Candidate Forum - June 22, 2010

Gwinnett GOP and GGRW
Candidate Forum
June 22, 2010
Collins Hill High School Theater
7:30 p.m.

Also, View June 24 "Meet the Candidate" event
Gwinnett GOP and Greater Gwinnett GOP Women Co-Sponsor
Candidates Forum - Read press release
www.GwinnettGOP.org and www.GGRW.org

Thanks to Seth Weathers, President of Gwinnett Broadcasting Company, for taping highlights of this event

View scenes from
GBC News:
Gwinnett GOP Forum 5/22/2010
Watch Now

Also, view June 24, 2010 "Meet the Candidates"

Above: On behalf of the Gwinnett Republican Party, Brandon Doty welcomes candidates and spectators to the Candidate Forum. Peg Murray, President of the Greater Gwinnett Republican Women, thanks everyone for attending the event and explains the format for the evening.

Click thumbnail photos
to enlarge

Panelists for the evening who submitted questions to all candidates:
Martha Zoller, Radio and TV talk show host; David Wickert, AJC Gwinnett Reporter; Seth Weathers, President of Gwinnett Broadcasting Company; and B.J Van Gundy, Second Vice Chair of the State Republican Party.

District Two County Commissioner:
Candidates: L to R -- Lynette Howard, Jose Perez, and Keith Shewbert

Some questions for District 2 Candidates
1. B.J. VanGundy. What is the main issue coming from district 2 which is the oldest and most diverse district in Gwinnett?
2. Seth Weathers: What about the budget? What departments need more money?
All candidates say that public safety, gangs and drugs are the biggest problems.
3. Martha Zoller. Do you feel confident that other areas in the district are as lean as possible?

Keith Shewbert: We should have smaller government and spend less of taxpayers money. Cuts needed. Lynette Howard: Bring more business into empty shopping centers. Jose Perez says that we can be a benchmark for having the best schools and chamber of commerce in the state.

Learn more about the candidates on their websites:
Lynnette Howard Facebook http://electlynette.com/?p=1
Jose Perez Facebook www.perezforcommissioner.com/
Keith Shewbert Facebook http://keithshewbert.com/?p=29

District Four County Commissioner:

Candidates , L to R: Tommy Hunter, Ron Silver, Gerald Cagle,
Tim Sullivan, John Heard
click thumbnail photos to enlarge

Major question: How do you feel about privatizing the airport? Tommy Hunter and all candidates said they were against this for various reasons. Voters in the area are against it.

Question: What is unique about District 4?
Tim Sullivan says we must be more intelligent about businesses we attract. Gerald Cagle says it is best to look at the tax structure-- which should have been looked at 30 years ago.
Ron Silver pointed out that the 4th District is not as fully developed as other districts and needs more development.

Questions: Experience -- What sets you apart from your opponents? Each candidate stated their unique experience and backgrounds. Read more about this on their websites:
www.tommyhunter2010.com/ - www.electsilver.com/ - www.geraldcagle.com/ -
Tim Sullivan www.electsully.com/ - www.johnheard.org/ John Heard emphasized his many years of experience in the GA House.

House Seat 101: Candidates Buzz Brockway, Jesse Jones

Question: Why are you the most qualified to serve in this office?

Buzz Brockway: He has lived here since he was nine years old, went to GA Tech and now runs his own business. He served as Chairman of the Gwinnett GOP and worked for many years to get good Republican candidates elected to office. His first presidential vote was for Ronald Reagan. When asked, Brockway said that he would vote to overturn the veto of the Zero Based Budget. On Education budget, Brockway said that moneys should be focused on classrooms -- not on administration and unnecessary expenses. He favors shining light on poor spending procedures. Age 43 Website www.vote4buzz.com

Jesse Jones: He stated that he has fresh ideas and is not a part of the party -- not a member of the party. He went to Gainesville College and Gwinnett Tech and favors change in the process. . When asked by B.J. Van Gundy if he signed the loyalty oath to the Republican Party, Jones said "Yes." He said he would listen to both parties and decide which is best. Jones favors keeping legislature honest about why they are proposing any expenditures. He stated that he spent only his own money on this campaign -- $710. Age 27 Website www.jessejones2010.com/

House Seat 102:
Candidates B. J. Pak, Steve Allen, Keith Royal
(Linda Carsten did not appear)

Question: What drove you into this arena?
Keith Royal: Common sense needs to come back to the legislature. B. J. Pak: We need more ethics reform

Question: What is the role of state government in immigration reform?
B. J. Pak: To reform immigration laws. We need to wait and see if the Arizona Law passes muster.

Keith Royal: Real problem in our district. It is changing in Lilburn where 60 languages are being spoken. Kids must have proof of citizenship. Common sense must apply.

Steve Allen: Need to pass legislation that controls illegals. The 287G program in Gwinnett has been very effective and needs more enforcement.

Question: What are your constituents telling you are their concerns?
Steve Allen: Are you going to do what you say you will do during the campaign?
B. J. Pak: (an attorney) Economy is primary concern. We need to revamp the tax code.

Visit their websites to learn more about the candidates:
www.bjpak.com - www.electkeithroyal.com -

House Seat 106: Candidates Brett Harrell and Warren Auld

Question: Why are you the most qualified for this office?

Warren Auld: Business owner and attorney who makes a payroll. Has served on city council . Believes in smaller government.

Brett Harrell: UGA Graduate with a business degree, printer. Works for garbage company and one term as Mayor of Snellville. He can work with diverse groups.

Question: What would you to turn around the economy?
Warren Auld: Business is the economic engine of government which can turn the economy around.

When questioned about views on education, Warren Auld said there is no correlation between spending and success in education. Gwinnett is wrong in opposing charter schools. Competition will improve education Brett Harrell said that we should establish core standards in civics, math, science, etc. Must find a way to reward innovative teachers.

Questions: What would be the first thing you do when you take office?
Brett Harrell: Budget will continue to be the hot topic. Must work with diverse groups.

Warren Auld: Budget is the elephant in the room. He would work for zero bas budgeting. Return trust to citizens. Stand beside Arizona. Those here illegally are trespassers.

Learn more about the candidate by visiting their websites: www.warrenauld.com --
www.voteharrell.com

Some of the many
signs of the times!

Left: Sara Snyder of GGRW assists Peg Murray in procedures for the event.
Right: Martha Zoller of radio fame asks some excellent questions.

Also, view June 24, 2010 "Meet the Candidates"

Press Release:
Gwinnett GOP and Greater Gwinnett GOP Women to Co-Sponsor
Candidates Forum
www.GwinnettGOP.org and www.GGRW.org

The Gwinnett GOP Executive Committee and the Greater Gwinnett Republican Women have joined forces and will co-sponsor a candidate forum for some of the contested Republican races that affect Gwinnett County Voters.

According to Peg Murray, GGRW President, “We wanted to provide the voters with an opportunity to see and hear from prospective candidates, to help them make an informed decision at the polls.” And GOP Executive Committee member, Chet Hale said, “We are scheduling the event close to the primaries, so the information they receive will be current.”

The forum will take place on June 22 in the Theater of Collins Hill High School at 7:30 pm

The candidates will be questioned by a panel of local media personalities including Martha Zoller, Radio and TV talk show host; David Wickert, AJC Gwinnett Reporter; Seth Weathers, President of Gwinnett Broadcasting Company; and BJ Van Gundy, Second Vice Chair of the State Republican Party.

The offices and candidates who will be featured include:

District Two County Commissioner: Candidates Lynette Howard, Jose Perez, and Keith Shewbert

District Four County Commissioner: Candidates John Heard, Tommy Hunter, Ron Silver, Tim Sullivan and Gerald Cagle

House Seat 101: Candidates Buzz Brockway, Jesse Jones

House Seat 102: Candidates Linda Carsten, Steve Allen, Keith Royal and B.J. Pak

House Seat 106: Candidates Brett Harrell and Warren Auld

Scheduling conflicts prevented candidates in other contested races from appearing. For further inquiries call Peg Murray at 770-962-9540.

Remember to vote early or vote in the Primary on July 20, 2010
Primary Runoffs -- August 10
General election -- November 2 -- Runoff -- November 30

Web page by Bettye Chambers
GGRW Webmaster