Editor’s note: The following questionnaire was sent to Republican candidates for Limestone County Commission chairman who qualified to appear on the June 5 primary election 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: Mark Yarbrough

Age: 55

Hometown: Athens, AL

Occupation: Chairman of the Limestone County Commission

Education: Attended Ardmore High School and UAH

Personal: Married to Gina for 31 years; son Ben and daughter-in-law Mary Jo and grandson Hunter, who is 4

Seat/position you are seeking: Chairman of the Limestone County Commission

Previous political experience: Elected in 2014 as chairman of the Limestone County Commission

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

As Chairman of the Limestone County Commission I am proud of the accomplishments we have made and I will continue working hard to overcome challenges related to:

1. Improving our existing roads and bridges, as well as constructing new infrastructure to accommodate the expected new growth. I will continue to work with state and federal officials to secure funding for these much-needed projects

2. Inmate health care is the single largest unknown cost facing our county. I will continue to work with other elected officials to implement new innovative ways to manage this problem.

3. Ensuring we have plans in place to support recent growth as well as expected expansion from recruitment of new industries and jobs.

• 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:

It has been an honor to serve as your Chairman on the Limestone County Commission. I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved over the last four budget years; bringing jobs to our county, creating transparency, and balancing our county’s budget. Limestone County is a great place to raise a family and I will continue to work for the people of this community making sure their issues and concerns are heard and addressed.

Prior to being elected in 2014, I owned my company for 29 years. I have brought the lessons that I learned and that business mentality to the Chairman’s office.

• Limestone County has landed several large industrial projects over the last several years, which have brought thousands of jobs to the area. As chairman, what will you do to ensure the winning streak continues?

As your Chairman, I am proud to have brought over 7,000 jobs to our community such as Toyota Mazda, Polaris, HDT, GE Aviation, Shape Corp. and the expansion of Carpenter Technology. Bringing jobs to our community and keeping our economy moving in the right direction is one of my number one priorities.

• As commission chairman, you will be tasked with ensuring all departments are adequately staffed. That being said, please explain whether you believe Limestone County needs a civil service board to prevent nepotism. Why or why not?

Currently, the Limestone County Commission has a policy in place to ensure that nepotism does not occur and I will continue to support that policy. The entire Commission votes on every new hire.

When elected I promise to bring accountability and transparency to the commission, I am proud to have been able to live-stream our commission meetings and I will continue to have an open-door policy. Citizens should have the opportunity to be involved and informed on county business.

• Please explain what measures you will take to ensure transparency and accountability with taxpayer dollars:

When I was elected, our county was in a budget crisis. I am proud to have lead the charge bringing the commission out of the red by demanding fiscal responsibility and cutting wasteful spending. I will continue to be a watchdog for taxpayer dollars and raising taxes on families and businesses is never an option.

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

I stand on my record. We have balanced the budget from a $2.4 million deficit, I instituted live-streaming of the Commission meetings to promote transparency to County Government, and brought 7,000 jobs to Limestone County. I will Continue to Work for the people of Limestone County if re-elected.