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Politics & Government

113th District Candidates Discuss Issues at Oconee Forum

The four state House candidates made their case to voters ahead of Tuesday's special election.

With less than a week remaining in the as the representative of State House District 113, the four candidates discussed transportation, water and taxes among other issues at a forum on Thursday night.

, , and answered questions at in an event moderated by Tim Bryant of .

The forum, sponsored by the , had a crowd of about 70 people, somewhat smaller than at the . But the candidates echoed many of their philosophies and beliefs of the last month.

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Bryant accepted questions from audience members, via e-mail and on Facebook.

There were multiple personal questions, including which U.S. president the candidates admired most. Matthews said Theodore Roosevelt, Williams and Bell chose Ronald Reagan, and Alexander picked Harry Truman.

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After the earlier this week, the candidates were asked about improving the road, but also to explain how they would pay for the improvements.

Alexander said he doesn’t favor a toll system, but said a limited-access highway is the answer. Bell said the Department of Transportation has begun work on a solution. Matthews said TSPLOST money should go toward cloverleafs and other alterations. Williams said the intersections need to be re-engineered and he would be in favor of a moderate toll.

Bell was the only candidate who said she would personally vote against the TSPLOST if it were on the ballot.

Matthews said he supported the idea of a "Brain Train" that would connect Athens and Atlanta, calling it "safe, quick and inexpensive." Williams and Alexander said they would need to see the costs of such a project and how it would be funded. Bell said, “No, trains don’t pay for themselves.”

For the second straight forum, several questions were asked about the and water issues. One questioner asked if the candidates would support a fund for a new reservoir.

Alexander said he would because the area's future depends on having enough water. Williams said there aren’t many options to provide water for the area's growing population, and, “If not reservoirs, what?”

Matthews said he would support a fund for a new reservoir, and added that Northeast Georgia is in a better position than other parts of the state, which are experiencing drought conditions. Bell said the state needs a comprehensive water plan.

On the possibility of a "fair tax" replacing the state income tax, Bell and Alexander both favored it. Matthews said the fair tax would be unfair to the elderly and those on fixed incomes. Alexander said he would favor tax credits, or excluding items such as prescription drugs. Williams said he would need to look at the implications.

While jobs were a theme, the candidates were asked specifically about how they would encourage small business startups. Alexander said he would end the income tax for corporations to better compete with Texas, Florida and Tennessee. Bell said a state representative could partner with locals to help incorporate a business. Matthews and Williams both supported local control, saying what’s best in one area of the district isn’t necessarily best in another.

The 113th currently covers all of Oconee County and parts of Clarke, Morgan and Oglethorpe Counties. The election will be held on June 21, with a runoff of the top two vote-getters on July 19, if necessary. To avoid a runoff, one candidate needs to receive 50 percent plus one vote.  

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