Bollinger County candidates seek to address road, economic issues

The two candidates seeking the office of presiding commissioner in Bollinger County know they're walking down a rough road to get to that office.

Voters are frustrated with the condition of county roads, and have told incumbent Republican commissioner Travis Elfrink and Democratic challenger Ronald Davis how they feel.

"[The roads are] not being graded right," Davis said. The road crew "is pushing the gravel off to the side. It's surprising how many people tell me this."

Davis said his solution to the problem would be to use the cooler fall and winter months to clean out ditches for better drainage and to dig out the gravel so it can be put back on the road and be ready for spring and summer. The county roads, he said, should be built so the gravel stays on them.

"I had a guy tell me the bumper was knocked off his car," Davis said. "And it happened on the road I live on."

Large rocks on the road that should be covered with gravel can destroy a low-riding car, he said. It's difficult for the county to dig out the rocks.

"It takes a lot of time and labor -- handwork," Davis said.

Elfrink has heard about county roads nearly every week as presiding commissioner. What has surprised him most in his term, he said, is "how fast the money goes and how little is accomplished with it."

Elfrink said he hopes in a second term to find more revenue for roads and bridges "so that more roads can be fixed each year the proper way."

In a recent candidate profile, Elfrink suggested a special road and bridge tax might be the way to cover the rising costs of maintenance and repair.

An increase in county revenue would help if Bollinger County could attract industry that would provide jobs, increasing sales tax revenue.

Elfrink suggested another way of increasing county revenue would be to apply for economic development grants.

Davis said he would like to approach a bottling company to move to Bollinger County and bottle and market water from the artesian wells throughout the area.

"I've been drinking creek water that comes from the springs and these wells," he said. "If anybody had told me 20 years ago that people would pay a dollar a bottle for water *..."

But people do, and Davis said Bollinger County needs to get together with business leaders all through the county to work out a plan to make it happen. "We are one county, north and south," he said. "We need to come together to help one another."

Tourism and hunting would go together to bring in revenue, Davis said, if people and organizations would cooperate more.

For Davis, Coming together as a county also means he would communicate with other taxing districts -- the health department, fire departments, ambulance service, library, senior citizens -- to make sure all are working together for the good of Bollinger County residents. He said he wants to be sure the sheriff's department, which is supported through general revenue, is able to run as efficiently as it needs to.

"The public doesn't know what goes on," Davis said. "We can work to improve communication, give people the facts. A lot of good things are going on as well as a lot of challenges."

Elfrink has had four years to learn the ins and outs of county business.

"I have gained valuable knowledge about this county and how things are done by the commission," Elfrink said. "I try to gain knowledge on each situation, to where I can make what I feel is the best solution for each situation."

If he is re-elected, Elfrink said he would like to see the geographical information system addressing project completed as well as find ways to improve the roads.

"With the connections I have made, I hope to find a way to attract some type of industry and also find more grants to help with improving the county."