Democratic challenger Patrick Kim Bonds will run against incumbent Republican Jay Paul for chairman of the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 5 election. The Oglethorpe Echo spoke with Paul and Bonds ahead of the election to discuss their goals and approaches to challenges faced by the county.
Comments have been edited for length and clarity.
Q: What in your prior experience makes you qualified for this position?
Paul: Between working with EPD (Environmental Protection Division) and even the (Oglethorpe County Magistrate Court), and I guess you could say I taught school, as well, a long time ago, I try to listen and have an open-door policy, and sometimes we can’t find a resolution, but going back (to) my EPD days, that’s what we did. We (troubleshooted), we went out and dealt with environmental issues, either through complaint investigations or regulatory compliance.
Bonds: I’ve always been a person that — just about anybody in the county can tell you — all I do is fundraisers and give. My purpose is just to help. That’s the purpose of me being here, for the stuff that we’ve got going on. I’ve always just been around the county, helping and doing stuff anyway, without a position. I don’t care about this spotlight, just as long as it gets done. I’m one of the workers.
Q: Do you have any experiences that factor into the ability to oversee the BOC?
Paul: Obviously being here the past four years has provided some experience, but even before that I had, between working as a code compliance (officer) and even for the magistrate office, I was privy to a lot of the day-to-day operations of the county’s government. But nothing can prepare anybody for this position until you sit in this seat.
Bonds: I think a lot of it is mostly just common sense and just learning the job. I always accomplish what I’ve (planned) to do. So I don’t think it’s going to be a problem with me not having experience as a county commissioner — to run the county.
Q: What are your top priorities, if elected?
Paul: I’m trying my best to maintain our quality of life. I have no desire for Oglethorpe County to turn into a DeKalb, Gwinnett, Fulton or even Oconee County. I love them, (my) friends over (in) Oconee County, but even they are recognizing they’ve grown so fast, and it’s beyond what they wanted. I’m not even saying I’m (going to) try to stop it, but I don’t have to let it go unregulated.
Bonds: My top priorities (are) youth and elders.
Q: What are your goals during your term, if elected as chairman?
Paul: Just to reiterate, to try to keep Oglethorpe’s quality of life from being destroyed… I don't think I'm alone when I say, if you like Athens, Georgia, move to Athens or live in Athens, but don't come to Oglethorpe and try to turn it into Athens.
Bonds: My biggest thing is to try to build a recreational program and whatever we can do with the school and the county, and then come back with the elders. We (have) to get something for our elderly people.
Q: What would you like to see happen regarding the county’s economy and possible economic growth?
Paul: A couple of surrounding counties, like Elbert and Wilkes County, for example — I like the fact that they have a town. It would not hurt my feelings if the corridor here between Lexington and Crawford was built up with some type of businesses. When a person is passing through Oglethorpe, particularly with a fast food restaurant, they can buy something, leave some money behind and go on. So I would love to see a town develop in Oglethorpe County, particularly along the 78 corridor here.
Bonds: We’re gonna have to take some hurt to get some good. I’m not going to satisfy everybody. I mean, even in life yourself, even with your kids, you don’t satisfy them. Basically, if I can win, it’s basically a guideline. We go to whatever the guideline in the book, whether you like it or whether it fits you or not. I can’t sit here and tell people that I can come in here and make your taxes cheaper, because I’m telling you they'll never get cheaper, but we can figure out a way to try to maintain them.
Q: What are challenges facing the board and county, and what challenges might they face during your term, if elected?
Paul: We are burdened by the same inflation — the record inflation — that the country has been hit with over the past four years, as anybody else. The cost of everything goes up for us, if we put fuel in our vehicles or diesel fuel, or electricity and everything else.
Bonds: (There are going to) be a lot of challenges, but I can’t specifically say what they’re (going to) be. As of right now, if I’m elected, I’m going in like it’s just as a job, but I guarantee you, I’ve been studying since I qualified. We have some good people on the commission board right now that actually can make this county turn around.
Q: What do you want to say to voters in the county?
Paul: I did the best that I could, and if they’re satisfied, they should vote for me again. And if they don’t, then I wish Patrick Bonds the best of luck, and along those lines, I appreciate Patrick running a good campaign. I’m not getting into derogatory campaigns or politics — it’s not going to happen — and those guys aren’t either. I appreciate it. I wish them the best of luck.
Bonds: Your vote is your voice. It’s just a position that somebody had to step up and get.