Was Ninth District Democratic Candidate Jody Cooley’s presence at last week’s forum a distraction? This seems to be the issue plaguing Republican Candidates who participated in the forum, as well those attending the event. The greater, perhaps, more perplexing question is why a Democratic candidate participated in essentially a Republican Primary event? Although Cooley’s comments added contrast to his opponents, his participation seemed a stumbling block for voters trying to vet the Republican candidates to determine their selection for the Ninth District Congressional run.

Hosted by the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce, the forum featured two phases. Phase one featured the two Republican candidates for Superior Court Judge in the Appalachian Circuit, Incumbent Judge Roger Bradley and, Attorney and Municipal Judge Robert Sneed. Phase two featured the Ninth District Congressional Candidates, Republicans Rep. Doug Collins (Gainesville), Roger Fitzpatrick, Martha Zoller and Democrat Jody Cooley.

Two primary aspects of the event made the forum different from other, recent Ninth District Forums. First the questions were more localized and posed greater challenges to the candidates, Second, Cooley’s presence seemingly usurped time and attention away from the Republican candidates. Cooley is the only Democrat who qualified for the Ninth District Congressional race. As such, he will run against whoever wins the Republican Primary on July 31st.

The tough questions came early. In the first round, moderator Rob Kaser asked the candidates if the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) priorities are the same as they were 30 years ago and, if not how they could be changed? Kaser also asked if the candidate would be in favor of privatizing the TVA.

Zoller and Collins said they were in favor of revisiting TVA’s regulations. As far as privatization, though, Zoller said it was something she would have to investigate more closely, while Collins said,

“Privatization of anything is something you can always look at.”

For his part, Fitzpatrick emphasized it was a States’ issues.

“It is not something that is specifically granted to the Federal Government in the Constitution,”

he said. Here, he also reiterated the Founding Fathers intent for the powers granted to the Federal Government to be limited and specific. Zoller minutely argued TVA services are considered commerce, and as such, they are included as a Federal responsibility as part of the Constitution, saying,

“There is a role for the Federal Government.”

Cooley agreed the 30-year old regulations should be revisited, however, he did not favor TVA’s privatization.

“I believe water is a resource for all of us,”

he said,

“and I believe the only way that we have a voice in those issues, as much as we may argue, is through participation of government.”

His argument, here, is if the management of the water of Lake Blue Ridge and the flows of the Toccoa River, which are now managed by TVA, was managed by a private company, Cooley argues, the people of Fannin County would no longer have a say in the fate and operations of these water systems.

Part two of the public-versus-private issue was a question about the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery, operated in Fannin County by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Kaser asked the candidates how the county should retain continued, long-term funding for the hatchery.

“The purpose of the Federal Government is to create an atmosphere so that private enterprises can flourish,”

Fitzpatrick answered, adding that it should be privatized so it could operate more efficiently.

“The Federal Government does not have to be involved in every aspect of our lives,”

he said. Zoller said she generally agreed with Fitzpatrick, adding she would have to look into the matter, but said she leaned toward fewer regulations. Here, Collins sided with Zoller, in that it was an issue he had to look into further, but focused on the root of the sustaining Federal funding for items like the hatchery: a budget. He said the country needs a good long term fiscal policy and a

“Congress that puts together a budget, decides on things, like the hatchery, and say this is valued and this is not.”

Cooley said he supports continued Federal funding for the hatchery because the hatchery is on federally owned lands.

In the end, Zoller showed her knowledge of legislation and policy, Collins of process, and Fitzpatrick, the Constitution. For his part, Cooley delivered a strong performance and proved that The Ninth District Democratic Party has delivered a formidable candidate. Although Cooley offers an alternate perspective to Collins, Fitzpatrick and Zoller, his participation in the event took answering-time away from the other candidates, who are running against each other, not Cooley– at least not yet. Cooley will have his time after July 31st.