by Prissi Sullivan

          The Carroll County League of Women Voters hosted a forum for the candidates for the District 5 commission seat at the County Annex on June 11, 2019. All four candidates—Carl Lloyd, Jr., Ronnie Pate, Ernest “Ernie” Reynolds, and Jay Williford—participated. Approximately, 50 citizens attended the event.

          All four candidates thanked the CCLWV and those in attendance in their opening remarks. Pate, former Whitesburg mayor, is retired and owns a stewardship farm of 120 acres. Reynolds served 34 years in the state auditor’s office and is a licensed nurse and EMT. Williford was a county fire fighter for 18 years and retired 9 months ago. During his tenure, he was fire marshal and served on the Whitesburg city council for 10 years. Lloyd is retired from 30 plus years with Carroll County, 18 of which he was maintenance coordinator over roads.

          Each candidate, if elected, has their own set of priorities. Reynolds wants to address the “bleed” in public safety employees. “Middle management is leaving,” he claimed. “Carroll County spends $15,000 a square mile on safety, while surrounding counties spend “31,000 per square mile.”

          Williford is concerned about the two unmanned fire stations in District 5. He feels higher wages and better benefit packages should be phased in.

          Lloyd agreed that losing employees is an issue but cited the desire of the residents of District 5 to keep the area rural.

          “It’s a job seekers market,” stated Pate. “It’s difficult to stabilize employees in that environment.” He would like to review salaries and benefits.

          The candidates were asked their view on ½ acre lots and maintaining the rural aspect of the county.

          Williford wants to maintain as much farmland as possible and refers to the Comprehensive Plan.

          Lloyd states that he lives on ½ acre lot and it’s enough for him.

          Pate feels that centralized waste disposal and septic systems are not always good on ½ acre.

          Reynolds doesn’t want to jeopardize the beef and poultry businesses, which is a $40 million a year business. He also referenced the Comprehensive Plan.

          Each candidate offered an opinion on lowering the 4-acre minimum for lots. Pate was not “up to speed” on it but declared that he was willing to discuss any issue.

          Reynolds loves agriculture, but not over-regulation. “The 4-acre minimum limits the ability to enlarge farms, but a variance can be obtained,” he stated.

          Williford feels all land and zoning issues should be dealt with on a case by case basis, while Lloyd reiterated the ability to obtain a variance. He likes the 4-acre minimum as is.

          As for environmental issues, Pate and Williford are concerned about runoff and silt control. Pate feels woodlands, water, and wildlife should be protected. He also pointed out that Comprehensive Plans are non-binding. Williford is concerned about the Chattahoochee River Basin and keeping that water clean.

          Lloyd wants clean water but doesn’t want over-regulation.

          Reynolds stated that several citizens had told him about squatters in the county and their lack of hygienic facilities. He suggested investigation into this.

          The growth of Whitesburg has been brought up. “This is the only area of Carroll County with negative growth (decline),” stated Reynolds. He thinks Whitesburg needs sensible, managed growth with the development of small businesses.

          Williford sees a need for a marketing program to showcase what is there—Banning Mills, MacIntosh Reserve, etc., but he doesn’t think the citizens really want growth.

          Lloyd would like to see more eating facilities and tourism.

          Pate chaired a steering committee on the Comprehensive Plan. “A wastewater treatment facility is needed for more growth,” he explained. “The city needs to consider annexation and offering more services.”

          There has been a big brouhaha concerning the distribution of funds to the libraries in the county. The county issued a $250,000 supplement to the West Georgia Regional Library System, which had devised a formula for distribution. Carrollton and Villa Rica libraries received 80% of the funds, while the remaining funds are split between Temple, Mt. Zion, Whitesburg, and Bowdon.

          Williford feels the formula is fair and unfair. “Mediation is needed,” he said. “The commission may have to dictate where the money goes.”

“Libraries are important; more funding is needed,” stated Lloyd. Pate, who has served on the library systems and is a lifelong member of Friends of the Library, feels that libraries enrich the lives of many people. “They get money from other sources besides the county,” he pointed out.

“The library is not just a place to read books,” stated Reynolds. “There may be a low number of residents within the city limits, but a lot of people outside the city use the library.”

Operation of the animal shelter is another concern of citizens. Lloyd supports the movement toward a “no kill” facility. Pate hasn’t visited the shelter but is in favor of protecting the animals. “We need to stop tethering and chaining animals outside and stop euthanizing them,” he said. Reynolds hasn’t visited the facility but intends to. He feels the animal population needs to be controlled. Williford is an animal-lover and has visited the shelter. “We need to do what we can,” he said.

Georgia Power Company Plant Yates began the dewatering of toxic coal ash ponds at Plant Yates near Newnan in mid-May. Environmental groups had been critical of Georgia Power’s method of disposal, and called for Georgia Power to remove the contents of the coal ash ponds to lined landfills away from bodies of water. Citizens are concerned about the handling of the toxin.

Pate stated that all actions by Plant Yates have been approved by the EPA, while Reynolds feels the county needs to protect its citizens. Williford thinks questionable actions were done by sub-contractors, “who skirt the rules,” and not by Georgia Power. Lloyd believes Georgia Power is doing as well as they can.

Should the T-SPLOST (transportation special local option sales tax) be brought to the voters again? Reynolds, Williford, and Pate clearly stated, “No.” “Any further action should be initiated by the citizens,” declared Pate. Lloyd stated that a SPLOST was the fairest tax and that the state just tacked on more gas tax to make up for the failure of T-SPLOST. “When the current county SPLOST runs out, we may be in trouble,” he stated.

Candidates had differing viewpoints on the county’s $53 million budget. Williford thinks manning fire station should come before adding the Marketing position. Lloyd thinks things could be changed around. He also feels fire stations is more important that communications. Pate is fiscally conservative and states that after the election, the budget will need to be modified and passed in short order. Reynolds is familiar with quick reads of budgets but is not in favor of hiring a communications director.

Tourism and recreation are concerns for District 5. Lloyd cited MacIntosh Reserve as a destination. Pate would like to promote the parks already in District 5. Reynolds wants to advertise at the state level. Williford would like to encourage use of the river areas along with the historic aspect of the parks. He would also like to see some areas designated for shooting.

In closing, Lloyd referenced his knowledge of roads and how to get things done in the county. Williford knows county operations and can “hit the ground running.” Reynolds promised to do his best for the voters. “It’s not about me winning, but the citizens winning,” he said. He knows farming and agriculture, along with government operations. Pate is experienced in the business world, the financial world, and the governmental world. He is also a veteran.

The election is Tuesday, June 18.