Lawmakers in self-isolation are taking it one step at a time
Featured, Politics March 19, 2020Two 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
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.
“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
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.
Kemp defeats Cagle for Republican nomination
Election, Election 2018 July 24, 2018Blue Ridge, Ga. – After a heated runoff race, the results are in and Georgia’s Secretary of State Brian Kemp has beat out opponent Lt. Governor Casey Cagle for the Republican nomination.
What was polled as a tight race between the two candidates ended up being what some would consider a landslide victory for Kemp. Kemp received 69.46 percent of the vote statewide with Cagle pulling in 30.54 percent.
Kemp will now face the Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams for the seat of Georgia Governor.
Abrams and Kemp are not strangers, as they have gone head to head over election issues while Kemp has served as Secretary of State.
“All of these liberal groups that are going to be in play in Georgia supporting her (Abrams), I’ve fought,” Kemp said about his past experiences with Abrams.
Citing that he has already faced George Soros, Eric Holder, Thomas Perez, Common Cause Georgia and New Georgia Project, Kemp is confident that he can beat them again.
Kemp explained where some of these groups came into conflict with the Secretary of State office, “They sued us and several counties saying that we weren’t registering voters, 10 different counts. Then they wanted us to settle. I wouldn’t do it. I made them go to court and we won all 10 cases.”
“I know what’s coming,” Kemp said about his preparation for proceeding in the gubernatorial race. “I know how to fight.”
Margaret Williamson to challenge David Ralston in Republican Primary
Featured, Politics January 16, 2018
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – The 2018 election is already starting to take shape as challengers emerge announcing bids for candidacy against well-known incumbents. The most recent of these announcements comes from Margaret Williamson who intends to face off against Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives David Ralston.
Ralston was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002 and represents House District 7, which includes Fannin County, Gilmer County and a portion of Dawson County. Ralston is the 73rd Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2010.
Williamson, who resides in Ellijay, made a statement discussing her decision to run:
“For many years I have been involved in political campaigns, on local, state, and national levels. I have actively participated in legislative issues, in support of or in opposition to, learning all the way. Now I intend to use this experience and acquired knowledge to enter into the process as a candidate.”
Already having begun the process of running for the House District 7 seat in the Georgia House of Representatives, Williamson acknowledged in her statement that she has mailed the “Declaration to Accept Campaign Contributions” form to the Georgia State Transparency & Campaign Finance Committee.
After approval of this form, Williamson’s next step will be to complete the qualifying process held in March of this year. The qualifying will officially make Williamson a candidate in the Republican Primary for Georgia State House Representative, District 7.
Williamson concluded her statement by announcing that she is in the process of creating a Facebook page which will contain her position on various issues.
“This decision is the culmination of months of debate and prayer. Please continue praying for both John and me,” Williamson said. “This is an exciting time for me.”
A General Primary Election for both Republicans and Democrats will take place on May 22, 2018. Voter registration deadline for the Primary Election is April 23.
Winners of the primaries will face off in the General Election to held on Nov. 6, 2018.
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Sam Snider Officially Announcing Candidacy for District 7 State House of Representatives
Election, Politics February 17, 2016 I, Sam Snider, am officially announcing my candidacy for the District 7 State House of Representatives. I am grateful for the support I received during the 2014 election and I am looking forward to serving our community as their representative. After 30 years in education, I retired from teaching full time. I am concerned by the increase in taxes during the 2015 session as well as the fact that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act has yet to be passed. We also have a ways to go in protecting our second amendment rights with a clear constitutional carry bill. Promises of reducing taxes were not kept. As a former teacher, I am concerned that changes to teacher pay will be enacted upon in the next non-election year. Merit pay was set aside for this session. In my opinion, we need input from teachers more than ever. I hope to earn your vote on May 24th in the republican primary.
Coach Sam Snider