Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of profiles on candidates running for office in Liberty County.
Pat Bowen, 63, and Ted Eby, 58, will vie once again for the District 4 seat on the Liberty County Commission. The two first ran against each other in 2012.
District 4 includes Fleming, Lake George, Fort Stewart and parts of Midway.
Candidate’s are profiled in alphabetical order.
Bowen
Bowen has served as commissioner for District 4 for almost 18 years. The Liberty County native is a Bradwell Institute graduate and co-ownerof Rogers Tree Service. He is married to Amy Bowen and the father of four children—Celia Gosset, Patrick Bowen, Briana Bowen and Beverly Bowen.
Q: Why should voters reelect you?
A: I was raised in Liberty County and my family are residents here. I would like my children, grandchildren, and all citizens of the county to have the opportunity to continue to obtain a quality education, obtain a good job and have recreational facilities in which they can be proud. I want to continue to work with law enforcement, EMS, first responders and fire departments to ensure the same professionalism that they have provided in the past. I enjoy serving all the people of the county, and specifically District 4, and want to do my part in making Liberty County a great place to live and work.
Q: What qualifies you to run for this position?
A: Tenure and experience. As a business owner, I understand finances and working with people. Being a veteran of the United States Army, I can relate to some of the issues they encounter.
Q: What are three issues you want to address or solve if you are elected? Why?
1. Roads and drainage improvements
2. Recreation improvements - completion of Fleming Park
3. Fire Protection
Q: Do you support the Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax? Why or why not?
A: SPLOST allows for others, not just property owners, to help bear the costs of things needed such as roads, recreation and emergency services. Funds will also help reduce the current debt which I feel strongly about.
Q: Overall, what do you want people to know about you?
I want them to know that I am easily accessible and will continue to work for the betterment of the county and the people in it.
Eby
Eby, who is originally from Sunbury, Pennsylvania, has called Liberty County home for the past 21 years. He graduated from high-school and trade school and has his own businesses, A.C. E. Coastal Builders, Inc., a residential and commercial contractor. Eby and his wife have been married for 33 years, have two daughters and two sons-in-law.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I want to make a change in our community and especially in District 4. We have very little to show for the outrageous amount of taxes that we pay.
Q: What qualifies you to run for this position?
A: I have ran a successful business for the past 30 years. I believe that running a county is much like running a business.
Q: What are three issues you want to address or solve if you are elected? Why?
1. Reduce high taxes
2. Improve county Infrastructure
3. Cut unnecessary spending/Reducing County Debt
Q: Do you support the Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax? Why or why not?
A: I support the idea of SPLOST, I do not support the current funding plan for the county.
Q: Overall, what do you want people to know about you?
A: I am a hardworking, honest man who wants to see Liberty County progress in a fiscally responsible manner. I want to make Liberty County a place that its residents want to live, work and shop in. I want to see the county move forward together regardless of party affiliation.