As part of its coverage of the 2022 elections, the Franklin County Citizen Leader submitted the same list of questions to each candidate running for a seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
The questions were:
1. Please provide information about your background, education, past service in government or with community organizations, church and family.
2. What qualities and/or qualifications do you feel will serve you best in the position you seek?
3. What are your plans if you are elected to the position?
4. Growth has been a big topic in Franklin County of late. What criteria will you use in deciding requests for rezoning, conditional use permits and other applications from developers?
5. If you had a chance to speak one-on-one with each registered voter in Franklin County, what would say to secure his or her vote?
The answers submitted by the candidates were used to write the story below.
By Shane Scoggins
Publisher
Josh Smith describes himself as a proven public servant.
As such, he said he has numerous qualifications that will serve him well as the next Franklin County commissioner from District 4.
Smith has a knowledge of Franklin County’s departments and how they operate and also management experience that produced proven financial growth for the company he worked for.
In addition, Smith said he will be an advocate for employees, is willing to serve all Franklin County citizens, is open-minded and is a firm believer in collaboration.
A native of Royston, Smith, 40, is a graduate of Franklin County High School and Emmanuel College with a bachelor’s degree. He later earned a master’s degree in health administration.
Smith worked for 20 years for Franklin County as a paramedic.
He is currently a poultry farmer and works as bulk manager for Smith Farm Supply, managing chemicals, feed and fertilizer distribution.
Smith has been on three Christian medical missions trips to South Sudan to assist in vaccinations and medical care.
He and wife Amanda have two children, Caleb, 10, and Tinley, 6.
If elected, Smith said he will listen to all citizens and “strive to be a voice for them.”
He wants to preserve Franklin County’s way of life and support all agriculture in the county, Smith said.
“I intend to collaborate with the [Industrial Building Authority] to ensure the right businesses are brought to our county to ensure great jobs are here for our citizens and our youth when they graduate,” the candidate said. “I intend to collaborate with the [Franklin County Board of Education] and find ways to improve our workforce for graduates by supporting programs at the high school aimed toward vocational education.”
Smith said he will ensure that county leaders are proactive by having more communication among all county departments and wants to have a study done of the county’s pay structure “to adequately meet the needs of the county employees so that we can retain our employees and reduce the amount of turnover.”
Housing growth should be monitored and managed “without placing great burden to our citizens,” he said.
“I will protect and support public safety department employees as well as be an advocate for the fire departments and assist our fire volunteers in any way I can,” he said. “I’m still a member of the Royston Fire Department.”
In making decisions about growth, Smith said he will ensure that any proposed development “is good for Franklin by not placing a financial strain on the citizens.”
To do that, Smith said he will ask for infrastructure costs and analysis prior to any approval; financial stability reports from companies; and that rezoning applications provide “stringent” detailed information from developers about the rezoning request.
He also said that corporate entities wanted to locate here should provide detailed plans and future plans to ensure Franklin is able to see their purposes for wanting to be in Franklin County, “so that the citizens are not surprised years down the road.”
Each application should be taken one at a time and the county should not make blanket policies “so that we are not put in a position in the future that will hurt the county,” he said.
If given a chance to speak to voters one-on-one, Smith said he would let them know his background and that he will be a voice for all Franklin County citizens.
“I’m not afraid to say no,” he said. “I will ensure all monies allotted/distributed through the budget will be accounted for. I will work with each department to ensure our county and citizens are the priority. I will strive to protect our agricultural industry while also seeking the right industries for Franklin County so that our children will have opportunities to stay here and work here. I will be open minded and listen to concerns from all citizens. I will be proactive. I will fight for the citizens and not let big corporations tell us what to do. I will be compassionate and an advocate for our county employees. I will work hard for the citizens, and I will try to make decisions that are best for all citizens. I will be responsive and meet with citizens when asked.”
Smith said he thanks voters for their support.
“May God bless this county and each citizen,” he said.