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Illegal aliens focus of forum for candidates

By BEN SMITH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/12/05

They're against illegal immigration. They want schools to inform parents when their children join undesirable clubs. They oppose government's seizing private land for economic development.

Warren Auld, Melvin Everson and Garry Rhodes, the three candidates running for an open state House seat, staked out similar positions at a Lawrenceville forum Thursday.

And they didn't mix it up, either.

They couldn't. Under the debate's format, the candidates couldn't address each other. Instead, they answered questions given to them prior to the forum.

The three candidates are running to replace state Rep. Phyllis Miller (R-Lawrenceville), who resigned her position to accept a Juvenile Court judgeship. The election will be held Aug. 30.

Illegal immigration dominated the debate. While the candidates generally agreed with each other on the issue, they emphasized different reforms.

Everson railed against a recently announced plan by Virginia to create a labor pool for illegals, and said, "I will support legislation to suspend all state spending for illegal immigrants."

There are five proposals in the Georgia Senate that would, among other things, forbid illegal immigrants from receiving state-funded health care and attending state-funded schools. Under another proposal, the corporate charters of companies that hire illegals would be suspended.

Auld called the proposals "a good place to start" for a discussion of the issue. But he raised questions about specific provisions. The former Snellville councilman said he supports cracking down on illegals who commit crimes. "No bond, no bail, you stay in that jail," Auld said.

Rhodes expressed similar sentiments.

"Look at California. Look at what's happened in the past four years. They're [illegal immigrants] absolutely sucking the life out of that state."

But in his closing statement, Rhodes cautioned the crowd of 60 attendants not to let emotions over the issue escalate.

"What I hope doesn't come out of this [forum] . . . is that we hate these people. We need to lift them up."