About StarNews. (Carrollton, GA) 20??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 14, 2024)
www.starnewsgaonline.com StarNews January 14, 2024 Page 5 State Representative David Huddleston begins his second year under the Gold Dome Retired from Carroll EMC and a fifth generation farmer, he lives on his family farm in Roopville where he and his son operate a cow-calf operation, chicken houses, hayfields and beehives story by Wayne J. Reynolds David Huddleston was elected in 2022 as State Representative for District 72. He began serving his second year on January 9, 2024 when the Georgia General Assembly convened for Day 1 of business. State Rep. Huddleston’s district includes portions of Carroll, Heard and Troup counties. The Georgia General Assembly is older than the United States Congress, having been created in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War. The Georgia Senate, referred to as the upper house, has 56 members while the Georgia House of Representatives, the lower house, has 180. Members from each body serve for two years, but have no limit (a term limit) to the number of times they can be re-elected. Recently, Representative Huddleston reflected on his freshman year. “In my first year, I learned so much. When I talk with people, I share with them I am not a typical politician. I am more of a servant - serving people,” Huddleston said. “People ask me if I’m going to make a career out of this. I respond by saying -1 should have started before turning 58! People chuckle, and that is what I want. We can then have a conversation.” Huddleston said that he received two valuable pieces of advice this past year. One was, now that you are elected, people will think you are an expert. Huddleston says he is far from it. But, he began learning and establishing contacts so when people did have a question or problem, he knew where to direct them. “For example, prior to the session last year, I went to the state budget department, met the department head, introduced myself and asked to meet the rest of the staff so as to learn their responsibilities. When I went back, they knew me. You need to be proactive, not reactive! When I talk to groups they ask me to share, and I ask them to share with me. I am your representative. It is amazing the people I have met across the district. “The second piece of advice I received was, ‘You can’t be everywhere all the time. ’ I stmggled with that, but came to realize it is a marathon, not a sprint. You can be as busy as you want to be, but I try to be available to people. As I said, I am their servant.” Huddleston said his biggest surprise was his second week in the session which is when departments provide their budgets and Huddleston realized how much money it took to mn the state. And the State of Georgia is a business. Rep. Huddleston said, “We all pay taxes, and I want to make sure as a person, district, an area, we get a return on that tax investment. It may come in a variety of ways - suspension of the tax tax, community services, grants, equipment for law enforcement, education, etc. There are a number of ways that money may come back to the district. That is my biggest challenge, being an eagle’s eye to make sure those dollars come back to the district.” He said he learned that, as a legislator, they create laws, they have no power to enforce them. Enforcement is up to the state agencies. People needto understand that. “But, also letting them know I am their voice.” A Gwinnett legislator remarked to Huddleston that he can go across his district in 15 minutes. For Huddleston, he discovered it’s a one hour and fifteen minute long drive to cross his district: Hogansville to Carrollton. “I represent seven cities, seven different city councils, three county commissions, four police departments, and three sheriff’s departments. All in the same district, but each with different needs and different relationships. I leam every time I do something.!” Huddleston has learned to take advantage of opportunities to share such as the time when he dropped by a Hogansville council meeting and was given the opportunity to speak. “People see me and know I am available. I work at gaining their confidence and then work at building on that foundation.” He was also advised that it is not a part time job, but rather a full time job. “I am busier now than when I worked foil time for Carroll EMC. I also learned that I don’t have to always agree with people. Together, we can sit down and listen and leam regardless of background or party affiliation.” The 2023 General Assemby session featured 53 new legislators - -the largest freshman class ever and the leadership established a mentor program to mentor the new legislators. State Represenative J Collins from Villa Rica was Huddleston’s mentor. “Jay did a great job of helping, sometimes just showing up and putting a hand on my shoulder to see how District 72 State Representative David Huddleston it was going. Also, the entire delegation from Troup and Carroll have been great in answering all my questions and offering advice.” State Rep. Huddleston also announced he is running for re- election. “I have had a great time and have learned from the people. I have established the contacts and the experience to work for my district’s residents.” See DAVID HUDDLESTON page 6 LUNCH MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 11 AM - 2 PM j A Classic Italian Kitchen 120 ALABAMA ST CARROLLTON. GA 30117 678-890-1030 SPECIALS PASTA, SALAD, BREAD SOUP AND SALAD 9" ONE TOPPING PIZZA latrattoriaclassicitalian.com
