This is Viewpoints for Sunday, May 22, 2016

Return Upshaw

The Houston County Board of Education has continued its professional and thoughtful management of its schools over the past few years. Bryan Upshaw has been an important factor in this progress. His wide-ranging knowledge of both business and educational matters have been an asset to the Houston County BOE and the community as a whole. It is my pleasure to fully endorse Bryan and urge the voters of Houston County to return him to the BOE for another term.

A vote for Scott

Having a congressman on the House Armed Services Committee is of the utmost importance, as the 8^th Congressional District is home to two major military installations. Even more important is having a congressman who is dedicated to not only the growth and the protection of those bases, but to the individual service members and veterans themselves. I have lived in many congressional districts, under many congressmen. Never before have I seen a congressman as dedicated as Austin Scott. I won’t belabor the subject, but in his six years in office, Congressman Scott has two major accomplishments for the Air Force bases here in the 8^th District. In 2014, Scott triumphed in extending the life of the A-10, which is a major mission at Moody Air Force Base. If you’re not familiar with this plane and its mission, then you should know that it has proven to be a valuable tool in the fight against ISIS. Then, with this current year’s NDAA, Scott was able to push off the retirement of the JSTARS until 2018 and fully provide for the program’s $128 million budget. This past December, the congressman jumped the first hurdle in achieving the goal of attaining funding for new JSTARS aircraft. His efforts persuaded the Pentagon to approve Milestone A, which will examine the next step in the future of JSTARS.

As a 28-year veteran, the husband of a 25-year veteran, and the son of a World War II veteran, I strongly urge you to vote for the candidate who has the proven record with the military. That candidate is Austin Scott.

Proud father

I note with interest the letters of my friends Larry Walker and Maj. Gen. Bob McMahon in the opinion sections of your issues of May 15 and 16, endorsing Austin Scott, for election to the 8th Congressional District of Georgia. Having recently had my attention directed to to this site in which Scott was reported as “the most ineffective member of the Georgia Delegation to the House of Representatives with a ‘Score: 0 percent, Total Sponsored Bills: 17, and Bills Passed Committee: 0.’ ” With deference to my more than 50-year friendship with Larry and almost 10-year friendship with Gen. McMahon, it makes you wonder if the people of the 8th District and the employees of the RAFB would not be better served by my daughter, Angela Maddox Hicks, a former corporate officer with Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical, Ethicon Division and self-employed business woman, wife, splendid daughter and terrific mother. Lest there be any doubt, you are right; I am her proud father and I wholeheartedly endorse her election to the office she seeks.

Democratic ballot

Once again, the voters of Macon-Bibb County have issues concerning the upcoming primary May 24. While most county positions are now nonpartisan, there are two very important local races where that is not the case.

I am referring to both the sheriff and tax commissioner races. These races are only on the Democratic ballot, not the Republican or nonpartisan ballots. As you know, these races directly impact our safety and financial stability.

Sheriff David Davis has done an admirable job consolidating the Macon Police Department with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office and deserves to be re-elected.

Wade McCord has been with the tax office more than 20 years and as deputy chief assumed the position when Tommy Tedders retired. He now needs your vote to continue doing the job he has done so well.

McCord's opponent for this position is C. Jack Ellis. Anyone who lived through the eight years he spent as mayor, as I did, remembers the many financial problems of his administration. I, personally, do not want Ellis anywhere near my tax money.

Please vote May 24. These local races are so important to us. I am asking all my fellow Republicans to join me and take a Democratic ballot this time to vote for Wade McCord for tax commissioner and Sheriff David Davis. Let's keep these fine men on the job.

Easter for BOE

I want to encourage all voters in District 6 to cast their vote for Bob Easter who is running for a position on the Bibb County Board of Education. I have known Bob for about 15 years and from the very first time I met him I recognized his strong character, intelligence, integrity and desire to have a positive impact on our community. Bob will no doubt bring the solid, common-sense kind of leadership to this position. Our kids deserve the best leadership available, and Bob Easter is the man for the job.

Downey for BOE

Jason Downey was one of the most supportive board members I encountered during my tenure as interim superintendent of the Bibb County School District. His unwavering commitment to me and our staff was critical in establishing the high level of trust we needed to help begin the process of rebuilding the proper educational culture. Jason is committed to improving the quality of education for all Bibb County students. Results of his dedication and influence are already evident with the improving graduation rate.

This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Sunday, May 22, 2016."