We need an outreach program that can assist these families, NOT give them a free pass. We could possibly look at helping build some more apartment buildings to alleviate some of the hardship so many people are having. There was an error processing your request. The new apartments that are planned to be built at the old Lowes Foods is a step in the right direction. Beth Sorrell: Affordable housing is a huge and growing issue here. The job of a county commissioner can be thankless work how do you feel about keeping a level head, handling dissenting views and managing/ resolving conflict?Jonathan Jordan: Well, in matter of fact, that is exactly what I spent eight years doing in Raleigh. I grew up in the Crumpler community of Ashe County. Having to make a choice between multiple worthy projects is one of the hardest parts of being a Commissioner. In 2000, I moved to Ashe County and fell in love with the people and the place. I had a coworker from Wilkes County that had gotten promoted and sent to the eastern part of the state that told me about Ashe County. person will not be tolerated. The taxpayer dollars are being spent, so be up front with the people who elect you to an office. As Commissioner, I will work to make Ashe County an even better place for everyone to live. bailey.little@ashepostandtimes.com. In my past, serving as a Untied States Marine for 27 years, I have always been held to account by my peers. We should continue to invest wisely in our local educational system, prioritizing programs that directly help our students learn and succeed in the classroom. I believe in the Constitution as written, as well a constitutional government. Jerry D. Powers: I was born in Ashe County, lived as a child in the Lansing/Helton area, graduated Northwest Ashe High School and have lived here more than 97 percent of my life. I will work toward making Ashe County a greener, healthier place to live for everyone. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. 5. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Dec. 15: Brian Pittman is 56. UT professor Mark Harmon, former county commissioner and congressional candidate, is 66. We won't share it with anyone else. Were already working in that direction. Government is for the people and by the people and everyone deserves to know what their elected officials are up to and how they are spending our tax dollars. As a candidate for commissioner of Ashe County, I feel that the lack of industry and higher paying jobs in Ashe County is our first problem. I am one who will always ask the hard question and be up front with those who want to do business in and with Ashe County. But, housing costs have raised 17.7% in Ashe over the last year. Steady employment and an opportunity to have a job to earn a decent living can set any person on the path to success. Changes often mean opportunities. Lets make sure that our broadband and other technical resources provide opportunities for residents to work at home with companies based in large cities. Russell Killen: My role, as any of the commissioners should be, is to serve the citizens of Ashe County as a whole and not for my benefit. If someone offered a project proposal to the board of commissioners, how would you evaluate whether the project was worth funding? We must continue to be progressive while providing services to our citizens without increasing taxes. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. I would encourage individuals to look at the employment field that is available as a career and not just as a job. We are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I am not one for spending taxpayer dollars on something that never becomes reality. We have three children, one grandchild, and eight ninths of another grandchild on the way. I may have helped you or your family purchase or sell a house or property. I just hope that at the end of my term I can proudly say I served the citizens of Ashe County to the best of my ability and go to sleep at night knowing I did my best. Primarily, we need to train our youth for the workforce. County Commission candidate Christine Cruz is 54. Elected Officials City of Adamsville City of Crump Town of Saltillo City of Savannah City of Milledgeville hardin.commission@tn.gov MON, TUE, THUR, FRI - 8:00AM - 4:00PM WED- 8:00AM-12PM CLOSED 12:00PM - 1:00PM FOR LUNCH Rentals here in the county are rare. We are required to keep a certain savings level by state law, which my experience in Raleigh demonstrated to be a wise policy choice. Economic development includes any initiatives that improve infrastructure, enhance our education system, better our public safety, improve parks, and foster ways that incentivize and attract new businesses and jobs. Made in the USA means we need good paying manufacturing jobs here is Ashe County. or anything. Four years ago I was proud to raise my hand in support of the Wilkes Community College expansion project. Were also looking at doing the same type of program for EMS in the fall of 2023. WebFor Candidates For Candidates Running for Office Filing for Candidacy Terms of Office Candidate Challenges Withdrawal of Candidacy Petitions Results & Data Results & Data Election Results Voting Maps/Redistricting Candidate Lists Voter Turnout Absentee & Provisional Data Voter Registration Data Voter History Data Polling Place Data Campaign I feel that my dealing with the public for over 40 years and being a lifelong resident of the county helps me to qualify for this position. As of 2021 the median household income was $43,962 and per capita income was $25,282. Ive also learned about the many programs and grants available to communities like ours that we can utilize to develop more affordable housing options for our residents. Discover More I will try to understand all sides of the issue and learn as much as possible to make a decision that is best for the future of Ashe County. I was honored to represent our county in Raleigh for 8 years in the state House of Representatives. After graduation, I enlisted in and served 27 years in the United States Marine Corps from 10/28/1985 until my retirement on 10/31/2012. We need a program that makes parents responsible for the development of their children. I graduated from Ashe Central High School in 1979 and Mendenhall School of Auctioneering in 1987. I am currently advocating for and will vote in support of adding a fourth ambulance to serve Ashe County. We need to start planning now to accommodate this demand. Jim Cain: As I have done for quite a few years, I would lead or actively participate in discussions, planning opportunities and areas such as Change Management. I may have helped you or your family draw up your wills or business contracts. 8. Vote for ONE. If it is something that needs to be corrected or clarified, I would certainly do that. Veterans and senior citizens are a group often overlooked. If elected, what are you hoping the Ashe County Board of Commissioners will achieve by the end of your term?Jonathan Jordan: Should I be elected to serve on the Ashe County Board of Commissioners, it would be my hope to end that term as a good steward with the county continuing to remain on a sound financial footing, with strong financial reserves, a low tax rate for our citizens, and continued economic opportunity and progress. William Sands: I grew up in nearby Surry County, purchased property in Ashe 37 years ago and have lived here over 26 years. 2. I also believe with criticism comes the opportunity to improve upon myself. We are always being presented with opportunities to fund a wide variety of great programs and ideas. During my career, I was often tasked with defining community problems and their root cause. Throughout my career, I have served in various capacities of leadership in local and state positions. We should also continue to invest in our local healthcare, as I believe one critical service and need our rural area has is to keep a local healthcare provider. The school board represents the communitys voice in public education and sets the standard for achievement in the school district. Again, elected officials work for the people, to serve at the will of the people and that is certainly what I intend to do as one of your five County Commissioners, if elected. Any department responsible for delivering these services and are lacking in any respect that is below par should be given first consideration for any increase in budget allocations, if needed, and not due to poor performance, lack of personnel due to unfilled positions or equipment needs. Let me help you make improvements in Ashe County. In the time that I have served on the Board of Commissioners we have made great efforts to be accessible and open to everyone in Ashe County. But most importantly, lending support to ensure we are producing a quality, well-educated student upon graduation is first on any strategic plan. Another huge attribute is fiber optic service to our county. Jerry Powers: With opportunity comes responsibilities, education, police protection, regulation that fosters a better community while not putting undue restrictions on those who are trying to build a better Ashe County. I can take constructive criticism but will not accept disrespect or hatefulness. Ashe County needs a vision an overarching plan developed with input from all stakeholders that would guide future projects. I think each project should be researched completely looking at whether the return to Ashe County residents is worth the amount of money we would need to invest in the project. 1. What is the biggest challenge facing Ashe County Schools and how will you work with the school board to address it? How would you handle that? Some of the best carpenters, mechanics, welders and plumbers to name a few careers, came from my peers in our school system from my days in the Ashe County School System. Were working with the Sheriffs Department to ensure that they have the equipment and manpower they need to provide the service that people expect. 1. What qualifications make yo Of course, everyone thinks their project is the best one. 4. The county population is 26,577, according to the United States Census Bureau. Error! So far, our county if doing well financially federal and state money have assisted us in dealing with COVID-19 and our county tax revenue has increased at a faster rate than previous years. I believe the best way for county government to tackle this challenge is to be attractive to new and expanding employers that pay good wages. Tell us a little about yourself and why you want to be an Ashe County Commissioner. I would try to be understanding if they are in disagreement and would like for them to be clear with me what they do not like about the action that was or will be taken. We also need to consider the long-term impact and try to make informed decisions that will improve the quality of life for more people. I then spent the next 14 years as a Department of the Army Civilian Intelligence Specialist handling Human Intelligence operations as a member of a highly classified intelligence program buried in the bowels of the Army, designed for continuity of human Intelligence operations overseas. If elected by the Ashe County voters, I plan to continue my record of Promises Made, Promises Kept, in local government as I did in the State House. Next, what would be involved to see this project to completion? Has this project been proposed in other locations and what was its success? I obtained a BS degree in Business Management from the University of Alabama and retired as Manager of Energy Control with Duke Power Company. Jim Cain: I dont like to brag but while I worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, I was, as one of my duties, the Chief Financial Officer for the BIA, managing all aspects of Finance for a $3.5 Billion a year budget for 623 tribes with requirements decided at seven regional budget meetings a year. I know our county, our people and their needs. As long as you make the best decisions and you can go to sleep at night feeling you did your best for the county, that is all that can be expected from anyone. Active I do think it would be wise to investigate some economic development projects that promise to promote the general welfare, if we have additional discretionary funds to do so. 5. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. Not to mention years as an attorney and counselor at law, working to resolve various disputes, complete real estate closings, handle family estate matters, and represent accused persons as a court-appointed lawyer. Commissioner candidates share their thoughts on numerous topics ahead of 2022 election season. While there, we built up several good-sized rainy day funds that have been critical in this pandemic. Our biggest problem for Ashe County Schools is that the Ashe County taxpayer has been on the hook in the past for $1.6 million dollars for blueprints for the middle school that never came to fruition. I think the biggest challenge is how to keep employees in Ashe County Schools. 8. My name is Chuck Olive and Im a sitting member of the Ashe County Board of Commissioners at this time. 4. General election for Ashe County Board of Commissioners (3 seats) Beth Sorrell, Mike Eldreth, Todd A. McNeill, and Chuck Olive ran in the general election for Ashe This will certainly be something I will push for if elected as Commissioner for Ashe County. I came home and earned an MA in Public Health Education. I enjoy helping people and have a genuine belief that Ashe County is the best place on earth, which is what led me to this job in the beginning! We'd love to hear eyewitness Ive also been talking to Ashe Memorial administration to establish a clinic on site like the one in Fleetwood that will give medical access to people on that side of the county instead of traveling all the way to Jefferson or West Jefferson. Not everyone can go to college and not everyone can qualify or make it in the Military. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. William Sands: I have been commissioner for 10 years and served two years as Chairman. Uneven distribution of healthcare to County residents. GE, AEV, United Chemi-con and Leviton are the heavy hitters as far as employment goes here in Ashe. It would be tough to say on this without reviewing the budget, but I feel that there are needs in helping with the Veterans programs and the childrens programs. Transparency is a basic component of a local government and allows for the citizens to know about the activities, decisions, conducting public business, and allocation of taxpayers dollars. I know we need a safe county, and there I support back the blue. Also, when we think along those lines we need never forget our fire and rescue squads. (See Attachment). Upon completion we will have shovel ready sites to offer new or expanding businesses. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. WebCommissioners Meet Your Commissioners Our Commissioners are Chairman Todd McNeill, Vice Chair William Sands, Mike Eldreth, Jerry Powers, and Chuck Olive. We have to be the face of the county to make sure our needs are considered. Our county government should continue in making every effort to see this happen. During that time I spent two more years in Vietnam (1973-1975), two more years in Bangkok, Thailand, a year in German language school and then 10 consecutive years in Germany. Don't Threaten. As we all know our children are our future, these programs must receive any help we can give. I have been a licensed insurance agent since 1980 and enjoyed working with people and getting to know them and serving them.
