County Commission Post 4 Candidates Name Their Top Priority

Candidates for the May 22 Republican Primary Election include three Paulding races for post commissioner seats. Starting with Post 4, all four candidates were asked to name their top priority once elected or re-elected.

Businessman and former Paulding County Chamber of Commerce chairman Jim Ashworth of Dallas:
“[There’s a] lack of good business environment causing companies not to move here. I will promote a pro-business environment as I did when I chaired the Paulding Chamber of Commerce. I will put together a strategic plan for economic development that will include a new branding for the county and work with the other commissioners and the community to get it adopted. I will work with the Airport Authority and get the airport lawsuits settled one way or another, so we can get our county moving forward and attracting business again.”

Businessman Dan Boles of Acworth:
“The first priority is eliminating outside interests from controlling, manipulating, and meddling in our local government and quality of life. It’s the responsibility of our elected officials to represent those who are taxpaying members of their constituency, not outside interests; after multiple tax increases I began to research the facts and that led me to the conclusion that we are being misled by our current board of commissioners. I will start by working to put an end to the unnecessary and frivolous lawsuits that have been placed on the backs of taxpayers in Paulding County for the past few years. I will also work to rescind Resolution 15-01 and place the responsibility of the bond payment back where it belongs. Additionally, I believe Paulding County should be led by pro-business conservatives who believe in developing an economic development plan designed to increase the non-residential tax base and provide jobs for residents while preserving the rural character of the County, and in Post 4.”

Post 4 Incumbent Tony Crowe of Dallas is seeking his second term.
Crowe, contacted by phone, says he’s worked to set aside funding to make needed upgrades to water lines in Post 4. Crowe said there are constituent’s homes still without proper water service. “You can do without most things in your home, but the water we have to have.” And Crowe says he wants to work to expand sewer lines since, without that in place, growth to the industry in the county won’t happen. “But you’ve got to try to do it without raising taxes and I think I’ve found a way to do that,” he said. Crowe added that he will continue to oppose the permitting that would allow commercialization of the Paulding County Airport, as he promised when first elected.

Businessman Brian Stover of Dallas:
“The first thing I would do is to meet with all of the department heads to talk about the issues at hand with the county. I would get their perspective on each issue and start working on them along with concentrating on the top few areas of commercial growth. After meeting with Paulding residents and business owners the past few months, my first priority will be working to ensure our county government is seen as business-friendly. A more business-friendly environment will help our existing businesses thrive and will also help attract new business to our county. A successful business community will help relieve the tax burden on our homeowners.”