Republicans vow to cut commission
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“Our candidates are pledging to work from the inside to reduce the number of commissioners from 24 to 12,” said Warren County Republican Party chairman Charlie Moss. “They’re saying if elected they will reduce the size of the commission.”
The Republican platform comes as the commission gets ready to vote on a issue which would cut the county’s governing body by half. The measure will be presented Monday by Commissioner Bill Zechman. Prior attempts to cut the commission size have been met with overwhelming defeats.
A measure will also be presented by Commissioner George Smartt to make A and B seats in each of the county’s 12 districts, meaning the seats will be elected separately with candidates having to declare for either the A or B seat.
The declaration made by Moss this week comes even as the Republican Party readies to hold its first primaries for local offices this coming year.
“Not only will this be our first local primary, but also, we’re expecting some of the districts to have contested primaries with multiple candidates seeking the nomination in their district,” Moss said. “Right now we’ve received commitments from about 15 candidates for the county commission.”
Moss said, just as in the Democratic primaries, the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election. Barring a reduction of the commission size next week, or an opting of A and B seat elections, the top two vote-getters in each district will be elected to the county commission.
While announcing the Republican platform of making a smaller county commission, such action, if passed by the future court after the August elections, could not take affect until the end of the upcoming four-year term.
Q: Do you think we should cut the number of Warren County Commissioners from 24 to 12 members?
Fred Tittsworth
“No I don’t. It puts it into too few people’s hands. I think they’re doing a good job. I don’t think they need to cut them down.”
Jerry Steakley
“I think we should do that. Yes, I do. I’ve been up there during the commissioner’s meetings and I think any 12 of the 24 could make the decisions. I just don’t see any reason to pay that much extra out.”
Eva Medley
“I think it would be a wonderful idea. I think when there’s that many on the commission, there’s just too much conflict.”
Kellie Hutchins
“Probably. Just because I think 12 could make the decisions they make just as easily as 24 can, and we’d probably have less fighting.”
Linda Cantrell
“No, because I think if they were needed before, they’re still needed now. I’m hoping that after the Main Street project is completed it will draw more business into Warren County and McMinnville and we’ll need them.”