Three vying to be Fairfax's next mayor

Three people are running to be the next mayor of the Town of Fairfax.

Ken Ready, John Chaney and Butch Sauls will be on the Nov. 7 ballot. Current Mayor Dorothy Riley is not seeking re-election.

Candidates gathered at the Fairfax Town Council on October 19 to share their priorities with the community during a forum hosted by the Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber of Commerce. Some of the top issues in the Fairfax election are nutrition, the gun crisis and the Fairfax community center, which has suffered from multiple budget overages and delays.

Ahead of the election, The People-Sentinel sent a list of questions to all candidates running to provide a balanced platform for the candidates to express their ideas, as well as ask candidates about urgent issues facing the community. 

JOHN CHANEY

John Chaney was a state trooper for 16 years, Chief of Police for two years and magistrate judge for 15 years.

"My whole career has been in Allendale County," said Chaney, who attended Claflin University and graduated with a BS degree in Education.

He's the youngest of five children. He and his wife, Gerzell C. Chaney, have two daughters, Gabrielle and GaVonna, and two grandsons, Noah and Nuri.

KEN READY

Ken Ready was born and raised in Allendale County.

For the past 30 years, he's worked in the ag industry for the same company progressing from local plant manager to safety director. He oversees the safety program along with handling other insurance-related duties.

"I strongly believe in, support, and work in local missions, and Camp Impact, a summer Christian children’s camp held at First Baptist Fairfax in conjunction with Grace Church from Greenville, is one of the most awesome opportunities I have been privileged to be part of as a local leader. I feel community outreach, not only from a Biblical standpoint but also from a unity standpoint, can become a foundational stepping stone of growth and advancement while moving forward with positive change in Fairfax," said Ready, an active member of First Baptist Church, Fairfax.

He's been married for 33 years to Wendy Ready, a physical therapist at the hospital in Fairfax. Their son is a machinist and daughter is an occupational therapist.

BUTCH SAULS

Butch Sauls was born in Jasper County but now calls Allendale County home.

He retired from Clariant Corporation after 28 years as a logistics supervisor.

He and his wife, Carolyn, have been married 47 years. They have two children and six grandchildren.

Why are you seeking election? What makes you the best candidate?

CHANEY: I am seeking the elected position of mayor because I believe I can bring a fresh perspective to the progression of moving the town in a positive direction. The Town of Fairfax is governed in a weak mayor-strong council form of government. If elected by the citizens, my executive authority and legal power will be less than that of the council, but I will carry out and seek advancement of all duties that fall under my authority. I look forward to networking with the council members for the advancement of our community.

READY: I am seeking election because I want to see Fairfax and its citizens thrive. Small towns make up a vital part of this country, and Fairfax is one of those vital parts. The most valuable asset that Fairfax has is its citizens – all citizens. Personally, I have a calling to serve and to lead, and Fairfax is where I am called to do this. I will lead with a goal of unity and respect—with the understanding that we may not all have the same opinions of how something can be done, but we can be united in the ultimate goal that what decisions are made should lead to a better Fairfax now and a better Fairfax in the future. Our adult citizens and our children deserve this. Through good leadership and discernment with the mayor and council working together on established goals, positive changes can be made, and forward progress can happen. I have gained experience and knowledge in the last 7 years as a council member. I have learned things that are good, but I have also experienced the environment and results of what divisiveness, a split council, and non-unity can create. We can and shall be better than this. I have been involved in all facets of the town of Fairfax including water, work and improvements to be done in each of these areas. I am currently involved with the preparation and planning for the needed water supply for the Tin Thanh Group, the new tire plant coming to the county. I have working knowledge of the importance of progressive updating of equipment and infrastructure and have pushed for requirements to be met to qualify for grants to support these services. I currently serve on the County Leadership Committee which includes the county council and some council members from Allendale, Fairfax, Sycamore, and Ulmer municipalities. This committee unites to share, discuss, and plan for avenues and ideas that help lead to improvements and advancements in areas that are the foundational structures of communities – areas such as law enforcement, infrastructure, education, and economic development. Fairfax, as a united community, can become a leader in our surrounding area–stepping up, raising the bar, and setting the standard.

SAULS: I am not running for a title. I am running to serve the people of Fairfax to the best of my ability. I believe we have had enough talk and now we as a town need to come together and work together for a better Fairfax. My experience in dealing with all types of people and the contacts I have made through the years will help us to grow Fairfax.

The Fairfax Community Center is over budget and has suffered multiple delays. As a member of the council, how will you work to address this issue?

CHANEY: As mayor, I would assess the current status of the project and get qualified estimates to complete the project for the council’s consideration.

READY: Having a public venue (community center) where community members can gather can be a good thing for citizens of a town, but having a community building that is significantly over budget and fraught with delays has not been ideal for Fairfax. When the original proposal for a new community building was presented to the council by that council project leader, the understanding I had was that the building would be a turn-key job. This did not happen. (Fast) forward to today--we have a community center that is here, and we need to work together to make it a functional asset in this community. As a council member, I voted against using the ARP money to cover the cost of completing the community center. I proposed that the council and mayor should work to complete the project within the allotted amount of money that had already been given by the state. After a split council vote, the motion passed to add a portion of the ARP money to the state allotted money to complete the building. There will soon be a completed building in Fairfax, and we have got to move forward from here. As mayor, I would promote fiscal responsibility when making financial decisions for the town with accountability to what best benefits the town and its citizens as a guideline for future endeavors. I am an advocate of financial transparency, and we must manage the town finances in a responsible manner.

SAULS: Before we get to this point, I need to explain that there was a 1 cent penny bond that passed by the majority of citizens votes when I left office as a council member. I had been in contact with the bank attorney in Charleston and our local bank to get money to finish the building and it would not have the price tag it has today. Mayor and council dropped this and did not follow through. My question is where is the money. Without knowing what contracts are outstanding, what funds are available? According to a statement at one of our last town meetings, we still need over $300,000 to finish the building because no one bothered to look at the building plans which includes a retention pond and parking before it will pass inspection.

Gun violence is a persistent issue in the community. As mayor, how will you address this issue?

CHANEY: As mayor, I will work in conjunction with local law enforcement leaders to address any issues the town can assist them with.

READY: Our children and youth are our future, and I feel this is an area where we start with purposeful community outreach programs to educate children and youth about not getting involved with violence. This could be an effort that the mayor, council, and the police force work on together. I also think it is important that the Fairfax Police Department has the needed support, manpower, equipment, and training that will allow them to effectively do their jobs in a way that provides the greatest safety for them and our citizens.

SAULS: Gun violence is an issue our entire town is facing. By encouraging community involvement and by supporting our police department, which is understaffed, I feel we can make a difference. But only if we work together, one person can’t do it.

Nutrition is an issue in Fairfax, as the town lacks a grocery store. How will you work to address this?

CHANEY: As mayor, I will pursue courting private and public grocer's chains to invest in our community.

READY: Promoting and seeking out avenues to bring a grocery store to Fairfax is important and will be a priority. This is not only a need for our citizens, but it is also a way to encourage growth and community development in Fairfax. I recognize there are traditional ways that companies or grocery stores locate, build, and invest in communities, and that is something as a leader I will work to seek guidance on, promote, and support—actively seeking out stores or investors who are willing to invest in small communities. But in doing research, I also am aware that there are non-traditional ways such as rural grocery store initiatives and operating models that are worth investigating and seeking further knowledge about to see if these ideas and avenues may be viable areas of consideration for Fairfax. This is something that we all will have to work together on. As citizens, we have an active responsibility in promoting and supporting this as well -- buying local, keeping our town clean and inviting, making safety and community a priority, and refusing to accept the status quo.

SAULS: By reaching out to local stores and following up on contacts I feel this is something that can become a reality. But it is not going to happen overnight. There has been talk about a meat market. This is something we can follow up on.

What are some other issues you believe the town faces, and how will you work to address them?

READY: Financial transparency and responsibility - I believe the town should have a working, fiscally responsible budget that is completed and available at the appropriate time it should be available. Financial audits – not having town audits completed in a responsible, timely manner has negatively affected the town and its ability to apply for available financial resources like grants. This is not acceptable. Town council members should have monthly reports available at the town meetings that show the breakdown of the specific part of the budget that they are responsible for with receipts and/or expenses reported and any concerns about that part of the budget addressed each month. Town equipment needs - appropriate financial planning and anticipation knowing that repairs and updates to working equipment will always be needed- (trucks, lawnmowers, tractors, backhoes, pumps, etc.). Seek appropriate training including cross training of all office staff to help improve efficiency and create a positive work environment for all.

SAULS: Our town is long overdue in addressing infrastructure. Water and sewer lines, lack of fire hydrants in areas within the city limits, instead of renting pumping stations (we have 30). I will be involved in seeking grants to help defray this cost.

Governing a town is a group effort. How will you work with other members of government to improve the lives of those in Fairfax?

READY: Group effort—very true words- especially the word EFFORT! But I believe there are other words that can follow the word group as well - group purposefulness, group endeavor, group resolution, group ACCOMPLISHMENT—and that’s what I look forward to as mayor of Fairfax—ACCOMPLISHMENT --What can we ACCOMPLISH together as mayor and council for the betterment and advancement of Fairfax and its citizens? Local quarterly planning workshops for mayor and council is an avenue that will promote working together while allowing ideas to be shared, discussions to evolve, and goals to be set. A group of people working together will have differences of opinions on how to accomplish something, but even with differences of opinions, there can be united goals. With mutual respect and concerted efforts by all, progress can be made. As mayor, I would promote and encourage respect for each other, communication, individual accountability including myself, and group accountability in order to better serve and move forward for the future of our town and citizens of Fairfax.

SAULS: You don’t know if you don’t become involved. My plan is to take an active part in finding out what is happening at our local, county and state levels and sharing with our council to better Fairfax and our citizens.

Anything else you want to add?

READY: Thank you for taking time to read my answers, and I would sincerely appreciate you considering me for your vote. Your vote is your voice. There is power in community. There is power in your vote. There is power in uniting for the GOOD OF ALL! Please vote!

SAULS: My life has always been about service to god, family and now to the Town of Fairfax. I am running on who I am as a person. My promise to you is that I will work every day for you. Your voice is your vote.