Jack Bernard Will Seek Re-Election
Jasper County District 3 Commissioner Jack Bernard this week announced his intention to seek re-election.
Mr. Bernard said, “Times are hard and we need experienced people on our commission, not trainees. My record is one of managing our county’s money and resources prudently, fairly and conservatively. I want to be commissioner for all of Jasper County, not just one area. Working together, we can make Jasper County a better place to live and work for all our citizens.”
Mr. Bernard then offered his views on several topics. In reference to Emergency Medical Service (EMS), Commissioner Bernard stated, “As a health care professional myself, I know that we must resist those who want to privatize our EMS, lowering service and quality. We should not outsource our ambulance service to organizations from outside of the county; saving lives must be our primary goal.
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“The county must make EMS a priority, providing enough resources to lower ambulance response times and insure that we have two full time ambulances. We should also consider adding another ambulance in the southern portion of the county.
“I fully support our EMS/firefighters, and have led efforts to equalize their pay to make it consistent with surrounding counties,” said Mr. Bernard.
As for capital improvements, the commissioner said he was instrumental in proposing SPLOSTs (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Taxes) for capital improvements in roads, EMS, economic development, senior citizens, library, recreation, fire department, 911, and law enforcement. The last SPLOST questions were approved by a 2-1 margin, he said.
On the topic of property taxes, Mr. Bernard said, “As commissioner, I have consistently campaigned against government waste and tax increases. Before I was elected in 2005, county property tax increases averaged 10 percent per year. For the years I was in office, tax increases were held to an average of 1.5% per year, an amount significantly below the rate of inflation, effectively making this a tax decrease.”
The commissioner served as chair of the statewide Tax Reform Committee for the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, advocating for local tax relief, he said.
Commissioner Bernard said, “Roads must be maintained and paved throughout the county based on real need rather than political considerations or geography. I have a proven track record in this area.”
“We must encourage development that creates employment. I have mentored hundreds of small businesses over the last four years. Having an extensive background in business development, I can help Jasper County to prosper,” said Mr. Bernard.
Commissioner Bernard proposes that the 2013 BOC put together a strategic plan, based on public input. Mr. Bernard indicated that four principles should serve as the basis for the plan:
1. Restrain tax increases
2. Set funding priorities
3. Make government services more effective
4. Preserve our quality of life.
Mr. Bernard said he attended the University of Georgia, Georgia College and Georgia State, working his way through school at night and receiving a master’s degree in government administration. He has owned a home in Jasper County since 1997; he and his wife co-own a family farm in Wilkinson County.
Commissioner Bernard can be reached at Bernard_Jack@hotmail.com.
