Speaking before voters last week are County Commissioner candidates (left-right): Gerald Manning (Pct. 1), Cooper Daniel (Pct. 3), Andy Bonner (Pct. 1) and Michael Daniels, Sr. (Pct. 3). (Photo by Nicole Schaefer)
Freestone County TEA Party held a candidates’ forum for competitors in the race for Freestone County Commissioner, Precincts 1 & 3 on Monday, September 19, 2016.
In the Primary Election, newcomer Andy Bonner beat out incumbent Luke Ward, Sr., and Mike Daniels, Sr. won out over incumbent Bodie Emmons.
In the past few weeks write-in candidates have announced their intentions to run in the election. Running in Precinct 1 is Gerald Manning, and Precinct 3 is Cooper Daniel.
Each candidate was given five minutes to introduce themselves and their running platform, followed by a question and answer period.
Andy Bonner spoke first, saying “If you’ve been following the race, you already know about me and my platform. I do want to address rumors I’m hearing that I plan to fire all employees and bring in my own crew of workers. This is NOT true.”
“I have been to every meeting of the Commissioners Court for the past one-and-a-half years,” he continues. “I want to make sure I am knowledgeable of the goings on in this county so I can be prepared going into office. I thank all who voted for me in the primary; and ask for your continued support.”
Next, Gerald Manning introduced himself. “I have lived all my life in the Freestone County area. I work for Luminant, have been married 17 years, and have four children.”
“I’m not here to debate Republican vs. Democrat,” he continues. “I just want to promise the people that I will do my very best and am asking for your help in doing so. After attending Commissioners Court, I didn’t like what I saw; and realized how much change this County needs. I want to help facilitate those changes.”
Precinct 3 candidate Mike Daniels, Sr. explains, “I have been campaigning for the past year. Everyone knows me and my platform; and I stand firm behind it. I may not know everything, but I’m not too proud to ask for help when needed. I will be a full-time Commissioner, and will work hard to do what’s right and best for the County and our people.”
Write-in candidate Cooper Daniel concluded introductions saying, “I’m a 2004 graduate of Fairfield High School. I’ve lived here my whole life; and have worked in the oilfield business since graduating. I’ve been laying roads and doing construction my entire life in the family business. I believe that this makes me more than qualified.”
“The main thing you should know is that I’m not a politician,” he continues. “I’ve been a true Republican since I have been able to vote; and I’ve not missed voting in any election since turning 18. I don’t think it is right to jump parties for the sake of votes. I’m here to stand up for what is right.”
The Question and Answer session followed…
–Q: To the write-in candidates, why didn’t you run in the primary election?
Cooper Daniel – All my support was behind Bodie Emmons in the primary. He is my good friend and neighbor. I didn’t feel it was right to run against him. When he didn’t win, I didn’t like the direction things were going, so I decided to run.
Gerald Manning – I got in on the election at the last minute in an attempt to help the people of Precinct 1 and myself. I work for TXU and know about big equipment and how to run them. I have commitments of help from friends and neighbors to help guide me in areas where I might need assistance. I’m not too proud to ask for help. I didn’t run to hurt Andy in any way. I just want the chance to do some good for the county.
–Q: There are so many bad roads in this county. Where I live, there was a bridge that almost went out, one that many people drive over regularly, including my 90 year old mother. I was told to go before the Commissioners because they are accountable for the roads and bridges of their precincts. I went with several photos showing the damage and bad disrepair of the bridge, and still have no new bridge… If elected, what will by your strategy in making sure the roads and bridges are taken care of properly for the safety of the people?
Andy Bonner – Average rainfall for our county is about 35 inches. This last year we had a total of 70 plus inches of rain. We do the best we can with the resources and money we have available.
Cooper Daniel – I’ve already spoken with the sheriff-elect, and plan to utilize the inmates and community service program for things like clearing roads of debris and things like that. There is a lot to do, and it will be a slow process.
Mike Daniels, Sr. – I’ve been speaking with Luke Ward, Sr. and I plan to use the oil and sand operation process he has been using. I will prioritize and come up with layout plans. With the use of inmates to remove downed trees, trash, and debris from the area, it will free up a lot of tax-payer dollars. People will be able to call me personally because I will be a full-time commissioner with no other job.
–Q: What are your qualifications for Road and Bridge work and repairs?
Mike Daniels, Sr. – I don’t believe you have to know everything there is to know about a job going in to it; you just have to be knowledgeable enough to seek advice and education from those who already know how to do that part of a job so you can learn how to do the job correctly. It’s like the President. No President goes into office knowing everything about every aspect of his job. That is why he has so many advisors and the like to help him when needed.
Gerald Manning – I will work closely with Luke Ward, Sr. and utilize his knowledge. Again, I’m not afraid to ask for help. We all need help from time to time and we need to come together to help this County run better.
Cooper Daniel – I have to disagree. To hold an office over people with no knowledge is insane. Road work and construction is all I’ve ever done. To hold an office, you need experience.
–Q: To Cooper Daniel… You introduced yourself saying that you are a true Republican and have never voted Democrat, nor missed any elections since you’ve been old enough to vote. However, according to your voting record obtained from the Freestone County Tax Assessor’s Office, you did vote Democrat in the March, 2010 Democratic Primary Election, and did not vote at all in the 2012 Primary. While it is your right to vote however you choose, or not at all, your record shows much different than your statement.
Cooper Daniel – Well, I don’t know where you got that information from, but that is not true. Their information is wrong.
–Q: To Mike Daniels, Sr… You switched tickets from Democrat to Republican in order to win votes against Emmons. What next? Will we see a ‘Vote Trump’ sign in your yard now?
Mike Daniels, Sr. – It is true that I switched to the Republican Party for this election. I however, don’t believe there should be all this division of parties. There should be one ticket with every person running and the person with the most votes over all wins; but unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. It is everyone’s right to vote and run however they may choose. I’m exercising that right.
–Q: How do you plan to evaluate County employees? Most of us tend to be put on the back burner to the benefit of the Road and Bridge budget. We never get raises, and actually are starting to lose some of our benefits.
Gerald Manning – I believe all employees should be equal. No favoritism shown.
Cooper Daniel – I don’t know what the pay scale is for our County compared to other counties our size; but I do know that grumpy, unhappy employees make for a miserable and long day. I won’t vote to remove any benefits. The days you have earned are your days and shouldn’t be taken away.
Mike Daniels, Sr. – I have talked to many County employees and they have such a low morale. We need a County that takes care of its employees. At one point in time, Freestone County was one of the richest counties in the State of Texas. We have failed miserably and need desperately to rebuild that. We shouldn’t be spending time policing employees and definitely shouldn’t be taking away their benefits. If a new policy is put forward, then those who were here before should be grandfathered into the old way of doing things and not be penalized.
Andy Bonner – Commissioners adjust the Tax Rate yearly to help with budget issues. I don’t know what the answer is. This new paid time off issue would combine personal and sick days together and employees could use them as they wish. It would cut out the dishonesty of sick day use. (See the front page Commissioner’s Court article for more information on this issue.)
Early voting starts October 24th and Election Day is November 8, 2016.
