Editor's Note: These articles are part of a series of questionnaires profiling Kevin Bowes, Jeff Nielsen and Chris Raiford, candidates running for Bryan County Commissioner for District 3 in the upcoming primary (Tuesday, May 21). Answers were edited for length and clarity.
Kevin Bowes
About the candidate
I’m originally from New Jersey. I moved here in 2019. I started my tax company here first, doing tax returns out of my house. I have an IT background as well as a tax background. I own Dynamic Tax and Business Services Inc., out of Richmond Hill. I have a lovely wife, and three children; all three attend Bryan County Schools. I have been a part of multiple county and city entities. I am on the Planning and Zoning [Bryan County]. I was chairman for the Bryan County Comprehensive Plan for 2024. I was also Downtown Development Authority Vice-Chair for the City of Richmond Hill.
Why are you running?
My family lives here in this county and I want to make sure that this county is managed and expanded in a responsible way to ensure that we’re a stable community.
What sets you apart as a candidate?
What sets me apart is that I never stop trying. All of my clients know that I will go out of my way for them. And I do have a belief system that the job has to get done.
How would you describe your leadership style?
Cooperative. I take into consideration the views of all persons that are surrounding me to ensure that everybody’s voices are heard.
What do you feel are the biggest issues facing District 3?
Open space and recreation. There’s not a lot of space for kids to spread their wings right now. They need outdoor activities, they need sports. The biggest issue [also] has to be a split between infrastructure and recreation. With respect, we have a lot of major roads that need to be kept and expanded and modernized. Like Brisbon Hall, that should have been done a few years ago.
We need to make sure we spend money wisely on things we need to spend on but also ensure that we provide due diligence to see if there are other sources [grants] that are available to counties and cities alike, that can facilitate the additional costs.
Jeff Nielsen
About the candidate
I have lived in Richmond Hill for over 30 years. I am married and we are raising our 2 boys who are 17 and 12. I attended Richmond Hill High School, Georgia Southern University and have been a member of Bryan County Emergency Services since 1995 as a volunteer. While at GSU, I was studying building construction and contracting and planned to follow in my Dad's footsteps and become a general contractor. During this time, I had an opportunity to open a small business called Jeff's Beverage in 2001. Since then, I have opened 2 locations with one being our flagship store where I took a once blight property and developed it into a plaza where I lease space to many other small businesses. In addition to being an entrepreneur, I am a Captain with B.C.E.S, President of the South Bryan Volunteer Firefighters Assoc., Coach in the recreation department and a board member for Richmond Hill Downtown Development Authority.
Why are you running?
The experiences I have are all encompassed in our community. With this in mind, we can do much better with our recreation services, wages for those that come when you dial 911, and we can NOT tax our seniors out of Bryan County.
We are in need of small business development to support our growing population so we can shop locally, saving our taxes for our community. Opening a small business in Bryan County is not an easy task. I want to streamline the process, encourage small business and provide the tools needed to initiate the process. These businesses support our community. Go to any function, sporting event, school event, festival etc. and see who supports them. It's the small businesses.
What sets you apart as a candidate?
My invested time serving our community along with my drive, determination and experience owning and operating several small businesses sets me apart from other candidates. Experiences of running payroll, customer service, employee growth and management to paying taxes, impact fees and licensing are a few tasks that are crucial. This knowledge and experience will help hold those accountable for making Bryan County your home today and tomorrow.
How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership approach is to give the tools needed to get a job done. I wouldn't ask anyone to do something that I wouldn't do myself. Open conversation always opens doors and as a leader I am always learning. I believe a leader's job is never done and remaining fluid is the key for progress.
What do you feel are the biggest issues facing District 3?
District 3 is unique as it borders the Ogeechee River with hundreds of property owners along the banks. Protecting the rivers from upstream pollution is important to keep our coast a thriving playground. By aligning with the Ogeechee River Keepers Association and counties upriver, we can hold plants and manufacturing facilities accountable for maintaining our water quality.
Obviously, growth is another issue and those that live in District 3 are determined to keep industry out from our backyards. Planning sites for this growth can be challenging but it's a necessity to maintain the quality life that has brought us to this district.
Keeping our milledge rate low will be a focus to ensure appropriate taxation. School tax relief for our seniors will be a priority to keep our seniors that are on a fixed income from being taxed out of their homes.
Chris Raiford
About the candidate
I was raised in a law enforcement family on the southside of Atlanta. My father policed in local communities for over 27 years, while my mother worked at the Georgia State Patrol for over 30 years. I was the first one of my family to pursue a secondary education and attend college. I earned my undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia and more recently completed post graduate work at St. Leo, ending with a PhD in Management. As you can tell, education is important to me because it has genuinely shaped, and positively impacted my life’s path. My family and I live locally in Heathrow (behind Publix), have three boys in the public school system, and we have had the privilege of calling Richmond Hill home since 2008. Our community, and its health, have become my life’s passion. I work as a local community banker serving both local businesses and families, and sit as a member of the Richmond Hill Planning and Zoning Commission. I volunteer on the board of the Richmond Hill Exchange Club (the sole mission is to raise funds and awareness to fight child abuse), as coach for a local little league team, and attend a local church.
Why are you running?
Growing up in a law enforcement family, I always felt a sense of service to the community. Watching my parents live that sense of service everyday as a child made an impact on my life. I find joy in helping others and I really feel like that’s what our lives really should be about. We really are the sum total of the impressions we leave on others. I think we are defined by our service to one another and I think there is a unique happiness that comes from serving. There is no hidden agenda and ulterior motive. I simply think I can help and I was raised to understand that those who “have the ability to help, also have the responsibility to help.”
What sets you apart as a candidate?
My willingness to listen and collaborate sets me apart. I am currently a Richmond Hill Planning and Zoning Commissioner who's running for a county seat. I have relationships with both City and County leaders. We need someone who can be a conduit for communication between the city and the county. We need leaders who listen more than they speak and leaders who truly seek to understand. This office is not about me, it's about the constituents I serve.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I was the first in my family to attend college and I recently completed my PhD. I have studied economics and management my entire adult life. I absolutely believe in “servant leadership.” I genuinely believe this is the best management philosophy and the ability to lead through the service of others is the best approach. It also happens to fit my personality. I want to serve far more than I want to lead…..and there is a difference.
What do you feel are the biggest issues facing District 3?
Understanding and managing our growth is by far the biggest challenge we face. We live in the fastest growing county in the state, and top 40 fastest growing in the nation. We have roughly $7 billion dollars being invested by Hyundai and we have a $242 million annual Budget. These are massive numbers that play a critical role in the development of our community. We need to collaborate with our local business owners, our community, and our local leaders to try and protect our growth as best we can. The growth is here and we need to try and understand the implications of that growth and protect our communities to the best of our ability.