Editorial: Rep. Broadrick served his community well

Published 7:00 pm Saturday, September 23, 2017

It was with a sad heart that we took the news that one of the members of our local state delegation, Rep. Bruce Broadrick, was resigning his position due to health reasons.

The five-year Republican veteran of the Georgia General Assembly represented District 4, which covers most of the city of Dalton and four adjacent precincts.

Broadrick said he had a stroke several years ago but the decision to step down came recently after some testing and consultation with his physician and with his family, who didn’t think he should be away at the Capitol for three months while the Legislature is in session.

“And I just don’t think it is fair to my constituents,” he said.

Not all elected officials make the welfare of their constituents a top priority, but Broadrick was that type of legislator.

A Whitfield County native, Broadrick was a pharmacist who owned and operated Frank’s Pharmacy for more than 30 years and most recently was seen behind the counter at the Walgreens pharmacy on West Walnut Avenue.

In the Legislature, he had several important committee assignments, and this past session he was vice chair of Game, Fish and Parks, plus he served on the Health and Human Services, Industry and Labor, and Intragovernmental Coordination committees.

He was also known for sponsoring legislation that affected health care, something for which his profession gave him added insight.

Never touched by scandal or involved in questionable behavior, Broadrick was a model lawmaker whose sturdy presence will be missed.

But his shoes must be filled, so Gov. Nathan Deal has called for a special election to fill the unexpired term. Fortunately, that election will be on the same date as a scheduled city election on Nov. 7. To taxpayers, that means the only additional cost will be for the four precincts outside the city.

Whitfield County Registrar Mary Hammontree recently told members of the League of Women Voters of the Dalton Area that it costs about $12,000 to hold a city election. Adding poll workers to man the four non-city precincts shouldn’t up the bill too much, she assured the audience.

Qualifying starts Monday and we know of two men who have announced intentions to run, local restaurateur Kasey Carpenter and Republican Party activist Beau Patton. We hope and expect to see more names added to this list, and we hope the local Democratic Party won’t sit this one out. An open seat may be their best bet to get back into office.

Fast facts

* Qualifying is Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Elections Division of the Office of Secretary of State, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.E., 802 West Tower, Atlanta. The qualifying fee is $400.

* The last day to register to vote in the special election is Tuesday, Oct. 10.

* Advance, in-person absentee voting begins on Monday, Oct. 16.

* The election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.