Jenkins, Wheeler answer questions
By JARED PUTNAM

State Rep. Charles Jenkins.

Georgia State Representative Charles Jenkins and his challenger, Frank Wheeler, recently spoke at a dinner put on by The Conservative Country Coalition. The two candidates, who both seek to represent the 8th District, had the opportunity to let voters get to know them a little better, while also discussing the campaign issues that matter the most to them. While the event was not a debate, the audience did have the opportunity to ask questions.

Wheeler, who resides in Rabun County, took the podium first, talking about issues such as education funding. He spoke from personal experience on the topic of health insurance, pointing out that his wife was once a stay at home mom, but when he went into real estate, she had to go back to work in order for the family to have health insurance. Wheeler said he wants to develop a good plan for small businesses to purchase health insurance. He also talked job creation, saying that too many kids from this area go off to school, then do not come back because they cannot get a suitable job here.

Incumbent Jenkins followed, telling the crowd that he was very proud of the fact that he grew up in Union County. He said he got into politics later in life because at a younger age he did not want the cost, both monetary and the cost of time away from family. He talked about the importance of family values and living what you preach.

Challenger Frank Wheeler.

On the issues Representative Jenkins said he has not voted for a pay raise while he is in office and will not vote for one. He also voiced his concern about the state of taxes, particularly for the elderly in Union County.

"I think we're just now going to be seeing property taxes here in Union County in the next few months when you

get your tax bill," said Jenkins. "I have some real concerns about our taxes." He said that he intends to strongly support legislation so that senior citizens don't face tax hikes of more than 3.5 percent in a year. Jenkins said that while he feels that it still high, it does put a safeguard in place to make sure there are limitations in that area. Jenkins also vowed to pass a constitutional amendment to help ensure that we have open government. "We just need open government," he said.

Both candidates said they support having alternative education choices such as home schooling. Jenkins said that he felt there should be some sort of tax credit for those who choose to home school. Wheeler said that the process works because it makes the education system become more competitive. Though they also received questions dealing with larger issues such as the state of

alternative fuels, the candidates stressed that these issues are largely at the federal level.

While there was much they agreed on, the candidates differed on issues such as the recent attempts to pass voter i.d. laws. Said Wheeler, "We live in an age where identity theft is in the news every day." He made the point that businesses often require a photo for using a credit card, and the voting system should do the same.

Jenkins opposed the voter i.d. law and explained that his main reason for not supporting it was because he thought that senior citizens should not have to go to the trouble of getting a photo taken [if they did not already have a photo i.d.]

Jenkins noted that the bill is currently sitting idle and pointed out that the judicial system has sided with him. "My position on that isn't that bad," said Jenkins. "Three judges seemed to agree with me."