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| Sammie Jacobs |
By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer
Bringing the board together and making use of individuals’ skills top the list of Sammie Jacobs’ things to do in his role as chairman of the Columbus County Board of Commissioners. Jacobs was elected chairman last Monday night in a 5-2 vote of the board.
“Mr. (Kip) Godwin did a great job,” Jacobs said of the former chairman Wednesday. “It will be hard to follow in his footsteps.
“I’m looking forward to working with Mr. (Ricky) Bullard and Mr. (Ronald) Gore and taking advantage of their skills of budgeting and building,” Jacobs said of the new commissioners who opposed Jacobs becoming chairman. Both voted for Commissioner James Prevatte, who lost his bid for chairman.
Jacobs said the board can agree to disagree but he wants to see a close, cohesive board that works together. “(We) can work it out with a good attitude,” Jacobs said. “I hope I have the skill to bring people together and take advantage of individual skills.”
He will likely make appointments to the sub-committees of the board at the first meeting in January, he said. The finance committee and personnel committees are typically made up of three commissioners who make recommendations to the board.
Keeping true to the Board’s promise of putting together a committee to investigate the feasibility of a new Department of Aging building is also on Jacobs’ agenda. “Our seniors are very important,” he said.
Jacobs said he would like to help improve emergency services and response teams. “(They) worked great over the recent disaster, both the volunteer departments and paid staff,” Jacobs said, pointing out they need to be prepared for future disasters.
He said he looks forward to completion of the jail and wants to help reduce crime by “working hand in hand” with the sheriff (Chris Batten). “It’s a pleasure to work with him,” Jacobs said.
“(I want) to let all of our county employees know we do appreciate them,” Jacobs said. “(We need) to look out for their pay –keeping it in line; show we care and want to keep workers with us.”
Jacobs said he would like to see the Economic Development office improved. “There is a big effort to do what we can to help the economy grow,” he said.
When asked about what plans he had for a number of ordinances not yet adopted, such as the subdivision ordinance, Jacobs said it needed to be completed. “We need it to protect the public and for the future.”
As for his leadership style, Jacobs said: “I feel like I’m a laid back person.
“I understood years ago that government moves very slow; you need to be laid back, see what each person thinks, be open minded and listen.”
Jacobs owns and operates a truck brokerage firm and has been in the business for 30 years. He resides in the Buckhead community with his wife, Jean. The couple has two adult children, a daughter Joy, and a son, Sandon, and three grandchildren.