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Former Senate Majority Leader, Bill Stephens, joined the Dawson County Republican Party on Thursday evening as guest speaker, with plans to discuss a variety of hot topics that most Dawson County citizens are concerned with, including healthcare reform, the economy in North Georgia and water.

A conversation with Senator Stephens on Thursday revealed sincere concern for fellow North Georgians, including Dawson County citizens. "Healthcare is definitely on everyone's mind, and I have released what I call 'The Bill Stephens Ten Point Plan for Common Sense Health Care.'  My number-one concern is fixing what's already broken with the healthcare system," explained Senator Stephens.  "We just cannot let bureaucrats come between people and their doctors."  Stephens' Ten Point Common Sense Health Care Plan was recently discussed and applauded by Neal Boortz, an author and proponent of the Fair Tax, on his nationally syndicated, Neal Boortz Power Hour, broadcast daily to nearly 150 affiliate stations across the country.  (You can read the plan on www.billstephens.com.)

When asked his thoughts on the economy in North Georgia and what the near future might hold, Senator Stephens was cautiously hopeful.  "You know, we are more blessed in North Georgia than in most places, but the challenges are huge. I am determined to do all I can to help right our local economy," commented Senator Stephens.  "I think there are signs of hope that the economy is turning around, but people are naturally cautious about it."  He mentioned a saying he'd seen that captures the essence of how many are feeling about the state of the economy: "A recession is when your neighbor loses his job.  Depression is when you lose yours."  According to Senator Stephens, the only way we have to go is up, and we will.  "People are not just concerned right now, they are a little scared. In my adult life, this is the most concerned that I've seen people ever in my 52 years."

Water continues to be a red hot topic for the state of Georgia, and Dawson County could possibly hold the key to resolving some of our state's water issues. "There's a tract of land in Dawson County that is owned by the City of Atlanta, originally to be used for a second airport, and some have proposed building a reservoir on that land, which could serve as an alternative to Lake Lanier," explained Senator Stephens. The project would allegedly yield 100 million gallons of water a day, the same amount of water five municipal utilities have been pulling from Lake Lanier. "Creating a water reservoir on this tract of property would probably be a more pleasant use for the land than an airport because of noise and pollution issues."

When asked about the congressional race and his candidacy for U.S. Congress, Senator Stephens shared that this is only the fourth time since 1952 that the North Georgia congressional division has been open. "This is the reason I think that perhaps there will be more interest in this particular race.  I'm the only candidate to have been in a minority back-bench Freshman Senator position, rising to Senate Majority leader in less than five years.  I think that this, coupled with the fact that my roots are in the North Georgia, makes me a logical candidate for Congress."

For more information, and to learn more about The Bill Stephens Ten Point Plan for Common Sense in Healthcare, visit www.billstephens.com.

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