Effingham candidates prepare for political forum
The six people running for three commission seats and four people running for one school board seat in an election on May 20 in Effingham County will take part in a political forum at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at the Effingham College and Career Academy.
Vera Jones, Phil Kieffer and Steve Mason all qualified for re-election to the county commission as Republicans.
Jones will face former Effingham County Commission Chairman Dusty Zeigler, who also is running as a Republican in the District 2 race. Zeigler is an Allstate insurance agent in Statesboro.
In the District 3 Republican primary, Mason will face challenger Jamie DeLoach. DeLoach is the manager of the Rincon branch of The Coastal Bank.
In the District 5 Republican primary, Kieffer will face David Crawley, former Effingham County administrator and current public works director for the City of Springfield.
Also on May 20, voters will choose among four candidates for the District 4 Board of Education seat. The seat was vacated by Mose Mock, who resigned to spend time with his son, who has cancer.
Qualifying for the non-partisan seat were: Elizabeth Helmly, Faith Jaudon, Ben Johnson and Amanda Phillips.
Here's more about the candidates:
VERA L. JONES
Jones, 50, of Rincon, owns a hair salon and a tanning salon. She also is a licensed commercial and residential contractor and has a background in mortgage lending and finance. She said she has one year of college education.
Jones has been married to Dennis for 33 years. They have one son, Mitchell, who is married to Jessica, and one grandson, Landon.
Jones is running for her second term as District 2 commissioner. Previously, she served two terms as the 5th District representative to the Effingham school board, as chairman for the last two years.
"I have a heart of service for the people," Jones said. "I have been blessed to receive a unique combination of experience and have achieved a successful track record in both private sector business as well as government experience on the county commission and as chairperson of the Effingham County school board."
She said her life experiences as a mother and grandmother adds another important perspective. "I understand that I am a servant of the people and I have an ingrained personality trait of determination that has helped me achieve many goals on the citizens' behalf," she said.
Roads and transportation are the most pressing issues facing the county, she said. "We are currently working with GDOT to try and revise our Effingham Parkway plan to a smaller first phase in order that we could actually be able to begin and fund the project with their support and help," she said. "This would benefit our county in so many ways such as: improve and decrease traffic flow and help bring new tax-paying businesses and services to our community."
As a commissioner, Jones said she helped to lower property taxes to around 2006 levels. That was accomplished by bidding out and decreasing the cost of health insurance, by offering early retirement and phasing out unnecessary jobs and by other cost-saving measures.
She said she helped reduce water and sewer debt. "I studied and called for the renegotiation of our 10-year service delivery agreement with the cities, and was able to save all property taxpayers approximately $12 million," she said.
She said she has "worked diligently to improve the county's working relationship with the City of Rincon," which included successfully negotiating the 10-year local-option sales tax agreement.
Jones said she helped adopt full financial policies and stopped the practice of unadvertised committee meetings that violated state open meetings law. She said she stopped the practice of taxpayer money providing funds for certain nonprofit groups, without a contract for services.
She said she saw the successful completion of the new jail and has worked diligently with the sheriff's office to provide support as needed.
She said she supported the agreement with the City of Rincon to share costs on a new fire station that improves the insurance rating of "hundreds of citizens" at a low service cost.
She said many road improvement and drainage projects were improved during her tenure and several more have begun. She also said she helped improve public safety through the installation of four-way stops, rumble strips and enhanced signage.
DUSTY ZEIGLER
Zeigler, 40, of Guyton, is an Allstate Insurance agent in Statesboro.
He has a bachelor's degree in sociology and business from Notre Dame, as well as a master's in business administration. He is married and has three children.
He was the first chairman of the Effingham commission to be selected by voters in a countywide race.
Zeigler said voters should demand more from the incumbent. "After many chances of redemption, it is disheartening to see her attempt to breach a contract and not repay the taxpayer's $750,000 and at the same time demand payment of $50,000 on a very similar issue," he said.
"Even more, the board would be much healthier with independent thinking commissioners versus the current business coalition. The board is being steered by self-preserving 'what's good for me' actions and it just needs to be moving in a better direction," he said.
Zeigler said he is qualified for the job because of his experience as a commissioner, businessman and taxpayer. He said he also has lived in different communities, enjoying the benefits of good community planning and seeing the casualties of poor planning.
Zeigler said the most pressing issue facing the commission is the budget. "The budget is beginning to escalate and the 'rainy-day' funds are dwindling, while departments seem to be expanding," he said. "I fear that the incumbent is willing to exercise her favoritism to her alliances by encouraging the board of commissioners to acquiesce and pay off a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the county. I anticipate this of course to increase the budget dramatically and I would like to stop it."
As chairman, Zeigler said he did his best to establish an improved ethics policy, based on suggestions from the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, for the board members. His opponent "voted to abolish it," he said.
"She voted to remove the voting rights of the chairman - rights that were given by the taxpayers," he said. "She ran a campaign built upon 'less taxes, more jobs, more industry' - then voted against the necessary rezoning by the Industrial Development Authority" of the Research Forest tract.
"I am confident that I can bring consistency and a better direction to the board of commissioners," he said.
JAMIE DELOACH
Jamie Lamar DeLoach, 34, of Clyo, is branch manager for The Coastal Bank. He has a degree in marketing and an MBA in business management from Georgia Southern University.
He is married to Jenni Echols DeLoach. They have one son, Gavin John DeLoach.
DeLoach said he wants to be a commissioner because he wants to make Effingham County the best place to live and do business.
DeLoach said he grew up in Effingham County, attended its public schools and played varsity baseball and basketball in high school. "I am active in my church and attended a regional university," he said. "I returned to Effingham County to work and begin a family. I want our county to continue to be the type of place that contributed so much to my own development as a young man."
DeLoach said county policies and decision making must be aligned to make sure the community nurtures families and fosters business. He said government must provide the services and tax base to ensure that the quality of life continues to be at a high level.
The most pressing issue facing District 3 is road conditions. "I am committed to try and find a solution for these issues," he said. "I also think we need to improve our recreational facilities."
DeLoach said he has a strong financial and managerial background, from working at two community banks in Effingham County. "I also have held leadership roles in my church and civic organizations," he said. "I think the leadership skills that I have developed over time have prepared me to be a strong representative for the best interest of District 3."
STEVE MASON
Mason, 52, of Clyo, is a project manager at Imperial Sugar.
Mason is married to Sharon. They have a son, Chris, and a daughter, Lisa.
He is running for his second term as an Effingham County commissioner.
"I want to continue to use my conservative values to unload the burden of development on the shoulders of the homeowner," he said. "While I want to remain development friendly, I don't want it to be at the expense of the homeowners."
Mason said 15 years as the owner of a small paving and grading business and the last three years on the board of commissioners have given him the experience to continue to make the best decisions for the taxpayer of the county. He lists as benefits his "strong values of right and wrong and not being afraid to stand up and speak for those that I represent."
Mason said one of the most pressing issues facing commissioners is completing the county development manual, so that the county and contractors have clear guidelines to follow.
Also important are figuring the best way to repair ash roads and paying off water and sewer debt while keeping property taxes reasonable.
Moving forward on the Effingham Parkway will help with traffic and increase the marketability of the county to businesses, he said.
During his tenure as commissioner, he has used his experience in the road-building business to work with staff and county engineers on new procedures to deal with the ash road problems.
"One idea I brought to our engineers is to till the ash into the existing roadbed, add a layer of crushed stone, then surface with asphalt. We currently have a contract let on Bunyan Kessler Road that will be done with this new idea."
Lowering the cost of county employee healthcare while keeping the coverage virtually the same as before saved the taxpayers approximately $1 million a year.
Mason said he always returns people's phone calls. "This is one of the promises I made when I ran," he said. "I always call people back, even when I know I am about to get chewed out about a road problem or other tough issue. After all, that is my job."
DAVID CRAWLEY
David Crawley, 42, of Rincon, is public works director for the City of Springfield. He was county administrator for Effingham County for five years, ending in May 2013.
He has bachelor's and master's degrees in biology from University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Crawley is married to Patrice. They have two children, Bailey, 17, and Carolina, 4.
This is the first time he has sought public office.
Crawley said he is running because he has an inherent belief in the county's mission statement: "It is the mission of the Effingham County board of commissioners to provide, through the highest integrity, a county government which will assure our citizens a safe and healthy environment to encourage and promote a high quality of life." He said he has a feeling of responsibility to see that the values of the mission are followed.
Crawley said his education, knowledge and experience in the private sector in the environmental field, and the public sector as county administrator, will provide the necessary tools to address the needs of not only the citizens' of the 5th District, but all of Effingham County.
"The most pressing issue is to re-establish the county's mission by restoring the integrity of our county government, assuring that improvements in transportation infrastructure, recreation and public safety, as well as proper fiscal and growth management, achieve a safe and healthy environment and promote a high quality of life," he said.
During his tenure as county administrator, the county's general fund budget was reduced by over $7 million; the Transportation Advisory Board was established to facilitate the county's transportation planning needs; the new jail was constructed; Old Augusta Road was constructed; and recreation was improved.
"It is time to expect more from your county commissioners," Crawley said. "My integrity, knowledge, work experience and rapport with county staff and elected officials provide the innate adeptness to better serve the 5th District and Effingham County."
PHIL KIEFFER
Kieffer, 37, of Rincon, is a general contractor. He earned a bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University.
He and his wife Brandi have three sons - Bryan, 10; Newton, 7; and John Ross, 1.
Kieffer was first elected as county commissioner in 2010.
"I look forward to continuing the progress Effingham County has made in the last three years," he said. "The best decisions for the citizens are often difficult. Many of the issues were cans that were continually kicked down the road. I have taken on many of those issues and made the tough decisions. Those decisions have positively impacted our county. Many more of those issues lay ahead and I am eager to tackle them and continue the county's movement into the future."
Kieffer is a lifelong resident of Effingham County, but said he also is sensitive to the needs of all families who now call Effingham home.
"I am active within the community, which gives me the opportunity to talk with citizens," he said. "I hold a high respect for the office of county commissioner and know that it's the citizens that I serve, not a big government."
He said transportation is the most pressing issue facing the county. "We have worked to make many improvements to existing roads within in the county, but we also need to remain focused on an alternative route into Chatham County," he said. "Within the last year, GDOT and Chatham County officials have offered their support for the initial portion of Effingham Parkway. This is an enormous step forward for the project."
During his tenure, Kieffer said he was able to help reduce the budget for the three consecutive years he served. Positive relationships with the cities made that possible, he said.
"We were able to bring the cities back to the table and renegotiate a service delivery agreement," he said. "This one example of intergovernmental cooperation saved the county taxpayers millions of dollars, which has been reflected in the budget over the last three years," he said.
"In just the last year, we have completely revamped the county's financial policies," he said. "The new policies provide for more stringent checks and balances and guard against frivolous and unchecked spending. These accomplishments, which encourage more open and honest government, have given the citizens a greater level of trust."
BETH HELMLY
Helmly, 59, is a retired educator who lives near Ebenezer Creek.
Helmly graduated from Effingham County High School; Newberry College with a degree in political science; and Georgia Southern with masters and education specialist degrees in social studies and administration.
She and her husband Jimmy have two children - Katie Whitten and J.C. Helmly.
She ran for superintendent of schools in the 1990s and lost to Michael Moore.
"My experience and background will allow me to be a knowledgeable voice for parents, students, teachers, administrators and school support personnel," she said. "I believe that Effingham County needs to provide students the knowledge and understanding to compete in today's world. It is very important to me that we instill in our students the same traditional values that made America great. I will work to preserve those values and serve students, parents, and all educators in Effingham County."
Helmly spent several years teaching at the elementary and secondary school level and also spent many years working as an administrator at middle and high schools. "I have been an assistant principal, a principal, alternative school director, and the superintendent's designee for board discipline. All of these experiences provided me with a variety of knowledge of school operations from teaching and instruction/curriculum to discipline and administration.
"As a parent and educator raising two children, I have been on both sides of the educational experience, which allows me a unique perspective," she said. "I am committed to and believe in Effingham schools."
She said Effingham schools have a reputation of being strong, safe and a great place to educate children. "With the continuous impact of testing, accountability guidelines and changes to standards, it is vital to me that we carefully and knowledgeably discern what changes we allow to affect our students and teachers and which changes we block," she said. "I want to ensure that all students are provided with an educational experience that will allow them to become productive members of society."
FAITH JAUDON
Jaudon, 48, from Rincon, is a UGA certified beekeeper. She owns and operates the Vintage Bee Farm and is a 4-H program assistant for Effingham Extension.
She is a 1983 graduate of Statesboro High School.
Jaudon is married to deWayne E. Jaudon. Their children are: Kristen Jones, C.J. Balding, Cameron Balding, Timothy Jaudon, Tiffany Jaudon and Michael Westfall. Their grandchildren are: Laura Grace, Ali, "Boogie," Joshua, Jonas, Jackson, Ella, Harper and Amelia.
"I am running this race on a conviction compelled by the Lord, nothing more, nothing less," she said. "I have no hidden agenda, only God's agenda."
She said the spiritual wellbeing of children is the most pressing issue facing the board of education. She has worked in the field of education for the last several years as a substitute teacher and currently as a 4-H program assistant.
"I have seen first-hand the effects of divorce, poverty, abuse, neglect, and to sum it up, the overall decline of the family unit," she said. "Unfortunately, these issues don't just stop at the school's front door; they follow our kid's right into the classroom. Once in the classroom we witness children manifesting behaviors like: anger, rage, defiance, depression, self-mutilation, low self-esteem, sensuality, rebellion, just to name a few. Our educators can't teach, nor can our students learn in an atmosphere full of such toxicity. Parents disconnect and students become disengaged, and society expects teachers to perform miracles."
She said the second-most pressing issue is the curriculum. She said the majority of the content of Common Core is "rotten to the core."
"Our teachers have been diminished to test facilitators, our classrooms to Praxis Labs, and our administrators to 'data miners,'" she said. "We can no longer bury our heads in the sand as an ostrich, when our children and our educators are enslaved by such a system. To make a change for the good in this world, we must start at the local level."
BEN JOHNSON
Johnson, 40, has lived in Effingham County more than 30 years. He attended Effingham County public schools and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
He owned and operated Poppy's BBQ in Springfield until recently, deciding to change the business to catering only. He works for Georgia Timber Exports.
This is Johnson's first attempt at elected office.
"I had considered running for the school board position in 2010 but would never run against Mr. Mose Mock whom I respect and admire, and knew he would do a good job," Johnson said. "With the resignation of Mr. Mock, and after a lot of prayers and family discussions I decided now was the right time.
"There is a need for a parent on our school board with children currently in our school system," he said. "You bring a different perspective than someone who does not."
This fall, Johnson's children will be in first, seventh and ninth grades. "This will give me a bird's eye view of our education system at work," he said. "I want a great education for all our children so they will have a bright future when they leave Effingham County public schools and I believe I can help make it happen."
Ben and his wife Shannon Pastrano Johnson have three children: Maggie 6, McKenzie, 11 and Trevan, 14.
They live in Springfield and attend the First Baptist Church of Springfield.
AMANDA PHILLIPS
Phillips, 35, of Rincon, is a stay-at-home mother and YMCA swim coach.
She has a BBA in management and human resources with a minor in music from Georgia Southern University.
She and her husband, Brian, have two daughters - Gracie, 7 and Lilee, 4.
This is her first attempt at elected office.
"As a stakeholder in the Effingham County school system, I want to be a fresh and positive voice," she said. "My motto is 'Every Student, Every School' because the students are our number one priority. It is my hope to enable students the opportunity to excel in future endeavors. Growing up surrounded by a family of educators created a deep respect for those in education."
As a volunteer in numerous student activities at church, school and the YMCA, Phillips said she is well-versed working with many different students and adults in a team setting. She said her human resources and management background allows her to have a different perspective while dealing with various situations.
The most pressing issue facing the school board is "objective and unbiased decision making," she said.
"As a transplanted resident of 12 years, I am allotted the unique opportunity of having no connections within the school system," she said. "This allows me to make decisions based on facts and not personal feelings or obligations."
