Najor kicks off bid for commission

Lew Najor is seeking the Republican nomination for the District 2 seat on the Escambia County (Ala.) Commission in the March 5 Primary election, citing his years of experience in the contracting industry as the key to his reason for election.

Najor will face incumbent Commissioner Raymond Wiggins in the primary and there is no Democratic opposition in the Nov. 5 General Election.

"I want to pave roads and minimize road maintenance," Najor said.

He said the art of using a motor grader to maintain dirt roads is a dying breed and the people of District 2 and across Escambia County deserve good roads to travel on.

Najor, 54, was born in Greenville and has been a Brewton resident since 1981. He said his grandparents owned the original Oaks Cafe and he has been tied to Brewton and the surrounding areas his entire life.

A 1987 graduate of T.R. Miller High School, Najor attended then Jefferson Davis Jr. College on a golf scholarship and then attended Auburn University. He entered the construction business and owned the second Oaks Cafe for 10 years.

Najor said a few years ago he started thinking about running for county commissioner and said the county needs to work smarter, not harder, noting the county has lost opportunities.

He said his background in construction makes him qualified and he feels there is a time for a change from someone who has been in that position for the past 16 years.

"It's time for a change," Najor said. "I'm looking to occupy that job to bring change and not simply occupying a seat at the table."

He said while the county has gotten away from 'road commissioners' serving on the commission, he said the buck stops at that position in terms of the people in his district.

"Death and taxes are the only things we are guaranteed," Najor said. "Some people don't know who their county commissioner is but they have to pay taxes and those in charge of those tax dollars need to be held accountable."

Najor said his background as a contractor gives him the ability to make sure road maintenance is done right, noting that the county has been lacking.

He proposes using contractors to pave roads, stating it will cost the county a little bit more up front but will save the county and taxpayers money in the long run.

"I know how to talk the language and get things done," Najor said.

Najor also noted he is a voter in the district and has been asked if Wiggins actually lives in District 2.

"He lives in Covington County and he needs to answer that," Najor said.

He also questioned the firing of County Engineer Bill Bridges who received a merit raise by the commission, only to be terminated 12 weeks later.

"I want accountability," Najor said. "He (Wiggins) doesn't reside in a house in District 2 and lives in Covington County. He needs to acknowledge his residency and he needs to address it."

Najor said his background in construction is well suited for being a commissioner, noting politics need to take a back seat to what is best for the people in the district and the county.

He also added that he feels the county has not received its fair share in grant funds from the federal and state level and added he has worked on getting grants though the yeas.

"I've been an employee and an employer," Najor said. "I understand working for other people and the people of the district and the county need somebody to stand up for them."