Election Series: Interview with (D) Carl Camon
Mar 12, 2010 in Politics by C Foster
Although a large portion of the Georgia population lives in and around metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Savannah and Columbus, there are plenty of rural voices that want to be heard more clearly in the state legislature. Ray City Mayor Carl Camon hopes to speak for them in a big way.
With a background in civil service as a city council member, mayor and a number of other government boards, Camon believes in the ideals of public service. “I’ve worked to return government back to the people and I’ve treated citizens like they deserved to be treated,” he told Georgia.com, about what he sees as some of his greatest contributions to Georgia.
It’s that belief in himself and his track record which motivated Camon to make a run for the seat of governor during this next election. “I could have supported another candidate, or sat back and complained about our current situation,” he said. “Instead, I chose to lead by example and I have the ability to facilitate positive and long lasting change for Georgia.”
Georgia.com: A reoccurring sentiment in Georgia and the rest of the country seems to be that government has become too large and intrusive. Is this something you believe to be true?
Camon: In some ways, this is true. However, we live in a democracy, where there are legal elections held during specified periods of time. The people cast their votes to elect a representative who will speak on their behalf. If government is too large and intrusive, it became that way either because of the general consent of the people or a blatant disregard for the people, by the very ones who were elected to represent the people.
I will work to assess all state services and programs and ensure that each one submits a plan to the governor’s office that includes measures that offer ways to be more efficiently operated. Each agency will also be required to provide a comprehensive report as to the effectiveness of that agency and how Georgians are benefiting from its existence and what impact would be made if the agency was downsized or eliminated. Based on the information above, care consideration and determinations will be made, with regards to what agencies will be effective.
Georgia.com: What specifically are your plans for potentially shrinking or streamlining Georgia government?
Camon: Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents alike, deserve to have a Governor who will recognize that our country is still a democracy and that the voices of the people are supreme. I will be that governor.
Georgia.com: The state unemployment rate has skyrocketed. What are your plans for job creation and potentially making Georgia a more business friendly venue that will encourage entrepreneurship, attract existing business and increase investment in our economy?
Camon: Under my administration, we will market Georgia. “If you need it, Georgia’s Got It.” [We will] market our mountains, coast, Southern Hospitality, agriculture, world’s busiest airport, film industry possibilities, institutions of higher learning; [we will] offer incentives that will clearly create jobs for Georgians.
Georgia.com: Traffic flow and congestion have been problems in and around Atlanta for some time. What steps would you take as Governor to improve, not only Atlanta’s transportation systems and infrastructure, but Georgia’s as a whole?
Camon: I was one of the first candidates to publically and seriously support the idea of high-speed rail, especially during many of the gubernatorial debates. Atlanta is important and we will work with the Department of Transportation to devise a plan to decrease gridlock and increase traffic flow in the Metro Area. We will also find a way to fund (in phases) high-speed rail throughout Georgia.
Georgia.com Staff Report — This article is part of the Georgia.com Gubernatorial Election Series.
