'Experience' vs. 'education' for Dorchester auditor
Dorchester County voters will decide next month who will calculate those dreaded tax bills.
The June 10 GOP primary will determine the election for auditor, because no Democrat is running.
One candidate is stressing her experience, the other his education.
Teresa Smoak Messex, 41, grew up and lives in St. George. She's worked in the auditor's office for 11 years. Her husband, Travis, a Summerville native, works at Giant Cement. She includes her maiden name in honor of her father, the late Joseph Smoak, who retired as head mechanic at Broslin Forest. Her mother, Mary Smoak, was a homemaker.
Messex said tax law is complicated, especially with the recent changes, and it's important to elect an auditor who can hit the ground running.
Her opponent, J.J. Messervy, 27, is a real estate agent in Summerville. He said his bachelor's degree in finance, magna cum laude, gives him the education to get the job done.
He also stressed his heritage of public service. His father, James, was 1st Circuit assistant solicitor. His mother, Linda, a former teacher, was Dorchester County register of mesne conveyance.
Messervy is active in the Republican Party, having served on the county's state executive committee. He's president of the board of directors of the Francis R. Willis Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and treasurer of the Summerville Exchange Club.
Messex was in the news last month when Auditor Brenda Nix suspended her for two weeks without pay. Nix said Messex didn't follow procedure when she told somebody about a mobile home the county was selling instead of advertising it.
Messex said her job was to save the county money, there was no procedure forbidding what she did, and the suspension was politically motivated.
Nix has called for an audit of the auditor's office, which employs a dozen people. Messex said she has nothing to hide.
Messervy declined to comment on the suspension and the audit, saying he preferred to see how it turns out.
J.J. MESSERVY
J.J. Messervy
BIRTHDATE: April 16, 1981.
FAMILY: Wife, Beth.
EDUCATION: University of South Carolina, B.S. in finance and risk management.
OCCUPATION: Real estate agent.
PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: None.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE? "I was raised in an atmosphere of public service and have always looked forward to running for a position where I could apply my background and education for the betterment of Dorchester County. My finance degree is what pushed me toward this particular office."
WHAT'S THE TOUGHEST ISSUE FACING THE COUNTY? "Many would expect the 'growth' response, but I believe our toughest issue is divisiveness. Many of our citizens have lost faith in Dorchester County's ability to unite in an effort to do what's best for the citizens. Elected officials as a whole need to accept responsibility for this and work together with other agencies to restore a common goal of making Dorchester County a great place to work and live."
MORE INFO: vote4jj.com
TERESA SMOAK MESSEX
Teresa Smoak Messex
BIRTHDATE: June 3, 1966.
FAMILY: Husband, Travis.
EDUCATION: St. George High School.
OCCUPATION: Auditor's office administrative assistant.
PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: None.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE? "I have the experience, and feel like I can take off from day one."
WHAT'S THE TOUGHEST ISSUE FACING THE COUNTY? "That's a hard question. There are a lot of issues. You just have to be ready for whatever comes along."
MORE INFO: messex4auditor.com
Reach Dave Munday at 745-5862 or dmunday@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
svilletruthhurts (anonymous) says...
Why didn't Teresa get the tough questions? Are you selectively lowering your friends and your own car taxes? Do you have a criminal record? Why should we trust you when you're the focus of the audit investigation?
May 14, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ginj (anonymous) says...
Early - County Council raised our millage rates to offset their perceived loss of the Schools operating fees, but I'm sure the Auditor at the time advised them.
That move cost me $900. I can only hope when the state starts distributing money to the counties from the 1% sales tax increase, they pay send the money to the property owners to reimburse them for that millage increase.
I can only hope County Council won't stab us in the back again should the new property tax legislation pass the legislature.
Maybe someone from Dorchester County Council would explain the increase in the millage to the people they screwed.
May 14, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
svilletruthhurts (anonymous) says...
The auditor's office, which Messex so proudly touts as being part of, recommended to County Council they jack up property taxes for the very reason that it may be the only year they could've done it. Nice responsible department with taxpayer money -- squeeze the turnip now because next year it won't be there.
May 14, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
This man does not have any Gov accounting experience. He's also part of the problem in Dorchester county. Out of control growth. We don't need anymore Real Estate people in charge serving their own interest.
May 14, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
svilletruthhurts (anonymous) says...
It's better than somebody who is cutting unauthorized tax breaks.
May 14, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ForPnC (anonymous) says...
A Real Estate Agent in charge?
I'm with ya JohnS! Self serving servants are the last thing we need.
May 14, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DorchesterFYI (anonymous) says...
I clicked the comment link in hopes of learning more about this race but surprise, surprise . . . we're back to talking about growth again. While I in no way support unmanaged growth, fanatics that claim every real estate agent, construction worker, architect, planner, developer, etc. are worthless simply because of their profession need to sing a different song.
This position calls for someone educated in budgets, millage, finance, management, and leadership. This race pits an Admin. Assistant with none of those qualities (who is, according to her current employer, suspected of something worthy of an office audit) against a Finance major who, by this report, is actively involved in our community. I can't believe that we are going to rule out what looks to be a quality candidate simply b/c he currently sells real estate. If elected, he will no longer be a real estate agent. Can't we limit this never ending growth discussion to those positions that actually have some control over it - like Council? Really, I want to side with you on the growth issue and usually agree with the majority of your posts but you are becoming too fanatical for the taste of those who don't eat, drink, and sleep local politics.
May 14, 2008 at 10:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
FYI:
Ask the comuters sitting in a traffic line at Bacons Bridge if they are happy with this out of control growth caused by realestate people pushing houses like they were cars. Since this person is not required to give up his realestate business he will be in a prime position to get good deals for himself and friends.
We had this same problem with Sheldon Parker years ago. Mr. Parker quickly owned over two million dollars worth of property. This was twenty years ago. He did this all on his at the time $38,000.00 a year county pay as an elected offical. No more self serving officals.
May 15, 2008 at 12:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katrenavantassle (anonymous) says...
I am with you John S. Why would he need two careers? Seems to me that he has some kind of reasoning behind getting in politics that would be at the most self gain.I have lived in Dorchester County for 30 yrs and this new "growth" has made living here a pure mess. I sit in traffic for over an hour each morning and evening and I notice license plates from all over the USA. I really just wish these people would all go back to where they came from!!!
May 15, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
svilletruthhurts (anonymous) says...
If you would bother to get involved, you would know this -- JJ has said he would give up his real estate license if elected. But, you probably are just another cronie of the failed county bureaucratic system who wants to keep the same good ole boy system in power in Teresa Messex that has dominated Dorchester County for too long. Your scared of a real businessman with solutions from running a county department efficiently.
May 15, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
myheartwillgoon (anonymous) says...
The truth does hurt. We need JJ Messervy. My vote is for him. He needs to clean up a broken department. Johnette Connelley left it in despair.
May 15, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goldeneagle851 (anonymous) says...
I went to a community meeting at Legend Oaks to listen to the canidates. Ms messex when asked what she does in office said she was over the delinquent mobile home taxes. When asked what would her duties be if elected, her answer was I would be over everything. some answer. wE NEED SOMEBODY WITH MORE THAN A GED HANDLING OUR TAX BASE AND A PERSON WITH AN MBA AND A MAGNA CUM LAUDE GRADUATE SOUNDS A LOT BETTER. Plus he isnt under investigation. He also is planning to retire his real estate license if elected.
May 16, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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