I applaud both men. Mr. Job and Mr. Walker both have leadership qualities. As far as the winner, I believe most people think Mr. Job won. I think Job is more progressive in his ideals for the county. Let's all support Billy Job for Jefferson County Judge.

Billy Job won the debate.

It's not suprising that the Beaumont Enterprise endorses Ron Walker for County Judge.  It was too much to expect them to go against the grain and endorse a Republican for local office.

The Enterprise cites Ron Walkers ability to heal the county and end the bickering.  Whhaatt?

It's the democrats that have been bickering amongst themselves.  It has been Griffith vs. Domingue/Alfred.  Democrat vs. democrat...

They cite that Walker can give a fresh start for Ford Park.  How?  He has no plans for Ford Park.  He had an hour before the Press Club in a debate and never spoke of his plans for Ford Park, which is astounding considering it was supposedly what inspired him to run for County Judge in the first place. 

He didn't even take a stand against the 18 % raise for the commissioners until the backlash looked like it might sink his campaign.

Walker has no plans for Ford Park, no vision for Jefferson County. 

I think the people of Jefferson County deserve better.

Sheila Hebert

 

Unfortunatelly, I can't vote for Mr. Job (who is clearly better prepared to make the necessary changes to the County Judge's office) because I am a SE Texan stuck in PA.  I follow the SE Texas news every day because home never leaves your heart.  I am familiar with the issues, the economy, and have personally supported the local efforts to recover from Rita.  Caring is great, but action is required and Billy Job is the better choice.

Billy Job was the clear winner.  He had a command of the facts, and he had reasonable solutions to the problems facing our county.  Job is a breath of fresh air for all citizens in Jefferson County. 

I was undecided who to vote for - and then I received two very nasty messages from someone in the Job camp - my decision was made!!  Clearly Mr. Walker is the winner from my perspective. I do not need nor appreciate dirty politics.  I you can't win on the facts you deserve to lose.

Billy Job won the debate and is the best candidate for County Judge.  His proven history of community leadership and emergency management clearly make him the most qualified. 

JOB

The debate provided an instructive insight into the candidates. Frankly, as a businessman who has hired hundreds of fine employees and provided training for senior managers, I never ask a person if they are a Democrat or Republican, Protostant or Catholic, athiest or believer, Gay or straight. etc. I've always tried to hire the guy who thinks outside the box and has the initiative to provide sound and solid solutions. The County is a business and someone with business experience is going to return the best investment and after the debate I am more convinced than ever that Mr. Job's background is better for managing the county finances and leading the commissioner's court than Mr. Walker whose perriennal interest and experience leans toward politics and the law. Both men deserve a pat on the back for making themselves available. My family and I must vote for Mr. Job.

 

Mr. Job is on the mark. Mr. Walker is a very distinguished man. He just appears a little out of touch. Mr. Job is the man to lead Jefferson County.

A vote for Billy Job is a vote for progress. A vote for Mr. Walker is a vote for the "good ole'boy system". We don't need to back up. This is 2006, not 1976. VOTE for Mr. Billy JOB.

Clearly Billy Job is the man that Jefferson County needs.

Vote for him!

Mr. Job was the clear winner !

JOB was the clear winner and I'm glad to see someone who want's to come in make things better instead of this good ole boy stuff that has been going on for years in Jefferson County.

 

Let me start off by first stating that I have worked with Mr. Walker previously.  From my experience, he is a good and decent man, however I feel that the county needs a serious change in the direction.   I feel that Mr. Job will do a better job of setting a new direction for this county.  I wish Mr. Job could have rebutted Mr. Walkers rebuttal to the statement regarding the helicopter and expensive toys.  Mr. Walker touted the fact that the helicopter was purchased with federal funds and did not cost the county anything.  As a pilot and aircraft owner, purchasing an aircraft is not the expensive part, it's the operational and maintence costs that end up being the most expensive.  These costs are being paid for by the county.  Apparently Mr. Walker was not aware of that when he made the statement about the helicopter being free.  The same also applies the to new prop-jet that the sherriff's office now owns and flies.  This is only one example of a change in direction that I feel the county needs to undertake, and as Mr. Job alluded to, using privitization where it makes sense.  Flying commercially and renting helicopter services only when needed are much less expensive than owning and operating your own aircraft...of course it's a lot less fun and exotic.

Mr. Job won the debate hands down. Mr. Walker appears too out of touch with the problems facing our county. Yes, I agree he's been around the court house 40 + years and is very knowledgeable about the court house building itself, but he appears too out of touch with the running of commissioners court.  I think he would be more of the same (good ole boy). Again, Mr. Walker is very nice and would of made a great leader 20 years ago. Mr. Job appears much more professional. My Vote is for Mr. Billy Job.  

That was not the type of debate where a winner should be declared. The major difference between the two candidates was very obvious. Walker gives alot of thought before answering a question. He does not give quick, knee-jerk responses that are designed to sound good. Mr. Job is much more impulsive. He gives very quick answers that sound good but are not practical. Walker has my vote.

More than Job winning the debate (which he did), Walker lost it. Walker's excrusiatingly slow speech resulted in his wasting most of his alloted time. He rambled in meaningless platitudes rather than providing meaningful answers to the questions. He fails to understand that in an information economy, what is needed is a higher quality of education, not vocational training; Job understands this. Walker came across as being out of touch with current needs; he seems a relic of the past. Being a very pleasant person, which he appears to be, is not enough. Ideas, a vision and the energy to implement a plan for improving county management is required; Job appeared better equipped to supply this, both by experience and through his expressed thoughts. Walker defeated Griffith I think largely based on his opposition to Ford Park; now he supports it, I assume due to political convenience. This shows him to lack conviction. Walker showed himself to be so lacking in savvy that when given the opportunity to ask Job a direct question, he merely praised Job's family. Was there no question that Walker thought might reveal something about Job that would be to Walker's advantage? Just as Walker often ran out of time in his painfully slow responses, Jefferson County is out of time to replace representatives of the past with people who understand current and future needs.

Prior to the debate, I knew little about the candidates and I was planning to vote for Walker, largely based on his Ford Park opposition during his contest with Griffith. Now, having seen the debate, I have changed my mind and will vote for Job.

I'm not sure there's a clear winner.  Both seemed to have the interests of Jefferson County citizens at heart.  Both were concerned about pay for county employees, and both had similar ideas about Ford Park.  I would say that either would do a fine job running our county.

Mr. Walker.  His experience clearly outweighed Mr. Job's.  I find it hard to believe that a part time mayor could possibly have as much experience as a former judge.  They are, after all, running for County Judge.

I appreciated the fact that both men were courteous to each other.  Refreshing.

Although I did not see a 'slam dunk' winner, Mr. Job appeared to be more passionate in his answers and to truly want the job of County Judge.  Mr. Walker on multiple occasions reiterated the position Mr. Job took and never really gave any responses that would indicate a new approach to tackling old and new problems.  Given a choice between someone who want's the challenge of running he county and making changes to attempt to correct the fiscal mudslide and someone who didn't seem to have any 'new' ideas, I would go with the more eager of the candidates.  Mr. Job.

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Stefanie wrote:

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Ron Walker because all Job did was bark like a dog and Ron the good ole country boy he is listened to his dog bark.

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You were JoMama,  weren't you?

Ron Walker - more thougthful, more dedicated, more concerned - not a puppet of his party.

Job