Rockdale Citizen

Given the shrinking tax digest, the dissension within the current Newton County Board of Commissioners, and the addition of companies like Baxter to District 1, it will be as important as ever to carefully understand and choose the best candidate for Newton County's District 1 Board of Commissioner's seat.

Now is the time, on this board, for a commissioner with a real love for the district and a genuine desire to serve the people of the district without regard for any further political aspirations or agendas. That potential commissioner is John Strauss. Mr. Strauss grew up in District 1 riding his bike and playing with friends in the woods and fields of District 1. So despite what you may hear to the contrary, he wants to preserve the rural and agricultural nature of the district by promoting and supporting initiatives aimed at doing just that.

I believe Mr. Strauss' political inexperience can only be viewed as an overwhelming positive given our current national, state, and local political scenarios. In fact, everyone I speak with mentions the fact that his political inexperience makes him an outstanding candidate.

They feel he has not been tainted by deceptive and wasteful politicians seeking another term or the next political office. Mr. Strauss is his own man with skills learned in his profession, guided by Godly principles, and validated by simply looking himself in the mirror each day with no regret. He prides himself on keeping an open mind but stands firm when challenged on what he feels threatens the best interests of District 1.

If fortunate enough to be elected, Mr. Strauss could immediately seek to restore productivity to the board productivity that may have been lost over the last several years. His law practice makes him the ideal candidate for such a task while, at the same time, standing firm for District 1. I have been fortunate enough to be around Mr. Strauss quite a bit over the last several months (years counting church) and he can enable collaboration when no one else can a must-have skill for District 1 moving forward.

In my opinion, these are only a couple of reasons Mr. Strauss chose to run for this position. If elected, Mr. Strauss will answer only to the voters of District 1 all of them, and without regard to social, political, or economic status.

Now is the time for a commissioner that possesses skills needed to preserve what District 1 is while enabling companies like Baxter to settle in Newton County. I am asking you to vote first and foremost, but additionally, I am asking you to vote for my friend, John Strauss, as the next District 1 county commissioner of Newton County.

Stan Edwards Jr.

Mansfield