A Change For Walker County - And Response (3)

  • Monday, May 23, 2016

Everyone elected to public office deserves a chance to fulfill the office they are elected to.  A reasonable amount of time should be expected to accomplish these goals as well.  In Walker County we have had the same sole commissioner for 16 years.

Whether you believe she has done a good job or not, 16 years as a government servant should be long enough for any one person. Let's thank her for her service and seek out a new and fresh person with new ideas and new energy.

Is it possible that once an elected person holds office for so long they may take it for granted and not return phone calls or emails?  Maybe not come to meetings and address the concerns of the public. Possibly not encourage her staff to enforce codes and nuisance laws in our communities like the public demands?  

Sixteen years is a long time to hold a public office for a person who has health issues and could not respond to my questions or concerns for 12 months or even have someone answer the questions for her within a 12 month period.

Walker County is one of the largest counties in Georgia. Walker County is only one of eight counties in the U.S. that still supports a single commissioner form of government. It's a huge county and maybe it's too much for one person who has health issues and not able to be in the office and be available to the public? Commissioner- thank you for your service.  

Tomorrow I hope the residents of Walker County will vote for Shannon Whitfield for Walker County commissioner.  I believe he has the knowledge, the experience and the willingness to work for our county. Based on his experience running a successful company with many employees, his understanding of the finances of this county and his ability to put together groups of residents across the county to work with our government, I believe he is the best qualified to be commissioner of Walker County.  

In the last 16 years my property taxes have risen 80 percent or more, homes and buildings are left to rot, crime is constant, codes have not been enforced and calls are not returned. For myself I believe it's time for a change. Sixteen years is long enough for our current commissioner. It's time for change.

Please vote for Shannon Whitfield for Walker County commissioner.  

David Roden

Walker County resident and voter on May 24

* * *

I completely agree. Today, May 24th, I will cast my vote for Shannon Whitfield as I feel that he is the best candidate for commissioner. And the best choice to tackle the tremendous problems that Walker County has after nearly 16 years of the Heiskell administration. A commissioner that has ignored all of the problems that Rossville and the north end of Walker County have.

By ignoring this area she has helped to create an area that is now run down and void of any leadership to enforce codes, etc. We need change now. The debt she has racked up is inexcusable. The negative press from the problems she has created for Walker County is inexcusable.

Our county cannot take four more years of this lack of leadership. Mr. Whitfield is the best choice for Walker County and the best choice to beat the Heiskell in November.

Steve Webb

* * *

The best thing that could happen for Walker County is if Bebe Heiskell would just step down now. Forget running for another term as I simply cannot see enough people that would ever vote for her again.

Enough is enough. It is embarrassing what has happened to our beautiful county. It will take years to dig out of the mess she and her underlings have created, but it can be done with a strong commissioner.

Me and my family voted early last week for Shannon Whitfield. He was the only candidate that seemed to have a grasp of the enormous financial debt the county is facing. I like his vision for the county and his ideas for advisory boards made up of successful business leaders. I also cast my vote in support of a multi commissioner board. I hope everyone exercises their right to vote May 24.

Nancy Alford

* * *

As a history buff of the Civil War I have traveled through Rossville and the North Georgia area going to the Battlefield and other spots around this area and I'm so disappointed in watching the North Georgia area go downhill in the last 10-plus years. It seems there is no direction or no leadership that cares about this end of the county. Odd since many from Chattanooga and out of town who come here and contribute to our tourism must drive through the areas of near slums and blight.

I've also read the paper and watched a huge investment continue in the south end of the county with a beautiful land mass at the Cove in south Walker County but also read where the current commissioner has tried to run a restaurant and lost money, has a general store that the county sells beer at (a huge liability for Walker County) and let's her kinfolk help run the Farm while on the county payroll. 

I too agree it's time for a change. In our national election, our state election and our local election. After years of watching our Walker County become its own reality show I am 100 percent in favor of a multi-commissioner form of government and for Shannon Whitfield for Commissioner. 

Ms. Heiskell should bow out and let Mr. Whitfield bring his new ideas and new energy to Walker County. When I read she did not show up for the debate at the Civic Center or any of the meetings the Community is hosting at local churches, if she don't have time to talk and answer questions of the residents, she does not deserve to be our Commissioner. 

I'm voting for Shannon Whitfield and yes for a multi-commissioner form of government for Walker County.
 
Roger Meyers
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