HARRIS COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL)— WRBL is your local election headquarters. As May primaries draw near, WRBL is committed to preparing you before casting your ballot.
In Harris County, there are two contested races. Five candidates are vying for county commissioner seats for Districts 4 and 5. WRBL continues the Meet the Candidates series with Richie Grantham.
Grantham is a small business owner, volunteer firefighter, executive board member of Valley Rescue Mission and Crime Stoppers. He is running for the District 4 County Commissioner seat, currently filled by Bobby Irions. This is Grantham’s second time running for the District 4 Seat, he says his background in business will help him make decisions about the county’s budget which is what he wants to start with if voted in.
“I think we just need to take an in-depth look at our budget, such as the SPLOST. We just passed a SPLOST that is not even set to expire till next year, but we had it this year," Grantham said. "SPLOST by definition is a special purpose local option sales tax. I feel that we're using it as a line of credit. I think we needed to save it for special purposes.”
Specifically, Grantham says he wants to see more funds poured into first responders of Harris County. The SPLOST that is set to renew on April 1, 2025, has earmarked nearly $5 million for public safety vehicles and associated equipment plus $1.5 million to replace the 911 radio system. The entire breakdown can be found, here.
“It was always talked that the SPLOST coming up was going to be for first responders, police, deputy cars, ambulances, fire trucks and ended up being $1 million put into this SPLOST for fire trucks and $1 million will barely buy one firetruck. And we have ten different departments within the county," Grantham said.
In addition, Grantham wants to allocate funds towards infrastructure. He says the last county road to be refurbished in District 4 was in 2017. Grantham also says he would like to connect with the residents of District 4, a plan he is already putting into action.
“We've got a meet and greet this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., just in the Cataula VFW’s Community Room, just so people can come by, we can meet them, hear what their visions are," Grantham said. "I feel like the voices of District 4 have not really been represented. It’s kind of been a ‘my way, and this is the way we’re going,’ but not really listen to the people.”
Grantham says if elected, he will continue to seek input from residents of District 4 through town hall meetings.
Grantham is one of three candidates vying for the District 4 seat. Incumbent Bobby Irions and longtime resident Jim Kelly. Next week WRBL will speak with the two candidates campaigning for the District 5 seat.
Early voting for this election begins April 29, election day is May 21.
Additional Reports
March 11, 2024: Most incumbents safe in Harris County, only two contested commission seats | WRBL
March 25, 2024: HARRIS COUNTY: District 4 Commissioners Race, meet Jim Kelly | WRBL
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