By Norm Miller
TOCCOA, Ga. (TMNews)—Habersham County resident, Dr. Stacy Hall, announced Feb. 18 his intent to run for state representative of District 28.
“This is going to be a tough campaign. My family knows that, and we’re ready to take that challenge head-on,” Hall said among 60 people gathered at the Straw House in Toccoa.
Saying there was no single event prompting his decision, Hall noted that he and Ivy, his wife, had been praying for several years about his seeking political office. Prayers, coupled with his long-time observations of local, state and federal government finally drew Hall “into that fray,” he said.
“I am not saying that God wants me to be the next representative of District 28. But I am saying that God wants me to serve my community,” Hall said. “I believe I am well-suited to serve in this capacity. And this is the race to do that.”
Job one for Hall is to shut down Wilbros LLC, a Toccoa area waste compost company.
“I want to make an important point of commitment to everyone in District 28, and especially the folks in Stephens county,” he said. “I want to be clear that, as your state representative, my first priority will be to shut down Wilbros and remove them from Stephens County.”
According to news reports, Wilbros is the subject of a lawsuit whose plaintiffs include Stephens County Board of Commissioners.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has cited Wilbros for numerous violations of the state’s solid waste management and water quality acts, and has ordered the revocation of the company’s environmental permits, the reports say.
Not until the Wilbros issue is resolved can “we go out to recruit new industries and business to come in and create jobs, and work with existing businesses to grow and prosper,” Hall noted.
“This is very important because small business is the backbone of our country, and I want to be an advocate for small businesses,” said Hall, who cites economic development as a platform plank. “I want to do everything I can from a governmental standpoint to encourage small businesses to grow and create jobs” in District 28.
Formerly a successful executive with IMG College – a multi-billion dollar, international sports sponsorship entity – Hall serves as chairman of the board for White County Chamber of Commerce; board director for United Way of Habersham; vice-chairman of the board for Fellowship of Christian Athletes for Stephens, Habersham, and Rabun Counties; and is a recent graduate from the Georgia Academy for Economic Development.
Other focal points of the campaign that Hall said he is “passionate about” include education; fiscal responsibility; conservative values; and focused, effective leadership.
Choosing to leave the corporate world behind to accept a position at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga., Hall opted for a profession that would allow him to “serve my family, my church and my community,” he said. Hall is athletic director and a business professor at the college.
Dr. Emir Caner, president of Truett-McConnell College, said, “Without reservation, we commend Dr. Hall for his willingness to seek the office of a public servant, and we whole-heartedly commend him to the residents of District 28. Dr. Hall demonstrates the highest of professional and Christian ethical standards as he has given himself through exemplary and selfless actions in his multiple roles at our college. We have no doubt that, should Dr. Hall be elected, the citizens of District 28 will be as blessed as Truett-McConnell College is in our association with him.”
Having taught school on every level — elementary, middle, high school, special education and now college — Hall believes his broad educational background equips him to deal with educational issues effectively. “As your state representative, I will be a staunch advocate for education.”
Saying he wants to work with teachers, administrators and the state department of education, Hall wants to devise “better strategies to better equip the future leaders of our country.”
Regarding fiscal responsibility, Hall said the “government should never, ever, ever” overspend its budget. “Tax dollars do not belong to the government. Tax dollars belong to you. We need to make sure that government officials are a good stewards of our taxpayers’ money.”
“We need to guard against waste and fraud, and prioritize our needs,” he added.
“Most of you know I am a pro-life and pro-Second Amendment,” he said. “I believe it’s my right to keep my Bible and to keep my gun. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing, either.”
“I support traditional marriage, freedom of religion, and personal responsibility,” Hall continued. “I also believe in a free market economy. I desire a more efficient government and limited taxes.”
“But simply believing in these things is not enough. A state representative must be able to lead and get things accomplished,” Hall said. “I’m a doer, not a talker. I’m more about action. I want to set priorities and get things done.”
“It’s one thing to talk about these issues,” he said, “but another to get things done. Being a focused, effective leader is being able to not only define the issues, but is also building consensus around the issues and creating strategies that alleviate the problems.”
Saying “leadership is not always about having the right answers,” Hall said, “sometimes leadership is about a willingness to listen to others. I want to be engaged, I want to be present, and I want to listen to the folks I am representing.”
To facilitate his ability to listen to voters, Hall noted his website and email address: stacy@votestacyhall.com. He said he would be checking that email several times daily.
“I’ve always had a passion for, and a strong interest in politics from a service standpoint,” Hall said. “Serving is not always easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing to do. God has created all of us for a purpose, and whether it is easy or not, we need to fulfill that obligation.”
Hall said he is “running for state representative simply because I believe in my heart that, given my unique background in business, education, and non-profit organizations, I can make the greatest impact for our community.”
“I am going to serve my God, serve my family, and serve all the other families who live in this district,” he said. “I believe I can make a difference.”
With a “Christian worldview that will guide me throughout this process,” Hall said he has “a desire to lead through service. I really believe I am called to serve others.”
Noting that serving as a state representative is more than a one-man job, Hall said the campaign “is about a community. And it’s going to take all of us working together to make this community a better place.”
###
Return to News Archive
