Below is a runoff election preview for the Democratic District 113 state representative race. As there are no Republican contenders, the winner of this election will be the next state represenative for the district.
Pam Dickerson (I)
Platform: Promoting smaller class sizes for schools, protecting resident's homes values, promoting a bill to crack down on cyberbullying and work on health care, education and public safety issues
Current profession: Delta flight attendant and part-time real estate agent
Quote: "I'm available, accessible, responsible," Dickerson said. "Those are the things I ran on and I feel like I was responsible to the people of the district voting on issues that were important to them. I feel like I listened to constituents when they sent emails asking me to vote or not vote on an issue, and I felt was accessible to people. I hope people look at my voting record, as well as fact been out in community working very hard."
Q&A:
Q1. Why should the Democratic voters of District 113 vote for you over the other candidates?
A: The constituents should vote for me because I have successfully represented the District for the past two years. I have represented the community for the last two years, by specifically addressing their needs, by presenting bills that affected them directly. For example, HB 680,which would make Photo-shopping our children's face on pornographic sites a misdemeanor. This is also known as cyber bullying, which impacted a High School student in Newton County. I have partnered with Montlick & Associates to present anti-bullying rallies across the metro area to establish a safer school experience for our children. Developed a partnership with community, business and local hospitals and health departments to bring a free and vital Women's Health and Wellness Day to Newton and Rockdale counties. I have also voted against bills that will impact our education systems. I have been accountable, responsible and available.
Contact: (678) 207-6043; pam.dickerson@house.ga.gov
Sharon Sawyer
Platform: Represent Newton County as a local candidate, move forward long planned transportation projects aimed at easing congestion and promote recreational business along the Yellow River in Porterdale
Current profession: Finance coordinator Lithonia Lighting's accounting department
Quote: "I am the only person from Newton County in this race. I am the hometown candidate. I have been here, in this community, all my married life. I'm active in civic affairs and I serve on several volunteer boards," Sawyer said. "My family and I, along with our many, many friends, need and deserve representation at the state level in this newly formed district."
Q&A:
Q1 . Why should the Democratic voters of District 113 vote for you over the other candidates?
A: The Democratic voters of the newly formed State House District 113 should vote for me because I'm the most qualified. I know the district and the people in it. 90 percent of this district is in Newton County, from Harristown to State Highway 212 and all of Brown Bridge Road. All of Salem Road from Stewart Road to Sockwell Road. The entire City of Porterdale, the communities of Almon, Stansells, Buckcreek, Beaverdam, Sandhill to Oakhill and many many more neighborhoods that make up the 113th. I not only know where these neighborhoods are but I know some of the people in them. I live in Newton County, not Rockdale. This is my home and with more than 90 percent of this district in Newton County we deserve to be represented by someone who not only knows this community but loves it and its people. My association and experience in working with local civic organizations and government officials and the people, we here in Newton County love the small town feel. Every survey done in the last 20 years says, lets try and preserve as much of the home town atmosphere as we can with Smart Growth and the 2050 plan. And a State Representative that's not a stranger. A person you can go see and talk to like former State Legislator the honorable Donald Ballard, or Representative Denny Dobbs, those legislators were available to the people (and still are). I know many legislators and have worked with some along with my husband Forrest; we wrote the Forrest Preacher Sawyer highway designation bill and passed it along to former State Rep. Jim Stokes. I am the most qualified not only because I live here, I know Newton County. I've been here all my married life more than 25 years in the heart of the 113th district and its people. I will listen to the people of the 113th., I will be accessible, I will open up my doors at the radio station for a temporary office in downtown Covington, We don't need strangers from somewhere else representing Newton County. I work in Rockdale County. I'm there every day and will represent the people of the 113th that are in Rockdale County. Lets keep Newton County moving by electing someone who will stay in touch with the people who elected them, the home town candidate.
Contact: (770) 788-0792; (404) 693-4992; sharon.sawyer@charter.net
