-- — Voters in Valdosta are largely uncertain about the upcoming election, calling it too soon in the process to decide.

By and large, voters polled this week knew some but not all of the state candidates, saying the sheer number who qualified is daunting. Fourteen candidates alone are running for governor, and local elections are just as crowded this year.

While the individual candidates are higher on some voter’s radar screens than others, the issues are taking center stage. Concerns over education, teacher pay and furloughs are the hottest topics currently, with government spending close behind.

At O’Neals Country Buffet, packed with locals, several in the lunch crowd provided their views on the election season so far.



Voters’ Views

Originally from Arkansas, Bonnie Smith of Valdosta said her husband is stationed at Moody AFB . She has not decided who to vote for yet, but is hopeful that whoever gets in office can do something about education.

“Georgia ranks at the bottom in pay for their teachers. I think that’s terrible. The children are the next to lead this city and state.”

Raised a Democrat, Smith says since becoming an adult, she “is listening to both sides and trying to decide” for herself.

“I don’t think people should vote for someone just because of their affiliation with a party. Everyone needs to listen to each candidate’s views and make a sound decision based on that.”

Rev. Marvin Smith of Berrien County said he “is pulling for Carl Camon (who is from Berrien County),” and believes Gov. Sonny Perdue “has done nothing but fill his pockets up” while in office.

Smith would also like to see the homestead exemption back, and believes the state of Georgia as a whole is on the wrong track.

Valdostan Andy Rodgers said he leans more towards the Republican Party but has supported some Democrats. He is supporting John Oxendine for governor, and has a number of ideas on the local and statewide races.

Rodgers thinks something should be done about immigration, and “I don’t mean the individuals who want to come to this country for a better life and are willing to work.”

He also thinks the state’s Department of Transportation needs help.

“It takes a long time to get a road done here. Just take a drive to Atlanta and you’ll see.”

Rodgers also believes that local races shouldn’t have a party affiliation. “The county commission, sheriff, school board members, etc. shouldn’t be voted in because of their affiliation.”

Rodgers added, “I don’t know what needs to be done but somehow the crime issue has to be deal with. Our efforts have failed. I think if the demand for drugs is cut, a lot of the crime will be also. Our local government is going to have to come up with some kind of plan.”

Jimmy Knowles says he is a Republican and is pulling for John Oxendine for governor. He also thinks Casey Cagle is the front runner for lieutenant governor.

Knowles’ wife is a retired school teacher, and he said, “I support the teachers. They are increasing the classroom size and that is a real concern.”

He is also concerned about road conditions and thinks the state Department of Transportation “needs some serious help.”

J. Paul Getty said it’s still too early in the race to decide on who his candidate of choice will be, but education and immigration are at the top of his listof things that need help on the state level.

“The way they are cutting funds, I’m wondering where all the money collected is going to. The last thing locally they should have messed with is education,” Getty said, adding that in his opinion, a lot of money is going to illegal immigrants to help care for their children and pay for their education.

Chip Stephenson of Stephenson’s Jewelers said it is still too early in the race to decide right now. He would like to see wiser use of our tax dollars, saying, “All phases of government, state, city, etc. are having major cut backs due to the economy. The people are burdened as it is. We need to get back to the basics on school board, county and city spending. They have to be wise in their decisions.”



Managing Editor Kay Harris contributed to the story.