Candidates Speak at Forum

At a poorly attended forum last Thursday at Jackson Lake Fire Station No. 1, incumbent Commissioner Gene Trammell said that he is running for a second term because there are things left undone at this time. He said he is part of a team of five, and that they work well together and have accomplished a good bit. We’re close on so many other things, he said. He said he wants one more term to improve recreation, roads, and secure industrial prospects.

Challenger J. Ross Hays says he sees things differently. He says it’s really about communicating as a group. He said there’s not a lot of opportunity now to do that.

Mr. Trammell spent some time negating issues raised in an ad supporting his challenger last week. The regional landfill proposition that had been discussed was to clean out the landfill, and the county would be through with it, he said. Currently the landfill costs about $114,000 a year to operate, and only generates about $60,000. He went on to say we do not have more debt than ever, and that most of the debt is covered by Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) revenues.

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He said taxes have gone up for many, but the millage rate has gone down. The tax digest is rebounding from slowly. He said in 2008, the tax digest was $460 million. Now it is about $360 million. As property values continue to increase, the millage rate will hopefully continue to go down, he said. He also said the increased taxes are being used to fund the sheriff’s department and the Public Works Department (PWD).

Mr. Trammell went on to talk about roads, and the cost of improving them. He explained options available to the county, and mentioned general obligation bonds, which the citizens would vote on, and said there is another transportation SPLOST in the works, and it could help us.

Mr. Hays was asked what was wrong with what Mr. Trammell had done to make him decide to challenge for the seat.

Mr. Hays said the biggest problem with the board is citizens comments were moved to the end of the meeting. People need more input, he said.

Mr. Trammell said he spends 3.5 to 4.5 hours a day on county business a chairman of the commission…it takes time, he said. Mr. Hays said he works about 50 hours a week, but feels he has time to do the job. Currently three of the commissioners work full time.

Joe Johnston, who moderated the forum, said it’s waste of time for citizens to come to speak after the commissioners have voted. You’ll never convince me it’s the right thing, he said.

The candidates closed with Mr. Trammell saying, he would prefer you vote for me. The county is poised for improvement, he said.

Mr. Hays said, “give me a chance.“