Jamie4Commissioner

05/08/2024

Please avoid the roads if you can. Don't go out to "look" at the damage. Give emergency responders room to do their jobs please. Be mindful of downed power lines, stree lights are out as well. Tree blocking Ozark by the pizza hut, mill by Smyer road lost its roof and part of #7 blocked. So AVOID if at all possible.

05/07/2024

As some of you may know, my father passed last year. This has presented a life decision for me and my family. We have made the decision to relocate to Oklahoma to be closer to family. So effective May 15th, I will resign my seat on the Board of Commissioners. It has been an honor to serve the fine people of Ranlo. It is my heart felt wish that I have served the people with integrity, transparency, and wisdom. Looking at my five years of serving with the Board, we have tackled the the town's financial issues that plagued the town then. We have went from losing over $300,000 annually to replacing the loss of the prior four years to adding substantial increases to the fund balance. This should almost insure Ranlo is taken off of the Unit Assistance List. I am pleased that I will be leaving the town in a strong financial situation. I know this because we conducted the financial audits for the prior four years and have remained current each year since. We have passed financially responsible budgets each year as well. We have secured over $25 million in grants to repair our crumbling infrastructure. We have plans to repair or replace water and sewer lines, repair roads afterwards, and have upgraded both parks and the Lodge. We are currently progressing with the Ranlo Avenue extension that will open up our community's walkability and decrease response time in the event of emergencies. I am pleased I will be leaving Ranlo with funds to modernize our infrastructure. In regards to public safety, we have fully funded the needs of our police officers and public works so they can safely do their jobs in serving the people of Ranlo. In regards to the administration of the Town, we have upgraded the software to help in the more efficient ex*****on of the town's business such has the smart meters, online bill payments, direct deposits, online presence, and other things. We also replaced the staff with people who were qualified for the positions they hold. I am very satisfied in knowing we have great department heads who do their jobs with the utmost professionalism. We have had two of the best town managers in the county. Their results speak volumes to their dedication to the town.
I also would like to take a second to give my most heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the elected officials I have had the privilege to serve alongside. Prior Commissioner Katie Cordell, and Commissioners Doug Moore and Robin Conner, you guys truly serve to better the town with your visions of Ranlo's future. To prior Commissioner Locklear and Commissioners Laws and Morton, we may not have always agreed on things but more often than not we did. I wanted to say thank you because you guys have always treated me with respect and it was appreciated.
Ranlo is far better off today than five years ago and the next few years look promising. Under the right leadership, Ranlo's future is bright. Thank you to the people of Ranlo for allowing me this opportunity.
Respectfully
Commissioner Jamie Fowler

04/30/2024

I am saddened to hear of the news the of loss of 4 officers killed in the line of duty. My prayers for the family and community. Let this serve as a reminder that our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line each and every day to protect society. I will advocate that Ranlo keeps our own police personnel up to date with the proper training and equipped with everything they need to keep them safe and accomplish their jobs to serve and protect.
Please keep your thoughts and prayers to the remaining officers injured.

01/23/2024

The new sign at the lodge looks really nice.

01/09/2024

Weather Alert and town hall update

With all the flooding, winds, and power outages town hall employees have been sent home for today and possibly tomorrow depending on how tonight goes. Public Works building was flooded, pump stations over flowing, treed down, etc. Please be patient with our employees. If you have an emergency call 911 if not an emergency you can reach out to Public Works or Police or any Commissioner.

Stay safe and weather alert.

12/18/2023

I am so proud of our community. This video show cases the vision the board of Commissioners has set and our beloved town manager Jonathan Blanton has put into reality. The work the last four years is showcased in this video. Proud to say I live in this town built with PRIDE.

12/15/2023

Four years ago was one of the greatest honors I have had bestowed on me, representing the people of Ranlo on the Board of Commissioners. Today I took the oath to serve another 4 years. We still have alot of the work to do.
Thank to Judge Davis for administrating the oaths for us.

12/01/2023

I am deeply saddened hearing the news of a true civic leader. Walker was a public servant who honorably served the people of Gastonia and all across Gaston County. I will fondly remember our several conversations about our visions for Gaston County. He was a great mentor. Rest in Peace dear friend

📸 Look at this post on Facebook
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=656734513303476&id=100069007996097&mibextid=ZbWKwL

All of us here at the Town of Ranlo send our deepest condolences to the family of Gastonia Mayor Walker Reid and the entire City of Gastonia upon his passing. We were honored to share our 60th birthday celebration this summer with Mayor Reid here in Ranlo. He was a wonderful friend to Ranlo and will be deeply missed.

11/04/2023

Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour tonight. Also don't forget to vote Tuesday for candidates that won't set the town back 15 years or more.

10/31/2023

5 more days of early voting until November 7th election day.
I ask for your consideration when making your decision. Ranlo is moving in a positive direction and we will soon start seeing construction on our infrastructure projects.

10/30/2023

EARLY Voting today and ending on Saturday. I'm asking for your early vote or your vote on November 7th.

10/28/2023

I want to respond to the "highest taxes and highest utility rates in Ranlo history". If those who were entrusted to properly do the town's business had taken action when they needed to, drastic measures would not have had to been taken. Over the last several years prior to my term, Two Rivers had increased the water rates for water. The Boards of Commissioners at the times refused to increase rates to legally recoup revenues necessary to operate a profitable public enterprise. This resulted in depleting the fund balance for Public Works. This went on for several years. We now have candidates campaigning on returning to this practice. Not only would this be illegal, but the IGC would not allow this as the budget would be running negative. Ranlo also would be risk losing our charter. Same can be said with the sewer rates as well as the trash pick up rates.
Those running on this platform will be sadly disappointed as they fail to deliver on their promises. This shows they have no clue as to what they are and were doing.

Choose wisely people of Ranlo. Chose wisely.

10/28/2023

I have to take a second and address something my opponents are accusing me of. "Destroyed the Veterans and Fireman memorial" is their main campaign issue? Me being a war veteran, I take this very personal.
The TRUTH is the prior board's decisions to let a town coordinator cheaply construct a "memorial" with basic yard ornamentation was the problem. The elements destroyed their idea of a veterans' memorial. It was in such a state of disrepair and in the middle of a play ground. This presented a situation where a child could topple over the statue on themself very easily. It was cheaply done and not a memorial worthy of veterans and firemen.
Now the current board already has plans to replace this with a granite memorial placed in an appropriate place. I actually asked for an update on this in the Oct 2023 board meeting to be sure that it wasn't forgotten about.

Please don't fall for false accusations from desperate candidates with no vision, actual plans, or any actual accomplishments when they themselves were in office.

10/28/2023

Why am I seeking reelection to the Ranlo Board of Commissioners??
Ranlo needs board memebers that actually understand budgets, are not self-serving, and are focused on the needs of the entire town not just their neighborhood. Upon being elected 4 years ago, the town was losing $389k ANNUALLY in deficit spending. Utility rates were less than what Ranlo was being charged to provide water, sewer, and trash pick-up. No financial audits were being done year after year so the Board had no idea of how bad it was. As a result Ranlo was added to Unit Assistance List with LGC which required state oversight of finances and could lead to Ranlo losing our charter. Our fund balance went to 127% to 20% in 2 years. HAVING COMMISIONERS WHO WATCH THE MONEY IS CRUCIAL.

Since my election to the Board, we now are not running a deficit each year, have increased our fund balance to 70% (above the state required minimum), and have received or been awarded over $22 million in grants or direct allocations from both state and federal budgets. We have developed a plan addressing infrastructure needs and facility upgrades which has been funded primarily from these grants and allocations. Didn't cost Ranlo residents their local taxes.
I want to see some of these projects completed and not scrapped by a new board of less forward thinking Commissioners.

Our current list of candidates have 3 people who want to take Ranlo backwards, one of which was the reason we are in the position we were in 4 years ago. 2 others should be seriously looked at before casting your vote for them.

Now I want your vote but we do have 5 good candidates for 3 seats. Jamie Fowler, Andy McClaren, Cory Creech, Diana Palmer, and Doug Moore are all candidates that care for the whole town and not seeking self serving issues.

10/09/2023

We are having our Ranlo Candidate Forum tomorrow night Oct 10th at 5pm to 7pm at the Lodge. Come meet all the candidates, see what we all have to say and our vision for Ranlo. May help you make a more informed decision.

10/06/2023

Some things to remember as we head into the election window.

Be sure you have a valid ID or obtain a free one at the board of elections BEFORE you vote. If you or a loved one are a senior citizen and your (their) ID is not expired by more than 10 years, you may use that ID to vote.

October 13th is last day to register to vote to avoid a provisional ballot. You may register on election day but it will be a provisional ballot.

If you or a loved one are serving in the military, or away to college, have disabilities you can request an absentee ballot NOW until October 31st. Be sure to allow time for mail if you are not going to hand deliver your ballot.

Early voting starts October 19th at the Gaston County Board of Elections and ends November 4th.

Have a plan to vote and remind others to vote.

10/05/2023

Pretty much sums it all up.