The office of Wayne County Executive will be filled after the election by one of two candidates: current Wayne County Executive Jim Mangubat, or Wayne County Commissioner Phillip Casteel.
This week in our “Meet the Candidates” series, we presented each candidate with three questions regarding their experience and their vision for the future of Wayne County. Below are our questions and the candidates’ responses.
JIM MANGUBAT
WCN: Mr. Mangubat, you have made the decision to run for re-election to the position of Wayne County Executive. What prompted you to run for re-election to this position?
Mangubat: We have so many projects on the table that I’d like to continue, with our local, state, and regional partners, to help bring to fruition including the Ag Center (major impact for Collinwood area), the Recreational facility and greenway plan (Waynesboro- funded by TN Dept of Health)- to help plan a youth rec facility I’ve wanted and pushed for since I’ve been in office, and support Clifton’s efforts in building a state of the art water treatment facility to serve more residents in the coming years. Also, a new Head-Start Building which is in process. It is a $1.4 million dollar project using Federal, not County Funds. I want to continue the work on the Musician’s Walk of Fame to increase Tourism. I want to continue bringing new educational programming to support our existing industries while giving our youth more opportunities, and support efforts underway to further develop our industrial parks in order to bring more high-quality jobs to Wayne County. So many, including myself, do not realize the years of planning that go into a project before a community begins to see progress. I believe we are at a tipping point and as long as we all continue to work together, despite our indifferences, we have many good days on the horizon.
WCN: During these trying times, the economy is undoubtedly on everyone’s minds, especially the great need our county has for job growth and recruiting new industries. If you are re-elected, what is your vision for the economic future of Wayne County, and do you have any specific plans to promote growth in jobs and industry?
Mangubat: Yes, we are a rural county with many challenges but we are a community of family, faith and support for one another and you simply can’t buy or put a price tag on these things. We are seeing unprecedented growth in new residents and we welcome them into our community. Yes, these are difficult economic times but Wayne Countians are known for their strength and resiliency and we will get through this too, together. All three cities are experiencing phenomenal growth and I applaud each for their fiscal strength and strategic planning efforts. My fellow county officials are also diligent in their work and accomplish quite a lot with few resources. My goal is to continue to bring more financial resources to these offices and agencies so they can continue to provide the public services we need, without adding greater financial burden to our citizens. As we work together to increase education and workforce opportunities, we must also address community needs like childcare, housing, and healthcare access. Again, through partnerships, we will alleviate these issues, too. I see progress with more to come and I want to continue to be a part of making Wayne County an even better place to live. This only happens by putting aside our differences and working together as one, united community. Five years- we’ve received $3.9 million (2017- present) in grants through Tennessee ECD’s Rural and Community Development programs. If we add in the year 2016 then it’s 4.3 million total. This is just from TNECD and CDBG programming. Add to above grant dollars: Dept. of Health- 50,000 (Greenway/ Rec plan), Dept of Ag- 150,000 (Ag Center), USDA- 80,000 (Ag Center). Plus, contributions from the private sector- close to $100,000?
WCN: Please tell us more about your family, your personal beliefs, and what you feel are your best qualifications for public office.
Mangubat: I am a Christian and attend the Waynesboro First United Methodist Church. I have lived in Waynesboro since 1967. I am the oldest of four children of Dr. J.V. Mangubat and Ann Mangubat. I have been married for 41 years to Babs Estes Mangubat, my childhood sweetheart. I owned and operated for 30+ years a Respiratory and Home Medical Equipment Company serving the citizens of Wayne County and surrounding counties.
PHILLIP CASTEEL
WCN: Mr. Casteel, after serving several years as a member of the Wayne County Commission, you have decided to run for the position of Wayne County Executive. Can you tell us why you decided to run for this office?
Casteel: While serving as County Commissioner for sixteen years, I have grown to realize the true challenge that our county faces is a management problem and not a revenue problem. Thirty-three percent of our population pays all of the property taxes. I will work to find new sources of revenue to help lessen the burden on taxpayers. I feel that the entire county should be equally represented by the County Executive, and my door will be open to everyone. After serving as a Commissioner, I feel compelled to run for this office because the people of this county should know where their money is and how it is being spent. I would publish monthly financial reports of expenditures and receipts. Transparency is my goal. All meetings that I attend would be public and also aired live. My door would always be open. I have six grandchildren growing up in this county and I am tired of telling them about what we used to have and I want to show them how great this county can be.
WCN: During these trying times, the economy is undoubtedly on everyone’s minds, especially the great need our county has for job growth and recruiting new industries. If elected, what is your vision for the economic future of Wayne County, and do you have any specific plans to promote growth in jobs and industry?
Casteel: I am currently working to keep taxes at the same level as last year. With the financial crisis facing everyone, oncoming recession, increasing interest rates, and impending poor crop yields, I feel that it is not the time to burden the taxpayer with increased taxes. Wayne County has sufficient revenue to fund the year with surplus. Because Education is a top priority, the County Commission has kept funding at last year’s levels even though enrollment has dropped by 55 students this year. Also, I helped to get the Forestry Education Building built, saving over $15,000 in cost. This along with the Ag building that I also chaired will be a great addition to our Vocational Education in Wayne County and a new source of revenue. One major problem Wayne County taxpayers are facing is that a large percentage of the property inside the city limits is owned by the city, thus being tax exempt to the county. All of the cities in Wayne County need to work together to provide the best possible services and opportunities to Wayne County residents, safe drinking water is one such item. Collinwood city management has been offered 2.3 million dollars for waterline improvements in Collinwood, saving the county roughly $400,000 per year, but has refused. Clifton and Waynesboro have accepted the waterlines and are working with the county to better serve the residents of Wayne County. We worked to provide waterlines across Wayne County to establish infrastructure for industry. We will all have to work together, county, cities, and the people to recruit industry in this county. We have a great industrial park and I will do everything in my power to see that there is industry in that park. Government should be a servant of the people, not make the people servants. If elected, I would work to run an efficient, well-regulated county. Following are some of my top priorities: 1. Development of the southern route of Hwy 641, revitalizing the Clifton and Lutts areas; 2. Truck Route through Tie Camp Road, connecting Hwy 64 to Hwy 13, providing a business route to the south; 3. Septic sewer in the county Industrial Park, (6,000 gallon per day capacity); 4. Work to lower solid waste fees, which are one of the highest in the state; 5. Work to secure grants for industrial development in the county.
WCN: Please tell us more about your family, your personal beliefs, and what you feel are your best qualifications for public office.
Casteel: I am the son of the late Leon and Hazel Ayers Casteel. My father was a veteran of World War II and fought in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forrest. After his service, he returned to Wayne County where he married and raised me on the farm on which I reside today. There are hundreds of stories in Wayne County very similar to my own and that in itself makes rural Wayne County a special place. I married Teresa Andrews Casteel and we have two daughters, Kassy Quick and Laura Arnett. Kassy is married to Jason Quick, they have three children, Jaxson, Jacob, and Harper. They live in Waynesboro. Laura is married to Kodi Arnett, and they have three children, Harrison, Allie, and Henry. They live in Collinwood. I have raised my children with the values and moral compass passed down to me from my parents. I believe you should work hard to achieve your goals and to help others on your way. Helping neighbors and friends achieve their goals is as important as reaching your own. Establishing relationships with the people in our community and hearing their stories and helping their families thrive, helps all of our families thrive. My family attends Wayne Furnace Church of Christ. I am a life-long farmer, retired tool and die maker/industrial maintenance machinist, CO-OP Board Member, Ag Committee Member, and studied at Columbia State Community College. I have served on the County Budget Committee for sixteen years and I feel that I can manage this county’s growth efficiently, laying the groundwork for future generations, including my grandchildren and yours. If elected, I will do my best to represent all of the people of Wayne County, uphold my oath, and do the job I am elected to do. I truly appreciate your support and vote.
The two candidates for Wayne County Sheriff are also featured in this week’s “Meet the Candidates” series. Current Wayne County Sheriff Shane Fisher is seeking re-election to the position. He is being challenged by Timmy Dale Harris, who has previously run for the position as well and is currently with the Clifton Police Department.
Our questions and the candidates’ responses are below.
SHANE FISHER
WCN: Sheriff Fisher, you are seeking re-election to the position of Wayne County Sheriff after serving your first term. What factors influenced your decision to run again?
Fisher: There are many factors that influenced my decision to seek re-election, just as the reasons I chose to initially run for the office. I have been a life-long resident of Wayne County, my children and grandchildren are growing up here, and I want them to grow up in the safest, most drug free environment possible. I want to offer my 28 years of experience in Law Enforcement and the experience gained since becoming your Sheriff September 1, 2018. I want to continue with the successes we have made and seek ways to fully implement needed changes we have identified in my first term.
WCN: The office of Sheriff carries a huge amount of responsibility to all citizens of our county. Are you personally satisfied with your abilities and actions as Sheriff for the past four years, and do you feel that you possess the qualities to continue to be successful in the position?
Fisher: To say I am satisfied with my abilities and actions as Sheriff is a difficult question for me to answer, anyone that knows me understands that I am not satisfied with any outcome short of perfection. We have accomplished many things in my first term, while dealing with challenges and incidents no previous sheriff has had to face; like the Covid 19 pandemic and losing three active-duty employees to death. However, we have made tremendous strides in reducing the availability and blatant open use of illegal drugs in Wayne County. We have investigated and prosecuted groups for their part in the distribution of illegal drugs, received numerous awards for our efforts, and took ownership of a property for an illegal marijuana grow and THC conversion lab. I have worked with the County Commission and Wayne County School Board to add School Resource Officers to better protect our most precious resources, our children. This was done while using zero tax dollars for the required matching portion to the grant. I currently serve on the School Resource Committee for the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association. I was able to provide the Veterans Services a better vehicle to transport our beloved veterans to doctors and other necessary appointments at no cost to the veteran’s service or county taxpayers. Your Wayne County Sheriff’s Office inmate work crew has removed thousands of pounds of trash from county roadways and continued to assist fire halls, churches, and cemeteries with much needed mowing and clean-up duties. Inmates have assisted the County Highway Department, City of Waynesboro, and City of Clifton with workers saving hundreds of thousands of dollars for each city and the county governments. I have worked with the Wayne County Commission to evolve the Wayne County Jail into the Wayne County workhouse. This allows inmates to get a job and earn wages to pay their court costs, fines, and child support while serving time for their convictions. I was able to work to acquire a grant to purchase a $100,000 x-ray body scanner for the Wayne County Workhouse to help prevent illegal contraband or weapons from entering the facility. Understanding the liability of the corrections environment and that a single wrong decision could devastate the County Government operations, potentially bankrupting our county, is part of the job that I do not take lightly. I have implemented much needed computer equipment into our patrol vehicles without using any county tax dollars. This equipment allows officers to stay in their patrol areas instead of having to return to the main office in Waynesboro to file reports. I have worked with the County Commission to add the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office South Precinct to better serve our citizens in southern Wayne County, this improves response times for emergency calls and also allows deputies to stay in the patrol zones instead of having to travel to Waynesboro so often. I have implemented body worn cameras to increase transparency and professionalism by our patrol deputies. The body cameras were purchased without using county tax dollars. I have implemented two (2) narcotics detection canines to our force without using county tax dollars. I have upgraded our patrol fleet, which patrols about 400,00 miles each year, without using any county tax dollars. This focus on patrol and deputies staying in their patrol areas longer has resulted in lower property crime rates and better partnerships with the communities. During my term, I have routinely held community partner meetings in each area of the county to allow citizens to address their concerns and learn of the activities from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. I have increased training for all employees of the Sheriff’s Office as I believe training is an invaluable tool in becoming the most professional sheriff’s office in Tennessee. I feel as I do possess, the qualities and just as important: the experience, to continue to lead and be successful as Sheriff of Wayne County. Understanding the entirety of the Office as a whole and how each part is integral to the success of the other is paramount when making decisions. I have worked to better educate myself with other sheriffs who have been successful and worked to implement needed changes in our operations at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. I do believe I am the most qualified candidate and the only candidate with the education and experience necessary to manage the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
WCN: What goals do you have for the future of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and what changes do you intend to make if you are re-elected?
Fisher: My future goals for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office are to continue to work to make the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office the most professional and supported sheriff’s office by its citizens in Tennessee. I will continue to work at reducing the availability of illegal drugs in Wayne County. If re-elected, I intend on transforming the acquired Sheriff’s Office building on Chisholm Road (formerly Johnny’s Club and illegal marijuana grow) into a Regional Training Center for every area of operation of the Sheriff’s Office so that every employee can better serve the people of Wayne County. I intend to continue working with the County Commission to provide better pay and benefits for county employees, so that the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is a viable option for someone wanting to start, work an entire career for Wayne County, and retire, so our citizens can benefit from employees most productive years instead of being a training agency for others. This, to my knowledge, is something that has never happened at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. As school safety is a top priority for me, I would like to completely staff every school with School Resource officers so that there would be an SRO at every school building. In my first term, a lot of changes were made, but I am always open to suggestions for improvements that will increase the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office’s ability to meet the needs of Wayne County’s citizens.
TIMMY DALE HARRIS
WCN: Officer Harris, you have previously run for the position of Wayne County Sheriff. What factors influenced your decision to run again?
Harris: When there’s things going on in Wayne County that I don’t agree with or can improve on I’ll do all I can to make a difference. I was contacted by several citizens with concerns about the high budget and all these new Tahoes at the sheriff’s office. I also found out there was 71 employees left the sheriffs office from 2018 till the present. That is unacceptable for a budget to go up a half a million dollars and lose that many employees in four years. I’m running again to lower the budget and try to hire and retain good employees and make Wayne County a safer place to live.
WCN: The office of Sheriff carries a huge amount of responsibility to all citizens of our county. What qualities do you feel you possess that would make you a successful Sheriff in all different aspects of the job?
Harris: I’m a life-long citizen of Wayne county so I know the people already. I’ve owned and operated my own successful business so I can do the budget and I am a leader. I’ve been in law enforcement for almost fifteen years. In those years I’ve had to fight a very few subjects because I can talk to them and they do what’s right. The less violence we have to use the better but if it’s necessary I’ll do what is needed. I take the words serve and protect very seriously. I don’t care where you live, how much you’re worth or what your name is, you are our #1 priority! Every call will be answered as quickly and as safely as possible. I did say every call, not just certain ones.
WCN: What goals do you have for the future of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and what changes would you make in the department, if any?
Harris: I plan on having professional deputies and correctional officers. The investigation department will keep every victim updated on their case weekly. Every employee of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office will treat all citizens with honesty, fairness and respect. There will be some big changes inside the department starting with the administration. Every deputy and correctional officer that works there now will still have a job if they want one. I guarantee the new department will be much more efficient and the budget will come down. That way the burden of higher taxes won’t be on the Wayne County citizens.
