I would like to thank all the folks that voted for me, supported my campaign and all the folks that I met during my first campaign.  I really enjoyed the experience and every thing that I learned about people and the system.

Well we now have to concentrate on the upcoming general elections.  I believe that the voters has chosen some good candidates.  Now to prove that they would make good leaders we must question and observe what they do and say.  The vetting process is important, so don’t get lazy, get involved and lets get some competent, engaged leaders.

Thanks You

Paul

I would like to thank the Concerned Citizens of the Burlington Area, and Mrs. Harriette Ramsey, for hosting another well ran “Meet the Candidate Night” and for inviting me to participate. 

Well we’re in the final stretch of this primary campaign, and I would like to share some thoughts.  First its been fun running my first race, I’ve met folks that I most likely would not have met, I got to watch how county politics work and how they don’t, and I’ve got a better appreciation of the whole process. 

I believe even more strongly that one person can make a difference, and that who we elect does matter.  So on Tuesday get out and vote.

Thanks to everyone that has taken time to speak with me and especially those who have supported me.

Paul

The citizens of our county have the awesome responsibility and privilege of choosing who will lead our county for the next four years.  So let me say to all of those citizens, don’t take this task lightly.  Just as important as the upcoming national election is to our country, our local election is to our county.  If you have read the newspapers or seen the evening news, you know that the county is in a financial crisis.  We can debate how we got here, but no one should have been surprised.  The county leaders that you chose in the next election will have a direct affect on you, your family, and your wallet.  You have the right and the obligation to be informed on the candidates, their views, and their plans to lead our community.  Unfortunately there are not a lot of forums to judge the caliber of local candidates.  Absent those forums to compare and judge the candidates, the voters are left to pick a candidate by friends and family opinions, hearsay, or just name recognition.  Should we choose our leaders by who has the most signs, or most money?  Well lets look at the state of the county.  Is the county in better shape now than in the past?  Is Lawrence County positioned to move forward and take advantage of any opportunities that may come our way to improve our economic situation?  My observation is no.  So, to give the voters something to judge my candidacy I would like to list some goals that I would like to accomplish if elected:

1. I would have a standing item on the commissioner’s agenda to look at cost saving measures at every meeting.  I would look at the expenses of every county department, and if I identify an opportunity to improve service or cut cost, I would work with the office holder or department head to reach that goal.  There would be no sacred cows.

2.  I would work to organize an annual meeting of the county’s elected officials to set common goals for the county.  I would then look to our state and federal office holders for funding those goals.  If we’re looking outside the county for funding of improvement to our infrastructure I believe we need a united front.  It seems that we have no common goals, the right hand has no clue what the left hand is doing. 

3. I believe that our county’s economy must be based on manufacturing jobs, value added jobs.  We have lost our manufacture base and I would personally contact potential manufacturing business, looking for opportunities to partner up with that company, to bring good paying jobs back to our community.  I WOULD NOT PASS THIS RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHER PERSONS OR COMMITTEES.  I WOULD LEAD THE CHARGE,  NOT FOLLOW.

4. I would personally stay in touch with the county’s employers to support and assist them with any problems they may encounter and to be an available resource to promote expansion.  

5. I would take a voluntary 20% cut in pay while the county recovers from the past mistakes and gets back on firm financial footing.   One of the proposed  solution to the current financial crisis is to reduce county employee hours by 20%.  I believe that cuts must be made to work within the county budget, but real leaders lead by example. I would challenge all office holders to follow.

We can recover from our current crisis, but we need a new direction with new leaders.  So please consider casting your vote for me.  Let’s see how much we can accomplish together.  Let’s not just survive, lets’ prosper.

Please contact me with you thoughts and opinions, and thank you for your support. 

Well the candidates are set for the upcoming primary.  Now it’s up the the candidates to let the voters get to know them.  We do this by signs, attending events and talking with voters, knocking on doors, and public forums.  One event that provides a forum is “Meet the Candidate Night” at the Sybene Senior Citizens Center, held on February 28.  It’s hosted by the Concerned Citizens of the Burlington Area.  I’ve attended past meetings and have enjoyed the event.  It gives you a chance to meet and ask the candidate questions that are important to you.  It’s worth taking your time at attend. 

Good luck to all the candidates and let’s address the issues and challenges that are facing our community. 

Happy New Year, 2008 is finally here. 

On Thursday January 3 I submitted my petition to run for Commissioner to the election board.  My petition, along with the other candidates will be certified by the election board on Wednesday the 9th.  Once the candidates petitions are certified, and we are guaranteed a spot on the ballot, then the real campaign begins.

I worked several neighborhoods in Ironton gathering signatures for my petition.  I really enjoyed meeting new people and talking with some old friends.  And if you had an opportunity to sign my petition, thank you for your support.  There are lots of folks in our community that have concerns over the way our leaders are managing our county.  And they are paying more attention to whats going on at the court house than what you might think.  This is the first step in retaking control of the way the county is managed.  We must be vigilant in watching our leaders and what they do with our resources.  We have invested our trust in our elected officials, but our obligation does not and should not end after we exercise our right to vote.  We must keep our eyes on these leaders to insure that they base their decisions on the best interest of all the people not just the chosen few.  Our local newspaper is an important part of the system of checks that keep our leaders honest and accountable.  Please contact your newspaper’s editor and tell them how important it is to publish what our leaders are doing, then take time to read what they publish.  And if you have questions or concerns please contact the leaders and press them for an answers.

Keep checking this site for my opinions and proposals for the upcoming elections. 

Again, wishing you a Happy New Year

Paul  

I enjoyed seeing some old friends and meeting some new ones at the NAACP banquet on Saturday evening at Ohio University Southern in Ironton. 

The food was good, the evening was enjoyable, and the fellowship was encouraging.  State congressman Clyde Evans accepted an award for his long service to the area and for promoting an agenda of shared interest.  The candidates for the up coming local elections were introduced.  And the keynote speaker delivered an inspiring speech of overcoming hardship and service to his community.  Entertainment was provided by a young lady from South Point High School, with the voice of a professional performer. 

You should mark your calender for next year’s affair, and plan to attend.  Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell did an exceptional job in the planning and execution of the evenings events, and Mr. Cromwell kept the program moving and on track serving as the MC.  A good time was had by all.  

I would like to thank Katrina and the rest of the Ironton City staff that put together the trick or treat night at the city center on Monday.  I was impressed with the turn out and the quality of the costumes of the participants.  Everyone seemed to have a really good time.  Lots of candy passed through those doors on that night and it was good to see the kids and parents having a good time together.

Saturday was a great day at the fest.  We were able to meet and greet the good folks on the east end of the county.  Everyone was very cordial and the entertainment was first class.  The Chesapeake Elite Choir was delightful.  Kudos to the organizers, the show ran smoothly. 

We will be at the Ironton City Center on south 3rd street on October 29, giving out holloween candy.  Stop by, get some sweets, and give me your opinion on the state of the county, and what you think we need to do to get out of our current problems.

Paul

Thank you for visiting the Paul Carman for Lawrence County Commissioner blog. We will be posting information here relevant to the upcoming 2008 Lawrence County Commissioner elections, along with information about Paul and his campaign. If you have a question for Paul, feel free to post it here, or click here to use our contact page.