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.
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 1
Question 1: “Why are you running for the office of supervisor in Jones County?”
*Johnny Burnett (R - Incumbent) response: “Here at Beat 1 we have initiated in my term many new services: limb and debris pickup, ditch and drainage assistance, and many other projects. Some of these services require a little more attention and adjusting, and I would like to complete these projects in my next and final term.
*Richard Baker (R) response: I want to be a help to citizens of Beat 1. I also want to be available and accountable to the citizens.
*Harlon Mathews (R) response: To serve the citizens of Jones County as a whole with specific emphasis on the residents of Beat 1 by providing financial management and fiscal accountability to the position of Beat 1 supervisor.
*Toby Herrington (R) response: I have lived in Beat 1 of Jones County my entire life and have been involved with its people in many different ways. I would like the opportunity to give back to the county for what it has provided for me and my family.
Question 2: “If elected what will be your first priority for the voters of Jones County?”
*Johnny Burnett (R - Incumbent) response: My first priority would be, as it has always been, to give to the people of Beat 1 all the services that my budget will allow. We at Beat 1 are the only beat and supervisor that has always been within our budget. This is our strict rule and promise.
*Richard Baker (R) response: I want to find out why the bridges were closed and help settle this feud between the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Department.
*Harlon Mathews (R) response: The first priority for me will be to open up a line of communication between the office of supervisor and the taxpayers that provide the revenue to support our county. Communication will also be important between the divisions of government. This will be essential to a more efficient and proficient management of our beat.
*Toby Herrington (R) response: My first priority would be to visit and evaluate every office supported by the taxpayers and determine what can be done to lower our budget. I would like to return the office of supervisor to its responsibilities to the people of Jones County, prioritizing them and appropriating tax dollars accordingly.
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?”
*Johnny Burnett (R - Incumbent) response: When the state mandated the immediate closure of these bridges, it caught us by surprise. It was difficult to react to such immediate action, as monies had already been allocated to all departments. It was a struggle to sort it out and get it done, and some mistakes were made in the process. This was a learning experience, and the lesson from this experience is that we should plan better for these unforeseen crises. I did and I will.
*Richard Baker (R) response: No, I do not believe it was handled well. My reasoning on this is those were state aid roads with state funding for upkeep. They are annually inspected, why did they get closed? No one will answer that question.
*Harlon Mathews (R) response: No, the management of our roads and bridges is the primary responsibility of the Board of Supervisors. The problems have been present for several years and were not addressed until MDOT intervened and closed the bridges. These issues are a direct reflection of mismanagement of resources that are at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors.
*Toby Herrington (R) response: I think that there were mistakes made along the way. I believe in involving the right people the first time to make sure things like this are done correctly. This work is too expensive to have to be done twice. We have learned from these mistakes and will move forward from here.
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?”
*Johnny Burnett (R - Incumbent) response: We certainly want to give as good a budget as possible to the Sheriff’s Department, but it must be a reasonable request; and if it is reasonable, we will do everything in our power to approve it.
*Richard Baker (R) response: I believe the Board of Supervisors should support the Sheriff’s Department; don’t be yes men to the sheriff but have a mutual agreement and understanding on his budget.
*Harlon Mathews (R) response: First, an audit of the Sheriff’s Department should be performed to determine the assets and liabilities of the department. After completion the budget should be re-addressed and a compromise should be reached between the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Department in a professional and amicable way that provides the optimal protection for the citizens of Jones County.
*Toby Herrington (R) response: I would let him explain to the supervisors and the people of Jones County why he wants a budget increase. We could then determine if there were adequate funds to support that increase without raising taxes. Then I would find out what the people of Jones County in Beat 1 wanted and cast my vote accordingly.
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?”
*Johnny Burnett (R - Incumbent) response: We always review budgets, and we always try very hard to eliminate any unnecessary spending and look for waste and fraud. As we find these items, we take those monies and allocate additional funds to departments that have additional needs.
*Richard Baker (R) response: There are ways of cutting the budget, and one way I see to help is the purchasing of new equipment. There is going to be new equipment bought. I believe it doesn’t have to be as often as it has been. There is also equipment that some beats have that is never used. I believe some equipment could be shared to cut cost.
*Harlon Mathews (R) response: Yes. First an audit of the county expenditures and revenue will need to be performed, and afterwards a list of the top ten expenditures needs to be reviewed to start potential cost cuts in the budget. Revenue sources should be evaluated and any outstanding collectibles (i.e. taxes, garbage collection fees, etc.) should be expeditiously pursued in order to increase revenue. A promise of a tax cut is not feasible until a corrected budget and responsible financial management can be put in place.
*Toby Herrington (R) response: To reduce the budget, we need to stop wasteful spending and reduce inventory of county equipment by determining what is feasible to own. I would also evaluate ways to get more from our tax dollars. I would always make sure that every bid accepted was the best for the dollar regardless of who or where it came from.
The following candidates in Beat 1 chose to not respond: Barry Dunagin (R), Bobby Brady Jr. (I), and Don M. Williams (R).