Questions answered by Lamar Paris, County Commissioner
Q. We are really confused about the election process this year and simply do not understand when to vote for what?
A. You are certainly not the only one. For two days last week you could go to the courthouse and actually vote in two totally different elections on the same day. How crazy is that and confusing for everyone. Some of the Legislators have stated that they agree with the process used to replace members of Congress in Georgia who leave office prematurely (i.e. Congressman Nathan Deal). However, I could not disagree more.
The cost to local taxpayers and the confusion of our electorate (voting public) has been a travesty. This column is not long enough to explain it, except to say that last week Nathan Deal’s Congressional seat was temporarily filled with Tom Graves, who defeated Lee Hawkins in a runoff in a special election on June 8th. I think less than 10% of the public voted, which is not enough to be a true representation of the electorate.
Q. Since Tom Graves beat Lee Hawkins in the special election runoff, what happens next?
A. Now, Tom Graves will be our Congressman until December 31, 2010. There are still a host of people, including Lee Hawkins, who will be running for this same Congressional seat in the primary election on July 20 (and early voting has already started). So while new Congressman Tom Graves will be our 9th District representative in Washington, D.C. from now until December, how much work do you think he can do for us knowing he has to run an election between now and July 20th? If he had a Democratic opponent, (which he does not) he would also have to campaign all the way until November.
The interesting point in all this is that should Lee Hawkins beat Tom Graves in the primary election on July 20th, (a distinct possibility) then on January 1st, 2011, Lee Hawkins would replace Tom Graves and be our Congressman for the next two years. This process needs to be changed!
Q. Who will be running for office in the July 20th primary besides the Congressional race?
A. It is a very important election in that many state wide offices are up for grabs, including Governor. Also, there are three local School Board and District Attorney elections, as well as local State Representative and Senator that are very important. The list of candidates is too numerous to mention, but the sample ballots have been printed in the North Ga. News and are available on the Secretary of State’s web site and at the courthouse early voting office. Also, most candidates have web sites, so you will just have to educate yourself on who the best candidates are.
Q. Is it normal to have this many people running for statewide offices?
A. I do not recall there ever being so many people running for Georgia public office. I think part of it is that times are hard and many see these state wide and National offices as opportunities for regular pay checks. Many of those that are running have resigned from the Georgia Legislature so they could run for other offices.
Q. Why are so many leaving the Georgia Legislature?
A. While the Legislature carries a pay check, it is only $17,341 a year and requires an enormous amount of time and travel. While it is considered part time and is supposed to be a “citizen Legislature”, unless you have a job and money that allows you to be away from work for three to four months out of the year, plus attending committee hearings throughout the year, it is almost impossible for the average person to afford this position.
Q. I want to vote for a Republican in one race and a Democrat in another race. How is this done?
A. It is not possible in the primary in Georgia to vote for more than one party candidate. You will have to choose whether to ask for a Democratic or Republican ballot when you go to the polls and can only vote on members from one political party. If you know some one running in each race that you want to vote for, you simply have to make a decision as to which one is the most important to you.
This voting system is set up in State law and can only be changed by an act of the Legislature.
Q. When will the Richard Russell Scenic Highway open for traffic?
A. The Richard Russell Scenic Highway, damaged by the winter weather, has been repaired and is now open for traffic.
Q. When will the work begin on the Pat Haralson/Pat Colwell road widening project on Hwy 19/129 N of Blairsville?
A. It has already begun. Please be aware that this is a heavily traveled highway and this project will necessitate traffic tie ups and delays, so please try to be patient and careful over the next several months as work proceeds.