Local realtors met with candidates of Aiken City and Aiken County councils Tuesday and will announce later this week whom it will endorse.
The Aiken Board of Realtors screened candidates at its office with the purpose of learning about each one and their platforms. The candidates were asked to complete questionnaires before hand on issues like impact fees, point of sale and taxes Realtors are expected to pull from that information when they cast their vote in an informal poll this week.
Whomever gets the majority of votes will receive the board's endorsement.
"We almost have a slogan: 'If real estate if your profession, then politics is your business,'" said Lawana Furtick, Board of Realtors president, who added that politics is tied to the real estate market where taxes and other issues are concerned.
The Aiken Board of Realtors will announce Friday which candidates it will endorse.
The Aiken Standard chose one question from the screening to highlight: What are your top priorities if elected?
Aiken City Council
J. Allen Brodie, District 4
Job growth, business vitality, maintaining the character of Aiken by supporting a quality cultural environment.
Reggie Ebner, District 4
Council must continue to plan for and manage growth, plan for and provide the infrastructure to support growth, protect and continue Aiken's economic vitality by supporting local businesses as well as careful spending in the best interest of taxpayers.
Kent Cubbage, At Large
Remove barriers to the success of local businesses to get the economy humming again. Removing those barriers will benefit the real estate market tremendously.
Steve Homoki, At Large
Early preventive measures and intervention are necessary if the City is to stay ahead of the noticeable increase in crime. Secondly, I will work hard to retain the current financial management practices of the City and I want to be prepared to ensure that growth is planned in a way where we have the infrastructure to support that growth.
Liz Stewart, At Large
Focus on economic vitality to bring more jobs, review our revenue structure including taxes and business license fees and alleviate traffic issues by working toward our ability to synchronize traffic lights.
Don Wells, At Large
Stand for small business, limit government spending especially during these times and implementing initiatives to keep public safety offices where we need them: fighting crime.
Aiken County Council District 5
Barry Baggott
My top priorities are to help lead Aiken County in a fiscally responsible manner and to encourage economic development and job creation in our county.
Alexander "Sandy" Haskell
Continue fiscally conservative leadership, careful, business evaluation of all subjects under consideration, transparency in all matters, improve emergency services, promote recycling where economically feasible, maintain green space for future generations and meet neighborhood needs.
Larry Murphy
I want to continue the good practice of Eddie Butler.
Judy Hamilton
I have a unique insight into the lives of my neighbors and what would make life better for them and all of Aiken County. I want to give back to my community through improved education, which will attract businesses to the area.
James Richardson
Expand the industrial base in Aiken County to create more jobs for our citizens and improve public safety throughout the County
Andy Cheek
Cost control, economic development and job creation. Work with Council and economic development agencies to define plans and goals. Working to reduce the impact of last tax revenue by seeking efficiencies to cut overhead cost. Looking for other funding sources for improvement to the 911 system.
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Posted by: The Realist On: Thursday, September 03, 2009 10:22 AM
Comment Title:
I'm sure these shady realtors won't show any favortism towards their own will they?
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Posted by: On: Thursday, September 03, 2009 10:09 AM
Comment Title:
Why doesn't the Standard ask these candidates how they specifically plan to grow the job base and reduce unemployment in Aiken? It sounds good but do they actually have a plan to achieve it?
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