Five seek District 1 seat on Board of Commissioners

The Franklin County Citizen Leader submitted a list of questions for candidates qualified to run in the May 21 primary. The answers to those questions were used to write a profile of the candidate. The questions were: 

1. What experience (professional, personal or service) do you feel best qualifies you and will serve you best in the position you seek?

2. Growth has been a big topic in Franklin County of late. What are your feelings on how to manage residential, commercial and industrial growth in our county?

3. Other than growth, what is the number one challenge facing Franklin County? What is the best way to deal with that challenge?

4. What will be your top short-term goal to get accomplished within the first year of your term? How will you get it done?

5. Give four longer-term goals that you would like to see the county accomplish by the end of your term.

6. If you had a chance to speak one-on-one with each registered voter in the county, what would you say to secure his or her vote?

Candidates were also asked to provide information about background, education, past service in government or with community organizations, church and family.

 

Tim Crunkleton

By Shane Scoggins

Publisher

 

CARNESVILLE – Tim Crunkleton said he has plenty of experience serving the public.

“Of my 55 years of living in northeast Georgia, 25 of which in law enforcement, I have firsthand experience meeting the needs of the public,” he said. “It has been my job to listen first, then act with compassion and understanding. These traits will come with me to the office of county commissioner.”

Crunkleton, a candidate for the District 1 seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, has lived in Red Hill since 2016.

His family has lived in the Red Hill and Tom’s Creek communities for 100 years.

Crunkleton said that growth is inevitable for Franklin County but doesn’t have to be unsustainable.

“We need to ensure our infrastructure is up to par to support the growth that does happen,” he said. “This includes water treatment, sewer systems and communications upgrades and upkeep to ensure that these new advancements do not fail under their own weight.”

Another challenge facing the county is a growing homeless population.

“The homeless population migrating to Franklin County is unsustainable,” Crunkleton said. “By my own witness as a sherriff’s deputy, people experiencing homelessness that were overflowing the shelters of Athens and Atlanta were being transported north to our tri-county area and abandoned. We are not currently equipped with shelter space enough to support these people. We need ordinances passed to help relocate these people to areas better equipped to assist them.” 

Crunkleton said as he’s never been a politician before, he will need some time to “learn the ins and outs of how this sect of the government is run and how decisions are made.”

After that, he said he would like to concentrate on roads.

“I want the citizens of Franklin County to be able to drive their roads, and see a noticeable difference of the cleanliness and paving; something they can be proud of,” he said. “As far as how I will do this, we must remember that the county commission is made up of four total commissioners. We all would hold equal say and must combine minds to agree upon what is best for the county public. With me being only one of those minds, all I can promise is that I will negotiate tirelessly to bring about the positive changes I have listed above.”

Longer term, Crunkleton said the county needs to keep property taxes low “so that our rural agriculture can thrive,” incentivize small business growth, establish a plan to resurface more paved roads in need as well as service more dirt roads and establish a plan to invest in infrastructure, for example water treatment, sewer system  and communication lines.

“I will not promise you the sun and moon, because I do not make the decisions solely,” Crunkleton said. “But I can promise that if elected, I will work tirelessly to make sure that you are heard, the government is transparent and that you get something back out of your tax dollars that you can see.”

 

Chris Phillips

By Shane Scoggins

Publisher

 

RED HILL – If elected to the District 1 seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Chris Phillips said he will put “hard working citizens first” while being transparent and accessible to everyone.

In addition, Phillips said he will be responsible by supporting safety, EMS, fire departments and first responders.

He has a short-term goal to become a certified county commissioner through the Association County Commissioners of Georgia.

Phillips has lived in Franklin County most of his life. He grew up in Bold Springs and Sandy Cross and now lives in Red Hill.

He is a 1984 graduate of Franklin County High School and competed in FFA National Ag Mechanic, Rural Hart EMC Wiring and Forestry contests. He attended Athens Tech for industrial maintenance technology and North Georgia Tech in computer information systems, Kaizen 5 Steps, Seven Habits of Highly Successful People and numerous leadership training classes.

Phillips worked on farms from an early age, helping harvest crops, pick up eggs and getting hay out of the field. His work experience includes work in fabrication, welding, design, manufacturing, aerospace and project management.

He is a member of the Carnesville Lions Club, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Lavonia Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Franklin and a past participant in the Franklin County Mentor Program. 

Phillips also is a Professional Santa, a Range Master and member of NSSF and ASA.

Phillips and wife Dannette have one daughter, a son-in-law, three grand- sons and a granddaughter, along with two fur babies. 

The couple, married 27 years, own a small local business that is an outdoor event and training venue.

Phillips said his business experience will qualify him best for the job as commissioner.

He has experience as a project manager, serving as a group leader over professionals, performing a broad range of principles and overseeing complex projects.

He has also managed the completion of project milestones and other deliverables according to base line schedules. 

That work also entailed developing action plans to resolve any problems. 

Phillips said he accomplished projects on schedule and under budget.

Phillips said commercial growth – retail, industrial or hospitality – will sign long term leases and provide higher rent while also providing jobs for citizens.

He said he would like to see residential growth from families with hobby or mini farms on 5-10 acre tracts.

“These home owners will actively support and participate in Franklin County,” Phillips said.

Light industrial growth – with welding jobs, quality assurance and partial assembly of final products – is needed, he said.

That kind of industrial growth is less capital intensive and more consumer-oriented, Phillips said, and has lower-emission footprints.

Heavy industries like auto assembly factories, steel mills and paper mills “do not fit the geography area,” he said.

Phillips said that kind of industry requires large tracts of land and are environmentally damaging.

Other than growth, the biggest challenge is poverty, Phillips said.

“More than 50 percent of Georgia counties are considered distressed,” he said. “Based on 2023 Census, Franklin County has a poverty rate of 16 percent.”

The best way to deal with that challenge is to invest in foundational infrastructure for Franklin County communities and “ensure opportunities for a more prosperous and sustainable future for our children,” Phillips said.

Long term goals Phillips identified for his time in office will be to simplify the building permit and inspection process for residents and licensed builders and controlled growth by communicating county actions and concerns of constituents.

Phillips also wants to hold free ice cream days each quarter in every city during which elected officials will serve citizens one scoop at a time.

The idea is to promote team cohesion so that “group members don’t just respect one another, they also trust each other to contribute equally.”.

Phillips said he would ask voters to give him the opportunity to serve as commissioner.

“With determination and sound judgment, change will come,” he said. “If you’re a Democrat or Republican in Franklin County, you can vote for me. If you’re in any district of Franklin County, you can vote for me. If you would like positive controlled change, vote for me.

May I have your vote? Vote Phillips May 21, 2024.”

 

Wanda Thompson

By Shane Scoggins

Publisher

 

CARNESVILL – Wanda Thompson said she is qualified to be the next District 1 representative on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners because she knows what matters to most of the citizens of the county.

“I want to see Franklin County keep its farm land  for generations to come, and I am committed to this,” she said. “I do realize that some growth is inevitable and even beneficial, but I will fight to make sure that the growth will not disturb farms, natural resources or other agricultural production.”

Thompson has spent 33 years as a farm practice veterinarian, during which she has traveled around Franklin County, promoting agriculture and helping farmers.

She is a graduate of Truett-McConnell College with an associate degree, Berry College with Bachelor of Science degree and the University of Georgia with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

Thompson has lived in Franklin County for the past 30 years and was part owner of Royston Animal Hospital for many years. She has served as the hospital’s chief of staff for the last six years.

She also spent 10 years as an officer in the Georgia Army National Guard.

In addition to having her own cattle farm, she serves currently as an adjunct professor at Emmanuel University in the Diversified Agricultura department.

Thompson is married and has two children and four grandchildren. She is a member of  Meadow Baptist Church. 

“I have had some great opportunities and life experiences that have sharpened my leadership skills,” Thompson said. “I spent 10 years as an officer in the Georgia Army National Guard. I helped grow a veterinary practice that went from four doctors to as many as 10 doctors, and spent the last few years as the medical director in the practice.  Managing a staff of 45 people in a veterinary hospital has helped me become a problem solver.” 

Her time working with farmers on their farms most qualifies her for the job, she said.

“I know the people and the culture of our county very well, and in addition, I know the land itself,” she said. “I would like to continue to serve the people of Franklin County by helping preserve farming and agriculture.” 

Thompson said that the development of multiple family residential housing, suburban housing and industry should be done in the proper designated zones. 

Agricultural land should be used for agriculture, she said.

“I believe the people of Franklin County want to preserve the culture of farming and agriculture, and the beauty of the land in the unincorporated areas,” she said. “I also want to protect the natural wetlands and waterways, as well as the habitats for animals and birds. Too much construction in the unincorporated areas could destroy some of these things.”

Other than growth, Franklin County should focus on existing infrastructure and improvements to it, Thompson said. 

“If smart growth that is right for our county requires changes to the infrastructure, before this occurs, it should be thoroughly researched and the citizens fully informed

before any decision is made,” she said. “We are representing the people of Franklin County and more information leads to better decision making.”

Before taking office, Thompson said she will attend mandatory training that will educate her more about the duties and responsibilities of the position. 

“During my first year as a new commissioner, I plan to learn all that I can about the issues that the county faces, and prioritize these issues,” she said. “I feel that this is very important for me, since I have not been actively involved in any boards or committees in the county. 

One way to accomplish this is I will talk to people and I will listen to their questions and concerns. If I don’t have an answer to a question or cannot help resolve an issue, I will research until I figure out a resolution.”

Thompson said she will approach the position of commissioner as “a member of a team, where all cities, other boards and the commissioners work together for the good of Franklin County.”

Infrastructure, natural resources, development and the budget will be the focus of her long term goals, Thompson said.

Possible improvements to existing infrastructure – “such as fire fighting equipment, adequate law enforcement personnel and jail facilities, information technology systems” – should be looked at.

Thompson said she wants to protect water supply and waterways and use conservation practices.

New businesses and industry must be adequately researched and provided to county residents, she said.

“It would have to be strategically located in an area zoned for that purpose,” Thompson said. “Impact fees associated with the business could be a source of income.”

The county should have a yearly budget that is “appropriate and attainable,” she said.

“I have not been involved in any type of political or committee work in our county,” Thompson said. “But I have spent my career in service to the people of Franklin County, promoting agriculture.”

 

Carolee Coker

By Shane Scoggins

Publisher

 

BOLD SPRING – Carolee Coker said she has a deep-rooted passion and love for Franklin County.

“I’ve traveled the world, yet I remain steadfast in my belief that Franklin County is truly spectacular,” she said. “I want each voter to know that I am not only strategic and dedicated but also deeply committed to their concerns. I put in the work, conducting thorough research and arriving prepared for every meeting. Most importantly, I promise to listen to the voices of our citizens and advocate tirelessly for their needs and priorities. This is our home. This is the good life, and I aim to keep it that way.”

Coker was born and raised in Franklin County, graduating from Franklin County High School in 1992 and cum laude from the University of Georgia in 1996.

Coker lives on a farm in Bold Spring that her family has owned since 1972.

Her career has been in marketing and user experience design with a focus on the financial industry. She is currently an associate vice president for Syncrhony Banks and works from home full time.

Coker has been active in county government for several years.

She served on the Franklin County Planning Commission from January 2020 until July 2023, including serving as chairman from May 2022 to July 2023.

She said she has a “deep understanding” of the pros and cons of the county’s Unified Development Code adopted in September 2022.

Coker was a member of the UDC Reform Committee and regularly attends commissioner, planning commission and Industrial Building Authority meetings “to stay involved and speak up on issues that affect our community and our future.”

All of that experience will serve her well as a county commissioner, Coker said.

“My extensive corporate experience in marketing strategy and budget management along with leading and growing teams, combined with service on the planning and zoning board, uniquely qualifies me to effectively navigate the complex challenges facing Franklin County,” she said. “I have a track record of successful outcomes, creative problem solving and collaborative leadership, and I will bring practical solutions for our citizens and county employees.”

Coker said the county must be “deliberate” when dealing with growth.

“The population cannot outpace the school system. The demand on water and sewer cannot outpace the capacity,” she said. “The industries that we welcome need to offer the jobs that we desire. Let’s concentrate new housing and commercial and retail developments in our cities to encourage revitalization and prevent unchecked growth. We must be realistic on how growth impacts taxes: More people equals bigger government equals higher taxes.”

Other than growth, destruction of Franklin County’s agriculture and rural heritage is the number one challenge facing the community, Coker said.

“The fertile farmland along the I-85 corridor is disappearing under the onslaught of warehouses and industrial development,” she said. “Our economic engine of agriculture is not only valuable but essential for providing fresh, healthy food to the entire nation. Moreover, the rural way of life, characterized by faith, fellowship and family farms, is worth preserving and should not be erased.”

The county needs a plan to tackle the challenge, she said.

“We must formalize a plan, stand up for ourselves and show we are critical to society,” she said. “We cannot allow external pressures from the state or developers to deviate from our plan. By prioritizing the protection of our farmland and rural identity, we can safeguard not only our local economy but also our cultural heritage for generations to come.”

Coker has longer-term goals centered on development and collaboration in the county.

She said she wants the county to partner with University of Georgia and other environmental and economic centers of excellence to monitor growth and ensure alignment with the county’s vision.

Coker said she wants to foster collaboration between cities, the unincorporated county and all governing bodies, prioritizing transparency and citizen input.

The county should target industries offering high-paying jobs for skilled labor, college graduates, and tradespeople, promoting economic diversity, prosperity and family stability, she said.

Coker said she also wants to develop Franklin County as “a green oasis for agritourism and natural beauty, positioning it as a sought-after destination and potentially achieving International Dark Sky Place designation.”

In the shorter term, Coker wants to focus on county zoning by fixing the zoning map and Unified Development Code.

“I found almost 300 errors in the zoning map that was passed in 2022, and provided a detailed list to the planning director and the commissioners,” she said. “Around 200 citizens went through a specific process to have their land turned back to agricultural intensive, and this map has still not been finalized. The 400 page UDC needs an overhaul. It should be customized for Franklin County, and what we the citizens need in our governing document. It should be more specific in many areas, and less overbearing in others, and should be in harmony with our new comprehensive plan.”

She said she will achieve this through time, energy and effort as well as collaboration, research, asking questions and challenging past decisions. 

“As the governing body of Franklin County, it is the responsibility of your commisioners to drive policy,” she said. “I will not sit back and wait for change to come to me. I will be proactive and inspire change.”

 

Tyler Owenby

By Shane Scoggins

Publisher

 

LINE – Tyler Owenby said if elected District 1 commissioner, he will be the voice of the citizens and will work hard to protect and provide the best for Franklin County.

“I have long fought for this county and have worked on its behalf before this election,” he said. “When an office becomes available, that’s when most decide it’s time to make an impact. I did not wait until now to get to work. If elected, I will research, discuss and think through every issue brought before us. I will continue to apply my passion for Franklin County to each decision made. More than anything, I will tell the truth. I have been called ‘loud,’ ‘brash’ and other unflattering names. That’s because I do not and will not, shy away from what I think. I will always tell it like it is, even if some find it offensive. I am not a politician and I will not become one. If I am your commissioner there is one thing you will never have to doubt, that I am not being honest. That will not change.  I have a love for this county and a passion for protecting it.”

Owenby manages and runs his own poultry farm and has since age 21.

He was secretary of the Franklin County Young Farmers from 2015-18 and is a member of the Franklin County Historical Soci-ety.

He is a 2006 graduate of Stephens County High School and lives in the Line Community with his wife Britney.

He is a member of Hunter’s Creek Baptist Church, where he has at-tended his entire life.

“I am rational and level-headed in working to find solutions to problems,” he said. “I am an outside of the box thinker.”

Owenby said he has “been actively engaged in several issues over the last four years,” including going to county meetings since 2020.

“I helped to fight against unwanted and environmentally harmful industries like Pilgrims Pride rendering plant that would have taken up valuable I-85 corridor property and caused untold harm,” he said. “I worked on the UDC Reform Committee and was very active with the UDC from the very first meeting it was brought before the commissioners. I am passionate about this county and want to see the best decisions made on behalf of the citizens who call this home. I am currently looking forward to working on the comprehensive plan that is under way as we speak.”

Owenby said he has done research on growth over the last few years, including traveling to surrounding counties to hear professionals speak on the issue.

“I have done my best to study the strategies of surrounding counties,” he said. “Being involved in the UDC Reform Committee gave me a unique opportunity to listen to the concerns of our citizenry. We are in a dangerous position of becoming a bedroom community for Jackson County and Banks County. I believe the best strategy is to make sure we are preventing urban sprawl by keeping large subdivisions and multi-family housing inside our five municipalities.”

Owenby said he has studied plans in western states that implemented a “per year percentile growth.” 

“Currently, I am studying and speaking with professionals to determine the truth about industrial growth and the effect it has on property taxes,” he said. “I want to be well-informed in order to make the best decisions for the citizens of Franklin County. Looking at statistics of more populated counties it seems that the taxes are higher in more developed counties than what the average Franklin County citizen currently pays.”

With Franklin County’s unemployment rate at 3.2 percent, Owenby said he wants to ensure that any new industry brings “quality, well-paying jobs that will not damage our environment and will provide desirable jobs for the citizens of Franklin County.” 

“We, as a county, need to do hard work to determine the true numbers related to industrial growth and its effect on taxes,” he said. “This information, based on facts, will help us to better determine our path forward. I commit to doing my best to find those answers and to plan accordingly.” 

Franklin County faces many issues in addition to growth itself, Owenby said, but he said he believes most of them are affected by growth.

“Right now, our jail is overrun and we are paying surrounding counties thousands of dollars a year to house our prisoners,” he said. “A good starting point to finding a solution would be to apply for grants to find the funding we will need and to look at other counties to find true and tried solutions that we know will be successful when implemented.”

Water is also an issue.

“If elected, I will immediately get to work in search of viable options to address our need for an abundance of clean water,” Owenby said. “I think we must prepare for the growth that is inevitable while making the needs of current Franklin County citizens top priority. It’s disheartening to hear from citizens who want county water that the county cannot afford to provide, and at the same time to see private landowners receive sewage to their property at the cost of the taxpayer, even without any plans in place for future industry to come to said property. We are basically increasing one person’s land value at the expense of the taxpayers in Franklin County while our neighbors are denied county water after having paid taxes here for decades. I believe in taking care of our citizens first.” 

The jail and infrastructure are the centerpiece of Owenby’s long-term goals.

“I would like to first address the water issues before they become a crisis. A lot of research needs to be done to find the best solution for our county,” he said. “Perhaps we can work with neighboring counties, or perhaps the solution is to secure more wells from which the county can draw water. I will talk with our county engineer, other counties and reach out to the University of Georgia for help with this complex issue.”

He said he will work with the new sheriff on the jail issue, look for any available grants and talk with neighboring counties.

“Perhaps this is a need that could be addressed in a creative way,” Owenby said.

The county should work to be proactive rather than reactive in putting “the right infrastructure in the right places,” he said. “I will look to our new comprehensive plan to determine where citizens believe are the best areas for new infrastructure to be placed.” 

By the end of his term, Owenby said he would like to see a more cohesive Franklin County. 

“I will work to get all leaders and citizens moving in the same direction so that we can all be happy with the future of Franklin County,” he said. “I will return power back to the citizens by giving them a voice, listening to all perspectives, and making the best decisions possible.” 

Shorter-term, Owenby said he wants to fix issues with the county’s zoning map.

“I have said from the beginning in reference to the new zoning map that it gives a false impression of our county by making us seem much more diverse than we really are, which in turn would give developers the wrong idea of what life in Franklin County really looks and feels like,” he said. 

The county needs to fix errors to the zoning map and finis edits to the map, he said.

“I feel that leaving the map with incorrectly zoned parcels opens us up to liabilities,” he said. “Because we are a county with over 16,000 parcels, it is understandable that there are some mistakes, however, we must do better and get these mistakes corrected. Resolving these errors will involve a lot of hands-on research, examining each parcel, especially in the areas of heavy industrial, light industrial and highway business, where most mistakes are found. Some parcels were arbitrarily changed and unfortunately leave us vulnerable to unsuited businesses or industries, which could result in the wrong kind of development for Franklin County, or even a lawsuit. I believe with the right software, research and by physically visiting some of these parcels, we could have a zoning map that will be representative of the citizens of Franklin County.”

Owenby said he wants to hear from each citizen.

“Not just now, before the election, but after as well,” he said. “Conversation doesn’t stop when ballots are cast. I want the opportunity to hear your thoughts, concerns, visions, and desires for our county. Reach out to me if you would like to talk. There is no one I would be unwilling to hear. I will do my best to be your voice. I will work hard on each issue our county faces and I will protect our home. I will work for you, the citizens, not the developers who wish to prey on our beautiful land. I will not bow to outside, predatory demands. I will work hard and pray harder to keep Franklin County a home of which we can all be proud.”