How the questionnaires were scored:
Each answer was awarded a score on a scale of 0 to 2, based on the level of agreement with Grow Green's position on that issue, for a maximum score of 8 points.

Water
Scientific research shows that in order to protect water quality, all streams should be protected by undisturbed buffers of at least 50 feet in width. During the last legislative session, several bills were introduced that would have decreased the width of some stream buffers. Will you support such legislation if it is introduced again? Why or why not?

N/A

I am a water resource management professional, and I strongly support buffers of sufficient width to be effective in controlling runoff of sediment, nutrients or toxins. I would NOT support legislation that would weaken buffer laws.

Inverse Condemnation
During the last legislative session, several bills were introduced that would have required local governments to pay landowners if environmental or zoning regulations reduced the potential value of their property. These bills were modeled on Oregon’s Measure 37. Will you support such legislation if it is introduced again? Why or why not?

N/A

I am not as familiar with Oregon’s Measure 37 so I do not know the full reasons for the law or how it functions. I do support compensation when the landowner truly loses use of their property, but I would have to evaluate the cost and whether this loss of use is fulfilling a basic responsibility of the landowner to abate pollution. If the pollution problem or potential source is created on the adjacent property, it is the responsibility of the owner to prevent it from entering other properties.

Energy
Georgia’s heavy dependence on fossil fuel – coal and oil – has implications for our environment, public health, economy, and national security. What, if any, policies would you support to reduce Georgia’s reliance on fossil fuels?

N/A

I would first support conservation and use of alternative transportation. These will give the quickest reductions in usage of fossil fuels. Second, implement technologies like biodiesel and alcohol that are currently feasible to reduce dependence. Third, conduct research on new technologies that hold promise for general use, such as hydrogen and solar power. We must explore all alternatives that seem practical.

Transportation
As Athens-Clarke County grapples with its poverty problem, the need for increased public transportation service has become evident. Other states provide much more funding for transit than Georgia does. The Georgia Transit Association has proposed changes to Georgia law that would improve state funding for transit, including a one-quarter-of-one-percent sales tax for metropolitan transit authorities outside of Atlanta; a state transportation infrastructure fee on fuel purchases; and making state funds available for operating expenses for transit systems. Will you support these initiatives? Why or why not?

N/A

I would support transit system funding. We can not build enough roads to meet our transportation needs and must develop a viable regional transportation system for the Atlanta/Athens/Macon region. The Brain Train is of course one of the important options.