CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – Many local races will be decided on Tuesday for Election Day.
One of those is the Chatham County District 7 race. This is a rematch from 2020 between long-time incumbent Dean Kicklighter and challenger Orlando Scott.
WTOC sat down with both to talk about the issues West Chatham County is facing and why they feel they are the best to lead the future.
“I was 30-years-old when I was elected, but having said that I still am the second youngest person on the County Commission,” said Kicklighter.
Dean Kicklighter is the incumbent. He has been the 7th district Chatham County commissioner for 24 years.
“Experience truly matters. Experience is knowledge and right now, experience and knowledge is needed more than ever to represent west Chatham County.”
Orlando Scott is the challenger.
“I’m a people person, I’m in the community, I’m a fighter and I want to serve, and that’s why you should vote for me,” said Scott.
Both candidates feel the number one issue facing residents is unprecedented growth, both residential and industrial.
“The growth is coming, and the growth has been coming the past 20 years, So now we are playing catch up,” said Scott.
“With the proper guidance and judgement, we can’t stop the growth but we can darn sure direct and guide the growth,” said Kicklighter.
Kicklighter wants to manage that growth, without West Chatham County becoming an industrial wasteland.
“We are supposed to triple our population very soon, and should that happen we are going to need to a lot more housing all over the place. Do we choose to service housing for the massive developments brought in by Hyundai and the Ports, I say housing,” said Kicklighter.
Orlando Scott says improving infrastructure and roads would go a long way in helping residents.
“When I speak with the residents, everyone stresses about infrastructure. And mainly our roads, and overcrowding of our roads. Our residents are tired of sitting at Benton Boulevard, Pine Barren, Pooler Parkway, Quacco Road,” said Scott.
Scott would like to see T-SPLOST, which was defeated by voters in 2022, put on the ballot and passed in Chatham County to help relieve some of the traffic congestion.
“There are a lot of capital projects that we can get accomplished. If we have that one cent penny sales tax added… It’s a way that, we don’t have to raise taxes, because quite frankly there is not enough money in the budget. The county’s budget, the city’s budget, to get everything that we need done,” said Scott.
Both Candidates say many voters are concerned about the increased number of warehouses going up in the district.
“That is a challenge many of our residents are facing, because the Ports are growing so fast, there is a need for it. We have to balance that need, where these warehouses go, to make sure we are not intruding on the residents,” said Scott.
“Work our way through it and guide this growth in the best manner possible so it does not hinder the quality of life for our residents but in a way that’s not going to hinder the future of Chatham County financially and the state of Georgia financially,” said Kicklighter.
Both candidates say they are the ones that can build relationships and guide the growth for the future.
“If you care about infrastructure, if you care about industrial intrusion, if you care about communication, two way communication, not just one way, I’m your person. I’m the fighter you need for this time in this season,” said Scott.
“We have been saving this county taxes, because the new growth offsets property taxes, and we can continue to do so, but we need to do so with the leadership, that will guide that growth in the right direction, and not harm or hinder the quality of life for our citizens, but enhance it,” said Kicklighter.
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