The Walker County Republican Party has unanimously passed a resolution calling on its candidates and elected officials to take action on the results of a recent non-binding referendum. On May 24, over 75 percent of Republican voters in Walker County voted in favor of changing the form of government in Walker County to a board of commissioners.
The resolution says voters created a “mandate . . . to advocate for a binding referendum to be placed on the ballot in the 2018 general election.”
Shannon Whitfield, the Republican nominee for sole commissioner who called for the resolution, noted that he had already expressed his commitment to honor the vote. He said, “People have lost confidence and trust in the sole commissioner form of government because we’ve not had transparency and accountability for a long time from the Heiskell administration. The citizens of Walker County want a board of commissioners, and they are looking for Shannon Whitfield to be the last Sole Commissioner of Walker County.”
He said making the change will not be easy, but he thanked the party for acting on his resolution request.
State Rep. John Deffenbaugh was also at the meeting and expressed willingness to put a binding referendum on the ballot in 2018, noting that certain forms were required to be completed by the sole commissioner.
Rep. Steve Tarvin had given a prior comment, stating, “The people, rightly or wrongly, feel disenfranchised. The people that elected me said they want a board of commissioners, so we’re going to move forward.”
The resolution also empowered the chairman of the Walker County Republican Party to, “take such further action as he deems necessary to carry out this Resolution.” Matt Williamson, the current chairman, said, “I am strongly considering forming a committee of people who are interested in this issue to continue the process of exploring what we can do as a party and a county to move this effort forward.”
He said people interested in participating should come to the next meeting of the Walker County Republican Party on Aug. 16.
For more information, contact Mr. Williamson at (706) 639-7603.