Nguyen-Goulart says she will 'make our community safer'

May 4—Julia Nguyen-Goulart says government should be "100% transparent" with the public. She promises to be fair and balanced if she is elected chief magistrate judge for Whitfield County. She faces incumbent Chris Griffin in the May 21 nonpartisan race for that position.

Dalton Daily Citizen: Why are you seeking office?

Nguyen-Goulart: In her response, Nguyen-Goulart said she wants to "bring integrity, professionalism and safety" to the community. She said she wants to stop what she called "the NYC (New York City) and Chicago catch-and-release practices" embraced by a career politician.

She said she wants to stop "one-dollar releases for family violence and cruelty to children charges," and what she called catch-and-release practices for DUI offenses and DUI with child endangerment. Nguyen-Goulart said she wants "to stop the felony offenders running and fighting with the police."

"I am not the candidate running to keep a job pushing these failed policies. I am running on the principle to keep us safer. I'm running for you! Join Julia," she said.

DDC: What makes you the most qualified candidate?

Nguyen-Goulart: I have degrees in criminology and sociology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and former court captain, felony state probation. In all my positions, I work to make positive changes. I work to excel personally and to encourage the growth of everyone around me. My record reflects that my strong work ethic and energy drive the positive change that is coming to the magistrate's office when I am elected.

No more Friday closures to ignore the public. Bringing in professional leadership. I will have an open line of communication with all.

DDC: What will be your top three priorities if elected?

Nguyen-Goulart: To stop failing our community and offer the services to all citizens that the position is held to. To be fair, balanced and provide equal protection under the law. I will be transparent with our community.

I will work and will consistently make our community safer. I will not step above my position and adopt policies that harm our community.

I will not make threats to citizens and retaliate against them using my position. I will treat everyone with respect, honesty and be the well-needed positive change within our people's court.

DDC: What are your views regarding government transparency?

Nguyen-Goulart: I strongly believe that the government should be 100% transparent. I have filed several open records requests with several agencies throughout the years. The magistrate's open records request finally came, after several attempts, to get transparency about all the Friday closures.

The final response from the commissioner's office was Magistrate sCourt, the only court in the courthouse closing, was "No records available" to validate their closings. I can fix these issues. I have volunteered, now the ball is in the voter's court. It will be up to the voters to stop voting for the same old incumbents that never fix anything.

DDC: In just a few words, what else would you like to tell the community about your background, experience, education, qualifications or why a voter should vote for you?

Nguyen-Goulart: I'm not a career politician. I am a worker and I have continued to serve our community.

I believe in term limits and believe in doing our best to ensure our community is first. I have had the opportunity to speak with so many people, and I have heard your complaints.

I look forward to your vote for change and stop the incumbent pitfalls. Stop career politicians. The opportunity to fix the issues is your vote.

Positive change starts with all of us voting for the candidate that will bring change. Join Julia! www.vote4julia.com