By Patti Dozier

patti.dozier@gaflnews.com



THOMASVILLE — A Tuesday Times-Enterprise-sponsored debate among three people vying for the District 173 state House seat left no doubt about a conservative field of Republican candidates.

Candidate Heath Abbott is tired of elected officials who will not answer questions, while Darlene Taylor is pro-business, pro-life and a proponent of small government. Ryan Lee is opposed to laws “that make no sense.”

Abbott said principles and values will dictate her service and decisions. Taylor and Lee pointed out their business experience.

“I think you need someone with some rubber off their tires,” said Taylor, adding that she spent six months in a wheelchair.

Said Lee, a combat veteran, “I’m a parent, so I can pretty much handle anything.”

Candidates agreed Republican leadership in the Georgia Legislature is performing poorly.

The candidates voiced a resounding no to Gov. Sonny Perdue’s concept about appointing agriculture, labor and insurance commissioners and the state school superintendent.

Taylor said she is embarrassed by the governor’s suggestion. Lee would rather have an ag commissioner who thinks peanuts grow on trees rather one beholding to the governor. Abbott is adamantly opposed to the idea.

Abbott and Taylor believe local control and local management of school systems would raise the achievement rate of students.

“Local control, that’s what we need to look at. That’s what we need to listen to,” Abbott said.

Parent involvement also is needed, Lee said, and parents must realize school is not an eight-hour-a-day babysitter.

On the question of salary versus merit pay for teachers, candidates voiced concern about funding sources.

Debate moderator Jeff Lovett asked candidates what they would do to help balance the state budget in today’s tough economic climate.

Lee said slashing services is the only thing left to do. Abbott agreed.

Abbott would like to see more money go toward education and less to the state prison system. She would request an explanation of line-item state spending and question whether expenditures are necessary.

Taylor would bring about a bill to require every state department to justify its existence.

“Absolutely not,” was Abbott’s response when Lovett asked candidates if they would support a tax increase. “We’re done. We cannot afford any more taxes.” said Abbott.

Taylor explained that she could not say she would oppose a tax increase. “I don’t know until I get up there,” she explained.

According to Lee, raising taxes does not work. People leave for states where the tax structure is not so costly, he said.

Candidates would not welcome the president’s proposed health care plan in Georgia.

“The state of Georgia must fight it,” Taylor said, adding that the plan is detrimental to Georgians.

Georgia law says no one has to participate in a health care program, Lee explained. “But you better get ready for some real hard times when we do that,” he added.

The U.S. Constitution does not mandate federal health care,” Abbott said. “This is not about health care. It is about government control of our lives,” the candidate said.

Lovett’s last question was how candidates, if elected, would manage their livelihoods while serving District 173.

A representative for a pharmaceutical company, Abbott said her employer is aware of her candidacy and the possibility she could be victorious. Abbott said she also holds a real estate license and might return to that field.

Taylor, who owns a Thomasville company, said her son has been groomed to take over the business.

Lee, who owns a Cairo business, said legislative duties would not conflict with his livelihood.By Patti Dozier

patti.dozier@gaflnews.com