What made you want to run for County Commission?
I mean, I love the county. It’s a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
What makes you qualified for county commissioner?
I spent most of my life working hard, managing budgets, being truthful, and staying busy with what I know.
What is your stance on the proposed property tax reform?
I think it can be a good thing. We just got to be really careful, we got to manage our budget better because we’ll have lost revenue that we have to come up with and make sure the community’s first.
How would you handle the likely decrease in revenue the county would see?
We need to look at each individual department and make sure they’re running efficiently and keeping our first responders and some of our major business or major people in the county that they’re doing the right things with the budget we have.
What are your thoughts on AI data centers?
I don’t think it’s a good fit for our county. We need to be doing a better job at the way we use our land, what we’re doing, and make sure that it’s what the community wants.
So, what can the county do?
Well, once again, we can make better choice with our land and what we’re trying to do with it. Of course, we have to make money, but I just think the data centers are not a good fit for the county.
What are the biggest issues that the county commission needs to address?
Wasteful spending, number one. Like I said, if the tax decrease does start, wasteful spending is the biggest thing. We got to be sure that we’re, you know, with our budgets, we’re being, you know, being effective with them and efficient. I guess would be the better word for it. What other issues in the county? I mean, just just the grades in general. We have to go about the right way, making sure our way of life stays, and that the countless citizens know that the commission is working for them.
What makes the you the best candidate in this race?
I’m not a politician, No. 1. I guess the people will decide that. Like I said, I’ve just spent most of my life working, you know, and working working for the people would be my main objective. Listening, understanding their concerns, and just being straightforward with them.
What can the citizens of the Gilchrist County expect from you as a county commissioner?
Expect me to work hard. I’m going to listen, answer questions that they have. If I don’t have the answer, I will do my research and get them the correct answer they’re looking for, and and to make them understand that that I’m here for them and their needs and wants and just to make Gilchrist County greater than we have it now.
Is there anything we haven’t covered that you feel like everyone needs to know?
I’d say I’m just a normal guy. I work hard every day. The citizens will know that if you call me with a concern, we can address it up front. That would be ideal. I think being honest with with everybody and transparent, that’s one of the biggest things that that I believe in is transparency. You have less issues that way if you’re up front, you know, with what the questions are and the concerns the citizens do have.