Candidates answerable to your questions

Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Yes, it’s only June, and the election is in November, but it’s not too early to think about who might be the county’s next chief administrator – Dave Traylor or Mark Webb.

One of these guys is going to start in January what could be a six-year term – or maybe less, if he gets recalled.

The Eagle is hosting a debate between the candidates Sept. 28 at the fairgrounds. We welcome readers to submit questions for Mr. Traylor and Mr. Webb to answer in these pages before the election. We want to have them answering questions right up until November. Give the editor your question by phone, or fax or e-mail.

To get the ball rolling, we looked at what each man wrote in his campaign speech for the paper before the primary and came up with a question for each.

We invite them to answer these questions in writing for the purpose of presenting the answers on this page for county voters to read.

We also invite them to write in, expressing their feelings about anything the other guy has said.

For instance, Mr. Webb has talked about what he calls the county’s credibility gap with the outside forces that affect the county, i.e., Washington and Salem. Mr. Traylor might want him to explain himself on that point.

On the other side, Mr. Traylor has been talking loudly about logging on what he calls “safety corridors” as the foundation of his plan to boost the county’s economy. Mr. Webb might well wonder about the details of that plan.

Remember, the gloves are off. This is county politics, and the questions are going to get tougher as we go along.

We are looking for detailed answers – straight talk, as it were – and no political lip-flapping that says what people want to hear, but doesn’t mean anything.

In his piece touting himself, Mr. Webb said : “I am running for Grant County Judge. The general aim of this position, as I understand it, is to promote and facilitate the health and well being of the county.”

Fair enough, Mr. Webb. Do you believe there is something wrong with the health and well being of the county? If so, will you explain what’s wrong with the health and well being of the county and list, for starters, three workable things that you will do make things right?

If you don’t think anything is wrong with the health and well being of the county, please explain how you will keep things right.

And while you’re at it, will you explain the difference between “health” and “well being” as pertaining to the county?

In his campaign tout, Mr. Traylor said: “We know the problems and solutions are recognized.”

Nice thought, Mr, Traylor. What, exactly, do you mean by that? What are the problems, exactly, and what the solutions for these problems? Details, please.

Bonus question for each candidate (submitted by a concerned citizen): Aside from general administrative duties, there are certain judicial responsibilities that are part of the county judge’s job. What are these responsibilities, and are you qualified to deal with them?