McGuire announces Columbia County chairman bid

Retired businessman Brett McGuire railed against what he termed irresponsible fiscal management by Columbia County leaders during his formal announcement last week as a candidate for commission chairman.

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McGuire hopes to unseat incumbent Ron Cross on a campaign platform of lower taxes and conservative spending.

"I am tired of irresponsible out-of-control spending at the local, state and federal levels," McGuire said. "Since 2002, our county population has grown by 19.2 percent, but our revenue has skyrocketed 78.9 percent, which to me indicates that the hard-working taxpayers of this county are being robbed."

Also, McGuire cited the sale of $38 million in bonds to be repaid with 1 percent sales tax dollars earned from 2011-16 as poor fiscal management.

"The best way to explain it is Obamanomics," he said.

The Appling resident made the announcement Thursday during the grand opening of his campaign headquarters at 4158 Washington Road, Suite 10, in Evans.

Other goals McGuire wants to attain as chairman include approving a 0.5 mill cut on property taxes, modifying ordinances to encourage small business growth, and creating a complaint office in county government, according to his campaign literature.

"I know how to make it work and have the business experience necessary to make this great county of ours work for everyone," said McGuire, the former plant manager of Lily Tulip/Sweetheart Cup Co. "I will cut taxes and help relieve some of the financial burden Columbia County is currently asking you to carry."

Previously, McGuire made two failed bids to serve in the state Legislature.

"He learned a lot from those ventures," said former Grovetown mayor Dennis Trudeau at McGuire's announcement. "He's got it right this time. He is going to be the next chairman of Columbia County."