As a firefighter for the city of Russellville, Jason Miller knows first-hand the important role emergency responders fill in the community.
So it's no surprise that Miller pledges to place support for public safety as a priority in his campaign for Franklin County Commission District Two.
Miller faces no Republican primary opposition, so he will be on the November 1, 2016 ballot as the Republican nominee facing the winner of the Wyman Pounders/Terry Bolton Democratic primary in District Two.
“I'd like to see a line item put into the budget for our county volunteer fire departments,” Miller said. “We have thirteen volunteer fire departments. They are the people first on the scene of wrecks, accidents and fire and medical calls. I don't think the current support from the county is adequate, and that's something I'll push for if elected."
Miller, who owns Miller's Affordable Furniture in Russellville, is a lifelong Franklin County resident and a 2000 graduate of Russellville High School. He is married to Belinda Williams Miller, and they have two sons, Hunter and Jaxon. He is the son of Terry and Judy Miller of Russellville. He and his family are members at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.
“I've lived here all my life, and I serve the citizens of this county everyday. I also have the opportunity to talk with them at my store, so I'm closely connected to the people of Franklin County and have a good understanding of what their priorities are,” Miller said.“One of those is to have our county commission give more support to our volunteer fire departments that serve such an important service in our local communities.
"I will also work hard to adequately fund the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, county employees and Franklin County Schools."
Miller said his candidacy would not be about attacking what the past or present county commissions have done. Rather, he wants to focus on prioritizing areas that are paramount to Franklin County citizens.
“I am ready to work with my fellow commissioners to make our county an even better place to live than it already is,” Miller said. “I've always cared about my community, and serving it as a commissioner has been a lifetime goal.”
Miller said he's concerned about past instances where only one sheriff's deputy has been on duty at night. He said he will work to provide an adequate budget for the sheriff's department that will allow sufficient deputies on the roads at all times.
“If I'm commissioner, there won't be budget cuts to where emergency personnel are not able to respond in a timely manner when there is an emergency situation,” Miller said. “I want to have people out at night so they don't have to call someone in when an emergency occurs.”
Miller said one-third of Franklin County's tobacco tax is divided among the 13 volunteer fire departments, for an average of $2,400 per department per year. Additionally, the commission provides an additional $600 per department, Miller explained.
“Roughly $3,000 per year is all the county is giving these departments to operate, and I want to change that,” Miller said.
Additionally, Miller said being a business owner gives him a fresh perspective on industrial and economic development in Franklin County.
“I will be available to work with the other commissioners and the Franklin County Development Authority to recruit new business and expand local business in whatever capacity is necessary,” Miller said.
“Also, I hope to continue the great work [Franklin County engineer] David Palmer and the highway department are doing. I will work to continue seeing our roads adequately paved in Franklin County."
