Incumbent Bowles pushes smaller government

Never one to hedge, Joe Bowles says he wasn't being facetious when he said in a recent Internet post that he's a Libertarian.

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Michael Holahan/Staff

Joe Bowles, a self-described Libertarian, has been on the Augusta Commission since 2006.

Back | Next

Michael Holahan/Staff

Joe Bowles, a self-described Libertarian, has been on the Augusta Commission since 2006.

"Libertarian in the sense that federal government was formed for limited reasons -- safety and order -- and somehow we've grown it into bigger and worse things," he said. "I think it applies to all governments, all counties. The least amount of government we have, the better off the community is going to be."

That stance, he said, might be why during his four years on the Augusta Commission he's been known to clash not only with colleagues who lean toward big government, but also with conservatives such as Don Grantham.

Mr. Bowles was the only commissioner to publicly oppose the special-purpose local option sales tax package passed this year, on the grounds that it had too much wasteful spending and not enough for infrastructure.

His views might also be why he's the only incumbent facing opposition, he said.

"Some people think the government should play a bigger role in people's lives, and I'm not one of them," Mr. Bowles said. "And evidently, there are some people who don't like that position."

Though he's for minimal government, Mr. Bowles isn't for no government at all. He supports issuing bonds to make up the cost difference to build a trade, exhibit and event center, an issue that stung him to some extent when an attorney he sought a second opinion from, David Fry, wound up charged with attempting to bribe two commissioners.

Mr. Bowles has gone to bat for Harrisburg activists wanting the city to adopt a Chronic Nuisance Properties Ordinance, and he also wants a "no solicitation" ordinance to deal with residents in his district being hit up by door-to-door salespeople offering to clean windows or do yard work, then getting belligerent when told no.

Mr. Bowles, a certified public accountant who recently moved his family into a more than 225-year-old house on Milledge Road in Summerville, said he doesn't like politics and, if he wins re-election, will get out of them for good after his next term.

His political career, he said, was hatched over lunch with future Mayor Deke Copenhaver and businessman Turner Simpkins at Wicked Wasabi, where he was talked into running for the commission seat being vacated by Barbara Sims. In 2005, he defeated John Butler and Harold Simon with 63 percent of the vote.

A loss this time around would be viewed as a major upset. In keeping with the commission's perpetual 5-5 racial split, District 3 has had white representative in the 13 years since city-county consolidation, and it's currently 55 percent white and 37 percent black. Both of his opponents are black, and both are making their first runs for political office in Augusta.

Mr. Bowles said he's not taking anything for granted.

"You never know," he said. "You've just got to get the word out for people to go vote.

"The frustrating part for me," he said, "is that you have to raise money, and I feel bad having to ask people for money in this financial climate. I apologize to everyone I ask."

Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225 or johnny.edwards@augustachronicle.com.