Editor’s note: The following questionnaire was sent to Republican candidates for Limestone County Commission District 1 who qualified to appear on the June 5 primary ballot. The News Courier sent questionnaires to all candidates who have opposition in the upcoming primary, and we will run their responses each Wednesday and Saturday leading up to the primary. Responses have been checked for spelling, but they otherwise appear as we received them. Campaign finance reports for candidates will be published as space allows.

Name: Daryl Sammet

Age: 64

Hometown: Athens, AL

Current city of residence: Athens, AL

Occupation: Self-employed

Education: Graduate of Tanner High School; completed all courses required by the commissioners college at Auburn University.

Personal: Children, son Justin (Erica) Sammet and their sons Jackson, Bryson, Easton; son Dickie (Stephanie) Sammet and their son Carter; and daughter Mollie (Tony) Biase and their daughter Kinsley

Seat/position you are seeking: Limestone County District 1 Commissioner

Previous political experience: Eight years Limestone County District 1 commissioner, 1990-1998.

• What do you see as the three biggest challenges facing Limestone County? Please state how you plan to address these. Be concise, but specific:

1. Population Increase;

2. Our county is constantly growing so we are going to have to offer more and better services to its constituents. Law enforcement and fire protection is up to par; but all the County offers is to dig your grave if you want to be buried in Limestone County or bury your cow.

3. I would like to get us to the point where the people of Limestone County would consider de-annexation.

• Please explain what relevant experience you have in terms of the elected position you are seeking. Please give specific examples of how that relevant experience would make you the ideal person for the job:

Along with working with equipment and construction material all my life; I have served as a commissioner for 8 years in the 1990’s. I plan on using this experience to better maintain our district to cut out all the wasteful spending and put our roads back in good shape.

• Commissioners have discussed a number of plans in recent months to generate more revenue for roads, while some plans have addressed how to maintain more roads and bridges with less money. In your opinion, what is the answer to generating more revenue for road maintenance? Are you in favor of raising the gas tax or do you think more money should be reallocated from the county’s general fund to address road concerns? Please explain your thoughts on this issue and be specific.

The first thing I want to do as Commissioner is check our source at hand to make sure we are receiving all the revenue we should be receiving on what fuel is sold in the county. I was told by a distributor that what happens when a truck picks up a load of fuel from a supplier that a State and Federal tax is paid at that time. Local tax which is 3 cents per gallon is collected by the honor system of each store. A $500 fine is imposed for not complying.

I am not in favor of a tax increase of any kind and the General Fund cannot stand to be dipped in to every time a Commissioner wants a pet project. Other sources of revenue needs to be searched before increasing taxes because once a tax is in place it will not be removed. All major projects come from the state and federal level which requires working with our state and federal legislatures which has not been done in the past.

• As a commissioner, you will be tasked with hiring employees for your district shed. That being said, please explain whether you believe Limestone County needs a civil service board to prevent nepotism. Why or why not?

I was not aware that nepotism was a problem in the county and do not see how you could justify civil service board when you have elected officials responsible enough to know the difference.

• Please explain why voters should consider you over your opponents:

I want the voters of district one to consider me because I will cut out the continuous waste of revenue and will be a strong representatives that will be the voice for all of Limestone County and make it a better place to live.