White County Executive Q6 Candidate Responses

The Main Street Journal – Sparta has been listening to the community. Over the past several weeks, readers have submitted questions they want answered ahead of the 2026 election—and we’ve taken those directly to your County Executive candidates.

Here is your sixth question, and answers from those candidates who chose to respond.

There is a feeling of distrust and lack of transparency towards White County government. What will you do to win back this trust?

DENNY WAYNE ROBINSON: Since first being elected, I have made transparency and accessibility a priority. I believe public trust is built through open communication and consistency, and I strive to be accessible to citizens through an open-door policy and direct engagement.

White County works to share information through multiple platforms, including our county website and social media, so residents can stay informed about county business. We also live stream and archive public meetings so citizens can watch in real time or at their convenience.

Trust is earned by being open, responsive, and accountable. I remain committed to communicating clearly with the public, making county government accessible, and ensuring the people of White County have the information they need to stay engaged in their local government

KYLE GOFF: There is a real and understandable feeling of distrust and lack of transparency toward White County government. Trust arrives on foot and leaves on horseback. We have seen how quickly it can be lost. That means we must be intentional and disciplined in how we rebuild it.

Trust has to be earned and it is earned through consistent action over time. Trust is the coin of the realm in leadership. Trust is the combination of character and competence. Our citizens must not only believe that their leaders have good intentions, but also that they are delivering results. I believe trustworthiness is entirely within our control. It is not something we demand from others, it is something we demonstrate and government must take the first step and prove why we are worthy of the public’s trust.

Rebuilding that trust starts with transparency. The people of White County deserve clarity in decision-making, open communication, and honest explanation. It also requires consistency. Trust is built when the risk is low, so that it can be relied upon when the stakes are high. That means doing the small things right every day, following through on commitments, communicating clearly, operating with integrity, listening, engaging, and valuing input

Not only trust with the public, but from the executives office to the subsidiary county departments, the city government, and the county commission. Trust reduces friction, lowers costs, and increases the speed at which government can serve its people because departments will be collaborating, resources will pull together and decisions will be made faster.

PENNY WHALEY: Transparency needs to be gained by the citizens by holding every aspect of government to be open and honest with the citizens of White County when decision making is utilized. The citizens of White County opinions should be taken into consideration when making decision for spending their hard-earned tax dollars. Open access to spending and budget should be made readily available to the public through online portals and digital dashboards to ensure citizens can easily find information on White County government.

JOE HALLUMS: Many White County residents are unclear how the county tax revenue is being spent. This lack of information and understanding results in concerns for trust in leadership. I will encourage and lead the County Commission to schedule regular town hall meetings in their respective districts to engage more within the community. In my experience, people will engage in these smaller meeting settings verses the larger assemblies. I will participate and share information and updates on current business pending resolution. Also, document the residents’ concerns and follow up with answers and /or solutions in a timely manner.

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