What are your top goals if you are elected?
Some of my top goals is to listen to the people of Gilchrist County. I would like to bring back the office to the people I will do my research prior to making decisions on how to spend our taxpayers money.
What is the biggest issue facing the County Commission right now?
The issue the Board of County Commissioners need to address is closing the gap between the citizens and the decision makers, which is the Board of County Commissioners. The people in the county need to be able to address issues as they come up with their elected officials in real time. What I mean by that is that , instead of always kicking the can down the road, I’m one of the guys that will research it out. And I believe that anybody in Gilchrist County that’s been going to these board meetings is seeing how they lean towards their bias, which is a good thing of the county attorney and county administrator. I believe that, if they did their homework and addressed these problems as they come up, they would be more informed and talking to the public.
What are some changes that you would make if you were elected?
I would help to close the gap by offering opportunities give feedback and concerns. I feel that there is a need for office hours so people can come see and speak to their county commissioners. I am presently in the community, as everybody knows. I own R & J and ABT Trusses, and I want to continue to present to the public. In other words, I’m going to continue to be the same Jeff Jordan. I’m always here in the town of Bell, and I’m always in our county. Me owning R & J Fuel Stop, it gives anybody an opportunity to come by and talk to me, and I have an open door. I will explore the operations to support the citizens and the goals of each citizen. In other words, I believe being transparent, and making decisions the county commissioners are having to make, I believe that’s a huge part of being a county commissioner.
What are the biggest challenges for the county right now?
I think this is huge for the county. That’s a very good question. The biggest challenge I see that the county faces currently is rapid growth. We’re experiencing a growth in our county that nobody has ever seen. The Board of County Commissioners, anybody in the county can realize the growth is just unbelievable. You can’t stop growth. However, We can manage the growth so we do not end up like some other neighboring counties. Newberry, for example. I would like to see an impact fee brought back to these. I’d like to see an impact fee brought back to support the infrastructure that is needed to manage the support of growth without being a burden on the taxpayer.
What are some things that you think the county commission does well?
I’m not a sitting official. I’m sure there’s many things that they’re doing well in the office. However, I am currently running for the seat, so I am out in the community talking to all of the citizens I can talk to. And I’m currently running into issues that taxpayers are bringing to me. I feel that we need to examine each department, identify needs and ensure that the men and women that are working for the county have support in their roles, whether this be the need for equipment or manpower. We need to identify these needs and work to make sure that they are met so the county employees can be supported.
What makes you the best candidate for the position?
I have been self-employed or a business owner most of my working life. I feel that this gives me a special insight, as I can not bring not only my experience and successes in business, but also my failures in that seat. I currently have been able to build and run and operate two businesses here in Gilchrist County with over 40 employees. I’m a large supporter of the community for many years, and I want to ensure the community is one that is safe for our grandchildren, as every decision made now affects them the most.
On top of being a business owner, what experience do you bring?
I believe listening to the people. Open it up like it has been designed to do. I’ll give you an example. A while back, we were all sitting in the board meeting, and we had about 40 families come in there, and they had a solar issue, a solar farm issue. I heard all 40 families tell them that they did not want solar around their houses. I heard all five board members tell them they didn’t agree with solar. The I watched all five board members vote for solar. So, I myself, I would have done more research.
What can the citizens of Gilchrist County expect from Jeff Jordan, County Commissioner?
I will be a voice for the people the next four years. Serving you is my main job and priority. I have already put into place people who I trust to run my personal businesses, so I can put all my efforts into this job as you elect to do so. I will have opportunities set into place weekly for citizens to come to me regarding issues and concerns. I’m not promising that I will be able to give an answer at the time, however, I will listen and research about the best approach fro the issues at hand.
What are some things that we didn’t talk about already that you think everyone should know?
In closing, that our pledge is to represent all the citizens of Gilchrist County, free and from personal agenda or bias. Your concerns will be heard. I will be transparent and hold others, as well as myself, accountable for our actions. You, the voters, deserve to know how your tax dollars are being spent. I will host regular office hours through the week to give the citizens an opportunity to share feedback, issues and concerns. I will continue to be present in the community to listen to the needs of the citizens. I will try to balance the needs and resources that the county has available, knowing what the county faces like challenging population growth. I will work to levy grant funding, impact fees and taxes to meet the community’s needs while protecting us from undue burdens. As a self-employed person for 35 years, I understand the importance of thriving businesses while also respecting our community heritage. Being raised in Gilchrist County, I’m deeply invested in ensuring a bright future for generations to come. By stabilizing my businesses and putting people and putting people in place, I will be able to focus my full attention to the citizens. And I would like to thank everybody out there that’s gotten behind me. We started out with the intent of putting out 400 yards signs. And me and my family are so blessed. We’re up to 1,600 yard signs, plus, in people’s yards. We started out with only 20 big signs that were going to put out in the county, thinking that would be plenty. We’re over 90 big signs across the county. To me, we’ve already won, whether we win or lose come Aug. 20, and that’s what why we really appreciate our community here. I can’t say enough about the citizens of Gilchrist County, because they have really opened their homes and opened their hearts to me and my family, and, for that, I’m very blessed. Always feel free to give me a call. If anybody’s out there needing to talk to me, my number is on every one of our fliers. They can get a hold of us at the store. Get a hold of me at my home. My door is always open.