By NICOLE CARTRETTE
It’s the most highly contested of three races in the upcoming county commissioner elections.
Candidates Ronald Gene Gore and Oris “Sammy” Hinson are campaigning for the District 7 seat now held by Commissioner David Dutton.
Gore defeated Dutton in the Democrat primary, but his biggest challenge comes in November when he and opponent Hinson’s campaigns come to a head at the polls.
Chairman Kip Godwin, who is not running for re-election, leaves Democrat Ricky Bullard and Independent Howell Strickland to battle it out for the District 6 seat. Incumbent Amon McKenzie faces Republican challenger Randall Adams in the ____ District.
The News Reporter asked all commission candidates to respond to a questionnaire in order to illicit their views on many current issues concerning Columbus County government and to provide readers with more information about the candidates. Gore and Hinson’s responses follow:
Describe your leadership style:
GORE: “I try to lead by example. I was reared on a small farm in Columbus County and learned early in my life that you must think and study diligently on every obstacle you face each day of your life.
“My mother and father taught me that you must improvise, and conserve all your resources if you are to achieve your goals. I would consider my leadership style as conservative –always think, study, look and pray before you act.”
HINSON: “I have always believed a good leader listens. You can learn a lot by listening to people. We live in a specialized world and no one knows it all. Having a dialogue with the people and including them in the process insures trust. Trust is a critical factor in people working together to accomplish a common goal.”
Why do you want to be a county commissioner?
GORE: “Too long we, the people of Columbus County, have set back and watched our county government lead our county down a path of destruction without making any effort to stop it. I believe, as a county commissioner, I can help bring about and create a revitalization and economic plan that will encourage growth, jobs, and revenue for our county and its citizens. I care about the well being of this county and all its people.”
HINSON: “I want to be a county commissioner because I see a need for leadership in Columbus County. I have warned of property tax increases and the effect it will have on economic growth in the county.
“I have spearheaded the movement for countywide voting because I feel we will elect better commissioners and about 5,000 county residents that signed the petition agree with me. Columbus County needs leaders now, not someone wanting to hold a title. I care about the county and its people; that is why I am running.”
What attributes would you bring to the board?
GORE: “I have over a decade of experience developing, implementing, and managing a multi-million dollar budget. With no exceptions, I have been able to account for and have a balanced budget each and every year. I am experienced in all the environmental issues our county is currently dealing with.
“I am a licensed commercial and residential wastewater, drinking water, and subsurface system operator throughout the entire state. I have written and received state funded grants for Columbus County for nearly $400,000, which did not cost the taxpayers of this county one single penny.”
HINSON: “I would bring enthusiasm to the people and board members, integrity and a new vision for Columbus County, a vision that we should look forward and enter the 21st century, so we can become the economic powerhouse I feel we can be. I look forward to a new beginning.”
What are your thoughts on compensation and benefits for county commissioners?
GORE: “Columbus County is ranked among the 10 poorest counties in the sate. It would seem unfair for our commissioners’ salary to be among the top 10 in the state. Commissioners should receive compensation while in office, but it should stop when they leave office.
“According to The News Reporter, each of our commissioner’s salary is about $12,000; healthcare coverage and other expenses are another $8,000, which equates to approximately $140,000. The total budget for all commissioners is $302,000. What has the other $160,000 been spent on?”
HINSON: “I think the county commissioners are paid too much money and I have stated this numerous times. We are presently one of the poorest counties in the state and have some of the highest paid county commissioners. I know people that work 40 or more hours per week and make barely what the commissioners earn, and may I add, they don’t have health insurance, because they can’t afford it.
“I feel the salary should be cut in half to about $6,000 per year with the $125 per month travel expense. I think this is fair to the commissioners and the taxpayers. I will never ask the county taxpayers to furnish me with health insurance. Commissioners are elected officials, not employees.”
What positive actions have the present board taken?
GORE: “The one that comes to mind is, of course, the rescission of RESCINDING the post-term healthcare plan for out-going commissioners. I applaud them for correcting their mistake.
“Our commissioners are currently reviewing a subdivision plan for Columbus County. A good subdivision plan is needed. But sadly, the plan currently in review is not a good plan and needs many revisions before it is adopted.”
HINSON: To rescind the “health insurance” scam I think is very positive, despite circumstances surrounding their decision. Taking the “FAMILY Subdivision” out of the proposed subdivision ordinance, and changing the set-back requirements.
“Signing the contract with Grand Strand Water and Sewer to service the 200 plus housing development in the Dothan area at no charge to the taxpayers.”
What mistakes have the board made?
GORE: “1. Installing two water systems that are not self-supporting while adding additional taxes on individuals who are not receiving services. 2. Allowing a regional landfill to be approved in the Green Swamp area of Columbus County.
“3. Without merit, they increased the property tax rate, admittedly without knowing the financial stability of the county. 4 Hiring an outsider as county manager at a salary of $81,000 and awarding him an unearned 30-week sick leave package is possibly their biggest mistake of all.”
HINSON: “Approving continued health insurance coverage for themselves. Water district 2 and 3; Tax increases for two consecutive years; Problems at DSS; Not supporting a resolution to form a committee to offer options for countywide voting plan; County employee turnover problems; Lack of communication with the public, causing mistrust; Not recognizing and addressing the economic problems in Columbus County.”
Are you satisfied with the county manager and staff’s performance?
GORE: “I am not satisfied with the performance of our current county manager. He has become a liability to the taxpayers of Columbus County and not an asset. Mr. Varner claims to not know how to create a budget and apparently he does not know how to manage one.
“By his own admission, the county has not had a budget nor has it balanced its checkbook in more than one year. He says he knows within two to three million dollars of how much is in the general fund. This should be unacceptable.”
HINSON: “No. There have been too many problems receiving public record items. There should be no problem. We have had a lot of county employee turnover, which raises a flag as to why. “Remember I said earlier “trust” is a critical factor in people working together to achieve a common goal. Right now we do not have this in Columbus County government. It must change and I will work to make sure it does.”
What direction would you like to see the board go?
GORE: “Implement an immediate freeze on spending and hiring. We must first find out where we are before we can determine where we are going. Creating a working budget and balancing the county’s checkbook are the first steps to moving forward.
“Earning back the trust of the citizens of this county is one of my priorities. We must make all county business available to its citizens.”
HINSON: “I would like to see the board work together as a unit working for the good of the entire county, not just their respective districts. I have said before and I quote someone else ‘the need of the many, far out weigh the wants of the few.’
“The board should forget petty differences amongst themselves and petty power struggles and do the business of the people, all of the people, with their better interest the major concern. We all win then.”
What are the major issues facing the board?
GORE: “Accountability. All commissioners should be held accountable to all the citizens of Columbus County. County commissioners should encourage business and industry to locate in the county, bringing good jobs and tax revenue, which will help stabilize our economy.
“The regional landfill, planned for the Green Swamp area, was not wanted by most of the citizens of Columbus County, yet the voices of opposition were not heard by our commissioners.”
HINSON: “To control the rate of growth of government and encourage economic development. Right now the cart is before the horse. Excessive tax rates are a result of too much government and not enough economic growth along with unwise spending.
“A good plan for economic growth will alleviate many of the problems we have now. The Medicaid dilemma we are in now is an offspring of high unemployment and low per capita income. A problem economic development could solve.”
Is the current property tax rate appropriate and fair?
GORE: “I feel that the current property tax rate is inappropriate. I believe this tax rate was put in place as a knee-jerk reaction and recommended by the county manager. This tax increase was implemented because no one in county government knew how much the county was worth or how much it is in debt. A balanced budget and a balanced checkbook are essential to financial stability.”
HINSON: “No. I do not agree with the last re-valuation we had and I fought diligently against it. When your property value is increased, even if the rate stays the same, you have had a tax increase. Again I say government is taking too much and draining an already crippled economy. It is counter productive to attracting business and industry.
“The current property tax rate is devastating to our seniors and will force many into selling property they don’t want to sell or lose it to the county for sale to the highest bidder. Even worse, some will have to choose between medicine and paying taxes because of fixed incomes.”
Under what circumstances, if any, would you raise taxes?
GORE: “Currently, I know of no reason why we should raise taxes. Perhaps, some local emergency requiring additional revenue could be a justifiable reason to raise taxes.”
HINSON: “We cannot stand any more taxes. The only circumstance I can think of right now that I would agree to a tax increase would be the Medicaid problem and that would be under extreme protest. The commissioners have, by law, to fund Medicaid. I am more concerned with cutting taxes, and encouraging growth.”
What means do you see for improving the county economy and how would you propose we implement those recommendations?
GORE: “We must encourage and even provide incentives to business and industry to help attract jobs to Columbus County. A well-trained workforce pool can be provided through our local school systems and Southeastern Community College. This will allow a sustainable economic opportunity for all our citizens.
“Our commissioners must take a proactive approach to solving our economic situation by looking at what has worked for other counties who have had a stagnant economy, but now we have a thriving economy. We must mirror our economic efforts after those who have been successful, not failures.”
HINSON: “The County needs to govern economic development. We need a full time economic development director that is a traveling salesman, if you will. He or she needs to sell Columbus County to prospective business and industry.
“The director should report to the economic development board only –no other entity in the county, and the economic development board should be filled with competent and qualified people. The director should be paid a fair salary with incentives. He or she should live in Columbus County and their children go to school here.
“Property tax rates should be kept low and the scores of the county schools and city schools should be high.”
What are your thoughts on the proposed subdivision ordinance?
GORE: “Do we need a subdivision ordinance? Most definitely, yes! But not the one our commissioners are now considering. As it is currently written, it is an expensive, over regulated document, which ties the hands of small property owners of this county.
“Another important issue to be considered is the adoption of a new mobile home ordinance for our county. The plan adopted by our county should be a plan that is fair for all the people of Columbus County.”
HINSON: “If we are to encourage development in the county we need a plan to go by to insure they will be of the highest standards and not a train wreck further up the road. The family subdivision was taken out of the ordinance, which I was opposed to because it was unfair and intrusive.
“I have read the first draft but not the final draft. I attended three of the workshops. Changes have been made for the better to the ordinance, but good common sense should be used in interpreting and implementing the ordinance.”
What are your thoughts on special water district taxes in districts 2 and 3?
GORE: “Do not add another tax to the back of the taxpayers who are already burdened with paying for water systems, which were not planned properly. I have been told by some property owners in districts 2 and 3 they are paying for water that has not been made available to them.
“Mandated taxes for services not received is no benefit to the citizens of Columbus County. It would seem to me that the rural and Economic Development Commission could acquire discretionary grant monies to help defray the debt service of these water systems.”
HINSON: “I think it is terrible and unfair. We should connect water district 2 to water district 1 and sell water to 1. Take the profits from the sale of the water and reduce the property tax for both districts 2 and 3 by averaging; it is unfair, but the pipe is in the ground and it has to be paid.”
What are your thoughts on open government?
GORE: “County government, as well as county business, should be open to the citizens and taxpayers of this county for their review. It is time county government moved back to our constitutional rights of ‘government of the people, by the people, and for the people.’
“We must not forget that an informed citizen is a wiser citizen. County government should not only hear but also more importantly, listen to the people.”
HINSON: “I think the more open the better. Government shouldn’t have anything to hide. You can’t participate in the process if you are treated like mushrooms, fed a lot of bull and kept in the dark.”
Would you work to ensure that that meetings are held in the open unless absolutely necessary and in accordance with Open Meetings Law?
GORE: “I believe our government has no right to deny it’s citizens the opportunity to examine all facets of local government, except those items excluded by the Open Meetings Law of this state, e.g. personnel and legal matters. The public should at no time be left out of the decision-making process as it applies to county business.
“The commissioners of this county should rely heavily the experience and knowledge of its people. They should never deny, but encourage input from its citizens when making decisions that impact its citizens.”
HINSON: “Yes!”
What would be your policy on access to public records?
GORE: “Public records are just that, “public records,” and should be provided to the public with no strings attached. I have always believed that we must strive to inform our citizens as to what is going on in county government.
“If elected, I intend to have published in the local newspaper the agenda items from each and every county commissioners meeting that I am involved in. We must let the public know about county business, which ultimately is the public’s business.”
HINSON: “I would insist that any public records requested by the public would be available upon request in an as expedient amount of time as possible. Depending on the size of the public record I think a 24-hour period is plenty of time to respond.
“Some should be done within the same day. I would encourage access as quickly as possible. These records belong to the people.”
Candidate: Ronald Gene Gore
Age: 55
Spouse: Rita FormyDuval Gore
Children: Ronald Gene Gore, Jr., 34, and Kevin Duval Gore, 30
Religious and civic organizations: Seven Creeks Baptist Church; Nakina VFW Post 6066.
Donations of more than $500 over past year: several local churches and the American Cancer Society.
He is an employee of the Columbus County Schools. He serves on no corporate boards, is not a 5 percent or greater stakeholder in any business, and has never been fired or laid off from a job.
Gore answered ‘no’ to a series of questions asking if he had ever been arrested, convicted, lost a lawsuit, filed for bankruptcy, failed to pay taxes or been fined by the IRS.
Candidate: Oris Samuel “Sammy” Hinson
Age: 51
Spouse: Nancy Annette Hinson
Children: Ginger Cason, 32, and Samantha Rockwell, 31
Religious and civic organizations: Baptist; member of Whiteville Downtown Development; current member and past president of Columbus County Citizens for Better Government and ex-officio member of the board
Donations of more than $500 over the past year: no donations of more than $500
Hinson is the owner of Columbus Auto Sales, Inc., dba Sammy Hinson Auto Sales and Columbus Auto Rental. He serves on no corporate boards, is not a 5 percent or greater stakeholder in any business other than his own and has never been fired. “I was laid off in 1979 when the economy was terrible.”
Hinson answered ‘no’ to a series of questions asking if he had ever been arrested, convicted, lost a lawsuit, filed for bankruptcy. In response to a question about failure to pay taxes or having been fined by the IRS, Hinson stated: “I have never failed to pay taxes but have incurred some penalties and paid them.”