Mid-afternoon Thursday Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle visited Big Canoe, hosted by the P.O.A. (Property Owner’s Association), who discussed goals as well as Georgia’s future.The hour and a half assembly was attended by around 60 who openly questioned Cagle on a variety of subjects.

Cagle, well-known as a senator for 12 years, has been in the capacity of lieutenant governor for nearly eight. He stated he’s been proud to serve Georgia as

“Georgia is the capitol of the South,”

he proudly hailed it.

Two of his goal areas, among others, are education and economic development.

Commenting on the downturn of the economy, he stressed the importance of investment for growth and how that business tenet can also be applied to government function.

“Everything we spend should be viewed in that context,”

he explained. He went on to emphasize that those who came before us built the groundwork that we’re now seeing the returns on that investment.

As for the state level government and the dramatic cuts that have been made at that level, he even found positive in that.

“We’re more focused and we’re more streamlined and we’re more efficient than we ever were before.”

In terms of economic development he stressed the importance of “strategic focusing”. According to Cagle Georgia’s GNP (Gross National Product) is at 18 percent whereas overall the United States is only at six. He said that’s possible because they’ve created the policies and a framework that makes the state business-friendly, which in turn creates jobs.

One area he’s especially passionate about is education saying it drives the economy. Openly critical of common core, he touted the development of charter schools in Georgia as different children have different needs and those schools allow the teachers the freedom to teach in a way that addresses those needs. While not opposed to the academic measurement aspect of the curriculum, he doesn’t agree with much else and even termed it a bureaucracy.

College-career academies are another high point in our educational system, Cagle cited the statistic that 600,000 jobs are needed in the healthcare system annually. Those students who emerge from these programs with a certificate in their chosen field have a much higher rate of success within that field along with better pay. With 98 percent graduation and 100 percent placement rates from the tech schools, Cagle said that’s how success is defined.

After his speech, he fielded questions from the audience on a variety of subjects, from more detailed explanations of Georgia economic and taxation queries, to nuclear power. To see the entire engagement, please view the following video: