CARROLLTON — Beat 4 supervisor candidate Jason Walker says he wants Carroll Countians, and especially citizens of Beat 4, to know he definitely lives in their beat, contrary to claims by former opponent Ernie Watts.
“I’ve only met Mr. Watts once, and he seems like a nice man. I don’t know why he said what he did,” Walker said. “I’ve lived in Beat 4 for two years. I had been in Beat 2 for the greater part of my childhood. Since I was 10 or 12 years old, I’ve lived in Carroll County. I own property in Beat 2, but I live in Beat 4.”
Watts said he was told Walker might be an illegal candidate. However, Circuit Clerk Durward Stanton said a candidate for supervisor is required only to be a registered voter in the beat in which he or she is running. A citizen must challenge a candidate’s qualifications within 10 days of the filing deadline in order for the election commission to investigate, Stanton said.
Watts removed his name from the race, leaving Walker to run against Democratic candidate Claude Fluker, who defeated incumbent James “Bobby” Cobbins, supervisor of Beat 4 for 12 years.
Walker said he also doesn’t understand why Watts said anything about his being in the race to split the white vote.
“I thought we were past that. I don’t see black and white. In Beat 4 we have neighbors; we all get along,” he said. “Until we move past that, I don’t see how we can make progress.”
Watts said Monday that he thought he was having a private conversation that wound up in the paper when he expressed that opinion, and that he had learned that Walker resides in Beat 4.
Walker said one reason he decided to run for supervisor is the contrast of Beat 4 versus Beat 1 and Beat 2.
“In Beat 4, there is an amazing difference in the roads and the amount of trash. Beat 4 pays property taxes, too, and they need a supervisor that will support them,” he said.
“I want to make sure all things are done for Beat 4 that are done in the other beats,” Walker said. “I know there are a lot of other things that a supervisor tends to. Anything I vote for, if my beat doesn’t benefit from it, it will be hard to support.”
Walker said he believes a lot needs to be straightened out in Beat 4. For example, he wants to look into more sources of funds for paving roads.
“I know we have a budget. Fuel is sky high. Money is tight,” but I want to do the best I can for our beat.”
Walker is in construction work and is self-employed. He is running for supervisor as an independent.
“I am about to get my campaign in high gear. I look forward to meeting each voter in Beat 4 and discussing their ideas,” he said.
