By Todd C. Duncan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics
April 30, 2010
When the 2010 Georgia Legislature opened on Jan. 11, lawmakers faced significant challenges for the next 40 days. Some were of their own making; others were born out of a national economy turned sour. They promised a "renewal." Here is a look at what they accomplished:
Budget
Challenge: The struggle to fund state programs in this grinding recession was difficult as legislators sought ways to balance next year's budget.
Action: Lawmakers approved a $17.8 billion spending package, which funds everything from schools to prisons. The 2011 budget balances the books by cutting spending, raising some user fees and taxing hospital revenue. The budget also is balanced with more than $1 billion in federal stimulus money. About $96 million should be generated from dozens of increased or new state fees. The new budget cuts basic funding for K-12 schools and the University of System of Georgia instruction by more than $600 million.
To read more please click on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/key-issues-took-center-506585.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) is Atlanta's preeminent resource on developmental disabilities, providing support services to families for more than 55 years. We are often the one place where people with developmental disabilities can go to achieve personal empowerment, family stability and community participation. AADD provides family support; public policy and advocacy; and community engagement.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Special Olympians Compete In Spring Games
By Jeff Bishop
The Newnan Times-Herald
April 29, 2010
Students from schools across Coweta County competed in the 2010 Special Olympics Spring Games Wednesday morning at Newnan High School's Drake Stadium.
"What a tremendous day for all these young people," said Doug Moore, principal of Newnan High School.
"We've been blessed with wonderful weather today, for this day of fun, friendship, and competition together," said Moore.
Students recited their oath at the opening ceremonies: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
"We welcome and encourage all the young athletes here to compete today," said Moore.
East Coweta High School student Kevin Spieler was selected for this year's Norah McGraw Award for outstanding student achievement. Jean McGraw presented the award.
Spieler participates in track and field events and enjoys BMX racing and gymnastics. He earned a spot on the ECHS track and field team and has placed in several events.
For the rest of the story please click on link: http://www.times-herald.com/Local/Special-Olympians-compete-in-spring-games-1107358
© 2010 The Newnan Times-Herald Inc., Newnan, Georgia.
The Newnan Times-Herald
April 29, 2010
Students from schools across Coweta County competed in the 2010 Special Olympics Spring Games Wednesday morning at Newnan High School's Drake Stadium.
"What a tremendous day for all these young people," said Doug Moore, principal of Newnan High School.
"We've been blessed with wonderful weather today, for this day of fun, friendship, and competition together," said Moore.
Students recited their oath at the opening ceremonies: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
"We welcome and encourage all the young athletes here to compete today," said Moore.
East Coweta High School student Kevin Spieler was selected for this year's Norah McGraw Award for outstanding student achievement. Jean McGraw presented the award.
Spieler participates in track and field events and enjoys BMX racing and gymnastics. He earned a spot on the ECHS track and field team and has placed in several events.
For the rest of the story please click on link: http://www.times-herald.com/Local/Special-Olympians-compete-in-spring-games-1107358
© 2010 The Newnan Times-Herald Inc., Newnan, Georgia.
Transportation Bill Boosts Regional Transit Efforts
By: Dave Williams
Atlanta Business Chronicle
April 30, 2010
A regional transit system for Atlanta, long a wishful concept among planning-policy wonks, soon could become the focus of Georgia lawmakers and transit agency officials with the power to make it happen.
Buried in the back of a long-awaited transportation funding bill passed by the General Assembly April 21 is a provision creating a commission to explore the feasibility of combining the hodgepodge of transit systems now operating independently — including MARTA — into “an integrated regional transit body.”
Read more: Transportation bill boosts regional transit efforts - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/05/03/story1.html?b=1272859200^3271901
© 2010 American City Business Journals, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Atlanta Business Chronicle
April 30, 2010
A regional transit system for Atlanta, long a wishful concept among planning-policy wonks, soon could become the focus of Georgia lawmakers and transit agency officials with the power to make it happen.
Buried in the back of a long-awaited transportation funding bill passed by the General Assembly April 21 is a provision creating a commission to explore the feasibility of combining the hodgepodge of transit systems now operating independently — including MARTA — into “an integrated regional transit body.”
Read more: Transportation bill boosts regional transit efforts - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/05/03/story1.html?b=1272859200^3271901
© 2010 American City Business Journals, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Lawmakers Back Healthcare Opt-Out
By Associated Press
Athens Banner-Herald
April 30, 2010
ATLANTA - The Senate voted 33-16 on Thursday, following House approval on Tuesday, in favor of a measure that aims to restrict the government from mandating that residents have health insurance.
The proposal bans the government from requiring any resident, employer or health care provider to participate in a health care system. It says it aims to "preserve the freedom of citizens of this state to provide for their health care."
For full story please click on link: http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/043010/new_628365972.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
Athens Banner-Herald
April 30, 2010
ATLANTA - The Senate voted 33-16 on Thursday, following House approval on Tuesday, in favor of a measure that aims to restrict the government from mandating that residents have health insurance.
The proposal bans the government from requiring any resident, employer or health care provider to participate in a health care system. It says it aims to "preserve the freedom of citizens of this state to provide for their health care."
For full story please click on link: http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/043010/new_628365972.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Hearing Disability Hasn't Slowed Down Hall
By Chris Gay
The Augusta Chronicle
April 29, 2010
MCCORMICK, S.C. --- Kevin Hall stood on the 18th tee feeling confident.
It was an 18-hole round with Tiger Woods two years ago. For 17 holes, Hall kept up with the world's No. 1 player. At the closing hole at Isleworth Country Club in Windermere, Fla., Hall offered his opponent a challenge: player with the lowest score on the par-4 wins $5. Hall said he felt good after striping a drive about 300 yards down the middle.
"Then Tiger teed it high and all of a sudden he took a rip at it," Hall said. "The ball went on and on and on over everything. He hit a flip wedge to the green and made birdie."
Woods asked for the $5, and Hall asked why he wanted the money from a poor golfer. Woods responded, "You're the one who brought up the bet."
It should come as little surprise Hall's mouth got him into trouble. At a Monday clinic as part of the Savannah Lakes Village Classic, he communicated with children from Long Cane Academy and McCormick Middle school with that contagious smile and his ever-moving hands and fingers. He spoke more than anyone at Monticello Golf Club, despite the obvious fact -- Hall cannot hear.
"He's the most talkative deaf person I've ever seen in my life," said Hall's mother, Jackie, who interpreted for him.
A hearing disability has yet to slow down someone who's made a name for himself on the golf course. In 2004, he posted a record-setting performance en route to winning the Big Ten championship. Two years later, the Ohio State alumnus played in his first PGA Tour event, the Memorial Tournament, held by fellow Buckeye Jack Nicklaus.
For the rest of the story please click on link: http://chronicle.augusta.com/sports/golf/2010-04-29/hearing-disability-hasnt-slowed-down-hall?v=1272504681
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
The Augusta Chronicle
April 29, 2010
MCCORMICK, S.C. --- Kevin Hall stood on the 18th tee feeling confident.
It was an 18-hole round with Tiger Woods two years ago. For 17 holes, Hall kept up with the world's No. 1 player. At the closing hole at Isleworth Country Club in Windermere, Fla., Hall offered his opponent a challenge: player with the lowest score on the par-4 wins $5. Hall said he felt good after striping a drive about 300 yards down the middle.
"Then Tiger teed it high and all of a sudden he took a rip at it," Hall said. "The ball went on and on and on over everything. He hit a flip wedge to the green and made birdie."
Woods asked for the $5, and Hall asked why he wanted the money from a poor golfer. Woods responded, "You're the one who brought up the bet."
It should come as little surprise Hall's mouth got him into trouble. At a Monday clinic as part of the Savannah Lakes Village Classic, he communicated with children from Long Cane Academy and McCormick Middle school with that contagious smile and his ever-moving hands and fingers. He spoke more than anyone at Monticello Golf Club, despite the obvious fact -- Hall cannot hear.
"He's the most talkative deaf person I've ever seen in my life," said Hall's mother, Jackie, who interpreted for him.
A hearing disability has yet to slow down someone who's made a name for himself on the golf course. In 2004, he posted a record-setting performance en route to winning the Big Ten championship. Two years later, the Ohio State alumnus played in his first PGA Tour event, the Memorial Tournament, held by fellow Buckeye Jack Nicklaus.
For the rest of the story please click on link: http://chronicle.augusta.com/sports/golf/2010-04-29/hearing-disability-hasnt-slowed-down-hall?v=1272504681
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
Legislature Reaches Deal On $17.8 Billion Budget
By Aaron Gould Sheinin and Jim Tharpe
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 28, 2010
With just hours remaining in the 2010 legislative session, House and Senate budget negotiators struck a deal on the state budget late Wednesday night, clearing the way for final adjournment today.
House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) said the budget conference committee had reached agreement after nearly a week of negotiations on the $17.8 billion state budget.
“We didn’t have substantial differences between the House and the Senate,” Ralston said.
“That’s a product of the economic climate we’re in.”
The budget contained little in the way of frills as the state in 2011 will spend $3 billion less than just three years ago.
To see article please click on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/legislature-reaches-deal-on-502227.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 28, 2010
With just hours remaining in the 2010 legislative session, House and Senate budget negotiators struck a deal on the state budget late Wednesday night, clearing the way for final adjournment today.
House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) said the budget conference committee had reached agreement after nearly a week of negotiations on the $17.8 billion state budget.
“We didn’t have substantial differences between the House and the Senate,” Ralston said.
“That’s a product of the economic climate we’re in.”
The budget contained little in the way of frills as the state in 2011 will spend $3 billion less than just three years ago.
To see article please click on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/legislature-reaches-deal-on-502227.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lawmakers Enter Final Day Of Marathon Session
By GREG BLUESTEIN and ERRIN HAINES
The Athens Banner-Herald
April 29, 2010
Lawmakers scrambled to put the finishing touches on the Georgia General Assembly’s 40-day legislative session this morning as they prepared to adopt a $17.8 billion budget and wrestle over the contentious issues of abortion, gun rights and property tax reform.
To read the article please click on link: http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/042910/bre_627602613.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
The Athens Banner-Herald
April 29, 2010
Lawmakers scrambled to put the finishing touches on the Georgia General Assembly’s 40-day legislative session this morning as they prepared to adopt a $17.8 billion budget and wrestle over the contentious issues of abortion, gun rights and property tax reform.
To read the article please click on link: http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/042910/bre_627602613.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
Friday, April 23, 2010
Georgia Capitol Notes Through Day 38
The Associated Press
The Newnan Times-Herald
Apr 23, 2010
HEADLINES:
The House and the Senate overcame years of struggle and approved an historic transportation funding bill on Wednesday, delivering on a plan that would allow Georgia voters to decide whether to hike the sales tax by one cent to pay for roads, bridges and rail projects.
The Senate voted 43-8 for passage Wednesday night. In the House the vote was 141-29. It now moves to Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Legislators have struggled to strike a deal on transportation, bidding in particular to end some of the worst gridlock in the nation in metro Atlanta and in Georgia, the ninth most populous state. Under the plan, Georgians would vote during the 2012 presidential primary on whether to increase the sales tax for transportation. The state would be broken into regions. Only regions that approve the sales tax increase would have the money to spend.
For the whole article please click on link: http://ap.times-herald.com/dynamic/stories/G/GA_XGR_CAPITOL_NOTES_GAOL-?SITE=GANEW&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
© 2010 The Newnan Times-Herald Inc.
The Newnan Times-Herald
Apr 23, 2010
HEADLINES:
The House and the Senate overcame years of struggle and approved an historic transportation funding bill on Wednesday, delivering on a plan that would allow Georgia voters to decide whether to hike the sales tax by one cent to pay for roads, bridges and rail projects.
The Senate voted 43-8 for passage Wednesday night. In the House the vote was 141-29. It now moves to Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Legislators have struggled to strike a deal on transportation, bidding in particular to end some of the worst gridlock in the nation in metro Atlanta and in Georgia, the ninth most populous state. Under the plan, Georgians would vote during the 2012 presidential primary on whether to increase the sales tax for transportation. The state would be broken into regions. Only regions that approve the sales tax increase would have the money to spend.
For the whole article please click on link: http://ap.times-herald.com/dynamic/stories/G/GA_XGR_CAPITOL_NOTES_GAOL-?SITE=GANEW&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
© 2010 The Newnan Times-Herald Inc.
Obama Picks A New Messenger For Health Care Law
The Associated Press
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 22, 2010
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, facing a public dubious about his health care law and Democrats worried about its fallout on fall elections, tapped a veteran political operative Thursday to guide efforts to explain the law's benefits.
With Republicans attacking the health care law almost daily, some Democratic lawmakers feel the move aimed at more effective message control is overdue.
Obama turned to Stephanie Cutter, the spokeswoman for Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign and a message specialist who has already tackled several tasks for the president. She handled press for his transition team, helped shepherd Sonia Sotomayor through her Senate confirmation for the Supreme Court, and worked for the Treasury Department and first lady Michelle Obama.
Administration officials said Cutter's new job will be more educational than political. But several Democrats said a better messaging job on health care is crucial to the party's election hopes this year.
To read further please click on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/obama-picks-a-new-483603.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 22, 2010
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, facing a public dubious about his health care law and Democrats worried about its fallout on fall elections, tapped a veteran political operative Thursday to guide efforts to explain the law's benefits.
With Republicans attacking the health care law almost daily, some Democratic lawmakers feel the move aimed at more effective message control is overdue.
Obama turned to Stephanie Cutter, the spokeswoman for Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign and a message specialist who has already tackled several tasks for the president. She handled press for his transition team, helped shepherd Sonia Sotomayor through her Senate confirmation for the Supreme Court, and worked for the Treasury Department and first lady Michelle Obama.
Administration officials said Cutter's new job will be more educational than political. But several Democrats said a better messaging job on health care is crucial to the party's election hopes this year.
To read further please click on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/obama-picks-a-new-483603.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lee Leaders Mull Senior Village
Allowing a proposed affordable-housing development would be a reversal from previous Lee County Commission decisions. - Carlton Fletcher, Metro Editor
By Carlton Fletcher
Metro Editor
The Albany Herald
April 23,2010
LEESBURG — On the surface, the proposed $5 million-$6 million Forrester Senior Village development appears to be just the kind of shot in the arm the stagnant Lee County economy needs.
Figures released by Flint Ventures, one of the partners in the proposed development, indicate the project would generate $400,000 in immediate water and sewer tap fees, more than $50,000 a year in water and sewer usage fees and property taxes in the neighborhood of $80,000 a year.
Additionally, the 75 or so one- and two-bedroom apartment units would put struggling construction crews in the community to work, and the development’s tenants would eventually give the nearby Publix supermarket, CVS Pharmacy and Heritage Bank businesses currently in various stages of development a built-in base of potential customers.
Yet, a contingent in the community, one of whom ominously predicted “this project could be the beginning of the end of Lee County as we know it,” has openly questioned the wisdom of allowing the development, chiefly because its co-developers have expressed their intention to apply for federally funded tax credits.
“A lot of folks, when they hear ‘tax credits,’ they think of government-subsidized housing,” Josh Thomason, a development manager for Atlanta-based Peachtree Housing Partners LLC, said Thursday. “But what we’re applying for is based on federal legislation that was passed in 1986 under President Reagan.
“What the federal government decided then was that HUD was doing a horrible job of providing affordable housing. The tax credits incentivize private builders to develop quality affordable housing.”
To read the whole article please click on link: http://www.albanyherald.com/home/headlines/91879694.html
Southern Community Newspapers Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2010
By Carlton Fletcher
Metro Editor
The Albany Herald
April 23,2010
LEESBURG — On the surface, the proposed $5 million-$6 million Forrester Senior Village development appears to be just the kind of shot in the arm the stagnant Lee County economy needs.
Figures released by Flint Ventures, one of the partners in the proposed development, indicate the project would generate $400,000 in immediate water and sewer tap fees, more than $50,000 a year in water and sewer usage fees and property taxes in the neighborhood of $80,000 a year.
Additionally, the 75 or so one- and two-bedroom apartment units would put struggling construction crews in the community to work, and the development’s tenants would eventually give the nearby Publix supermarket, CVS Pharmacy and Heritage Bank businesses currently in various stages of development a built-in base of potential customers.
Yet, a contingent in the community, one of whom ominously predicted “this project could be the beginning of the end of Lee County as we know it,” has openly questioned the wisdom of allowing the development, chiefly because its co-developers have expressed their intention to apply for federally funded tax credits.
“A lot of folks, when they hear ‘tax credits,’ they think of government-subsidized housing,” Josh Thomason, a development manager for Atlanta-based Peachtree Housing Partners LLC, said Thursday. “But what we’re applying for is based on federal legislation that was passed in 1986 under President Reagan.
“What the federal government decided then was that HUD was doing a horrible job of providing affordable housing. The tax credits incentivize private builders to develop quality affordable housing.”
To read the whole article please click on link: http://www.albanyherald.com/home/headlines/91879694.html
Southern Community Newspapers Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Georgia House, Senate Pass Transportation Bill
By Ariel Hart
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics
April 21, 2010
Breaking a legislative traffic jam that has endured for more than three years, the Georgia General Assembly on Wednesday voted to allow referendums throughout the state on transportation funding.
Taking to the well for the first time this session, Speaker David Ralston in a rousing speech led the Georgia House to pass the bill, HB 277, by a vote of 141-29. The Senate passed it 43-8 shortly afterward.
The bill would divide the state into 12 regions. A “roundtable” of local elected officials in each region, working with an appointee of the governor, would draw up a list of projects for the region.
The region could then submit the list to its voters for their approval in a referendum, along with a 1 percent sales tax to fund them. No county could opt out of a region’s tax, but a roundtable could decline to hold a referendum in the region.
If the bill becomes law, it also will probably ease the draconian cuts MARTA was facing, though it was unclear Wednesday night by exactly how much. It lifts, for three years, a restriction on how the transit agency can use its revenues from sales taxes, freeing up several million dollars for operations.
The strong margins of support in both houses delighted supporters.
For the rest of the article please click on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/house-senate-pass-transportation-481503.html?cxtype=rss_news_81963
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics
April 21, 2010
Breaking a legislative traffic jam that has endured for more than three years, the Georgia General Assembly on Wednesday voted to allow referendums throughout the state on transportation funding.
Taking to the well for the first time this session, Speaker David Ralston in a rousing speech led the Georgia House to pass the bill, HB 277, by a vote of 141-29. The Senate passed it 43-8 shortly afterward.
The bill would divide the state into 12 regions. A “roundtable” of local elected officials in each region, working with an appointee of the governor, would draw up a list of projects for the region.
The region could then submit the list to its voters for their approval in a referendum, along with a 1 percent sales tax to fund them. No county could opt out of a region’s tax, but a roundtable could decline to hold a referendum in the region.
If the bill becomes law, it also will probably ease the draconian cuts MARTA was facing, though it was unclear Wednesday night by exactly how much. It lifts, for three years, a restriction on how the transit agency can use its revenues from sales taxes, freeing up several million dollars for operations.
The strong margins of support in both houses delighted supporters.
For the rest of the article please click on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/house-senate-pass-transportation-481503.html?cxtype=rss_news_81963
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
AADD’s Heart of Gold Banquet Employee Of The Year
By Azalene James
Director, Georgia Family Support
All About Developmental Disabilities
April 21, 2010
Cindy Wyss was chosen to receive the Employee of the Year Award at the Heart of Gold Banquet last night. Cindy’s work with persons with intellectual disabilities has many different areas of helps that she oversees each and every day. She truly believes in the work she does. Not only does she prepares the meals for the consumers when they come in for a learning session but also she prepares snacks and meals for staff meetings and other activities planned by AADD. Cindy loves her work and the time and effort she contributes to making lives better exemplify the love she has for her work. We appreciate Cindy at AADD and we are so proud of her and celebrate with her.
Director, Georgia Family Support
All About Developmental Disabilities
April 21, 2010
Cindy Wyss was chosen to receive the Employee of the Year Award at the Heart of Gold Banquet last night. Cindy’s work with persons with intellectual disabilities has many different areas of helps that she oversees each and every day. She truly believes in the work she does. Not only does she prepares the meals for the consumers when they come in for a learning session but also she prepares snacks and meals for staff meetings and other activities planned by AADD. Cindy loves her work and the time and effort she contributes to making lives better exemplify the love she has for her work. We appreciate Cindy at AADD and we are so proud of her and celebrate with her.
MARTA Supporters Make Last-Minute Plea For State Assistance
By Christian Boone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 20, 2010
Light rain and heavy odds did not stop some 300 MARTA supporters and employees from marching on the state Capitol on Tuesday morning in a plea for financial assistance for the metro area’s beleaguered transit system.
“What is more crucial than to keep us going to work, going to the doctor and going to school?” asked DeKalb County NAACP President Yvonne Hawks.
But the state is unlikely to deliver. Top officials say the money is just not there, though MARTA backers say the financial repercussions will be greater if the transit authority is forced to cover a $120 million operations deficit on its own.
Expecting just that, MARTA is preparing to slash up to 30 percent of its service and also may have to eliminate as many as 1,000 workers.
To read further please click on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/marta-supporters-make-last-477288.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 20, 2010
Light rain and heavy odds did not stop some 300 MARTA supporters and employees from marching on the state Capitol on Tuesday morning in a plea for financial assistance for the metro area’s beleaguered transit system.
“What is more crucial than to keep us going to work, going to the doctor and going to school?” asked DeKalb County NAACP President Yvonne Hawks.
But the state is unlikely to deliver. Top officials say the money is just not there, though MARTA backers say the financial repercussions will be greater if the transit authority is forced to cover a $120 million operations deficit on its own.
Expecting just that, MARTA is preparing to slash up to 30 percent of its service and also may have to eliminate as many as 1,000 workers.
To read further please click on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/marta-supporters-make-last-477288.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Transportation Funding Proposal Clears A Roadblock, Still Faces Bumps
By Ariel Hart
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 20, 2010
A bill to allow regions in Georgia to vote for transportation funding has cleared a major roadblock, as state House and Senate negotiators met publicly Tuesday and said they had struck a deal with Gov. Sonny Perdue to resolve one of their biggest disagreements.
But there are still “sticking points” like MARTA funding, said Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and a member of the conference committee doing the negotiations. The members plan to keep at it and meet again Wednesday.
To read further please click on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/transportation-funding-proposal-clears-478050.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 20, 2010
A bill to allow regions in Georgia to vote for transportation funding has cleared a major roadblock, as state House and Senate negotiators met publicly Tuesday and said they had struck a deal with Gov. Sonny Perdue to resolve one of their biggest disagreements.
But there are still “sticking points” like MARTA funding, said Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and a member of the conference committee doing the negotiations. The members plan to keep at it and meet again Wednesday.
To read further please click on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/transportation-funding-proposal-clears-478050.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Heart Of Gold
by Marcus E. Howard
The Marietta Daily Journal
April 20, 2010
EAST COBB - On Tuesday, All About Developmental Disabilities will honor east Cobb resident Charles Hopkins with its highest award for his career of service helping people with developmental disabilities, at its awards ceremony at the Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta.
The Atlanta-based advocacy organization is presenting Hopkins with its Heart of Gold Award. Hopkins, 59, began working in the field of developmental disabilities at age 22 and is now retired. His work to bring people with disabilities into mainstream society has earned him national recognition.
In the 1950s, when AADD was formed, people with developmental disabilities in Georgia were often institutionalized by their families in places such as the Milledgeville State Hospital, at one time the nation's largest mental health institution, and Gracewood School for Mental Defectives in Augusta. Patients were often isolated.
By the 1970s, when Hopkins entered the profession, people with developmental disabilities were still being institutionalized by their families. Ultimately, Hopkins worked to bridge the gap between those people and their communities, by training the public on how to teach them and care for them.
"What I focused on was the importance of people with developmental disabilities being part of their communities and not excluded from their communities," Hopkins said.
"What we tried to do is say everybody is in. Everybody is a part of the community. We do acknowledge that they need some support to be a part of the community. So we're the support that can be put in place, so that folks with severe developmental disabilities can enjoy the community life that we enjoy."
Though he had little experience, Hopkins, who studied psychology at Georgia Southwestern State University and University of Georgia, first landed a job in his hometown of Washington after college, directing a small day program for people with developmental disabilities.
His passionate work drew the attention of state officials and in 1981, he was promoted to the position of overseeing developmental disabilities programs in several northwest Georgia counties for what is now the Highland Rivers Community Service Board. In 1985, he received the Georgia Department of Human Resources' first Distinguished Service Award.
In the late 1990s, Hopkins rose to become developmental disabilities program chief for DHR's Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases. He retired in 2008 as deputy director of DHR's office of developmental disabilities.
In retirement, Hopkins remains an advocate for people with developmental disabilities and volunteers his time with three organizations in the field.
"I like the people a lot," he said.
"I think that the success of my career has been that I am in relationship with lots of people with developmental disabilities."
Kellie Roberts, 48, of Canton, can attest to that. As a single mother with an 18-year-old son, Chad, who has been diagnosed with autism and other disorders, she credits Hopkins with forever changing their lives when they met him several years ago.
"I'm telling you, from that day on our lives were never the same. He has always stepped in and helped us in situations of crisis," Kellie Roberts said."
Chad has broken my arm before in a couple of places. When that happened, Charles worked with his provider, securing the right kind of services that helped Chad remain in the home, which is where I want to keep him, that's always been my goal. I just don't think he would be here with me if it wasn't for Charles."
David Blanchard, AADD executive director, said throughout his professional and personal life, Hopkins has never lost sight of how important it is to give back to others.
"He has a unique ability to see the potential in others, listen to their true dreams and help them fulfill them," Blanchard said. "As a national leader in the field of developmental disabilities, Charles has had a positive and profound impact on thousands of individuals' lives in Georgia."
In light of being honored with the AADD's award, Hopkins said he has done quite a bit of reflecting on his career and life. "One thing that I'm proud of and appreciative of myself, if you will, is throughout my life I've always not put barriers between me and other people," he said. "It is my tendency to meet people where they are. I appreciate people's differences."
http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/7119600/article-Heart-of-gold?instance=home_news_bullets
Content copyright © 2010 Marietta Daily Journal
The Marietta Daily Journal
April 20, 2010
EAST COBB - On Tuesday, All About Developmental Disabilities will honor east Cobb resident Charles Hopkins with its highest award for his career of service helping people with developmental disabilities, at its awards ceremony at the Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta.
The Atlanta-based advocacy organization is presenting Hopkins with its Heart of Gold Award. Hopkins, 59, began working in the field of developmental disabilities at age 22 and is now retired. His work to bring people with disabilities into mainstream society has earned him national recognition.
In the 1950s, when AADD was formed, people with developmental disabilities in Georgia were often institutionalized by their families in places such as the Milledgeville State Hospital, at one time the nation's largest mental health institution, and Gracewood School for Mental Defectives in Augusta. Patients were often isolated.
By the 1970s, when Hopkins entered the profession, people with developmental disabilities were still being institutionalized by their families. Ultimately, Hopkins worked to bridge the gap between those people and their communities, by training the public on how to teach them and care for them.
"What I focused on was the importance of people with developmental disabilities being part of their communities and not excluded from their communities," Hopkins said.
"What we tried to do is say everybody is in. Everybody is a part of the community. We do acknowledge that they need some support to be a part of the community. So we're the support that can be put in place, so that folks with severe developmental disabilities can enjoy the community life that we enjoy."
Though he had little experience, Hopkins, who studied psychology at Georgia Southwestern State University and University of Georgia, first landed a job in his hometown of Washington after college, directing a small day program for people with developmental disabilities.
His passionate work drew the attention of state officials and in 1981, he was promoted to the position of overseeing developmental disabilities programs in several northwest Georgia counties for what is now the Highland Rivers Community Service Board. In 1985, he received the Georgia Department of Human Resources' first Distinguished Service Award.
In the late 1990s, Hopkins rose to become developmental disabilities program chief for DHR's Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases. He retired in 2008 as deputy director of DHR's office of developmental disabilities.
In retirement, Hopkins remains an advocate for people with developmental disabilities and volunteers his time with three organizations in the field.
"I like the people a lot," he said.
"I think that the success of my career has been that I am in relationship with lots of people with developmental disabilities."
Kellie Roberts, 48, of Canton, can attest to that. As a single mother with an 18-year-old son, Chad, who has been diagnosed with autism and other disorders, she credits Hopkins with forever changing their lives when they met him several years ago.
"I'm telling you, from that day on our lives were never the same. He has always stepped in and helped us in situations of crisis," Kellie Roberts said."
Chad has broken my arm before in a couple of places. When that happened, Charles worked with his provider, securing the right kind of services that helped Chad remain in the home, which is where I want to keep him, that's always been my goal. I just don't think he would be here with me if it wasn't for Charles."
David Blanchard, AADD executive director, said throughout his professional and personal life, Hopkins has never lost sight of how important it is to give back to others.
"He has a unique ability to see the potential in others, listen to their true dreams and help them fulfill them," Blanchard said. "As a national leader in the field of developmental disabilities, Charles has had a positive and profound impact on thousands of individuals' lives in Georgia."
In light of being honored with the AADD's award, Hopkins said he has done quite a bit of reflecting on his career and life. "One thing that I'm proud of and appreciative of myself, if you will, is throughout my life I've always not put barriers between me and other people," he said. "It is my tendency to meet people where they are. I appreciate people's differences."
http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/7119600/article-Heart-of-gold?instance=home_news_bullets
Content copyright © 2010 Marietta Daily Journal
Georgia Senate To Take Up Budget Today
Associated Press
April 20, 2010
ATLANTA - The Georgia budget is set to jump through the next hurdle in the state Legislature.
The state Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to approve the spending blueprint at a hearing today. The state's budget woes have sent this year's legislative session into overtime as lawmakers scrambled to fill a $785 million shortfall in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Senators are under pressure to restore some funding for the Georgia Council for the Arts. A rally at the Capitol on Monday drew some 400 supporters who said arts funding is vital to the state's economy.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2010-04-20/ga-senate-take-budget-today?v=1271748645
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
April 20, 2010
ATLANTA - The Georgia budget is set to jump through the next hurdle in the state Legislature.
The state Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to approve the spending blueprint at a hearing today. The state's budget woes have sent this year's legislative session into overtime as lawmakers scrambled to fill a $785 million shortfall in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Senators are under pressure to restore some funding for the Georgia Council for the Arts. A rally at the Capitol on Monday drew some 400 supporters who said arts funding is vital to the state's economy.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2010-04-20/ga-senate-take-budget-today?v=1271748645
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
Red "X" On MARTA Buses And Trains Shows Impending Cuts
By Ariel Hart
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 19, 2010
MARTA and its local union kicked off a publicity campaign Tuesday, holding rallies and putting red X’s on a third of their buses and trains, to denote the ones that won’t be running after budget cuts go into effect later this year. In addition, starting probably Wednesday, the national branch of the union is planning a radio ad campaign.
It’s all to publicize MARTA's plight as it draws up cuts for up to 30 percent of its service, to fill a $120 million gap for operations. MARTA hopes to drive home the effect the cuts will have on Atlanta commuters, both the ones in the buses and the ones on streets who may have to deal with extra traffic if the riders switch to driving.
MARTA's union has its own motive for caring: MARTA could lay off up to 1,000 workers in the cuts.
They want the state to chip in with stopgap funding and longer term measures. State leaders have said they don’t have the money.
For further reading please tap on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/red-x-on-marta-475084.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 19, 2010
MARTA and its local union kicked off a publicity campaign Tuesday, holding rallies and putting red X’s on a third of their buses and trains, to denote the ones that won’t be running after budget cuts go into effect later this year. In addition, starting probably Wednesday, the national branch of the union is planning a radio ad campaign.
It’s all to publicize MARTA's plight as it draws up cuts for up to 30 percent of its service, to fill a $120 million gap for operations. MARTA hopes to drive home the effect the cuts will have on Atlanta commuters, both the ones in the buses and the ones on streets who may have to deal with extra traffic if the riders switch to driving.
MARTA's union has its own motive for caring: MARTA could lay off up to 1,000 workers in the cuts.
They want the state to chip in with stopgap funding and longer term measures. State leaders have said they don’t have the money.
For further reading please tap on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/red-x-on-marta-475084.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
State Budget Picture Clearer, But Not A Done Deal
By TRAVIS FAIN
The Macon Telegraph
April 18, 2010
ATLANTA — When House and Senate Republicans struck a series of deals Wednesday on new taxes, new fees, tax cuts and a plan to sell off a bunch of state loans, they solved a few hundred million dollars worth of budgetary problems.
Then the House passed its version of the state’s fiscal 2011 budget, leaving the Senate a couple of weeks to do its own tinkering before the legislative session ends April 29.
As Gov. Sonny Perdue and various state legislators have said repeatedly, the budget isn’t pretty. The word “eliminate” is listed 137 times in the 117-page tracking document that breaks down the House’s version of the plan. “Reduce funds” occurs 243 times.
Some of the cuts are laid out specifically, but most of them will be left up to department heads to manage. That could easily mean more furloughs for state workers when the new budget year starts July 1, but that remains to be seen. State workers won’t get their usual salary step increases in this budget, except for teachers, House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin said last week.
To read further please tap on link: http://www.macon.com/2010/04/18/1097966/budget-picture-clearer-but-not.html
To contact author: tfain@macon.com
Macon.com copyright notice
Material published on Macon.com, including articles, photos, graphics, videos, bulletin board postings and other content, is copyrighted by The Telegraph or by other information providers who have licensed their content for use on Macon.com. The entire contents of Macon.com are also copyrighted as a collective work under the United States copyright laws.Read more: http://www.macon.com/copyright/#ixzz0ldgPTuNR
The Macon Telegraph
April 18, 2010
ATLANTA — When House and Senate Republicans struck a series of deals Wednesday on new taxes, new fees, tax cuts and a plan to sell off a bunch of state loans, they solved a few hundred million dollars worth of budgetary problems.
Then the House passed its version of the state’s fiscal 2011 budget, leaving the Senate a couple of weeks to do its own tinkering before the legislative session ends April 29.
As Gov. Sonny Perdue and various state legislators have said repeatedly, the budget isn’t pretty. The word “eliminate” is listed 137 times in the 117-page tracking document that breaks down the House’s version of the plan. “Reduce funds” occurs 243 times.
Some of the cuts are laid out specifically, but most of them will be left up to department heads to manage. That could easily mean more furloughs for state workers when the new budget year starts July 1, but that remains to be seen. State workers won’t get their usual salary step increases in this budget, except for teachers, House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin said last week.
To read further please tap on link: http://www.macon.com/2010/04/18/1097966/budget-picture-clearer-but-not.html
To contact author: tfain@macon.com
Macon.com copyright notice
Material published on Macon.com, including articles, photos, graphics, videos, bulletin board postings and other content, is copyrighted by The Telegraph or by other information providers who have licensed their content for use on Macon.com. The entire contents of Macon.com are also copyrighted as a collective work under the United States copyright laws.Read more: http://www.macon.com/copyright/#ixzz0ldgPTuNR
Monday, April 19, 2010
Foster Care Fraught With Private Abuses, Public Excuses
AJC investigation: Children needing homes get placed in harm’s way with few repercussions
By Alan Judd
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Metro Atlanta / State News
April 18, 2010
Georgia officials decided last year that a rules violation by a private foster care agency was so egregious it warranted one of the toughest possible penalties.
The agency, state records show, had inappropriately placed two children in the same foster home. One was a 17-year-old who had engaged in incest and other sexual activity. The other was 8, autistic and mute, with a history of being abused and an IQ of 16. The boys at first shared a bedroom; ultimately, they shared a bed.
The foster agency’s punishment: a $300 fine.
What happened at the Trek Program, a foster agency based in Fort Oglethorpe, and how the state responded illustrate the scope of problems in Georgia’s growing system of publicly funded but privately operated foster care, according to an investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
For further reading please tap on link:
http://www.ajc.com/news/foster-care-fraught-with-469486.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Alan Judd
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Metro Atlanta / State News
April 18, 2010
Georgia officials decided last year that a rules violation by a private foster care agency was so egregious it warranted one of the toughest possible penalties.
The agency, state records show, had inappropriately placed two children in the same foster home. One was a 17-year-old who had engaged in incest and other sexual activity. The other was 8, autistic and mute, with a history of being abused and an IQ of 16. The boys at first shared a bedroom; ultimately, they shared a bed.
The foster agency’s punishment: a $300 fine.
What happened at the Trek Program, a foster agency based in Fort Oglethorpe, and how the state responded illustrate the scope of problems in Georgia’s growing system of publicly funded but privately operated foster care, according to an investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
For further reading please tap on link:
http://www.ajc.com/news/foster-care-fraught-with-469486.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, April 16, 2010
Transitional Living Center Keeps Treatment in Neighborhood
Steps toward independence
By Tom Corwin
Staff Writer
The Augusta Chronicle
April 14, 2010
James Colson, 25, steps outside his new one-bedroom apartment at Walton West Villas and waters the newly planted grass. He's glad he can still get services at nearby Walton West Transitional Living Center, where he receives help for his traumatic brain injury, but he is glad to be out on his own.
Colson gives a tour of his apartment at Walton West Villas, which is the 11th development built to meet the specific needs of the disabled and elderly.
"Sometimes I like to be by myself," he said.
The six new units are the 11th housing development for the disabled and elderly built by Walton Rehabilitation Health System in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Two more projects, in south Augusta and in Harlem, have been approved, said Walton President and CEO Dennis Skelley.
To read further please tap on link: http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/health/2010-04-14/transitional-living-center-keeps-treatment-neighborhood?v=1271295958
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
By Tom Corwin
Staff Writer
The Augusta Chronicle
April 14, 2010
James Colson, 25, steps outside his new one-bedroom apartment at Walton West Villas and waters the newly planted grass. He's glad he can still get services at nearby Walton West Transitional Living Center, where he receives help for his traumatic brain injury, but he is glad to be out on his own.
Colson gives a tour of his apartment at Walton West Villas, which is the 11th development built to meet the specific needs of the disabled and elderly.
"Sometimes I like to be by myself," he said.
The six new units are the 11th housing development for the disabled and elderly built by Walton Rehabilitation Health System in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Two more projects, in south Augusta and in Harlem, have been approved, said Walton President and CEO Dennis Skelley.
To read further please tap on link: http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/health/2010-04-14/transitional-living-center-keeps-treatment-neighborhood?v=1271295958
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
Moultrie Police Arrest 2 In Elder Abuse Case
Associated Press
The Augusta Chronicle
April 16, 2010
MOULTRIE, Ga. - Two people have been arrested in Moultrie after police say they neglected an elderly woman in their care.
WALB-TV reports that police on Thursday arrested 34-year-old Tosha Chambers and 55-year-old Royce Dillard, Jr.
The arrests came after paramedics called to the home found 74-year-old Christine Welch suffering from severe malnourishment.
Investigators say Welch had maggots in bed sores and gangrene so serious that both feet will have to be amputated. Welch lived at the home with Chambers and Dillard, who were her caregivers.
Welch was listed in stable condition Thursday night at Colquitt Regional Medical Center.
Chambers and Dillard were being held in Colquitt County Jail on charges of cruelty to a person 55 or older.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2010-04-16/moultrie-police-arrest-2-elder-abuse-case?v=1271401846
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
The Augusta Chronicle
April 16, 2010
MOULTRIE, Ga. - Two people have been arrested in Moultrie after police say they neglected an elderly woman in their care.
WALB-TV reports that police on Thursday arrested 34-year-old Tosha Chambers and 55-year-old Royce Dillard, Jr.
The arrests came after paramedics called to the home found 74-year-old Christine Welch suffering from severe malnourishment.
Investigators say Welch had maggots in bed sores and gangrene so serious that both feet will have to be amputated. Welch lived at the home with Chambers and Dillard, who were her caregivers.
Welch was listed in stable condition Thursday night at Colquitt Regional Medical Center.
Chambers and Dillard were being held in Colquitt County Jail on charges of cruelty to a person 55 or older.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2010-04-16/moultrie-police-arrest-2-elder-abuse-case?v=1271401846
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
14 Georgia Companies On Fortune 500
Atlanta Business Chronicle
April 16, 2010
Georgia landed 14 companies on the 2010 Fortune 500 list, one more than it had in 2009 thanks to the relocation of NCR Corp. from Dayton, Ohio, to Duluth, Ga.
Atlanta tied for fourth-most Fortune 500 companies with 10.
Fortune magazine compiles its list of the biggest and best businesses based on 2009 fiscal and calendar year financial performance, focusing on revenue.
Read more: 14 Georgia companies on Fortune 500 - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/04/12/daily65.html
© 2010 American City Business Journals, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved.
April 16, 2010
Georgia landed 14 companies on the 2010 Fortune 500 list, one more than it had in 2009 thanks to the relocation of NCR Corp. from Dayton, Ohio, to Duluth, Ga.
Atlanta tied for fourth-most Fortune 500 companies with 10.
Fortune magazine compiles its list of the biggest and best businesses based on 2009 fiscal and calendar year financial performance, focusing on revenue.
Read more: 14 Georgia companies on Fortune 500 - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/04/12/daily65.html
© 2010 American City Business Journals, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Radio Station Mission: Operation By The Physically Challenged
WIVL 88.3 FM Radio Station
Jasper, Georgia
April 15, 2010
About WIVL 88.3 FM
Located in the First Mountain City of Jasper, Georgia, WIVL 88.3 FM is on a mission. It serves the immediate Pickens County areas of Jasper, Ellijay, Bent Tree and Big Canoe. WIVL's offices are located at 1052 East Church Suite B Jasper, GA 30143.
The transmitter is located on top of the Pickens Progress building in downtown Jasper. WIVL was created and is owned by Hellinger Broadcasting Inc. and is produced by Mark Hellinger with radio personalities like Rick O'Shay, Roger G. and Jett Edison.
WIVL's mission is for this station to be operated by those persons who are physically challenged and to provide services to those in the community with special needs. WIVL is a wide range radio station using an easy listening and classic rock music format from several decades to old fashioned gospel. The station is supported by tax deductible donations.
Jasper, Georgia
April 15, 2010
About WIVL 88.3 FM
Located in the First Mountain City of Jasper, Georgia, WIVL 88.3 FM is on a mission. It serves the immediate Pickens County areas of Jasper, Ellijay, Bent Tree and Big Canoe. WIVL's offices are located at 1052 East Church Suite B Jasper, GA 30143.
The transmitter is located on top of the Pickens Progress building in downtown Jasper. WIVL was created and is owned by Hellinger Broadcasting Inc. and is produced by Mark Hellinger with radio personalities like Rick O'Shay, Roger G. and Jett Edison.
WIVL's mission is for this station to be operated by those persons who are physically challenged and to provide services to those in the community with special needs. WIVL is a wide range radio station using an easy listening and classic rock music format from several decades to old fashioned gospel. The station is supported by tax deductible donations.
- First Radio Station in the Nation run by physically
challenged persons - WIVL is another Production ofHellinger Broadcasting Inc. Run by the well known Emmy Award Winning Producer Mark Hellinger
- Mark Hellinger has surpassed all others with the innovative idea to create a non-profit radio station run by the physically challenged. This being thought to be the first venture of its kind in the United States, also breaking the norm by having a wide range radio service.
E-mail: wivl88.3fm@gmail.com
Website: http://www.wivlfm.net/index.html
Georgia Institute for the Blind Receives Recognition
By Jennifer Maddox Parks
The Albany Herald
April 15, 2010
ALBANY — Georgia Industries for the Blind (GIB) recently received the Employment Retention/Growth/Upward Mobility Award from the National Industries for the Blind.
The award is for GIB’s commitment to increasing employment and economic opportunities for those who are blind, officials say.“It (the award) is a sense of pride for employees,” said GIB Executive Director Jim Hughes. “It puts us among only a few agencies under the NIB umbrella.”
GIB, which is operated by the Georgia Department of Labor, has added 20 new workers at its manufacturing plant in Albany. That increased by 7.2 percent the total number of hours worked in the past year at its three plants.
“They are full-blown state employees (with similar benefits),” Hughes said. “The average wage is well above minimum wage.”
The other two facilities are located in Bainbridge and Griffin.
To read further please tap on link: http://www.albanyherald.com/home/headlines/90901339.html?storySection=story
Southern Community Newspapers Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2010
The Albany Herald
April 15, 2010
ALBANY — Georgia Industries for the Blind (GIB) recently received the Employment Retention/Growth/Upward Mobility Award from the National Industries for the Blind.
The award is for GIB’s commitment to increasing employment and economic opportunities for those who are blind, officials say.“It (the award) is a sense of pride for employees,” said GIB Executive Director Jim Hughes. “It puts us among only a few agencies under the NIB umbrella.”
GIB, which is operated by the Georgia Department of Labor, has added 20 new workers at its manufacturing plant in Albany. That increased by 7.2 percent the total number of hours worked in the past year at its three plants.
“They are full-blown state employees (with similar benefits),” Hughes said. “The average wage is well above minimum wage.”
The other two facilities are located in Bainbridge and Griffin.
To read further please tap on link: http://www.albanyherald.com/home/headlines/90901339.html?storySection=story
Southern Community Newspapers Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Special Olympics Coming May 6
By Jimmie Hill
The Post-Searchlight
Bainbridge, Georgia
April 14, 2010
Special Olympics were once a tradition in Decatur County.
With an idea to resurrect the event, a leadership team was formed by individuals from the community.
The team includes Paul Medley, Jim Beck, Ruby Barlow, Ken Bailey, Krystal Hiers, Pat Harrell, Catherine Gossett and Jimmie Hill.
After completing the application process, Decatur County Special Olympics earned accreditation from Special Olympics Georgia for the year 2010-2011.
Part of the team's vision is for Special Olympics to permanently remain in Decatur County focusing the first event on Decatur County School System students.
The read the whole article please tap on link: http://www.thepostsearchlight.com/news/2010/apr/13/special-olympics-coming-may-6/
© 2010 The Post-Searchlight. All rights reserved. A Bainbridge Media LLC publication.
The Post-Searchlight
Bainbridge, Georgia
April 14, 2010
Special Olympics were once a tradition in Decatur County.
With an idea to resurrect the event, a leadership team was formed by individuals from the community.
The team includes Paul Medley, Jim Beck, Ruby Barlow, Ken Bailey, Krystal Hiers, Pat Harrell, Catherine Gossett and Jimmie Hill.
After completing the application process, Decatur County Special Olympics earned accreditation from Special Olympics Georgia for the year 2010-2011.
Part of the team's vision is for Special Olympics to permanently remain in Decatur County focusing the first event on Decatur County School System students.
The read the whole article please tap on link: http://www.thepostsearchlight.com/news/2010/apr/13/special-olympics-coming-may-6/
© 2010 The Post-Searchlight. All rights reserved. A Bainbridge Media LLC publication.
Georgia Senate OKs Fee Increases
By Walter Jones
Morris News Service
The Augusta Chronicle
April 14, 2010 12:33 PM
ATLANTA -- The Senate voted 44-9 today to boost more than 1,000 state fees to raise $96 million in an effort to balance next year's budget in the face of weak tax collections.
The House had already passed a similar fee increase, but the slight differences between the two versions will have to be reconciled by a conference committee.
To read further please tap on link: http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2010-04-14/ga-senate-oks-fee-increases?v=1271248397
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
Morris News Service
The Augusta Chronicle
April 14, 2010 12:33 PM
ATLANTA -- The Senate voted 44-9 today to boost more than 1,000 state fees to raise $96 million in an effort to balance next year's budget in the face of weak tax collections.
The House had already passed a similar fee increase, but the slight differences between the two versions will have to be reconciled by a conference committee.
To read further please tap on link: http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2010-04-14/ga-senate-oks-fee-increases?v=1271248397
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
PBS Documentary Tracks Human-Canine Connections
By SUE MANNING
Associated Press Writer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 14, 2010
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jennifer Arnold spends her life breeding, training and matching service dogs for people with disabilities or special needs.
It was her own quest for a dog that saw her through her darkest years when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and her father's death dimmed her chance for independence.
"I remember not wanting to leave the house," she said. "I felt very awkward, scared. It surprised me how frightened I was to be left alone. You feel so vulnerable."
Arnold has written a book, "Through a Dog's Eyes," that comes out in September. A PBS documentary based on the book and narrated by Neil Patrick Harris debuts April 21 (check local listings for time).
Harris, star of "How I Met Your Mother" and a dog owner, said he was "wildly moved" by the documentary about the bond between the service canines and the people they help.
"You can see it in the faces of these dogs," he said.
Arnold was 16 and carefree, enjoying life with her mother and eye surgeon father in Atlanta. Then doctors said she had multiple sclerosis and she found herself in a wheelchair. Her father tried to get her a service dog, but she was far down on the waiting list.
Please tap on link for the rest of the story: http://www.accessatlanta.com/celebrities-tv/pbs-documentary-tracks-human-461888.html
On the Net:
Canine Assistants: http://www.canineassistants.org
PBS: http://www.pbs.org
Milk-Bone: http://www.milkbone.com/
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Associated Press Writer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 14, 2010
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jennifer Arnold spends her life breeding, training and matching service dogs for people with disabilities or special needs.
It was her own quest for a dog that saw her through her darkest years when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and her father's death dimmed her chance for independence.
"I remember not wanting to leave the house," she said. "I felt very awkward, scared. It surprised me how frightened I was to be left alone. You feel so vulnerable."
Arnold has written a book, "Through a Dog's Eyes," that comes out in September. A PBS documentary based on the book and narrated by Neil Patrick Harris debuts April 21 (check local listings for time).
Harris, star of "How I Met Your Mother" and a dog owner, said he was "wildly moved" by the documentary about the bond between the service canines and the people they help.
"You can see it in the faces of these dogs," he said.
Arnold was 16 and carefree, enjoying life with her mother and eye surgeon father in Atlanta. Then doctors said she had multiple sclerosis and she found herself in a wheelchair. Her father tried to get her a service dog, but she was far down on the waiting list.
Please tap on link for the rest of the story: http://www.accessatlanta.com/celebrities-tv/pbs-documentary-tracks-human-461888.html
On the Net:
Canine Assistants: http://www.canineassistants.org
PBS: http://www.pbs.org
Milk-Bone: http://www.milkbone.com/
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
House Spending Plan Scraps Tests
By Shannon McCaffrey
The Associated Press
The Athens Banner-Herald
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
ATLANTA - First- and second-graders in Georgia no longer would have to take standardized tests under a $17.8 billion budget that cleared a key House panel Tuesday.
Those tests - along with free PSAT and Advanced Placement tests - were scrapped to save money in the House budget blueprint.
Approved by a 61-8 vote of the House Appropriations Committee, the budget plan also would eliminate more that $1 million in state funding for sports and music halls of fame in Macon. And it would wipe out the Georgia Council for the Arts and the Office of Homeland Security in the governor's office.
State employee layoffs are sprinkled throughout the spending plan, although a precise total wasn't available Tuesday. Budget writers said some state agencies scrambling to cut costs might again need to force staff to take unpaid furlough days to balance their books.
To read the whole article please tap on link: http://onlineathens.com/stories/041410/gen_606878159.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
The Associated Press
The Athens Banner-Herald
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
ATLANTA - First- and second-graders in Georgia no longer would have to take standardized tests under a $17.8 billion budget that cleared a key House panel Tuesday.
Those tests - along with free PSAT and Advanced Placement tests - were scrapped to save money in the House budget blueprint.
Approved by a 61-8 vote of the House Appropriations Committee, the budget plan also would eliminate more that $1 million in state funding for sports and music halls of fame in Macon. And it would wipe out the Georgia Council for the Arts and the Office of Homeland Security in the governor's office.
State employee layoffs are sprinkled throughout the spending plan, although a precise total wasn't available Tuesday. Budget writers said some state agencies scrambling to cut costs might again need to force staff to take unpaid furlough days to balance their books.
To read the whole article please tap on link: http://onlineathens.com/stories/041410/gen_606878159.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Governor Appoints Frank C. Jones as Special Attorney General for Health Care Challenge
Georgia will join 18 other states in suit at no cost to state.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA
Sonny Perdue, GOVERNOR
For Immediate Release
April 13, 2010
ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that he is appointing Frank C. Jones as the pro bono Special Attorney General to direct Georgia’s participation in challenging the federal health care legislation recently passed by Congress. Georgia is joining the lawsuit filed by 18 other states in federal court in Florida at no cost to the state.
“The importance of this legal challenge demands the very best representation possible and that is exactly what the state is receiving from Frank C. Jones,” said Governor Perdue. “Frank is one of the best and most respected lawyers in the state. We are grateful he recognizes the importance of this challenge and is taking up the cause on behalf of Georgians.”
Jones is currently Of Counsel at Jones, Cork & Miller in Macon, a firm at which he practiced from 1950 to 1977. From 1977 to 2001, Jones was a Partner at King & Spalding in Atlanta. His professional involvement includes past service as President of the American College of Trial Lawyers, President of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society, 22-year member of the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association, President of the State Bar of Georgia and Member of the American Law Institute. Jones also currently serves as Trustee Emeritus of Emory University and Trustee of Wesleyan College in Macon.
“I am honored by Governor Perdue selecting me to lead Georgia’s team and I look forward to adding our state’s perspective to the others that have joined this challenge,” Jones said.
Governor Perdue also appointed the following Georgia attorneys as deputy Special Attorneys General: Mike Russ, retired Partner at King & Spalding; Jason Alloy and Josh Belinfante of RobbinsLaw LLC; Pitts Carr of Carr & Palmer; John Parker and Keith Blackwell of Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP; and Mercer University law professor David Oedel. These lawyers will also serve the state on a pro bono basis. Other Georgia attorneys have offered to assist with the challenge, and may participate as the case requires.
“We welcome Georgia to this lawsuit as we continue fighting to protect the constitutional rights of American citizens and the sovereignty of our states,” said Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, who has organized the team of states challenging the bill. “On behalf of the residents in Florida and the states joining our efforts, we are committed to aggressively pursuing this lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary to prevent this unprecedented expansion of federal powers, impact upon state sovereignty and encroachment on our freedom.”
Other states involved in the lawsuit include Florida, South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Louisiana, Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Indiana, North Dakota, Mississippi, Nevada, and Arizona. Virginia is pursuing its own litigation.
# # #
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA
Sonny Perdue, GOVERNOR
For Immediate Release
April 13, 2010
ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that he is appointing Frank C. Jones as the pro bono Special Attorney General to direct Georgia’s participation in challenging the federal health care legislation recently passed by Congress. Georgia is joining the lawsuit filed by 18 other states in federal court in Florida at no cost to the state.
“The importance of this legal challenge demands the very best representation possible and that is exactly what the state is receiving from Frank C. Jones,” said Governor Perdue. “Frank is one of the best and most respected lawyers in the state. We are grateful he recognizes the importance of this challenge and is taking up the cause on behalf of Georgians.”
Jones is currently Of Counsel at Jones, Cork & Miller in Macon, a firm at which he practiced from 1950 to 1977. From 1977 to 2001, Jones was a Partner at King & Spalding in Atlanta. His professional involvement includes past service as President of the American College of Trial Lawyers, President of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society, 22-year member of the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association, President of the State Bar of Georgia and Member of the American Law Institute. Jones also currently serves as Trustee Emeritus of Emory University and Trustee of Wesleyan College in Macon.
“I am honored by Governor Perdue selecting me to lead Georgia’s team and I look forward to adding our state’s perspective to the others that have joined this challenge,” Jones said.
Governor Perdue also appointed the following Georgia attorneys as deputy Special Attorneys General: Mike Russ, retired Partner at King & Spalding; Jason Alloy and Josh Belinfante of RobbinsLaw LLC; Pitts Carr of Carr & Palmer; John Parker and Keith Blackwell of Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP; and Mercer University law professor David Oedel. These lawyers will also serve the state on a pro bono basis. Other Georgia attorneys have offered to assist with the challenge, and may participate as the case requires.
“We welcome Georgia to this lawsuit as we continue fighting to protect the constitutional rights of American citizens and the sovereignty of our states,” said Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, who has organized the team of states challenging the bill. “On behalf of the residents in Florida and the states joining our efforts, we are committed to aggressively pursuing this lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary to prevent this unprecedented expansion of federal powers, impact upon state sovereignty and encroachment on our freedom.”
Other states involved in the lawsuit include Florida, South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Louisiana, Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Indiana, North Dakota, Mississippi, Nevada, and Arizona. Virginia is pursuing its own litigation.
# # #
Monday, April 12, 2010
Georgia To Skip Premium Help Under New Health Law
By SHANNON McCAFFREY
Associated Press Writer
The Newnan Times-Herald
April 12, 2010
ATLANTA (AP) -- Georgia's insurance commissioner will keep the state out of the first phase of a new federal health care law that would offer subsidized premiums to people with health problems.
In a letter obtained Monday by The Associated Press, Republican John Oxendine said Georgia should not take part in the creation of an insurance pool, backed by $5 billion in federal money, that would help high-risk people who have been uninsured for at least six months.
Federal health officials said they will run a coverage program in the state if Georgia doesn't take part.
To read further please tap on link: http://ap.times-herald.com/dynamic/stories/U/US_HEALTH_OVERHAUL_GEORGIA_GAOL-?SITE=GANEW&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Associated Press Writer Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar in Washington contributed to this story.
© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
© 2010 The Newnan Times-Herald Inc.
Associated Press Writer
The Newnan Times-Herald
April 12, 2010
ATLANTA (AP) -- Georgia's insurance commissioner will keep the state out of the first phase of a new federal health care law that would offer subsidized premiums to people with health problems.
In a letter obtained Monday by The Associated Press, Republican John Oxendine said Georgia should not take part in the creation of an insurance pool, backed by $5 billion in federal money, that would help high-risk people who have been uninsured for at least six months.
Federal health officials said they will run a coverage program in the state if Georgia doesn't take part.
To read further please tap on link: http://ap.times-herald.com/dynamic/stories/U/US_HEALTH_OVERHAUL_GEORGIA_GAOL-?SITE=GANEW&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Associated Press Writer Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar in Washington contributed to this story.
© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
© 2010 The Newnan Times-Herald Inc.
Okefenokee Trail To Be Wheelchair-Accessible
By Gordon Jackson
The Florida Times-Union
The Athens Banner-Herald
April 12, 2010
FOLKSTON - A viewing platform at the end of Cane Pole Trail is one of the most popular destinations at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - if you don't mind stumbling over roots and uneven terrain.
The trail runs parallel to the Suwannee Canal for about 1,100 feet before it makes a sharp right turn that leads visitors to a platform overlooking the prairies - an open area of swamp with tall grass, lily pads, bright flowers and floating batteries of peat.
In about a month, however, what was once a difficult hike will be like a stroll in a park.
A team of Trails Unlimited engineers and technicians is renovating the trail to make it wheelchair-accessible.
Work includes using 76 tons of gravel, clay and other materials to build a five-layer surface that looks like a natural dirt trail, but wears like concrete.
"Before we started, it was a grass path with roots," said Jerry Barrow, project engineer for Trails Unlimited. "The basic opening was there, but you couldn't roll a wheelchair on it."
Once the work is completed May 1, wheelchairs will easily roll on the artificial surface all the way to the viewing platform, Barrow said.
For further reading please tap on link: http://onlineathens.com/stories/041210/new_604912821.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
The Florida Times-Union
The Athens Banner-Herald
April 12, 2010
FOLKSTON - A viewing platform at the end of Cane Pole Trail is one of the most popular destinations at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - if you don't mind stumbling over roots and uneven terrain.
The trail runs parallel to the Suwannee Canal for about 1,100 feet before it makes a sharp right turn that leads visitors to a platform overlooking the prairies - an open area of swamp with tall grass, lily pads, bright flowers and floating batteries of peat.
In about a month, however, what was once a difficult hike will be like a stroll in a park.
A team of Trails Unlimited engineers and technicians is renovating the trail to make it wheelchair-accessible.
Work includes using 76 tons of gravel, clay and other materials to build a five-layer surface that looks like a natural dirt trail, but wears like concrete.
"Before we started, it was a grass path with roots," said Jerry Barrow, project engineer for Trails Unlimited. "The basic opening was there, but you couldn't roll a wheelchair on it."
Once the work is completed May 1, wheelchairs will easily roll on the artificial surface all the way to the viewing platform, Barrow said.
For further reading please tap on link: http://onlineathens.com/stories/041210/new_604912821.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
Senate and House Clash On Key Budget Issue
By Walter C. Jones
Athens Banner-Herald
April 12, 2010
The week-long legislative recess that ended this morning didn’t change any minds about one critical budget disagreement between the House and Senate, one senior senator said today.
Lawmakers have been in recess since April 1 when the Senate sweetened legislation to levy a 1.45 percent tax on hospital revenues by adding a provision to eliminate a different tax — the one on health insurance premiums.
When House leaders learned about the tax break, they held up their version of the budget in anger. The House version is calculated on the tax-collection assumptions from the original bill.
Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers told reporters that the Senate isn’t giving in.
For further reading tap on link: http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/041210/bre_605156537.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
Athens Banner-Herald
April 12, 2010
The week-long legislative recess that ended this morning didn’t change any minds about one critical budget disagreement between the House and Senate, one senior senator said today.
Lawmakers have been in recess since April 1 when the Senate sweetened legislation to levy a 1.45 percent tax on hospital revenues by adding a provision to eliminate a different tax — the one on health insurance premiums.
When House leaders learned about the tax break, they held up their version of the budget in anger. The House version is calculated on the tax-collection assumptions from the original bill.
Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers told reporters that the Senate isn’t giving in.
For further reading tap on link: http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/041210/bre_605156537.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
Friday, April 09, 2010
Blakely Pilot Club donates Nintendo Wii
Early County News
http://www.earlycountynews.com/current/Society
Blakely, Georgia
April 7, 2010
The Blakely Pilot Club recently donated a Nintendo Wii game console with accessories to Glenda Williams’ special needs class at Early County High School. Williams’ class is made up of moderate, severe and profound intellectually disabled students who all have some form of brain-related disorder or disability.
http://www.earlycountynews.com/news/2010-04-07/Society/Blakely_Pilot_Club_donates_Nintendo_Wii.html
The full version of this story will be available to all readers after 1 week.
Copyright© 2006-2010 Early County News All Rights Reserved
http://www.earlycountynews.com/current/Society
Blakely, Georgia
April 7, 2010
The Blakely Pilot Club recently donated a Nintendo Wii game console with accessories to Glenda Williams’ special needs class at Early County High School. Williams’ class is made up of moderate, severe and profound intellectually disabled students who all have some form of brain-related disorder or disability.
http://www.earlycountynews.com/news/2010-04-07/Society/Blakely_Pilot_Club_donates_Nintendo_Wii.html
The full version of this story will be available to all readers after 1 week.
Copyright© 2006-2010 Early County News All Rights Reserved
Political And Civil Rights Groups Applaud Health Care Signing
By Pharoh Martin
NNPA National Correspondent
Atlanta Daily World
April 2, 2010
It's been a contentious year, but now that supporters of health care reform finally got their day, Black political and civil rights leaders, as well as other health care reform advocates, are applauding the bill's passage for a variety of reasons.
Civil rights leaders have been some of the most vocal backers of the bill because African Americans are among the most disparately impacted by lack of insurance, chronic diseases and other health-related setbacks.
"Like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and civil rights laws in the past, today's vote will forever be a threshold moment for the nation," said Marc Morial, president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League on the day of the presidential signing on March 23. "Generations to come will look back to this day as one where the American dream was more fully realized."
In the days leading up to the final House vote, congressional members were verbally attacked by opponents of the bill. Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) was one of the individuals at the receiving end of a protester's racial slur. Of course, Lewis, a veteran of the civil rights struggle, still voted in favor of the bill.
"The last 24 hours have witnessed a chaos and disorder that reared its ugly head in nasty language and hostile attacks," Morial said in a statement. "Despite attacks upon civil rights icons in the Congress, justice and truth continue to march on."
Some key provisions pushed by Black leaders and the Congressional Black Caucus, such as the public option, failed to make the final bill, but other measures were included to bring additional medical insurance-related protections for people, bring down costs and lower the number of uninsured Americans.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that more than 15 percent of all Americans are uninsured. According to a February Gallop poll, about one out of five African-Americans are without medical coverage.
To read further please tap on link: http://www.atlantadailyworld.com/articles/2010/04/08/adw_news/doc4bb61cf2801d8218990618.txt
Copyright © 2010 Atlanta Daily World.
NNPA National Correspondent
Atlanta Daily World
April 2, 2010
It's been a contentious year, but now that supporters of health care reform finally got their day, Black political and civil rights leaders, as well as other health care reform advocates, are applauding the bill's passage for a variety of reasons.
Civil rights leaders have been some of the most vocal backers of the bill because African Americans are among the most disparately impacted by lack of insurance, chronic diseases and other health-related setbacks.
"Like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and civil rights laws in the past, today's vote will forever be a threshold moment for the nation," said Marc Morial, president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League on the day of the presidential signing on March 23. "Generations to come will look back to this day as one where the American dream was more fully realized."
In the days leading up to the final House vote, congressional members were verbally attacked by opponents of the bill. Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) was one of the individuals at the receiving end of a protester's racial slur. Of course, Lewis, a veteran of the civil rights struggle, still voted in favor of the bill.
"The last 24 hours have witnessed a chaos and disorder that reared its ugly head in nasty language and hostile attacks," Morial said in a statement. "Despite attacks upon civil rights icons in the Congress, justice and truth continue to march on."
Some key provisions pushed by Black leaders and the Congressional Black Caucus, such as the public option, failed to make the final bill, but other measures were included to bring additional medical insurance-related protections for people, bring down costs and lower the number of uninsured Americans.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that more than 15 percent of all Americans are uninsured. According to a February Gallop poll, about one out of five African-Americans are without medical coverage.
To read further please tap on link: http://www.atlantadailyworld.com/articles/2010/04/08/adw_news/doc4bb61cf2801d8218990618.txt
Copyright © 2010 Atlanta Daily World.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Kinsman Puts Faith In Home Care
by Bob Pepalis
North Fulton.com
April 5, 2010
Jody McClellan, president of Kinsman Home Care, discovered a growing demand for in-home care services when her mother-in-law needed extra support. The family had taken care of her for several years, and saw the progression of physical needs.
A year ago McClellan started researching the issue and how personal home care is delivered.
"It is going to be a bigger and bigger need, especially for many families with two incomes, busy lives, distance between them, or just the inability to provide the care needed," she said.
Faith drives McClellan in her personal and business life. McClellan said they are running the business to help all people."
Our purpose is to reach out and help others, no matter what their background or beliefs," she said.
Their caregivers are screened to meet state and industry requirements. Some employees of faith will be available for clients who request prayer and devotions as part of their care. Kinsman will make sure a caregiver will provide the specific care the client and family request.
"Ultimately our goal is to help those clients with their physical and mental needs and provide the extra support if requested."
http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-c-2010-04-05-182733.114126-sub_Kinsman_puts_faith_in_home_care.html
Linear Publishing copyright 1999 - 2010
North Fulton.com
April 5, 2010
Jody McClellan, president of Kinsman Home Care, discovered a growing demand for in-home care services when her mother-in-law needed extra support. The family had taken care of her for several years, and saw the progression of physical needs.
A year ago McClellan started researching the issue and how personal home care is delivered.
"It is going to be a bigger and bigger need, especially for many families with two incomes, busy lives, distance between them, or just the inability to provide the care needed," she said.
Faith drives McClellan in her personal and business life. McClellan said they are running the business to help all people."
Our purpose is to reach out and help others, no matter what their background or beliefs," she said.
Their caregivers are screened to meet state and industry requirements. Some employees of faith will be available for clients who request prayer and devotions as part of their care. Kinsman will make sure a caregiver will provide the specific care the client and family request.
"Ultimately our goal is to help those clients with their physical and mental needs and provide the extra support if requested."
http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-c-2010-04-05-182733.114126-sub_Kinsman_puts_faith_in_home_care.html
Linear Publishing copyright 1999 - 2010
Overtaxed Homeowners Start To Fight Back
Millions paying property taxes based on value of home before bubble burst
By Kristina Dell
msnbc.com
April 7, 2010
Now that the housing bubble has burst, up to 60 percent of the nation's taxable property may be overassessed, meaning owners are paying thousands of dollars more in taxes than they need to, experts say.
That is leading to a flood of appeals in many markets from homeowners eager to cut their taxes and speed the process of aligning tax valuations with reality.
While home prices have fallen by 30 percent on average since their 2007 peak, according to the Case-Shiller Home Price Index, many counties only reassess every three to five years and have little incentive to move faster considering how important property taxes are to funding local government operations.
To read further please tap on link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36193041/ns/business-real_estate/
© 2010 msnbc.com
By Kristina Dell
msnbc.com
April 7, 2010
Now that the housing bubble has burst, up to 60 percent of the nation's taxable property may be overassessed, meaning owners are paying thousands of dollars more in taxes than they need to, experts say.
That is leading to a flood of appeals in many markets from homeowners eager to cut their taxes and speed the process of aligning tax valuations with reality.
While home prices have fallen by 30 percent on average since their 2007 peak, according to the Case-Shiller Home Price Index, many counties only reassess every three to five years and have little incentive to move faster considering how important property taxes are to funding local government operations.
To read further please tap on link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36193041/ns/business-real_estate/
© 2010 msnbc.com
Half Of U.S. Pays No Federal Income Tax
Credits for low- and middle-income families exempt many
By Stephen Ohlemacher
Associated Press
April 7, 2010
WASHINGTON - Tax Day is a dreaded deadline for millions, but for nearly half of U.S. households it's simply somebody else's problem.
About 47 percent will pay no federal income taxes at all for 2009. Either their incomes were too low, or they qualified for enough credits, deductions and exemptions to eliminate their liability. That's according to projections by the Tax Policy Center, a Washington research organization.
Most people still are required to file returns by the April 15 deadline. The penalty for skipping it is limited to the amount of taxes owed, but it's still almost always better to file: That's the only way to get a refund of all the income taxes withheld by employers.
In recent years, credits for low- and middle-income families have grown so much that a family of four making as much as $50,000 will owe no federal income tax for 2009, as long as there are two children younger than 17, according to a separate analysis by the consulting firm Deloitte Tax.
To read the whole article please tap on link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36226444/ns/business-personal_finance
© 2010 msnbc.com
By Stephen Ohlemacher
Associated Press
April 7, 2010
WASHINGTON - Tax Day is a dreaded deadline for millions, but for nearly half of U.S. households it's simply somebody else's problem.
About 47 percent will pay no federal income taxes at all for 2009. Either their incomes were too low, or they qualified for enough credits, deductions and exemptions to eliminate their liability. That's according to projections by the Tax Policy Center, a Washington research organization.
Most people still are required to file returns by the April 15 deadline. The penalty for skipping it is limited to the amount of taxes owed, but it's still almost always better to file: That's the only way to get a refund of all the income taxes withheld by employers.
In recent years, credits for low- and middle-income families have grown so much that a family of four making as much as $50,000 will owe no federal income tax for 2009, as long as there are two children younger than 17, according to a separate analysis by the consulting firm Deloitte Tax.
To read the whole article please tap on link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36226444/ns/business-personal_finance
© 2010 msnbc.com
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Sen. Chance, Rep. Ramsey Key Players In Tax Bill
By John Munford
The Citizen
Fayette County
April 6, 2010
Two local Republican legislators were major players in the passage last week of a controversial new tax on all hospitals.
House Bill 307, cosponsored by Republican Rep. Matt Ramsey of Peachtree City, was approved with modifications by the Georgia Senate last week, where Republican Senator Ronnie Chance of Tyrone voted in favor of the bill.
Chance is Gov. Sonny Perdue's Senate floor leader. Ramsey is one of Perdue's floor leaders in the House of Representatives. Perdue strongly favored the original hospital tax bill, but has objected to the Senate changes.
The modifications resulted in the amended bill going back to the House.
Several Republicans voted against the tax bill, including Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of Coweta County, the majority whip in the Senate.
The bill — pushed by Gov. Perdue — creates a new “hospital tax” of 1.45 percent of net patient revenue at all Georgia hospitals whether they are for-profit or non-profit.
The revenue is needed to address a more than $300 million shortfall in the state’s Medicaid program for the upcoming fiscal year, according to a Senate spokesperson.
A portion of the hospital tax revenues will be used as matching funds for federal Medicaid funding, officials said. Another portion will be deposited into the state’s indigent care trust fund; yet another portion will be used to fund a Medicaid reimbursement rate increase of more than 12 percent for hospitals, officials said.
The bill is not yet headed to Gov. Perdue for his signature because the Senate changes to the bill must either be approved by the House or some sort of agreement must be reached between the two chambers.
To read more please tap link: http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/04-06-2010/sen-chance-rep-ramsey-key-players-tax-bill
Copyright 2010 Fayette Publishing, Inc.
The Citizen
Fayette County
April 6, 2010
Two local Republican legislators were major players in the passage last week of a controversial new tax on all hospitals.
House Bill 307, cosponsored by Republican Rep. Matt Ramsey of Peachtree City, was approved with modifications by the Georgia Senate last week, where Republican Senator Ronnie Chance of Tyrone voted in favor of the bill.
Chance is Gov. Sonny Perdue's Senate floor leader. Ramsey is one of Perdue's floor leaders in the House of Representatives. Perdue strongly favored the original hospital tax bill, but has objected to the Senate changes.
The modifications resulted in the amended bill going back to the House.
Several Republicans voted against the tax bill, including Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of Coweta County, the majority whip in the Senate.
The bill — pushed by Gov. Perdue — creates a new “hospital tax” of 1.45 percent of net patient revenue at all Georgia hospitals whether they are for-profit or non-profit.
The revenue is needed to address a more than $300 million shortfall in the state’s Medicaid program for the upcoming fiscal year, according to a Senate spokesperson.
A portion of the hospital tax revenues will be used as matching funds for federal Medicaid funding, officials said. Another portion will be deposited into the state’s indigent care trust fund; yet another portion will be used to fund a Medicaid reimbursement rate increase of more than 12 percent for hospitals, officials said.
The bill is not yet headed to Gov. Perdue for his signature because the Senate changes to the bill must either be approved by the House or some sort of agreement must be reached between the two chambers.
To read more please tap link: http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/04-06-2010/sen-chance-rep-ramsey-key-players-tax-bill
Copyright 2010 Fayette Publishing, Inc.
State Ends 15-Month Slide With Positive Revenue News
By Aaron Gould Sheinin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics
April 6, 2010
In a glimmer of good news, Georgia has ended its 15-month skid of negative revenue numbers.
Though overall tax collections in March rose by just 1 percent over 2009, it's the first positive signal on revenue collections since November 2008.
However, the numbers, reported by Gov. Sonny Perdue's office, aren't nearly enough to make a dent in the state's budget woes.
"While we are always cautious about reading too much into a single month's revenue report, the March numbers are certainly encouraging," Perdue said in a statement. "Springtime in Georgia always brings us the Masters and the Braves' opening day, and I am hopeful we are also seeing the first buds of economic recovery."
To read further please tap on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/state-ends-15-month-440944.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics
April 6, 2010
In a glimmer of good news, Georgia has ended its 15-month skid of negative revenue numbers.
Though overall tax collections in March rose by just 1 percent over 2009, it's the first positive signal on revenue collections since November 2008.
However, the numbers, reported by Gov. Sonny Perdue's office, aren't nearly enough to make a dent in the state's budget woes.
"While we are always cautious about reading too much into a single month's revenue report, the March numbers are certainly encouraging," Perdue said in a statement. "Springtime in Georgia always brings us the Masters and the Braves' opening day, and I am hopeful we are also seeing the first buds of economic recovery."
To read further please tap on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/state-ends-15-month-440944.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bumpy Home Stretch For Transportation Funding
By Ariel Hart
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics
April 6, 2010
Legislators may not be sure how to pass a big transportation funding proposal as the session winds down, but advocates aren't ready to give up.
A slew of action alerts from transportation advocates of different stripes have landed in e-mail accounts, exhorting people to call their legislators in favor of passing a bill. Lobbyists for the Metro Atlanta Chamber have headed to the state Capitol, concerned CEOs of big Georgia companies in tow, warning of the consequences of inaction. The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce bused in 300 business people last week to hobnob with legislators and talk about the jobs to be created by expanding transportation -- or to be forgone if legislation sputters out like last year and the year before. They wore buttons that said “New Transportation Funding: Finish the Job.”
To read further please tap on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/bumpy-home-stretch-for-440426.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics
April 6, 2010
Legislators may not be sure how to pass a big transportation funding proposal as the session winds down, but advocates aren't ready to give up.
A slew of action alerts from transportation advocates of different stripes have landed in e-mail accounts, exhorting people to call their legislators in favor of passing a bill. Lobbyists for the Metro Atlanta Chamber have headed to the state Capitol, concerned CEOs of big Georgia companies in tow, warning of the consequences of inaction. The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce bused in 300 business people last week to hobnob with legislators and talk about the jobs to be created by expanding transportation -- or to be forgone if legislation sputters out like last year and the year before. They wore buttons that said “New Transportation Funding: Finish the Job.”
To read further please tap on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/bumpy-home-stretch-for-440426.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
JOBS Act Falls Short?
By James Salzer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics
April 4, 2010
A much-touted plan that Georgia legislative leaders said would spur job growth will probably have no immediate impact on the recession-wracked economy.
The “JOBS Act,” which won final passage in the General Assembly last week, would provide small unemployment tax breaks to businesses for hiring. But that would happen only if the federal government gives its approval and the state labor commissioner determines the unemployment trust fund has enough money to handle it. And the U.S. Department of Labor has already expressed doubts about the provision.
The bill would provide up to $9 million in tax credits over three years to investors who provide funding for certain small businesses. However, the investments that qualify wouldn’t begin until 2011 at the earliest.
For further reading please tap on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/jobs-act-falls-short-433923.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics
April 4, 2010
A much-touted plan that Georgia legislative leaders said would spur job growth will probably have no immediate impact on the recession-wracked economy.
The “JOBS Act,” which won final passage in the General Assembly last week, would provide small unemployment tax breaks to businesses for hiring. But that would happen only if the federal government gives its approval and the state labor commissioner determines the unemployment trust fund has enough money to handle it. And the U.S. Department of Labor has already expressed doubts about the provision.
The bill would provide up to $9 million in tax credits over three years to investors who provide funding for certain small businesses. However, the investments that qualify wouldn’t begin until 2011 at the earliest.
For further reading please tap on link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/jobs-act-falls-short-433923.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bullying On Radar
By Merritt Melancon
Athens Banner-Herald
April 06, 2010
The Barrow County Board of Education is considering changing the student code of conduct to increase the penalties for bullying at all grade levels and to require school officials to report all bullying behavior to law enforcement.
Board members are expected to accept a draft of the revised student handbook at their regularly scheduled meeting at 7 tonight.
The school board plans to take public comments on the proposed code of conduct changes for a month before adopting them in May or later, said Ken Greene, director of student services for the school district.
"The board members brought bullying up as a concern primarily because of what they have seen on the news and those kinds of things, so we really just wanted to take a good, close look at what we're doing in our code of conduct and make sure that it was conveying the message that we wanted to convey to folks about the inappropriateness of bullying," said Greene, who oversees updating the code of conduct every year.
To read further please tap on link: http://onlineathens.com/stories/040610/new_602462587.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
Athens Banner-Herald
April 06, 2010
The Barrow County Board of Education is considering changing the student code of conduct to increase the penalties for bullying at all grade levels and to require school officials to report all bullying behavior to law enforcement.
Board members are expected to accept a draft of the revised student handbook at their regularly scheduled meeting at 7 tonight.
The school board plans to take public comments on the proposed code of conduct changes for a month before adopting them in May or later, said Ken Greene, director of student services for the school district.
"The board members brought bullying up as a concern primarily because of what they have seen on the news and those kinds of things, so we really just wanted to take a good, close look at what we're doing in our code of conduct and make sure that it was conveying the message that we wanted to convey to folks about the inappropriateness of bullying," said Greene, who oversees updating the code of conduct every year.
To read further please tap on link: http://onlineathens.com/stories/040610/new_602462587.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
State Rep. Cheokas Reports On Week At Capitol
Mike Cheokas
The Americus Times-Recorder
April 3, 2010
AMERICUS — March 30 was Legislative Day 31. With Crossover Day behind us, most of the legislation we are considering on the floor of the House and in Committee are Senate bills. In turn, the Senate is reviewing House legislation. Each Bill must pass both chambers identically, before it can go to the Governor to be signed or vetoed. This is where the negotiations between the House and Senate really pick up pace. If there is a measure of importance to a senator, then the House may hold it until a House measure in the Senate is released for consideration. Which Committee the respective legislation is assigned, who will sponsor it, and how rapidly it is passed out of Committee determines each Chambers Debate Calendar. As you can imagine, this adds another dimension to the process. Up until the Crossover Day deadline, we were considering mostly House measures and the Senate was considering mostly Senate measures. Now, in the House Committees, senators are scheduled to present their bills and in the Senate, House members are doing the same. Each Senate bill must have a House member to carry it on the floor for debate. This is when the House and Senate collaboration is all-important.
Before we started the Debate Calendar, we had a visit from the very talented performer Jennifer Nettles from the country duo Sugarland. She spoke of the importance of the 4-H program and how it was a major influence in her life. She said that 4-H helped her develop the self-confidence she needed for her successful singing career and that through 4-H as a teen, she performed for audiences as large as 500.
SB 296 presented by Rep. Bob Lane (District 158) would simply re-name the Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services to the Office of the State Treasurer and re-name its director as the State Treasurer. This measure passed by a vote of 164-0.
SR 274 was presented by Rep. Roger Williams (District 4). This resolution will designate a tulip poplar tree in Dalton as the liberty tree of Georgia. This sapling was taken from the last living liberty tree planted at the time of the American Revolution. It passed 158-1.
Receiving the most debate was SB 250. This measure seeks to add the clear intent requirement to the current law that makes it a misdemeanor to disrupt or interfere with the operation of public school, public school bus, or bus stop. Rep. Mike Jacobs (District 80) offered an amendment to this measure that would expand the definition of “bullying.” It would require the Department of Education to develop a model bullying policy for all grade levels. It further would require school employees to report bullying, prohibit retaliation from reporting bullying and notify parents of incidents of bullying. The amendment passed by a vote of 99-55 and SB 250 passed 119-45.
To read the whole article please tap on link: http://americustimesrecorder.com/columns/x993486716/State-Rep-Cheokas-reports-on-week-at-Capitol
Americus Times-Recorder, Americus, Georgia P.O. BOX 1247 Americus GA 31709
© 2010 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. · CNHI Classified Advertising Network · CNHI News Service Associated Press content © 2010. All rights reserved.
The Americus Times-Recorder
April 3, 2010
AMERICUS — March 30 was Legislative Day 31. With Crossover Day behind us, most of the legislation we are considering on the floor of the House and in Committee are Senate bills. In turn, the Senate is reviewing House legislation. Each Bill must pass both chambers identically, before it can go to the Governor to be signed or vetoed. This is where the negotiations between the House and Senate really pick up pace. If there is a measure of importance to a senator, then the House may hold it until a House measure in the Senate is released for consideration. Which Committee the respective legislation is assigned, who will sponsor it, and how rapidly it is passed out of Committee determines each Chambers Debate Calendar. As you can imagine, this adds another dimension to the process. Up until the Crossover Day deadline, we were considering mostly House measures and the Senate was considering mostly Senate measures. Now, in the House Committees, senators are scheduled to present their bills and in the Senate, House members are doing the same. Each Senate bill must have a House member to carry it on the floor for debate. This is when the House and Senate collaboration is all-important.
Before we started the Debate Calendar, we had a visit from the very talented performer Jennifer Nettles from the country duo Sugarland. She spoke of the importance of the 4-H program and how it was a major influence in her life. She said that 4-H helped her develop the self-confidence she needed for her successful singing career and that through 4-H as a teen, she performed for audiences as large as 500.
SB 296 presented by Rep. Bob Lane (District 158) would simply re-name the Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services to the Office of the State Treasurer and re-name its director as the State Treasurer. This measure passed by a vote of 164-0.
SR 274 was presented by Rep. Roger Williams (District 4). This resolution will designate a tulip poplar tree in Dalton as the liberty tree of Georgia. This sapling was taken from the last living liberty tree planted at the time of the American Revolution. It passed 158-1.
Receiving the most debate was SB 250. This measure seeks to add the clear intent requirement to the current law that makes it a misdemeanor to disrupt or interfere with the operation of public school, public school bus, or bus stop. Rep. Mike Jacobs (District 80) offered an amendment to this measure that would expand the definition of “bullying.” It would require the Department of Education to develop a model bullying policy for all grade levels. It further would require school employees to report bullying, prohibit retaliation from reporting bullying and notify parents of incidents of bullying. The amendment passed by a vote of 99-55 and SB 250 passed 119-45.
To read the whole article please tap on link: http://americustimesrecorder.com/columns/x993486716/State-Rep-Cheokas-reports-on-week-at-Capitol
Americus Times-Recorder, Americus, Georgia P.O. BOX 1247 Americus GA 31709
© 2010 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. · CNHI Classified Advertising Network · CNHI News Service Associated Press content © 2010. All rights reserved.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Emory Hosts Discussion On Health Care Reform
By Laura Diamond
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 5, 2010
Health care experts and others will discuss the future implications of health care reform during Emory University's annual Classroom on the Green.
The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Emory School of Medicine, 1648 Pierce Drive, Atlanta.
Rear Admiral Steven Solomon, director of the Center for Disease Control's Coordinating Center for Health Information and Service, will deliver the keynote address.
Other scheduled speakers include: Ken Brigham, director of the Emory/Georgia Tech Predictive Health Institute; Lydia Ogden, chief of staff and administrator of Emory’s Institute for Advanced Policy Solutions and Center for Entitlement Reform; and Bill Eley, executive associate dean for medical education and student affairs at Emory.
Emory's Student Government Association organizes the annual event to allow members of the university and surrounding community to discuss critical issues.
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/emory-hosts-discussion-on-436555.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 5, 2010
Health care experts and others will discuss the future implications of health care reform during Emory University's annual Classroom on the Green.
The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Emory School of Medicine, 1648 Pierce Drive, Atlanta.
Rear Admiral Steven Solomon, director of the Center for Disease Control's Coordinating Center for Health Information and Service, will deliver the keynote address.
Other scheduled speakers include: Ken Brigham, director of the Emory/Georgia Tech Predictive Health Institute; Lydia Ogden, chief of staff and administrator of Emory’s Institute for Advanced Policy Solutions and Center for Entitlement Reform; and Bill Eley, executive associate dean for medical education and student affairs at Emory.
Emory's Student Government Association organizes the annual event to allow members of the university and surrounding community to discuss critical issues.
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/emory-hosts-discussion-on-436555.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Autism Center To Break Ground
Reporter: Ricki Barker
The Albnay Herald
April 5, 2010
ALBANY — Albany Autism Center will be breaking ground on the new Bridgewood Academy Tuesday at 4 p.m.
The Center’s successful Bid for Bachelor’s event secured the funds needed to purchase the property located at 1509 Third Ave.
Kelli Halstead, Bid for Bachelors organizer, said during the groundbreaking ceremony for Bridgewood academy, Albany Autism Center officials will be signing papers for the property and a few of the bachelors that participated during the Bid for Bachelors event will also attend.
“We are going to have some of the bachelors there and we are going to present them with an award thanking them for their contribution to this cause,” said the event organizer.
The Bid for Bachelors event raised $20,000 to purchase land and the building that will soon become Bridgewood Academy — which is to be designed especially for children with autism and other disabilities.
According to Albany Autism Center officials, the new property will give the center a chance to expand and provide more services to families in the surrounding community at lower cost. Presently, the center shares a space on the 2100 block of Dawson Road with the Dawson Road Church of Christ.
http://www.albanyherald.com/home/headlines/89889142.html
Southern Community Newspapers Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2010 -
The Albnay Herald
April 5, 2010
ALBANY — Albany Autism Center will be breaking ground on the new Bridgewood Academy Tuesday at 4 p.m.
The Center’s successful Bid for Bachelor’s event secured the funds needed to purchase the property located at 1509 Third Ave.
Kelli Halstead, Bid for Bachelors organizer, said during the groundbreaking ceremony for Bridgewood academy, Albany Autism Center officials will be signing papers for the property and a few of the bachelors that participated during the Bid for Bachelors event will also attend.
“We are going to have some of the bachelors there and we are going to present them with an award thanking them for their contribution to this cause,” said the event organizer.
The Bid for Bachelors event raised $20,000 to purchase land and the building that will soon become Bridgewood Academy — which is to be designed especially for children with autism and other disabilities.
According to Albany Autism Center officials, the new property will give the center a chance to expand and provide more services to families in the surrounding community at lower cost. Presently, the center shares a space on the 2100 block of Dawson Road with the Dawson Road Church of Christ.
http://www.albanyherald.com/home/headlines/89889142.html
Southern Community Newspapers Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2010 -
Walmart Charitable Giving Hits $14 Million In Georgia
Atlanta Business Chronicle
April 1, 2010
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation’s charitable giving in Georgia totaled more than $14 million in 2009, the retail giant reported Thursday.
That figure represents a $6 million increase over 2008.
Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart (NYSE: WMT) said its charitable giving in the U.S. totaled more than $467 million -- an $89 million increase over the previous year’s giving.
“We’ve challenged ourselves to look at ways to make long-lasting impacts in communities around the globe by funding programs that address critical needs, like hunger, education and job training,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation, in a statement. “Our business is growing and as a result we’re fortunate that our charitable giving is increasing as well.”
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation fund initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability and health and wellness.
http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/03/29/daily58.html?surround=lfn
© 2010 American City Business Journals, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved.
April 1, 2010
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation’s charitable giving in Georgia totaled more than $14 million in 2009, the retail giant reported Thursday.
That figure represents a $6 million increase over 2008.
Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart (NYSE: WMT) said its charitable giving in the U.S. totaled more than $467 million -- an $89 million increase over the previous year’s giving.
“We’ve challenged ourselves to look at ways to make long-lasting impacts in communities around the globe by funding programs that address critical needs, like hunger, education and job training,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation, in a statement. “Our business is growing and as a result we’re fortunate that our charitable giving is increasing as well.”
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation fund initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability and health and wellness.
http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/03/29/daily58.html?surround=lfn
© 2010 American City Business Journals, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved.
General Assembly Takes A Break
Morris News Service
Athens Banner-Herald
April 05, 2010
ATLANTA - Georgia lawmakers will be enjoying spring break with their children or strolling the fairways of Augusta National Golf Club to watch the Masters Tournament this week during a recess originally billed as a chance for the Senate Appropriations Committee to work on the budget.
When legislative leaders announced the scheduled 10-day recess, they said it was needed to give the Appropriations Committee time to work without distractions like attending other committees' meetings or heading to the floor with the full Senate to vote on bills.
Two other recesses for budget consideration each lasted a week earlier in the session.
To read the whole article please tap on link: http://onlineathens.com/stories/040510/gen_602037749.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
Athens Banner-Herald
April 05, 2010
ATLANTA - Georgia lawmakers will be enjoying spring break with their children or strolling the fairways of Augusta National Golf Club to watch the Masters Tournament this week during a recess originally billed as a chance for the Senate Appropriations Committee to work on the budget.
When legislative leaders announced the scheduled 10-day recess, they said it was needed to give the Appropriations Committee time to work without distractions like attending other committees' meetings or heading to the floor with the full Senate to vote on bills.
Two other recesses for budget consideration each lasted a week earlier in the session.
To read the whole article please tap on link: http://onlineathens.com/stories/040510/gen_602037749.shtml
© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Transportation Funding: From Fast Track To Iffy
By Ariel Hart
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics
March 31, 2010
On Feb. 11, Gov. Sonny Perdue, House Speaker David Ralston and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle stood side by side in the governor's office, united behind referendums for a regional transportation tax. After three years of battle over the idea, it looked as if a deal on new transportation funding in Georgia was all but inevitable.
Well, things change.
Seven weeks later, the bill they introduced (HB 1218) is technically dead. The ideas in it are still alive and apparently will be transferred, Frankenstein-like, to dormant bills (HB 277 and HR 206) that stalled last year and can act as a vehicle. But House leaders declined to risk a floor vote on transportation funding by the March 26 deadline for a bill to pass at least one chamber. And as the land lays now, the one thing Perdue says must not be in the bill -- a local ability to opt out of a region and its tax -- is the one thing some influential stakeholders still say must be in the bill.
To read more please tap link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/transportation-funding-from-fast-420303.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Politics
March 31, 2010
On Feb. 11, Gov. Sonny Perdue, House Speaker David Ralston and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle stood side by side in the governor's office, united behind referendums for a regional transportation tax. After three years of battle over the idea, it looked as if a deal on new transportation funding in Georgia was all but inevitable.
Well, things change.
Seven weeks later, the bill they introduced (HB 1218) is technically dead. The ideas in it are still alive and apparently will be transferred, Frankenstein-like, to dormant bills (HB 277 and HR 206) that stalled last year and can act as a vehicle. But House leaders declined to risk a floor vote on transportation funding by the March 26 deadline for a bill to pass at least one chamber. And as the land lays now, the one thing Perdue says must not be in the bill -- a local ability to opt out of a region and its tax -- is the one thing some influential stakeholders still say must be in the bill.
To read more please tap link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/transportation-funding-from-fast-420303.html
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cops Say Man Bullied Into Paying $3,500
Reporter: Josh Green
Gwinnett Daily Post
March 30, 2010
LILBURN — A Douglasville man is behind bars for bullying an elderly man out of thousands of dollars for tree-cutting services he didn’t ask for, police said Tuesday.
Gerald Jerome Davis, 29, led a trio of men who cut trees at the 87-year-old victim’s Lilburn house on March 4 and demanded payment of $3,500, police said.
The men had reportedly knocked on the victim’s door at random to offer work.
“The victim told the (suspects) to stop and that he didn’t want the work done, but they continued,” said Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli.
When finished, the “leader” of the workers demanded payment and the victim, who lives on Geneva Drive, felt threatened and paid the men in full, Schiralli said.
The victim was forced to sign a receipt stating he was satisfied with the service. The receipt lists Davis’ tree service as the business that performed the work, according to a police report.
Gwinnett police robbery investigators received video surveillance of Davis cashing the victim’s check and arrested him after an interview, Schiralli said.
“The victim was able to identify the male in the video as the person he’d given the check to,” he said.
Davis is charged with felony counts of robbery by intimidation and exploitation of a disabled adult. He remains at the Gwinnett County Jail without bond.
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/home/headlines/89572647.html
Southern Community Newspapers Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2010
Gwinnett Daily Post
March 30, 2010
LILBURN — A Douglasville man is behind bars for bullying an elderly man out of thousands of dollars for tree-cutting services he didn’t ask for, police said Tuesday.
Gerald Jerome Davis, 29, led a trio of men who cut trees at the 87-year-old victim’s Lilburn house on March 4 and demanded payment of $3,500, police said.
The men had reportedly knocked on the victim’s door at random to offer work.
“The victim told the (suspects) to stop and that he didn’t want the work done, but they continued,” said Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli.
When finished, the “leader” of the workers demanded payment and the victim, who lives on Geneva Drive, felt threatened and paid the men in full, Schiralli said.
The victim was forced to sign a receipt stating he was satisfied with the service. The receipt lists Davis’ tree service as the business that performed the work, according to a police report.
Gwinnett police robbery investigators received video surveillance of Davis cashing the victim’s check and arrested him after an interview, Schiralli said.
“The victim was able to identify the male in the video as the person he’d given the check to,” he said.
Davis is charged with felony counts of robbery by intimidation and exploitation of a disabled adult. He remains at the Gwinnett County Jail without bond.
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/home/headlines/89572647.html
Southern Community Newspapers Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2010
Baker Could Benefit From Health Care Stance
Shannon McCaffery
The Associated Press
The ValdostaDaily Times
March31, 2010
Atlanta — By defying Gov. Sonny Perdue and refusing to file a lawsuit over a new federal health care law, Georgia’s Democratic attorney general has made himself the target of a Republican impeachment effort and, in the process, energized his bid for governor.
The onslaught of GOP ire directed at Thurbert Baker is winning the state’s top lawyer credibility within the Democratic party base and a flurry of free media attention.
It’s good news for Baker, who’s been struggling to gain ground against former Gov. Roy Barnes, widely seen as the front-runner in a crowded five-way, Democratic primary.
To read the whole article please tap link: http://valdostadailytimes.com/statenews/x1687695390/Baker-could-benefit-from-health-care-stance
© 2010 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. ·
The Associated Press
The ValdostaDaily Times
March31, 2010
Atlanta — By defying Gov. Sonny Perdue and refusing to file a lawsuit over a new federal health care law, Georgia’s Democratic attorney general has made himself the target of a Republican impeachment effort and, in the process, energized his bid for governor.
The onslaught of GOP ire directed at Thurbert Baker is winning the state’s top lawyer credibility within the Democratic party base and a flurry of free media attention.
It’s good news for Baker, who’s been struggling to gain ground against former Gov. Roy Barnes, widely seen as the front-runner in a crowded five-way, Democratic primary.
To read the whole article please tap link: http://valdostadailytimes.com/statenews/x1687695390/Baker-could-benefit-from-health-care-stance
© 2010 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. ·
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