WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
My name is Wanda Evers.
IN 250 WORDS OR LESS, PLEASE TELL US WHY YOU ARE SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE?
I am seeking the office of Hinds County Supervisor District 4 because I believe the citizens in this district and Hinds County as a whole deserve better. I know this sounds like a cliche, but it’s true. We deserve to be included in conversations that matter about our quality of life. We deserve a transparent form of government. We deserve accountable leadership. We deserve better roads and open bridges. We deserve better schools and safer communities. We deserve accountable and mature leadership. The employees in Hinds County deserve better wages and benefits. We deserve a jail that is built efficiently and will retain detainees. Our youth deserve better parks and a safe place to grow up. We simply deserve better representation. I’m offering myself as a public servant because service is what I’ve been doing all of my life.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS/ARE THE GREATEST OBSTACLE(S) TO ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN HINDS COUNTY?
I believe the greatest obstacles or challenges to economic and community development in Hinds County is a lack of vision and no roadmap to get there. I’ve repeatedly said that in order to do anything in this county; build anything or create anything, we’ve got to step back and take a forensic audit of our finances, our inventory, our staffing, and all of our resources. Once we know where we are financially and internally, then we can develop a strategic plan. A plan that focuses on growth and development. I’m often reminded when asked this question of Proverbs 29:18. Where there is no vision, the people perish. We’ve been perishing long enough in Hinds County and specifically in District 4.
IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THIS/THESE OBSTACLE(S)?
When I’m elected, the first order of business for me will be to propose an audit. I’ll be new on the job and in order to govern effectively, I have to know where we are. Secondly, I’ll create community task forces. I’m one person and have but one vote. I want to make sure that I am accountable to the people that I serve. I’ve heard their voices on the campaign trail; I’ve listened to their concerns. I want to continue that service once I’m elected. Together we can create the perfect roadmap towards economic and community development. If we work collaboratively, we can and will build a better Hinds County. A Hinds County that we all can be proud of.
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WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
My name is Vern Gavin, a candidate for re-election.
IN 250 WORDS OR LESS, PLEASE TELL US WHY YOU ARE SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE?
As the supervisor, I will continue my commitment to improving economic development opportunities by recruiting new businesses, working with law enforcement to aid in obtaining safer communities, improving our roads and infrastructure so that people will see Hinds County as a place to be proud to live, work, and play. With my experience and continued hard work, it can and will happen. Within my past 3 1/2 years, I have repaved and repaired more roads and bridges than the past 10 years combined. I have initiated a comprehensive plan to make Hinds County more efficient by being PRO Active vs Re-Active.
My educational training, work experience, business and industrial development expertise prepared me to meet the challenges confronting our Hinds County. I am a Jackson State University graduate with a degree in Accounting (BS), Masters of Business (MBA), and a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP). I am experienced with business development at the national level. Also, I am a business owner for more than 40 years.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS/ARE THE GREATEST OBSTACLE(S) TO ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN HINDS COUNTY?
The greatest obstacle to economic and community development in Hinds County is the lack of a comprehensive plan that is a buy-in with the stakeholders of the county. It is imperative that stakeholders in Hinds County be on the same page moving forward. The basic needs of society must also be met, i.e., improved roads/streets, water systems, flood control, etc. Then, we have to address crime and housing improvement.
IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THIS/THESE OBSTACLE(S)?
If re-elected, I will continue the implementation of the programs started to address the issues of 1.) safe communities and 2.) roads, bridges, and infrastructural improvements, along with improved community relationships to make Hinds County a place to be proud to LIVE, WORK, and PLAY.
