Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

Jerry Luquire sees water as primary issue

Jerry Luquire has a reputation as a talker.

The 71-year-old Columbus Republican has been a part-time radio and television talk show host.

But ask him about his latest effort, a run for the vacant Georgia House District 129 seat, and he picks his words carefully.

“I saw an opportunity to run for a seat that does not have an incumbent,” Luquire said. “I believe I can provide a public service for the folks who live in the district.”

The seat was vacated by Vance Smith, who represented the district for 17 years. He was appointed commissioner of the Department of Transportation four months ago.

Four men — Luquire, former legislator and Hamilton businessman Earl Davis, Pine Mountain wellness center owner Steve Earles and Smith’s younger son, Kip — are fighting it out for the opportunity to serve the final year of the two-year term. The election for the district that includes parts of Muscogeee, Harris and Troup counties is Tuesday.

Luquire said the top issue the next representative from District 129 will face, even more important than the current state budget crunch, is water.

“The most important issue is how are we going to deal with the water supply in the next decade,” Luquire said.

A federal judge has ruled that Atlanta has less than three years to find a solution to its water supply or risk losing Lake Lanier as its primary supplier. That is an issue in District 129 because the Chattahoochee River runs through the heart of it.

While some advocate the General Assembly look for answers to the water crisis, Luquire takes a different tack.

“The best thing for the General Assembly to do is to stay out of it,” Luquire said. “It has been in the legislature, the courts and hit all branches of government. We need to see the final verdict from the courts. ... We should be reactive rather than proactive in this instance because of the political consequences involved with our neighboring states.”

Luquire said this has been a “bland” campaign. But even with four candidates, he predicts it will be decided on election day and not in a runoff. The thing that highlights the special election campaign is lack of interest, Luquire said.

“We have had two forums, the Chamber of Commerce in Columbus and the Harris County Republican Party,” he said. “And we have had less than a 100 people total at the two forums. We each have our own unique perspective. I am fiscally conservative. I don’t know where they stand on revenues and taxes.”