Loeffler speaks to crowd at Dalton brewery
News, Politics August 31, 2020
Photo by Susan Kirkland
Senator Kelly Loeffler spoke at Cherokee Brewing and Pizza in Dalton.
Kelly Loeffler, U.S. senate candidate, made a stop in Dalton today, as part of her state tour during the recess. She stressed that voters needed someone who was not a politician to work for them. She faces U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, also a Republican in November. Loeffler was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill the unexpired term of U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson.
Making appearances were fellow Republicans Ga. Rep. Steve Tarvin, Ga. Sen. Chuck Payne and candidate Marjorie Taylor Green, who will be on the ballot in November against Democrat Kevin Van Ausdal for theGeorgia 14th Congressional District.
“You don’t have to be in Washington for years to get things done,”Loeffler told the crowd at Cherokee Brewing and Pizza in Dalton, “We don’t owe anyone (in Washington) anything. We need outsiders who aren’t intimidated by career politicians.”
It was a sentiment expressed by many, including the owner of the brewery.
WATCH VIDEO OF LOEFFLER'S SPEECH
“We’re tired of putting politicians in Washington, it’s time we put people who’ve made it on their own,” said Chris Carpenter, owner of Cherokee Brewing and Pizza.
She cited her list of accomplishments in the eight months she’d been in Washington
Loeffler pointed out that she has been and will continue to be President Trump’s supporter and spoke out against what she called a “sham” impeachment.
Marjorie Greene, who is running for the Georgia 14th Congressional seat, turned out to see fellow business-owner-turned-politician, Kelly Loeffler Monday.
Legislation she has introduced or supported included sanctity of life legislation, the Gun Owners Privacy Act, which would eliminate the federal government’s ability to create a gun registry, legislation to defund sanctuary cities and cities that defund their police department, and Beat China Act to offer incentives for companies to bring manufacturing jobs back to America.
CHECK BACK LATER FOR A VIDEO OF HER SPEECH
She said China took American jobs and those jobs needed to come back.
“If it’s going to be America first, it has to be American made,” she told the cheering crowd.
Nancy Burton, Chairman of the Republican Party of Walker County, said she tries to Kelly Loefflerr anytime she stops within 200-miles of Walker County.
Currently, her staff is investigating whether Planned Parenthood received money through the CARES Act, which provided money for states to off-set the expenses related to the pandemic.
She also praised the First Amendment. “Thank God we have freedom of expression,” she said. “I will never stop speaking out for our conservative values,” she said, adding that people have told her she should lose her seat and her business for not supporting Black Lives Matter
“There is no place for racism in our great nation, it has to be found and
Voters turned out en masse to hear Kelly Loeffler speak about putting America first and protecting the Constitution.
rooted out, but BLM isn’t doing that,” she continued. “Why are we supporting an organization that promotes violence, defunding police, and anti-Semitism?”
Nancy Burton, Chairman of the Republican Party of Walker County, said she drove from her home on Lookout Mountain to see Loeffler speak.
“I love Kelly and anytime she’s within 200 miles, I try to see her,” said Burton, adding she’ll make the drive, see the speech, then visit friends or family members in the area. She plans to drive to Carrolton on Wednesday, to see Loeffler and visit her grandchildren.
Lawmakers in self-isolation are taking it one step at a time
Featured, Politics March 19, 2020
Two local lawmakers encouraged to take it one step at a time amid self-isolation after one lawmaker tested positive for COVID-19, prompting 236 lawmakers and their staff to go into self-isolation for 14 days.
Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta received a positive test, after turning up for Monday’s special session. The special session was to pass a
Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) tested positive for COVID-19, prompting all of Georgia’s lawmakers to go into self-isolation.
joint resolution agreeing with Governor Brian Kemp’s emergency declaration. Now, all 236 law makers and their staff have been told to self-isolate 14 days. To read the memo posted to by the Georgia House of Representatives, go here.
For Sen. Chuck Payne, R-Dalton said he is taking each day as it comes.
“We just roll with it,” he said, adding he considers himself fortunate that his children are grown and on their own.
“There are some who still have small children at home and their situation is different,” he said.
One of those with small children is Rep. Kevin Cooke, R-Carrollton. Cooke and his wife, Crystal, have two daughters, Ella, 8 and Sadie, 6. Cooke said he feels great and has no symptoms, but is taking the isolation seriously.
Cooke said it’s been tough in that his girls are used to giving him hugs and climbing up in his lap while he sits in the recliner and now there is no contact.
Sen. Kevin Cooke (R-Carrollton) said he hopes people will continue to shop online at small, local businesses. He is currently feeling fine but in self-isolation after being exposed to COVID-19 in legislation.
“They ask ‘when will I be able to give you a hug again?’ It’s difficult,” said Cooke. “I hate it.”
While Payne isn’t facing those kind of questions, he did say his family decided not to have a birthday celebration for their first grandchild, who will turn one later this month.
“We have to take the good with the bad,” he said “We just need to keep moving in the right direction until we get were we need to be.”
Reassuring the public
Both have given Governor Brian Kemp a voice of support and praise in the state’s handling of the Corona virus pandemic.
“It’s unprecedented and we’ve never seen this situation before,” said Cooke. “I commend our President (Donald Trump) and in particular our governor for keeping Georgia and it’s residents safe while at the same time maintain freedom and liberty of the individual.”
Payne agreed. “It’s amazing how the state and local government and everyone is
Rep. Chuck Payne (R-Dalton) holds his first grandson, Jonah, during session, last year. He said while they will not celebrate the baby’s first birthday, he is feeling confident that Georgia is headed in the right direction with COVID-19.
operating on the fly. It’s brand new to us. No one has been through it but we’re working together.”
“The action (Kemp) and the legislature is taking is helping slow down the curve. It’s been dramatic,” said Cooke.
Payne said the private sector is also taking the initiative to keep their employees and the public safe.
“People have taken action on their own so we don’t have to step in,” said Payne. “They are doing that for themselves.”
Cooke said officials are working to find a balance and try to curb panic.
“There is a lot of misinformation,” said Payne.
Impact on business
Both lawmakers stressed the importance of continuing to shop, online, especially with the smaller, local businesses.
“Small businesses are being hit the hardest,” said Cooke, encouraging people to order online.
Keeping the faith
Payne said history has been a great benefactor in this situation.
“We can look back and see why the Greatest Generation was called that. They were just coming out of a tremendous financial depression when they were hit with a massive war, but they never asked what was in it for them. That’s what made them great and that’s what we can do. We can serve others and become good neighbors again,” said Payne.
“When the President Trump called for a day of prayer for our nation, I thought it was a great step. That’s the best step moving forward, asking the almighty God to watch over our state and country,” said Cooke.
Payne likens the pandemic and the new restrictions to the 25-mile road marches he would do four times a year while serving with the 82nd Airborne.
“We’d parachute in, grab our gear and guns and march 25-miles back,” he recalled. “The first 15-miles were easy. We’d talk and joke around, keeping our eyes on the horizon.
“After that, it would get quiet and the last five miles were the hardest. We’d have quarter-size blisters on our feet and no one would look at the horizon. They were focusing on the ground in front of them, the next three feet.
“That’s what we have to do, focus on the next three feet on what we can control and trust God with the rest of it. We’ll get there.”
Read about Trumps COVID-19 guidelines, here.
See how local small businesses are supporting each other. Read our coverage here.