WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
I am Credell Calhoun, a candidate for re-election.
IN 250 WORDS OR LESS, PLEASE TELL US WHY YOU ARE SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE?
I am seeking reelection to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors to continue the progress that I have made: a) recruiting businesses for the creation of more and better paying jobs; b) promoting economic development to increase the tax base; c) supporting strong crime fighting initiatives; d) working to increase funding for infrastructure, i.e., street resurfacing; bridge repair and replacement; e) working with the city of Jackson to provide safe and clean water for the southwest Jackson area; f) protecting the county’s fiscal integrity utilizing best business practices; and, g) being an advocate supporting increased funding for our schools, colleges and universities, and teachers’ pay raises.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS/ARE THE GREATEST OBSTACLE(S) TO ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN HINDS COUNTY?
Hinds County is not unique to challenges and obstacles that impede or slow the progression of economic and community development. Counties across the nation are strapped with financial woes of providing needed services to their county. Some of Hinds County’s challenges include lack of funding to adequately maintain and resurface roads and streets and the repair and replacement of bridges. We must address the aged infrastructure in the county! Though the Board of Supervisors is not responsible for the infrastructure of water and sewer services, the Board can, when possible, support the county’s municipalities in securing federal and state funding for safe and clean water. I have done that!
Public safety is another issue that exists in large part for the Board of Supervisors due to an unsecured jail facility with structural problems that were inherited from the initial construction of the Raymond Detention Center. Likewise, the county lags in workforce development of skilled and trained individuals to meet the needs of existing and future businesses in the workforce. Crime is another issue that plagues and makes our communities unsafe and impedes growth. Furthering the problem, there are not enough recreational activities and productive community programs designed to address the needs of a growing population of young people. Affecting our communities in the same way is the perception that our city, county, and state leadership are not doing all they can to improve the growth and development of our communities and businesses. Congruently, the Board of Supervisors does not have sufficient General Funds to address all its human capital needs, i.e., providing employee raises, improving health benefits, and training for developing its workforce. In addition, it is time to address the aging needs of the county’s heavy equipment and trucks.
IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THIS/THESE OBSTACLE(S)?
In the area of economic development, I will continue to work to build relationships to retain existing businesses and attract new businesses by supporting tax incentives, tax increment financing, issuance of general obligation bonds, and improving the county’s infrastructure for safer roads, streets and bridges, and transportation needs. Businesses contribute to the tax base and a good tax base helps to fund the operations of Hinds County government. In like manner, I will continue to work to recruit businesses that will pay decent livable wages. I will continue to provide opportunities to local small businesses. Small businesses are the engine that create jobs in Hinds County.
In the area of public safety, I am providing the leadership for the construction of a new jail in Hinds County to get criminals off the street. To address the local crime rate, I initiated the Hinds County Re-Entry Program to help returning citizens from prison to transition successfully back into the community by providing training and employment opportunities; thereby, helping to develop a skilled labor workforce.
To address water quality, I am spearheading the building of a water tower and well in the Southwest Jackson area. To improve the quality of life in the county, I am working with the city of Jackson’s Parks and Recreation Department to help purchase playground equipment, maintain walking trails, replace roofing, and repair plumbing at one of the restroom facilities. Backed the financial support of $100k for the Jackson’s historical Buddy Butts Park Road resurfacing project. Due to redistricting this year, I picked up a portion of Clinton and already I am working to help with the upgrade of plans for the tourist designation of the Northside Park.
I will continue to protect the county’s fiscal integrity by utilizing best business practices, managing/executing cost savings measures to provide efficient government, and reduce the cost of operating county government. Not to mention, I will continue to work with our state and federal authorities for funding opportunities; along with encouraging Cooperative Interlocal Agreements with the City of Jackson and other municipalities in the county to address the service needs and quality of life issues for citizens of Hinds County. Together we can have influence and as always, I am “Working for the People!”
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WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
I am Deborah Butler Dixon.
IN 250 WORDS OR LESS, PLEASE TELL US WHY YOU ARE SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE?
I am running for Hinds County Supervisor District 3 because I believe that our county can do better. When elected, I will work with the incoming Board to assess the infrastructure needs, business development needs, professional needs, and quality of life needs for the county. Every county that is moving forward has a plan and Hinds County needs one as well to meet current and projected needs. This new assessment is critical in order for us to:
Develop a strategic plan for the county to address the overall budget projections;
Increase roads, bridges, and landscaping maintenance;
Address employee concerns;
Ensure a strong sheriff’s department for public safety;
Stabilize property taxes to reduce citizens moving out of the county;
Seek lower car tags and lower property taxes in other metro area communities;
Comply with citations levied against the county concerning jail conditions;
Provide monetary needs of other county elected officials in order to operate their departments efficiently;
And complete physical/technological upgrades to the Hinds County Courthouse.
When elected, I pledge to work with the Board, City, State, and Federal government to get Hinds County on top where we belong.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS/ARE THE GREATEST OBSTACLE(S) TO ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN HINDS COUNTY?
Our greatest obstacle is that we tend to focus on the negative aspects of issues that on the surface are problematic. Hinds County must work in partnership locally, statewide, and at the Federal level. Hinds County has many more positive attributes than other Mississippi communities.
1. Hinds County is the county seat of state government and many government agencies are located here.
2. Hinds County has the premier health facilities located here.
3. Hinds County has three junior college campuses here.
4. Hinds County has the medical school and other health related training programs here.
5. Hinds County has a law school located here.
6. Hinds County has FIVE institutions of higher learning located here.
7. Hinds County has two interstate highway systems and five major state highways running through here.
8. Hinds County has a local airport and access to an international airport.
9. Hinds County has major rail systems here.
10. Hinds County has museums, parks, recreation, tourist attractions, the Coliseum, the Zoo and other important quality of life metrics.
11. Hinds County has many industrial areas that are ideal for development or redevelopment.
IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THIS/THESE OBSTACLE(S)?
If elected, I will demand our fair share from the State of Mississippi. The State gives millions of dollars to other communities but fails to be equitable in appropriating monies to the county where the seat of state government is located. This is not fair and this has to stop. When elected, I will work with the Board to get more discretionary funds from the State. Vote for me and I will work for you. Hinds County needs an aggressive plan to identify, improve, and upgrade existing infrastructure. This will take vision, planning and money.
