Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

JP District 6 race, Coleman, Barham square off

JPs  Those seeking offices in the city and county are being interviewed for a series of candidate stories. If you are running for a contested office, make an appointment for an interview with the Nevada County Picayune.

Herbert Coleman and Bill David Barham will meet at the polls for the Democratic Primary on May 23. Both men are seeking the office of Nevada County Justice of the Peace District 6. There is no incumbent in this office.

Coleman is married to Charlotte and the couple have a total of seven children. Hes employed at Firestone and said he is no stranger to public office. Coleman was on the Oak Grove School Board until that school consolidated. He also served on the Nevada School Board.

Coleman said he decided to seek the office because he can be a spokesperson for those who live in his district.

I really want rural Nevada County  District 6  to have a voice in the affairs of the county, Coleman said. I want to be the voice for the people in rural Nevada Countys District 6.

Coleman said he believes the people in rural areas of the county sometimes lose sight of the fact that they have a say.

I really want the people in rural Nevada County to know they are more powerful than they all think, he said. If there are issues, and enough voices from rural Nevada County speak out, they can make a change.

Asked about issues facing those in his district, Coleman said he believes garbage pickup, the landfill and the county budget to be among those at the top of the list.

The shortfall in the budget is probably the biggest, he said.

He cited his experience with Firestones production budget as one of the reasons hes qualified to handle the duties of JP. Coleman said its important not only to know how to create a budget, but also how to live within that budget.

My experience at Firestone and Nevada School, and being a small business owners makes me qualified, I think, he said.

Coleman said he sees the need for some changes within the county government, but cautioned that hes looking at those changes from the outside.

Once I get on the inside, it may be a lot different, he said.

Coleman said hes anxious for the opportunity to put his experience to work in the office.

Im a good listener. He said the feedback he gets from constituents will drive his decision making in the office, if elected.

I am the most experienced, he said. I have held elected office before and I am trustworthy, a man of my word. I believe in getting things done.

Barham

Bill David Barham is married to Brenda and the couple have three children and six grandchildren.

Barham is a self-employed farmer. His operation includes four broiler houses and a cow/calf operation.Ive always been civic minded, Barham said. And my father was on the quorum court several years ago.He said he believed that former JP for District 6 Leo Holloman had done a good job. Barham said hed toyed with the idea of running for some time, but didnt want to run against Holloman. When the vacancy occurred due to Hollomans death, Barham said he started to be more serious with the idea. Asked to name the biggest issues facing the county and District 6 in particular, Barham said, Its no secret that we dont have much money to work with in this county. I think its important that we budget and spend the money properly.Barham said that roads and bridges are also an important issue, especially for those rural districts including District 6. He said the upkeep of roads and improvements have been adequate, but said thats an ongoing issue that cant be overlooked.Its very expensive to keep up a paved road, Barham said. He said he believes there are some cases that it might be better to have a well-maintained gravel road than a poorly-maintained paved road. Our current county judge has done a very good job  I think he certainly has in my district. And if were going to continue to maintain them property, were going to have to watch our money, Barham said.Barham said his decision to run has nothing to do with changes that he hopes to make. Its hard for a county judge and quorum court to address all the issues, he said. As a whole, I think the judge and court we have now have done a decent job.Instead, he said he merely wants the opportunity to put his experience to work for the residents of his area. I spent 20 years in the sales and service business, he said. Ten years in construction and the last 17 as a self-employed farmer. I have a lot of varied experience. Im honest and Ill work hard.