The five candidates for Orange County commissioner of Precinct 1 agree economic development is a top priority for the county.
The candidates, Shirley Zimmerman, Johnny Trahan, Bobby Manshack, Ryan Peabody and Gary Hinote answered questions Tuesday night before a Republican Party-sponsored get-together at the VFW Hall in Orange.
No Democrats have filed for local races; so the Republican nominee will be unopposed in November unless an independent or write-in candidate runs. Party primary elections are March 1.
Hinote is an Orange County native who has owned a plumbing business. He said that for the past 31 years he has created jobs with as many as 80 plumbers. His business has worked jobs worth more than $8 million. “I have the small business experience,” he said.
Hinote said Texas A&M University describes the job of county commissioner as position to work on the budget and deal with employees. The job does not have to be full time, he said.
Manshack has worked for the sheriff’s office and constable’s office for many years.
In addition, he has worked with his family business developing a number of subdivisions in the Little Cypress area, giving him experience in business and supervision. He estimates the houses built in the developments have added $45 million to $50 million to the county tax base. He has also volunteered with the Orange County Emergency Services District No. 3, which oversees the Little Cypress Fire Department and is a taxing entity. His jobs there have included serving as treasurer on the board of directors.
Manshack said county commissioner should be a full-time job and added “I’ll put whatever time” is needed.
Peabody is a licensed Texas lawyer and currently serves as county emergency management director. The job has given him the opportunity to work with the private sector and other government entities. He has negotiated multi-million-dollar contracts for the county to save money with private contractors for services after an emergency.
He thinks the commissioner’s position should be full time and that a commissioner “should show up (for meetings) not just prepared but with a strategic plan.”
Trahan grew up in Orange and has worked for Entergy for 34 years. He is currently the Entergy customer service manager for Orange County. He studied at Lamar University-Orange, which is now Lamar State College-Orange. In his work with Entergy, he has been involved with employee relations, construction, budgeting and economic development.
He thinks county commissioner “is definitely a full-time job” and he will take early retirement from Entergy if he is elected. He said a full-time commissioner is needed because many issues come before the court “aren’t simple” and need research.
Zimmerman has a degree from Oklahoma State University in business administration with accounting and business science. She has worked with the Orange Economic Development Corporation for the past 11 years. The EDC has had many successes and she plans to continue them. She said she has the ability to “bring unity when people don’t see eye to eye.”
Zimmerman thinks the commissioner’s job should be full time to be effective. She said a commissioner needs to get the meeting agenda in advance and do research before voting on an issue.
Candidates for other local offices were also given two minutes each to speak to the audience about their qualifications and ideas.
David Smith of Mauriceville, who is running against incumbent sheriff Keith Merritt, said he is not a certified peace officer but the state law does not require a county sheriff to be certified in law enforcement. Smith is the leader of a local militia group.
Merritt is seeking his third term and previously served as constable of Precinct 1. He has been certified as a peace officer for more than 30 years.
Early voting for the primary starts in February 16 and ends February 26.
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