JoAnne Georgi

Party: Republican

Age: 67

Job: Sales/Marketing, S.V.C., Kapaa, HI.

Born in Detroit, MI. In Hawaii since 1994, arrived from Los Angeles

Lives: 'Ele'ele

Contact: 808-635-5766, madmonk@hawaiian.net

Web site: www.joannegeorgi2008.com

Job history past 10 years:
Sales & Marketing with S.V.C.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Yes. 2006. Lost.

Other civic experience or community service:
C.S.W. Stewardship head-Kings Chapel, Eleele Foster parent. Exchange student host.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
Staunch advocate of Megan's law and pro Superferry.

1) Why are you running for office?
I want to offer the voters a choice of a pro-business candidate who is concerned about the infrastructure and the environment. I intend to push to make Megan's law a reality and put child rapists in jail for 25 years. The Superferry should be allowed to come to Kauai. It is simply another mode of transportation to keep costs down.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
Adequately enhance and maintain infrastructure including roads, parks, and harbors. Ensure there is adequate funding at the classroom level with no increases for the bureauocracy (at elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels). Support local school boards for local accountability.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
Fast track approval on alternate energy sources such as wind, bio fuel refineries, tidal power, etc.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
Accountability of the students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Involve parents more in decision making for the student. Emphasize basics of reading, writing and math. Eliminate cell phones and ipods from the classroom.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
Work with our federal legislators to ensure Medicare reimbursment covers the cost of care. Lack of adequate Medicare reimbursement is a major cause of hospital funding shortfalls.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
Lack of planning, infrastructure development, and infrastructure maintenance puts undue pressure on our quality of life. We need to plan for growth and implement the plan.

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
Jessica's law. Child sexual predators molest until caught and put in prison. Molested children have a better than average chance of molesting others. We need to break the cycle.