By Carson Lambert

clambert@civitasmedia.com

Martin
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Martin-Copy.jpgMartin

Koon
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Koon.jpgKoon

NEWBERRY COUNTY — Ahead of Tuesday’s primary to select the Republican nominee for the open seat in House District 40, we posed some questions to the two men seeking the nomination.

The candidates are David Koon, 42, of Loop Road in Little Mountain and Rick Martin, 48, of S.C. 34 in Newberry.

Q: Why do you want to be the District 40 representative?

David Koon: First and foremost, I have a passion to serve and a desire to help people. For years I’ve had an interest in our state legislature and the role it plays in the creation of effective laws and the wise use of tax money. The challenges that South Carolina faces are vast and our next representative needs a strong commitment to work both diligently and ethically to ensure our citizens receive better leadership in government. I have that commitment. I feel that my diverse education and experience in both the public and private sectors have provided me with the insight necessary to serve the citizens of Newberry County as their next representative.

Rick Martin: I believe that my experience as a successful businessman will allow me to serve the citizens well. I want to be a full time representative who will provide the people of our county with the kind of personal service that people have come to expect and deserve. I will fight hard for the citizens and businesses of Newberry every day to make sure we have better roads, more industry and less taxes.

Q: As the representative, how would you make Newberry County more attractive to prospective industry?

Koon: As your representative, I would support a pro-industry agenda in the South Carolina General Assembly to recruit industry, promote the expansion of existing industry, and encourage the creation of local industry. Priority items on the agenda:

• Improvements to roads and bridges for faster, safer, and less costly transportation of materials and manufactured goods.

• Workforce development through our technical colleges to fulfill the needed workforce required for industry.

• To lower the tax and regulatory burden and create an environment to attract and sustain industry.

Martin: Businesses have many choices when deciding where to locate and it is important that our community be the best place available to grow and expand. We already have a great central location in South Carolina and a qualified workforce. It is important that we continue to build on efforts to improve our infrastructure and improve education so workers can be ready to work in any industry. Our state and local officials must also work together to provide the incentives business and industry may need in order to locate here in Newberry. We must be more competitive.

Q: How would you work to make sure the current industry stays in Newberry County?

Koon: I will work to pass pro-industry agenda items like improvements to infrastructure, workforce development, and lower tax and regulatory burdens that will help sustain current industry in Newberry County. I will also engage in continual and open communications with local industry leaders and organizations such as the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance to obtain knowledge on issues that challenge the sustainability of Newberry County industry and will work to find applicable political solutions in the SC General Assembly.

Martin: Maintaining existing businesses and industry is critical. We must work hard to replace the hundreds of jobs our county is losing with Caterpillar’s closing. We must do whatever is in our power to keep industry here. Providing a proper infrastructure, tax incentives, and educated workforce is very important to retaining industry.

Q: What do you think is the biggest issues facing the county and the state, and what would you do to address it?

Koon: I believe the current poor and unsafe conditions of our roads and bridges are the biggest issue currently facing our county and state. Although a roads bill has been signed into law, until we reach a point that repairs outpace deterioration and improvements reduce economic hampering congestion, roads and bridges are the issue. In the next legislative session, I will work to provide dedicated traditional and alternative sources of revenue to fully fund the needed road repairs.

Martin: I have knocked on 1000s of doors so far during this campaign and there are three things I hear over and over again. We need to fix our roads, lower our taxes and recruit more and better paying jobs. I will work closely will all members of the General Assembly to find the best ways to address these issues now and not kick the can down the road. Republicans and Democrats must work together to make our state a better place in which to live, work, raise a family and do business.

Q: How would you assess the South Carolina roadways, and how would you work to improve them?

Koon: My assessment of the South Carolina roadways is poor. To improve them I would look at both alternative and traditional sources of revenue. I am interested in alternative sources of revenue such as: alternative fuel, electric vehicle, and encroachment fees. Although the amount of revenue from the gas tax varies, everyone who travels on South Carolina roads and purchase gas in our state contributes to the maintenance and repair of our roads. I am not in objection to a small increase in the gas tax that is shared with all road users versus continual increases in fees that are strictly paid by South Carolina residents.

Martin: All you have to do is take a short drive in South Carolina to know our roads are in bad shape. Whether it is in the country or in town, our roads have been neglected for far too long. Our legislature has finally acted this session with a roads bill. It’s a start. Finding long term funding to repair and enhance our infrastructure is important for our safety and for our economic future.

Q: What would you do to improve South Carolina’s educational system?

Koon: I truly feel that the educational success of a student begins at home and with the support of their family. The early years when children are learning to read are vital for building the foundation to achieve educational success. I will focus attention and investment on providing increased resources necessary to enhance the early educational development period. I will also support investment in the areas of math and science. And finally, I support additional investment in the substandard schools and poorer rural districts that are struggling in our state.

Martin: I believe that education should be governed at the local level and not by the bureaucrats in Washington. Introducing more parental choice in our educational system would help our students and families tremendously.

Q: What type of political or governmental experience do you have?

Koon: I retired from the City of Columbia Fire Department (starting my career as a firefighter and advancing to Senior Deputy Fire Marshal) and serve on the Newberry County Joint Planning Commission (serving terms as Chairman and Vice-Chairman).

Martin: I am not a politician, I am a businessman, and I think that is exactly the kind of experience we need in Columbia. I want to serve the people, not the special interests.