Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 6A
THE JACKSON HERALD
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2017
KEITH BURCHETT TERRY MINISH ARCHIE CHANEY ERIC GATHERIGHT DONALD WILSON DARREN OWENSBY
Incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Incumbent Ward I Council Incumbent Ward II Council
Mayor Pro Tem Challenger Ward I Council Challenger Ward II Council Challenger
Commerce candidates comment on questions
Commerce will elect three members
of its city council in the Nov. 7 elec
tions.
Three incumbents are running and
face three challengers.
Mayor Pro Tem Keith Burchett and
Terry Minish vie for a city-wide council
seat.
Long-time officeholder Archie Chaney
faces challenger Eric Gatheright in Ward
I.
Incumbent Donald Wilson again faces
Darren Owensby in Ward II. The two
men have had two very close races in
past city elections.
Early voting began this week. Voters
may cast ballots at the election com
mission office, 441 Gordon Street in
Jefferson, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday. An early voting
site will be open at the Commerce Rec
reation Department, 204 Carson Street,
the week of Oct. 30-Nov. 3.
The candidates responded to ques
tions from The Jackson Herald. Their
responses follow:
How long have you served on
the council or have you run for
elected office before, occupa
tion, education level, particular
interests ?
Burchett: I have served as mayor pro
tem for two terms (eight years). I am a
small business owner. I finished high
school and have taken some college
courses. My interests are spending time
with my family, football and golf.
Minish: I have never ran for. or held,
public office. I worked at a downtown
business for more than 40 years and
owned it for more than 20 years - Jay’s
Department Store.
Chaney: served as councilman at
large, Post 2, from 1983-85, mayor
pro tem, 1985 to 2005, now council
man from Ward I. Retired from General
Motors after 32 and a half years. Grad
uate of Bryan High School in Jefferson.
Married to Vivian P. Chaney and have
three daughters. Member of Mt. Calvary
Missionary Baptist Church.
Gatheright: I have not held an elected
office. I went all 12 years to Commerce
City Schools. I am a machinist and
contractor. I enjoy speaking on current
events, helping others and drag racing.
Owensby: On city council from 2010
to 2013. Graduate of CHS in 1987.
Worked with Alltel/Windstream from
2001 to 2017. Interests are most outdoor
activities like camping, fishing, golfing,
hunting etc.
Wilson: Was pastor at Calvary Baptist
Church for 33 years, now serve as guest
pastor. Studying for a PhD in theology.
Interest include people, real estate and
local politics.
What would be your top priori
ty for the city if elected? Do you
have a rough idea of the cost and
how it could be paid for?
Burchett: We have done a very good
job in the last three years holding our tax
rate down. I will do my best to continue
holding our citizens’ tax rate down by
growing our tax base through property
annexations, bringing in new business
and industry and the construction of new
homes.
Minish: I would like the opportuni
ty to work with other local officials to
bring new industry and jobs to our area.
I would like to help make Commerce a
business-friendly city.
Chaney: Work with the mayor and
council to maintain the level of services
provided to Ward I. We currently provide
a high level of services at the current
budget levels, which require no addi
tional funding. As the digest and utilities
grow, services can grow. The city is
best situated to grow through economic
development rather than increased taxes.
Would like to work with mayor and
council to develop the old Boys & Girls
Club site into something that can benefit
Ward I and the rest of the community.
The city might be able to use SPLOST
dollars for this project.
Gatheright: My top priority is to
unite the city council, police depart
ment. school board and the Commerce
citizens. People in this community are
hurting. Our town is being overlooked
for business opportunities. We need to
focus our efforts on revitalizing our
town to its years when downtown Com
merce was booming. We need to restore
the meaning of our name - Commerce. I
don’t know the cost, but I do know that
it will be money well spent.
Owensby: Budget billing would be
very beneficial to a lot of residences.
I’m unsure of the cost, but I know it
would be a great asset the city could
offer. Continue to seek industry and
prepare for it.
Wilson: Bring in good paying jobs by
attracting more businesses. This would
largely be paid for by growth.
The city has recently moved the
code enforcement responsibility
to the police department. Do you
agree with that move and why or
why not?
Burchett: I believe this is the depart
ment code enforcement should fall
under so that people understand the city
is serious about code enforcement.
Minish: I don’t feel that location is
as important as how the job is done. I
feel it is important to work with citizens
to improve property in a friendlier and
understanding way.
Chaney: I agree with moving code
enforcement responsibility to the police
department. This will allow for better
management and oversight under a chief
who has experience in the field.
Gatheright: Any time responsibilities
are moved from one office and desig
nated to another, you can expect people
to have questions or feel weary about
the change. I feel that I would be able
to better answer this question when I’ve
had the opportunity to speak with my
constituents. At this time, I choose to
remain neutral on this subject.
Owensby: I don’t think a uniformed
officer, carrying a firearm will be well
received. I agree to allow them to per
form the code enforcement as long as
it’s done in a polite and respectful man
ner. I’m certain that it will. (Police Chief
Zach Ardis has said code enforcement
will not be done by uniformed police
officers.)
Wilson: I agree that moving code
enforcement to the police department is
the best thing for code. It is a full-time
position now and will be managed by
the police chief, who has experience in
the area.
This year’s budget has $450,000
in it for a new city park, but
no designated spot exists. How
would you prefer to deal with this
issue and this money? Would you
first design a park or first settle
on a tract of land?
Burchett: I believe it would be hard to
design a park without knowing where it
will be placed and the layout of the land
it will be built on. The city is in dire
need of multi-use fields for adequate
time to practice and play.
Minish: I do not have the facts to
make a decision on this matter. I would
want to better understand what the citi
zens of Commerce want in regard to a
city park.
Chaney: The city knows that it needs
to expand and construct multipurpose
fields. The $450,000 designated is to
hold in place for long-term capital
planning. This funding will come from
SPLOST, and we do expect the cost to
be increased from the current amount.
It would be in the best interest of the
city to first get a conceptual design, to
decide where the best location is.
Gatheright: I remember going to the
old State Park at Pittman’s Creek on
Highway 441 and going to the old Boys
and Girls Club on Ridgeway Road. My
first job, at 13, was at the old Boys and
Girls Club. I would love to see these two
places revitalized. There is an underuti
lization of funds in Ward 1. We should
restore the old state park so kids can
play in the creek, catch crabs, make
paper boats and enjoy being a kid again.
We should make the old Boys and Girls
Club a park so the community has a
place to play basketball, soccer and have
picnics. We do not need to buy a new
tract of land, simply fix up and enjoy
what we have.
Owensby: After coaching in our rec
reation department. I know additional
space is needed. First, decide the loca
tion, then design the park. I believe a
large industry will take a close look at
recreation when choosing a location for
its business. Got to prepare.
Wilson: The first step was to talk
about the needs for recreation. We know
we need field space. Before we decide
on land, we have to have an idea how
much space is needed. The next step
would be to determine the best location.
City council meetings are
almost always a short expla
nation of a topic by the mayor
or city manager followed by a
quick motion, second and unan
imous vote by council members.
Is that how city government
should function? Does it indicate
knowledge on the part of council
members or acquiescence to the
mayor/city manager? Should the
council engage in more discus
sion of matters before it?
Burchett: This is the reason we have
planning meetings the first Monday of
each month so the items we will be vot
ing on can be discussed. There are no
secret meetings and the mayor and the
city manager are not telling the council
how to vote.
Minish: It is my understanding that
topics are discussed in a work session
prior to council meetings. A council
man should study issues and be open
to input from citizens on all issues and
be prepared to vote on issues at council
meetings.
Chaney: The city holds two public
meetings per month. One is to discuss
all items that will be brought to council
for a vote. This is where the majority of
the information is given to both coun
cil and the public. This also is where
council engages in the discussion of
matters before it. The voting occurs
about two weeks after the information
session. This is to give all council time
to have any questions answered so we
can all make an informed vote. We do
operate under a city manager form of
government, and we receive updates on
the day-to-day operations as well as any
information we request. No policy is set
behind closed doors.
Gatheright: The council and city
manager work for the people of Com
merce. We should work in unison to dis
cuss matters for the benefit of the entire
city. I feel that certain measures are put
into place as a checks and balances sys
tem to cut down or eliminate coercion. I
feel that we should engage in more dis
cussion and do it in an honest and open
forum at the city council meetings.
Owensby: In my past experience,
most all the discussion was during the
work session, but there was little atten
dance from the public. I would like to
see more explanation.
Wilson: The city holds two meetings
a month. The first session is where we
talk about the items. The next session
is where we vote. This gives council
time to know what we are voting on. All
agendas are available to the public at the
same time it is available to the council.
No private meetings are held to discuss
voting items. Communication with the
city manager does occur to keep council
informed on stuff happening in the city.
Commerce voting held at rec department
Commerce residents will vote in the city election
at the Commerce Recreation Department, City Clerk
Sandra Haggard said Monday.
The recreation department will be the city polling
place the day of the election, Tuesday, Nov. 7. Voting
hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
EARLY VOTING
Early voting will be mostly in Jefferson. Now
through Nov. 3, voters may cast Commerce city
ballots at the Elections & Registration office, 441
Gordon Street, Jefferson.
The final week of early voting, Oct. 30-Nov. 3,
a polling precinct also will be available at the rec
reation department, 204 Carson Street, Commerce.
Early voting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call Lori Wurtz, Jackson
County electons supervisor, 706-367-6377 or Hag
gard, 706-336-3288.
$ 5 00 0FF
Ticket Ot‘2(T Or More. Valid with coupon Mon.-Thurs. only.
La Hacienda Commerce La Hacienda Braselton
173 Steven B. Tanger Blvd. 5391 Highway 53
706-335-7458 706-654-0070
I The Original Mexican Restaurant! Not affiliated with any other restaurant. |
Banks-Jackson Risk Reduction DUI School
39 State Street, Commerce, State Certified 5010, 2007 and 631
Now Accepting Applications
For 2-3 Bedroom Apartments
Mon.,Tues.,Thurs., 8:30-5:00
706-335-6714
t TDD 1-800-255-0135 /N
706-336-6777
Next Defense Driving Class will be
held on October 28,2017
This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
We’ve moved to 39 State Street!
Next DUI Class begins on
October 21, 2017
Jackson Hills Apartments
Commerce