The Hall County Republican Party hosted a debate Tuesday evening for South Hall county commission candidates that ended up as a question and answer session with candidate Craig Lutz.
Republicans Bobby Banks and Kimbo Senter said the debate went on despite them telling organizers they wouldn’t be able to attend the District 1 event at the Spout Springs Library.
Mark Pettitt, a spokesman for Senter, was at the debate and said Senter was unable to attend because of a prior commitment.
“Kimbo is on a business trip to South Carolina,” Pettitt said. “He wished he could have made it. But he’s accessible for people to get a hold of.”
“When they asked me, I already had a meet-and-greet and a fundraiser scheduled,” Banks said.
Lutz took the opportunity to share with residents the main issues he plans to tackle if elected — ethics, spending, sewer and water rates, transportation and keeping promises to constituents.
South Hall residents came armed with a number of questions for Lutz. Among their concerns were zoning, road improvements and financial responsibility.
One resident asked Lutz for his views on the rights of property owners.
Lutz said he believes property owners have the right to request zoning changes but should respect their zoning designation.
“When you purchased your property, you should have bought it with certain zoning applied to it,” Lutz said. “I tend, when in doubt, to lean toward the property owner as long as it is within reason.”
Lutz was also asked how he planned to cut county spending. He said putting more work out for bid could be a way to save costs.
“The private market is a lot more flexible than government,” Lutz said. “Especially in an economy like we’re in.”
One resident asked how Lutz would stand up for South Hall residents as just one commissioner out of five.
Lutz said though he may not always have the votes, he would engage in discussions at meetings with other commissioners to put his concerns onto the public record.
“You’ve got to have some differences of opinion,” Lutz said.