To the editor:
I am Tom Graham asking you for your support as a Jefferson County commissioner. I will be a full-time commissioner. This is a huge job and experience matters. Many have asked me why I do this. I do this to help, to give you a voice. I do it to give back to the community that has blessed me so much.
I am a commissioner for the masses of people. I will let you know when something is wrong, like the recent huge six-year water and sewer increase. More than 50 percent of the current water and sewer customers will have a 40 percent increase in their bill within the next six years. That is outrageous. I remember my roots and how hard it was trying to make ends meet. I do not forget that, and I will not forget all of you who are hard-working individuals who are now faced with a huge six-year water and sewer rate increase.
Diverse views are what you will get with me. You will know another side exists. I am not a rubber stamp on an issue just because someone powerful wants something done. Issues need to be researched and thought out, and public involvement in the process is crucial. I will always give you the facts and you can decide for yourself after listening to all sides what you think is right. But know this -- when I speak, I speak for you, and I always try to do what is best for the taxpayers and the water and sewer customers. I have always been and always shall be a commissioner for the people, your voice where you otherwise might not have one.
Experience matters. With Dave Maple leaving, that leaves a big void in the commissioner's office. Of course, things can be done without experience, but when we try to raise our kids, we know our own experiences mattered and we try to keep them from making the mistakes we made. Experience helps.
One more item, and that is we need the Jefferson County Port Authority, which is charged with economic development, to step up to the plate and get more done. It is not the commissioners who are in charge of economic development, but they have monetary influence over the port authority. If the director cannot get more done, then we need to change how economic development is done in Jefferson County, because right now it is not working and that is not acceptable any longer. I will advocate for the necessary changes to make this happen.
Having said this, one commissioner cannot make the change. It takes two but I certainly can continue to voice my opinion and maybe will have another commissioner who will do what is necessary for economic development.
I thank you for your support in the past and in the future. Experience matters and I am ready on day one. I know how to deal with a $17 million to $18 million budget.
Thomas "Bo" Graham
Steubenville