Newspaper Page Text
Wed.. Oct. 28. 1998. Hout ton Tim*t~Jtumul
Page 4A
Incumbent Stafford, Challenger Sanders seek County Chairmanship
Bv CHARLOTTE PERKINS
Homo*. TlMIg-iWBMAL
The Chairman of the Houston County
Commission is elected by a county-wide vote. This
is a full-time position, which currently pays
$79,807.47. Tuesday's contest is between incumbent
Chairman J. Sherrill Stafford of Centerville, and Ned
Sanders, a Warner Robins civil engineer.
"t V ♦ 1
Background:
Sanders, who is running on the Republican tick
et, was educated at the Citadel, the University of
Colorado and the University of Georgia. He holds
BS and MS degrees in civil engineering and an MBA
in management.
He is a Vietnam veteran, and also worked at
Robins Air Force Base from 1969 to 1990 in civil
engineering and environmental engineering.
His career in engineering has taken him to a num
ber of air force bases where he held management
level positions and was chief of civil and engineering
design sections.
Stafford, a graduate of Perry High School, with
three years of study at the University of Georgia, has
taken numerous management courses as a County
Commissioner and at Robins Air Force Base, where
he worked for many years in management. He has
served as Mayor of Centerville, and has been
Chairman of the Houston County Commission for
eight years.
The Issues
The Timcs-Joumal asked the candidates to submit
written answers to the following questions:
1) If federal and slate agencies do not approve
funding fur increasing the height of the new Houston
Lake dam in order to raise the level of the lake, and
if no other option for covering the cost is available,
would you support having this work done at county
expense?
Sanders: No, I would not favor county funding
for increasing the height of the dam. I don’t think this
is a logical ultimate situation because the design ele
vation of the dam. to restore the pool level to its orig
inal elevation, is obviously flawed.
The engineering firm responsible for the design
has “errors and omissions” insurance. Every govern
mental and legal means will be pursued to assure that
funding will be provided for in accordance with con
tract law.
Stafford: No.
2) The Houston County Extension Service has
been frequently mentioned as one of the agencies
which will be located in the old courthouse building
in downtown Perry after the new courthouse is built.
Which other agencies do you think you think should
be located in the old courthouse building ?
Sanders: As Chairman of the Commissioners, a
major concern that I would be dedicated to is keep
ing the upgraded courthouse fully active so that
downtown Perry will continue to prosper. (In addi
tion to the Extension Service) the following are can
didates (for being housed in the old courthouse build
ing): Board of Elections, now in leased space; Tax
Commissioners Office and Tax Assessors; Soil
Conservation Office; Building Inspection; Planning
& Zoning; Probate Court, possibly Juvenile Court.
Stafford: I am working with Rep. Larry Walker to
locate possible state agencies that could be housed in
the old courthouse building, and have started discus
sions with the City of Perry, the Chamber of
Commerce and local business owners to get their
ideas.
3) If elected, what are some of the items you will
promote to improve the quality of life for Houston
County residents?
Sanders: The most obvious and immediate need
would be to improve traffic management to reduce
congestion, improve safety and save thousands of
wasted man hours. We need a five- and ten-year
Maser Plan that incorporates the upgrade of Ga. %
from Bonaire to 1-75, the widening of Moody Road
and the extension of Russell Parkway to 1-75.
Other quality of life concerns are consolidation of
government services, providing adequate funds for
fighting crime and reaffirming our commitment to
live within our tax cap and available revenues.
We must reassure our citizens that no more sales
Psssst! Is your store or business the best kept secret in Perry?
Call us at 987-1823 and we’ll help you plan a really good advertising strategy
W ■
TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSTON COUNTY:
I believe I am the most dedicated and Motivated candidate for the State
Court Solicitor's Office. I know the concerns of the people of Houston
County because 1 have been here for over 25 years and have been
involved in our community for all those years.
As the population grows, so does crime. I assure you that crime, as it
relates to the State Court, will not be tolerated.
l further believe that my experience enhances my ability to serve you.
That experience includes over 13 years as a Houston County Deputy
Sheriff, my years of private law practice, and 23 years of working closely
with the State Court.
I am committed only to the Citizens of Houston county and to our
local Law Enforcement Agencies.
I ask for your vote of confidence as your next State Court Solicitor on
November 3, 1998.
Respectfully,
Fred Graham
Paid for by Fred Graham
■n
tax referendums are going to be put up for public bal
loting in the foreseeable future.
Stafford: We need an expanded transportation
needs assessment, and improvements in health and
human services. We should also emphasize econom
ic stability and focus on positive values. All of the
above fit into my plan for the future, which I call
“Vision 2020."
4) Despite Team Houston and other efforts to
improve county unity, there remains some contention
between the various parts of Houston County. How
will you address that issue to further unify Houston
County ?
Sanders: I would dedicate myself to working
Here are county
election locations
From Staff Reports
ANNX - Houston County Annex Building Lobby
200 Carl Vinson Parkway, Warner Robins.
ARMY - Perry National Guard Armory. Macon
Road, Perry
BON - Bonaire Elementary School Gym. 125
Highway 96 E., Bonaire.
CENT - Centerville Elementary School Gym. 450
Houston Lake Road, Centerville.
FERG - Ferguson Memorial Park Bldg., 471 Elberta
Road, Warner Robins.
GALA - Galleria Mall at Centerville Community
Room, Centerville.
HAFS - Hayneville fire Station, Highway 241 S„
Hayneville.
HCHS - Houston County High School Gym Lobby,
920 Highway 96, Warner Robins.
HEFS - Henderson Fire Station. Highway 41 South,
Henderson.
KATH - Kathleen Voting Precinct, 1052 Highway
247 South, Kathleen.
LIND - Lindsey Elementary School Gym, 81 Tabor
Drive, Warner Robins.
LJFS - Lakes Fire Station, Lake Joy Road, Kathleen.
MALL - Houston Mall Center Court, 233 N
Houston Road, Warner Robins.
MILL - Miller Hills Elementary School Gym. 101
Pine Valley Drive, Warner robins.
MORN - Momingside Elementary School Gym,
1206 Momingside Drive, Perry
NSES - Northside Elementary School Gym. 305
Sullivan Road. Warner Robins.
NSSH - Northside Middle School Gym, 926 Green
St., Warner Robins.
PERL - Pearl Stephens Elementary School Gym,
215 Scott Blvd., Warner Robins.
QRUN - Quail Run Elementary School Gym, 250
Smithville Church Road. Warner Robins.
RECR - Warner Robins Recreation Dept. . Mclntyre
Room , 800 Watson Blvd., Warner Robins.
RUSS - Russel! Elementary School Gym, 101
Patriot Way, Warner Robins.
ROZR - Rozar Memorial Park Community Center,
1060 Keith Drive, Perry.
SRFS - Story Rd. Fire Station, 305 Story Road,
Warner Robins.
TWPK - Ted Wright Memorial Park Building, 2841
Moody Road, Warner Robins.
WATS - Watson Center Lunchroom, 401 Dover
Drive, Warner Robins.
WRMS - Warner Robins Middle School Gym, 425
Mary Lane. Warner Robins.
Elect
Fred
Graham
State Court Solicitor
mm c ‘Wr Mm
Stafford
cooperatively with the other county commissioners,
the mayors and city councils of our incorporated
cities.
I would propose that we invite the 21st Century
Partnership, as it endeavors to assure the strength
and permanence of Robins Air Force Base, to join
Sandora
Tone*-
’ * * Igl
My Positions
• Traffic: Wider Main Arteries; Extend Russell; Reduce
Congestion.
• Drainage: Fix Existing; Avoid Future Problems.
• Courthouse: Keep Perry s Courthouse Active and
Downtown Prosperous! Plan New One to Better
Serve All.
• Houston Lake Dam: Others Fix, Others Pay.
• 6a. Highway Patrol Post: State Builds, State
Pays.
• Taxes: Live Within Tax Cap
Thank a Democrat.
For over a 100 years Georgia
has been led by Democrats.
So if you are enjoying Georgia you
have the Democratic Party to thank.
IMPROVING EDUCATION
• The Hope Scholarship program
• After-school and summer reading programs
• Classroom technology for every Georgia school.
• Funding for education has increased 56%
• Raising teacher salaries to the national average
• Improving school safety for teachers and students
• Vo untary pre-kindergarten for all four year olds
VOTE NOV. 3,1998
ELECT DEMOCRATS
Paid For By The Houston County Party,
Randy Wynn Chairman, 923-7017
our elected governmental bodies, the medial and
social services agencies in quarterly conferences to
assure unity of purpose and objectives.
Stafford: I will hold one-on-one sessions with
other elected officials and encourage the other com
missioners to do the same.
Ned SANDERS
for CHAIRMAN
Houston County
Commission
SOLUTIONS...NOT PROBLEMS
My Qualifications
• Licensed Professional Engineer
• Engineering and Management Experience over 25
Years. '
• Bachelors: Civil Engineer (The Citadel); Masters: Civil
Engineer (Univ. Colorado), Masters: Business
Administration (Univ Georgia)
• Vietnam Combat Veteran; 218 Missions.
• Ability to Work with People: Decisive, Fair
• Philosophy: Listen to Learn, Gather Facts, Act.
Enjoying Georgia?