Frank Clark
Frank Clark, BOC district 4 candidate
Post seeking: Commission District 4
Career/occupation:
Retired
Describe your background:
For 25 years I worked at Gwinnett County overseeing the road construction involving the Sales Tax Program and successfully initiated the startup of Gwinnett County Transit. My final assignment was liaison between the County and the homeowner to resolve issues with drainage, road and contractor concerns. I have a bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree and have a design company, which has been in Winder for over 10 years.
•Given the current economic difficulties, what would you propose trimming from the budget and why?
I have several valid ideas without actually disregarding Barrow County public’s health, safety and welfare. But only when the proposed fiscal budget is presented and I had a chance to talk with department heads, can I make an educated determination about what services or departments would be considered for modification.
•What are the three biggest issues that Barrow County must address over the next five years?
TAXES: “But in this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin
I have never met anyone who liked paying taxes. Raising taxes isn’t always the answer; we need to run this County like a business. No millage rate or property tax increases are necessary as long as the County has a realistic budget.
BIG GOVERNMENT: Listening to the concerns of the taxpayers is the most important commodity to government. An inflated government is quite often the cause of many problems. Barrow County’s biggest current problem is the lack of communication and lack of team spirit among some of our current Commissioners. One on one meeting regarding the concerns of taxpayers needs to be met. A BIG government bureaucracy will become so large that the taxpayer becomes lost and disillusioned with our government. As Commissioner, I will meet and listen to all citizens of District 4 where ever the problem may be and get a first hand look at what the issues are and how to resolve to the taxpayer satisfaction, whether through County involvement or offering assistance so that they can resolve it theirselves.
FRUGAL SPENDING: We all enjoy buying items to better our lives: in today’s economy we need to concentrate on our true needs: not our wants. The fact is, Barrow County government should strive to never go over our budget or go into debt. Barrow County should start living by example and be realistic in the way money is being spent. When elected, I have realistic ideas about how we can reduce costs without cutting services to our citizens. We need to start running this County like a business and stop spending money we do not have!
•What new services, if any, do you propose if elected to office? How do you propose to pay for this service?
In today’s economy, we need to maintain and upgrade the needed services and facilities we already have before we consider any additional services that would be a burden to the taxpayers.
•Do you support hiring a county administrator to manage the day to day operations of county government? Why or why not?
The people of our County elect the Commissioners to manage the County, not hire a manager. If any Commissioner feels that he/she hasn’t the time or capability to do so, I feel he/she should step aside and allow someone who is willing and capable to take that seat. The Barrow County Charter plainly describes the duties of the Commissioners. The Commissioners establish policy; the Chairman is to carry out the Board’s rulings, and oversee the day-to-day operations of the County. Only if the need arises for a major change to our Charter, then it should be placed on a ballot for the voters to decide.
Retired
Describe your background:
For 25 years I worked at Gwinnett County overseeing the road construction involving the Sales Tax Program and successfully initiated the startup of Gwinnett County Transit. My final assignment was liaison between the County and the homeowner to resolve issues with drainage, road and contractor concerns. I have a bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree and have a design company, which has been in Winder for over 10 years.
•Given the current economic difficulties, what would you propose trimming from the budget and why?
I have several valid ideas without actually disregarding Barrow County public’s health, safety and welfare. But only when the proposed fiscal budget is presented and I had a chance to talk with department heads, can I make an educated determination about what services or departments would be considered for modification.
•What are the three biggest issues that Barrow County must address over the next five years?
TAXES: “But in this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin
I have never met anyone who liked paying taxes. Raising taxes isn’t always the answer; we need to run this County like a business. No millage rate or property tax increases are necessary as long as the County has a realistic budget.
BIG GOVERNMENT: Listening to the concerns of the taxpayers is the most important commodity to government. An inflated government is quite often the cause of many problems. Barrow County’s biggest current problem is the lack of communication and lack of team spirit among some of our current Commissioners. One on one meeting regarding the concerns of taxpayers needs to be met. A BIG government bureaucracy will become so large that the taxpayer becomes lost and disillusioned with our government. As Commissioner, I will meet and listen to all citizens of District 4 where ever the problem may be and get a first hand look at what the issues are and how to resolve to the taxpayer satisfaction, whether through County involvement or offering assistance so that they can resolve it theirselves.
FRUGAL SPENDING: We all enjoy buying items to better our lives: in today’s economy we need to concentrate on our true needs: not our wants. The fact is, Barrow County government should strive to never go over our budget or go into debt. Barrow County should start living by example and be realistic in the way money is being spent. When elected, I have realistic ideas about how we can reduce costs without cutting services to our citizens. We need to start running this County like a business and stop spending money we do not have!
•What new services, if any, do you propose if elected to office? How do you propose to pay for this service?
In today’s economy, we need to maintain and upgrade the needed services and facilities we already have before we consider any additional services that would be a burden to the taxpayers.
•Do you support hiring a county administrator to manage the day to day operations of county government? Why or why not?
The people of our County elect the Commissioners to manage the County, not hire a manager. If any Commissioner feels that he/she hasn’t the time or capability to do so, I feel he/she should step aside and allow someone who is willing and capable to take that seat. The Barrow County Charter plainly describes the duties of the Commissioners. The Commissioners establish policy; the Chairman is to carry out the Board’s rulings, and oversee the day-to-day operations of the County. Only if the need arises for a major change to our Charter, then it should be placed on a ballot for the voters to decide.
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