Hart Chamber hosts council candidate forum

The Hart County Chamber of Commerce held a candidate forum Oct. 26 for city council candidates at the Hart County Library’s Adult Learning Center.

The forum gave candidates a platform to express their views on the issues important to Hartwell voters and was moderated by chamber member Jerry McHan.

All three candidates for succeed councilman Tony Haynie appeared to answer questions, including Zach Adams, Dr. Jermaine Durham, and David Little.

Little, a resident of Hart County for more than 63 years, previously served on the council from 2002-2013.

“When I sit before you tonight, I’ve got eleven years experience on city council,” Little said. “I’m up to speed on a lot of the issues and feel like if elected I could go right in and start working.”

Adams, a social worker with the state of Georgia and volunteer firefighter with the city of Hartwell says he wants to serve the community.

“I want to be proactive and serve the city entirely and make decisions that will benefit everyone,” Adams said.

Durham, an Assistant Professor of Housing and Urban Development at the University of Georgia, says he’s been working in communities his entire career on how to plan for smart growth.

“I want to give back as best I can, and I can’t think of a better way to do that then as an elected official,” Durham said. “We need to maintain our small town character.”

For the council post vacated by Stephen Ayers, who decided against running for reelection, candidates Debbie Henry, Richard Sheller, and Toy Cynthia Wilkins were in attendance. Candidate Christopher Martin was absent.

Henry, a real estate executive and former bank manager, says that while she didn’t grow up here in Hartwell, she moved here and this is her home.

“My husband and I have chosen to invest here,” Henry said. “The prospective I bring will contribute to being a good council person.”

Sheller, a pastor with the Zion Christian Methodist Church who works with Strickland Funeral Home, says Hartwell’s citizens need a voice.

“I’ve lived in Hartwell all my life and the people of Hartwell need a voice,” Sheller said. “I want to be a voice for the people and not forget about them when I get on the council.”

Wilkins, a certified police officer with Athens-Clarke County for more than twenty years, has consistently volunteered in and around Hartwell.

“I enjoy giving to my community,” Wilkins said. “We have got to give involved in the lives of our citizens.”

McHan’s asked the candidates how they planned to involve residents in the town’s decision making process. Many of the candidates felt social media and outreach and attending council meetings were the key, but Durham and Adams felt a more personal touch was required.

“We need to be more pro-active and meet people where they are,” Durham said. “I believe in the old school method of meeting face to face.”

“Call me anytime,” Adams said. “My phone number is listed on Facebook and I’m not afraid to take a phone call.”

McHan then asked how each candidate has volunteered their services with the city.

Adams said he’s been a member of the city’s volunteer fire department since 2019. Little has worked with the Lions Club and Habitat for Humanity. Durham served on the zoning board for four years and established the Rome Street neighborhood association.

Henry works with Main Street downtown, the Hart County food pantry and the Imagination Library. Wilkins volunteers with the with the board of education where she talks about domestic violence and mentors students. Sheller, however, said that everything he does is involved with the community.

“At the funeral home if you’re dealing with grief, I’m there,” Sheller said. “On Sunday morning if you’re dealing with your soul, I’m there.”

Each candidate was asked what was their number one reason for being a candidate on city council.

“I worked in government for 20 years, why would I want to do it again?” Wilkins asked. “Because the people trust me and they wanted me to run.”

The 27-year-old Adams gave a much younger perspective.

“I’ve rooted my family here and the decisions that will be made over the next few years are going to impact people my age the most,” Adams said. “I want to say I was a part of that decision because I have a lot to lose in the long run.”

Regarding the most difficult decision facing Hartwell today, several of the candidates mentioned traffic but as Little said, “I don’t have a lot of solutions, the DOT is supposed to be looking at it, but it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

Durham said growth was a gift and a curse, but its more important to know how cities grow.

“We have to maintain our small town feel and do it in a smart way,” Durham said. “You need to be aware how cities grow have people one the council who ask the right questions.”

The question that McHan asked which garnered the most engage response asked candidates if they had a choice between raising taxes, utility rates, or cutting spending, which would they chose?

“Cut spending and keep it under control,” Little said. “I’m not for raising taxes and I hope I never have to consider that.”

“I think I’d cut spending, but I’ve looked over the budget and I don’t see it,” Adams said. “We have to be realistic, things do go up in price.”

“How do we generate revenues to solve the major problems such as infrastructure,” Durham asked. “There are a number of different tools the city could leverage to address these issues, and i have the experience to do that.”

“I’m not in favor of raising taxes, but I would increase utility rates,” Sheller said.

“I would look at the budget and see which ways I could cut,” Henry said. “If I had to vote yes, I would want to have the facts first.”

“I’ve lived here all my life and taxes have always been raised,” Wilkins said. “I live here and I don’t want anything to be raised.”

Hartwell voters will go to the polls Nov. 7.