Facing the Primaries: District 3 Supervisor candidate responses to our questions

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The Aug. 8 primaries are quickly approaching. At that time, voters will make their voices heard and select the candidate they want to represent them. In light of the upcoming election cycle, Vicksburg Daily News has reached out to the candidates on the Warren County ballot and posed a series of questions on behalf of our readers.

We reached out to each of the candidates running for Warren County District 3 Supervisor, Shawn Jackson and Eros Smith.

Questions were asked

• What specific plans do you have to attract new businesses and industries to Warren County and promote economic growth in the district?
• How will you support and promote the interests of farmers, agricultural businesses and rural communities within the district?
• How do you plan to address the existing infrastructure challenges in the district, such as road maintenance, bridge repairs and access to high-speed internet?
• How do you plan to address the issue of housing affordability in the district and ensure that residents have access to safe and affordable housing options?
• How will you prioritize spending within the district’s budget to address critical needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility?
• How will you approach tax policies and ensure that taxpayers’ money is used efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the district?
• What strategies will you employ to enhance community engagement and ensure that residents’ voices are heard in decision-making processes?
• What measures will you implement to enhance public safety in the district, including law enforcement cooperation, emergency response and disaster preparedness?
• How do you envision your office collaborating with the school district to facilitate improvements within the county?
• How will you ensure transparency, ethical conduct and accountability and what steps will you take to address any potential conflicts of interest?
• Regarding transparency, do you have any plans to support or implement measures that would ensure the streaming and online availability of meetings and work sessions, as well as the timely publication of agendas and minutes on the County website?
• Of the perceived lack of zoning and code enforcement in Warren County, do you have intentions to pursue code and zoning measures, including inspections, if elected?

Answers were given – Smith

Hello, my name is Eros Smith. Born and raised in Marcus Bottom/ Douglas Park for all of my entire life. I am extremely proud of being a product of Ken Karyl Ave. by way of Letitia St. when I came home from Mercy Hospital. I have two beautiful daughters where one is currently in grad school at the University of Oklahoma and my youngest who is going into her sophomore year at Vicksburg High School. I am a graduate of Vicksburg High School and pursued my Bachelor of Art Degree in Political Science at Jackson State University. I have been a public servant for all of my life and in my professional career. I have taken the solemn pledge to take all enemies both foreign and domestic to preserve, safeguard life and property. With having 19 years of law enforcement experience as a city/state police officer (with the City of Jackson Police Department and State Capitol Police). 10-year veteran of the Ms. Air National Guard/U.S. Air Force and going into my 3rd year as a Guidance Counselor/Individual Growth Plan Coordinator, Instructor and Varsity Boys Head Track Coach at Madison High School in Madison Parish/Tallulah La. I listen, study and make logistical plans to carry out every endeavor, assignment and task effectively. I am a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, a member of Stringer Masonic Lodge #1 and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Vicksburg Alumni Chapter. My four major focal points of my platform are: Public safety, street resurfacing and infrastructure, public/private partnerships and having an open line of communication/transparency with the residents of district 3, the Board of Supervisors, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen especially with our district running through the heart of the city; I want to be that liaison to have an open rapport with the city and the board in bridging the gap. Together, we are all working for the “Greater Good” of Warren County. There’s no “I” in team. I am more than willing to work with the Board of Supervisors in unison. No one person can take on this task alone or achieve anything.

1. What specific plans do you have to attract new businesses and industries to Warren County and promote economic growth in the district?

When elected, I would work with the Warren County Economic Development Director to see how we could enhance & market the resources we currently have such as the port and our river as well as other assets the county possess to be more attractive to investors so they can buy into Warren County. For example, Vicksburg and Meridian mirror each other being that both cities run along the I 20 corridor and they have more establishments than we have. I would make a connection with franchise investors to come take a look at Warren County and the City of Vicksburg to invest in franchise companies. For two reasons, so that Warren County and the city of Vicksburg as well as the franchises can both get a high return on both of their respected investments. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

2. How will you support and promote the interest of farmers, agricultural businesses and rural communities within the district?

Being that district 3 is solely within the corporate limits of the city, however I will collaborate with the Board in making sure that they have all of the resources that I can provide and assist in their respected districts to promote agricultural business and always work for the best interest of the farmers.

3. How do you plan to address the existing infrastructure challenges in the district, such as road maintenance, bridge repairs and access to high-speed internet?

With district 3 being in the heart of the city, the city hires an outside engineer to prepare the proposal and the scope of the work to address the projects that are taking place with the city. As district 3 Supervisor, I’m more than willing to work along with the city officials in reviewing and collaborating to prioritize issues relating to district 3.

I also want to work with private partners and establish partnerships with bringing in fiber optics/internet infrastructure to our government assisted/critical areas.

4. How do you plan to address the issue of housing affordability in the district and ensure that residents have access to safe and affordable housing options?

As district 3 Supervisor, I would build a rapport and work in partnership with the Community Development Housing Department. I would also reach out to the Warren Counter Chapter of NAACP and assist those residents who resides in district 3 apply for grants that are available to qualifying residents.

Second, I will work in partnership with city officials in revitalizing buildings that are not in use such as the old YMCA, to make it a housing unit for anyone who qualifies for adequate housing just like Carr Central on Cherry St.
Third, I will also work in private partnerships and help residents apply for grants to get affordable housing such as energy efficient cottage houses in selected neighborhoods within district 3.

5. How would you prioritize spending within the district’s budget to address critical needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility?

I will work alongside my board to discuss the distribution of funding that is necessary between the five districts. I will also see what district 3 has been receiving within the past 3 years fiscal budget to assist in evaluating current needs within the district.

6. How will you approach tax policies and ensure taxpayers’ money is used efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the district?

Taxation is the only practical means of raising revenue while minimizing unintended consequences to finance government spending. This is how Warren County allocates their budget for all of the departments they are responsible for and keep those departments stable.

7. What strategies will you employ to enhance community engagement and ensure that residents’ voices are heard in decision making process?

As district 3 Supervisor, I would suggest implementing community forums within the 5 districts for those who may not have social media or transportation to come to the Board of Supervisors building for the meetings and be more accessible to the people in our respected district. Having selected venues within each district, this allows the residents to be more engaged and informed and most importantly, allowing their voices to be heard and have an open line of communication with the Supervisors directly. As district 3 Supervisor, I will have an open-door policy, and will provide my residents with my direct contact to notify me with a moment’s notice. I have always had an open line of communication ever since I was a cop with my patrol car being my mobile office and my contact being my office number and that concept will never change.

8. What measures will you implement to enhance public safety in the district, including law enforcement cooperation, emergency response and disaster preparedness?

Public Safety, crime prevention and youth crime violence are a great concern for me. Coming from a neighborhood where the “Village” raised the children is the way I was raised and there was structure within the community with less fights and violence. I was raised by my grandparents as well as by the other elders but in today’s society in which while canvassing for this election, I have conversed with elders who have stated they don’t even feel safe anymore. No elder or any resident who pays taxes should have to live in fear from sitting on their front porch in hopes of not being shot by a random bullet from senseless violence that maybe happening elsewhere. Having an extensive law enforcement background, as Supervisor I would work closely with Vicksburg Police and the Warren County Sherriff’s Department to enhance the community’s trust and law enforcement relations. I will work on a collaboration with community service, the officer who is working that beat in creating a quality-of-life meeting in the most critical needed areas that are mostly affected with high crime so we can develop a plan to eliminate crime to the best of our ability. The community, law enforcement and public officials can and will work together to make this effective in order for everyone to feel safe. I would also reach out to the respected elders of those communities to also have a hand on trying to change the narrative and being an influence on those individuals who are misguided and lacking support, so they won’t result to violence to handle their issues. I will also work alongside with Warren County Emergency Management dealing with any storms or disasters that may affect district 3 as well as Warren County as a whole.

9. How so you envision your office collaborating with the school district to facilitate improvements within the county.

I have always been a hands-on person, so I want to make regular visits to our public schools and make routine checks and take an even more focus on our at-risk youths and work with them. As Supervisor I will work closely with Warren Central Junior High, Vicksburg Junior High and Vicksburg High as well as the At-Risk Youth Center making regular visits and bringing other visitors who are willing to be a role model to speak to children who are at risk. Working as a Guidance Counselor in the Northeast region of the delta in Louisiana that is poverty stricken; I work personally with my scholars and their parents in making sure I help them stay in school, get out of the trouble life and prepare them to graduate. None of this could be possible without building trust and relationships. This is how the village raises the children.

10. How will you ensure transparency, ethical conduct and accountability and what steps will you take to address any potential conflicts of interest.

I will always inform my residents of any information that the board discusses and makes decisions as one governing body. I will also be transparent with my colleagues on the Board. My commitment is to be as transparent in every way possible. My integrity, moral compass and Air Force Core Values (Integrity First, Service before Self and Excellence in all that we do) are vital to me and would never allow me to jeopardize those principles. Also, by following state law and seeking the Attorney General’s opinions on issues that maybe a gray area in following the guidance and state statures.

11. Regarding transparency, do you have any plans to support or implement measures that would ensue the streaming and online availability of meetings and work sessions, as well as the timely publication of agendas and minutes on the county website?

All city and county meetings are on our local tv channel and/or streaming via internet. The Vicksburg Daily News always keep content posted for our readers. When elected, I will also post content on my Supervisor for District 3 Facebook page for any county business that we preside over. I will definitely inform my residents any county business.

12. Of the perceived lack of zoning and code enforcement in Warren County, do you have any intentions to pursue code and zoning measures, including inspections, if elected?

District 3 already falls under strict city ordinances and guidelines as it relates to zoning and code enforcement. As far as the other districts within Warren County, I would consult with other Board members to possibly implement more guidelines, amend or ratify in their respected district. I would also seek comments from other residents in their respected district.

At the time of this posting, Jackson has yet to respond to our inquiries.