Jasper County Supervisor Candidate Q&A: Jerry Chandler, Jr.

Name: Jerry Chandler, Jr

Age: 60

Residence: Newton

Occupation: Business owner, Jerry Lee Plumbing and Heating and Chandler Construction

Office seeking: Jasper County Supervisor

1. Introduce/Reintroduce yourself to voters and explain why you are running.

Chandler: As a 1982 graduate of Newton High School, I am a lifelong resident of Jasper County and my children and one of my siblings live here as well. Jasper County is my home. I am a longtime business owner in the community, have a passion for common-sense public service and have previously served as the assistant maintenance director for the county. I am running for county supervisor because my know-how as a contractor and plumber, and my passion for fiscal responsibility, will bring new perspective to this important role in the county. It required a great deal of dedication for me to become an HVAC tech and a licensed journeyman plumber, but it also took hours and hours of hands-on experience. This combination of formal education and ability to learn-in-the-moment uniquely positions me for this role.

2. Secondary roads maintenance is always on the minds of residents who drive on gravel roads. How do you feel about what the county has done for gravel roads? Are there any solutions or strategies you would propose?

Chandler: County workers are doing the best they can with the resources provided. We could invest more in training with the equipment to maintain gravel. Grading, leveling and maintaining roads is skilled work. Preventative maintenance is also something to be more attentive to. It’s less expensive to care for what we have than to replace it completely once it’s totally eroded.

3. For the past few months the county has been holding town hall meetings about the proposed $6.4 million bond vote featured on the ballot this coming November. What are your thoughts on the bond and project? Are you in favor of it or not?

Chandler: It’s not a simple answer. Objectively weighing wants versus needs is something we need to see more of at all levels of government. The list of needs that require financing within Jasper County is significant, so it’s important for our citizens to understand the impact of their vote and how it can influence the county’s ability to respond to other needs.

4. Paramedic-certified staff at the sheriff’s office have responded to emergency calls throughout the county and assisting smaller EMS providers. How do you feel about the advanced life support program? What should its role be?

Chandler: Centralizing these services not only make fiscal sense, but it helps keep small towns safe and thriving. This is an important program, and we need to ensure we’re paying first-responders fair wages that acknowledge their vital expertise and service.

5. Property taxes and growing assessments continue to be an issue for residents. How should the county respond to these concerns? What would you like to see be done to help residents better understand property taxes?

Chandler: Similar to my answer about our gravel roads, I like the preventative approach; controlled spending to keep property taxes low. But when increases are necessary, providing simple transparent explanations for why is important.

6. What sort of things is the county is good at and should continue doing? What are things you think the county can improve upon?

Chandler: There’s a lot we do well. I wouldn’t have lived here my whole life and raised my family here otherwise. The Advanced Life Support program is one of those things. It’s a creative way to collectively solve an issue that many towns couldn’t tackle on their own. However, there is room for improvement when it comes to wages for first responders who serve through that program. Our county could also improve accountability measures for economic development strategies. Additionally, I’d like to see more accountability for decision-making by the county board of supervisors. Not everything should be a yes vote. I’d like to see more healthy disagreement, dialogue and foresight when evaluating proposals and completing priorities, and willingness to make tough decisions when it comes to spending. Those types of characteristics are reflective of strategic-leadership, and I’ll bring that to this role.

7. Despite Jasper County’s adjacency to Polk County, it is still a relatively rural region. How do you feel the county should respond to future developments? Are there rural characteristics you feel the county should preserve?

Chandler: Jasper County has three empty factories. Let’s continue to explore how to use or repurpose existing facilities to attract new businesses and jobs, while preserving farmland and maintaining the charm that makes Midwestern communities like ours unique.

8. Any final comments you’d like to make to voters?

Chandler: I’m a straightforward leader who doesn’t sugarcoat what needs to be said or done. I’ve run a successful business in Jasper County for nearly 25 years and take pride in giving my customers the truth, a fair price and a solid day of work for a fair wage. I have a strong moral compass, I am not afraid of being unpopular for the sake of doing the right thing and I won’t make promises if I don’t have the influence to follow through. I’m not afraid to ask tough questions. I believe in making difficult decisions by weighing wants and needs, and I won’t jeopardize what’s right in the long run for short-term financial gains. Jasper County is my home. It’s where I was raised, and it’s where I raised my children. I’ve poured into this community as a business owner and want to continue to invest as the county supervisor.