Bob Gabbard, republican candidate for Judge Executive in Jackson County I was born on Farmers Ridge and raised like most folks here, poor and God fearing. I attended school for a short period in the old school in McKee, then Annville Institute. I have an academic back ground in Civil Engineering and Geology. I studied Geology in Kiev, Ukraine, Ulaanbaatar Mongolia and St Petersburg Russia as well as Colorado and California. My travels have taken me too many places in the world and I have met people from all walks of life. Like many from the area I moved away but always had ties here and have owned property in Jackson County for many years near Kirby Knob. Coming back was a choice, a privilege and a plan and I am proud to be home again. I own the Motel in McKee and live on site. I am an active volunteer for the new veteran’s park in McKee and have contributed to its location, design, overall planning and the physical construction. I am a city councilman and represent the public honestly and fairly. I contribute to local events both monetarily and voluntarily I also donate motel rooms to families in need short term. I am a member of the local Kiwanis and active in local government and currently working on the Jackson County Flood Mitigation Plan (will save thousands of dollars in insurance premiums in our community when complete) and I am on the Trail Town committee. I have immersed myself in the business of the county for the past three years and tried to work with all factions in making Jackson County a better place to live a raise a family. For 23 years I was CEO of my own company in the industrial construction industry, my business background and broad experience as a business owner in that industry will help me be effective in governing the county and if elected I would: • Immediately evaluate the financial condition by audit and give a state of the county message. • The next important step is to create an overall plan for the county for the next 4 years and beyond. Without a goal and a map to get there we are doomed to status quo. I haven’t yet met anyone that wants the county to stand still or move laterally. Unless we keep pace we are regressing. • There is no magic bullet solution for all issues but some adjustments can be made immediately and will be effective in keeping cost in line and revenues stable. The net effect will result in a major upward change in our county’s financial status. • I will reach out to Frankfort and beyond to grow our county’s tax base via the internet and in person. We can attract small business, tourism, entrepreneurs and retirees. At the same time when possible outsource some of the county’s needs and services to local private industry helping the local economy and reducing our liabilities. • I will actively seek grants that could help us in all aspects of county needs. • I would contact the Department of Interior about P.I.L.O.T funds for Daniel Boone and try to increase it and or get more infra-structure in Turkey foot and S Tree areas as well as trail systems updated. (I have been working on the trail system aka trail town for over 2 years.) I don’t feel we are compensated adequately for the 57,000 acres of forest within our county and feel there is an opportunity to expand the county’s interest and private participation in an effort to bring in more tourism. • I would advocate a new system for our law enforcement with citizens input and legal representation to set it in place. As a community we are entitled to certain modification under the home rule law and we can mold a system that best represents our needs. • I would encourage local business leaders and citizens to give input to help identify and determine solid growth plan and help sustain the health and progress of that plan in working toward our goals together. • I would strictly enforce an ethics ordnance with a strong emphasis on nepotism. I believe cronyism and nepotism are two sure ways to derail a functional system. • I would keep the staff current on all training needed to assure we are on the right track with our work, methods and goals and in step with state requirements. • Government is a business and must be treated as such but the product or goods produced is a fair and honest system for all people of the county and the best quality of life we can muster. • And finally I would recommend reinstatement of sheriff and deputies and work with that department to assure the best and most responsible form of law enforcement available.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 03:38:03 +0000
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