Tuesday, October 6, 2009
This is the most Ridiculous Thing I have ever Heard. Conservative Bible Projects cuts out so-called Liberal Passages
The Huffington Post has this story:en too liberal, according to a group of conservatives. And it needs a little editing.
That's the inspiration behind the Conservative Bible Project, which seeks to take the text back to its supposed right-wing roots.
Yes, even scripture is not orthodox enough for the modern conservative. Not that it's the fault of the author(s), exactly. The group cites a few reasons why the Bible is too progressive: "Lack of precision in the original language ... lack of precision in modern language" and "translation bias in converting the original language to the modern one."
For go to The Huffington Post for this story.
That's the inspiration behind the Conservative Bible Project, which seeks to take the text back to its supposed right-wing roots.
Yes, even scripture is not orthodox enough for the modern conservative. Not that it's the fault of the author(s), exactly. The group cites a few reasons why the Bible is too progressive: "Lack of precision in the original language ... lack of precision in modern language" and "translation bias in converting the original language to the modern one."
For go to The Huffington Post for this story.
Georgia Trend 40 under 40. Notables
Henry B. “Hank” Hobbs 39Director of Economic Development
Altamaha Technical College
Hazlehurst
Hank Hobbs’s personal and professional missions are to get people the training they need to go to work.
He spends his time developing relationships with local business and industry, then takes what he’s learned in the community back to Altamaha Technical College where for-credit and customized training programs, such as the culinary arts program housed in a renovated 100-plus-year-old home in Jeff Davis County, are put together to meet the workforce needs in a seven-county area.
It’s a win-win-win situation: Industry gets the educated workforce it needs; citizens get the training they need in order to get local jobs. And Hobbs fulfills his mission. – KK
Rand Knight | 37
Director of Global Enterprise Sales
QL2
Atlanta
Rand Knight is no stranger to taking the road less traveled. He studied environmental policy before “global warming” was a catchphrase, sold Apple computers before they were cool and was a candidate – unsuccessful – in the 2008 Democratic senatorial primary, vying for the chance to oppose incumbent Saxby Chambliss.
Now he blends all his skills as global enterprise sales director for QL2, a company that provides data to the federal government and top national companies. His work in renewable energy and energy efficiency concerns also informs his consulting for a handful of colleges in the state and volunteering with the Sierra Club.
“I’ve gained a lot of tool sets from the different places I’ve engaged myself,” Knight says. “If I can understand why people care, then I can understand how to explain some of the longer term threats that we face in society.” – MH
Rep. Tom Graves | 39
State Representative District 12
Entrepreneur
Ranger Tom Graves has spent most of the summer and early fall on the campaign trail hoping to make the leap from state representative to Congressman (he’s seeking the 9th district seat that will be vacated when Nathan Deal resigns to run for Governor).
Currently in his fourth term in the Georgia House, Graves was recently named vice chair of the motor vehicles committee. This summer he was named Legislator of the Year by both the 9th District Republican Party and the American Legislative Exchange Council, which recognizes lawmakers who adhere to Jeffersonian principles.
When he’s not under the Gold Dome, he manages multi-family housing and commercial real estate properties in north Georgia. If he wins, it will mean big changes for Graves’ family – wife Julie and children JoAnn, John and Janey – “but it’s something we’ve all agreed and committed to,” he says. As for the opportunity itself, Graves says he is excited about the possibility of being able to “influence change on the federal level” at a time when “the American people are really engaged in the process.” – SW
Frank Pendergast | 39
Entrepreneur Milledgeville Frank Pendergast has spent most of his life bringing people back downtown. In the past 16 years, he has purchased and rehabilitated 12 buildings in downtown Milledgeville, where he owns a coffee shop and three restaurants.
As a result of his efforts, more than 100 jobs have been created, and downtown Milledgeville has become a model for other downtowns looking to revitalize and bring new jobs to their counties.
But he recognizes that one business alone cannot bring success to an area. “No matter how good my business is, if there’s a bunch of empty buildings and vacant lots around me, it doesn’t make downtown a good destination,” he says.
At the time Pendergast opened his first restaurant, The Brick, in 1993, downtown had a 60 percent vacancy rate. Today, it’s close to 95 percent full.
Said L. Sewell, PhD | 38
Executive Director
Academic Success Center
Associate Professor
Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley
During his tenure at the University of West Georgia, Professor Said Sewell – who himself entered college at 15 – noticed a need for a support system that would boost graduation rates among the school’s young black men.
“The trend at the time was that African-American males in Georgia and particularly at West Georgia had the lowest retention rate, the lowest graduation rate, the highest dropout rate, highest loss of Hope scholarship, and the highest number of disciplinary infractions of their peers,” he says.
In response, he created the Center for African American Male: Research, Success and Leadership (CAAMRSL). “For over nine years we worked to mentor encourage, chastise and advise roughly 190 guys. Of that 190 we graduated some 125 in the last five classes, most of them on time in four years.”
Now, as executive director of the Academic Success Center at Fort Valley State University, Sewell is putting the practices he developed at the CAAMRSL to work for the entire student body. He still runs the CAAMRSL, which received the Best Practices award from the University System of Georgia, as a separate, nonprofit organization. – SW
Chata M. Spikes | 30
Southeast Regional Producer/Coordinator
Network News Services
Adjunct Mass Communications Instructor
Fort Valley State University
Fairburn
If you watch Atlanta’s TV news, or if you see a news story pertaining to the Southeast on Fox, ABC or CBS television national news, chances are Chata Spikes had a hand in shaping the coverage. As a regional producer for Network News Services, a cooperative that provides story packages to the three networks, she crafts the video packages viewers see.
She’s also playing a major role in teaching the next generation of journalists at her alma mater, Fort Valley State University. This fall, students will produce a new TV show called Living It Up, for which they secure guests and an audience. She also has students blogging at Wildcat Expressions with a catch – they have to offer solutions and engage in reporting, not just post opinions.
“I enjoy teaching; I think that’s what I’m supposed to be doing. I teach what I know. I teach what I do, and I enjoy pouring that into the students,” she says. – SW
Robert James | 37
Solicitor General
DeKalb County
Decatur
Robert James says he didn’t even look at the salary when he decided to run for DeKalb County Solicitor. “I’ve always wanted to be in a position in my life where God would use me to make change in the world,” he says. “I believe that is what he’s doing, so I wake up every morning drunk with the possibility of a new day. What can we do to make this place better.”
The answer is: Plenty. He’s enacted programs to combat truancy (Perfect Atten-dance), give juvenile offenders a true second chance that includes work and school opportunities (Jobs Not Jail), provide emergency placement services for elderly and vulnerable adults when their caretakers are not available to them, and address community crimes such as pimping and solicitation.
He comes to the job well qualified, having served as the first African-American assistant DA in the history of Rockdale County (he was subsequently promoted to solicitor) and a crimes against children prosecutor in DeKalb County. – SW
Anne-Marie Wolff | 29
Planning and Zoning Administrator
Valdosta No doubt about it, Valdosta is growing and City Planner Anne-Marie Wolff knows that good growth doesn’t come without pains – specifically when the desires of longtime residents clash with those of new citizens. “As a planner,” Wolff says, “it’s my job to guide that discussion so we can come up with some compromise and work toward a common goal, which is not always easy.”
Wolff, who’s been with the city planner’s office since its inception (formerly it was a joint city-county endeavor), cut her professional teeth at the South Georgia Regional De-velopment Center.
The Florida native also is working with Valdosta’s chamber of commerce to help her adopted city engage and retain its young professionals via the Metro One Network, a networking group for 21- to 40-year-olds that’s celebrating its third year.
She’s recently become involved with a local literacy program, where she’s helping a 53-year-old woman secure her GED in hopes of becoming an architect. “Probably the most rewarding thing I do right now is volunteer with her,” Wolff says. – SW
Altamaha Technical College
Hazlehurst
Hank Hobbs’s personal and professional missions are to get people the training they need to go to work.
He spends his time developing relationships with local business and industry, then takes what he’s learned in the community back to Altamaha Technical College where for-credit and customized training programs, such as the culinary arts program housed in a renovated 100-plus-year-old home in Jeff Davis County, are put together to meet the workforce needs in a seven-county area.
It’s a win-win-win situation: Industry gets the educated workforce it needs; citizens get the training they need in order to get local jobs. And Hobbs fulfills his mission. – KK
Rand Knight | 37
Director of Global Enterprise Sales
QL2
Atlanta
Rand Knight is no stranger to taking the road less traveled. He studied environmental policy before “global warming” was a catchphrase, sold Apple computers before they were cool and was a candidate – unsuccessful – in the 2008 Democratic senatorial primary, vying for the chance to oppose incumbent Saxby Chambliss.
Now he blends all his skills as global enterprise sales director for QL2, a company that provides data to the federal government and top national companies. His work in renewable energy and energy efficiency concerns also informs his consulting for a handful of colleges in the state and volunteering with the Sierra Club.
“I’ve gained a lot of tool sets from the different places I’ve engaged myself,” Knight says. “If I can understand why people care, then I can understand how to explain some of the longer term threats that we face in society.” – MH
Rep. Tom Graves | 39
State Representative District 12
Entrepreneur
Ranger Tom Graves has spent most of the summer and early fall on the campaign trail hoping to make the leap from state representative to Congressman (he’s seeking the 9th district seat that will be vacated when Nathan Deal resigns to run for Governor).
Currently in his fourth term in the Georgia House, Graves was recently named vice chair of the motor vehicles committee. This summer he was named Legislator of the Year by both the 9th District Republican Party and the American Legislative Exchange Council, which recognizes lawmakers who adhere to Jeffersonian principles.
When he’s not under the Gold Dome, he manages multi-family housing and commercial real estate properties in north Georgia. If he wins, it will mean big changes for Graves’ family – wife Julie and children JoAnn, John and Janey – “but it’s something we’ve all agreed and committed to,” he says. As for the opportunity itself, Graves says he is excited about the possibility of being able to “influence change on the federal level” at a time when “the American people are really engaged in the process.” – SW
Frank Pendergast | 39
Entrepreneur Milledgeville Frank Pendergast has spent most of his life bringing people back downtown. In the past 16 years, he has purchased and rehabilitated 12 buildings in downtown Milledgeville, where he owns a coffee shop and three restaurants.
As a result of his efforts, more than 100 jobs have been created, and downtown Milledgeville has become a model for other downtowns looking to revitalize and bring new jobs to their counties.
But he recognizes that one business alone cannot bring success to an area. “No matter how good my business is, if there’s a bunch of empty buildings and vacant lots around me, it doesn’t make downtown a good destination,” he says.
At the time Pendergast opened his first restaurant, The Brick, in 1993, downtown had a 60 percent vacancy rate. Today, it’s close to 95 percent full.
Said L. Sewell, PhD | 38
Executive Director
Academic Success Center
Associate Professor
Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley
During his tenure at the University of West Georgia, Professor Said Sewell – who himself entered college at 15 – noticed a need for a support system that would boost graduation rates among the school’s young black men.
“The trend at the time was that African-American males in Georgia and particularly at West Georgia had the lowest retention rate, the lowest graduation rate, the highest dropout rate, highest loss of Hope scholarship, and the highest number of disciplinary infractions of their peers,” he says.
In response, he created the Center for African American Male: Research, Success and Leadership (CAAMRSL). “For over nine years we worked to mentor encourage, chastise and advise roughly 190 guys. Of that 190 we graduated some 125 in the last five classes, most of them on time in four years.”
Now, as executive director of the Academic Success Center at Fort Valley State University, Sewell is putting the practices he developed at the CAAMRSL to work for the entire student body. He still runs the CAAMRSL, which received the Best Practices award from the University System of Georgia, as a separate, nonprofit organization. – SW
Chata M. Spikes | 30
Southeast Regional Producer/Coordinator
Network News Services
Adjunct Mass Communications Instructor
Fort Valley State University
Fairburn
If you watch Atlanta’s TV news, or if you see a news story pertaining to the Southeast on Fox, ABC or CBS television national news, chances are Chata Spikes had a hand in shaping the coverage. As a regional producer for Network News Services, a cooperative that provides story packages to the three networks, she crafts the video packages viewers see.
She’s also playing a major role in teaching the next generation of journalists at her alma mater, Fort Valley State University. This fall, students will produce a new TV show called Living It Up, for which they secure guests and an audience. She also has students blogging at Wildcat Expressions with a catch – they have to offer solutions and engage in reporting, not just post opinions.
“I enjoy teaching; I think that’s what I’m supposed to be doing. I teach what I know. I teach what I do, and I enjoy pouring that into the students,” she says. – SW
Robert James | 37
Solicitor General
DeKalb County
Decatur
Robert James says he didn’t even look at the salary when he decided to run for DeKalb County Solicitor. “I’ve always wanted to be in a position in my life where God would use me to make change in the world,” he says. “I believe that is what he’s doing, so I wake up every morning drunk with the possibility of a new day. What can we do to make this place better.”
The answer is: Plenty. He’s enacted programs to combat truancy (Perfect Atten-dance), give juvenile offenders a true second chance that includes work and school opportunities (Jobs Not Jail), provide emergency placement services for elderly and vulnerable adults when their caretakers are not available to them, and address community crimes such as pimping and solicitation.
He comes to the job well qualified, having served as the first African-American assistant DA in the history of Rockdale County (he was subsequently promoted to solicitor) and a crimes against children prosecutor in DeKalb County. – SW
Anne-Marie Wolff | 29
Planning and Zoning Administrator
Valdosta No doubt about it, Valdosta is growing and City Planner Anne-Marie Wolff knows that good growth doesn’t come without pains – specifically when the desires of longtime residents clash with those of new citizens. “As a planner,” Wolff says, “it’s my job to guide that discussion so we can come up with some compromise and work toward a common goal, which is not always easy.”
Wolff, who’s been with the city planner’s office since its inception (formerly it was a joint city-county endeavor), cut her professional teeth at the South Georgia Regional De-velopment Center.
The Florida native also is working with Valdosta’s chamber of commerce to help her adopted city engage and retain its young professionals via the Metro One Network, a networking group for 21- to 40-year-olds that’s celebrating its third year.
She’s recently become involved with a local literacy program, where she’s helping a 53-year-old woman secure her GED in hopes of becoming an architect. “Probably the most rewarding thing I do right now is volunteer with her,” Wolff says. – SW
Looks like the Mud is already Starting to fly.U.S. Senate Candidate R.J. Hadley (D-Conyers) is being accused of having ties to Acorn
RJ Hadley, Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate, issued a statement Saturday saying he has no connection to the activist group ACORN, and calling a Citizen Poll comment inquiring about ACORN campaign funding in local and congressional elections "baseless accusations."
ACORN, or Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, recently came under fire after ACORN workers were caught on videotape encouraging two individuals to falsify information in order to receive federal assistance. News of the videotape circulated around the country by the week of Sept. 14. Since then, the group has been under scrutiny for possible misuse of federal funding. Both houses of Congress and several other contributors have moved to stop any grant support to ACORN.
A comment appeared in the Citizen Poll Saturday asking about financial support from ACORN for local elected officials as well as congressmen and candidates opposing Sen. Johnny Isakson. Hadley, former Rockdale County chief of staff, is seeking election to the Senate seat currently held by Isakson and served as communications chair of the Rockdale Democratic Party.
"I would like to know how much financial support the ACORN organization gave to our local elected officials and to our congressmen and to those that are now running against our current Sen. Isakson," read the comment.
In his e-mailed statement, Hadley objected to the comment and further said in his written response that a member of the local Republican Party had recently stated that Hadley is a member of ACORN.
"I immediately rejected that statement then, and I am rejecting it now," Hadley wrote. "I challenge your reader(s), that GOP member or anyone else to find a credible connection between my current U.S. Senate campaign, my activities as a community organizer or myself to ACORN."
The poll comment shouldn't be credited to the local Republican party, according to Chairwoman of the Rockdale County Republican Party Kellie Pharr, since no member is allowed to speak on behalf of the organization.
"Only the chairman has the responsibility of presenting the party position on any subject matter and the individual Mr. Hadley has named is not speaking our position on this matter," Pharr said, adding that the party found out who made the comment.
"This is typical old-style political smear tactics, and I'm not going to let it stand," Hadley wrote. "We have got to move past these type of deceptive campaign tactics."
ACORN's political action committee endorsed President Barack Obama during last year's campaign, according to ACORN's Web site, but did not directly contribute campaign dollars.
The nearly 40-year-old activist group has defended claims on its "The Truth About ACORN" link by calling Fox News, which has largely reported on the scandal, "part of an aggressive and sustained right-wing campaign."
ACORN, or Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, recently came under fire after ACORN workers were caught on videotape encouraging two individuals to falsify information in order to receive federal assistance. News of the videotape circulated around the country by the week of Sept. 14. Since then, the group has been under scrutiny for possible misuse of federal funding. Both houses of Congress and several other contributors have moved to stop any grant support to ACORN.
A comment appeared in the Citizen Poll Saturday asking about financial support from ACORN for local elected officials as well as congressmen and candidates opposing Sen. Johnny Isakson. Hadley, former Rockdale County chief of staff, is seeking election to the Senate seat currently held by Isakson and served as communications chair of the Rockdale Democratic Party.
"I would like to know how much financial support the ACORN organization gave to our local elected officials and to our congressmen and to those that are now running against our current Sen. Isakson," read the comment.
In his e-mailed statement, Hadley objected to the comment and further said in his written response that a member of the local Republican Party had recently stated that Hadley is a member of ACORN.
"I immediately rejected that statement then, and I am rejecting it now," Hadley wrote. "I challenge your reader(s), that GOP member or anyone else to find a credible connection between my current U.S. Senate campaign, my activities as a community organizer or myself to ACORN."
The poll comment shouldn't be credited to the local Republican party, according to Chairwoman of the Rockdale County Republican Party Kellie Pharr, since no member is allowed to speak on behalf of the organization.
"Only the chairman has the responsibility of presenting the party position on any subject matter and the individual Mr. Hadley has named is not speaking our position on this matter," Pharr said, adding that the party found out who made the comment.
"This is typical old-style political smear tactics, and I'm not going to let it stand," Hadley wrote. "We have got to move past these type of deceptive campaign tactics."
ACORN's political action committee endorsed President Barack Obama during last year's campaign, according to ACORN's Web site, but did not directly contribute campaign dollars.
The nearly 40-year-old activist group has defended claims on its "The Truth About ACORN" link by calling Fox News, which has largely reported on the scandal, "part of an aggressive and sustained right-wing campaign."
Paul Rish to take on Jim Marshall for 8th District Seat. My Question for Mr. Rish & to other potentital candidates: For What???
Travis Fain at the Macon Telegeraph is reporting that Former Bibb County Republican Party Chairman Paul Rish had filed paperwork to take on Incumbent Jim Marshall for the 8th congressional district in 2010.He is president and CEO of his own voice and data network business, Rish Telecommunications, and was head of the local GOP until resigning Sept. 30 to make this congressional run.
The current Democratic Congress has gotten more conservatives interested in politics, Rish said, and “they’re looking for somebody who can give them a game plan of how we can get out of what we’re in now.”
“The game plan is to create new jobs, secure agricultural prosperity for the 8th District ... to give people their own choice in health care, to make sure the Congress doesn’t completely shed the Constitution,” Rish said.
Rish also said he’ll run on a tax cut “across the board for everybody” with an equivalent cut in federal spending and a balanced budget. He added that if he’s elected, he will turn down taxpayer-funded retirement and health benefits offered to members of Congress.
Here are other tidbots from the story: State Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, moved quickly up the GOP ranks at the statehouse after getting elected in 2006, and he has been bandied about as a potential candidate.
“Marshall has been very good at playing it down the middle,” Peake said. “And so maybe that’s kept some people at bay at the moment. But you can rest assured, people are going to watch how he votes the next few months. ... You never know who may jump in.”
Rish said that despite Marshall’s reputation as a moderate, he typically votes with the Democratic Party, and “that doesn’t seem exactly conservative to me.”
Macon Attorney Dillard called Marshall a “shrewd, savvy politician” who is “deeply entrenched” and has a lot of “crossover appeal” with Republicans.
That’s likely to hold true even in a political environment where people are increasingly displeased with Democrats, Dillard said.
“I guess the question is going to be ... has Jim Marshall created enough goodwill among his constituents many of whom are Republicans, to remain in office?” Dillard said. “I hear from too many Republicans that they like Marshall.”
The Bottom line here is no matter who jumps in the race to take on Jim Marshall he will be re-elected next year. I get tired of republican challengers makes excuses on why marshall should not be re-elected or find something that justifies their reason for running against a very popular congressman. I remember when he represented the old 3rd district before being gerrymandered which included my home county Macon County, that had a strong democratic tilt to it & Marshall voted the same way back then as he does now. The NRSCC are going to waste another $1-1.5 million dollars in this race & still going to come out on the losing end. Steve Dillard calls him a savvy politician, well Marshall is a independent minded politican who does not need to follow his party on every vote like the GOP does. As for State Rep. Allen Peake of Macon, he doesn't stand a chance. He's a nice man & very likable, but he doesn't stand a chance of defeating Marshall either if he were to change his mind & run against him. Marshall will be re-elected back to congress, you can count on that.
The current Democratic Congress has gotten more conservatives interested in politics, Rish said, and “they’re looking for somebody who can give them a game plan of how we can get out of what we’re in now.”
“The game plan is to create new jobs, secure agricultural prosperity for the 8th District ... to give people their own choice in health care, to make sure the Congress doesn’t completely shed the Constitution,” Rish said.
Rish also said he’ll run on a tax cut “across the board for everybody” with an equivalent cut in federal spending and a balanced budget. He added that if he’s elected, he will turn down taxpayer-funded retirement and health benefits offered to members of Congress.
Here are other tidbots from the story: State Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, moved quickly up the GOP ranks at the statehouse after getting elected in 2006, and he has been bandied about as a potential candidate.
“Marshall has been very good at playing it down the middle,” Peake said. “And so maybe that’s kept some people at bay at the moment. But you can rest assured, people are going to watch how he votes the next few months. ... You never know who may jump in.”
Rish said that despite Marshall’s reputation as a moderate, he typically votes with the Democratic Party, and “that doesn’t seem exactly conservative to me.”
Macon Attorney Dillard called Marshall a “shrewd, savvy politician” who is “deeply entrenched” and has a lot of “crossover appeal” with Republicans.
That’s likely to hold true even in a political environment where people are increasingly displeased with Democrats, Dillard said.
“I guess the question is going to be ... has Jim Marshall created enough goodwill among his constituents many of whom are Republicans, to remain in office?” Dillard said. “I hear from too many Republicans that they like Marshall.”
The Bottom line here is no matter who jumps in the race to take on Jim Marshall he will be re-elected next year. I get tired of republican challengers makes excuses on why marshall should not be re-elected or find something that justifies their reason for running against a very popular congressman. I remember when he represented the old 3rd district before being gerrymandered which included my home county Macon County, that had a strong democratic tilt to it & Marshall voted the same way back then as he does now. The NRSCC are going to waste another $1-1.5 million dollars in this race & still going to come out on the losing end. Steve Dillard calls him a savvy politician, well Marshall is a independent minded politican who does not need to follow his party on every vote like the GOP does. As for State Rep. Allen Peake of Macon, he doesn't stand a chance. He's a nice man & very likable, but he doesn't stand a chance of defeating Marshall either if he were to change his mind & run against him. Marshall will be re-elected back to congress, you can count on that.
David Poythress to address Henry Co. Group
Henry Daily Herald:
Henry County will be the venue for a visit next week by a well-known gubernatorial candidate. David Poythress, a Democratic candidate for governor, will be the guest speaker for the Oct. 14 meeting of the Henry Council for Quality Growth.
The meeting will be held at Eagle's Landing Country Club in Stockbridge. According to officials with the group, networking will begin at 11 a.m., with the lunch meeting scheduled to start at 11:55 a.m.
Poythress said the growth-and-development-oriented group is highly focused on transportation and future land use as key issues. He expressed gratitude to the organization for its efforts in coordinating his appearance in Henry County, and said the issues it is focusing on are important well beyond the boundaries of Henry County.
"That kind of strategic, broad-based planning is important in keeping Georgia competitive," he said.
Steve Cash, director of the organization, emphasized the need for the public to get to know each gubernatorial candidate. "It's important to get to know who's going to be leading us for the next four, possibly eight, years," said Cash. With the current state of the economy, he said, constituents need strong leadership.
"Within my lifetime, the economy has not been as bad as it is today," he said. "We need to get the economy jump-started. How are they [the gubernatorial candidates] going to lead us out of this quagmire of an economy we're in?"
Poythress expressed concerns about the state's -- and the region's -- infrastructure issues. The area formed by parts of North Georgia, North Alabama, Western North Carolina, Western South Carolina and Tennessee, have become a "mega region," to which many people are mirating from other areas of the country, Poyhtress said, in a phone interview Monday, previewing his address in Henry.
"People have been coming to the area in large numbers for 30 to 40 years," he said. In light of that fact, infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. As governor, he said, his priorities would be to develop a strategic transportation plan, not just for Henry County, but for the entire region.
"The county's [transportation] planning, of course, will fit into that," he added.
The state also needs to make fundamental changes in its education system, he said. By comparison, Poythress said Henry County schools stack up well.
"Henry does have a very progressive education system," he said. "That's what makes it such an attractive place to live."
Additionally, said Poythress, Georgia must develop a strategic water-use plan, specifically in light of the conflicts involving Georgia, Alabama and Florida over rights to draw water from Lake Lanier.
Poythress is a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, and also earned his commission as an Air Force officer at the school. A Vietnam veteran, he served four years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate officer (JAG).
His civilian career includes experience as assistant attorney general in the state, deputy state revenue commissioner, and secretary of state. In 1992, he was elected State Labor Commissioner, and was re-elected to that position in 1994.
After leaving active duty, Poythress remained in the Air Force Reserve, and attained the rank of Brigadier General. In 1999, then-Gov. Roy Barnes appointed him Adjutant General -- the commander of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard -- in the rank of Major General.
He was re-appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue, who also promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant General.
Henry County will be the venue for a visit next week by a well-known gubernatorial candidate. David Poythress, a Democratic candidate for governor, will be the guest speaker for the Oct. 14 meeting of the Henry Council for Quality Growth.
The meeting will be held at Eagle's Landing Country Club in Stockbridge. According to officials with the group, networking will begin at 11 a.m., with the lunch meeting scheduled to start at 11:55 a.m.
Poythress said the growth-and-development-oriented group is highly focused on transportation and future land use as key issues. He expressed gratitude to the organization for its efforts in coordinating his appearance in Henry County, and said the issues it is focusing on are important well beyond the boundaries of Henry County.
"That kind of strategic, broad-based planning is important in keeping Georgia competitive," he said.
Steve Cash, director of the organization, emphasized the need for the public to get to know each gubernatorial candidate. "It's important to get to know who's going to be leading us for the next four, possibly eight, years," said Cash. With the current state of the economy, he said, constituents need strong leadership.
"Within my lifetime, the economy has not been as bad as it is today," he said. "We need to get the economy jump-started. How are they [the gubernatorial candidates] going to lead us out of this quagmire of an economy we're in?"
Poythress expressed concerns about the state's -- and the region's -- infrastructure issues. The area formed by parts of North Georgia, North Alabama, Western North Carolina, Western South Carolina and Tennessee, have become a "mega region," to which many people are mirating from other areas of the country, Poyhtress said, in a phone interview Monday, previewing his address in Henry.
"People have been coming to the area in large numbers for 30 to 40 years," he said. In light of that fact, infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. As governor, he said, his priorities would be to develop a strategic transportation plan, not just for Henry County, but for the entire region.
"The county's [transportation] planning, of course, will fit into that," he added.
The state also needs to make fundamental changes in its education system, he said. By comparison, Poythress said Henry County schools stack up well.
"Henry does have a very progressive education system," he said. "That's what makes it such an attractive place to live."
Additionally, said Poythress, Georgia must develop a strategic water-use plan, specifically in light of the conflicts involving Georgia, Alabama and Florida over rights to draw water from Lake Lanier.
Poythress is a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, and also earned his commission as an Air Force officer at the school. A Vietnam veteran, he served four years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate officer (JAG).
His civilian career includes experience as assistant attorney general in the state, deputy state revenue commissioner, and secretary of state. In 1992, he was elected State Labor Commissioner, and was re-elected to that position in 1994.
After leaving active duty, Poythress remained in the Air Force Reserve, and attained the rank of Brigadier General. In 1999, then-Gov. Roy Barnes appointed him Adjutant General -- the commander of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard -- in the rank of Major General.
He was re-appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue, who also promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant General.
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