Published: May 14, 2006 12:49 am            

Roads, water top issues in races

Nine seek County Commission posts

As the June 6 primary approaches, the Cullman County road system, along with solutions for the county’s faltering budget are likely to be top issues in the County Commission race.

Other top-level issues include pay scales for county employees and future sources of drinking water.

This year, both associate commission seats are up for grabs with nine candidates on the ballots:



Place 1

Democratic candidates in the place-1 race are Donnie Handley and Faye Pruett Whisenant. Republicans are Bryan Messersmith and incumbent Doug Williams.

‰ For the incumbent, Williams is standing on past accomplishments for his platform.

He pointed out a number of cost-saving programs at the Road Department, including fewer vehicles at the work site, a four-day work week to save on gas and keeping road construction areas closer together to decrease mileage.

He also promised additional revenue for the county through grant money and income from the proposed ATV park. He said the county has taken in more than $1 million of grant money since he took office.

Other promises include the implementation of the long-awaited pay scale system.

“An associate commissioner has to be involved in all operations of the county,” he said. “With a $36 million budget, we need to see that the money is used properly.”

‰ Going against Williams is Messersmith, who has been an outspoken critic of recent eminent domain issues.

Messersmith declined to comment to The Times, but released a prepared statement.

In it, he stated that he is running in response to the property rights of his relatives being taken away.

“There are many large issues on the horizon that need the attention of a full-time Commissioner,” he stated.

Relatives of Messersmith have been involved in a property-right dispute with Cullman City. That case was settled in court for $5,000.

‰ On the Democratic ticket, Handley is running on a promise to clean up the drinking water for Cullman County residents.

According to Handley, outdated piping is leading Cullman to have the highest cancer rate in the state. He said his own mother died of cancer as a result.

“What does everyone in Cullman do? Drink water,” he said. “It’s just not clean.”

He added that he is running as a member of Living Faith Baptist Church.

‰ Going against Handley is former commissioner Whisenant.

She promised to make the county’s pay scale her top priority.

“They have nothing to look forward to the way it is now,” she said.

She also promised more income from state and federal appropriations and grants and an open-door policy for residents and employees.

Other promises include restarting the road maintenance program, which she said has stopped functioning due to high fuel costs and needed “streamlining.”

“You’ve got to work together with whoever is in office, because we are working for a better Cullman County and a better people,” she said.



Place 2

In the place-2 race, Democratic candidates are Don Cates, Robert Harbison and Norman “Pete” Tucker. Republicans are Wayne Willingham and incumbent Stanley Yarbrough.

‰ Yarbrough, the incumbent, said he will respond to every complaint as if it were his own.

He pointed to a number of improvements under his tenure, including upgrades to county road-building standards, several miles of upgrades to the water system and increased fire protection.

He also said he worked with municipalities to make towns safer by bringing in traffic lights, and that he worked with the school board to build new roads to westside schools.

“I work for the people of Cullman County,” he said. “I want to continue working to help meet the community’s needs.”

In the past, Yarbrough has been a lone dissenting vote on the three-member council.

He voted against the county takeover of the park system and was voted down when he attempted to attain a raise for a Road Department employee.

In a recent disagreement, he hired the services of his own lawyer, saying it was to better represent the westside.

‰ Going against Yarbrough is West Point Mayor Wayne Willingham, who said he is running to bring “harmony amongst the commissioners again.”

For his accomplishments, Willingham said he became mayor during a “tense situation,” but still managed to double the town’s population.

He also called for a possible switch to bio-diesel fuel to reduce gasoline costs, and promised not to serve more than two terms if elected.

“I’m really just interested in my community,” he said. “It’s been good to me, and it’s time to give back.”

‰ In the Democratic Primary, Harbison said his previous two terms on the commission make him a good candidate for the job.

His platform calls for improvements to the road system and more federal and state grant money.

He said, if elected, he will increase the number and size of water lines to increase fire protection in the county.

He came out against a water line from the Tennessee River, saying the federal government is not likely to allow it.

While he would not say if he supported the Duck River Dam, he said he will keep an “open mind.”

“I’m going to spend a great deal of time studying the budget,” he said. “I want to make sure every tax dollar pays for the good of Cullman County residents.”

‰ Tucker also stood on his previous commission experience, pointing to two terms in office.

If elected, he said his first priority will be the roads, which he said need better organization and management.

“I just believe that I can make a difference in the road department,” he said. “I won’t solve all of the problems, but I can make things a lot better.”

He also called for upgrades for most small water lines in the county and said current budget issues are a reflection of poor management.

He said, if elected, he will not use high gas prices as an excuse to overspend the budget.

‰ Cates said he will make the county’s road system his top priority if elected.

He said current standards are too low and roads are not lasting as long as they should.

Cates said his plan will make it so newly-paved roads will not need maintenance at least five years.

He pointed to more than 35 years of experience building roads.

Also of note, he said he will not support the Duck River Dam or a waterline to the Tennessee River. Instead, he said he will pursue Smith Lake as source of good drinking water.

“I don’t like the idea of drinking out of the Tennessee River. It’s filthy,” he said. “And the Duck River is dry three months of the year.”

Cates added that future water sources should be put to a vote before the people, not decided by a three-member commission.

        

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