Meet The Candidates - 2009

Monday, 19 October 2009 17:28 |

MAYOR

Jason Buelterman

Phone-912-786-6845
P. O. Box 63, Tybee Island, GA 31328
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Unopposed)

STATE SENATE

Buddy Carter

Earl L. "Buddy" Carter, the current State Rep. in the Georgia General Assembly for the Pooler area, was born and raised in Port Wentworth, attended public schools in Chatham County and graduated in 1975 from Groves High School. He received an Associate of Science Degree at Young Harris College, and then attended UGA where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy in 1980.

Buddy worked as a staff Pharmacist and Pharmacy Manager at Rupert Heller's Prescriptions on Hwy 80 in Garden City from 1980 until November of 1988. On November 28, 1988 he opened his first Retail Pharmacy, Carter's Pharmacy, Inc. in Pooler. In 1992 he opened another business, Carter's Institutional Pharmacy, Inc., a business servicing nursing homes, personal care homes and hospices. In 1996 he opened his second retail pharmacy in Lifeline Medical Center in Garden City.

In February of 1997, Buddy sold his Institutional Pharmacy, then servicing approximately 2000 nursing home beds throughout South Georgia, to Omnicare, Inc. Omnicare, Inc., located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the largest provider of nursing home medications in the world. Today, Buddy still manages the Institutional Pharmacy for Omnicare and he continues to own and operate the two retail Pharamacies in Pooler and Garden City.

ON THE ISSUES:

Buddy Carter states that he has been having his own version of T parties, and will focus on Taxes, Transportation, Teaching, Trauma and Thirst if elected to the Senate.

TAXES:

Although revenues are down in the state, I have not AND WILL NOT vote to raise taxes.

During the 2009 legislative session, I voted in favor of freezing property tax values for the next 3 years.

I am the author of the Carter- Burns bill in Effingham County (equivalent to the Stephens-Day bill in Chatham County) which will not allow property values to increase more than 3% per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.

I have never voted for a tax increase as a Mayor or as a State Rep. During my 9 years as Mayor of Pooler our millage rate actually went down.

TRANSPORTATION:

Transportation and Education are vital to economic development- I have fought and will continue to fight for better transportation in our region.

While Mayor of Pooler, we witnessed major transportation improvements including the Pooler Parkway.

While in the house I voted in favor of a regional transportation bill that would have given local citizens the ability to vote on a special transportation local option sales tax for approved projects.

TEACHING:

Education has been and will continue to be a major focus of our states budget. 53% of our states $18+ billion budget goes to education.

We value our teachers- that’s why they are the highest paid in the southeast US and among the highest paid in the nation.

I will continue to support local control for our school boards and continue to give local school boards the freedom to make local decisions.

TRAUMA:

On February 7, 2008 my hometown of Port Wentworth witnessed one of the worst industrial accidents in our state’s history. We lost 14 lives that night, Dr. Frank Mullens from the Joseph Stille Burn Center in Augusta has said that if we had not had a Level 1 trauma center at Memorial University Hospital we would have lost 11-12 more lives. I have fought and will continue to fight for DEDICATED funding for our trauma system. This is a priority for me.

I have co sponsored legislation in the legislature that would dedicate funds to our trauma system.

THIRST:

Water is a crucial issue that I dealt with while I was Mayor of Pooler. I negotiated the agreement with the City of Savannah that allowed Pooler to experience the enormous growth we have witnessed over the past decade.

While serving as Chairman of the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center (and working with Chatham, Bryan and Liberty County leaders) I helped write the Coastal Georgia Water supply management plan for our region.

Over my 16 years in public service I have worked closely with EPD on water supply issues as well as waste water disposal issues.

While in the legislature I have sponsored and passed legislation dealing with water issues in the Savannah Harbor.

While everyone is having Tea parties across the nation,

Billy Hair

Dr. Billy Hair holds a Bachelors Degree in Finance and Masters in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. He also holds a Specialist Degree in Education and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Georgia where he was an honor graduate having completed both Specialist and Doctorate degrees with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

After holding several responsible positions in banking, he entered the military where he served with distinction as a military intelligence specialist. He is a highly decorated veteran of the Viet Nam War where he received two Army commendation medals, a Bronze Star, and an Air Medal. After leaving the military, he began a career in higher education as a professor in Business Administration where he taught for seven years. Following various leadership positions as a department head, a division head, and as a vice president for academic affairs, he was selected as the youngest president ever of a two year college in the State of Georgia. He held this position for almost thirteen years.

He currently is the President of Productivity Associates, a management consulting firm and Productivity Air, an aircraft management and fractional ownership company. He also is a partner in Hangar Partners, a company that specializes in large aircraft hangar ownership and development.

He is the author or co-author of three books, “Management by Uncommon Sense”, “Managing Diversity”, and “Total Quality Management in the Community College”, the latter two being published by Ohio State University.

He has given speeches and conducted seminars on motivation and management of people all over the country and has received numerous awards from many professional associations.

He was Chairman of the Chatham County Commission from January 1997 to December 2004. He was also Chairman of the Chatham Area Transit Authority and served on the Board of Directors of the Savannah International Trade Center where he was also vice chairman.

ON THE ISSUES:

Platform

Tax/Revenue Issues

• Eliminate ad valorem taxes
• Change how state dollars are spent to reflect reoccurring and non reoccurring revenue streams
• Extend Stephen’s Day tax exemption to rental and commercial property
• Establish local referendums on tax assessment increases
• Establish 5 year system to fully fund cost of state inmates to relieve burden on local governments
• Target budget cuts to protect essential services and not do across the board tax cuts

Education Issues

• Give more control to local school boards
• Make the process of establishing charter schools more efficient
• Support school choice

Transportation/ Infrastructure Issues
• Set up system of regional planning for transportation infrastructure
• Supports larger portion of state transportation dollars going to local counties and cities to improve local infrastructure

General Government Issues

• Restructure state government
• Support zero based budgeting for all state agencies
• Examine where privatization may improve efficiency and cut costs
• Ensure that state does not give local governments unfunded mandates

TYBEE CITY COUNCIL

Marianne Bramble

Phone-912-412-5467
Address- P. O. Box 43, Tybee Island, GA 31328

What is your profession or former profession?
I am a purchasing and accounts payable agent for Bremer Concrete and Masonry

How long have you lived on Tybee?
I am a 30-ear resident of Tybee Island

What strength that you posses best qualifies you to serve on the council?
Because of how I earn my living, I can help the city of Tybee work as a well oiled machine, while keeping Tybee fiscally responsible. I have owned three businesses on Tybee and understand how difficult it is to run a small business here on the Island. I will be mindful of all small businesses on Tybee.. I believe my unique experience in business and finance can make a positive difference on Tybee Island and that is why I am running for a seat on council.

What would be your key priority if elected?
I promise to work diligently to keep some semblance of clarity and keep Tybee's Government open and fair for all of it's citizens

	Charlie R. Brewer \| Incumbent Phone-912-272-1822 Address- P. O. Box 69, Tybee Island, GA 31328 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

	Barry Brown \| Incumbent Phone-912-786-9588 Address-P. O. Box 2618, Tybee Island, GA 31328 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

	Eddie Crone \| Incumbent Phone-912-786-5705 Address-P. O. Box 633, Tybee Island, GA 31328 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

	Wanda D. Doyle \| Incumbent Phone-912-667-9844 Address-P. O. Box 2764, Tybee Island, GA 31328 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bill Garbett

Phone 912-786-0448
Address-P. O. Box 579, Tybee Island, GA 31328

What is your profession or former profession?
I recently retired after 30+ years as a research scientist and program manager in forest productivity research with Union Camp and International Paper. Programs we developed are in use throughout the southeastern United States. These programs increased forest productivity while minimizing detrimental environmental impacts from commercial forestry operations.
In addition to my work in forestry, I have worked and taught at the University of Florida. I taught biology and marine science in Key West, FL, and I worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fisheries Development in Guatemala.

How long have you lived on Tybee?
My wife and I have lived on Tybee since 1995.

What strength that you posses best qualifies you to serve on the council?
I believe I have many strengths that qualify me to serve on the council. As a scientist, I am trained to gather information, evaluate the options and select the best answer to problems. I am retired and have time and energy to devote to serving our community. I am intelligent and hard working. I am open minded and willing to listen to all citizens and carefully consider their input.

What would be your key priority if elected?
I think we all agree that it is the relaxed, causal atmosphere that sets Tybee apart from other beach communities and attracts both visitors and residents. Maintaining this atmosphere is key to our prosperity. Because of this, the most critical issue facing us in finding a balance between development and maintaining the character and ambiance that identifies Tybee as a unique and special place to live and visit.

Some see Tybee as a resort community centered on tourists. I see Tybee as a residential community centered on the people who make this their hometown. It is both.

We are close to building-out our community and we must plan our future carefully. We must identify how many more housing units we can support. We must ensure that future development remains low density and preserves the character of our neighborhoods and our historic districts.

Some may see this as unwarranted intrusion, but in reality it is a sound path to ensure our prosperity. Studies have shown that the most desirable places for people to visit or live in are beach communities, followed by small towns and historic areas. We have it all right here, but without careful planning we will lose it.

Shirley Sessions

Phone-912-786-0786
Address P. o. Box 879, Tybee Island, GA. 31328
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What is your profession or former profession?
Director, United Way Hands On Savannah

How long have you lived on Tybee?
Since 1998

What strength that you posses best qualifies you to serve on the council?
Prior experience on council, planning commission, beach task force; flexible, patient, responsive

What would be your key priority if elected?
Beach protection including renouishment; public safety; accountability from elected/appointed officials and staff; sound policies & procedures to ensure consistency with master plan and development code enforcement, supporting community involvement.

Dick Smith | Incumbent

Phone 912-786-5039
Address P. O. Box 605, Tybee Island, GA 31328
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What is your profession or former profession?
I have been a commercial real estate broker for the past 30 years. I have had my own company since 1986. Prior to that I sold lumber and building materials for 20 years in Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

How long have you lived on Tybee?
I have been a resident of Tybee since 1987, full time since 1989.

What strength that you posses best qualifies you to serve on the council?
My fairness and business sense.

What would be your key priority if elected?
Financial responsibility and transparent government.

Kathryn Williams

Phone 786-5258
Address 1501 Chatham Ave. Tybee Island, GA 31328
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What is your profession or former profession?
Educator; currently teaching in the gifted education program at Marshpoint Elementary School

How long have you lived on Tybee?
28 years

What strength that you posses best qualifies you to serve on the council?
The strength I bring to the table is that of justice. Strengths of justice include citizenship, fairness, and leadership.

What would be your key priority if elected?
Beach protection is the single most important issue I will address as a member of council. To ensure healthy beaches for tomorrow, I will work with council, the Beach Task Force, and staff to make long-term plans to secure funding for future beach renourishment projects.

If elected, I will take immediate action to protect our beach with a fair and equitable shore protection act specific to Tybee Island. Beach protection also involves providing adequate ocean rescue staff, managing storm water run-off, enforcing strong litter laws, and protecting endangered species.

While there are many other important issues facing Tybee, protection of our number one asset is essential for a healthy ecosystem, our quality of life and the tourism industry.

Paul Wolff | Incumbent

Phone 912-786-8678
Address 8 Moore Ave. Tybee Island, GA 31328
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What is your profession or former profession?
Owner/operator of Tybee Moons Family B&B

How long have you lived on Tybee?
15 years on Tybee.

What strength that you posses best qualifies you to serve on the council?
I’m best qualified to serve on Tybee’s City Council because of my experience. During my first three terms I’ve taken classes, participated in workshops, served on numerous local, state, and regional committees, and networked with knowledgeable stakeholders to increase my value as a public servant.

I’ve developed relationships with private and government agencies at the local, state, and federal level to bring in funding and services that have saved Tybee taxpayers’ hundreds of thousands of dollars while moving the island forward in a more sustainable manner, and if reelected, I will continue to work full-time for the people of Tybee.

What would be your key priority if elected?
My key priority for the future is to continue to build a more sustainable coastal community that will serve as a model for others in terms of managing growth while preserving our historic, cultural, and natural resources, and maintaining the unique, small-town character that makes our island the best place in the world to live, work, and visit.