Robert Setters

TIFTON — After 12 years on the Tift County Board of Commissioners, Robert Setters is running for his 4th term.

“I don’t feel like I’m through contributing,” said Setters. “We have a lot of irons in the fire I’d like to see to fruition.”

When he ran the first time, it was after years of consideration.

“I waited until I was 40 to run,” said Setters. “I wanted to run at 35. I didn’t think I had enough life experience to be respected, so I waited.”

Setters is being challenged by Tony McBrayer for the District 3 seat in the May 22 primary race.

Both are running as Republicans, and with no other candidates qualifying for the race, the winner from the primary will most likely represent District 3.

After three terms on the board, Setters has a few points he singles out as particularly important to him.

“I’m most, most proud of straightening out the fire department, being a part of the formation of Tift County Fire/Rescue,” said Setters.

After being a joint city/county fire department for more than a decade, the county split and created its own in 2016.

“The last three [years] were volatile,” said Setters. “Anything that’s said about the fire department, it has to be said it was never about the firemen. It was about the administrative side, the budget side. The problems Tift County had were budgetary restraints, safety restraints, public safety issues…I want it said that the reservist firefighters deserve nothing less than the best we can give them and that’s what we try to do — training, equipment and support.”

He also lists no major tax increases — “It’s been a struggle to not raise taxes, especially with creating a new department” — and the working relationships he’s created as points of pride.

“Contrary to popular belief, I’ve had lots of positive outcomes with the city,” said Setters.

He points to the 2011 implementation of electronic water meters as an example.

As to the irons still in the fire, service delivery negotiations are an immediate one.

“We’re in service delivery negotiations with the city,” said Setters. “They’ll be finished by the end of the year, but I want to see those through.”

A county-wide energy conservation project is another.

“We are right on the crux of an energy conversation effort throughout all the county infrastructure,” said Setters. “It’s at least a two-year construction project.”

If reelected, Setters wants to support the economic development authority and the Henry Tift Myers Airport, as well as support public safety.

“That’s the number one service we’re here to provide, public safety,” said Setters. “Everything else can be negotiated…If you’ve got to cut spending, public safety is the last thing to cut.”