Corsicana — Grant seeks to continue service

Jason Grant has spent 22 years serving the public with the Corsicana Police Department, and now wants to continue that tradition as the new Navarro County Commissioner of Pct. 1.

Grant, 45, was raised in Navarro County, and with his wife April have two sons, Jot and Caleb.

He said he is ready to take on the responsibilities of Precinct 1 commissioner.

“I’ve always lived in the country but worked here in town, and I’m ready to do something out in the country for a change ... I am ready for a career change and I’m ready to do something different,” he said.

Grant said his background and work ethic make him well qualified for the position.

“I know how I want people to work when they are working for me, and that’s how I work for others,” he said. “I want to take care of their business. Whatever their problem is I want to fix it for them.”

Grant said the issues in the race are varied, depending on whether someone lives in the city or county, but growth and prosperity are high on everyone’s list.

“Overall, what I want to do more than anything, I would like to bring more prosperity to Navarro County,” he said, “whether it be fixing the roads, having a better infrastructure, making us more attractive to business, whatever it takes to bring prosperity to Navarro County, that’s my biggest goal.

“That should be everybody’s priority right now.”

Grant said his law enforcement background will be a big help in the job.

“The biggest part of the budget is the jail and the sheriff’s department,” he said. “I want those guys to be as equipped and trained as good as they can be.”

Grant also has some business experience in his background, running cattle, managing rental property, and worked for himself in a lot of ventures.

Above all, Grant has said “no one will outwork me.

“I got that from my grandfather and my dad, they both had very strong work ethics. I’m the same way. Me and my brother have worked our whole lives ... if I take on a job for someone, I want to give it my all and do my best.”

Grant said he is grateful for the support he’s received in his 440-plus days on the campaign trail.

“You expect support from friends and family, but the volunteers and donations from people I’ve never met in my life is surprising and humbling.”

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Tate offers choice for Pct. 1 Commissioner

After a career in education, and with a background in construction, Harold Tate, 60, is the Democratic candidate for Navarro County Commissioner, Pct. 1.

Unopposed in the Democratic primary, Tate said he decided to run to give the citizens of Precinct 1 a choice in the election with the retirement of Kit Herrington from the post.

Tate has lived in the area for over 30 years with his wife, Linda, raising two daughters. He spent 15 years in the commercial air conditioning business, and 22 years in education, including terms with the Rice and Corsicana school districts, and three years as principal and another 12 years as principal and director of the Hillsboro Alternative Education program. He retired in June of 2011.

He said his experiences there help prepare him for the post.

“Management skills, budgets — that’s what I had to do and was very successful in that. I kept in budget and put money in fund balance,” he said. Facilities management and personnel decisions were also part of his duties in Hillsboro.

Tate said working his way through college, he worked “every construction phase there is.

“It’s a job that I know I am very qualified and capable of doing,” he said.

Tate said he sees the job of commissioner as not just taking care of Precinct 1, but working for the county as a whole.

“We have to be responsible to our constituents with our funds, and don’t overspend,” he said.

He also believes the county and city should continue to work together to attract new business and industry to the county.

“We need to look at tax rates, we need to look at skills that companies need, and make sure that we have those skilled laborers here, and if not, a way to train them,” he said, with an emphasis on “skilled” jobs that offer higher wages.

Tate said his administrative experience and knowledge of construction and roads make him a good choice for the post.

“I’m going to be very ‘tight’ with their money,” he said. “I like to make sure we get what we pay for - those are my tax dollars too, and I want to make sure people get the services they need.”

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Bob Belcher may be reached by email at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? Email: Soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com