Debate Notes: Greenville County Council Debate (District 26)

On the night before Tax Day, four Republican challengers running for Greenville County Council debated and discussed taxes and more last night in Piedmont, S.C.

Candidates Ed Poore, Todd Frederick, Buddy Dyer and Lyn Ballard spoke to a passionate crowd.

Here are some of the issues discussed:

Three* of those four, said that they would vote “no” on putting the 1% tax hike ($600 million) on the ballot. It’s a bold statement in the midst of huge pressure from the special interest groups. Poore was the only candidate to not confirm his “no” vote.

Poore also made the crowd upset when he suggested that residents should pay an extra $6 per vehicle in fees to raise $3 million for more police officers.

When Poore heard the murmur of crowd, he backpedaled and defended his answer by saying that it was just a suggestion.

More spending was discussed as the group debated the issue of the $50 million surplus that County Council currently has, and most candidates discussed options to spend that money to bring it back to District 26.

I have to admit that I was disappointed that no one discussed giving that $50 million back to the taxpayers as a form of property tax relief. Harry Kibler and I urged County Council last year to reduce property taxes by $4 million. All except two members, Joe Dill and Willis Meadows, voted to kill that measure.

Buddy Dyer made an interesting comment regarding retail incentives that is used to lure (bribe) business industry to come to the Upstate. Dyer suggested that he was against it because it hurts other small businesses in the area. He suggested that he was against crony capitalism and corporate welfare. I have to agree. I believe in slashing the corporate tax rate like Texas did in order to become a magnet for businesses without harming other taxpayers.

I told Dyer I would follow up with him about that issue.

During the debate, none of the candidates asked Ed Poore about his personal voting record, though there were plenty of concerns to talk about. One of the candidates wanted to bring it up but he said there wasn’t enough time to do so. Someone sent this screenshot of Poore’s voting record this week, and it shows that Poore has voted for Democrats in the past. See picture below.

The candidates might have skirted around that issue, but I certainly didn’t. Poore wasn’t very happy that I asked him about it. When I asked him why he voted for Democrats in 2008 and 2012, he told me it was “none of my business.” A funny answer for someone running for public office.

Then he told me that he voted for Allen (D) in a primary. I’m assuming he meant state senator Karl Allen (D). I asked him if he voted for Obama in 2008, and he said “no.”

According to GOP Data Center, an internal website used by Republican candidates, it shows that Poore voted for a Democrat in the presidential and primary races in 2008. Voters should ask Poore about this.

I’m not looking to put him in a jam, but I think the voters should know his mindset, and he should have a chance to explain himself, if he wants.

Voters in District 26 should ask him why he would vote for liberal Democrat like Allen who recently voted against the pro-gun Constitutional Carry bill.

As a conservative, I could never justify voting for a Democrat. The Democrat Party has destroyed America, and I could never support a party platform that advocates killing innocent babies through abortion.

Now that this issue is out, I think Poore should tell voters why he voted the way he did. Or voters will assume the worse.

*Todd Frederick, Buddy Dyer and Lyn Ballard said they were opposed to putting the 1% tax hike on the ballot.

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