Too much secrecy can lead to abuse of power and a lack of accountability. racist or sexually-oriented language. Russell Killen: There is usually going to be conflict on decisions that are being made and you are never going to make everyone happy. Ensuring access to education and training, which will lead to good paying jobs. I would seek to understand the environmental, cultural and economic impacts of the project in the short term as well as the long term. We have three children, one grandchild, and eight ninths of another grandchild on the way. I put in my transfer in October of that year and have been here ever since. 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. Supporting the school system with current and future capital projects will always be challenging when allocating tax dollars for such long-term investments. Lets help provide the resources to help our schools explore careers that fit todays economy and not the idea that everyone has to have a four-year degree. That is going to be funded through a line item in the state budget and not from Ashe County property taxes. I look ahead at what the results of the spending may be. 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. Changes often mean opportunities. Its our job as commissioners to make sure we have a seat at the table when the legislature is deciding on the budget. Russell Killen: As stated, I am not running with an agenda. There was a problem saving your notification. More people always involves needing all of the above. Election Day will be May 17. I will always try to have the answer and if not, I will surely get back with that person with the answer to their concern. If you were able to increase funding for county programs, departments or projects, what would be your top priorities? Pray for me as I strive to help we the people flourish and grow in the time ahead. Being an elected official often comes with criticism from the general public. I am very grateful for this. Despite construction delays, county administration is setting aside those funds so they are in place and available when needed. We will through land use planning, strategic capital investments and change management plans ensure a good and improving quality of life in our communities. I want to be a county commissioner because I have the experience working with people to do some real good for the people of Ashe County. I am invested in our community and am prepared to go to work again for all our Ashe County citizens. 8. 1. First, and foremost I am a Christian in word and deed. These are just some of the issues Id like to address. We often will use our contacts with the state legislature or organizations like the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners or the High Country Council of Government to see if the proposal is already being implemented somewhere else in the state and what they might have used to make a proposal a reality. Lack of broadband support and cell phone coverage throughout the entire county. How would you handle that? You have permission to edit this article. We should also continue to invest in our local healthcare, as I believe one critical service and need our rural area has is to keep a local healthcare provider. Throughout my career, I have served in various capacities of leadership in local and state positions. Choose wisely! ASHE COUNTY Six candidates are running for three open seats on the Ashe County Board of Commissioners one incumbent and five challengers. 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. I know many contractors who subcontract these jobs from outside Ashe County. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. 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. I have served in the role of commissioner since January 2018. I would just hope that the ones who dont agree would do so respectfully. Vote for ONE. I believe in the Constitution as written, as well a constitutional government. While there, we built up several good-sized rainy day funds that have been critical in this pandemic. 3. Tax money should be spent wisely and should benefit the majority of our residents. Steady employment and an opportunity to have a job to earn a decent living can set any person on the path to success. The school system has a new pay scale that would help this, but it has to be funded by the county. I will try to understand all sides of the issue and learn as much as possible to make a decision that is best for the future of Ashe County. 7. We may need to increase resources to law enforcement. I have been proud to support our industrial park and community college expansion projects so that our workforce is well positioned to attract new and growing businesses. Our role as a board, should be to work together in solving issues and improving the quality of life for our citizens, without increasing taxes. 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. I feel that I can contribute in a positive way if elected to serve the citizens of Ashe County. Victor Ashe. 5. 7. 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. This kind of thing would cause mistrust in the office as well as damage the county. 6. I enjoyed the country life growing up in Ashe County and after my service, I returned home in 2015. 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 William Sands: I keep a level head, handle dissenting views and manage/resolve conflict very well. A project proposal always comes with a lot of promises, fancy wording and should be for the betterment of the community. Habitat for Humanity may be a source for home buyers and a program that the county government can converse with. WebCounty: Appling Atkinson Bacon Baker Baldwin Banks Barrow Bartow Ben Hill Berrien Bibb Bleckley Brantley Brooks Bryan Bulloch Burke Butts Calhoun Camden Candler Carroll Catoosa Charlton Chatham Chattahoochee Chattooga Cherokee Clarke Clay Clayton Clinch Cobb Coffee Colquitt Columbia Cook Coweta Crawford Crisp Dade Dawson Decatur DeKalb bailey.little@ashepostandtimes.com. We have been obligated to a debt that we can not yet measure. Beth Sorrell: After working and volunteering in many places and differing capacities Ive learned how to work with people from all walks of life and more importantly, how to listen. 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. The monies that are coming from the federal government to assist in this ongoing problem has a leak somewhere between the Federal, State and Local government. As many of the residents of Ashe know, I have assisted through my auctions free of charge to help many people in need because of health and or accident situations in which I have done with pride and no regrets. Lets help Ashe County High School and Wilkes Community College strengthen work-ready training where our residents can find full time jobs that let them come closer to paying the cost of living. About when one thought the House GOP could not handle any more scandals or politically dumb decisions, reporters revealed the House Ethics Committee had investigated state Rep. Scotty Campbell from Mountain City (the northeastern tip of Tennessee) for alleged sexual harassment of legislative employees. Our nation deserves better than this and it starts at the local level. 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. We understood then and are still aware of the unknown future with COVID-19. I have gained a reputation as a person who asks a lot of questions in an effort to solve problems and I am a business Process Reengineer and a Change Manager. I also believe we need a Strategic Plan and I will work with all the stakeholders to create that plan. Once the trust is lost, it could become years before trust is reestablished. 8. Now I am hearing from folks that I speak with that we may see if we have not already, yet another .04 cents on the dollar for the middle school to the tune of over $60,000,000 that will fall on the backs of our taxpayers. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. The new facility which opened this year is our opportunity to create training programs to establish a strong work force to attract business to our county. Something like an apprenticeship program that accumulates documented hours of training and work toward a journeyman status or thereabouts. We have too many that go without that we could help if we as a county get involved. Ashe County is the greatest place to live and raise a family. Were working with the Sheriffs Department to ensure that they have the equipment and manpower they need to provide the service that people expect. The lack of broadband and cell phone coverage in significant portions of Ashe. William Sands: My hope will be to get our businesses going again, more jobs, less unemployment, schools operating as in the past, and the completion of our Middle School and the Wilkes Community expansion. I was the owner of Guardian Insurance Agency, which I started in 1996 and sold in 2021 when I retired. The wait is long because of the lack of skilled labor in these areas. I believe that candidates are elected by the people, for the people and to conduct the peoples business at the will of the people. Through my work with Ashe County Habitat for Humanity, Ive witnessed the urgent and enormous need for decent, affordable housing in Ashe County. My wife Shannon is from Todd and we have three children and four grandchildren between us who all live here in the county. racist or sexually-oriented language. Jerry Powers: With opportunity comes responsibilities, education, police protection, regulation that fosters a better community while not putting undue restrictions on those who are trying to build a better Ashe County. 8. WebCommissioners Meet Your Commissioners Our Commissioners are Chairman Todd McNeill, Vice Chair William Sands, Mike Eldreth, Jerry Powers, and Chuck Olive. We can create jobs and generate revenue while creating recreational opportunities that will draw people here for the beauty and make everyone healthier. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. I understand the great trust the public puts in me as a commissioner to do the most good for as many people as possible. If someone has any questions, they can come to the meeting and state their concern or contact the administration department. High-paying jobs for our citizens is the only answer. 7. WebCounty of ASHE 2022 PRIMARY Election Date: 03/08/2022 This is an official notice of an election to be conducted in Ashe County on 03/08/2022. 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. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Possibly some more family style restaurants, and obviously some additional tourist happenings whatever that might be. Don't Threaten. For seven years I served in the capacity of occupational safety and health manager with additional duties of structural fire coordinator, facility inspector, and safety instructor for the Park Service. As we all know our children are our future, these programs must receive any help we can give. We will have all the utilities in place to make the site shovel ready for potential businesses. Making information quick and easy to find will go a long way to maintain trust and confidence in local government. 2. I think we can see economic growth and improve employment opportunities without losing the very things that make Ashe a great place to live. Former Sheriff J. J. Jones is 63. Primarily, we need to train our youth for the workforce. I am not one for spending taxpayer dollars on something that never becomes reality. I will work toward making Ashe County a greener, healthier place to live for everyone. If not, he or she is going to have a hard time convincing me to support that project. 8. We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen! Bellefonte Borough Council-Ward 1 (4-year term) Douglas A. Johnson. Any department responsible for delivering these services and are lacking in any respect that is below par should be given first consideration for any increase in budget allocations, if needed, and not due to poor performance, lack of personnel due to unfilled positions or equipment needs. Keep it Clean. Without a doubt, the construction of the new middle school is the biggest challenge facing Ashe County Schools at the moment. Our job is to work with the town boards to ensure the infrastructure is in place to attract future construction and growth. Our biggest challenge is to keep the federal government from teaching our children garbage like CRT. This would apply to all new or existing projects and would help entice new construction, both commercial and residential, single and multi-family dwellings. The new buildings are now complete and full of students! 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. Threats of harming another The website and live streaming of the commissioner meetings are an important way to review what is happening. As with this challenge, a tried-and-true method of defining this problem starts with collaborating with community stakeholders to identify the issues that contribute to the lack of affordable housing, arriving at conclusions which define a path to correct the problem, and then initiating a plan of action. Now on to May 17, 2022. 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. Usually referred to by the military as an After Action report, we would then compare it to the presumptions the commissioners made as they planned this years County Budget.There appears to be a lot of uncertainty as we go forward and there is some speculation that COVID-19 may be with us for a long time. My goal is to make sure we the people are able to have a say in what goes on in Ashe County. Email: steve.carter@alamance-nc.com Phone: 336-214-7606. 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. Pam W. Barlow(R)Ashe County Register of Deeds 1.1. I want to continue to work well with the school board. nathan.ham@ashepostandtimes.com, Multiple injuries reported after deck collapses in West Jefferson, Jimmy & Jeans Family Arcade and Entertainment hosts ribbon cutting, ACSO apprehends suspect with over 25 felony warrants, Ashe County volunteers honored for their service to the community. After high school I attended Wilkes Community College and Appalachian State University graduating with a degree in Public Relations. I appreciate his leadership. But most importantly, lending support to ensure we are producing a quality, well-educated student upon graduation is first on any strategic plan. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Sugar coating a problem is only kicking the can further down the road knowing it will have to be dealt with eventually. 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. I am a 2016 graduate of Columbia Southern University at Orange Beach, Alabama receiving a Bachelors/Science Degree in Business Administration and Management. This will certainly be something I will push for if elected as Commissioner for Ashe County. Ashe County, right now, has 626 part-time jobs available. Democratic Elections Commissioner Edward McDonough, left, and Republican Elections Commissioner Jason Schofield, right, speak to poll workers in 2020. I coached and taught in Ashe County public schools for 35 years before retiring in 2010. My children have gone to school here in Ashe for many years it means a lot me. These local resources can be used to create good jobs and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation leading to healthier communities and reduced health care costs while preserving our local culture. As a result there is unforeseen pressure on the housing market that I dont think anybody could have predicted. Recording meetings is one way that the residents who cannot attend meetings can keep up with discussions, issues, and decisions. As long as you make the best decisions and you can go to sleep at night feeling you did your best for the county, that is all that can be expected from anyone. I have worked public jobs from self-employment to retail and held management positions since I was 15 years old. For the past 18 years, Ive worked for Wilkes Community College teaching in the Basic Skill department. 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 All commissioners can be contacted by emailing administration@ashecountygov.com Jerry D. Powers New electee Republican Farmer who Let our high schools train and qualify our students/future employees in the school setting so that when they graduate, they can go to work here in our hometown rather than having to leave family and loved ones to find work somewhere else. I want to work with our fine sheriff to keep our citizens safe. I dont believe we will see normal as we knew it before. (See Attachment). In the 2021 calendar year, there were almost 29,000 calls for service including fire, EMS and law enforcement. But it doesnt matter how ready the site is without a sustainable workforce to staff a new business. Tax incentives would be another step. You dont have to guess; you know from my record that when I promise something, I keep that promise. Groups of yelling Indians, all from different tribes speaking their own native languages at one time is truly a case of dissenting views. We will maintain a local government that is effective, efficient, responsible and accountable. 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. In other words, you do not hand someone $1.6 million and say go draw up blueprints for the Middle School and then receive nothing in return. 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. As a county commissioner, what role the county plays in the process should be addressed to streamline any plan review, permitting, inspections, and/or obtaining certificates of occupancy. 5. Has this project been proposed in other locations and what was its success? Why do you think transparency and accountability are important for a local government to be successful? I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from the University of the State of NewYork, Albany, September, 1980. I finished my career here and retired in 2014. Our most pressing item is getting the new middle school under way. If elected, what are you hoping the Ashe County Board of Commissioners will achieve by the end of your term?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. An incoming freshmen could certainly have a plan and a tool to use for employment after graduating in four years.