Etowah County Commission District 4 primary Q&A: Incumbent Tim Ramsey and Jeff Overstreet
Incumbent Tim Ramsey is being challenged by former Commissioner Jeff Overstreet in Tuesday's Republican primary for the Etowah County Commission District 4 seat. The winner will face no Democratic opposition in November's general election.
Each candidate was asked the same five questions. Here are their answers (the candidates are listed alphabetically and the responses may have had mild editing):
What is it going to take to recruit industry/industries to the Little Canoe Creek Mega-Site?
OVERSTREET: It requires perseverance, patience, and personal involvement.
Any industrial site requires several components to make it a success. In 2008, we as a commission established the now mega-site and began the first land purchase. We knew the potential, but also recognized it as a long-term obligation. The county must persevere in recruitment of an industry, but it HAS to be the right one: good-paying jobs in large abundance, a responsible corporate neighbor and an opportunity to raise the quality of life for the entire community. This also requires an incredible amount of patience. Sites of this magnitude take several years to develop and recruit. The county has to be diligent in in its pursuit of an industry, realizing it may be an extended period of time. That is why it’s so important for the county to stay personally involved. The county should let its presence be known at all times to the commerce department, the governor’s office and all others involved with the recruitment of industry.
RAMSEY: Continuing to develop the site, laying all the pieces into place. The latest leap forward is the new memorandum of understanding the County Commission has in place with Rainbow City, where water and sewer infrastructure as well as police and fire protection will be provided once it is annexed. Norfolk/Southern Railroad has designated the mega-site as a “prime site” and along with the Alabama Department of Commerce is promoting the site to identify potential industry. It will take time, but there is much anticipation and excitement about the future of LCCMS and what it will mean for all of Etowah County and its citizens.
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What kind of industry do you believe the county should try to recruit there, one large employer or multiple smaller ones?
OVERSTREET: When we reached mega-site status in approximately 2013, we as a commission made the decision that the site should recruit a large-scale industry. Our model was simple: bring a large industry to the mega-site, and promote our municipal industrial parks in the county as opportunities for 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-tier operations to supply the mega-site location. We wanted to do our best to bring as many employment opportunities to Etowah County as possible. We felt then, as I personally do now, the mega-site, with its size and location, is best suited for large industry. With interstate and rail access available to the site, these components would not be fully utilized with an industrial park concept. Former county Industrial Director Marilyn Lott, whom I had the opportunity to hire in 2018, did an excellent job in securing millions in state and corporate funding for further development of the mega-site. These improvements have further advanced the site to become the recipient of a great large-scale project that will benefit Etowah County and the surrounding region.
RAMSEY: I would like to see a large, environmentally-friendly manufacturing plant located on LCCMS. However, I am open to evaluate any substantial employers who come to the table with a valid proposal. A large employer usually has smaller employers supporting them. Each offer would have to be measured taking into account the number of jobs created, wages offered, the amount of land needed, impact on the environment, future growth potential and many other variables.
How should the County Commission respond to ICE's decision to remove immigration detainees from the county's detention center?
OVERSTREET: ICE is a federal program that had been a county partner for a number of years. When I served on the commission, we were faced with a similar situation, but we reacted immediately by going to Washington, D.C., and meeting with Congressman Aderholt. We were able to save the program for many more years. Their decision to now terminate their relationship is disappointing, but in reality it’s all about cost for the county. The numbers indicate over last few years this program has been a expense to the county budget. If this is indeed the case, the county may be better off without the program now.
RAMSEY: The County Commission responded to ICE by letting them know how much we appreciated their contract with us and have left the door open for future partnerships if offered. Several entities have contacted the sheriff about needing space for their inmates, and we are open to looking at any offers which are beneficial to our county.
What's the greatest challenge the county faces in coming years?
OVERSTREET: My personal opinion is infrastructure. There was study done in 2015 by ALDOT to determine if we had proper and adequate roadways to facilitate our growing needs. With more vehicles on the road and the increase of ownership (many families own more vehicles than live in the home), we were told Gadsden could be in gridlock in 15 to 20 years. I firmly believe a comprehensive road study must be done countywide to begin making accommodations for the future. If we lose our ability to move, we lose our ability to grow.
RAMSEY: We have several challenges facing us at this time. The mental health crisis is at the forefront and we are working to address this in several ways, one program being the Mobile Crisis Assistance Team spearheaded by Probate Judge Scott Hassell to provide immediate assistance to citizens experiencing mental health related issues. Infrastructure issues of sewer and storm drainage are also important, but one of the most critical infrastructure challenges facing the county is related to transportation. Several areas of our county are already experiencing traffic delays much of the day due to our growth. Outlying county roads in Districts 2, 3 and 4 are in extremely poor condition due to years of being under funded. Many of these roads were paved with funds from the $10 million borrowed in 2008. We are still paying on that 15-year bond ($900,000+ just in the last year) and with the rise in paving costs, it will take approximately $30 million to do the same roads again. We have moved $1.4 million from the general fund to the road budget in the past two years and the 2018 gas tax is helping to move us in the right direction, but it is a long rough road ahead (pun intended). Some of the congestion delays we are experiencing will soon be relieved with the completion of the I-759/Eastern Connector project announced last week, along with the widening of Rainbow Drive south of Highway 77.
Why are you the best candidate for the office you're seeking?
OVERSTREET: My years of political experience, relationships and accomplishments speak for themselves. I was part of the most progressive commission in Etowah County’s recent history. We paid off debt, paved roads, restored bridges, began and completed a large-scale industrial site, made policy changes that saved the county hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual payouts, assisted with storm shelter placement in the county and several cities, and so much more. I have Etowah County’s best interests at heart. That is why, if elected, I will be returning my paychecks for all four years back to District 4, including schools, fire departments and police departments and more. I will be a true servant of the people, just as I always have been. I ask for you vote on May 24th.
RAMSEY: Over the past four years, I have done what I promised to do. I have built great working relationships with area leaders and made myself accessible to the people who elected me. The current County Commission is now a positive force moving Etowah County forward. I believe we have completed many great projects for the county during my first term. I am looking forward to the possibility of being re-elected to four more years and continuing the positive momentum.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Etowah County Commission District 4: Tim Ramsey, Jeff Overstreet
