Pickens County Commissioner Frank Martin prefers solo system.

Sole commissioner called simplest format

Web posted December 15, 1999

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Associated Press

There are only 10 counties in Georgia with sole commissioners: Bartow, Bleckley, Chattooga, Haralson, Lumpkin, Pickens, Pulaski, Towns, Union and Walker. Frank K. Martin has been the sole commissioner in Pickens County for nearly three years.

Q: Why has Pickens County held on to the sole commissioner form of government?

A: The sole commissioner is the only form of government Pickens County has ever had. At one time we had a request for a board of commissioners, but it was voted down, probably 12 years ago or so. Most people decided they were satisfied with the sole commissioner.

Q: Why do you support the sole-commissioner system?

A: It's the most simple form of government there is. When somebody comes to you for a decision, within a day or so after you do your research, you can form an opinion and give them a decision.

I don't care if I'm sitting here or you're sitting here, I'm still going to support the sole commissioner because you don't have the arguments that you do under a board of commissioners.

Q: Isn't there more potential for corruption with a sole commissioner?

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A: A lot depends on whether you've got a good strong person at the helm with lots of good staff around him, someone who's trustworthy. If the guy or lady that's in charge of the single commission is not doing her job, boot her out and put in somebody you can trust.

Q: Have you ever been accused of being dictator, or king of the county?

A: I've had people say, ``You know, you can pretty much do as you would like.'' But that's not necessarily true, because you are going to always have to answer to somebody. And the public's who you answer to.

Q: How does a law get passed by a sole commissioner?

A: The way I usually do it, I invite the public for input. We rewrote our land development standards, and I pulled in about 30 or so citizens on committees and said, ``You guys, tell me what you want, how do you think this issue needs to be handled.'' And from their findings, I could go ahead and set it up.

Q: How can a sole commissioner make sure government is open to the public?

A: We advertise our public meetings. Anybody who wants to can come talk at our meetings. Another thing, we've got an open door. That's one thing you don't find at a lot of board meetings. If you have a problem with your neighbor's dog barking, you don't have to wait until a commission meeting. You can walk in the door today and gripe if you want to. You said dictator, but I think Chief Complaint-Taker would be more like it.

Q: Sole commissioners run mostly small counties. Would it work in a larger county?

A: Sure. Bartow County is a prime example. Their population is growing strong (about 70,000), and (Commissioner) Clarence Brown has been there for six or seven years, and he works real well. What's most important is that the people have to elect the kind of person they want to take charge of the community.