The Duncan Banner emailed some questions to all the candidates running for political office that members of Stephens County will be voting on Nov. 4. What follows is this candidate's responses to these questions.



Questions for Wayne Watts, Republican candidate for Stephens County Commissioner:





1) What qualifications do you have for running for County Commissioner in Stephens County?



I grew up in Stephens County, a farm boy, whose parents taught me to work, to pray, to respect people and their property. I appreciate the opportunity to live in this area and have chosen to do so throughout my life, and never miss an opportunity to tell people about all the great things that are available here and invite them to come see for themselves.

Of course, being raised on a farm, I have a good understanding of those who are involved in agriculture. I’ve hauled hay and built fence. I’ve worked cattle and planted wheat and can readily identify with the needs of those who live in our rural areas; their need for safe roads and bridges; their belief in property rights, and their community ties.

Having owned my own business, I understand and can identify with the businessman who risked his capital and invested his time and sweat to build a business. I can see his need to keep taxes as low as possible, and his desire to have a good local economy working for him.

I have the business management experience to manage the taxpayers dollars properly and desire to help the citizens build better and stronger communities.





2) Why are you running for County Commissioner in Stephens County?



With Frank Kelly retiring, a need for someone with business experience and a desire to see the county grow and prosper is needed. I have worked behind the scenes for several years to help good people be elected to office. Unlike my opponent whose record shows that he has only voted one time in recent history and changed his party affiliation just prior to filing for office, I have voted in every major election since becoming old enough to vote and voted in most other elections without fail.

I have the education, work experience and life experience to do the job set before us. I have the desire to serve the public, to work to make life better for us all. The position of County Commissioner will allow me to not only work for District 2 concerns, but allow me to work for all of Stephens County and its residents.

Most people do not realize the responsibilities of the County Commissioners. Roads and bridges are important, but the commissioners are the businessmen for the county, also. Budgeting, planning and purchasing are a few of the requirements. Developing a vision of the future and implementing a plan to reach the goal is of utmost importance.





3) What is the most important issue to you and how will you work to alleviate the problem if elected?



The most important issue facing Stephens County Commissioners will be maintaining our infrastucture (roads, bridges, buildings) within the constraints of the budget. With increased costs of operations, equipment and supplies, Commissioners are already faced with stretching taxpayer dollars and deciding what gets accomplished in this years budget and what can be put off until next year.

County employees will no doubt need cost of living raises to maintain their living standard. The federal and state government will continue to place un-funded mandates on counties. In short, having enough money to meet all of our needs will be tested.

I see the need to help build our county’s economic standard by helping develop new jobs and opportunities. Also, developing tourism to our area brings in tax dollars from outside. We are fortunate to have an excellent fairgrounds facility that is a draw for many events that bring dollars to our hotels, restaurants and other businesses. We can continue to promote that facility and see tourism grow for the area.

Cost cutting ideas need to be researched and tested. Many businesses and government entities are going to four day work weeks to cut expenses, and perhaps we can investigate installing compressed natural gas on county vehicles to save money.



4)What have been some “positives” that have happened during your campaign?



The most rewarding part of the campaign process is meeting the people of the district. The citizens of this area are very friendly and courteous. They are proud of their heritage as citizens of Oklahoma and Stephens County and truly want what is best for the good of all.

I find a lot of people who are concerned about the “quality” of the candidates running for office and are looking at past history of the candidates as a way of determining who to vote for. That is the only thing a voter can base their decision on if neither candidate has held an elected office before. A candidates past moral and ethical judgement determines how he will operate in an elected office, and should be one of the determining factors for voters in this election.

I have discovered that many voters do not realize the responsibilities of the commissioners office. That the commissioners are the businessmen for the county and are responsible for county owned property as well as county activities and operations. The commissioners are accountable to all residents of the county, but each one is responsible for the roads and bridges in their respective districts.





5)With the ever increasing costs for construction materials, road construction/maintenance costs are increasing exponentially, what can be done to alleviate the problem? In other words, can the number of road projects remain steady or will the number of projects need to decrease yearly unless taxes are raised?



Budgeting is probably the biggest issue for the commissioners. Not only do they have to manage a growing need for more money as costs rise, they may have to do it with less income as the economic climate is in a flux and somewhat volatile at this time.

Road and bridge construction wants and needs will always have to be a fluid plan for the future. The next flood can drastically change what you want to do, to what you have to do, to keep the county moving. The commissioners work off of a five year road and bridge plan as a way to plan for the future. However it is always subject to revision as needs and funds dictate. The commissioners will need to look at ways to conserve funds as well as ways to seek more grants and state and federal funding for projects.



6)In February of this year, the jail inspector from the Oklahoma State Department of Health met with the commissioners and said that the jail beneath the courthouse does not meet state standards and if they are not fixed heavy penalties could be layed on the county. Possible solutions include trying to repair the problems of the old jail and even building a brand new jail. What do you want to do to help resolve the issue. Where will the funds come from?



It is my understanding that the current commissioners have taken action to alleviate the problems listed by the State Jail Inspector. At this time only one problem is left to be addressed, and that is the issue of natural light availability to jail inmates. A local construction company is working on plans to address that situation with something similar to solar tubes. This may or may not satisfy the state. Or it is possible that an exercise “yard” can be created so that prisoners can have their state required “natural light”. I am sure there are less costly ways to solve the problem without incurring taxpayer burden to build a new jail. That would be a last resort.

In two short months, Stephens County will have a new sheriff. The sheriff of the county has the responsibility of managing the county jail. It would seem logical to me that the commissioners meet with the new sheriff after January 1st and get his input as well as reviewing the requirements by the state for the facility. The person who will be charged with the day to day operations of the jail should have input into satisfying the requirements from the state.