Local business owner Ray Reynolds has announced his candidacy for Blackberry District supervisor, challenging longtime incumbent and current board chairman Jim Adams, who has held the position for 24 years. Adams is seeking reelection.
Reynolds’ campaign will focus on cleaning up the district, restoring resident’s pride in the community, supporting the effort to reopen the long-closed Bassett Community Center, and addressing water quality issues on Fairmont Drive.
Reynolds highlighted areas in the district that have fallen into disrepair, with abandoned homes contributing to an unkempt appearance. “I’ve had people reach out and say it’s like a third-world country when they go through that neighborhood sometimes,” Reynolds said, displaying photos of deteriorated homes, including one severely damaged by fire. “They have funds to take care of this,” he added, referencing the county’s financial resources.
Community involvement, Reynolds emphasized, will be key in cleaning up the district. He acknowledged that the county does not have a dedicated department for trash cleanup but believes residents will step up. “If we live here, we want to keep our place clean,” he said.
One of Reynolds’ priorities is helping the effort to reopen the Bassett Community Center, which has been closed for several years. He expressed a willingness to collaborate with groups advocating for the center’s reopening and help secure grants for renovations.
Reynolds believes revitalizing the community center and removing dilapidated homes would significantly improve the district. “You could do tiny houses on these properties if you had to. You could do duplexes,” he suggested, adding that increasing affordable housing options is another priority.
Reynolds also pledged to support efforts by the Public Service Authority (PSA) to improve water quality on Fairmont Drive, where residents struggle with unsafe drinking water despite using multiple filters. He said residents have been raising concerns since before the COVID-19 pandemic but have been met with inaction. “They get a ‘deaf ear,’” he said he was told.
Following his campaign announcement, Reynolds spoke with County Administrator/General Manager of the PSA Dale Wagoner. Reynolds said he learned that the Public Service Authority (PSA) is awaiting a preliminary engineering report about service to areas that include Fairmont Drive. Once the report is received, officials will determine the project’s cost and put it out for bids.
Reynolds also addressed the status of a solar farm project at the former Bassett Country Club. Noting that while the Board of Zoning Appeals originally approved it, he said recent changes now require approval from the Board of Supervisors. He expressed concern over state efforts to remove permitting authority from local governments, warning that if such efforts succeed, localities will have no control over the placement of solar farms.
He further explained that the solar farm at the former Bassett Country Club was allowed because it was considered a small-scale project, generating less than five megawatts. Under current regulations, any solar project exceeding that threshold must go through the Board of Supervisors for approval.
Since his announcement, Reynolds said he learned that two dilapidated structures on Blackberry Road were set for demolition after being found uninhabitable. One of the buildings has a tree growing through it, while the foundation of the other has rotted. Both are located approximately 1,000 yards from his driveway. He noted that such actions by the county only occur if an adjacent homeowner or the district’s supervisor files a formal complaint. The county does not independently inspect properties to determine if they should be condemned unless prompted by a complaint regarding safety or habitability.
Reynolds said he is opposed to city-county reversion, warning that such a move would result in higher taxes. “It wouldn’t be the right move for the county,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of increasing school funding without diverting money from essential services like law enforcement and public safety.
Reynolds said he has no interest in participating in a debate, but is committed to advocating for positive change, regardless of the election outcome. “I’m not going to trash Jimmy (Adams) on a public forum,” he said, emphasizing that while they may have differing opinions, he respects Adams’ long tenure.
If elected, Reynolds said he would work collaboratively with fellow supervisors to pass measures that benefit the county. He pointed to his leadership role as president of the local Kiwanis Club as evidence of his ability to work with others.
“I’m proud of what I’ve done in the community. I want to do more,” Reynolds said. His campaign, he emphasized, will be focused on “the truth and the facts.”
