Guyton candidates

Here are full answers from some of the candidates

to the questions:
What do you think are the most important issues
facing Guyton and how you would address
them? Why would voters be better off choosing you
rather than your opponent(s)?

Russell Deen:
What do you think are the most important issues
facing Guyton and how you would address them?
Wastewater Plant Debt
What's important to note is that the payments on the
wastewater treatment loan are set to increase
gradually over time. I imagine this was done to keep
initial costs low and in hopes the difference in the
payments would be covered by the growth of the
city. Unfortunately our city hasn't encouraged
growth or provided plans on how to best go about
adding residential and commercial areas. So we
took on a massive debt, hoped we could pay it off
down the road, and every year that payment gets
bigger. If the city doesn't grow to match the increase
in payments, that extra cost gets passed on to the
citizens. Currently the city pays $35,000 a
month. In 2022 that rate will have increased to
$40,000 a month. By 2026 the monthly payment will
be $55,000 a month. That $20,000 extra a month
has to come from somewhere and without well
planned growth and competent leadership the city
could be at risk of default and losing the plant. The
wastewater plant was supposed to be an investment
in our city, but I don't believe it was the right move. I
don't believe in buying things I can't afford. The city
council shouldn't recklessly spend your tax dollars.
As for fixing this problem, we must work to increase
our commercial and residential footprint, including
the annexation of property, especially those that we
already provide services to. It would also be an
amazing boon for the city to have a certified public
accountant serving on the council. Mr. Reiser would
be an awesome asset in dealing with this matter.
Racial Divide
As mayor, I hope to revamp the Leisure
Services department into a Community Services
department and create new events to bring us
all together. I want one event a month as to
not overwhelm the citizens while giving
something fun to do locally each month. Our
Sale on the Trail event is always a nice draw,
so I'd like to have one Sale per quarter. I'd
like to start a quarterly Farmers Market on the
Trail. Last, I'd like to set up a special event
each quarter. Examples include Community
Picnics, Music Festival for local musicians, Art
and Craft Shows, etc. With the support of
churches and other civic groups, we can
promote unity across racial, political, and
religious divides. We all have more in common
than we realize: Love of family and friends; A
desire to have a safe healthy community; The
need to care for others.
Constant Personnel issues
Good employees want to work for people they
trust. A successful business runs from the top
down. I've owned and operated a successful
business in Guyton for 15 years. I believe in
rewarding employees that do good work and letting
go of dead weight. You want a mayor and council
that are willing to hold your city employees
accountable while at the same time not
micromanaging them at every step.
Lack of Police Protection
Guyton needs either a qualified police chief to build
a new department or to move into a more
permanent deal with the Effingham County
Sheriff Office. Our city council has failed to keep a
fire department and maintain a police
department. Instead of hiring a qualified candidate
in our price range, our council has left us
unprotected for months now. It's not a question of if
we can afford it. We can't afford to not have a police
presence for the safety of our city. As mayor, I'd
look into the cost of each option, discussing with the
ECSO and our city manager. Then I'd hold a public
meeting to hear the citizens. This decision effects
us all and should be made as a city
Lack of City Planning
I've served on the Planning and Zoning Committee
for 9 years. Guyton is unprepared for the growth
that is coming with the Port of Savannah expansion
and the Effingham Parkway. If we continue on our
current trajectory, we'll end up with more
subdivisions with drainage problems, more water
issues, and the continued lack of businesses for our
citizens to enjoy. As mayor, I'd update the zoning
codes of the city as well as beginning the process of
actually planning our city's growth. We can not trust
developers to have the best interest of our citizens
at heart. Guyton has coasted too long and we're
seeing the effects of that apathy.

Why would voters be better off choosing you rather

than Michael Garvin?
Mr. Garvin served as Guyton's mayor for the 10
years prior to Mr. Lariscy's 4 year term. Our list of
problems is long and the result of a lack of good
leadership. Guyton needs leadership that can fix
our current problems and prepare Guyton for the
growth that is already happening. If you look at a
map of Guyton, it's obvious every decision to expand
has been made by developers, not city
planners. Under Mr. Garvin's leadership, Guyton
built a wastewater treatment plant for commercial
and residential growth that the city neither
encouraged or planned for. The citizens of Guyton
cannot afford more of the same.

Michael Gerwig:
Hello Neighbors my name is Mike Gerwig. I am
Candidate for post 2 in the city of Guyton council
election.
The question asked is What are the most important
issues facing the city of Guyton?
As you read my answers to this broad scoping
question. You will get to know me as a leader and a
take action type.
Leadership and communication
I would meditate a biweekly Department Head
Meeting within our city government. Where the
department heads could talk of problems share
ideas and set goals. To build a team all on the same
page. Not micromanaging!
Public Safety
Concerns me deeply! I am on record for the hiring of
Richard Zapal as Guyton Police Chief and will
remain so. His skill and knowledge of police work
head and shoulders above. The 4 times that 3 city
councilman overturned the nomination for Mr Zapal
to become the city of Guyton’s Police Chief. Speaks
loudly of your local government not working for your
best interest. Or the betterment of our city.
Waste Water plant.
The bond that was issued to start the plant was at a
low introductory fee which was designed to give our
city of Guyton time to prepare for the increase. This
bond payment will increase for a time, then
decrease. The steps I would encourage would be
save money, new home building the few that can be
built and annex areas into our city limits. These
ideas can ease the burden of the higher payments. If
needed research more creative ways to not increase
taxes.
Small businesses
I would create and meditate at a small business
round table. Open free discussion on fair and
sustainable solutions. For positive growth and
understanding for all business now and future.
Mobilizing Voters
Historically city of Guyton voter turnout has been
dismal. Voters are the grassroots to our city
government are state governments and national
governments. The power to change and mold the
future is literally in your hands. Mr Scott Stringer
host an online forum on Facebook known as
Election info Guyton. All the candidates that
participated responded to questions asked. Also I
manage the Wake Up Guyton page on Facebook.
And I do meet and greets. If our city’s negative
narrative isn’t enough reason to go to the polls. Your
tax dollars, for a council that’s not working for your
interest. May tip the scale! In this election every vote
does count. Please vote.
Embrace diversity
Our city cannot remain divided. We have to find
common ground which is our city. We live here we
have stake in the future. Our children our homes our
businesses. I would like to have a diversity fair
highlighting our cultural diversity with exhibits and
speakers and foods .Not only educational but good
day event.
Improving quality of life.
I would bring into our city when possible the mobile
breast screening truck. The mobile dentist and
doctor trucks.
Also I would like to have one more big event on the
trail. It would be a charcoal or wood smoker event.
Where vendors could sell what they smoke cook.
Such as Boston Butt, Brisket, chicken, Chile, ribs.
Maybe if successful turn into a contest the following
years. It would bring visitors to our city and a day of
good eats.
Well you may say, that’s all well and good Mr
Gerwig! Tell me more on who you are. I am retired
from a career in Landscaping at university’s, state
complex’s and PGA golf courses. My 45 years of
supervision and management skills gives me an
edge on motivation and understanding. In that same
time frame I also held numerous offices:
Founding member and Treasure Sports Turf
Managers
PTA President, HOA Treasure, President of local
Union.
I also for a time was a baseball umpire.
I currently live in the city of Guyton with my wife of
13 years. We love the small town feel Guyton has to
offer. We’ve lived here 5 years this November 10,
with 10 ducks mixed breed and 5 rescued cats.
In Summary
My multiple years in leadership positions I have
gained skills and knowledge.
Which I feel would move our city forward. And give
you a government that works for you.
Thank you
For your time.

Andy Harville:
As a resident of the City of Guyton, volunteering with
the fire department, and by attending city council
meetings for the past year, I have learned more and
more about the budgeting issues, seen much
instability in keeping qualified city employees, and a
lack of unity from the elected decision makers.
Specifically, in regards to the debt surrounding the
Waste Water Treatment Plant. I feel that this needs
to be a priority for incoming Council Members. Real
long term solutions need to be put on the table and
the sustainability of this situation evaluated. I don’t
know enough about all of the variables that would
play into this process but I do know that the Citizens
already carry a heavy burden in fees and taxes, I
would hope we could find a workable solution that
doesn’t dig very much further into their pockets.
Stability with City employees also needs to be
addressed. To have a well-functioning city you need
competent, long term employees, who can cultivate
a close relationship with the citizens that come to
City Hall with questions or concerns. I would want
employees who can help the City of Guyton grow
and move forward, and have a working relationship
with other municipalities in our county. The best way
to achieve these goals is to follow the processes
outlined in our city charter and hire the most
qualified candidates for any empty positions.
In order for the City of Guyton to move forward &
grow, the people that are elected to govern and
make the major decisions need to work together to
come up with the best solutions for our City and its
citizens. We need to create a strategic plan to guide
our City’s future growth and development. With the
current division and infighting that goes on in
Council meetings there is no hope for Guyton to
move forward into the future, much less grow as a
municipality in our county. I hope that the citizens
elect new leaders to guide Guyton into a future of
well thought out development. I would like to bring in
new small businesses, supporting current ones, &
providing more benefits for Citizens and surrounding
area residents.
In close, I wish my opponents the best of luck but I
know I’m the best candidate for Post 2 on Guyton
City Council. I want to get the citizens involved in the
decisions being made about their city, get them to
attend meetings, get the council to be transparent
with what is being done and why, and get the
citizen’s input and opinions about how to best move
Guyton forward.
Marshall Reiser:
Guyton needs strong leadership. My skill set
includes financial knowledge and expertise,
business leadership skills, a sense of
professionalism and an ability to communicate.
Guyton has many challenging issues. We need a
strong police presence to deter criminal activity. We
need to address our wastewater treatment plant
debt. We need to encourage business
development. Simply put, we need to get our act
together.
I am not interested in micromanaging city employees
or department heads. Instead, I would pursue
ensuring that the right people are in the right places
— regardless of race or cronyism. It is the job of the
City Manager to manage the city. And it is the job of
the city council to provide vision and leadership. It’s
that simple.
Guyton deserves to have the most qualified
candidates in office. We need to move forward
together. We need citizens to vote for a positive
change.
If elected, I pledge to work for all citizens of Guyton
by listening to citizens’ concerns and by being an
intelligent, mature, responsible voice with a focus on
clear communication among the council.
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