County Commission Candidates Discuss Priorities, Projects, Property, and More
By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor
In addition to the three county executive candidates, four candidates are running for seats on the Dade County Board of Commissioners. Jerry Henegar and Bob Woods are chasing the District Three seat, while Melissa Bradford (incumbent) and B.J. (Boyd) Hartline both seek the District Four seat.
All registered voters vote for all districts, rather than being limited to voting for candidates representing their district of residence.
The Sentinel sent the candidates the same set of questions. These are their answers (with limited grammatical, punctuation, and capitalization corrections made).
Reminder: The local primary is May 21st.
Q: What are the top two or three responsibilities of a county government? Similarly, what are the two or three areas that should be prioritized in the budget?
Bob Woods: Safety of its citizens, infrastructure (roads, bridges), and financial management. I believe that the overall safety, health, and basic life requirements must be prioritized.
Jerry Henegar: The top responsibility of a county government is to maintain a standard of moving forward while remembering the outcome that it will have on our citizens with each decision.
Infrastructure and public safety are the two major concerns that need to be prioritized in the budget. The infrastructure is not only a concern for growing but also for maintaining the lifestyle our citizens have become used to. Traffic, water, and sewer are the three that need to be looked at for the near future.
Melissa Bradford: The top responsibilities of a county government are to ensure public safety, maintain essential infrastructure, and provide necessary public services. Public safety includes law enforcement, emergency response services, and maintaining a safe community environment. Infrastructure maintenance involves roads, bridges, utilities, and other critical facilities that support daily life and economic activity. Additionally, providing essential public services such as libraries, parks, and waste management contributes to the quality of life for residents.
When it comes to budget priorities, we must prioritize public safety and infrastructure. Allocating funds for law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency services ensures the safety and security of our residents. Investing in infrastructure maintenance and improvement projects helps to sustain economic development and enhances the overall quality of life for our community. Additionally, we should prioritize investments in education and workforce development initiatives to support the future prosperity of our county.
B.J. Hartline: Responsibilities of county government are planning for the future of the county and ensuring the wants/needs of citizens are met.
Q: If you currently serve on the board, what are you most proud of accomplishing this last term, and is there anything you aren’t satisfied with and/or hope to continue improving?
Bob Woods: N/A
Jerry Henegar: N/A
Melissa Bradford: As a Dade County commissioner, I am most proud of my achievements in building relationships that facilitate the progression of county business. Additionally, I am pleased with the upgrades made to our recycling/transfer station, the progress towards completing the courthouse within the established timeline, and my efforts in crafting ordinances to ensure the ABC board’s compliance with state laws. Furthermore, my ongoing work to finalize office space at the depot is a testament to my commitment to effective governance.
In terms of areas for improvement, one key focus will be advancing the previously agreed-upon plans for an animal shelter. My commitment lies in drafting the necessary ordinances to address the shelter’s requirements and ensuring progress towards its completion. Moreover, beyond the shelter, there are additional projects requiring momentum or refinement, and I eagerly anticipate collaborating with other boards to secure a brighter future for our county.
B.J. Hartline: N/A
Q: If you aren’t currently on the board, what do you think the current board has done well, and do you see any areas for improvement?
Bob Woods: The Dade County Commission has handled the recovery from numerous storms very well, and they previously handled the COVID-19 pandemic in an excellent manner.
Jerry Henegar: There is always room for improvements in whatever it is you do. I feel the board did well with getting communication out during COVID, and they realized the resources they had and used them. As far as improving, I feel they could go back to better communication, using our public information officer to get out around town and keep everyone updated as to what is going on. Be more transparent: If someone wants a copy of the budget that’s in the draft stages, get it to them. They may see something we missed or have a better idea.
Melissa Bradford: N/A
B.J. Hartline: The current board has been successful with getting the liquor by the drink passed. It still needs a lot of revision, but it is a step in the right direction. Transparency needs to be improved along with citizen communication. This is why I have stated multiple times that I will host a minimum of two town hall meetings a year and more if needed. This is the only way you can successfully meet the citizens’ needs. Infrastructure needs to be worked on and improved to keep up with growing Dade.
Q: What experiences, expertise, etc. qualifies you for this position?
Bob Woods: I have over 43 years of financial management experience. This experience included both small and large organizations, as well as family-owned businesses. I have vast experience deciding on the right course of action to take when presented with various options.
Jerry Henegar: Sitting four years on the City of Trenton board gave me a better understanding of how the city and county work. Whether it’s separate or together, I have an understanding of the needs both face with growth and infrastructure. I have that working relationship with the city board which will get us up and going sooner than someone having to come in and learn it from the bottom.
I have spent 30 years as a firefighter in Dade County. This has allowed me to see the fire-related budget, work closely with law enforcement on scenes, and understand their needs as they protect the citizens and visitors to Dade County.
Melissa Bradford: In my previous term, I authored multiple ordinances to address resolutions passed by Dade County residents. These ordinances not only boosted county revenue but also prioritized public safety.
B.J. Hartline: I’m not a politician by any means. I am, however, a successful business owner and have been in leadership roles with multiple groups and agencies.
Q: How should the Dade County Board of Commissioners communicate with the public, and how should individual members communicate with constituents?
Bob Woods: Communication is vital to a productive community. Commissioners must be willing to return phone calls, publish individual thoughts in the paper or through social media, and hold gatherings to hear from our citizens.
Jerry Henegar: Our public information officer should have freedom to report on what that person feels is important to the board of commissioners and to the citizens. Everyone wants to be kept up to date on the projects the county is working on. If elected, one thing I will push will be a Q&A weekly with the county executive and that week’s district commissioner. First week of the month will be District One, second week District Two, and so on.
As individual commissioners, I feel you could do a couple different things. Social media is a tool
where you can reach a lot of people in a short time. Town hall meetings are great. However, it gets into a time restraint due to everyone being so busy and deciding when would be the best time to hold them. Once again, that’s why I feel the citizens could send in questions and we could do a video on YouTube answering the questions so that citizens could watch it at their convenience.
Melissa Bradford: While there’s always room for improvement, I take pride in collaborating with Carey Anderson to enhance communication through the Dade County website, Facebook, and other social media platforms. Our efforts have significantly improved the county’s government communication during my previous term. For direct communication, constituents can always reach me at 423-413-0245.
B.J. Hartline: Communication with the public should be open to anything from phone calls, texts, and emails to social media, if need be. All citizens communicate differently, so commissioners should be flexible. Communication within should be however/whatever means work best for the group.
Q: The next commission will inherit several projects, namely the animal shelter and reservoir, and related costs. What are your views on and plans for these projects?
Bob Woods: Both of these projects require extensive research/discussion before any further steps are taken. Animal shelter: I am a dog lover so I understand the interest in this topic. However, establishing an animal shelter building is only a part of the issue; staffing it is another aspect that can be quite costly. The average animal shelter salary can be around $45K or higher, plus the additional assistants’ salaries. So we must do our homework to make sure that this project can be financially supported and that the citizens want it.
Reservoir: My response to this question has a few different aspects. First, we must determine if we need a reservoir based upon who is being supported by the reservoir: families or families and industry. Second, if the public decides we do need a reservoir, then we must do the diligent steps that are required to ensure the land that is to be used, can be used. By this I mean that all necessary tests must be conducted prior to any land/area being purchased.
Jerry Henegar: Let’s just wipe the reservoir off the drawing board. It isn’t happening any time in the next 20 years as far as I can tell. I sat on the City of Trenton board when this project was brought up, and they wanted to split it three ways, between the county, city, and water authority. I was not comfortable being part of a project that we had no plans for and no studies done to see if it could even be completed. I was not about to commit the city taxpayers to such a project. I had questions then of why we were wanting to build a back-up water source on a creek that they were saying they were worried about running dry. I think other options should have been looked at for a back-up water plan. Now, we have to figure out the plan for the land. Do we build a nice outdoor venue on it and hold festivals or do we put a walking track around it with some kayak ramps to the creek? We could also look at selling it to pay for these other projects we have going on. This is something the new commission will have to look at and decide what’s best.
The animal shelter should be started by the time the new candidates takes office. I spoke with the mayor, and they have plans of a building that they would like to see built. I know the city and county still haven’t decided how it will be funded, if it’s a 50/50 split or 60/40 or 70/30. The citizens voted for this, so let’s get it done. It’s been a project that has been talked about for years but no movement was made on it. After speaking to the mayor, there are several things that you need in order to have a shelter; it isn’t just feeding some animals each day. There will be a director. Then, you must have a licensed vet to care for the animals, which could be on an as-needed basis. When you bring animals in, they have to be kept separate until tested and treated, so there is a lot that goes into running a shelter. Hopefully, we will have several volunteer groups to step in and help with the animals.
Melissa Bradford: See answer to question two.
B.J. Hartline: The animal shelter was voted and approved; it should be built. Agreements and contracts between county and city have to be made for operations of the shelter and funding agreements. Also, ordinances would have to be put in place to ensure the shelter and its enforcement have guidelines and rules to operate by. Reservoir property needs to be addressed. Engineers would have to survey the property to let us know what is or isn’t acceptable to build/use the property for.
Q: Do you have any goals for/opinions about county-owned property?
Bob Woods: My initial thoughts are that property should be privately owned by the citizens of Dade County.
Jerry Henegar: The latest piece of empty county owned property we acquired is in the north end of the county. That’s where the county and the school did some land swapping. I know residents on the north end are asking about a storm shelter for that end. That would be an ideal spot for it. Thinking further down the road, I’m not sure when we will have to build a new jail, but I would like to see it placed outside of the city limits. The sports complex has a few acres available also. I know there were rumors of looking at building an outdoor amphitheater down that way at one time, and some citizens mentioned getting mountain bike trails down there. As far as the reservoir property, we could use it as a green space, stop leasing it out, build some kayak ramps, and open up some tent spots for camping on the creek. As mentioned earlier in another question, maybe even build an outdoor venue and host some outdoor events.
Melissa Bradford: I believe it is crucial for the county to possess property, but it must be acquired and managed in a responsible manner. There should be regulations in place for industrial properties and affordable housing initiatives that directly benefit our county constituents.
B.J. Hartline: I’m not for certain on county owned property. If the property doesn’t have plans or county need, I’m not sure why the county would own it. If there is no need for it, then it needs to be sold.
Q: What are your views on industry in Dade County, and what role does the county government play in industry?
Bob Woods: If more industry comes to Dade County, then we must determine the best location for it and whether or not we can support their requirements. Additionally, we must look at our unemployment rate and see if we need any more industry. If we do, then we must ensure that the wages of the new industry are at the level we want.
Jerry Henegar: I think we sit in a great location of being thirty minutes from just about any job you can ask for in Chattanooga. This allows us to be very picky. Working with our IDA board, we need to set standards of what we’re wanting to come into our area, not just taking the first offers. If we don’t set standards and expectations, then we don’t have goals or plans for our future. We must continue to be involved in the schools and keep track of what they are teaching and what careers the students are looking for. Also with industry, we keep our citizens in mind as to where it is placed and the burden it will place on our infrastructure.
Melissa Bradford: See answer to the previous question.
B.J. Hartline: Industry in Dade County is tough. On one hand, it is hard to get high end companies with everything in Chattanooga. With that, we have to look at our infrastructure to ensure we can continue industrial growth without hurting our citizens. We should be selective in the industry we allow in Dade. It should add to our county and citizens, both financially and economically.
Q: What are the biggest obstacles to a flourishing life that Dade County families currently face?
Bob Woods: We must establish opportunities and training for all of our children; we need vocational, technical, and college prep. We must also speak with our citizens so that they know of these opportunities for their children so that they don’t believe that there are no opportunities for their children.
Jerry Henegar: I believe it starts with our government. We have to control our spending so that we are not having to raise taxes every year. It’s the taxpayers’ money, and we can’t just keep living off the backs of them. If we can control our spending, then we are putting money back in the citizens pocket. With our economy today and the price of everything going up, we need to keep the citizens in mind. The citizens are struggling to make it, and in most families, both of the parents are working and some are working two jobs. It’s hard to have a great life when all you do is work, come home, sleep, and then repeat Monday through Friday.
Melissa Bradford: As our county has expanded, we have seen an increase in available resources. In addition to offering a wide range of books, the library provides free computer use, internet access, and hosts a continuous array of events. Furthermore, our county’s agricultural extension shares the latest knowledge, science, and processes with local farmers, and its exceptional 4-H program offers engaging events and classes for families. Moreover, our county sports center is experiencing growth in activities and continues to support numerous recreational sports leagues. Furthermore, the Alliance for Dade continues to attract more visitors to the area, thereby generating increased revenue for the county.
B.J. Hartline: Dade County families are struggling daily with inflation of goods and products with little to no improvement with pay. Along with continued increase in taxes, this makes for stressful situations for citizens.
