Politics & Government

District 3 Commission Candidates Identify Ways to Cut Spending

The four candidates for Gwinnett County Commission District 3 answer questions submitted by Patch readers.

Next month, voters in Gwinnett County District 3 will decide if Mike BeaudreauJerry OberholtzerTommy Hunter or Mike Korom will serve as the area's next county commissioner.

Dacula Patch asked each of the candidates to answer a  The questionnaires were based in part on questions submitted by readers. Dacula Patch did not limit the length of the responses. Each candidate's answers are presented unedited and in their entirety.

 

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Candidate:  Mike Korom
Occupation:  independent contractor
Campaign website:  www.mikekorom.com
Campaign Facebook page:  Elect Mike Korom

5.) In your opinion, what Gwinnett County government services could be scaled back or eliminated?

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I realize that in the long run this may eliminate county jobs but we need to look at all the departments within the county and see what can be privatized.  This should be a gradual process and a phase out over several years to ensure services are not interrupted or a large number of employees adversely affected.   We should install a moratorium on building more county parks immediately.  Just in the past two days, we’ve seen the county pay $210,000 to move an old barn and $2.2 million to expand the Gwinnett Heritage center.  Private initiatives should be funding a barn move and monies focused on projects that are in dire need of capital improvements.  

 

Candidate:  Jerry Oberholtzer
Occupation:  former mayor of Snellville
Campaign website:  www.JerryOberholtzer.com
Campaign Facebook page:  Jerry Oberholtzer

5.) In your opinion, what Gwinnett County government services could be scaled back or eliminated?

Gwinnett County has entered into a five-year contract for IT services. With the pace at which technology advances, smart spending today may not be so in five years. We need to reduce the length of these contracts and other service contracts so that they can be revisited as necessary on a regular basis, saving tax payers money at every turn.

 

Candidate:  Tommy Hunter
Occupation:  civil engineer
Campaign website:  www.ElectTommy.com
Campaign Facebook page:  Elect Tommy Hunter

5.) In your opinion, what Gwinnett County government services could be scaled back or eliminated?

I have several ideas and would weigh them against the question--is this absolutely essential to the safety and well being of our citizens.  I believe that the "needs" must be paid for first, and as efficiently as possible, before "wants" are even considered---just as how every household in Gwinnett County has to operate.   Anything not a "need" is subject to scaling back or elimination.  Even areas of those services deemed absolutely necessary can be operated more efficiently.   The citizens of Gwinnett County have had to roll up their sleeves and do "more with less", certainly the government that the citizens hard work supports can do the same. 

 

Candidate:  Mike Beaudreau
Occupation:  national accounts manager
Campaign website:  www.mikebeaudreau.com
Campaign Facebook page:  Mike Beaudreau

Campaign Twitter account: @MikeBeaudreau

5.) In your opinion, what Gwinnett County government services could be scaled back or eliminated?

The reduction in property tax revenues due to the recession has forced the Board of Commissioners to make some difficult decisions to reduce services.  In 2009, a citizen’s committee met for six months to study possible service consolidations and reductions, and released the Engage Gwinnett report.  The Board has implemented most of their suggestions, and is working on ways to implement the remaining ones.

I believe the county has made all the easy cuts available, and many painful ones.  Further reductions in services will have a big impact on the quality of life we enjoy.  That’s why I believe we must focus our efforts on increasing the commercial tax base in order to avoid further service reductions.

 

 


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