Yesterday I wrote a story about the Special Election to fill the unexpired term on Bobby Parham's state House seat. The one thing that shocked me most wasn't that no one was stepping up to face Rusty Kidd in a special election, but that several of the people I had talked to had no idea that Parham had resigned his seat in the House.
My problem is that the majority of the people I called were elected officials or people who are involved in local politics. I know that newspapers are steadily losing readers, but in a media market like Milledgeville there just aren't that many options to learn about whats going on in Milledgeville. Sure, you can wait two or three months and read about it in the Macon Telegraph, but we usually have it within a week or so of it happening. What gives?
Maybe the problem is worse than we initially thought and it's not just younger consumers who are getting off the newspaper bandwagon?
In a City Council meeting this week one of the alderman asked whether or not the city was going to put something about the proposed water/sewer rate increases in the paper. Buddy... I've written about it twice. A third time once papers hit the stands the next morning. And guess what, I'll be writing about it again this weekend.
I see it as cutting off the slack when the next generation decides to bathe itself in the cathode ray oblivion. But to know that people who are written about regularly in the paper are not even bothering to read what we write about them never even occurred to me.
I feel like I've woken up on the Planet of the Apes or something.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A Changed Man...or Further Proof that Atlanta Really is a Different Planet
I really am not sure what to say about this. But you would think that if you were going to run for office--especially to the body you're talking about in a story like this--that you would try to keep things like this under your cap.
But if it did only get printed in Atlanta, I guess there is the possibility that something like this might not make it back to the voters in Baldwin County.
From what I've been told, but have yet to confirm, this will not be the only shoe to drop in the yet-to-be-determined special election coming this year.
And c'mon really...Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus? That whole part of the story is about the hokiest thing I think I've ever heard.
But if it did only get printed in Atlanta, I guess there is the possibility that something like this might not make it back to the voters in Baldwin County.
From what I've been told, but have yet to confirm, this will not be the only shoe to drop in the yet-to-be-determined special election coming this year.
And c'mon really...Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus? That whole part of the story is about the hokiest thing I think I've ever heard.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Celebrating National Poetry Month
Readers of our print edition or those who simply enjoy Milledgeville City Council from the comfort of their own homes via the public access cable channel may have found out last night--as I did--that our City Manager Scott Wood is a lay poet.
Wood asked me to preface it before publication by saying that he calculated the value of the proposed FY2010 budget down to a daily cost of $2.84 for each of the city's 20,039 residents, less than the cost of a happy meal at Mickey D's.
Now with that said, here for your consideration is the poem Wood wrote in honor of the budget writing season:
IN CONCLUSION, IF THE CHAIR WILL ALLOW ME JUST ANOTHER MINUTE OR TWO OF TIME
I OFFER FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION THIS SIMPLE BUT PERTINENT RHYME
SO PLEASE DON’T NOD OFF, OR I’M AFRAID THAT YOU MIGHT MISS
MY FEEBLE ATTEMPT AT POETRY, WHICH GOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THE SERVICES OUR CITY OFFERS EVERY DAY
IT’S SIMPLY DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THAT THERE’S ANY CONCEIVABLE WAY
THAT MANY OF OUR CITIZENS COULD EVER POSSIBLY SAY
THEY’D RATHER LIVE ANYWHERE ELSE THAN HERE IN MILLEDGEVILLE, G-A.
THE GOVERNING BODY, OUR MAYOR AND COUNCIL, ARE ALWAYS FAITHFULLY HERE
DELIBERATING POLICY AND PASSING ORDINANCES ALL THROUGH THE YEAR
WITH TWO RICHARDS AND TWO KENS, AND WE DARE NOT FORGET
THERE’S STEVE AND DENISE, AND ALWAYS JEANETTE
AND WISE COUNSEL FROM JIMMY AND CEDRIC AND ALSO BOBBY BROWN
WHOSE ADVISE AND COMMON SENSE HAVE NOT ONCE LET US DOWN
OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS LIKE BARRY AND WOODY AND TOM AND JACK
DON AND MERVYN, WITH RUSSELL HELPING TAKE UP THE SLACK
AND OVER 200 EMPLOYEES, WORKING ENTHUSIASTICALLY TOGETHER
DESPITE LIMITED RESOURCES, CIRCUMSTANCES, OR INCLIMATE WEATHER
OUR FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE TRAINED AND EAGER TO ARRIVE
ON THE SCENE OF EVERY DANGER, PROTECTING OUR CITIZENS’ PROPERTY AND LIVES
OUR WATER QUALITY IS OUTSTANDING, ALWAYS AMONG THE VERY BEST
‘CAUSE EVERY YEAR WE MEET OR EXCEED A RIGID EPD TEST
WE PROTECT PROPERTY VALUES AND INVESTMENTS THROUGH ZONING LAWS AND CODES
THOUGH HOW TO MAKE 20,000 PEOPLE HAPPY ALL THE TIME ONLY HEAVEN KNOWS
OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT STRIVES THE PUBLIC TO PLEASE---OR AT LEAST APPEASE
BY CUTTING GRASS, REPAIRING STREETS, AND EVEN TRIMMING TREES
AND USED BY SEVERAL THOUSAND, AND OPEN EVERY DAY UNTIL DARK
ARE OUR TWO RECREATION ASSETS---BONNER AND HULEY PARK!
BUT WE HAVE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES, TOO, THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE OR REMEMBER
THAT KEEP OUR CREWS REALLY STRETCHED OUT FROM JANUARY THROUGH DECEMBER
SUCH AS TENDING TO THOUSANDS OF SPECIAL CITIZENS WHO NOW MAY LIE STILL
BUT WHOSE MEMORIES ARE ETERNALLY HONORED AT WESTSIDE, BONE, AND MEMORY HILL
AND LEST THAT SOUND LIKE JUST AN INSIGNIFICANT DRONE
WELL, THEN JUST TRY KEEPING THE GRASS TRIMMED AROUND OVER TEN THOUSAND HEADSTONES
PEOPLE DON’T SEEM TO REALIZE THE VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT COME AT US EVERY DAY
SUCH AS PROJECTS FOR THE INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY, MAIN STREET, OR THE OCONEE RIVER GREENWAY
OR HOW WE WORK WITH OTHER GROUPS, FROM THE COLLEGE TO THE COUNTY AND ALSO GMC
AND STATE AGENCIES SUCH AS CENTRAL STATE, THE PRISONS, AND OF COURSE THE DOT
WE SUPPORT THE LIBRARY AND ALLIED ARTS AND IF YOU CARE TO GO SEE ‘UM
THERE’S A WEALTH OF LOCAL ARTIFACTS IN THE OLD CAPITAL MUSEUM
SO IT’S REALLY HARD TO COMPREHEND OR EVEN UNDERSTAND
HOW WE COULD DO MORE THAN THIS ON A BUDGET ALREADY TIGHTER THAN DICK’S HATBAND
SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IF CHANGES TO THIS BUDGET ARE SOMETHING YOU SIMPLY NEED TO MAKE
BE SURE THEY’RE BENEFICIAL AND NOT JUST CHANGES FOR CHANGES SAKE
AND THEY SERVE THE TRUE WELFARE OF OUR CITY AND EVERY TAXPAYER HERE
BECAUSE WE’LL ENDURE THEIR CONSEQUENCES FOR AT LEAST A ANOTHER YEAR
PLEASE DISCUSS AND DEBATE THEM FAIRLY, NOT DRIVEN BY POLITICAL FEAR
BECAUSE ALL OF US KNOW THE OBVIOUS….THAT THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR
SO AS I ACKNOWLEDGE THE APPARENT…THAT I’LL NEVER BE KNOWN FOR BREVITY
MAY I SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR TOLERATING THIS LITTLE BIT OF LEVITY
AND ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THESE DAYS, WHEN EVERYONE’S LOOKING FOR A DEAL
THAT WE SHOULD ALL REFLECT ON THIS BARGAIN THAT’S UNDENIABLY REAL
BECAUSE LIVING AMONG THE HISTORY AND BEAUTY OF THE CITY OF MILLEDGEVILLE
IS A BETTER DOLLAR VALUE…THAN EVEN A HAPPY MEAL!
Wood asked me to preface it before publication by saying that he calculated the value of the proposed FY2010 budget down to a daily cost of $2.84 for each of the city's 20,039 residents, less than the cost of a happy meal at Mickey D's.
Now with that said, here for your consideration is the poem Wood wrote in honor of the budget writing season:
IN CONCLUSION, IF THE CHAIR WILL ALLOW ME JUST ANOTHER MINUTE OR TWO OF TIME
I OFFER FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION THIS SIMPLE BUT PERTINENT RHYME
SO PLEASE DON’T NOD OFF, OR I’M AFRAID THAT YOU MIGHT MISS
MY FEEBLE ATTEMPT AT POETRY, WHICH GOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THE SERVICES OUR CITY OFFERS EVERY DAY
IT’S SIMPLY DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THAT THERE’S ANY CONCEIVABLE WAY
THAT MANY OF OUR CITIZENS COULD EVER POSSIBLY SAY
THEY’D RATHER LIVE ANYWHERE ELSE THAN HERE IN MILLEDGEVILLE, G-A.
THE GOVERNING BODY, OUR MAYOR AND COUNCIL, ARE ALWAYS FAITHFULLY HERE
DELIBERATING POLICY AND PASSING ORDINANCES ALL THROUGH THE YEAR
WITH TWO RICHARDS AND TWO KENS, AND WE DARE NOT FORGET
THERE’S STEVE AND DENISE, AND ALWAYS JEANETTE
AND WISE COUNSEL FROM JIMMY AND CEDRIC AND ALSO BOBBY BROWN
WHOSE ADVISE AND COMMON SENSE HAVE NOT ONCE LET US DOWN
OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS LIKE BARRY AND WOODY AND TOM AND JACK
DON AND MERVYN, WITH RUSSELL HELPING TAKE UP THE SLACK
AND OVER 200 EMPLOYEES, WORKING ENTHUSIASTICALLY TOGETHER
DESPITE LIMITED RESOURCES, CIRCUMSTANCES, OR INCLIMATE WEATHER
OUR FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE TRAINED AND EAGER TO ARRIVE
ON THE SCENE OF EVERY DANGER, PROTECTING OUR CITIZENS’ PROPERTY AND LIVES
OUR WATER QUALITY IS OUTSTANDING, ALWAYS AMONG THE VERY BEST
‘CAUSE EVERY YEAR WE MEET OR EXCEED A RIGID EPD TEST
WE PROTECT PROPERTY VALUES AND INVESTMENTS THROUGH ZONING LAWS AND CODES
THOUGH HOW TO MAKE 20,000 PEOPLE HAPPY ALL THE TIME ONLY HEAVEN KNOWS
OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT STRIVES THE PUBLIC TO PLEASE---OR AT LEAST APPEASE
BY CUTTING GRASS, REPAIRING STREETS, AND EVEN TRIMMING TREES
AND USED BY SEVERAL THOUSAND, AND OPEN EVERY DAY UNTIL DARK
ARE OUR TWO RECREATION ASSETS---BONNER AND HULEY PARK!
BUT WE HAVE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES, TOO, THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE OR REMEMBER
THAT KEEP OUR CREWS REALLY STRETCHED OUT FROM JANUARY THROUGH DECEMBER
SUCH AS TENDING TO THOUSANDS OF SPECIAL CITIZENS WHO NOW MAY LIE STILL
BUT WHOSE MEMORIES ARE ETERNALLY HONORED AT WESTSIDE, BONE, AND MEMORY HILL
AND LEST THAT SOUND LIKE JUST AN INSIGNIFICANT DRONE
WELL, THEN JUST TRY KEEPING THE GRASS TRIMMED AROUND OVER TEN THOUSAND HEADSTONES
PEOPLE DON’T SEEM TO REALIZE THE VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT COME AT US EVERY DAY
SUCH AS PROJECTS FOR THE INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY, MAIN STREET, OR THE OCONEE RIVER GREENWAY
OR HOW WE WORK WITH OTHER GROUPS, FROM THE COLLEGE TO THE COUNTY AND ALSO GMC
AND STATE AGENCIES SUCH AS CENTRAL STATE, THE PRISONS, AND OF COURSE THE DOT
WE SUPPORT THE LIBRARY AND ALLIED ARTS AND IF YOU CARE TO GO SEE ‘UM
THERE’S A WEALTH OF LOCAL ARTIFACTS IN THE OLD CAPITAL MUSEUM
SO IT’S REALLY HARD TO COMPREHEND OR EVEN UNDERSTAND
HOW WE COULD DO MORE THAN THIS ON A BUDGET ALREADY TIGHTER THAN DICK’S HATBAND
SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IF CHANGES TO THIS BUDGET ARE SOMETHING YOU SIMPLY NEED TO MAKE
BE SURE THEY’RE BENEFICIAL AND NOT JUST CHANGES FOR CHANGES SAKE
AND THEY SERVE THE TRUE WELFARE OF OUR CITY AND EVERY TAXPAYER HERE
BECAUSE WE’LL ENDURE THEIR CONSEQUENCES FOR AT LEAST A ANOTHER YEAR
PLEASE DISCUSS AND DEBATE THEM FAIRLY, NOT DRIVEN BY POLITICAL FEAR
BECAUSE ALL OF US KNOW THE OBVIOUS….THAT THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR
SO AS I ACKNOWLEDGE THE APPARENT…THAT I’LL NEVER BE KNOWN FOR BREVITY
MAY I SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR TOLERATING THIS LITTLE BIT OF LEVITY
AND ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THESE DAYS, WHEN EVERYONE’S LOOKING FOR A DEAL
THAT WE SHOULD ALL REFLECT ON THIS BARGAIN THAT’S UNDENIABLY REAL
BECAUSE LIVING AMONG THE HISTORY AND BEAUTY OF THE CITY OF MILLEDGEVILLE
IS A BETTER DOLLAR VALUE…THAN EVEN A HAPPY MEAL!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
When is the Special Election?
Update: Bert Brantley from the Governor's press office responded to my inquiry and said that the governor's office is not yet ready to issue the writ of election because it is trying to determine to possibility of packaging the special election with some other election.
"Every local government is experiencing tough budget times and we certainly don't want to exacerbate that fact," he said.
And although that is certainly commendable--especially with estimates of the cost of a special election weighing in at about 125% to 150% percent of my annual pay (I'll let youse who are paying attention calculate those figures...and no, I'm not salaried.)--a close read of the law below almost certainly rules out the possibility of combining the election with the municipal elections to be held this November.
I'm wasting phone calls today attempting to get the governor's office to tell me whether they have issued a writ of elections for Bobby Parham's seat in the state House of Representatives.
Figuring that since Parham resigned his seat in the House on April 15, and according to Georgia Law, the governor has 10 days from the vacancy to issue the writ, the writ should be issued any day now.
Calls to the Secretary of State's office informed me that they have not received it yet. Assuming that it is 10 business days and not calendar days--and state government offices were closed yesterday for Confederate Memorial Day--I guess it should be issued by Thursday.
For those who care--and since I can't link you to my special elections story because it didn't make the Internet--here is a copy of the Georgia Law concerning special elections:
§ 21-2-544. Special election for General Assembly vacancy
Whenever a vacancy shall occur or exist in either house of the General Assembly during a session of the General Assembly or whenever such vacancy shall occur or exist at a time when the members of the General Assembly shall be required to meet, at any time previous to the next November election, the Governor shall issue, within ten days after the occurrence of such vacancy, or after the calling of an extraordinary session of the General Assembly during the existence of such vacancy, a writ of election to the Secretary of State for a special election to fill such vacancy, which election shall be held on the date named in the writ, which shall not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days after its issuance. Upon receiving the writ of election from the Governor, the Secretary of State shall then transmit the writ of election to the superintendent of each county involved and shall publish the call of the election. In all other cases any such special election to fill any such vacancy shall be held if the Governor issues his or her writ of election therefor. In such cases the writ of election shall be issued to the Secretary of State who shall transmit the writ of election to the superintendent of each county involved and shall publish the call of the election.
"Every local government is experiencing tough budget times and we certainly don't want to exacerbate that fact," he said.
And although that is certainly commendable--especially with estimates of the cost of a special election weighing in at about 125% to 150% percent of my annual pay (I'll let youse who are paying attention calculate those figures...and no, I'm not salaried.)--a close read of the law below almost certainly rules out the possibility of combining the election with the municipal elections to be held this November.
I'm wasting phone calls today attempting to get the governor's office to tell me whether they have issued a writ of elections for Bobby Parham's seat in the state House of Representatives.
Figuring that since Parham resigned his seat in the House on April 15, and according to Georgia Law, the governor has 10 days from the vacancy to issue the writ, the writ should be issued any day now.
Calls to the Secretary of State's office informed me that they have not received it yet. Assuming that it is 10 business days and not calendar days--and state government offices were closed yesterday for Confederate Memorial Day--I guess it should be issued by Thursday.
For those who care--and since I can't link you to my special elections story because it didn't make the Internet--here is a copy of the Georgia Law concerning special elections:
§ 21-2-544. Special election for General Assembly vacancy
Whenever a vacancy shall occur or exist in either house of the General Assembly during a session of the General Assembly or whenever such vacancy shall occur or exist at a time when the members of the General Assembly shall be required to meet, at any time previous to the next November election, the Governor shall issue, within ten days after the occurrence of such vacancy, or after the calling of an extraordinary session of the General Assembly during the existence of such vacancy, a writ of election to the Secretary of State for a special election to fill such vacancy, which election shall be held on the date named in the writ, which shall not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days after its issuance. Upon receiving the writ of election from the Governor, the Secretary of State shall then transmit the writ of election to the superintendent of each county involved and shall publish the call of the election. In all other cases any such special election to fill any such vacancy shall be held if the Governor issues his or her writ of election therefor. In such cases the writ of election shall be issued to the Secretary of State who shall transmit the writ of election to the superintendent of each county involved and shall publish the call of the election.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Future Shock...but not the kind that brought you hip hop
Two views of the same depressing cultural collapse.
Insider Advantage's Matt Towery gives us a take on the culture of the future.
And for One Capital Removed's Atlanta audience, a sign of the times for your Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
But if you're reading this, I'm sure you knew this already.
Insider Advantage's Matt Towery gives us a take on the culture of the future.
And for One Capital Removed's Atlanta audience, a sign of the times for your Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
But if you're reading this, I'm sure you knew this already.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
No better time to be out in the hall
You gotta hand it to state Sen. Johnny Grant for staying out of this hornet's nest.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Freaky Friday
Update: We have confirmation. Elizabeth Osmon of the Office of the state Transportation Board confirmed that Parham was sworn in Wednesday and attended committee meetings, and was present at the formal board meeting Thursday.
The early morning news crew is abuzz with all types of interesting news items this morning.
Rusty Kidd, son of long-time Baldwin County legislator Culver Kidd, called to say that Rep. Bobby Parham, D-Milledgeville, has changed his mind once again and resigned his seat in the state House of Representatives to represent the 12th Congressional District on the state Transportation Board.
At this time, we have not been able to confirm this with the board, the Speaker of the House's office or with Parham. But we'll have this fleshed out by the end of the day.
On Kidd's end, he said his campaign is back on track and he will be re-announcing his bid sometime next week.
The early morning news crew is abuzz with all types of interesting news items this morning.
Rusty Kidd, son of long-time Baldwin County legislator Culver Kidd, called to say that Rep. Bobby Parham, D-Milledgeville, has changed his mind once again and resigned his seat in the state House of Representatives to represent the 12th Congressional District on the state Transportation Board.
At this time, we have not been able to confirm this with the board, the Speaker of the House's office or with Parham. But we'll have this fleshed out by the end of the day.
On Kidd's end, he said his campaign is back on track and he will be re-announcing his bid sometime next week.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Another 'ruminations' update
Expect Phillip Joiner to be hittin' the newsstands two and maybe three times in the next seven-day period.
The young media mogul called in to the U-R newsroom today to schedule his announcement interview for next week. While scheduling, he dropped the hint that the Bulletin may re-run their announcement story in today's Bulletin--we won't know until 'around lunchtime.'
But I imagine the U-R will also be trumped by the Colonnade--who also ran Joiner's announcement last year.
But all things considered, I think that's a good thing. I wish I could remember the feeling of being a college reporter trumping the local organ on some steamin' piece of hot newz.
Yeah-Yeah!
The young media mogul called in to the U-R newsroom today to schedule his announcement interview for next week. While scheduling, he dropped the hint that the Bulletin may re-run their announcement story in today's Bulletin--we won't know until 'around lunchtime.'
But I imagine the U-R will also be trumped by the Colonnade--who also ran Joiner's announcement last year.
But all things considered, I think that's a good thing. I wish I could remember the feeling of being a college reporter trumping the local organ on some steamin' piece of hot newz.
Yeah-Yeah!
Oh how things have changed, or have they?
The Fayette County Citizen printed this homage to small town/city (what have you) newspapers featuring our own Union-Recorder.
It was interesting to me to read the commentator's description of what made the newspaper back in the 1960's. My bias toward hard news would lead me to say that the news really hasn't changed, but...I wasn't reading the U-R in the sixties(like I'd remember if I was), and I've only been on staff here for a little over a year.
But to back up my point: Yesterday I wrote three stories, one about a group of community members who hold a monthly breakfast for veterans displaced by the state's decision to close the domiciliary unit at the Georgia War Veterans Home, one about a workshop to help you preserve your important family documents and photographs and another one to get in the City Council info that I couldn't fit into Wednesday's council story.
I'd be interested to hear what some of you big city paper readin' public think about the value of community news versus the the news that covers the page in your papers.
On a related note, Pete McCommons, publisher of the alternative news weekly Flagpole in Athens, has this missive about Morris Communications' decision to launch an "alternative" weekly of their own to compete head-to-head with Flagpole.
There is a lot of pressure to do this, create additional revenue streams, in the 'industry.' That's all I'll say about that.
It was interesting to me to read the commentator's description of what made the newspaper back in the 1960's. My bias toward hard news would lead me to say that the news really hasn't changed, but...I wasn't reading the U-R in the sixties(like I'd remember if I was), and I've only been on staff here for a little over a year.
But to back up my point: Yesterday I wrote three stories, one about a group of community members who hold a monthly breakfast for veterans displaced by the state's decision to close the domiciliary unit at the Georgia War Veterans Home, one about a workshop to help you preserve your important family documents and photographs and another one to get in the City Council info that I couldn't fit into Wednesday's council story.
I'd be interested to hear what some of you big city paper readin' public think about the value of community news versus the the news that covers the page in your papers.
On a related note, Pete McCommons, publisher of the alternative news weekly Flagpole in Athens, has this missive about Morris Communications' decision to launch an "alternative" weekly of their own to compete head-to-head with Flagpole.
There is a lot of pressure to do this, create additional revenue streams, in the 'industry.' That's all I'll say about that.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
But about that governor's race
All the real newspapers are reporting that Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle is out of the race due to his diagnosis of a degenerative spinal condition.
This comes after an Insider Advantage poll that placed him at the front of the Republican pack in the 2010 race.
This comes after an Insider Advantage poll that placed him at the front of the Republican pack in the 2010 race.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Early ruminations on City Council elections
Update: Ken Vance told me at last night's City Council that he is not supporting anyone in the race for his City Council seat. He went on to say that he had specifically told Phillip Joiner that he would not support him or anyone else until the election, if at all.
"There are 17 more City Council meetings left in my tenure and during that time I will be doing my best to represent the people of District 4," he said.
I know we should be talking more about the 2010 Governor Race as it is only a year-and-a-half away, but I thought we'd focus on something a little more local for now.
I called Patti Rushin, Milledgeville's elections superintendent, today to begin thinking about a timeline for this year's municipal elections.
Mrs. Rushin didn't have any answers that could be considered fit to print--elector training isn't until the first full week of May and after that she'll know what the important dates are and whether or not they'll be any changes for this time around (it'll all be news to me as this is my first city election).
But before I could get too far away from the phone, our City Editor Jonathon Jackson informed me that WMGZ's Phillip Joiner is the chosen one to run for Ken Vance's City Council seat.
Phillip had told the Baldwin Bulletin about this time last year (well ahead of qualifying for the County Commission elections) that he would be making a bid for the downtown Council seat--he is one of their commentators.
But I guess that it has been a year since he announced, so that is news again.
In the 2005 race Ken Vance won by an eight-vote margin over Georgia College & State University student Zach Johnson. As Joiner is a GCSU Alum who stays pretty active on the GCSU, bringing us the likes of GCSU Idol and Milledgeville's Got Talent, I'm sure he'll be actively courting the student vote.
And I bet that vote will be important in this election as President Barack Obama's election energized a large amount of the youth vote.
But how will Joiner's candidacy play on Liberty Street?
And will Joiner have opposition?
I guess we'll see.
Watch the print edition to hear more about Vance's deal with Joiner, Jonathon said that there would be something coming soon. I'll ask Ken Vance about it at tonight's City Council meeting so that we're not scooped by the Bulletin.
"There are 17 more City Council meetings left in my tenure and during that time I will be doing my best to represent the people of District 4," he said.
I know we should be talking more about the 2010 Governor Race as it is only a year-and-a-half away, but I thought we'd focus on something a little more local for now.
I called Patti Rushin, Milledgeville's elections superintendent, today to begin thinking about a timeline for this year's municipal elections.
Mrs. Rushin didn't have any answers that could be considered fit to print--elector training isn't until the first full week of May and after that she'll know what the important dates are and whether or not they'll be any changes for this time around (it'll all be news to me as this is my first city election).
But before I could get too far away from the phone, our City Editor Jonathon Jackson informed me that WMGZ's Phillip Joiner is the chosen one to run for Ken Vance's City Council seat.
Phillip had told the Baldwin Bulletin about this time last year (well ahead of qualifying for the County Commission elections) that he would be making a bid for the downtown Council seat--he is one of their commentators.
But I guess that it has been a year since he announced, so that is news again.
In the 2005 race Ken Vance won by an eight-vote margin over Georgia College & State University student Zach Johnson. As Joiner is a GCSU Alum who stays pretty active on the GCSU, bringing us the likes of GCSU Idol and Milledgeville's Got Talent, I'm sure he'll be actively courting the student vote.
And I bet that vote will be important in this election as President Barack Obama's election energized a large amount of the youth vote.
But how will Joiner's candidacy play on Liberty Street?
And will Joiner have opposition?
I guess we'll see.
Watch the print edition to hear more about Vance's deal with Joiner, Jonathon said that there would be something coming soon. I'll ask Ken Vance about it at tonight's City Council meeting so that we're not scooped by the Bulletin.
2009 Session, it was fun but...
So now that the General Assembly is done doing its thing (check the link for an idea of what that thing is), we're going to have to take a different slant here on One Capital Removed.
Those of you with any ideas on where you think we should go with this online venue for Milledgeville and Georgia news, feel free to drop me a line.
Those of you with any ideas on where you think we should go with this online venue for Milledgeville and Georgia news, feel free to drop me a line.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
And while we're at it.
Bobby Parham, D-Milledgeville, told me yesterday that he will not be leaving the Georgia House of Representatives to take the seat on the state Transportation Board representing the 12th Congressional District.
"I'm not doing it because there's no sense in sitting on a board that's had all the power stripped from it," he said. "When it comes down to it, it will be nothing but the governor's appointed director that will be running the whole thing. They will decide what projects get constructed and funded."
I seem to remember Parham telling me to delete all the expletives out of his quotes, but now I can't even find them in my notes.
Since I'll have to write about it anyway...
Peach Pundit has a funny post about confirmed and rumored candidates for statewide office in 2010.
Although I can't say this for myself--"I can’t help it folks, I’m a political animal and engaging in rumor mongering and idle speculation about potential political campaigns is an involuntary brain response."--I'm glad someone out there is available for some good source material.
Although I can't say this for myself--"I can’t help it folks, I’m a political animal and engaging in rumor mongering and idle speculation about potential political campaigns is an involuntary brain response."--I'm glad someone out there is available for some good source material.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Sine Die
Today's the big day up in Atlanta.
The 2009 session of the Georgia General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn today April 3 by midnight.
Obviously, we are still one capital removed so there will be no breaking news to report here, but state Sen. Johnny Grant, R-Milledgeville, did provide us with some fodder for Saturday's paper.
The Department of Human Resources reorganization came out of conference committee different than both the House and Senate version went in.
The big news is that Central Georgia Technical College got a $17.68 million bond project passed to build that new nursing school that they've been fighting for. Georgia College & State University received their special funding to support their Liberal Arts mission, although it seems that their bid to get money for a rehab of Ennis Hall was cut from the $18.6 billion spending plan. And Central State received a $2.4 million bond project through for general repairs and such.
But really... what does it matter? Legislators are already amending their personal calendars to get called back to Atlanta when it becomes apparent that the economy is not going to miraculously rebound this year.
To keep more up to date with Gold Dome Action today, Georgia Legislative Watch is providing a live link that has some legislators blogging and tweeting on it. And of course Travis Fain from the Telegraph is keeping it on lock down. And for those traditionalists, AJC has its Gold Dome Live blog cranking it out at full steam.
By the time I finish our imperfect little story for tomorrow's edition (in about 20 minutes or so) I'll be glad I'm One Capital Removed. Say goodnight computer!
The 2009 session of the Georgia General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn today April 3 by midnight.
Obviously, we are still one capital removed so there will be no breaking news to report here, but state Sen. Johnny Grant, R-Milledgeville, did provide us with some fodder for Saturday's paper.
The Department of Human Resources reorganization came out of conference committee different than both the House and Senate version went in.
The big news is that Central Georgia Technical College got a $17.68 million bond project passed to build that new nursing school that they've been fighting for. Georgia College & State University received their special funding to support their Liberal Arts mission, although it seems that their bid to get money for a rehab of Ennis Hall was cut from the $18.6 billion spending plan. And Central State received a $2.4 million bond project through for general repairs and such.
But really... what does it matter? Legislators are already amending their personal calendars to get called back to Atlanta when it becomes apparent that the economy is not going to miraculously rebound this year.
To keep more up to date with Gold Dome Action today, Georgia Legislative Watch is providing a live link that has some legislators blogging and tweeting on it. And of course Travis Fain from the Telegraph is keeping it on lock down. And for those traditionalists, AJC has its Gold Dome Live blog cranking it out at full steam.
By the time I finish our imperfect little story for tomorrow's edition (in about 20 minutes or so) I'll be glad I'm One Capital Removed. Say goodnight computer!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
I Can't Drive 65
Andre 3000 of OutKast added his picture to the world wide collection of celebrity mug shots this weekend.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Andre Benjamin was apprehended after being clocked going 109 miles per hour on I-75 in Henry County.
Although some might say this is just another brazen example of a wealthy celebrity acting dangerously, I would like to think that Benjamin is actually a politically astute citizen of Georgia who in paying attention to the General Assembly knows that the penalty for super speeding around the state will soon carry a much higher penalty.
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