Heidi Becker has announced her candidacy for state House of Representative District 72.

Becker is committed to running a grass-roots campaign and feels strongly that Fayette County needs a representative who is accessible to all. She says, “I have no special interest groups behind me, I have no big axe to grind, only a passion to keep Fayette County the best place possible to live and raise a family.”

Becker explains, “My goal is to use my experience in government, as a business owner, and as an involved parent to represent the people in House District 72. I already have a working relationship with city and county officials and will support them in their efforts to uphold the Fayette County Land Use Plan that addresses the growth of Fayette County.

“With growth, comes an increase in crime. I am proud of the great job the local law enforcement agencies are doing in catching Internet child predators and I want to help see that they have all they need to continue to prosecute and incarcerate these and other criminals.

“I am ready to go to bat for the youth of Fayette County! I have attended the Fayette County Meth Task Force meetings and was alarmed at how prevalent and accessible this and other drugs are to our youth. I want to keep Fayette County a safe place for our kids.”

Other issues of concern to Becker:

District Voting: “I am against county district voting. I believe the current system is working quite well and provides for fair representation to all citizens.”

Tax reform: “I am for looking at alternatives for tax reform but I am against House Resolution 900. We need to keep control on the local level and not have state officials who may live in other counties deciding the amount of tax dollars Fayette County is allotted.”

PSC Plant:” I believe the plant needs to be heavily monitored and that the Phillips Service Corporation should be held accountable for those who have suffered illnesses and loss. I have attended task force meetings and most recently the Senate Oversight hearing on this issue. I have spoken with people whose lives have been negatively impacted by the disregard and carelessness of the PSC plant. Our citizens should not have to worry another day about whether or not a repeat incident will occur that will emit toxic chemicals into our air.”

Education: “I have two children in the Fayette County schools, a daughter who is 10 and a son 13. I have spent hours in their classrooms and have observed first-hand the quality of our education system and the difference our teachers, principals, coaches and counselors are making in our children’s lives. I will support Fayette County schools in every way needed to insure our children continue to get the best education possible.”

Water and Transportation: “We need good long-range plans for water and transportation. I will work hard with city, county and state officials to come up with the best solutions.”

Right to Choose: “I am pro-life and believe adoption is a wonderful alternative.”

Becker has turned her love for volunteerism into a successful business. She is president of Heidi Becker and Associates Public Relations, a firm specializing in community development for nonprofit organizations, specifically those who assist abandoned and abused children, the elderly and women. Becker is a member of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Legislative Action Committee which monitors current legislative issues that affect Fayette County.

A resident of Fayette County for almost 10 years, Becker is known for working at all levels in the community.

She is chair of the Public Defender Selection Committee that serves the Griffin Judicial District and sits on the Board of Fayette FACTOR, a collaborative group that addresses the needs of the community.

She is a member of the Peachtree City Rotary Club and has been a big sister in the Big Brother Big Sister program, PTO member and room mom. She and her family are members of Peachtree City United Methodist Church where she has taught Sunday school to second and third graders.

She has served as Vice President of the board of Promise Place, the Council on Domestic Violence that serves Fayette County. “I had the honor of working together with Representative Dan Lakly and the Fayette delegation on the opening of a new emergency shelter. I called Dan to ask his support and he was immediately and enthusiastically on board. I always admired Dan for his steadfast commitment to serving our county and I am sorry that this special election is necessary,” Becker said.

Becker has been involved in state and local government from a young age. While living in her home state of Arkansas, she studied political science at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, worked at the State Department of Labor as an investigator for child labor violations, at the state Capitol as administrative aide to the Secretary of State and in the judicial system as intake officer for the juvenile/mental health judge.

In closing Becker states, “If elected, this position will not be a stepping stone for me. I am fully committed to Fayette County. My goal is to keep Fayette County at the top of “The Best” lists ... best place to live, best place to raise a family, best place to educate our children and the best place to retire. I hope the voters will give me that chance on Dec. 18.

“I believe elected officials should be accessible and ready to listen to those they serve. I am interested in hearing what issues are important to the voters and invite them to call me at 770-846-8659 or email me at heidibecker3@aol.com.

Heidi Becker

Fayetteville, Ga.