NEWS Archive
More Changes at Georgia Department of Transportation Former State Representative Aims To Join GDOT Board No sooner had Dalton attorney Steve Farrow announced his resignation from the Board of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) than a former state representative began to make a case for his membership on the body. Farrow's resignation, which took effect last Saturday, was due to personal reasons, he said. Former State Representative Stacey Reece , a Republican businessman from Gainesville, has been lobbying legislators from the 9th Congressional District since Farrow's announcement. The district encompasses 24 legislative districts stretching from Hall and White counties to Dade County. Reece ran previously for the position on the GDOT Board but lost to current Congressional candidate Mike Evans . After Evans resigned from the Board due to his romantic entanglement with then Commissioner Gena Abraham, Farrow took his place. Evans later married Abraham. Reece is currently being backed by State Senator Lee Hawkins (also a candidate for the 9th Congressional District seat) and State Rep. Carl Rogers. Governor's Nominee for GDOT Planning Director Receives NodOn Wednesday of this week, Todd Long received unanimous approval from the full House Transportation Committee to become the new Director of Planning for the Georgia Department of Transportation. Most of the questions Long received from the full Transportation Committee had already been asked during a subcommittee meeting last week than gave Long his initial approval for the position. The General Assembly passed Senate Bill 200 in the 2009 legislative session, which created significant changes to GDOT. Among them was the creation of a Director of Planning that would be appointed and directly appointed by the governor, but must be approved by the House Transportation Committee. Long was previously Chief Engineer at the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, and prior to that he filled various engineering leadership roles at GDOT for 18 years. Newly appointed House Transportation Chairman Jay Roberts (R - Camilla) told Long: "We have only heard great things about you and we look forward to working with you."Report from August Board Meeting of the Georgia Department of TransportationThe Board of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) held their monthly meeting at 9 am on August 20. The committees of the Board met on Wednesday, and presented their committee reports at the Board meeting on Thursday. The meeting opened with a presentation from Genetha Rice-Singleton, Assistant Director of Preconstruction. Rice-Singleton reported that the September letting would include 28 total projects with a total value of $149 million. Eighteen (18) of those projects will be funded with stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) at a total value of $90 million and 10 of the projects will be funded through GDOT at a total cost of $59 million. One project, located in Congressional District 3, will be a local let project and the remainder of the projects will be let through GDOT. Seven (7) of the projects are located in economically distressed areas. The projects will include 25 total contracts. The entire project letting presentation can be found on the Georgia Department of Transportation website. Discussion from the Board included comments from Board Member David Doss that the current list of projects includes alot of smaller projects so that GDOT will be able to get them underway much more quickly. Deputy Commissioner Gerald Ross assured the Board that many larger projects are ready to go and will come in future lettings. However, a key component requirement of the stimulus dollars in Georgia was that the money be spent on projects that were "shovel ready." To date, most of those projects have been road repairs and resurfacing. Newly confirmed Planning Director Todd Long asked the Board to approve a small number of project additions and deletions in Houston and Barrow counties. Board Members Dana Lemon and Emory McClinton expressed a concern at the apparent lack of projects involving transit expansion or improvement. Long replied that in order for rail projects to be included in lettings, the projects need to be "shovel ready" and that was the primary reason none of those projects have been scheduled. Meg Pirkle, Executive Assistant to the Chief Engineer, provided a comprehensive presentation on the status of ARRA (stimulus) funds in Georgia. To date, all five (5) aviation projects are underway. All Phase I transit projects funded through the ARRA are pending, and Governor Sonny Perdue has certified all Phase I Highway projects. GDOT has successfully met the deadline to obligate up to 50 percent of available stimulus funds. Several Board members agreed that it would be helpful to provide a briefing on the stimulus situation in Georgia to both the State House and State Senate Transportation committees. Pirkle's entire presentation can be viewed on the Georgia Department of Transportation website. All other minutes and presentations from the meeting can be found on the Georgia Department of Transportation website. Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission Meets in AtlantaThe Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission held their monthly meeting on August 20 at 10 am at the State Capitol. Commission members Ben Hinson and Dr. Rhonda Medows were unable to attend the meeting. The Commission opened their meeting by approving the minutes from the previous Commission meeting, and recieved a short briefing from Commissioner Administrator Jim Pettyjohn on various administrative matters. The Commission then heard an educational presentation from Dana Greer, Director of the Department of Community Health Office of Procurement Services. Greer briefed the Commission on various policies, terms and procedures that are involved in public health procurement procedures. Greer was followed by a presentation from Paula Guy, Executive Director of the Georgia Partnership for Telehealth, Inc. Guy presented a strategic plan for increasing telemedicine practice and infrastructure in Georgia's trauma system. The Georgia Partnership for Telehealth, Inc. is requesting funding from the Georgia Trauma Network Commission in the amount of $200,000. Dr. Jim Broselow followed with a presentation of technology and procedures that can be utilized in pediatric trauma situations to make treatment and response times more accurate and efficient. Dr. Leon Haley provided the Commission with a report on the status of funding for trauma center physicians, and Dr. Pat O'Neal, Director of Preparedness for the Division of Public Health, provided an update from the State Office of EMS and Trauma. Rene Morgan briefed the Commission on the status of 2010 Hospital Readiness Funding Contracts. Kelli Vaughn then gave the Commission an update from the Georgia Trauma Care Economic Profile Subcommittee. The meeting concluded with a discussion on the Commission's proposed budget for FY 2010. Courtney Terwilliger, President of the Georgia Association of EMS, presented the Commission with some alternative options for disbursement of money for the emergency medical services portion of the budget. The Commission subsequently concluded that the EMS Stakeholder Committee should meet to discuss the EMS budget further and report back to the Commission at a later date.U.S. Attorney David Nahmias Appointed to Georgia Supreme CourtEarlier this summer, the former Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, Leah Ward Sears, announced her retirement to pursue other opportunities in the private sector. Justice Carol Hunstein, who has served on the Court since 1992, was promoted to Chief Justice. On Thursday of last week, Governor Sonny Perdue announced that U.S. Attorney David Nahmias would fill the vacancy created by the departure of Chief Justice Sears.Zell Miller HospitalizedLast week, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that former Georgia Governor and United States Senator Zell Miller had been hospitalized for a case of viral shingles. Senator Miller was admitted to St. Joseph's Hospital and was closely attended by his wife, Shirley. Miller was later released after his condition improved. Miller served as Georgia's Governor from 1991 to 1999 and United States Senator from 2000 to 2004. Miller, a lifelong Democrat, catapulted to national acclaim when he endorsed George W. Bush for President and gave a thundering speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Georgia Continues Search for Solution in Water WarsOn Monday, ten (10) of Georgia's 15 Congressmen met in the basement of Governor Sonny Perdue's mansion to discuss continued strategy in the fight for water in Georgia. Alabama Governor Bob Riley has agreed to about 20 dates spanning the remainder of 2009 to continue negotiations over the use of water from Lake Lanier. Florida's Governor Charlie Christ has yet to respond. Earlier this summer, a United States District Judge ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers never had the authority to release water from Lake Lanier for drinking in metro Atlanta. Billions of dollars in economic development are at stake for Georgia. On Thursday of this week, Governor Perdue provided a comprehensive briefing on the issue to all eight candidates for Governor in 2010, including Democrats and Republicans. Georgia Appeals U.S Department of Justice Ruling on Citizenship ChecksLast year, Georgia legislators passed a new law requiring a voter's citizenship to be verified before the voter can be issued a ballot. Because Georgia is still subject to the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the state was required to receive approval from the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) before the law could be implimented. The USDOJ rejected the proposed change. Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel has asked the Justice Department to reconsider their ruling on the basis that "there is nothing discriminatory in verifying voter information and citizenship. It is my hope that the Department of Justice will review this request, with the information and data provided, and grant preclearance to the State of Georgia for these verification processes."Troy Davis Gets Another Opportunity for HearingThe United States Supreme Court has ordered a federal judge to conduct a hearing on the case of Troy Anthony Davis, who was convicted for the 1991 murder of an off-duty Savannah police officer. Davis was sentenced to the death penalty, and he has since filed a writ of habeas corpus, claiming that seven of the witnesses in his trial have recanted their testimony. This action was highly unusual, noted Justice Antonin Scalia, in that the High Court hadn't ruled favorably on such a motion in nearly 50 years. Justice Scalia and Justice Clarence Thomas offered the dissenting opinion. Campaign Diary - Insurance Commissioner's Race, State House Races, Endorsements and New EntriesEarlier this summer, House Transportation Chairman Vance Smith Jr. resigned from his seat to become Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation. Several local leaders quickly lined up in the contest to replace him, and Governor Sonny Perdue declared that the election would take place on November 3. Last week, Colin Martin announced that he would discontinue his campaign for the seat, leaving Kip Smith, Vance Smith's son; former radio personality Jerry Luquire; businessman Steve Earls; and former State Representative Earl Davis as candidates. On Wednesday of last week, Snellville City Councilman Warren Auld announced that he would be entering the race to replace the current holder of the seat, Rep. Melvin Everson (R - Snellville). Everson is running for Labor Commissioner in 2010. Auld will finish out his current term on the city council and then run against former Mayor Brett Harrell, who announced for the seat earlier this summer. Auld is an attorney who lives in Snellville with his wife and two children.Former Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Wayne Hill has announced that he will seek election to the House seat recently vacated by Rep. Stacey Reese (House District 98), who is running for United States Congress in Georgia's 9th Congressional District. Hill announced his primary campaign issues will be transportation, economic development and natural resource needs. Last week, State Rep. Mike Keown (R - Coolidge) announced that he would challenge Congressman Sanford Bishop for Georgia's 2nd Congressional District. Keown is a residential contractor and a minister from Coolidge. He has served in the General Assembly since 2005. He chairs the House Special Rules Committee and also serves on the House Education, Health and Human Services, Natural Resources committees. Civil rights icon and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young has announced two key endorsements last week. Young endorsed State Senator Kasim Reed (D - Atlanta) in the Atlanta mayor's race and also endorsed Ken Hodges for Georgia's Attorney General. Last week, House Insurance Chairman Tom Knox (R - Cumming) has announced his candidacy for Georgia's Insurance Commissioner. Knox is an attorney who has practiced law in regulatory and consumer advocacy issues. He was elected to the State House in 2000, and has served as Chairman of the House Insurance Committee for several years. Knox's entry was also joined by that of Cobb County attorney Maria Sheffield, an attorney with the firm Burr, Forman, LLP. Sheffield practices primarily insurance law, and holds a BA, an MBA, an MPA and a JD. Senator Ralph Hudgens (R - Hull) also made a major campaign announcement this week, introducing one of the co-chairs of his campaign, former Republican gubernatorial candidate Guy Milner. Governor Sonny Purdue issued a writ of election to fill the House seat that was recently vacated by Rep. Celeste Johnson (D - Jonesboro). The election will be held on November 3 along with municpal elections also being held that day. While attempts to reach Rep. Johnson to learn more about her resignation were unsuccessful, a spokesman for the Governor's office indicated that her letter of resignation said she was resigning to spend time caring for her parents in Florida. Her resignation is effective on August 31.This week also saw some movement in the special election for House District 80, recently vacated by fomer Representative Robin Shipp. Simone Bell, a self-proclaimed community educator and social advocate will join current candidates Michael McPherson, Asha Jackson, Angela Stovall and Kevin Johnson. As of today, there are a total of seven people running for the Congressional seat being vacated by Congressman Nathan Deal: State Rep. Tom Graves (R - Ranger), former State Representative Mike Evans, former Senate Majority Leader Bill Stephens, State Rep. Bobby Reese (R - Sugar Hill), Senator Lee Hawkins (R - Gainesville), Edward Moon and Jeremy Edward Jones. Last week, a website popped up soliciting signatures to draft Georgia Democratic Party Chairman Jane Kidd to run against United States Senator Johnny Isakson. Kidd is also a former state Representative.Governor Sonny Perdue Announces July Revenue Figures; Appropriations Chairman Supports Special SessionLast Tuesday, Governor Sonny Perdue's office announced that Georgia's July revenue numbers were down by 9.6 percent compared to July 2008. This is a total decrease of $117,053,000. This week, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Ben Harbin (R - Evans) told a group of elected officials from Augusta that a special session was needed to address Georgia's severe budget shortfall. Harbin stated that Governor Perdue has worked hard to make cuts within existing programs, but that additional work in a special session was needed. Harbin also intimated that there is widespread support in the State House for a special session, but that many members of the State Senate are resistent to the idea. Governor Sonny Perdue Awards Community Development GrantsLast Friday, Governor Sonny Perdue announced the awarding of approximately $10 million in stimulus grants through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants are administered through the State Community Development Block Grant Recovery Program. The funds will be used to bolster programs that improve living conditions and economic opportunities around the state. More information is available on the Governor's website. Weekly Events CalendarSaturday, August 22 - 4 pm - Faith and Family Coalition Freedom Rally with Sean Hannity; Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place, 1775 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, Georgia 30096Monday, August 24 - 6 to 8 pm - Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Jim Marshall; VFW Post 6605, 1011 Corder Road, Warner Robins, GeorgiaMonday, August 24, 10 am - Intermodal Committee Meeting, Georgia Transportation Board; Room 121, State Capitol, 18 Capitol Square, Atlanta Georgia 30334Tuesday, August 25, 10:30 am - Georgia Transportation Board Workshop; Georgia Department of Transportation, 600 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30308Thursday, August 27 - 12 noon - Bill Stephens for Congress Fundraiser with House Rules Chairman Earl Ehrhart; The Georgian Club, 100 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1700, Marietta, Georgia 30339Saturday, August 29 - 11 am - Corn Roast for Rep. Tom Graves sponsored by Senator Chip Pearson, Rep. Martin Scott, Rep. Stephen Allison and Rep. Jay Neal; Sandy Bottom Farm, Jasper, Georgia. Please RSVP to annemarie@gravesforcongress.org.If you have events you would like to be published in Brock Clay's weekly newsletter, please send them to smillican@brockclay.com.In Other NewsLast week, Webert Mama of Austell was arrested misdemeanor illegal dumping for dumping a large quantity of trash and an old mattress in the middle of a local street. How'd they know it was him? Apparently, Mama left identifying documents in the trash. On Tuesday, nationally acclaimed political pundit and commentator Robert Novack passed away at the age of 78. This week, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution announced that they would be moving its offices from its current location in downtown Atlanta to the Perimeter. The move is part of a new effort to cut costs at the struggling newspaper.Today in HistoryAugust 21, 1689 - The Battle of Dunkeld in ScotlandAugust 21, 1858 - The Lincoln-Douglas debates begin.August 21, 1878 - The American Bar Association is founded.August 21, 1911 - The Mona Lisa is stolen by an employee of the Louvre.August 21, 1959 - Hawaii becomes a state.Have a great weekend,SMThere are no simple solutions to working with the public or government. At Brock Clay, we integrate our services across lobbying, grassroots and public relations in order to create comprehensive solutions to complex problems. Whether we need to set up a town hall meeting, start a letter-writing campaign, work the halls of the Capitol or create a press release, we will find the right way to meet the challenge. As Harry Truman said, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
