Questionnaires were compiled by The Current based on questions from readers. The answers to each question are verbatim from each candidate with exceptions for exceeding the word count; overages were trimmed. The answers were not edited for style or spelling; candidates were contacted if there was a question of clarity. If a question is skipped, we’ve noted that. If a candidate failed to respond to the questionnaire, we’ve noted that, as well.
Will Bowman
William Bowman
Campaign email: wbowman243@gmail.com
Incumbent Sheriff William Bowman did not respond to the survey request , which was made via four emails to his office, his staff and several followup phone calls. We will update if he responds.
Current job/occupation: Bryan County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Sheriff
Education: High school. Numerous certificates earned through the USAF, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Ga Dept of Corrections, Hinesville Police Department, Liberty County Sheriff’s Department and the Bryan County Sheriff’s Department.
Hometown: Hinesville
Family: Been married for 42 years, two children and 11 grandchildren.
What is the main challenge or opportunity facing your constituents?
Unity between all government entities of Liberty County and the citizens of Liberty County. Trust needs to be earned and relationships built and maintained. Transparency, open communications, and a compassion to make things better is what we believe will aid in bringing Unity back to our Community.
Tell us what your priorities would be in the first 100 days of office?
We have a priority list of things I want to see accomplished, however, there will be a period of time during the first 100 days of observing how business is being done currently. With that observation period complete decisions will be made by The Team, to make changes that will better serve the community and the department in the future.
What, in your opinion, makes you uniquely qualified to serve your constituents and what sets you apart from your opponents?
We have worked in all facets of a Sheriff’s Office and understand how each division should operate. We will also comprise a Team of Highly Qualified, Compassionate people, with Strong Ethics/Morals to help manage the Sheriff’s Office.
What are your plans to improve services for your constituents?
We intend on Actively Listening to the employees of the sheriff’s office and to the citizens of Liberty County to determine what improvements can be made. We feel that the observation period after taking office will also bring light to how services can be improved. Even a winning race car needs tweaking and tuning to keep winning.
Have you read the budget for your office or board – Yes or No? What priorities would you change?
We have read the budget for the Sheriff’s office. We believe changes can be made to reduce the burden on taxpayers, while providing quality services also. After elected we will elaborate further into exact line items that will be changed.
What steps should Georgia take to improve quality of life for your constituents?
We feel that quality of life starts in the individual. Anyone that desires to have a better quality of life controls their destiny. Some people are happy with their quality of life, some are not. The ones that are not happy with it should actively pursue better, whether that means applying themselves more into employment or getting out to vote to impact change. We as citizens should not rely on the State of Georgia to make changes, we should actively do things to enact change ourselves. Locally however, we can help improve our quality of life in Liberty County by staying true to our purpose and commitment to our community and citizens.
How do you feel you can improve public safety in your role if elected?
We will actively work with our community leaders, build and maintain relationships with all stakeholders concerned, actively listen to the constituents of our community, and enforce the laws of this state we live in.
Required for sheriff’s candidates: Do you feel staffing and pay is adequate for your department?
We believe staffing at the Sheriff’s Office now is not adequate. We believe that adjustments can be made to better serve the citizens of Liberty County. Recruitment/Retention seems to be a large problem within the agency and needs to be addressed. We believe that pay is not an issue within the agency. Both Sheriff Sikes and Sheriff Bowman have improved the pay for the agency over their tenure.
If elected, what policies would you favor to deter gun violence?
Developing policies to deter any kind of violence will only be abided by people who are law abiding citizens. Criminals will continue to react with violence unless deterred by strong penalties for such violence. We feel people need to first and foremost respect themselves and then respect others as well. There has to be consequences for acts of violence. it will take a collaborative effort of law enforcement, law makers and the people of our community to end gun violence or any other violence.
How do you see yourself creating/supporting policies related to climate change?
We will support policies that truly assist in controlling climate change. It will take everyone’s effort to follow policies and guidelines to protect the natural resources of our planet to control climate change.
How important is transparency with your constituents after being elected into office? How will you communicate with your constituents on issues?
Transparency is of utmost importance to the success of the sheriff’s office. We feel that if we are transparent with the citizens, that they will in turn be transparent with us. Transparency is a must to build solid trust within communities. The command staff and I will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer any questions or assist in any way. Our phone numbers will be made public and our doors will be open for the citizens of Liberty County.
Is there one key issue driving your run for office? Why?
Our compassion to serve others and Our Commitment to protect Liberty County citizens. I personally live in Liberty County and consider this my home.
Vote Bowman out! Because of him the county jailhouse only serves two shit meals a day the last being served at 11:30 am which means many inmates who are charged not proven guilty yet go hungry for almost 18 hrs until breakfast is served the next morning. He took away in-person visitation so the inmates are forced to pay for the on-screen phone system which charges by the minute, lied about the covid infection going around back a few yrs ago, then embarassed his office when his uneducated deputies pulled over a college school bus on I-95 for no reason and searched said bus unlawfully only to find nothing. I don't know alot about Gary Eason but anything is better than Bowman aka bonehead the guy can't even talk right almost like an 5th grader. The guy is is a disgrace and Liberty County will probaly be stupid enough to vote for hum again because he's black even though he's locked up more of his own people than the previous sheriffs's.
Sebastian DePalma
1d ago
I know I'm safe from car thieves and robbers when I go to Liberty County. Y'all need to re-elect Sheriff Bowman.
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