Madison County resident Billy Redd is running for the position of District 2 Supervisor in that county. The seat is currently held by Tim Johnson, who announced he will not run for re-election. Mr. Redd is currently the chairman of Boys & Girls Club of Mississippi. JJ interviewed him last week.
JJ: What is your background?
Redd: "I was born in Starkville and moved to the Madison-Ridgeland area in 1975. I had a well-traveled childhood as mom was a missionary. I graduated from the old Madison-Ridgeland High School that is now home to Tulane and went to Mississippi State. I put myself through school by moonlighting as an auto mechanic while a student. I married, had two daughters, divorced, and remarried three years ago. My two girls are twelve and seventeen. The youngest currently attends First Presbyterian and will enroll at Madison Middle School next year. The oldest attends the School of Arts in Brookhaven.
After college I worked for the family at Redd Pest Control. I worked at the company and did literally everything: sales, pest control jobs, mechanic work, and managing. I left Redd in 1994 and went back to school at Millsaps for my MBA (awarded in 1996). I joined Boys & Girls Club as a board member and later became Chairman in 1997. Our chapter has an operating budget of $2.6 million and 130 employees. My salary is $78,000.
2. What prompted you to run for Supervisor?
'I first became interested around fifteen years ago. We need more good qualified folks to run for office. I'm a conservative. I started seriously looking at running six months ago. We need to go in there committed to good, fiscally conservative practices and open government. There is a great deal of frustration with our government right now. I would like to see the meeting times changed to one that is more convenient and webcast them as well. I was a volunteer firefighter for the City of Madison for fifteen years."
3. What do you think of the Board of Supervisors agreeing to reduce lot sizes and minimum square footage for homes? What should the county do, if anything, to help developers ride out the storm?
"The developer should know going in what the guidelines are. I lean alot more towards "we had an agreement first". This recession is going to be over in a year or two but the mistakes we make on this issue can stay with us for thirty years."
4. Would you vote to keep Rudy Warnock as County Engineer?
"I think we should put it out for bid with the right qualifications. I'm a big believer in third-party integrity and have no problem with third parties coming in and reviewing work."
5. Do you think professional services contracts such as attorneys, engineers, and bond work should be bid out or just given to the best qualified, which all too often, comes down to the contractors with the best connections, not the best deal for the taxpayers?
Yes, we ought to take bids, but on a strict list of criteria so the services are equal so we aren't taking what appears to be the lowest bid when in reality it isn't."
6. Do you think Madison County should put contracts online for review by the public? " I don't see any problem with that." Vendor payments? "No harm in doing that at all."
7. What should be some of Madison County's goals for the next five years?
"short term: restore confidence in county government. Need to improve tourism and economic development projects in the long term."
8. What is your relationship with Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler?
"I've known Mary for a long time. I like what our city has been able to do. We've had a very good relationship. I've let her know that I'm running. See no problems working with her. Could easily work with Gene (Mayor of Ridgeland) as well."
9. What do you think should be done with the bond issue that was passed for the Reunion interchange and other projects?
"Lets go back and look at how the bond issue is appropriated and see if anything needs correcting if its still possible to do so. Lets look at everyting we are doing: contracts, agreements. We need to make certain we clear any perception of favoritism in our government."
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Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Billy Redd running for Madison County Supervisor
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15 comments:
#4 was a non-answer. It was a yes-no question.
Now, pulling out my magic 8 ball and reading between the lines, it looks like it could be "no". But don't quote me.
#8 what a laugh.
this guy already has a ring in his nose.
New to the area, live in Madison. Netural on Mother Mary.
I don't get how she is so powerful that she can put a ring in everbody's nose?
She, to hear some tell it walks on water and turns water to wine. Don't forget its because she owns a brick factory that everthing in Madison has to be brick, honest that what I was told.
I don't believe any of it.
I think she is human but has a very big ego.
Is it time for new blood, yes.
Mary has done great things for Madison. I admire her. She is a great mayor. Maybe I am a bit biased because she is also my cousin.
Believe me. Ole Mary has quite a reputation that goes a long way back.
As far as Billy Redd running for supervisor, at least he is willing to serve and appears to not be an idiot. I don't know him personally, but I know people who do. They say he's a great, hard working guy. I can't believe anyone would imply he would be a bad supervisor based on this one interview. Why not look at all the people running first before saying he could not help Madison County?
Madison would be very lucky to have Billy repesenting them in any capacity. I also think that unless you are helping mow the future of Madison, you should stay in your own back yard....These candidates should be judged on their accomplishments and abilities, not if the ring in the nose fits. He is well liked by everyone that I know....because he is a class act guy. He has Madison's best interest at heart just like he does the kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi--- He will make a superb supervisor for Madison.
I don't know the guy, and have no opinion one way or the other. He states he went to the old Madison-Ridgeland H.S., where Tulane is now. The old M-R H.S. has been the Madison Square Center for the Arts for about 18 years or so. Tulane is in the old Madison Station Elementary School. Just clarifying. Big difference, and important to get it right before running for public office. I'm just sayin'...
I had MR in my notes and added HS to it so blame me.
That's what I like about JJ....Thanks for clarifying that KF!
At least this guy doesn't have big shoes to fill. Good luck in the election.
Billy Redd is a class act. Why don't you "anonymous bloggers" constantly criticizing, do something with your empty lives, DO SOMETHING, and run yourselves. STEP UP!
6:18 Exactly. I don't know Billy personally, but I am hearing some very nice things about him from a couple people who known him a long time. Good guy.
6:18 Mr. Redd sounds like a fine man & just about anyone would be an improvement over what we now have. However, I do take exception to your criticism of "anonymous bloggers". My life is quite full thank you & I don't see your name attached.
I do know Billy Redd. I attend church with him regularly. He would make a fine supervisor. I find him to be respectful and helpful in anyway possible. Clearly, he demonstrates an ability to bring people together. Just look at the 140K donation made by Mr. Nutt to keep the Boys & Girls Club open in Canton, Ms. You don't suppose this was a magic trick. Billy is a winner in life.
I do know Billy personally. After all, he is my father. I am doing a research project for school at Madison Middle school and came across this page. In full understanding that I am terribly late at posting this, I would still like to share my comment.
My father would make an excellent supervisor. Although he had to drop out due to the redistricting, he will be running in some type of political race in the near future. Whatever it is he will be running for, I can guarantee he would do a wonderful job. He has lectured me on politics many times and is always able to answer any questions of mine whether they are about politics, a question from homework, or because I'm 14 and curious as a monkey. He is extremely intelligent, a wonderful Christian man, and would be the best choice for any race for our county, town, or state.
Thank you for your time.
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