House District 179 candidates field questions at Kiwanis forum | Local News

All three reside on St. Simons Island. Duncan comes from a history of constructing, engineering and utility get the job done, not too long ago getting served on the Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Drinking water and Sewer Fee.

Killgallon started his profession in regulation but eventually transitioned to promoting and has for the final 10 several years worked at the Marsh’s Edge retirement group on St. Simons Island.

Obtaining not too long ago returned to the Isles, Townsend served for 10 several years as the president and CEO of the Golden Isles Faculty and Profession Academy. He leaned greatly on his education and learning qualifications, function ethic and record of assistance to the local community all through the forum.

Killgallon was clear with his intentions ideal out of the gate.

“The reason I’m managing, my most important target, is the overall economy of Georgia,” Killgallon stated. “I think you are likely going to get weary of hearing this. I do want to reduce the Georgia profits tax.”

9 states have gone as a result of with it and five are in the course of action of undertaking so, he mentioned.

Both Townsend and Duncan were being lukewarm on the idea. Townsend would agree it could be lessened, but he thought getting rid of the tax would necessitate finding other sources of profits for the point out. An quick target would be to increase property taxes, which would increase price tag of dwelling for retired seniors. He could not support that.

Duncan explained profits tax accounts for 53% of the state’s earnings — Killgallon countered that it was closer to a third — and that he would prefer to have a approach to substitute that revenue with profits taxes or a consumption tax ahead of generating any moves to get rid of the state income tax.

Residents of states that are shedding populace, like California, are leaving and moving to states like Texas, Florida and Tennessee, which do not have money taxes, Killgallon reported. If Georgia can seize some of individuals “fleeing” citizens, then the improve in small business earnings will make up for the state’s shed income tax, he said.

All 3 supported much more funding and applications for significant and elementary educational facilities.

Training was at the forefront for Townsend, who wanted to see corporations like the GICCA in all communities in Ga. The state must increase accelerated placement class choices throughout the board and endorse dual enrollment and complex abilities schooling in significant universities.

When pressed on the subject of populace development on St. Simons Island and a toll booth on the F.J. Torras Causeway, all 3 stated it was a area concern to be dealt with at the area level.

Killgallon did briefly weigh in on the subject, saying as a St. Simons resident he would assist parking costs at the beach to pay for infrastructure advancements to take care of raising targeted traffic congestion.

1 member of the club asked them about cannabis legalization. All a few opposed legalization as a recreational drug but supported its use as a medicine, which is legal in Ga. Townsend, having said that, observed the state does need to perform out concerns that protect against farmers from escalating enough in-condition to meet the demands of ailing Georgia citizens.

Glynn County’s citizens will get a possibility to choose which of the 3 they want to characterize them in the point out Dwelling for the duration of the upcoming main election. Early voting starts on May perhaps 2 and Election Working day is Might 24.

The deadline to register is April 25.