Mock says character counts

Local News

Related Photos

Dennis Mock

Discussion

July 25, 2012

Mock says character counts

Charles Oliver charlesoliver@daltoncitizen.com The Dalton Daily Citizen Wed Jul 25, 2012, 07:21 AM EDT

Dennis Mock says he has probably knocked on 1,200 or more doors while campaigning for the Georgia House of Representatives.

“The biggest issue out there is probably ethics. People feel like, whether it’s image or reality, corruption in government is harming us. Lobbyists are in control of too many decisions. Leaders are paid off and not focused on their constituents,” Mock said. “I remind them that if we start electing good people we’ll start seeing some changes.”

Mock says proposals to limit gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers “won’t change a thing.”

“Ethics, integrity come from inside a person. You can’t legislate that,” Mock said.

But Mock says lawmakers need to give the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, formerly the State Ethics Commission, the independence and power to do its job, something he doesn’t think they have done.

Mock faces Bruce Broadrick and David Renz in the July 31 Republican primary for state House of Representatives District 4. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Dalton, who currently represents District 4, announced his retirement earlier this year. The district includes the city of Dalton and a few surrounding areas. No Democrat qualified for that race.

Mock says the other big issue voters mention is the economy.

“We have to do something to get the economy and jobs growing again,” he said. “We need someone at the state level who can let people know what we have here in Dalton and Whitfield County. We have the resources here. We need to let the state and the world know we are open for business.”

Mock says the state needs to phase out its income tax.

“You have to move to a Fair Tax, a sales tax on purchases,” he said.

Mock works in sales at Whitco Produce, a family-owned wholesale produce company that has been in Dalton for some 60 years. He and his wife Debbie co-own DLM Ventures, a real estate company. The couple have two adult sons.

Mock said he has a long record of leadership in service organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, where he served two terms as the state lieutenant governor; the Dalton Education Foundation, where he served on the board; Parent Teacher Associations; and the Boy Scouts.

Mock holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Ball State University and a master’s in health administration from Georgia State University.

Text Only

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Mock says character counts

Site Map

Contact Us