Incumbent Gwinnett County commissioners say they’ve rebuilt trust in local government and set the county on a path to prosperity. Their opponents say Gwinnett is languishing in horrible traffic and poor leadership.
Gwinnett voters will decide on Nov. 8 which version of reality they favor.
Two Democrats are challenging incumbent Republicans on the five-member County Commission. Chairman Charlotte Nash faces Jim Shealey, while District 3 Commissioner Tommy Hunter faces Jasper Watkins III.
A third incumbent, Republican Jace Brooks, faces no opposition in District 1.
Nash and Hunter say have righted Gwinnett County government after corruption scandals and recession-related budget problems shook the county several years ago.
Nash’s predecessor, Charles Bannister, resigned rather than face a perjury charge. County Commissioner Shirley Lassiter pleaded guilty to corruption charges, and former Commissioner Kevin Kenerly pleaded no contest to a bribery charge.
Nash said one of her biggest accomplishments was restoring voter confidence in county government. Among other things, commissioners passed new ethics rules to address the scandals.
She said one measure of renewed trust is the overwhelming support Gwinnett voters gave to a special sales tax for construction projects in 2013 – a tax they will consider renewing next month.
“I took that (2013 vote) as a great signal that we had moved things in the right direction, in terms of dealing with the trust issues,” Nash said.
The chairman said commissioners now are focusing on several issues that will help the county flourish in the long run. Among them: helping Gwinnett navigate the tri-state water wars that threaten its ability to grow, addressing traffic problems and improving economic development.
Traffic has been a hot topic in the chairman's race. Shealey favors rail transit as a key solution. Though Gwinnett voters have twice rejected MARTA, the last time was in 1990. He said "the same old mindset that was here 26 years ago" prevails among elected officials.
Nash wants to lay out all of the options – and their costs – so residents can make an informed decision about how best to solve Gwinnett’s traffic problems. She said the county’s long-range transportation plan update – to be completed next year – will address the issue.
Shealey's other priorities include raises for police officers and other employees. He noted commissioners gave themselves a 51 percent raise this year (though Nash did not get one) – evidence, he said, of failed leadership. The raise will increase commissioners salaries to $45,000 anually.
“I don’t think the voice of the people is being heard,” Shealey said. “I think people want relief from this traffic gridlock. The current commissioners are just not listening to the people.”
A retired teacher and former city councilman in Akron, Ohio, Shealey is the head of the local Democratic Party. He said his people skills would make him a good representative.
Nash spent nearly 30 years in Gwinnett County government before stepping down as county administrator in 2004. She was elected chairman in 2011 after Bannister resigned, and was re-elected in 2012. She said her government experience makes her “uniquely qualified” to address the county’s challenges.
The District 3 race pits Hunter, first elected four-years ago, against political newcomer Watkins.
Like Nash, Hunter cites commissioners’ efforts to restore trust in government, as well as capital improvements like the widening of the intersection of Braselton Highway and Mount Moriah Road. A sales representative for an engineering firm, he said he wants to build on the accomplishments of his first term.
“I’m not experienced in politics,” Hunter said. “I’m experienced in what actually gets done.”
Watkins is a retired military pharmacist and a former director of pharmacy for the Florida Department of Health. Like Shealey, he cites transportation and employee pay as top concerns. He also wants to make government more transparent, and said his problem-solving skills would make him a good commissioner.
“I’m passionate about this. I want this job. I love this county,” Watkins said. “(Gwinnett residents) deserve someone who’s going to look out for their best interests.”
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