Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott has two contested seats

Austin, Williams -

Howard Austin has been a resident of Prescott for some 43 years

and has served on the Prescott City Board of Directors for about 10

years. He is married to Vera Austin.

Austin said he came to Prescott in search of a job and worked as

a school administrator immediately out of college. He said he

immediately liked the people and found that Prescott was ahead of

its time with regard to race relations. After having worked in the

city for many years, he was approached about a seat on the board

and has served ever since.

Austin said the he believes one of his strengths is that he knows

people and that they know about him.

I dont have to make up nothing, he said.

Austin said his years as an active part of the community means

he has a network of people to call on for any situation. He said he

and the other members of the city board have dealt with critical

issues over the years and said that makes him qualified to continue

to serve on the board.

Jobs, economics and education, according to Austin, are among the

top issues facing the board over the coming year. He said utilities are

another major issue.

Austin said the most important task facing a board member is to listen

and then act without getting upset.

You cant be mad every time somethings not your way or you get

hurt, he said.

Austin said the one thing he hopes voters remember is that no one

person runs the board and that it takes a majority. Austin said thats the

way a democratic board is supposed to run and that his vote may not

always agree with the others, but that he always votes as he believes

right.

Austin asks for continued support.

Vote for me because I am a person that cares about the development

and future of this city. Thats the bottom line.

Austins opponent in the November election is Jamie Williams.

Williams is currently stationed in Iraq and was interviewed by telephone

Sunday, Oct. 19. Williams said he is missing the campaign time

but has several friends and family members making the rounds for him.

He said he will return to Prescott in December, plenty of time to take

office if hes elected.

Williams was born and raised in Prescott and lives now with his

wife, Monica, and their two children. He calls himself a home grown

boy. He is employed by a local telephone company.

Williams said he was urged by several others to put his hat in the

ring as a candidate for city board. He said the time felt right.

Williams said there need to be some changes on the board and said

that he felt he has the ability to listen to the people of the city and then

to stand up for them.

Williams said he believes the major issues facing the board revolve

around economics and jobs.

Weve recently lost Potlatch, he said, citing the impact on the city

and the surrounding area.

Williams said that Prescott isnt where people want to settle for several

reasons, including viable jobs, and that its up to the council to help

solve those issues.

Im afraid that were losing more people than were gaining, he

said.

According to Williams, he decided to run for the seat because he

wants to make the city a better place, both for those who live here and

for those who are considering Prescott as their future home.

I love my town, he said. My familys here, my friends are here.

I really enjoy the area and enjoy the people.

Williams said he had considered moving away.

But the more I sat and thought about it, the more I couldnt think

of anything out there that I dont have already.

Williams said the biggest challenges with the long-distance campaigning

are that he isnt able to put his face out there for people to see

and that he isnt able to talk directly with people to learn of their concerns.

I wish I was home right now, he said.

Cornelius, Rowe -

James Cornelius has roots in Prescott that stretch back four generations.

He said that he is a farmer, is married to Bettye and has a

son, Clint.

Cornelius said he first ran for city board because he felt everyone

should do something for their community and that he felt this

was something he could do well.

Cornelius said his intentions are to help the citizens and the city

and sees the financial aspect of the citys business as one of the

main issues facing the city council.

I think the council should be over the money and helping direct

the mayor in the direction Prescott should go, he said.

Cornelius said the citys future looks grim without the children

of the area, and that he sees a dangerous trend in the number of

young people who leave the area.

We need to encourage our kids to stay here, he said.

One way to do that is to help Prescott and the surrounding area

grow, according to Cornelius.

We need businesses, Cornelius said. No matter what size.

He said that attracting a major employer would be a positive for

the area, but that its also vital that the small businesses are also

encouraged to locate  and remain  in the area.

Cornelius said another task is to keep expenses under control.

Weve done the best we

could with what weve had to

work with, he said.

Despite doing their best, he

said the city has a number of

excellent employees and that

they all deserve raises.

We all know were not paying

them enough, he said.

Cornelius said that he appreciates

the support of those who

have given it in the past, and

that he will continue to do his

best for the city.

Vote for me because Ive

been on (the board) for 16 years.

Im not going to change my

spots. I am who I am and I

would appreciate your support

again.

Cornelius is being challenged

by local businessman

Gary Rowe.

Rowe has been in Prescott

for the past eight years, is a

graduate of Southern State

College, former member of the

Air Force and reserves, is an

owner of PSE pest control and

has announced plans for 90 percent

retirement effective in

January.

Rowe said hes attended city

meetings for some time and that

he believes his business experience

affords him a fresh look

at the citys issues.

Rowe said he believes the

most important task for a council

member is to listen.

Too many in public service

forget they are elected to serve,

he said.

They begin to expect that

the constituents are there to

serve the city.

Rowe said his decision to

retire made this seem a good

time to see the office, and that

his business experience makes

him qualified.

Among the top issues facing

the city over the coming year,

according to Rowe, will be a

continued focus on economics,

jobs and overall growth. Rowe

said there is no quick fix

because the issues are complicated.

He said it will take all

local agencies and people working

together.

Its work, he said. And

weve got to work at it.

Another is public trust.

It seems to me, from what

Ive heard, that public trust is a

problem, he said. We need to

make our city government as

transparent as we can.

Rowe said he wants to be

part of the citys government in

order to make the city hes chosen

as his home a better place

for current and for perspective

residents and businesses.

I came here for personal

reasons, he said. Its become

my home.

Rowe said he hopes to have

the opportunity to put his experience

to work.

I can bring a fresh, openminded

look to the city.