidates who are not facing opposition—State Rep. Susan Holmes, Clerk of Courts Dan Jordan, and County Commissioner, District 1, Carl Pennamon.
Bob Yarbrough, another candidate for sheriff, informed The News office Tuesday that he was unable to be at the forum because his brother is in the hospital in intensive care.
After the introductory remarks, Mrs. Davis read questions that had been written by the people gathered, with the appropriate candidates answering.
(Editor’s Note: Below are the responses to questions by the candidates for Tax Commissioner and Chief Magistrate. Because of space constraints, questions and answers by candidates for other offices are not posted. They are scheduled for publication next week. The News apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause, and urges citizens to personally attend the next forum.)
Tax Office
The two candidates for tax commissioner received a few questions. The first one was how do you propose to help struggling taxpayers, and what do they think about the change in ad valorem tax.
Mrs. Walsh said she did not know how to help the struggling taxpayers. She said she thought she could set up payments like the current tax commissioner does. And, she said she didn’t know much about the change to ad valorem taxes where the state is supposed to collect the tax and return it to the counties.
Mrs. Steele said she didn’t know about how to help the struggling taxpayers. She said everybody has taxes, there has to be a plan to collect them. The tax commissioner doesn’t set rates, she said. She went on to say she didn’t think you could get rid of ad valorem taxes.
The candidates, both white women, were asked if they would hire an African-American.
Mrs. Steele said she does not see color.
Mrs. Walsh said she will hire whoever is most qualified, that she has worked with all races, and she gets along with everybody. She indicated she didn’t plan to make any drastic changes in the staff upon first being elected.
In answer to the question of how they see their role outside of their official duties:
Mrs. Walsh said she is currently a mentor, an active member of Monticello Baptist Church, and on the parent advisory board for the schools. She said she enjoys being out in the community.
Mrs. Steele said she is a people person. She said, “I will help you whatever way I can.” She said she is involved in Family Connection, which she enjoys, and she said she will promote positive instruction for everybody.
Magistrate
The candidates for chief magistrate were asked how they plan to save money for the court system, and how many associate magistrate judges they plan to have.
Mr. Jackson said that the Magistrate does not have the discretion to set the salary. The legislature sets the salary for Chief Magistrates based on the county’s population. He said the law also says how much an associate magistrate is paid. He said you give the commission a budget, based on the set salaries, and the commission cuts it 20 percent. Then, the office is over-budget.
Mr. Lam said, “Ken is wrong,” the law allows for a part-time magistrate. He said he can show interested persons the Ga. Code section. He said his associate magistrates will be qualified, and will have to agree that if they don’t work, they don’t get paid.
