By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
OCT. 20, 2020 | He is the candidate with the most difficult political race in Gwinnett for 2020. You see, his name is not even on the ballot, as he seeks to become a member of the Gwinnett School Board, representing District 5.
He’s George Puicar, 42, a write-in independent, who lives on Beaver Ruin Road near Norcross. Adding to his challenge is that this is his first time as a political candidate, he has little money to put into the race, and he is an immigrant from Romania. Not only that, but the listing of his race is at the end of the Gwinnett ballot.
To be elected, a majority of the District Five votes will have to write in his name. And the name “Puicar” is not an everyday name. His opponent, Democrat Tarece Johnson, has no Republican opponent running against her on the General Election ballot.
He arrived in this country through Chicago in 2004, after applying for a visa. Friends in Gwinnett invited him, and he says: “I was pleased to come to the warmer weather in Gwinnett.”
Initially employed in maintenance jobs, he enrolled in Gwinnett Tech in 2010. “I like fixing things and working with my hands.” A year later, he was a certified heating and air conditioning graduate. He works with the commercial real estate firm CBRE as a heating and air conditioning engineer. He met his wife, Emily, a stay-at-home mother, who is from Mexico, while at work in 2006. They have three children, ages 11, 8 and 5. The couple are members of Killian Hill Baptist Church.
Puicar
He is originally from northern Romania, in Transylvania, and holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from the University of Bucharest. He has had course work in Greek, Hebrew, systematic theology, biblical theology and ethics.
“My father, an electrician, encouraged me to get a degree, telling me don’t be just a helper, but get a good education and you are set for life.” His campaign site maintains: “You could say our family is the embodiment of the American dream and you would be right!”
Puicar was not interested in local politics until talking with one of his children’s teacher in August. “She explained the situation to me, and after reviewing the policies and positions of the opposing candidate, we realized as a family that my opponent does not represent what we and many of our community members want for our children in Gwinnett County schools.
“So I decided to run as a write-in for the school board position.” He realizes his campaign is a long shot, and says: “I want to be a voice for the parents, children and teachers in the district. I am concerned about the safety of our children, and in particular, want to ensure that the SRO (School Resource Officers) staff remain employed in each school.” (His opponent wants to eliminate these positions at each school.)
Recognizing that District Five, which he seeks to represent, has a low rate of educational attainment, Puicar wants to increase the graduation rate of the area. “I want these children to achieve, so that they don’t drop out of school, and graduate so that they can go on to advanced training. Those who are not inclined toward a four-year degree can then prepare themselves for a good career as a plumber, or electrician or nurse, and not start out life with a big debt.”
- His web site: https://writeingeorge.com.
- Have a- comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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