Jefferson County Preservation Society

Category: The Preservationist

  • Election – Conclusion: Need to Know for May 5th Primary

    This Concludes the Series “Need to Know before the May 5th Primary” And if you haven’t already, please be sure to vote in the May 5th Primary! When Revenue Is Left on the Table When a potential $500,000/year revenue source isn’t adopted, the need doesn’t go away. It usually shows up somewhere else: At the same time:…

  • Election – ALERT – Campaign Funding Details (PAC)

    ALERT: The May 5th primary is early next week, and voters deserve to know who is investing in our next mayor before they cast a ballot. Candidate Randy Bales has said he’s “for the farmers” and wants to protect the rural character of Jefferson County. But campaign finance records show he has received contributions from…

  • Election – Daily Need to Know #3 for the May 5th Primary

    A $500,000 DecisionOver the past year, Jefferson County officials made it clear: The county needs more revenue.Property taxes were increased.A wheel tax was added.At the same time, a proposal was introduced: – A $0.20 per ton mineral tax – Estimated to generate about $500,000 per year.  – That’s five MILLION over ten years.For context: – About $4 per truckloadThe…

  • Election – Who is Funding the Mayoral Campaigns?

    In the Thursday April 30th Standard Banner, a very informative article appeared regarding campaign contributions (link below).  Here is a comparison of Contributions to the Mayoral Race.  Study this before you vote! The TYPE of contributions is quite different for the two candidates.  Some questions for voters to consider: Link to Standard Banner article on…

  • Election – Daily Need to Know #2 for May 5th Primary

    Where Campaign Money Comes FromLooking more closely at the campaign finance reports for Austin Brooks and Randy Bales:Austin Brooks’ funding: Primarily individuals Smaller contributions Mostly local citizensRandy Bales’ funding: Larger individual contributions Business owners Includes a construction-related PACThere’s nothing unusual about any of this.But it does show: These campaigns are supported by different types of networks.And that can matter when…

  • Election – Daily Need‑to‑Know #1 for May 5th Primary

    As early voting comes to a close, I reviewed the publicly filed campaign finance reports (link is below)for the two Republican candidates for Jefferson County Mayor:Austin Brooks and Randy Bales.Here’s what those reports show: Austin Brooks raised about $9,000 Randy Bales raised about $26,000That’s not just a difference in dollars.It reflects different types of support: Brooks’ campaign is funded largely by individual…

  • Election – Jefferson County Preservation Society supports Endorsed Candidates

    Jefferson County Preservation Society Supports Endorsed Candidates In the April 23rd Standard Banner, a reader wrote in saying folks should “vote for farmers, not candidates endorsed by the Preservation group.” We appreciate anyone who takes the time to speak up, but we’d like to share a little more of the picture. Here in America — and…

  • Elections and Budget Clarity

    Title: Why Did These Appear One After the Other? Over the past year, Jefferson County residents have heard two different messages. First, we were told the county needed more revenue. Based on that, property taxes were increased. A wheel tax was added. There was even discussion of whether additional increases might be needed. At the same…

  • “That’s not just experience—that’s 219 years of calling Jefferson County home.”

  • Campaign Financials – Follow the Money

    Before You Vote: Follow the Money Campaign Finance Records Show Donation Patterns That Some Voters Believe Deserve Closer Attention Early voting is underway, and many residents are reviewing publicly available campaign finance reports to understand who is funding local candidates. These records show patterns that some voters believe are concerning and deserve closer attention: Candidate…