What are some successes you feel the board has made during your time in office?
When I first started out, we had to borrow money for any project we started. We had to borrow money to start the new year, about three months’ worth, and we had to pay interest on that. With the guidance of Joe Gilliam, Randy Durden, and some of the other commissioners, now we’re able to finance our own projects, we don’t have to borrow money and pay big interest, and we’ve made some accomplishments I’m very proud of. I’m not the solution. I was just part of it. So I’m very happy with where we’re at. Gilchrist County is in good financial shape right now.
What are some of the biggest issues you think need to be addressed?
Growth. I think growth is one of our biggest issues. I think with growth you impact all of our departments: ambulance services, fire, road department, garbage. You know, growth has got to be controlled, but I don’t know how you do it whenever you have landowners that have property rights and stuff. Maybe we need to look at what we do allow with our growth and that stuff. I think growth is one of our big things. I think Tallahassee taking home rule from us for solar panels, stuff like that. You know, we’re an ag community and that’s the way I want to keep it. I grew up in ag, and that’s our heritage.
What are some changes you would like to see made in your next term?
I’d like to see our ambulance and fire step up a notch or two. With that, it takes money. Our road department, we’re getting more equipment. Wages is one thing I’d like to see get done. It’s hard for us to keep our employees whenever the state can outbid us with salaries. A lot of people come here and get experience and leave. And I can’t blame them if somebody leaves to better theirself, you know. I can’t say much about that, but we have some issues that need to be done. And what can be fixed, we’ll do our best to fix. And what’s working, we’ll do our best to improve.
What are the biggest challenges in the county as a whole?
I still think growth. There’s one of our biggest challenges. You know, with growth and everything, like I mentioned, there’s an impact on our roads, our EMS, our fire, our schools. It’s just a trickling thing, a snowball effect. And we do the best we can to control it and keep our heritage of ag.
What are some things you think the County Commission is doing well right now?
I think, overall, you got a good County Commission board. You know, we listen to the people. We try to keep the taxes down. We try to provide good services at a fair rate. We’re open house. Any commissioner up there, if you call us, we will try to help you. We listen to your problems. We might not fix it the way you’d like it fixed, but don’t think we’re not concerned. You know, sometimes people say “the wheels of government turn might slow,” and I’d agree with that. Maybe we could speed that up. But don’t think just because something’s not fixed that we don’t care.
What makes you the best candidate for the position?
Experience. I’m good with people. I make friends easily. And I’ve seen that sometimes I make enemies easily. But, you know, I’ve never put myself about anybody, or being better than anybody or anything in this county. I’m just me. The people that elected me to look after them, they put their trust in me, and that’s what I try to do. I don’t show dog. I don’t try to be somebody I ain’t. I’m a good commissioner. I’ve worked hard at that. But as far as being better than anybody? I’m not better than anybody.
What experiences have you gained while you’ve been in office and how does that help you going forward?
I’ve been through the good times and the bad times. We’ve had people that worked in places that cut their hours so we wouldn’t have to lay people off. I work hard, and anything that comes before the board, I do my best to make a good decision
What can the citizens of Gilchrist County expect from your next term?
If I get reelected, I’ll be the same person I’ve always been. If you call me, I’ll be at your doorstep or we’ll handle it on the telephone, it’ll be up to you. I make myself accessible to the public. I’ve never missed returning but one since I’ve been on the board. And I love what I do. And the next four years, if I’m reelected, you can expect much of the same. And with God’s help and your trust, I’ll do you a good job.
Is there anything we haven’t talked about that you feel like everyone needs to know?
I’m a Christian man. I believe in God. And I believe in prayer. And every night, I thank God for letting me be a county commissioner. I don’t ask Him for greatness or nothing. I just want to be a good county commissioner. I don’t like the spotlight. I’m just a common person, just like you. But you put your trust in me to look after Gilchrist County, and I’ll do my best to keep doing that. I know a lot of the decisions that I make won’t be popular, but I’ll be praying about them. And with y’all’s trust and God’s help, I’ll be there.