County Commissioner candidates Jim Pancake (D) and Larry Payne (R) highlighted their plans to improve the county last night at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters at the Athens Public Library.
Payne, who has worked for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce for the past 12 years and was formerly the mayor of Albany, said he would take a fair
honest and balanced approach to office. He said his plan to improve Athens County's economy lies in working with small businesses, looking into the future about jobs and using forms of alternative energy.
We need to encourage people to buy as much locally as we can Payne said. We need to do everything we can to keep jobs in our county.
Pancake, a Vietnam veteran and York Township trustee, said he plans to put $804,000 into the community immediately once he is elected to help economic development. This money can come from eliminating the $15 piggyback tax for license plates. This tax goes to road reconstruction, and there are currently 53,625 vehicles taxed in Athens County under the piggyback tax, Pancake said.
We have the money we have the right crew
we just don't have the right leadership
Pancake said.
Payne said he wanted to keep the piggyback tax because, after traveling around different townships, people said they wanted it and it helped with needed roadwork.
We have to think about the whole county
not just part of it
Payne said.
The candidates also debated about resolutions to issues with the Athens County Dog Shelter, which has lost several employees this year.-
and the money needs to go elsewhere
Pancake said.
Payne opposed this plan because he said that by taking money away from the Chamber of Commerce, it would be hurting the economy.
Both candidates want to be available to the public and promised to do so if elected.
I plan on being out among the people and getting with businesses and being a full-time commissioner
Payne said.
I will be the most visible commissioner the county has ever seen
Pancake responded.
