Precinct 1 candidates have their say

Posted 2/13/20

Candidates for the two Precinct 1 county offices squared off in a forum Thursday at the Quitman Public Library, sponsored by the Quitman Chamber of Commerce.

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Precinct 1 candidates have their say

Posted

Candidates for the two Precinct 1 county offices squared off in a forum Thursday at the Quitman Public Library, sponsored by the Quitman Chamber of Commerce.

Incumbent Constable Steve Bowser has drawn a challenge from Billy Hill, while incumbent Commissioner Virgil Holland has drawn two opponents, former commissioner Keith Gilbreath and J.R. Douglas.

Each candidate had two minutes for an introduction and a closing, and each fielded five different questions, drawn at random, also with two minutes to answer and no rebuttals.

Moderator Steve Dunson said the questions were taken from those submitted and were as “non-contentious” as possible, adding that some of the forums have gotten “completely out of hand.”

Bowser and Hill, who serves with the Wood County Sheriff’s Dept., outlined their qualifications. Bowser is in his 20th year as constable, and Hill has been a deputy four years after serving as a jailer.

Each was complimentary, with Hill saying he has nothing bad to say about the incumbent, and Bowser praising Hill’s desire to serve.

Hill stressed that he would bring more proactive policing to the office and plans to add a canine. He said he wants to work with the churches and schools in the precinct and hopes to help local youth become more comfortable around police.

Bowser said he wants to complete the work that he has started, noting that when he became constable, for years the office had not been active, and the perspective of what constables do has changed.

He fielded a question about state mandated education hours, noting that he teaches those classes.

Hill said that his relevant experience is serving as a patrol deputy, and that he would work hard to learn the other constable duties quickly, serving civil papers and as bailiff for the justice of the peace court.

In the commissioner’s race. Holland is seeking his third term. Gilbreath served the term before that.

Before joining the county Holland was in the dairy business for 17 years and the propane business for 18. Gilbreath was with Amco production for 30 years and started his own construction company which he operated 10 years.

Douglas spent his career in the oilfield service industry before retiring to the Lake Fork area.

A question about the viability of the unit road system was drawn by Holland, who said it would not work in Wood County.

Douglas drew a question about the organizational chart commissioners recently approved that placed the departments under commissioners.

He hinted at the recent county judge’s report that noted several county department were out of compliance with standards and requirements.

Holland said the departments have always been under the commissioners and the county cannot be run by one person.

Gilbreath followed up on the compliance issue, noting no one knew how out-of-compliance the county was until recently. He said he had no problems working with the judge and other department during his term.

Douglas drew a question about the need for a loop around Quitman to mitigate traffic around the courthouse.

A true loop is needed, he said, and as the county grows will be needed to handle all that traffic.

Gilbreath took a question about his current view of the office.

“I hate to slam my competitor,” he said, “I feel like I can do a better job.”

Holland was asked about the precinct’s most pressing needs. He said that many of the needs had been addressed during his term, with more modern equipment helping to efficiently work on more roads each year.