Beth Beskin (R)
Occupation: Attorney; former geologist
Previous elective offices held: None
Community service experience: Governor’s liaison to the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education for 18 months; Region 3 planning board of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, vice-chair of the board from 2012 until earlier this year; board member for the Atlanta Memorial Park Conservancy; founding member and member of the board of Brandon Neighborhood Association; vice president of the Brandon Neighborhood Association.
Why should the voters choose you for this position?
I believe voters should choose me for this position because I am the best-qualified candidate. I am the only attorney in this race and the job involves drafting legislation. I have two degrees in geology; every year our Legislature considers many issues involving our natural resources, including water rights. My two young adult daughters are former APS students and I am focused on improving educational outcomes for all Georgia’s children. I have demonstrated my ability to be non-partisan in my approach to problem-solving while sticking to my principles of fiscal conservatism.
What is the biggest issue facing the constituents you seek to represent? How will you address that issue?
My constituents face the highest taxes in Georgia including state, county, city and school taxes. I will work to reduce the tax burden on constituents while maintaining quality services, especially public education (Atlanta Public Schools). I support the 2013 law preventing Fulton County from raising its millage rate until 2015 and am disappointed the Fulton County commission voted to raise the millage rate this year anyway. It is imperative to everyone in our district that we reform Fulton County, including by pressure from the Legislature, to discourage north Fulton residents from seeking to re-establish Milton County and break away from Fulton County.
What’s the first thing you hope to accomplish after taking office?
I will sponsor legislation requiring the Fulton County tax commissioner (and all Georgia county tax collectors) to send the property owner actual notice by certified mail before selling a lien on that property to a third party.