There is a five-way contest for District 5 supervisor in Warren County. There is no runoff. The top vote-getter on Nov. 6 will start a four-year term in January.

The candidates include the incumbent, Richard George, 58, who is an independent; Democratic nominee Frank Gardner, 49; Republican nominee Joe Wooley, 64; and independents Robert Hubbard, 61, and Kenneth Sharp Jr., 42.

The questions they were asked in writing and their written responses follow.

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1. Do you favor zoning or land-use controls for Warren County? Why or why not?

Gardner: Yes. If there is no control there will be a misuse of personal property for personal gain. Some landowners may be out to make a quick buck without consideration of the environment or the health risk of residents nearby. If there is no zoning, I can do what I want.

George: Currently a preliminary land-use plan is being reviewed. This plan reflects present use of lands in Warren County. Initially, any plan adopted would be directed toward protection of existing developments in order to uphold property values and expectations of standard of living for property owners in developed areas. The basic intent of a land-use plan would be to protect property values while doing so in a manner that is reasonable and affordable to our citizens.

Hubbard: Minimum zoning and land use in the county is something that is long overdue. We need minimum zoning to establish basic standards for predictable construction to ensure less cost for taxpayers for generations to come. There have been many examples since annexation where we’ve had to rebuild infrastructure at taxpayer expense because there were no standards in place when the original infrastructure was installed. One example is in the southern portion of our city. When the city started installing the new fire hydrants, we discovered there were no maps for the original work, no tracer wires, there were instances where thin-walled pipes were used, no way to locate lines that were put there. Therefore, in order to correct the problems, the project incurred additional expenses costing the taxpayers more money and interruption of services.

Sharp: Yes, the manner in which a parcel of property is used can have a direct effect on surrounding property values. Zoning laws provide a level of protection for your investment and encourage economic growth.

Wooley: Yes, zoning can help, but it can also hurt. If you are not careful you could end up with an eyesore in a place where you don’t want it. You can hurt existing local businesses from growing if you are not careful. Zoning covers a lot of areas.

2. What, if any, new buildings or facilities do you feel Warren County needs? What is your timetable and plan for payment of costs?

Gardner: Sometimes we spend money because we have so much of it. We have power of attorney over county residents’ bank accounts. We rent, we lease, we buy, we try to sell. If that doesn’t work, we have a lot more at our disposal. Some may say we have enough already. We are not doing what we should with what we have. Prove to the public we need that building or those facilities, whatever it may be, it may be that we need to restructure.

George: The most pressing need is for a jail facility to meet the needs of this community for the long term. Efforts are under way to plan for such a facility. All parties in the community involved in law enforcement and the judicial process will be consulted in the process of developing our detention and court facilities for the future. Once an acceptable cost estimate is determined, then methods of financing can be pursued. Large governmental projects generally are funded by a combination of grants and bond money. Occasionally, governmental entities may have some assets that can be liquidated.

Hubbard: A new jail should be constructed. To abate part of the cost of construction, the county could partner with the city and issue a general obligation bond. The city should be willing to participate in this venture due to the vested interest it has in housing prisoners. The city is now spending approximately $250,000 per year housing prisoners in Issaquena County. This expenditure could easily be used toward building a new facility. In addition, the county should not be renting permanent facilities, such as the new Drug Court building. These types of facilities should be built or bought, saving the taxpayers years of rental expenses.

Sharp: A new jail could save taxpayer dollars from the transportation and housing cost of prisoners to lssaquena County. A timetable for payment can be determined only after costs have been established. However, a plan for payment could include; 1. Seeking all available State and Federal funding; 2. Joint venture with the City of Vicksburg; and 3. Budgeting from the general fund.

Wooley: Warren County needs a new jail and detention center. I am not sure where all of the monies will come from, but raising taxes is not the answer.

3. What future do you see for the U.S. 80 Mississippi River Bridge? Relations with Kansas City Southern Railway?

Gardner: The bridge is just there. Let us secure the bridge. Let us invest, make money from its existence. KCS Railway is important to Vicksburg and Warren County. The railway is a dying breed. Let us keep it as long as we can. Perhaps we can get Amtrak to stop in Vicksburg and build its own track.

George: Considering the age and condition of the U.S. 80 bridge, the future appears to present a very expensive maintenance project. Due to the lease with the railroad, the rail revenue covers the cost of almost all the expense of keeping the structure operable. County taxpayers receive no revenue from the bridge, nor do they incur any expense from the bridge. However, liability coverage for the taxpayers of Warren County is a serious matter that must be addressed since part of the bridge structure is subject to Mississippi Law, while the remainder of the bridge structure is subject to Louisiana Law.

Hubbard: Warren County needs to take control of its asset and use it to the best interest of its owners, the taxpayers of Warren County. The tenant should not dictate terms of how or how much to use our asset. It is time Warren County stand up to the tenant and take control of the situation, establish the guidelines, begin charging appropriate revenue and address the bridge stabilization issues and long-term maintenance needs.

Sharp: The wishes of the voters should be honored by opening the bridge. Relations with KCS will improve only after a legal and binding agreement for a fair rate per car has been established.

Wooley: I think the bridge should be opened up to one-way traffic for leisure driving and emergencies. DOT says it cannot be used for two-way traffic. I think dropping the park issue would help with our relations with Kansas City Southern Railway. They are against making a park out of the bridge because of safety concerns. I think the bridge commission is not willing to drop this issue.

4. What criteria do you/would you use in voting for tax breaks or other inducements for new or expanding employers?

Gardner: We need the tax dollars in order to maintain a stable economy. Why should you get a tax break when I have to pay taxes as a citizen? We need tax money in order to have a stable environment.

George: Most business operations have varied needs regarding numbers of employees, types of equipment, utility consumption and transportation. I believe one must carefully review all the aspects of each exemption request and decide if an exemption is necessary and warranted for the economic stability and growth of this community.

Hubbard: Warren County needs to support employment-based growth that would insure a strong economy. Large employee-based corporations can locate anywhere they choose using today’s technology and transportation systems. We need to make locating in Warren County as attractive as possible. Every county in Mississippi is fighting for industry and employment. Large and small companies, in today’s market, expect certain incentives. It is part of doing business today. Warren County needs to be first in line with the best incentive package possible. In the majority of cases where tax incentives have been provided, the costs are recouped many times over within just a few years of operation. Today there is nothing but political criteria in place for offering incentives to attract businesses. There should be objective, established criteria that everyone understands in place for any company that wishes to build and operate in our area.

Sharp: Improving the quality of life is foremost: services provided, number of jobs, rate of pay, coupled with longevity of proposed business should be evaluated before tax breaks or other incentives are offered.

Wooley: I think a tax break should be based on the number of local employees hired or used.

5. Do you foresee additional partnerships, joint ventures with the City of Vicksburg? Are you satisfied with existing ventures?

Gardner: The city and county are constantly at odds about who owes what. The agreement was made a long time ago. Let us honor our original agreement, but let us also become independent so we can stop the madness and finger pointing.

George: Joint ventures such as ambulance and rescue service, tax collection, land redemption, tax assessment and centralized dispatch through E-911 have proven to be efficient and resourceful endeavors. Governmental operations should be reviewed and evaluated regularly to determine whether a joint venture would, in fact, be beneficial in regards to service rendered and cost to taxpayers.

Hubbard: I think it is imperative that city and county governments work together. As you may have noticed, our county supervisors are even divided among themselves. So therefore I am not satisfied with today’s few joint ventures or the way they are handled. I believe that through respect for each other, ourselves and others, and positive dialogue, we will be able to work together to service the community’s needs. We are in the business of providing services for our citizens, and not to further political or personal agendas. I have worked for the City of Vicksburg for the past six years and have a strong positive relationship with all three city board members and with the city staff. Additionally, it does not appear that the present board of supervisors has any long-range plan for Warren County. It is important to have a plan in place to protect the future for our children. I want our county to become prosperous while maintaining stability. I want a good quality of life for myself and my neighbors.

Sharp: Yes, there are many services being duplicated by Warren County and the City of Vicksburg that could be very beneficially merged to reduce overall cost and improve service to all residents of Warren County. Now, some existing ventures are failing due to an unwillingness to work together. I believe that working together is essential to get the full benefit of our tax dollar.

Wooley: Yes, but first we need to have a working relationship with the City of Vicksburg.

6. When people ask you why you are running for office, what do you say?

Gardner: Because I want to make a difference for the people of District 5 and Warren County. No branch of government has pleased all of the people, but whatever is in my personal power I will do. If it takes a majority vote, then let us play politics. You can please some of the people some of the time, but never all of the people all of the time.

George: I have enjoyed serving the public during my three terms of office. I believe the citizens are entitled to an official who has proven his willingness to devote the time and effort necessary to deliver prompt, accurate and courteous responses to their concerns, and, also, one who will be on duty and actively monitor county governmental operations.

Hubbard: I have served our community for a number of years as a Boy Scout leader, president and vice president of Bowmar, Vicksburg Junior and Vicksburg High School PTAs and served our country in the armed forces. I have worked for the past six years as director of the Community Service Department for the city. Along with other departments, we have picked up trash and litter, had junk cars removed, cleaned vacant lots, removed dilapidated houses and kept the city clean. Yet, as I leave the city limits and drive out through the county, I see trash, trailers and houses falling down, unpaved and unkept roads, and no conformity or standards in place. It appears that our county officials are not interested in the appearance or cleanliness of our county. We can do better. If the voters will trust me with their confidence and back me with their vote, I can and will do everything within my power to represent them fairly and earnestly, keeping their best interests first and foremost.

Sharp: My experience as an electrical contractor and inspector with the City of Vicksburg have proven that I have the integrity, work ethics and “can do” attitude necessary to effectively represent the people of District 5. I believe that by faithfully expressing the needs of the people of District 5 and by working closely with other state and local leaders, quality economic growth and a safer, more attractive environment will result for all of us. “Together We Can Be Better.”

Wooley: I’ve lived in District 5 for over 30 years and I think there are things that need to be addressed. Some issues have never been addressed.