Beech Tree News Network

               I am Bruce White and I believe most of you know me. I have lived here all my life and I love Butler County. I married Brenda Ward White and we have four (4) children and six (6) grandchildren. I was born in Morgantown in 1950 to the late Onva “Short” White and Joan (Phelps) White.

               Brenda and I moved from a $60.00 a month rental house trailer to the Little Muddy Community in 1973 and we still reside there today. I did farm labor, mowed yards, and worked in a gas station growing up. I did construction work (concrete) until 1974 when I began working in the real estate business. I am an Auctioneer and Real Estate Broker and owner of White Real Estate & Auction. We have sold hundreds of parcels of real estate in Butler and surrounding counties. The Lord has blessed our family in this endeavor. My son Sterling is currently engaged in this business with me. If I am elected County Judge Executive, I will no longer be actively engaged in this business. I’ll give a 110% effort in trying to improve our county. I have also operated a small farm for many years. I have been a volunteer and a youth advocate all my adult life. I have done over 250 charity auctions and I’ve been very active with the Boys & Girls Club of Butler County as well as serving on countless boards and committees for civic and non-profit groups.

               I am an active member of Cool Springs Baptist Church, a Mason, and a Gideon. I know that Butler County’s greatest asset is its people!

1)     Broadly speaking what are the reasons you are seeking the position for which you are running?

I, like most Butler Countians, am tired of the decade long bickering and infighting that has taken place within our fiscal court over the operation of the Sherriff’s Office, the Ambulance Service, and our (911) Dispatch Service. This squabbling by some fiscal court members has brought bad publicity from Bowling Green news outlets and has tarnished our county’s image. This makes it hard to attract quality industries and businesses to our county. I have addressed this throughout my campaign as part of the “swamp” that needs to be drained (solved) in county government. This must be quickly fixed and ended so we can repair our image and begin to bring improvements to our county. I may not take a politically correct approach to ending this decade long saga but my business experience and resolve will be beneficial. The drama will end and we will support all of our emergency services plain and simple. We must bury this problem - then and only then can we begin to be all we can be as a county!

2)     What specific qualification do you possess that allow you to be effective in the position you are seeking?

I believe my longtime business experience and the knowledge of our county’s road system equip me to be effective as Judge Executive. I know how to develop a budget and to implement the budget. I’ve had experience in writing grants and administering these grants. I know the inner-workings and structure of our county government. Most of all I am a team player who will work with others to improve our county. I’ll be ready on day one to lead Butler County forward.

3)     Identify the key issues impacting the position for which you are running and describe how you would propose to address them as a public officeholder?

As I stated in question one, my first priority will be to bring order and implement a business-like approach for our fiscal court. I’d then propose improved job training, better paying industries, working to expand high speed internet, improve our infrastructure, roads, bridges, etc., are some of the major areas I will focus on from day one. Many of these issues require a team approach of partnering with either the City of Morgantown, State, or Federal agencies. I do not feel we have received our fair share of grants and allocations. Knowing that our pension costs are going up we must manage our revenue to operate our county government without any new taxes on our now over taxed citizens. On the bright side of the revenue equation we will soon be recovering an additional $200,000 per year that can only be used for economic development. We must partner with the City of Morgantown in these endeavors. The idea some have that it’s an “us against them” approach is ridiculous and must be put to rest. If elected I will be in the Mayor’s Office the day after the election trying to develop a modern, unified, and strategic plan to bring better jobs to our county. I have only touched on some major areas in county government.

4)     As a potential or current elected official, what do you see as the proper role and function of local government?

        There are basic services that our government must provide. With that being said, I believe the smaller and less intrusive that government can be, the better off our people are. When government expands your wallet shrinks!

5)     What is your long-term vision for Butler County? For example, what kind of community would you like to be in ten years?

        My long term vision is to make sure to provide quality basic services as cost effective as possible. We must strive for a safe environment in which to live and give everyone the opportunity to achieve their dreams. Our county government needs to work hard to attract more good paying jobs. A good paycheck improves our work ethic, our business climate, and our quality of life. I’m not about bringing 5,000 new people here in the next four years. I’m about improving the quality of life for our current residents. At that point more of our young people will want to stay here and we will have some sustainable growth.

        In ten years I hope to see renewed pride in our county with new homes being built (high speed internet is critical to this) countywide. I hope we expand on the good things like the revitalization of Rochester, the Trail Town initiative, more youth activities, and more activities for seniors. I believe expanded tourism in our county must include more money to promote and showcase our County Museum in Woodbury. Better paying jobs, a team and community spirit, and faith that God will provide if we do our part are essential. Thank you and I ask for your vote next Tuesday – Bruce White – Conservative Republican “RESULTS NOT EXCUSES”