CHATTOOGA HIGH’S 16-year-old Christy York will speak at Saturday’s “Meet the Candidates” event at 10 a.m. at Pop’s Buffet in Summerville, where kids will be able to vote, as well as members of the TEA Party.

It’s a great opportunity for children to judge whether our elected leaders are protecting their future or destroying it with a debt burden they will never be able to repay. Is it wise to spend more money than you take in and then have to pay it back with high interest? Our state, county and national governments are doing just that while kicking the payback down the road for our children to repay. Kids, if you believe our elected officials are out of control with spending and borrowing money they don’t have and leaving you the debt to repay, this is your opportunity to say, “Stop it.”

The local TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party invites kids and adults to the “Meet the Candidates” event on Saturday, Feb. 25. Everyone may vote in the straw poll for their favorite candidates in the presidential, state and local races, including Chattooga County Sheriff and County Commissioner.

Georgia’s presidential preference primaries are set for March 6. President Barack Obama is unopposed on the Democratic ballot. If you ask for a Republican ballot, you may vote for Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum or Mitt Romney.