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From the left, Lyn Holcomb, Mike DeVinentis, Deborah Palmer, and Edwin Nix
Board of Commissioner candidates gave their vision for White County’s future during a forum last Thursday.
The forum was sponsored by the White County Chamber of Commerce, the White County News and local radio station WRWH, which hosted the event.
District 2 incumbent Lyn Holcomb faces challenges from Deborah Palmer and Mike DeVincentis in the Republican primary.
Incumbent District 3 Commissioner Edwin Nix also attended the forum, even though he has no opposition in the May primary.
“I want the people I represent to know where I stand on the issues,” said Nix, who also serves as Executive Director of the White County Water Authority.
“Being commissioner is a fairly tough job,” Nix added. “The more people who move here, the tougher it gets.”
Nix said his roots run deep in the community.
“Right now we have four generations living on a farm my dad started,” he added. “I have a lot of roots in this county. I’m still the same person I have always been. I still have the same phone number I’ve had since 1977.”
Holcomb, who was unable to attend the forum due to a previous engagement but joined by telephone, said he has been in office sine 2011, and considers constituent service one of his top priorities.
“It means a lot to me to help our constituents and see our businesses grow,” Holcomb said. “The first year I was commissioner, we doubled the size of the senior center. Our parks and rec continues to grow. We have a lot of things for a lot of people, young and old.”
Challenger Deborah Palmer, a retired public safety official, has lived in White County for over 14 years.
“I think I’ve lived here long enough to know the people,” Palmer said, adding that her husband grew up here. “I want to work for the betterment of my community. I’m concerned about roads and our water infrastructure. We have grown so much since I have lived here.”
She added that she has been a poll worker in the past, and currently serves on the ABC board.
DeVincentis is also challenging for Holcomb’s seat. He has been a White County resident for 32 years, and is a 1996 graduate of White County High School. He operates his own IT company.
“I grew up here,” DeVincetis said. “I have a child and I have a business. I want to give our constituents a voice. In my job, I solve problems, I listen to my customers. I would like to listen to what the community has to say about what the needs are.”
The candidates took questions from moderator Dean Dyer that were submitted by the public.
The candidates didn’t appear to differ a great deal in their responses.
All said they support continuing improvements to the parks and recreation department.
“I am very active outdoors,” DeVincentis said. “I have been involved with Parks and Rec. I have seen the need from a different perspective. I do see where we are lacking.”
“We have good programs,” said Palmer. “I am disappointed we are closing the pool. We need to have state-of-the-art equipment, no matter what we do.”
Holcomb said he has been involved with Parks and Rec as a coach nearly all his life.
“The pool has been point of discussion for the last three years,” Holcomb said. “I’ve been a proponent of keeping the pool open because of all the children who look forward to it in the summer time. But the pool is 40 years old and repair will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Both Holcomb and Nix said the county continues to negotiate with Truett McConnell University over possible use of their swimming pool. Meanwhile, the county will be constructing a splash pad for community children.
In addition, “we would like to add an open-air building for horse shows, car shows, etc. Parks and Rec has to look at more than just the youth,” said Nix.
All the candidates agreed that the growing number of short-term rental properties in the county, now estimated at over 700, will be a challenge for the next commission.
“We deal with short-term rentals almost every meeting,” Holcomb said. “We’re working with our economic development team to look at housing and small-time development. The price of housing has gone through the roof.”
“Short term rentals have been a challenge to work with because there are so many,” said Nix. “Another problem is people who are living in campgrounds who are using the services of the county but are not paying their fair share.”
Palmer said she is not a fan of short-term rentals.
“I personally am not impressed by it,” she said. “We need to make sure people are paying the hotel/motel tax. People are coming to the mountains, and we need to provide a place for them, but we need to be sure it is safe for the rest of the community.”
“People who are starting out, it’s very difficult for a young person to afford anything,” said DeVincentis. “We only have a certain amount of property, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. We need some light-density housing, maybe some condos. I believe the housing market will adjust.
All four candidates endorsed the eventual relocation of county services to an 18-acre complex north of Cleveland recently acquired by the county.
Each candidate was asked why they are running for office and what skills they bring.
“I just like to be a part of this community,” Nix said. “I work hard to try to give back to the community that has given so much to us.”
“I have always been involved with doing something in the community,” DeVincentis said. “I love meeting people. I’m a forward thinker. I think I can bring some new perspective to the table.”
“I want to be able to focus on the greater good,” Palmer said. “We certainly don’t want to lose our small-town feel.We need to be sure to focus on all the needs, and not just some.”
“Our area is one of the top areas in the state for tourism,” Holcomb said. “There are so many people coming through our county now. We need to be able to grow in a smart, sensible way.”