Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 13B
October 29, 2008
4 Reporter
Monroe County Tax Commissioner
Lori Andrews (D)
Name: Lori Andrews
Age: 32
Family: Married to Ben Andrews - five years;
JT- four years old; Mary Ella - seven months old
Education: Graduated from Mary persons -
1995; Courses taken at Mercer University
Work experience: Eight years in house expe
rience
Church or civic affiliations: Forsyth
Presbyterian
How long in Monroe County? 21 years
Native of: Bibb County
Why are you running for tax commission
er? I enjoy my job and enjoy helping the tax
payers of Monroe County.
Why should people vote for you? I feel peo
ple should vote for me because I have worked in
the tax commissioner's office for Eight years. I
am best qualified because I have a hand on
training, state of Georgia training (as new laws
are passed), training by the current tax commis
sioner on accounting procedures required by
County and State Auditors.
What qualities and experience do you
bring to the office of tax commissioner?
Eight years of experience and serving the public
professionally.
What is your vision for the tax commis
sioner's office? My vision as Tax Commissioner
is to have an open door policy where tax payers
will feel welcomed and feel free to express their
opinions
What promises do you make to the people
of Monroe County if you're elected? My
Promise to the people of Monroe County is to
ensure the office service. I want the customers to
have a great experience in the office and feel
good when they leave.
Barbara Baswell (R)
Name: Barbara Starr Baswell
Age: 58
Family: I am the youngest
daughter of Joseph C. &
Virginia Gardner Starr. I come
from a large family most of who
live in Monroe County. For
thirty-seven wonderful years I
have been married to Clay
Baswell. We are proud to have
been blessed with two sons, Lee
and Clay Joseph.
Education: Mary Persons
High School in 1968 with a
Diploma in Academics and
received a two-year Certificate in Accounting from Macon
Area Technical School, now Central Georgia Tech.
Leadership Monroe Leadership, 2004; Certification from
the Carl Vincent Institute of Government as a
Governmental Finance Officer and as a County Clerk.
Work experience: While working for William H.
Gibson, CPA, that later became Gibson & Conger, CPAs,
I found my passion for accounting. I worked as a book
keeper and office manager at Gibson & Conger in
Forsyth for 25 years. Before being hired as the Monroe
County Clerk in 2005, I owned and operated Barbara S.
Baswell Bookkeeping Service in Forsyth. After serving as
the County Clerk for a little over a year, the Monroe
Board of Commissioners restructured the
Commissioner’s Office and I was Baswell appointed
Cheif Financial Officer for Monroe County and I current
ly hold this position.
Church or civic affiliations: Maynard Baptist
Church; 2006 Outstanding Volunteer Award - Recognized
by the Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce
Board; Forsyth - Monroe County Chamber of Commerce -
Ambassador Leadership Monroe 2004 graduate Monroe
County Literacy Board Member; Kiwanis Club; American
Institute of Professional Bookkeepers; Monroe County
Association for Retarded Citizens — Treasurer; Daughters
of the American Revolution — Current Chapter Regent;
United Daughters of the Confederacy - Cabaniss
Chapter #415 Day Home Committee
Native of: Forsyth
Why are you running for tax commissioner? I
have a desire to serve Monroe County because I have a
deep and abiding love for my community. I am excited
about the future of Monroe County and the opportunity
to serve you. My accounting and overall experience in
both the professional and private sectors make me your
best choice as the next Tax Commissioner. I am passion
ate about the future of Monroe County and I am eager
about the opportunity to serve you.
Why should people vote for you? Monroe County
must be prepared for our future; keeping me and my
staff well trained and educated will be a priority. I plan
to stay abreast to changes in tax laws, and technology, to
make the tax office and staff as efficient as possible,
which will reduce costs to the taxpayers. I will see that
prompt billing, and tax collections, assures our local gov
ernment agencies a positive cash flow. And that all cus
tomers/citizens are served promptly, efficiently and with
respect. I want taxpayers to leave the tax commission
er’s office with a feeling that their issues have been
addressed and that we have met or surpassed their
expectations. Customer service will be priority one for
every taxpayer.
What qualities and experience do you bring to
the office? My 30 years of public accounting experience
has provided me a firm foundation necessary to perform
the duties of your next Tax Commissioner. Additionally,
I will bring maturity to the office creating an environ
ment respectful to employees and taxpayers alike.
Working in the Tax Commissioner office as an employee
is different in many ways than the responsibilities and
management of the Office of Tax Commissioner. I have
over 25 years experience in the supervision and manage
ment of personnel. My life experiences in private and
public sectors will bring that difference to the forefront.
And I am an energetic and devoted community servant.
I have been with Monroe County approximately 3 years
holding executive positions relating to the management
of finances for Monroe County. During this time I have
earned certification as a county clerk and finance officer
from the Carl Vincent Institute of Government. Under
my direction, significant improvements have been imple
mented in the record keeping, and management of coun
ty funds such as - the reduction in the amount of short
term money the county has borrowed.
In my current position I have been responsible for mak
ing many improvements. For example; implementing
review procedures and reconciliation of general ledger
accounts that meet the AICPA accounting standards
required by our auditors, the Georgia Department of
Audits and Accounts, and the Department of Community
Affairs. This is significant because it gives our county a
good financial image, a clean audit opinion from the
auditors, and improves our credit rating and ability to
borrow or issue bonds. This is an example of the leader
ship you can expect from me as your next Tax
Commissioner.
What is your vision for the tax commissioner’s
office? With anticipated growth, the duties and respon
sibilities will become greater for the Tax Commissioner.
Monroe County is staged to become one of the most rec
ognized counties in the State of Georgia. I envision the
office of Tax Commissioner will require the kind of matu
rity, leadership and experience that I possess. I am
ready and willing to accept that challenge and be a part
of the administrative responsibilities that lead us into
the future.
What Promises do you make to the people of
Monroe County if you’re elected? I will educate and
train myself and my staff so that we can provide the best
possible customer service to the citizens of Monroe
County. Stay abreast of technology and the ever changing
tax laws and requirements of the Georgia Department of
Revenue. Administer the collection of all taxes as
required by Monroe County ordinances. Treat every tax
payer as fairly as allowed by law, respond to their needs
and provide assistance or direction to the appropriate
county department or government agency that can assist
them
Put into place prompt and accurate accounting proce
dures that will ensure the County, schools, and the City
have all necessary information to maintain their budg
ets, and to meet responsibilities to Monroe County citi
zens.
If I am honored by the voters of Monroe County to
become your next Tax Commissioner, it is my promise to
carry out my duties with integrity, honesty and profes
sionalism to the citizens. I will bring my knowledge,
experience and ability to this office to make Monroe
County proud.
Bill Myers (R)
Commission District 1
Name: William E. Myers
Age:49
Family: Wife: Marilou; Sons: William (
Billy) 20 Nicholas ( Nick) 18 Keith
11
Education: 1979 Associate In Applied
Science Suffolk County Community
College Selden N.Y.
1987 Bachelor of Science Dowling
College Oakdale N.Y.
Work experience: 12 years Quality
Assurance / Production Management for
Department of Defense subcontractors
14 years Owner /operator William Myers
Contracting L.L.C.
Church or civic affiliations: Attend
St. Joseph Catholic Church Macon;
Member City of Forsyth Planing and
Zoning Board; 4-H Coach of the Monroe
County S.A.F.E. Team Former Monroe
County Soccer Coach
Native of: Setauket, New York
Why are you running for the board
of commissioners? I believe Monroe
County needs to move in a new direc
tion. First and foremost there must be a
willingness for the Commission to work
together in order for the County and its
residents to prosper. Far to often this
has not been the case. Monroe County
is growing and in order to accommodate
this growth short and long term plan
ning must be implemented and adhered
to. It is imperative that the
Commissioners work as a team.
What qualities and experience do
you bring to the office? My formal
education, diverse employment history
and the ability to work well with others
to accomplish set goals.
What is your vision for Monroe
County - what would be your top
priorities for the county govern
ment? Increased cooperation between
County and City governments, a com
prehensive county wide water plan,
Balance overall county needs vs indi
vidual district needs. Encourage busi
ness growth with an emphasis on tech
nology and education.
What promises do you make to the
people of Monroe County if you're
elected? I could not in good conscious
make any promises to the residents of
Districtl or the County. I can however
guarantee that if I am elected to the
Board Of Commissioners, I will behave
in a professional, dignified manor and
never forget that I represent and serve
the residents of this outstanding com
munity.
Larry
Evans (D)
Did not
respond.
School Board District 4
Judy Pettigrew
Name: Judy Pettigrew
Age: 64
Family: husband -
Jimmy; son —Justin
Education:
Bachelor of Arts
degree in Elementary
Education from
Wesleyan College
Master of Arts
degree in Education
from Mercer
University;
Administration certi
fication from West
Georgia College; Six-year Education
Specialist degree from the University of
Georgia
Work Experience: 15 years of classroom
teaching experience, first and second
grade; 15 years experience as Curriculum
Director, Butts County Schools
2 years experience as Principal, Jackson
Elementary School
Church or civic affiliation: Member,
Music Director, and Adult Sunday School
Teacher at Paran Baptist Church
How long in Monroe County: 42
years living in Blount community
Native of: Butts County
Why do you want to serve on the Board
of Education?
All governing bodies and boards need to
represent a cross-section of the population.
I can bring to the Board of Education the
perspective of a former Educator who has
both a breadth and depth of experience
working in and with schools. I think that
my practical experience will add much to
the education system in Monroe County.
What qualities and experience do you
bring to the office?
I have 32 years of experience in education
as a teacher, curriculum director, and prin
cipal, and have served on numerous
Accreditation Committees for schools
throughout the Southeast. After retire
ment, I chose to work as a probation officer
supervising misdemeanor cases, and have
done so for the past eight years. When I
was asked to take the job, I did so because
I really do enjoy helping people realize
their full potential.
What is your vision for the school sys
tem?
Monroe County Schools should become
an institution that prepares children to
become productive and adaptable citizens
in tomorrow’s world. Technology is advanc
ing at such a rapid rate that today’s “new
things” will be outdated tomorrow. We
need to teach children how to adapt and
use new technologies and give them the
tools they need to succeed in the working
world. I would also like to see the Board
work to find ways to prepare and encour
age more Monroe County students to con
tinue their education beyond high school. I
feel that’s the best way to help them be
successful in a world that is demanding a
more highly skilled workforce.
What do you think are the most impor
tant issues facing Monroe County schools
today?
Economic - both state and local funding
Technology — harnessing, teaching and
using new technologies so that students
can be effective in the modem workplace
Socializing students - providing students
with not only an academic education, but
also providing them with a positive, profes
sional and nurturing environment to help
them become responsible adults. We’ve got
to instill in them a strong work ethic, a
good value system, and, most importantly,
a sense of responsibility.