Candidates in the July 20 election spoke at a political forum Tuesday night at the Banks County recreation center. Shown are: (L-R) Jason Hensley, Danny Maxwell, Sam Moon, Sammy Reece, Shane Roberts and Keith Segars.
Election season kicks off with political forum
Land use, open government and public safety were topics touched on Tuesday night in the first political forum in Banks County this election season. Candidates for posts 1 and 3 on the board of commission, post 5 on the board of education and District 50 in the state senate were featured at the political forum sponsored by the Committee for Shaping Banks Future.
BOC, POST 1
In the Post 1 county board of commissioner race, Danny Maxwell and Sam Moon answered questions from the committee and the audience. Incumbent Rickey Cain was not present.
During his opening remarks, Maxwell said he has lived in the county for more than 30 years and both of his children graduated from the county school system.
“I am very interested in the well-being of the citizens of Banks County,” he said. “I look forward to working for the people. I am dedicated to this county. I love this county.”
During his closing remarks, Maxwell said the number of vacant stores at Tanger Outlet Center is a concern for him.
“We've got stores that are vacant,” he said. “The infrastructure is there. We need to get t hose stores filled.”
During his opening remarks, Moon said the main issues facing the county are finances and making a “plan to get from A to Z.”
“The financial house is got to get in order,” he said. “We've got to spend money for things we need. We've got to quit spending money for things we want…We need to give incentives for people to save money in every department.”
During his closing remarks, Moon also spoke on the importance for having a plan in place.
“I want a plan,” he said. “I want a list and rank it…If we don't have a plan, we have planned to fail.”
Comments from Maxwell and Moon on other issues addressed during the meeting include the following:
MAXWELL
Public safety: “Public safety is one of the major, important areas in our county. I think we can work better with our fire service and our emergency medical service and give them what they need. Not what they want but what they need to make this county better to take care of the citizens. I know we have a lot of senior citizens who need service. We've got to be able to be available to them and to give them the necessities that they require.”
Conservation land use program and the 20-acre minimum guideline: “The conservation land use program is very essential to our county. It is very important for our farmers and our big land owners…It will help people farm and help them make a living.”
Should the comprehensive land use plan be published before it is approved: “I think that anything that has to do with our people, we need to let them know about it…We need to do everything we can to help them (farmers) to be aware of what is going on and to do the best they can do.”
Are meetings accessible to the public: “I think whatever is of public interest, the public should be invited. Everyone should be aware of what is going on.”
Improving public safety response time: “I think the main thing is sit down with the people in public service and find out what the concerns are and what we need to do…We need to be on the same path. Everyone needs to work together…We've got to many people going in different directions.”
MOON
Public safety: “I understand how important all three of those positions are..Knowledge of roads in the county is the number one key, as well as the competency to perform a task.”
Conservation land use program and the 20-acre guideline: “I'm against anything that would make it harder on those people (farmers). These people have got to be allowed to produce what they produce…It seems like to me this county has become not agriculture friendly.”
Should the comprehensive land use plan be published before it is approved: “It is the responsibility of the citizens to make the decisions. People only learn what they want to learn.”
Are BOE meetings accessible to the public: “It's accessible if the public is interested…I am against meetings held at 3:30 in the afternoon or 10 or 11 in the morning.”
Improving public safety response time: “You have to have a plan in place…If you don't practice, you are not ready. Be prepared and training is the only way you are going to be prepared.”
BOC, POST 3
In the Post 3 county board of commissioner race, candidates Sammy Reece and Keith Segars addressed the questions.
During his opening remarks, Segars said he has lived in the county most of his life, moving to Banks when he was 7-years-old.
“I've been involved in Banks County for many years,” he said. “I've served on the planning and zoning board, as well as many other boards, to try to make improvements to the county. We've made a little bit of progress but I feel we can make a lot more.”
Segars said one of his plans would be to bring in large events to the country recreation grounds to boost the tax base.
“Once they enjoy these events, they can eat in our restaurants and stay in our hotels,” he said.
During his closing remarks, Segars spoke on budget issues and increasing revenue.
“Every dollar we can bring in is a dollar you and I don't have to put in,” he said.
During Reece's opening comments, he said he has lived in the county 22 years and has served on the planning commission for nine years and the Farm Bureau for 12 years.
“We're here to voice your voice,” he said of the role of a commissioner. “…We've got to get industry into the county to help our tax base…The county needs to get moving on this.”
During his closing remarks, Reece spoke on the need to develop Martin Bridge Road.
“The main issue I want to address is Martin Bridge Road,” he said. “We need to get water there. We need to get sewer there. We need someone to head this up.”
Comments from Segars and Reece on other issues addressed during the meeting include the following:
SEGARS
Improving public safety response time: “I would meet with them and find out what some of the shortcomings are. Since I'm not in that arena, I don't know but I would like to meet with the people in charge of our safety and find out where they see our shortcomings are.”
Should the comprehensive land use plan be published before it is approved: “Absolutely, we all need to have input.”
Conservation land use program and the 20-acre guideline: “Since Banks County is a majority rural area and agriculture based, I do think this is adequate…We need a good balance between industry and agriculture and that is where our conservation land use plan comes in place.”
Are meetings accessible to the public: “For the most part, they are accessible to the public…We should record all the meetings and put them on the Internet for everyone to see.”
REECE
Improving public safety response time: “I will approach the department heads and see what they need…I will get in there and see what is going on…Saving time, saves lives.”
Should the comprehensive land use plan be published before it is approved: “Yes, it has to be presented at public hearings…It is very important for people to come out and look. I think everyone should be a part of it…There are still a lot of people who don't even know we have zoning.”
Conservation land use program and the 20-acre guideline: “I would like to see it go back to 10 acres. If you farm for a living, no matter what acreage you've got…you ought to be eligible.”
Are meetings accessible to the public: “I think all meetings should be held at the same time. I think they should all be at 7 p.m.”
BOE, POST 5
In the Post 5 board of education race, Jason Hensley and Shane Roberts qualified.
During his opening remarks, Hensley said he has lived in the county for 16 years and has two children in the school system.
“My reason for running for the board of education is because the future of Banks County lies in the school system. The kids are the future of this county. I've probably spent time with someone's kids out there coaching…I've spent seven years devoted to the kids of Banks County…I think the board of education ought to run the school system. I'm a firm believer in that.”
During his opening remarks, Roberts said he has lived in Banks County all of his life and graduated from the county school system and then went to college and moved back to the county. He has three children in the school system and his wife is a teacher in the county, as well as being a life-long resident of Banks.
Roberts said the reasons he is seeking office include: he has three children and he wants the best possible education for them, as well as all of the other children in the county; budget issues; and supporting teachers as they education children.
“I want to make sure every dollar is used as efficiently as possible,” he said.
Comments from Hensley and Roberts on other issues addressed during the meeting include the following:
HENSLEY
Safety of the schools: “Our schools are a safe place. I feel safe with my kids being at these schools. I feel safe for your kids being at these schools. I think we have a good safety plan in place. I will try my best to correct any problems as to the safety of the kids at those schools.”
Does the BOE make personnel decisions as a full board: “They make the decisions and three votes takes it…You have to have people in place who make decisions on what is best for that school and not certain folks. That is just the way it is.”
Recommendations for improving the professional development of staff: “Banks County school teachers, they've done a good job. To improve the professional development of the teacher, you have to further their education.”
Recommendations on changing policies: “On hiring coaches, it shouldn't be the responsibility of one man to hire four or five people. I don't agree with that. That's why you have a school board.”
Changes to make transition into ninth grade easier: “I don't know how y'all were taught but I was taught it all starts at home. That is the way I was raised…But you have got to have people that care enough about these kids that have a little common sense. You have got to have people who will take time with these kids.”
ROBERTS
Safety of the schools: “I do think the schools are safe. The school resource office is very important to the safety of the schools. With the fiscal year coming forward, we have one full time school resource officer…One thing we could do is work with the sheriff's office and try to get two full time school resource officers.”
Does the BOE make personnel decisions as a full board: “Everyone has their input but it takes a majority to pass.”
Recommendations for improving the professional development of staff: “Each teacher should share ideas and have access to sharing information.”
Recommendations on changing policies: “One thing we need to do is understand that every child is not the same….We need to talk to our legislators. They are cutting out a lot of the planning time and our teachers have less time to prepare for different children. Each child needs one on one time.”
Changes to make transition into ninth grade easier: “They need to start working on career paths…and see what route they want to go in…They need to spend more time in one-on-one with the students.”
SENATE RACE
In the State Senate District 50 race, Terry Rogers spoke on his background and some of the issues in the campaign. Incumbent Jim Butterworth was not at the forum.
In the Post 1 county board of commissioner race, Danny Maxwell and Sam Moon answered questions from the committee and the audience. Incumbent Rickey Cain was not present.
During his opening remarks, Maxwell said he has lived in the county for more than 30 years and both of his children graduated from the county school system.
“I am very interested in the well-being of the citizens of Banks County,” he said. “I look forward to working for the people. I am dedicated to this county. I love this county.”
During his closing remarks, Maxwell said the number of vacant stores at Tanger Outlet Center is a concern for him.
“We've got stores that are vacant,” he said. “The infrastructure is there. We need to get t hose stores filled.”
During his opening remarks, Moon said the main issues facing the county are finances and making a “plan to get from A to Z.”
“The financial house is got to get in order,” he said. “We've got to spend money for things we need. We've got to quit spending money for things we want…We need to give incentives for people to save money in every department.”
During his closing remarks, Moon also spoke on the importance for having a plan in place.
“I want a plan,” he said. “I want a list and rank it…If we don't have a plan, we have planned to fail.”
Comments from Maxwell and Moon on other issues addressed during the meeting include the following:
MAXWELL
Public safety: “Public safety is one of the major, important areas in our county. I think we can work better with our fire service and our emergency medical service and give them what they need. Not what they want but what they need to make this county better to take care of the citizens. I know we have a lot of senior citizens who need service. We've got to be able to be available to them and to give them the necessities that they require.”
Conservation land use program and the 20-acre minimum guideline: “The conservation land use program is very essential to our county. It is very important for our farmers and our big land owners…It will help people farm and help them make a living.”
Should the comprehensive land use plan be published before it is approved: “I think that anything that has to do with our people, we need to let them know about it…We need to do everything we can to help them (farmers) to be aware of what is going on and to do the best they can do.”
Are meetings accessible to the public: “I think whatever is of public interest, the public should be invited. Everyone should be aware of what is going on.”
Improving public safety response time: “I think the main thing is sit down with the people in public service and find out what the concerns are and what we need to do…We need to be on the same path. Everyone needs to work together…We've got to many people going in different directions.”
MOON
Public safety: “I understand how important all three of those positions are..Knowledge of roads in the county is the number one key, as well as the competency to perform a task.”
Conservation land use program and the 20-acre guideline: “I'm against anything that would make it harder on those people (farmers). These people have got to be allowed to produce what they produce…It seems like to me this county has become not agriculture friendly.”
Should the comprehensive land use plan be published before it is approved: “It is the responsibility of the citizens to make the decisions. People only learn what they want to learn.”
Are BOE meetings accessible to the public: “It's accessible if the public is interested…I am against meetings held at 3:30 in the afternoon or 10 or 11 in the morning.”
Improving public safety response time: “You have to have a plan in place…If you don't practice, you are not ready. Be prepared and training is the only way you are going to be prepared.”
BOC, POST 3
In the Post 3 county board of commissioner race, candidates Sammy Reece and Keith Segars addressed the questions.
During his opening remarks, Segars said he has lived in the county most of his life, moving to Banks when he was 7-years-old.
“I've been involved in Banks County for many years,” he said. “I've served on the planning and zoning board, as well as many other boards, to try to make improvements to the county. We've made a little bit of progress but I feel we can make a lot more.”
Segars said one of his plans would be to bring in large events to the country recreation grounds to boost the tax base.
“Once they enjoy these events, they can eat in our restaurants and stay in our hotels,” he said.
During his closing remarks, Segars spoke on budget issues and increasing revenue.
“Every dollar we can bring in is a dollar you and I don't have to put in,” he said.
During Reece's opening comments, he said he has lived in the county 22 years and has served on the planning commission for nine years and the Farm Bureau for 12 years.
“We're here to voice your voice,” he said of the role of a commissioner. “…We've got to get industry into the county to help our tax base…The county needs to get moving on this.”
During his closing remarks, Reece spoke on the need to develop Martin Bridge Road.
“The main issue I want to address is Martin Bridge Road,” he said. “We need to get water there. We need to get sewer there. We need someone to head this up.”
Comments from Segars and Reece on other issues addressed during the meeting include the following:
SEGARS
Improving public safety response time: “I would meet with them and find out what some of the shortcomings are. Since I'm not in that arena, I don't know but I would like to meet with the people in charge of our safety and find out where they see our shortcomings are.”
Should the comprehensive land use plan be published before it is approved: “Absolutely, we all need to have input.”
Conservation land use program and the 20-acre guideline: “Since Banks County is a majority rural area and agriculture based, I do think this is adequate…We need a good balance between industry and agriculture and that is where our conservation land use plan comes in place.”
Are meetings accessible to the public: “For the most part, they are accessible to the public…We should record all the meetings and put them on the Internet for everyone to see.”
REECE
Improving public safety response time: “I will approach the department heads and see what they need…I will get in there and see what is going on…Saving time, saves lives.”
Should the comprehensive land use plan be published before it is approved: “Yes, it has to be presented at public hearings…It is very important for people to come out and look. I think everyone should be a part of it…There are still a lot of people who don't even know we have zoning.”
Conservation land use program and the 20-acre guideline: “I would like to see it go back to 10 acres. If you farm for a living, no matter what acreage you've got…you ought to be eligible.”
Are meetings accessible to the public: “I think all meetings should be held at the same time. I think they should all be at 7 p.m.”
BOE, POST 5
In the Post 5 board of education race, Jason Hensley and Shane Roberts qualified.
During his opening remarks, Hensley said he has lived in the county for 16 years and has two children in the school system.
“My reason for running for the board of education is because the future of Banks County lies in the school system. The kids are the future of this county. I've probably spent time with someone's kids out there coaching…I've spent seven years devoted to the kids of Banks County…I think the board of education ought to run the school system. I'm a firm believer in that.”
During his opening remarks, Roberts said he has lived in Banks County all of his life and graduated from the county school system and then went to college and moved back to the county. He has three children in the school system and his wife is a teacher in the county, as well as being a life-long resident of Banks.
Roberts said the reasons he is seeking office include: he has three children and he wants the best possible education for them, as well as all of the other children in the county; budget issues; and supporting teachers as they education children.
“I want to make sure every dollar is used as efficiently as possible,” he said.
Comments from Hensley and Roberts on other issues addressed during the meeting include the following:
HENSLEY
Safety of the schools: “Our schools are a safe place. I feel safe with my kids being at these schools. I feel safe for your kids being at these schools. I think we have a good safety plan in place. I will try my best to correct any problems as to the safety of the kids at those schools.”
Does the BOE make personnel decisions as a full board: “They make the decisions and three votes takes it…You have to have people in place who make decisions on what is best for that school and not certain folks. That is just the way it is.”
Recommendations for improving the professional development of staff: “Banks County school teachers, they've done a good job. To improve the professional development of the teacher, you have to further their education.”
Recommendations on changing policies: “On hiring coaches, it shouldn't be the responsibility of one man to hire four or five people. I don't agree with that. That's why you have a school board.”
Changes to make transition into ninth grade easier: “I don't know how y'all were taught but I was taught it all starts at home. That is the way I was raised…But you have got to have people that care enough about these kids that have a little common sense. You have got to have people who will take time with these kids.”
ROBERTS
Safety of the schools: “I do think the schools are safe. The school resource office is very important to the safety of the schools. With the fiscal year coming forward, we have one full time school resource officer…One thing we could do is work with the sheriff's office and try to get two full time school resource officers.”
Does the BOE make personnel decisions as a full board: “Everyone has their input but it takes a majority to pass.”
Recommendations for improving the professional development of staff: “Each teacher should share ideas and have access to sharing information.”
Recommendations on changing policies: “One thing we need to do is understand that every child is not the same….We need to talk to our legislators. They are cutting out a lot of the planning time and our teachers have less time to prepare for different children. Each child needs one on one time.”
Changes to make transition into ninth grade easier: “They need to start working on career paths…and see what route they want to go in…They need to spend more time in one-on-one with the students.”
SENATE RACE
In the State Senate District 50 race, Terry Rogers spoke on his background and some of the issues in the campaign. Incumbent Jim Butterworth was not at the forum.
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I never planned to vote for Segars especially after reading his question/answer section in the paper. When asked to tell about himself all he could do is brag about how smart he was, how he was only 19 working for Turner Broadcasting...ME, ME, ME...that's all he thinks about. Every other canidate talked about their raising, family, and concerns for our county! Lord, help those who vote for him today!
Come on Angela we have a right to know the truth? If there is dirty dealing going on tell us BEFORE the vote!