As with the candidates for the chairman’s race, the commission candidates cited balanced growth as a major issue for Barrow County.
Each candidate was asked how their district could contribute to economic development in Barrow County.
District 3 republican candidate Tom Williamson said he would accommodate new jobs and industry by providing adequate services and infrastructure.
“New development will bring significant new revenue,” he said, while emphasizing the need to promote existing businesses. Williamson said he sees industrial growth as contributing to economic stability.
Fellow district 3 republican candidate Steve Worley said the county must have “smart growth.”
“We need a lot more industry,” he said. “More industry and more commercial helps the tax base. Unless the citizens of this county want to pay higher taxes, we need to get the industry in here.”
Incumbent democratic candidate Bill Healan also said he favored non-residential growth.
“We have to have non-residential growth if we are going to grow in a balanced manner,” he said.
Healan said district 2 has a great deal of area left to be developed.
District 2 commission candidates Bill Brown and Eva Elder, both republicans, said the airport has a role to play in the future of Barrow County economic development.
Elder said the airport is a great asset that should be maintained, not enlarged.
“I am not for an airport expansion, but I do feel like the airport can be an asset. We need all the extra tax base we can come up with,” she said.
Brown said the airport has the potential to bring quality jobs to the county. Brown also said the Bethlehem area is ripe for economic development thanks to upcoming sewer improvements and continuing infrastructure upgrades.
“By continuing to enhance the infrastructure, improving the ordinances and working with municipal leaders, we will improve the economic viability of your district 2 area,” he said.
Brown and Elder were also asked how the county should use the Segar property. Both candidates said the property could be used for a future reservoir. Brown added that the property will assist in economic development around the airport and could be used for recreational activities.
District 1 candidates Jerry Lampp and Larry Joe Wilburn, also both republicans, said their district has the features needed to attract economic development.
The district has sewer, water and land already identified for commercial and industrial growth, Lampp said.
By cooperating with municipalities such as Statham to provide services, Barrow County can provide services to any industry which chooses to locate in Barrow County.
“When it comes to economic development, we’ve got it,” Lampp said.
Wilburn said commercial and industrial development is needed so that Barrow County can continue to grow with a good tax base. He said Hwy. 316 provides a large area for development and good transportation system.
Wilburn emphasized that it is important to develop the infrastructure ahead of any growth.
“We need to manage growth so we do not overtax our infrastructure and jeopardize our reasonable tax base,” he said.
The Republican candidates will participate in the June 26 and July 7 Barrow County Republican Party candidate forums. The June 26 forum will be held at Statham Elementary School. The July 7 forum is scheduled for Bramlett Elementary School. Both forums begin at 7 p.m.
The district 2 and district 1 commission races will be decided July 15. The winner of the district 3 primary election will face incumbent Bill Healan in November.
