I decided to run for the Calhoun County Commission because I believe experience should be put to work for the community.

After more than 25 years working in construction, infrastructure, and development, along with 14 years of service on the Calhoun County Board of Education, I felt I had something meaningful to contribute at the county level.

I’ve spent much of my life working with budgets, building projects, solving problems, and serving the community. Running for District 4 was an opportunity to take those experiences and use them in a different way.

Now, as Commissioner-Elect, the priorities I talked about during the campaign remain important to me. They reflect many of the issues I believe deserve continued attention as I prepare to take office and begin representing District 4.

Infrastructure That Works for Every Community

For more than 25 years, I’ve worked in construction and infrastructure, so I understand firsthand how important good roads, utilities, and well-planned infrastructure are to a community.

District 4 includes communities with different needs, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. I want to work with residents, county departments, municipalities, and other partners to identify needs, establish priorities, and make responsible infrastructure investments throughout Alexandria, Saks, Weaver, Webster’s Chapel, and the surrounding areas.

Accountability & Smart Use of Taxpayer Dollars

My years on the Calhoun County Board of Education have given me experience working with multi-million-dollar budgets and making decisions about how public funds are used.

I believe taxpayer dollars should be managed responsibly, with strong oversight, careful planning, and an emphasis on long-term value for the people of Calhoun County.

Protecting Funding for Our Schools

Education has been an important part of my public service for more than a decade, and I believe stable funding is critical to the success of our schools.

I support preserving the local funding that benefits the Calhoun County school system and helps provide resources for students, teachers, classrooms, facilities, and programs.

Stronger Oversight of Sober Living Housing

Recovery programs and sober living facilities can play an important role for people working to rebuild their lives. At the same time, I believe communities deserve appropriate oversight and accountability when these facilities operate in residential areas.

I want to continue looking at ways to balance access to recovery resources with the concerns of residents and neighborhoods.

Healthcare Access for All Communities

Access to healthcare matters throughout Calhoun County, particularly for residents who may face transportation, financial, or geographic barriers to receiving care.

I want to work with healthcare providers, community organizations, and other partners to identify opportunities to improve access and better connect residents with available services.

Looking Ahead

These priorities are part of why I ran, but they are not intended to be the final word on what District 4 needs.

Before taking office on November 11, I want to hear directly from the people I will represent. The Community Listening Tour and online feedback form are opportunities for residents to tell me what is working, what needs attention, and what they believe our priorities should be.

I ran with my own ideas and experience. I intend to take office with something equally important: a better understanding of the people, communities, needs, and opportunities throughout District 4.

— Tobi Burt