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(ABBY PEACOCK/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) -
(ABBY PEACOCK/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
Two Republicans — incumbent Andy Saxon and challenger Williamson Sintyl — are on the ballot for the District 2 seat on the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners.
The winner of the race, which will be decided in the general primary scheduled for May 21, will face Jacqueline Bosby, the Democratic candidate, in the general election on Nov. 5.
The Oglethorpe Echo spoke with Saxon and Sintyl about their campaign and plans if elected. The Echo will interview the winner of the GOP primary and Bosby for another Q&A in the fall.
Comments have been edited for length and clarity.
Q: How will your previous experience help you serve as commissioner if elected?
Saxon: Having done this now for 11½ years, or being in my third term, I’ve experienced a lot of things, and I just think that anytime you have some experience in something, you may have a little bit of knowledge about what might be coming up or what to expect and just how to deal with it. When you get to those problems, you know, hopefully, you don’t have any problems, but when and if they do arrive, you just have some past knowledge of how it was done, and it helps you deal with it better.
Sintyl: As you know, I’ve been serving on the board of the Chamber of Commerce for three years now, and I have worked with local businesses. So I believe that my background equips me with community collaboration, positive change and addressing diverse needs in the county. Bringing people together, new fresh perspectives on the board because I truly believe those are things that my previous background will equip me with.
Q: What made you want to run for election for this position?
Saxon: I guess the biggest reason that I continue to run is to support my views on how I’d like to see Oglethorpe County go, and that is to maintain the rural lifestyle that we have and that we enjoy. The path that we’ve been on during the 12 years that I’ve been in there, I’d like to continue along that same path. Not saying we’re not looking for the right growth that would complement what we have going on here in Oglethorpe County, but just basically try to maintain and keep following that same view that I’ve had since the beginning.
Sintyl: I will say it’s my commitment to serve my community. We all have been given the opportunity to serve, and I am committed to serve my community. I always say to everyone, if I can’t make my community better, I have no business being here. So it’s my commitment to serve my community and, of course, bring positive change, because it’s my desire to contribute to the future of my district and ensure its prosperity for future generations.
Q: What issues or projects will you prioritize if elected?
Saxon: At this time, we don’t have any specific issues that we face, or we don’t have anything we’re prioritizing. We try to give priority to everything that comes in that needs it. I guess we would prioritize just looking for growth that may be a good fit for Oglethorpe County, while maintaining the same kind of values that we have with the ruralness that we have.
Sintyl: I will say we do have some challenges in our community. The issues facing our county and District 2 include infrastructure development, economic revitalization and social service provision. I promise to address these challenges through strategic planning, stakeholders engagement and resource allocation. We have residents that want to know how they can pay less taxes. We have local businesses that need to be thriving in our community.
Q: What would you like to see happen regarding the possible expansion of the recreation department?
Saxon: I am in favor of expanding the rec department. I think it’s certainly outgrown where it’s at right now. We’ve had some on-site meetings with Mr. (Michael) White, the director. With everything else that we have, it’s all about finding the funding for it. Being able to fund it, while staying within the budget that we have or the revenue that we have that’s coming in, that’s the challenge. There’s many things that we would like to change and see grow. It’s just a matter of funding them without trying to cause further hardship on our taxpayers now.
Sintyl: I can say anything, but we cannot make change in this county if we are not working together with the local residents, stakeholders. As leaders, we are called to serve the people we are leading, and the best way we can serve them is to come together with them. I think that’s something we all need to come together with the residents and the community to ask them what they think, because also as leaders, we don’t just go and make decisions without consulting with communities. What’s best for the community? I don’t know if I answer your question because I don’t think that as leaders we should make the decision.
Q: What is your perspective about economic and housing development within Oglethorpe County?
Saxon: According to the numbers that we get, and the way the rec department is growing, and the school system says that they’re going to have to be adding some classrooms. So evidently, there is a good bit of growth coming in, we just need to keep our systems running at the pace that the growth is happening. When population increases, oftentimes, well always it seems that more demands are made on the services that the county tries to offer and just trying to stay ahead of that without putting a strain on those public works and things like that, which we already have in place. When we add additional housing to it, every part of our governmental branch is going to feel more and more pressure. I am in favor of any good business coming into Oglethorpe County that would be a good fit to our existing way of life. I think there’s probably a lot of things out there that would fit into that. And there may be some things that may give us a black eye. So I really don’t want the growth if it’s gonna cause a black eye in an area.
Sintyl: I suppose if I’m elected I hope to bring about prioritizing economic development. First, promoting local businesses because if we want the community to be sustainable, we have to promote our local entrepreneurs, local businesses, because this is how we build economic development. When we promote local businesses, we increase jobs, more job creation and more community engagement. Let’s get out together. Let’s stand up for a cause. Let’s support one another. And of course, if I’m elected, I hope to advocate for policies that will benefit all residents.
Q: What would you like to see happen regarding broadband access in the county?
Saxon: Broadband is something that we have been pursuing. The economic development authority and my fellow commissioner, Commissioner (Will) Brown, have been working very hard to get the grant from the government for expansion on that. The last update that I had on it, everything was moving forward. And I just think that’s only going to be a positive thing for our county.
Sintyl: Leaders don’t make decisions on what they see, they make decisions on what comes together after council with the locals, with the residents. So, that’s a wonderful question. But I would love to see if it is the desire, if it’s going to contribute to the future of the county, to ensure its prosperity for future generations.
Q: What would you like to tell the people during this election cycle?
Saxon: If you have the same views that I do and you want to keep Oglethorpe County the way we have it — how to maintain the rural lifestyle that we have with economic growth that will fit the views that the people of this community have. That’s basically my message is just to try to maintain what we have, and try to move forward in a positive manner.
Sintyl: I’m committed to transparency, accountability and serving as a voice for all residents. I’m dedicated to representing all of the community’s interests. I will be working tirelessly to make positive changes that will benefit everyone, regardless of your background.