Oconee County Commission Candidate Wiedower Explains His Link As A Builder To Development

Marcus Wiedower has said he recognized from the beginning that his occupation as a custom home builder would raise questions as he sought to make his case for a spot on the Oconee County Board of Commissioners.

“I knew that in a suspicious society people are going to read that (his occupation) and automatically assume that I’m going to do whatever I can to bolster the position of development,” Wiedower said. “It’s just simply not the case. “

Widower is the only one of the three candidates who works in Oconee County, and in his capacity as custom home builder he comes into contact with the county’s Planning Department and Utility Department, among others, and well as with contractors and developers.

Wiedower said he does not see that as an issue and does not anticipate having to recuse himself because of his connections with his past employer in the county or with the prominent members of the development community who support him.

“I think what they’re (members of the development community) hoping for is that there is someone that will at least listen to their side,” Wiedower said.

Early voting starts tomorrow (Monday), and a record number 27,845 voters are eligible to cast their ballots, including 24,055 active voters and 3,790 inactive voters who can cast a ballot if they show up to vote.

The county has registered 2,011 new voter since registration closed on April 26 for the May primary, according to Pay Hayes, chair of the Oconee County Board of Elections and Registration. The new registration figure represents an increase of 960 active voters since Sept. 15.

For more on the story, including video clips of the responses of BOC candidates Wiedower, Chuck Horton, and Ben Bridges to questions about their Financial Disclosure forms, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Marcus Wiedower At Candidate Forum Oct. 13, 2016.