The following is a Question-and-Answer column with the candidates who are running for the office of Jones County supervisor. A Q&A form was sent to each of the candidates, but a few did not respond, some of which included the independent candidates who will not appear on the ballot until November.
Sitting supervisors Danny Roy Spradley (Beat 2) and Jerome Wyatt (Beat 5) both made decisions to not seek reelection this year.
Five questions were sent to each supervisor candidate. Their responses will appear by Beat (1-5) and by the order the candidates appeared on the 2019 Qualifying Candidates list obtained from the Jones County Circuit Clerk’s Office. The updated list from the Circuit Clerk’s Office reveals that Gary D. Blackledge (Beat 2) and George Clark (Beat 5) withdrew from their respective supervisor races. The responses from each candidate was limited, due to space constraints in the paper.
From Beat 4, incumbent David Scruggs (R) and Michael James (I) chose to not participate in this voter forum.
Please remember to vote on Tuesday, August 6, and then remember to vote again on Tuesday, August 27, if there are any run-offs in Jones County.
Beat 4
Question 1: “Why are you running for the office of supervisor in Jones County?”
*Bobby D. Barber (I) response: The reason I’m running for office is quite simple. I as a taxpayer have grown sick and tired of failed promises; we are promised that they will fix our roads and bridges and it somehow never happens. As a contractor and watching the people in supervisor positions, it’s apparent that they have little to no experience and cannot fulfill the promises made. I have over 30 years in construction and intend to put that knowledge to work for my community! I also have supervised large construction projects and have successfully owned and operated my own business for the last 25-plus years.
*Andy Dial (R) response: I think we have lost ground in Beat 4. We need a supervisor who is a proven leader and who is willing to take questions from citizens and return phone calls. We need a leader who will let the people know what is going on in Beat 4 and Jones County and who will keep the public updated on problems that are on-going.
Question 2: “If elected what will be your first priority for the voters of Jones County?”
*Bobby D. Barber (I) response: I will interview each employee at the county barn and ensure we have the quality personnel to repair our bridges and roads. I also intend to find out why we have a sheriff that tells us that we need to hire deputies to protect our businesses after hours when we have in fact done so by electing him as sheriff. I am of the opinion that we do not need our sheriff running a private business and having his own magazine advertising him, his private business and the sheriff’s office. I intend to put a stop to it. These are tax dollars being misused for personal gain!
*Andy Dial (R) response: My first action will be to look at all areas to see where we can save money, be more efficient, and prioritize issues. Also, I will work with all department heads to see what we can do to improve productivity in Beat 4 and Jones County. I will work with other supervisors for the betterment of all of our citizens.
Question 3: “Do you think the road and bridge issue in Jones County has been handled as well as possible by the current Board of Supervisors? Why or why not?”
*Bobby D. Barber (I) response: No, the road and bridge problem has not been handled at all! When we have bridges that have been on the repair list for 13 years, it is due to one of three reasons: one, they simply don’t give a d--n; two, they don’t know how to fix them; or, three, they believe that if they wait long enough we will have a major environmental issue like Katrina and the federal government will take care of the problem. We need persons with knowledge, skills and willingness to take on the challenge. We’re tired of the B.S. and want the problems fixed. I’m the man that can!
*Andy Dial (R) response: I think some have done better than others. The bridge issue requires working with the state. Beat 4 is far behind. I have driven the roads in our beat. The roads are bad. A few roads have been resurfaced. The surface of a road will only be as good as the foundation preparation that is under it. Improper preparation causes a road with new surfacing to be very rough from the outset. The road will prematurely fail in the long run, which will require more tax dollars to be spent.
Question 4: “If the next elected sheriff of Jones County asks for an increase in his budget to help protect the citizens of Jones County, how will you handle that request if you are elected supervisor?”
*Bobby D. Barber (I) response: First, I am against any more taxes for any reason, and unless the community can support a tax increase, then, no, I will not under any circumstances support a tax raise. We’re taxed too much for our superstars as it is! Let’s cut out the publicity, magazine, the haul business association, and then we can go to the voters and let them decide. If you’re running for sheriff, you need to tell us (the taxpayers and the supervisors) how you’re going to make your current budget work. If you can’t we need to look for someone that will!
*Andy Dial (R) response: I do not support an increase for the Sheriff s Department budget. It would be illegal to raise taxes that high. It is illegal to raise taxes over 3.5 mills. There is a state law that limits how much the millage rate may be raised. Taxpayers would have to vote and pass a referendum. Then the millage rate would have to be changed in Jackson by the Legislature. I know that every department needs more money, but the state law limits the millage rate, and supervisors cannot make that change. Some millage has to be spent on what it was collected for. There is only a portion that the supervisors can move, but it would shut down other departments.
Question 5: “The current Jones County budget exceeds $46 million. Do you think there are ways to reduce the budget? If yes, how would you reduce the budget?”
*Bobby D. Barber (I) response: Yes, I believe we can Although without time to properly inspect every area of expense no one can say, but we have areas that stand out. I hear over and over that you don’t need experience to be a supervisor. Anyone dumb enough to believe that is one of the reasons things in Jones County are in such a mess. We can cut the budget by electing qualified officials experienced in the areas of the office they are in! We can cut the budget by enforcing policy and holding each office accountable. We can start hiring experienced personnel and cross-training employees to do more.
*Andy Dial (R) response: I do not. I think we need to control future spending where we can. I know the cost of operating the county is like your home – everything is going up. Some costs are beyond our control – insurance, fuel, supplies, and maintenance of county buildings, health insurance, workers comp, cars, trucks, and road maintenance (roads are only about 7% of the total budget). Maintenance should be performed in a timely manner to protect and preserve our physical assets. If we neglect to maintain these assets, it will cost all of us much more in the future.