Roger Harrison Seeks District 5 Seat

Roger A. Harrison has announced his campaign for Jasper County Commissioner – District 5 on the Republican ticket.

“Should the people of District 5 elect me as their next Jasper County Commissioner, I plan to work to the best of my ability to improve the well-being of our district and Jasper County as a whole.”

Mr. Harrison is a graduate of Jasper County High School, Presbyterian College, and holds a Master’s degree from Georgia College in Public Administration where he focused his studies on community economic development.

“Clearly, we have to address our county’s lack of manufacturing and assembly jobs as well as the absence of the significant tax revenue such facilities generate. Our neighbors to the north, east, and west all enjoy a high rate of employment from warehousing and manufacturing industries. The impact of these operations is multi-faceted. Not only are they providing fair living wages for their employees, but they are also reducing the tax burden for all individuals throughout their communities by increasing the overall tax digest.”

“It’s time we apply sound business principles to governmental management. In my business, if there is a budget shortfall, there are really only two things that can be done to remedy the situation: I can reduce expenses or I can generate more income.

“The governmental bodies in Jasper County have done an excellent job at operating on decreasing budgets and reducing their expenses. Clearly no way we can continue to raise taxes on residents. Some more tough decisions may have to be made on consolidation of services, but before we do that, we can all do our part to market our community and recruit new sources of increasing our tax digest.

“Again, it’s a win-win-win. People are employed, citizens taxes are reduced, and the county (including our school system) operates with a healthy outlook.”

Mr. Harrison is a member of the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, is a volunteer firefighter for Jasper County Station #6, and the volunteer music director at Prospect United Methodist Church. He is a prior board member of the Georgia 4-H Advisory Council, Secretary of the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation, Chairman of the Georgia Governor’s Honors Alumni Association, and Membership Chair of the Georgia Economic Developers’ Association.

For more information, visit www.voteroger.us.