Service delivery is not only an important function of county responsibilities but is one that taxpayers should expect a level that is second to none. The industrial park is a step in the right direction, but we need to look at how we can use our resources to entice more business and revenue. 8. While I have heard many people in Ashe County talk of their desire not to have to change, the fact of the matter is that change is inevitable. In my past, serving as a Untied States Marine for 27 years, I have always been held to account by my peers. 124 W. Elm St. Graham, North Carolina 27253. that is degrading to another person. I want to work with our school board to insure a strong budget, but also help make sure we spend money on the right things. Elected Officials City of Adamsville City of Crump Town of Saltillo City of Savannah City of Milledgeville hardin.commission@tn.gov MON, TUE, THUR, FRI - 8:00AM - 4:00PM WED- 8:00AM-12PM CLOSED 12:00PM - 1:00PM FOR LUNCH I always will make to time to discuss any concerns someone may have. We have too many that go without that we could help if we as a county get involved. We attend Jefferson United Methodist Church. We must invest in our land to protect it for future generations and to grow our outdoor economy. We must change this for our people to thrive in this housing market. We would need to evaluate all the pros and cons of the proposal, for it would need to be in the best interest of the county. Imagine if Leviton, AEV, United Chemi-Con and GE could bring on more employees, meet the shortfalls due to present inflation, raise pay to meet the needs for folks to earn a good living without having to live from paycheck to paycheck and maintain quality paying jobs for the citizens of Ashe County. I may have helped you, or friends or family, in a sticky court situation. Since there is no countywide water and sewer system in place, outside of town well continue to be a one acre with well and septic tank place. I believe the county is in a good financial position and it will only improve in the coming years as people are drawn to the friendly, healthy, laid-back lifestyle that we enjoy. Cost, longevity, having local companies complete the work for the project, length of the project, location of the project and the benefit to the local community will always be the forefront in my mind. William Sands: My role will be to provide our people with needed services, while operating county government as economically as possible. I previously served on the boards of directors of the Ashe County Free Medical Clinic, the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, and the Ashe County Pregnancy Care Center. 1. One priority would be to increase funding for our environmental services to protect the resources we have, enforce those protections and educate the community on how to take care of our land and water. And finally, we need a program to help our citizens who abuse prescription drugs daily and especially with children in the home. With the U.S. 221 expansion project nearing completion, more money is expected to come into Ashe via tourism and natural growth. 4. When I manage other peoples money there is no such thing as fraud, waste or abuse. If elected as your commissioner, the person or persons presenting their project will have to be well prepared. I came up here in January of 1994 to go skiing near Boone and I saw the sign at US 421 and NC 16 for Jefferson so I took a detour and came up this way. After that, I went to graduate school for public health and spent some time in Ethiopia doing community health education. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. We understood then and are still aware of the unknown future with COVID-19. WebElected Officials Hardin County Election Commission Elected Officials Hardin County, TN Elected Officials Misc. Russell Killen: There is usually going to be conflict on decisions that are being made and you are never going to make everyone happy. We have dedicated, experienced employees and also volunteers who provide over 1,000 hours in serving our county each day. Every subject should offer them the knowledge that ensures they will be able to succeed after graduation. 1. Visiting and recruiting potential clients, showcasing our new industrial business park and boasting how Ashe County is a special place to live, work, and play will produce dividends that increase our tax base and create new jobs. Ashe County has seen firsthand what happens when our elected officials dont practice transparency, which is why its so important for both parties to be represented on the county commission. As Commissioner, I will work to make Ashe County an even better place for everyone to live. Our biggest challenge is to keep the federal government from teaching our children garbage like CRT. I just hope that at the end of my term I can proudly say I served the citizens of Ashe County to the best of my ability and go to sleep at night knowing I did my best. The real estate market is a tough nut to crack. 3. or anything. We all need to be more aware of what is creeping into the educational programs that they want taught to our children. WebCommissioners Meet Your Commissioners Our Commissioners are Chairman Todd McNeill, Vice Chair William Sands, Mike Eldreth, Jerry Powers, and Chuck Olive. We should work in keeping morale high. 1. We cant satisfy ourselves with just reacting to things. In January, former Rensselaer County Elections Commissioner Jason Schofield pleaded guilty to unlawfully using the names and dates of birth of voters to fraudulently Why do you think transparency and accountability are important for a local government to be successful? Democrat Beth Sorrell will not face any additional primary challengers. I came home and earned an MA in Public Health Education. I believe in the Constitution as written, as well a constitutional government. Tax incentives would be another step. As a Commissioner I would bring up for a vote, incentives for businesses who move here and employ the good people of Ashe County. While planning the budget for the 2020-21 Fiscal Year, the current county commissioners and the county had to take a conservative, cautious approach due to the financial strain of COVID-19. During that time I spent two more years in Vietnam (1973-1975), two more years in Bangkok, Thailand, a year in German language school and then 10 consecutive years in Germany. We are tasked with making sure the countys tax dollars are spent wisely and the citizens are receiving the most return on every dollar spent. Its our job that our citizens get the fair share of the opportunities available through the state budget and available statewide programs. Seven Republican candidates will face off in the upcoming May primary while one Democratic candidate will appear on the ballot for the November election. Beth Sorrell: This pandemic has put a spotlight on the wide range of struggles that too many people in Ashe County have been living with for too long. Russell Killen: My role, as any of the commissioners should be, is to serve the citizens of Ashe County as a whole and not for my benefit. Once a project is approved, I will need to see the whole plan, blueprints, and monies expected up front before any money is approved. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Beth Sorrell: My personal vision is to grow the outdoor economy by partnering with other organizations and investing in more outdoor recreation like greenways, bike paths, public access points on the New River and a public swimming pool. Beth Sorrell(D) 1.2. The county seat is Jefferson . It is not the school systems job. Error! 8. As an elected official, it is important to remember that almost all frustration and complaints are coming from a place of genuine concern for our community, and as your commissioner it is my job to LISTEN and take action. I do think it would be wise to investigate some economic development projects that promise to promote the general welfare, if we have additional discretionary funds to do so. To view our latest e-Edition click the image on the left. As we all know our children are our future, these programs must receive any help we can give. I finished my career here and retired in 2014. In delivering services, I would want to review the county functions that assure the basic needs of the citizens are being met such as food, water, warmth, and rest as well as safety and security. And of course, part of that job is to provide things our citizens cannot do for themselves, such as roads and law enforcement, among others. Taxpayer funding in local communities is also personal for me since it is my money too that is being expended. Party: Dem Education: Bellefonte Area High School, U.S. Army Signal School, course work job What are some issues facing Ashe County that the Board of Commissioners can address?Jonathan Jordan: I want us to be ready to deal with the changes coming our way from the widening of Highway 221. Jerry Powers: Popularity should never get in the way of doing what is right. I want to support all our county departments to ensure quality services are being delivered to all citizens of Ashe County and they have the tools to do so. As your next commissioner I would like to look at every opportunity that becomes available. Supporting the school system with current and future capital projects will always be challenging when allocating tax dollars for such long-term investments. I am currently advocating for and will vote in support of adding a fourth ambulance to serve Ashe County. They make policy decisions that affect our community and direct the expenditure of public taxpayer funds. Victor Ashe. May 2: Restaurant owner Randy Burleson is 57. From 1997-2007, I worked for Computer Sciences Corporation when it was one of the Big Three computer corporations in America. And finally, thank you to the Ashe County Post and Times for allowing me this opportunity to let my voice be heard on the things that matter to me and my family. 3. I will strive to understand where the criticism is coming from and use it constructively in my work serving the people of Ashe County. Party: Dem Education: Bellefonte Area High School, U.S. Army Signal School, course work job related at Penn State University Email: Djohnson@bellefontepa.gov Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them? Affordable housing and child care facilities rank among the highest of concerns from discussions I have had with citizens that would warrant a close review of what type of funding in which department would be needed to address those topics. We have two sons, Kelly Joe who graduated from Ashe Central, and Jared who graduated from Northwest. Jim Cain: For the 20 years that I have lived full-time in the county I have seen the same group of problems which never seem to disappear or be solved. Some of my community involvement is that I am a member and Past Master of Ashe Lodge #594, 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason in which I am a lifetime member, a member of The Oasis Temple and Past President of the Ashe Shrine Club and a member of Jefferson Lodge No 38 of the Odd Fellows. Keep it Clean. I have been a licensed insurance agent since 1980 and enjoyed working with people and getting to know them and serving them. Russell Killen: We as commissioners should look at using taxpayers money as if it was our own and make common sense decisions based on what the needs of the county and its offices are. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. I think it is very important. While I know we need to make sure that Ashe County provides opportunities for growth, we need to keep the values of family and a community working together to help each other. Lets make sure that our broadband and other technical resources provide opportunities for residents to work at home with companies based in large cities. Jim Cain: I dont like to brag but while I worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, I was, as one of my duties, the Chief Financial Officer for the BIA, managing all aspects of Finance for a $3.5 Billion a year budget for 623 tribes with requirements decided at seven regional budget meetings a year. In being a commissioner, you are presented with many requests which you would need to review and sort out, but just because something cannot be funded at the time does not mean that it isnt important. Thats not to say that we couldnt leave room for innovative ideas, but we still need to know what projects are important to ensure we continue to keep Ashe County the best little corner of North Carolina.. I am a combat veteran of the Iraq War, serving three combat tours and achieving the highest rank for the enlisted force of Marines as a Sergeant Major/E9. Nothing is impossible and everything is possible. bailey.little@ashepostandtimes.com. The county population is 26,577, according to the United States Census Bureau. This would also serve to create more jobs and support a healthier community. I will work with the school board in any way that I can to help stop the challenges that the administration and teachers are facing that are not beneficial to the students. It is their will that put you there, so why not be up front and give the good with the bad when they ask you a question. I studied anthropology and sustainable agriculture, which led me to serve in the Peace Corps in East Africa. I believe that I have the skills, experience, and willingness to listen and work together with my fellow citizens in protecting and advancing Ashe County as an incredible place to live, work and play. May 2:Restaurant owner Randy Burleson is 57. Bellefonte Borough Council-Ward 1 (4-year term) Douglas A. Johnson. Additionally, there are many houses in the county that are either abandoned or being used for short-term vacation rentals. For the past 18 years, Ive worked for Wilkes Community College teaching in the Basic Skill department. In the time that I have served on the Board of Commissioners we have made great efforts to be accessible and open to everyone in Ashe County. I have been fortunate to manage to grow my business through all this and also hire more people to work. Share with Us. I get it, sometimes we need to raise taxes, but we need to spend money wisely, efficiently, and be accountable for the monies we allocate and hold accountable those who take our taxpayer dollars for work to be started and completed. 1. Except for a few areas, all county activities are a matter of public record. Ashe County has a unique set of attributes that brings many tourists to our county to the amazing amount of over $80 million dollars in the last year. The job of a county commissioner can be thankless work how do you feel about keeping a level head, handling dissenting views and managing/ resolving conflict?Jonathan Jordan: Well, in matter of fact, that is exactly what I spent eight years doing in Raleigh. Upon completion we will have shovel ready sites to offer new or expanding businesses. I also do this with my personal spending. I am a member of Welcome Baptist Church in Crumpler, North Carolina. Through my work with Ashe County Habitat for Humanity, Ive witnessed the great need for safer, affordable housing and the challenges that come with providing that, but I know that we can do better. If it is NOT good for Ashe County, I will vote NO every time. That is a very good time for anyone interested to come and see exactly what is done to set up the yearly budget. WebFor Candidates For Candidates Running for Office Filing for Candidacy Terms of Office Candidate Challenges Withdrawal of Candidacy Petitions Results & Data Results & Data Election Results Voting Maps/Redistricting Candidate Lists Voter Turnout Absentee & Provisional Data Voter Registration Data Voter History Data Polling Place Data Campaign Success! I spent a couple of hours riding around Jefferson and West Jefferson and realized that this was an excellent place to raise a family. I am a 2016 graduate of Columbia Southern University at Orange Beach, Alabama receiving a Bachelors/Science Degree in Business Administration and Management. Create a password that only you will remember. During my career, I was often tasked with defining community problems and their root cause. This notice contains a list of all of the ballot measures and federal, State, and local offices this county expects, as of this date, to be on the ballot on the date of the election. I attended Nathans Creek and Mountain View Elementary schools then Ashe Central and Ashe County High where I was a member of the first graduating class. I would check to see what programs might be available to help the potential builders, owners of buildings that can be converted into apartment rentals, and what the funding requires. 1. 5. Russell Killen: I am 59 years old and have been married to Diane Roland Killen for 35 years and we have two daughters and two grandkids. I dont even mention apartments because I could not even find any for rent. All our contact information is available on the county website. I will also work to grow existing partnerships with the community college and local businesses to create more apprenticeship and training programs, focusing on local agriculture and innovative economic opportunities. Jonathan Jordan: I am asking for your support to become an Ashe County Commissioner because I want to continue to help and give back to our community in any way I can. County governments biggest role in the project is to provide funding, which we have already committed to. Bring in good paying jobs and put people to work to be able to afford and build a home of their own and the housing problem can be solved. I am not running with a political agenda. First, I would consider what potential this project would have to benefit the county. Its true that some people dont make responsible decisions and save for tough times, but I believe that most people are working hard to support their families and still not able to pay the bills and provide a healthy, stress-free home for their families. Education is not a line item in a school board budget- its the only item. I know our county, our people and their needs. Share with Us. Something like an apprenticeship program that accumulates documented hours of training and work toward a journeyman status or thereabouts. Again, elected officials work for the people, to serve at the will of the people and that is certainly what I intend to do as one of your five County Commissioners, if elected. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Ive seen too many unregulated construction and deforestation sites causing severe erosion and land degradation, which in turn, damages our rivers and leads to serious negative environmental and economic impacts. I have always welcomed a healthy and civil discussion of any decision I have made or been part of, and have accepted that sometimes philosophies in reaching decisions are just different. Food insecurity, lack of decent, affordable housing, lack of healthcare and the struggle to make ends meet is far too common. I am glad to present this record as my credentials for why I want your support to serve on the team of county commissioners who direct our local government. Extra money should be used to attract other businesses into the county along with assisting the law enforcement, schools and waste management etc. An incoming freshmen could certainly have a plan and a tool to use for employment after graduating in four years. 2. I have been a North Carolina licensed auctioneer since 1987 and the owner and President of Mountain Auction Company Inc. Tell us a little about yourself and why you want to be an Ashe County Commissioner. My contact information is available on the county website and I am always open to receive a call, text or email from you! Having lived outside the U.S. for 20 years I obviously have some ideas and will be happy to add them at the right time. I am applying for the job of Ashe County commissioner based on my record of service and achievement to the citizens of our great county. Occasionally the county can take on projects funded by the state, if the county can commit to funding those programs in the future when state (and possibly federal) funds will inevitably dry up. 2. We can create jobs and generate revenue while creating recreational opportunities that will draw people here for the beauty and make everyone healthier. I feel that a project manager must come to the table with all Is dotted and Ts crossed. Ive been driven to serve my community since I was in college at Appalachian State in the 1990s where I began volunteering to help others while also learning valuable skills. County Commissioner John Schoonmaker is 69. 7. We are required to keep a certain savings level by state law, which my experience in Raleigh demonstrated to be a wise policy choice. I would also uses high technology to improve business processes and other areas where I have quite a bit of experience and could contribute. Possibly some more family style restaurants, and obviously some additional tourist happenings whatever that might be. Don't Threaten. I enjoyed the country life growing up in Ashe County and after my service, I returned home in 2015. Jonathan Jordan: Should I be elected to serve on the Ashe County Board of Commissioners, it would be my hope to end that term as a good steward with the county continuing to remain on a sound financial footing, with strong financial reserves, a low tax rate for our citizens, and continued economic opportunity and progress. Citizens will come to us with a concern or need and we as commissioners should be here to address those needs and concerns. We will actively seek to establish partnerships between government, private sector, nonprofit organizations and the faith community to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to ensure our county is resilient and able to address and solve the problems of various communities in our county. I am one who will always ask the hard question and be up front with those who want to do business in and with Ashe County. As commissioner, I will look at successful programs in other rural counties with similar demographics and learn how to adapt those ideas to serve our county. In 1987, I returned to the U.S., was assigned to the Armys Intelligence and Security Command, was promoted to GS-15 (The Senior grade for government Civilian employees) and became the Director of the Armys Plans, Programs, and Low Intensity Conflict Divisions. Grading and utility construction are scheduled to begin any day. 7. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. I currently serve as the secretary on the board for Ashe, Alleghany, and Wilkes. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. But most importantly, lending support to ensure we are producing a quality, well-educated student upon graduation is first on any strategic plan. Then, it would be good to find out from all that present this project, what the long-range effect might have on the county as a whole. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Increase funding for Career Center opportunities at the high school level. County Commission candidate Christine Cruz is 54. Our nation deserves better than this and it starts at the local level. Good salaries take some of the sting out of a rising mortgage or rent payments. During my 37-year career in the fire service, I was fortunate to have served in the capacity of fire chief in two municipalities and in my hometown volunteer fire department. Also, I support bringing more jobs to our area, but we have to have the citizens to fill those jobs, who have the skills and experience that can be accomplished through workforce training programs with our community college. We won't share it with anyone else. That also involved making policy decisions that caused change. ASHE COUNTY Eight Ashe County Commissioner candidates that are hoping to be elected to one of three seats in November answered questions on a wide Commissioner candidates share their thoughts on numerous topics ahead of 2022 election season. We are in the process of building a new middle school and expanding Wilkes Community College. If you have a house fire, and I have before, you know the value of those guys and gals firsthand. Because of leaning more toward tourism in recent decades, we have failed the industry that existed before. We need a program that makes parents responsible for the development of their children. 3. The public is welcome to contact any of the commissioners in regard to the actions that might take place. We are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Jerry Powers: Most of my lifes usefulness has been spent as a farmer, growing conifer transplants, strawberry transplants and vegetables, which my wife is quite good at selling(if I leave her alone). For most of my adult life I have been in Senior Management; Senior Leadership, and Special Management positions. My education, experience in management and as commissioner supplies me with knowledge in operating county government. Growth comes from creating a career and knowing that one can provide for their family and grow with the company. Be Truthful. Having survived 49 of those meetings makes me believe I wont have many problems to face. Economic development includes any initiatives that improve infrastructure, enhance our education system, better our public safety, improve parks, and foster ways that incentivize and attract new businesses and jobs. I served as Adjunct Professor, History of the War in Vietnam for University College, University of Maryland, European Campus, 1982-1987 MS Equivalent in National Strategic Policy from the National War College, Fort McNair, DC. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
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