About Upson beacon. (Thomaston, Ga.) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (April 24, 2024)
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Upson County Board of Commission Chairman 1. What do you be lieve the BOC chair man’s/commissioner s’ role in our com munity should be? And why do you want the seat? Allen- The chairman is the presiding officer at meetings, is recog nized as the cere monial head of the county government, and has no other duties except those that are delegated to him by the board of commissioners. The best part of the job is serving as advocate and bragging about my hometown, work ing to deliver more in vestments and jobs to our community. Serv ing on the IDA and working with our city partners encouraging real growth opportu nities is vital for long term success as we struggle to maintain our safe and rural life style, something we all enjoy. Professionally representing each cit izen is an honor. Brue- By law, the BOC is the governing au thority of the county and performs in many capacities. Aside from day to day operations, the most important function is policy mak ing. And much of that falls on the chairman’s leadership. Too often, we see politicians fo cused on their prom ised solution rather than assessing prob lems and doing what is best for the citizens. It is important that the chairman and commissioners have a vision for the county and are making deci sions based on sound understanding of our current situation and the possible second and third order effects of any decisions. Maher- The role of chairman is to be a servant of the people. The chairman serves as an ambassador, a facilitator, a mediator, a negotiator. An ave nue allowing citizen input. He helps put the right people in the right jobs without micro-managing. I have lived in Upson County for over 45 years. I raised my family here. Have tried hard to make a differ ence. My presentation may have been strong, but my heart is in this community. Searcy- The role of BOC chairman is being the county’s governing authority, doing what is best for the people in many different areas, while staying within the confines of the law. To be an effective leader, one must be profes sional, personable, re ntable, versatile, and trainable, to name a few characteristics in this multifaceted posi tion. I want to hold this seat to begin bridging the gap be tween the people and government in our community. I want to listen to our people and educate them on choices and not just talk about it or walk away without giving true insight to deci sions. 2. Animal control seems to be an issue in the county, whether it’s a leash law, animal abuse, or mean/vicious ani mals. How do you plan on giving animal control the resources necessary to equip them for safety measures for the of ficers and citizens and betterment of the animals? What can you do as a policy maker to enact stricter laws con cerning all those items and how would you enforce them? Allen- Humane treat ment of all animals and the rights of pet ownership is a very sensitive issue. The county’s animal con trol ordinance was overhauled in 2023 after extensive work and review by the ani mal control staff, the shelter volunteers, the planning commission, and the board of com missions. A lot of ef fort went into making the ordinance the best for our community and was supported by all involved. There are many factors to in clude population con trol, reporting of inhumane situations, and pet ownership re sponsibilities. If you see a situation need ing attention, report it. Call 911. Sugges tions for improvement are always welcomed. Brue- As someone who has dogs, cats, and goats, and whose wife is entering her last year of veterinary school, I appreciate the passion behind these concerns. As with every depart ment, I will take the time to assess the mission, how we cur rently fulfill our duties, what resources UPSON BEACON Page 3B is 1-lgIH & Krrping Wttdi mi we have, and what we need in order to pro vide the quality serv ices our citizens deserve. You do not learn these things from briefings; you have to roll up your sleeves and get in the game. So, you will see me at the shelter. You will see me riding along with animal control. Maher- I will work with the sheriff’s of fice and the courts to put more strength in existing laws. Stronger penalties for animal dumping or abuse. Work with local vets to provide spay and neutering clinics. I will work with local civic groups to provide donations to be given to pet owners falling on hard times to keep pets healthy and safe. These pets did not ask to be taken in by their owners, but the owners are respon sible. I have four and they are family. Searcy- Our animal control officer was hired because he is qualified and knowl edgeable of the inter nal workings and laws pertaining to his posi tion. Staying in compliance by taking part in continuing education opportuni ties is key to bringing current concerns and proposals of new im plementations to the BOC is vital. We must allow our department heads to validate the trust we placed in them when they were hired if they are within the confines of the law. When one brings documentation of laws and policies, being the officer or citizen, we must inves tigate, advocate for the factual documen tation 3. Do you now or have you attended county commission meetings and/or work sessions? Allen- Of course, and I attend many other meetings as well. In 2016 I became in volved and started at tending meetings, well before I officially started campaigning for this job. I knew it was important to gain as much insight and knowledge well in ad vance. While there is so much more to serv ing in this position, there are also signifi cant limitations as to what you may think Continued Page 5B JUSTICE SERVED WITH INTEGRITY ♦ELECT* HANNAH ELLINGTON ARNETTE CHIEF MAGISTRATE JUDGE I'm Hannah Ellington Arnette, a proud native of Upson County and your candidate for Upson County Chief Magistrate Judge. My educational journey began at Gordon State College, where I earned my Associates in Political Science and Government. I furthered my studies at Georgia Southwestern State University, obtaining a Bachelor's in Political Science and Government with a minor in Business Management. Passionate about serving my community, in 2017 I returned back Upson County and started my career in the judicial system as the Chief Deputy Clerk of Upson County Juvenile Court. In 2021, I became the Judicial Administrative Assistant for Judge Rhonda B. Kreuziger, the first woman and person of color to serve on the Superior Court bench for the Griffin Judicial Circuit. With a strong commitment to justice, a solid educational background, and extensive experience in the judicial system, I am prepared to serve as your Upson County Chief Magistrate Judge. PAID POLIIICAL AD VI KIISt \ll \l
