Wednesday, May 8, 2002
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Wednesday, May 8, 2002 |
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Local candidates announced at GOP breakfast
State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh, Rep. John Yates and Rep. John Lunsford gave Fayette County Republicans an update on redistricting and an overview of upcoming election issues at the First Saturday Breakfast last weekend. Yates, now in the 106th District, and Lunsford, in the 109th, will be running this year for Post 1 and Post 2 of the new 85th District, which encompasses parts or all of Spalding, Henry, Butts, Fayette and other counties. The newly created district will be more than double the size of any of the districts in which the representatives currently serve. Yates lives in Spalding County, Lunsford in Henry County. The district includes Rep. Kathy Cox's district, as Cox is running for state school superintendent. Lunsford noted that when asked about the increased district size by a Democratic representative, he said it was a compliment that they thought the Republicans could handle the size. He discussed the upcoming election, the budget, and the need for a two-party state government. Yates and Lunsford decried the lack of "community of interest" created by the districts that snaked across numerous counties. According to Lunsford, the posts for those running in the new 85th District will be assigned on an alternating basis by the registrar and candidates will not be able to choose which post they would like to run for. To ensure that he and Yates will not face each other, they intend to register together. The representatives discussed the ongoing fight to toss out the new district maps, noting that "taxpayers are paying for Gov. Barnes to fight for the maps, Republicans are paying out of their own pocket to fight against the maps." They vowed the fight would go "all the way to the Supreme Court." Lunsford stated, "The governor knows the districts are unconstitutional." Lee Wright of Tyrone announced he would be running for Board of Education post being vacated by Mickey Littlefield. Wright has two children Tyler, 12, and Blake, 10 currently attending school in Fayette County. His wife, Delores, is a fourth-grade teacher at Tyrone Elementary. Wright served two years on the Tyrone Planning Commission. Regarding his tenure on the commission he said, "It was my first venture into public service. It wasn't always easy, but it was very rewarding." He is running for office "to ensure the momentum continues in maintaining the excellence and consistency in the education of Fayette County students." Noting that he and his family moved to the county for "the school system, the family atmosphere and the strong community," he said the school system is "one of the top strengths of Fayette County." He voiced concern regarding the impact growth has on the schools, saying, "It is a challenge to balance and prepare the school system for growth." He stressed the need to work closely with the county and cities and to "stay abreast of what's happening in the community." Wright holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Georgia State. He is a general manager and controller for Delta Global Systems. He worked in banking prior to moving to Delta 11 years ago. The Wright family has lived in Tyrone for 5 years. Caroline Smith also announced she would be running for County Commission Post 4, currently held by Vice Chairman Linda Wells. Smith recently retired from the Brooks City Council. She stated she had intended to announce at Brooks Day, but she chose to announce early due to the number of attendees at the First Saturday Breakfast. Emory Wilkerson, who will be running in District 34, said he would officially announce his intentions May 21 at the Hollingsworth House in Fayetteville. The announcement party, which is open to the public, will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. Other upcoming Republican Party events include a "meet and greet" with Sonny Perdue at the new Fayette County headquarters, 125 Commerce Drive, Suite I in Fayetteville (behind Hooters). Perdue will be at the headquarters beginning at 10:30 May 11. The three Republican candidates for governor, Byrne, Perdue and Schrenko, will take part in a debate at the Gathering Place in Peachtree City May 18. The debate is sponsored by the Coweta and Fayette County Republican Parties and will begin at 8:30 a.m. On the evening of May 18 the Fayette County Republican Party will host a roast of Rep. Lynn Westmoreland. For details regarding the roast, call Bill Bonner at 770-460-7093. Byrne and Georgia Republican Party Chairman Ralph Reed will be the guest speakers at the 1st Saturday Breakfast scheduled for June 1. A grand opening for the new headquarters will be held immediately after the breakfast. The Republican First Saturday Breakfast is open to the public and is held the first Saturday of every month at the International House of Pancakes in Fayetteville. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. For more information contact Chasity Mundy at 770-487-3919 or chasitymundy@fayettecountygop.org.
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