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Bullard, Strickland seek Godwin’s seat
By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Two want to see change, but only one will have a chance to make it happen.
In an election year that has been polluted with controversy over recent Columbus County Board of Commissioner actions, Democrat Ricky Bullard and his Independent challenger Howell Strickland are focused on their respective campaigns for Chairman Kip Godwin’s District 6 seat on the board.
Godwin chose not to run for re-election this year, leaving Bullard and challenger David Lee McPherson to face off for the Democrat nomination in the May primary. Bullard prevailed the winner and remained unopposed until Strickland was successful in gaining more signatures than needed for him to make it on the ballot and run as an Independent.
Republican Sammy Hinson and Democrat Ronald Gore are challengers for the District 7 seat held by Commissioner David Dutton, who Gore defeated in the primary. Incumbent Amon McKenzie faces Republican challenger Randall Adams.
The News Reporter asked all commission candidates to respond to a questionnaire in order to elicit their views on many issues concerning county government and to provide readers with more information about the candidates. Bullard’s and Strickland’s responses follow:
Describe your leadership style:
BULLARD: “I feel that trust, honesty, and responsibility are foremost. We must never forget that we are public servants serving at the pleasure of the people of Columbus County. I feel that all issues should be made public knowledge, and we must understand the views of the public and their concerns.”
STRICKLAND: “I am open, plain spoken, proactive and use all resources available to get things done in a timely manner and I am unbiased.”
Why do you want to be a county commissioner?
BULLARD: “I am a lifelong citizen of Columbus County and have immediate and extended family in the county. I feel that I can make decisions that will be helpful in county government, and I am concerned about the issues that are facing all people here in the county.
“We need commissioners who work with the people, listen to the people, and understand the needs within the county. Weak decisions today affect all of us, our families, and our children’s future tomorrow.”
STRICKLAND: “1. To ensure tax relief for older and retired citizens on fixed incomes, so that they do not have to choose between healthcare and food and county dues. 2. To bring a more transparent process into place to make the county leadership more accountable for their actions.
“3. To fight against drugs in our schools, which are a growing concern. We have to aggressively remove these individuals from our society. 4. To resolve integrity issues like wasteful spending.”
What attributes would you bring to the board?
BULLARD: “I feel that I would bring integrity, good moral values, accessibility to the people, reliability, and responsibility.”
STRICKLAND: “To be able to lead by example, with integrity, diligence, time and unbiased open mind. Also my expertise in water and sewer related issues.”
What are your thoughts on compensation and benefits for county commissioners?
BULLARD: “I think some compensation is appropriate for serving as a county official. However, compensation must not be the reason a candidate chooses to run for office. Benefits are not appropriate for this position.”
STRICKLAND: “I expect leadership to follow by example and to be willing to pay the same dues that we are asking our citizens to pay. I agree that it can cause hardship to run a business and to act in a capacity such as county board member at the same time.
“So some benefits certainly are justifiable to enable the board member to be efficient. However, it is not right to extend benefits beyond the time frame of the actual term of a commissioner.”
What positive actions have the present board taken?
BULLARD: “Rescinding the motion for the health insurance package.”
STRICKLAND: “The board finally, after a lot of controversy of the public, has dropped the health insurance benefit extension past a commissioner’s term.”
What mistakes have the board made?
BULLARD: “A major mistake to me was that taxes were raised without knowing the fund balance. The latest mistake that rubbed every citizen wrong was the health insurance package.”
STRICKLAND: “The county budget control has not been handled diligently. The county commissioners have failed to actively promote industry and small businesses to reside or move to our county.
“The planning and administration for county water supply is distributing the water dues unfairly in relation to our county infrastructure. We have a lot of rural areas –long stretches of road, that are sparsely populated and that have no justification to plan for future water lines, but the rural citizens have to pay water taxes nevertheless. The process that has been put in place by the board is not fair.”
Are you satisfied with the county manager and staff’s performance?
BULLARD: “I am very disappointed in the direction of our county under the leadership of our present county manager.
“I feel our county would benefit from a manager who lives in our county and who faces day-to-day issues the same as the citizens. We have good staff employees who are required to follow the county manager’s guidelines.”
STRICKLAND: “No comment.”
What direction would you like to see the board go?
BULLARD: “I would like to see the board work toward making our county fiscally strong. Meetings should be held openly, abiding by Open Meetings Law.
“I would like to see our economic development program become strong and successful to bring new industry to the county, creating good jobs to keep our workforce. Also, I would like to see our schools better funded.”
STRICKLAND: “To focus more on the citizens. That is their sole purpose for being in office. A good team of board members will put the people first, and not themselves.
“The board needs to really listen to the voters and citizens and include that in their decision making process. It is imperative that the county budget is balanced and county monies are diligently accounted for.”
What are the major issues facing the board?
BULLARD: “I believe we need to build up our financial reserves to make Columbus County financially strong. We must continue to provide the resources to keep public schools operating at an optimum level.
“I also feel we must have a strong economic development program to bring industry into our county. We must create strong industry within the county to provide jobs and tax revenue to keep our taxes from being such a burden on the working family and family farms.”
STRICKLAND: “1. To lower taxes. 2. To be more accountable. 3. To provide drug-free schools. 4. Integrity.”
Is the current property tax rate appropriate and fair?
BULLARD: “I do believe we can cut wasteful spending and more efficiently spend tax money. It is very important to categorize issues on the basis of importance.
“We have a very high tax base for a low wealth county. Without industries to provide good paying jobs, it is, and will remain, a financial hardship to pay high taxes.”
STRICKLAND: “NO.”
Under what circumstances, if any, would you raise taxes?
BULLARD: “I am against raising taxes. I would look for ways to cut county expenses in all areas to prevent another tax increase.”
STRICKLAND: “If it is an investment in a growing businesses, so that taxes can be lowered in the long run and our then-prospering industry can provide for our county. I would only amend sales and use taxes, not personal property taxes. Personal property taxes have to be lowered, not raised.”
What means do you see for improving the county economy and how would you propose we implement those recommendations?
BULLARD: “We must keep taxes as low as possible by making sound financial decisions. We must employ a strong economic development plan with a proven track record of success. County government must be willing to negotiate successfully with incentive plans that will attract new businesses to Columbus County.”
STRICKLAND: “We simply have to take advantage of what is already going on around us –our location in reference to the beach is superb. The Brunswick County Board of Realtors has recently included Columbus County in their multiple listing services, which will give us more exposure and show Columbus County as an attractive location to outside businesses and individuals.
“We must use this fact to our advantage and advertise a little better than we have in the past. We have to offer incentives, i.e. tax breaks, to new industry to settle, or to existing businesses to grow.”
What are your thoughts on the proposed subdivision ordinance?
BULLARD: “We do need ordinances in subdivisions to protect the interests of homeowners and property value.
“I do not approve of all the ordinances that are being proposed. I am concerned about making this successful and not a problem package.”
STRICKLAND: “It is a good idea and I am open to it, however, existing family farms should not be regulated in such manner and should rather be grandfathered in when the new ordinances for future subdivisions come into place.”
What are your thoughts on special water district taxes in districts 2 and 3?
BULLARD: “County water is an asset for our county; however, I feel the water project was poorly planned. I don’t approve of paying for water without access or for paying the water tax.
“Unfortunately, this debt has been created and must be paid. We must look for ways to make these water districts self-supportive so we can reduce water taxes.”
STRICKLAND: “I oppose this. The whole county water issue needs to be re-discussed, the voters must be heard on this and the board needs to listen. There is always the possibility to apply for public grant money, which is always available.
“I would strongly advise not patching a failing project with special taxes. We need an innovative approach on the entire water discussion.”
What are your thoughts on open government?
BULLARD: “I strongly support open government meetings, no hidden agendas or under the table deals. I stand strong for being honest and will support any policy to ensure the citizens of Columbus County that as little business as possible will go to closed session.
“I will do my part to restore respect to county government.”
STRICKLAND: “The government is the people’s business. Open government, is of course the only way to govern the people’s affairs.”
Would you work to ensure that meetings are held in the open unless absolutely necessary and in accordance with Open Meetings Law?
BULLARD: “This is the only way I would be willing to serve as commissioner. Illegally closed sessions are an invitation for major problems. I will do my part to abide by the Open Meetings Law.”
STRICKLAND: “Yes, by all means.”
What would be your policy on access to public records?
BULLARD: “The people of Columbus county are entitled to have access to public records at all times and within a reasonable and timely manner. I feel that county management should provide these records when asked. Withholding public records does not support open government policy.”
STRICKLAND: “Public records are called “public” because under the freedom of information act, by law everybody must be able to access them and the county must comply. Everything should be accessible through the county website to download, as it is possible in most counties, or at least to be retrieved in a timely manner with the help of the county staff.”
Full name: James Ricky Bullard
Age: 47
Spouse: Judy Ford Bullard
Children: Matthew, 24, and Ashley, 20
Religious and civic organizations: the Chadbourn Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Donations of more than $500 over the past year: Bullard reports that he has not donated more than $500 over the past year to any one organization but has made contributions to several organizations in smaller amounts.
Bullard is self-employed and owns greater than a 5 percent stake in The Cement Barn, Ricky Bullard General Contracting, and R&M Farms. He serves on no corporate boards and has never been fired or laid off from a job.
Bullard 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.
Full Name: William “Howell” Strickland
Age: 59
Spouse: Not applicable
Children: Not applicable
Religious and civic organizations: Missionary Baptist Church, Spring Branch Community
Donations of more than $500 over the past year: Strickland reports he has not made donations to official organizations but helps his family, neighbors and individuals.
Strickland is retired and owns no greater than a 5 percent stake in any businesses or companies. He has served on his own company corporate board in the past and has never been fired or laid off from a job.
Strickland 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.