Heiskell’s reign coming to an end
Four-term commissioner reflects on time at the top
Across America, voters this year cast ballots not necessarily for individual candidates but often simply for “change.” And nowhere was that more readily apparent than in Walker County, where incumbent Commissioner Bebe Heiskell finished last in a three-way race, collecting just slightly more than 12 percent of votes cast compared to the nearly 74 percent garnered by winner Shannon Whitfield.
“I didn’t ever dream anyone would ever get 17,000 votes in this county,” Heiskell said after all ballots were in. “This was my sixth campaign and the worst I’ve ever been through, but I feel he won it fair and square.”
“Every hard knock I’ve received in life have prepared me for this.
“I’m not hurt, I’ve never cried — my supporters have cried — but you can’t win everything. I’m going to support him and will meet with him (this week) to work on a transition.”
When asked what she intends to do in the coming weeks, Heiskell said “I’m looking for jobs for my employees. The greatest fear for those that’ve been with me is the unknown,” working to finish the Hinkle fire hall and tie up as many loose ends as possible before her term ends.
“I don’t know yet what I’ll do next, but I’m not ready to retire,” she said. “I was off in 1997 for a year, and I felt useless.”
Heiskell said her family has a history of longevity, and quipped, “Our minds are still strong, but our backs don’t last as long.”
The outgoing commissioner said that had she won, she expected to have the toughest year of her administration in 2017.
“Health insurance costs will increase,” she said. “Everyone talked about the debt, but that wasn’t my biggest concern as we had remedies for its. But the operating budget looms large.
“We’ve never had a reserve fund and I’ve always worried about making budget at the end of the year.”
While budget woes have been a constant, Heiskell’s years in office regularly have had enough extraordinary events that their occurrence nearly seems ordinary.
That is something that Whitfield, acknowledged.
“Bebe Heiskell has dedicated her life to public service, all while striving to put the citizens of Walker County first,” he said Monday, following the election.
“Bebe has had a lot of curveballs thrown at her during her tenure as commissioner. She has always kept her head up and pushed through the challenges.”
Noting some crisis that had befallen the county, Heiskell said, “I’ve really done the best I can do with what I’ve had.”
She cited the following as among the most challenging moments of her four-term tenure.
Nine months after taking office, terrorists attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.
Criminal activity at the Marsh Crematory was unearthed in February 2002. That one event could have stripped the county of its current and future revenue, save for Gov. Roy Barnes and the state legislature stepping up to help fund the county’s site cleanup and legal bills.
Walker County was not spared from the worldwide recession that began in 2008. Property values fell and so did property tax collections.
On Palm Sunday 1994, a tornado struck the Ruche Valley causing damage from wind and flood.
That tornado was slight compared to the catastrophic cluster of tornados that swept across the region on April 27, 2011. Effects of that tornado can still be seen atop Lookout Mountain in the Hinkle community. While devastating, the funnel cloud passed over most of the county, saving its full fury for a touchdown in Catoosa County where it slashed a swath from Ringgold to Apison, Tenn.
While proud of the acquisition of Mountain Cove Farms and its hosting of the 150th commemoration of the Battle of Chickamauga during her time as commissioner, Heiskell said opening the Manor House Restaurant, though a good and profitable undertaking at first, quickly shifted from being a boon to a boondoggle.
Failure of a TPLOST being adopted in the Northwest Georgia region cost the county an opportunity to build a direct connection to Interstate 75. The sales tax revenue growth in Catoosa County, with four I-75 interchanges, shows how highways can impact budgets.
“That would have boosted business in Rossville and the entire northern end of the county,” Heiskell said.
And over the course of several years the slow demise of Hutcheson hospital hung like an albatross around the commissioner’s — and taxpayers’ — necks, constantly placing physical, psychological and financial demands on the county.
But all has not been gloom and doom, and the commissioner said she has enjoyed her years of services — and accomplishments that will continue to benefit county residents for years to come.
“I’m proud of working for 10 years to get the industrial park built and acquire its major tenant.
“We’ve done an outstanding job with our emergency services. First, when we took over from Hutcheson hospital and more recently when we sold them to Puckett.
“For 16 years I’ve had an open door at my office and have held community meetings each year.
“I raised $2.5 million to purchase Mountain Cove Farm and another $1 million to upgrade it, all without raising — or spending — any tax money.
“The Villanow Community Center was a major accomplishment.
“And we’ve worked to streamline our process for (building) codes enforcement.”
When asked why this had been such a reversal of political fortune, Heiskell said she knew running as an Independent would be a challenge the likes of which she’d never before faced.
“I think this was a Trump thing, people supported at the GOP candidates,” she said..
“My prayers were that the Lord’s will be done — not that I win an election.”
Heiskell said the role of sole commissioner is one that requires a decision-maker and she will be working with Whitfield — “I’ve given the next commissioner a good base to work with” as he prepares for his new role..
“I commend Bebe for her dedication and determination to tackle big issues in a positive and professional manner,” Whitfield said. “I look forward to working with Bebe over the next few weeks to transition through this administrative change.
“I’m committed to making this transition as smooth as possible, and do what it is in the best interest of the citizens of Walker County.”