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Griffin seeks first term as Highland County supervisor
BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER
 | | Walter "Rick" Griffin |
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MONTEREY - He's been retired for a couple of years now, but Walter L. "Rick" Griffin decided several months ago to seek a seat on Highland County's board of supervisors because, he says, he's got the time to do the job, and he's thought a great deal about how he can put his skills to work for this community. "I became concerned when I noticed the needs for capital improvements," he said. "I've seen the maintenance needs on county buildings, the school buildings, the courthouse. I see things being let go, and when you let things go you wind up spending a lot more money in the long run." Griffin spent more than 30 years heading up precisely those kinds of repairs and maintenance tasks at Bath County Public Schools before he retired, and would like the opportunity to address them here in Highland.
But he's also deeply concerned about the proposed wind energy facility here that's embroiled the county in debate for several years now.
Wind energy
"I don't believe all the people were heard on the wind thing," Griffin said. "I'm not a strong supporter of wind energy because it's not consistent. I think it's more of a gimmick. I just don't believe we're the proper location for it. To find out we've spent $300,000 defending a decision that the taxpayers didn't agree with just seems to me to be wrong. I think that's when I really decided (to run for office). I was watching for someone good to come out and at the time I decided, there was no one else and I became afraid there would be no choices. I think people need to have a choice. Mostly I think all the people need to be heard. I have friends who are farmers and they have to be reasonable for everybody and they all have concerns. I think we'd been better off with our $300,000 spent on capital improvements. I think we made the first mistake when we rushed to change the height limit on structures ... I believe there was some way we could have put it on a referendum or ballot. I think the people should have been allowed to vote on it.
"I think the voters' will should have been done. I think if we can be allowed to vote on buying beer on Sunday, we should have been able to vote on whether the height restriction should have been changed; it had bigger implications. I don't like the direction things are going and I think we need a change."
If the current project or any other like came up before him as a supervisor, Griffin said he would review proposals carefully. "I would back up and try to research. I would want to, if possible, put (it) on a ballot. But given all other options, what I've heard and seen, I'd have to vote no. That's how I feel. I'm not getting the same math one of the supervisors is getting. I don't understand his addition. I would want more research."
Highland's economic outlook
Another motivating factor for Griffin is that he believes current supervisors have not done enough to stimulate Highland's economy and support businesses here. "I'm not seeing anything come in for the young people to work at that's viable," he said.
"Another thing that concerns me is that the county has assets sitting around that they're not using. (There's) 200 acres back there behind the landfill where you could put an industrial park ... I know they were going to originally use it for a landfill, but something could be done with that. Wouldn't that make a nice little industrial park to manufacture some things? Nice crafts, wood products ... Why not have a Maple Festival catalogue where people wouldn't have to come here just once a year? They could buy anytime. People are all thinking (too) big. They're looking for a factory to employ 100 or 200 people. They're not looking here under their noses at what's here." Griffin suggests more cottage industries; he doesn't buy the argument that being in a rural area makes it harder to sell local products. "They say there's no shipping, but I know full well I ship stuff. FedEx and UPS run trucks across the mountain every day. Wouldn't they be delighted to go back full? I just think some new ideas would be helpful," he said.
A cohesive community
Griffin believes there are a lot of misunderstandings about Highland's newer residents, particularly from native families. "New people have good ideas. We need everybody," he said. "I don't like the talk about new people. We all need to keep the county going ... the answers are right here in front of us and we can grow at a rate that will accommodate, but we need to take care of every citizen, whether he's been here a year, six years, 60 years or 200 years. Every citizen needs to be heard. When people come in here and buy property, to me, that's a vote of confidence. That makes me feel better about where I've chosen to live.
"We need to respect that, and everybody's voice. If you've been here a year, your wishes should be just as respected as someone who's been here forever. I've met some really great people in the last couple of years. If people born and raised here were all the ones here and no one else ... it would be very boring."
Frustrations
Griffin believes one of the reasons citizens are frustrated with the current board is a lack of transparency. "I think everything needs to be above board and straight forward," he said. "I think you have two people actually running (the county) and rest going (along with them).
"I don't like people to lie, and I'm not greedy. I'm not for sale. I work for my money. I care about people. I like to be with people, but I would want to listen to everybody. For 24-31 years I had 17 bus drivers, five substitutes and many parents that I worked with (at Bath schools). "I had to manage my own budget (for the department) of $600,000-$700,000 a year, so I'm familiar with how things work. I can tell the difference between what's necessary and fluff, financially," he said.
Education
Griffin is pleased with how superintendent Gary Blair is running Highland's school system, and he believes working with the school board would not be hard with the right set of compromises and open dialogue. "I support the man (Blair) because he seems to know what he's doing ... Basically, I think everybody should be heard. I think some new ideas on ways to provide employment opportunities for people, and I care about everyone and everything in this county, their feelings, and I have a little experience in the school part of government," he said. "I've heard good things about people running (for the new school board)."
Board duties
To prepare himself as a candidate, Griffin said he's attended six or seven supervisors' meetings and will take a look at the county's comprehensive plan. As a leader, he said he would be caring, but "firm when it's something that has to be done. I try to lead more than force. Try to make things work for everyone, work things out.
"The board needs to meet and take care of county's business - the bills, maintenance, allocating funds to keep billing, making the budget work with the amount of funds they have, try to keep Highland County growing in a positive way (with) growth that doesn't change and alter, or take away from county, but provides things, (and) makes Highland County a better place to live."
Sometimes, Griffin says, he cares too much. "I have a heart and some decisions have to be made, but I would like everyone to have what they need or want. I'm not a mean person. I can be firm, but not mean. Even if I have to tell someone no it's going to make me sorry."
Griffin said citizens should know he understands there is a potential conflict of interest if he's elected because his wife, Bobbie, is already an elected official - commissioner of the revenue. "If she's reelected, I'd disqualify myself from any decisions having to do with her office," he said.
Swimming pool
Griffin said he's not totally against the idea of building a community pool, but he is cautious about adding a burden to taxpayers "if it's going to become a millstone around our necks."
The county should "start slow, and add slow," he said. "Not jump in with both feet." He does like the idea that a wellness center could be part of the pool project, and would also support finding a way to beef up medical services here like dialysis so folks here don't have to travel for care.
As the father of two children with special medical needs, he sees the pool as having potential therapeutic value. "So it does have some merit, but I'm cautious. We need to know what it's going to cost in the future and it needs to be kept up and maintained. Maybe we charge admission, but there needs to be some responsibility there and I'm just not seeing it on the current board. No excuse for that. I've been fussing about that for years," he said.
Agriculture
Griffin sympathizes with how hard it is to make a living with agriculture here in Highland, he says. "I realize (farmers are) in between a rock and hard place. For the farmer who makes his living off his farm, I would like to ... give them a little break," he said. For example, farmers who have aging equipment should get a tax break on those machines. "Don't tax them on something more than 10 years old," Griffin suggests. "That would give them a little relief and it wouldn't hurt us too much. There has to be a balance. I'm not wanting to tax the farmers too much. I'd like to see them make a living off their land.
"I care about people and I care about the county. We all, whether born and raised here generations back or moved here, we all have an interest in the county. We stay or come because we love it here. We need to put the interests of county first. I'd like to see where not all our children have to leave, and pursue what to do with county land.
"I will be a responsible leader. That's all I can offer," he said.
About the candidate • Walter L. "Rick" Griffin, 57 • Spent his early youth in Highland County, and returned to the area 30 years ago with his family. Married to Bobbie Griffin, two daughters. • Retired two years ago from Bath County schools after 31 years as a transportation supervisor and head mechanic. • Substitute bus driver, volunteers for senior citizens, owns small firearms business and does odd jobs in his retirement.
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