ExploreMilledgeville.org

In case you ever wondered what Daniel McDonald was up to between May and December of 2010:

Thank You For the Two-and-a-half Great Years

To Everyone Who Has Helped Me Bring Quality News to the Community,

As of Friday, May 14, I resigned my position as a staff writer at The Union-Recorder to accept a communications coordinator position at Digital Bridges in downtown Milledgeville.

I am writing you today to express my appreciation for the patience and understanding you have shown me over these last two-and-a-half years while I tried my best to inform The Union-Recorder’s readers about goings-on in the Milledgeville-Baldwin County community. In addition to lending me your time so that I might convey the importance of pertinent community events and information to the paper’s readers, many times you took a few extra moments to share the humor and unique insight that have encouraged me to want to become a more permanent part of this community.

Although I'm not entirely convinced of the supposed demise of print media, I am confident Milledgeville and surrounding communities will continue to look to The Union-Recorder to read and learn more about Baldwin County’s story, no matter the format it arrives in each morning. But there is a new day rising in this community, and I feel this opportunity with Digital Bridges will put me in a better position to positively impact Milledgeville’s future.

If you have not yet taken the opportunity to learn how Digital Bridges is working to assist Milledgeville as it moves into the 21st Century, then I invite you to come out to the Knight Community Innovation Center, next to the Campus Theatre on Hancock Street, to see how we can work together to build the future we want for Baldwin County.

Thank you again for all the time you have spent helping me cover this community, I look forward to continuing to work with you to help build a stronger future for Milledgeville. Please feel free to contact me at through the comments section of this blog or by stopping by Digital Bridges in downtown Milledgeville

Sincerely,

Daniel McDonald

Murdoch Gives a Pep Talk for the Media Moguls of Tomorrow--And We're Listening

Thanks to Jay Bookman for linking to this.
Rupert Murdoch has this editorial from his venerable Wall Street Journal about the possibilities of the future of journalism, with some thoughts on government subsidies to the industry's current heavyweights.
The gist is those who rest on their laurels will be able to sit around and blame technology for their diminished lot in life while the rest of the world gets comfy with the next model.
People will pay for compelling content, the same as they did before the Internet. It is our job as content creators to figure out what consumers want and sell it to them. The old model of selling eyeballs to advertisers no longer applies.
And finally, government bailouts of the media industry will start us down a road to tyranny. Contrary to its current meaning, the Free Press was free from the government's press secretary and the government's red pen. And that's what helped make this country great.

"The future of journalism is more promising than ever—limited only by editors and producers unwilling to fight for their readers and viewers, or government using its heavy hand either to overregulate or subsidize us.
...
"Some newspapers and news organizations will not adapt to the digital realities of our day—and they will fail. We should not blame technology for these failures. The future of journalism belongs to the bold, and the companies that prosper will be those that find new and better ways to meet the needs of their viewers, listeners, and readers."

The Future of Internet Access

NPR had this interesting piece this morning about how young African Americans and English-speaking Latinos are embracing mobile devices as the method for accessing the World Wide Web.



There's some good ancillary info on NPR.org here.

The Challenge is Out There

Update: I talked with E. Culver "Rusty" Kidd on Monday and he said that he will be there this coming Sunday night.
I also talked with Talking Straight host Quentin T. Howell and he said he's looking forward to bringing this opportunity to the people. Phone lines will be open for this interactive forum event. So you can have your questions ready, the number will be 478.946.3445.

On his Sunday evening talk show, Quentin T. Howell challenged the candidates in the 141st District House runoff race to appear on The Zonee next Sunday for a broadcast debate before the December 1 special election.
Darrell Black, who was guesting this Sunday, said he was up to the challenge.
The Zonee, sometimes referred to as the Talking Straight Zonee, airs Sunday nights at about 9:30 p.m. on LOVE 103.7 FM out of Irwinton.

Public Service Announcement
Early voting for the state House and Georgia Military College Board of Trustees District 2 runoffs begin this Monday and will continue through Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Baldwin County Courthouse. Election Day will take place Tuesday, December 1.

Public Service Announcement end

More Angels

Last month we let you know about the passing of journalist Jack Nelson.
Well, we're coming back at you to let you know Tom Crawford has a little more to say about Nelson.
If you're still interested in what newsgathering can be, check out these anecdotes about the people who did the job because it was worth doing.

Caught on Film

The candidate forums featuring candidates in the state House of Representatives and Milledgeville City Council District 1 races are up on the tube-type thing that shoots electronic letters everywhere.
You can check out the playlist of the state House forum here, and the playlist of the City Council District 1 forum here.

But in case you can't wait to link to those, I'll leave you with this:

And the first person to return their questionnaire for this year's special election is...

Casey Tucker!
Youth certainly is sticking it to experience this year.
As we did for the municipal elections, here is a sneak peek at Tucker's answers to our questionnaire for those who seek to replace the irreplaceable Bobby Parham.

Age: 22

Occupation: Food Service


Family:

My father, Steve Tucker, is a pipe fitter from Cochran, GA, and is currently living in Cumming, GA, with his wife Cathie Lopez Tucker.
Stevie-Lynn Tucker, my sister, recently graduated from Oglethorpe University with a Bachelor of Arts in Classics, and lives in Doraville, GA, where we were both raised.


Previous elected offices held, governmental appointments or positions (local and other):

County Coordinator for the Campaign for Liberty, GOP Precinct Chairman, Baldwin County Delegate for the District 12 and State GOP conventions


Please list and describe the attributes that make you an effective public servant.

I’m young. My father always says the exuberance of youth is wasted on the youth. Well, I’m not wasting that energy and passion. I come into this race and into politics without favors to pay back, or big business to look out for. I am a fresh look and a fresh face in politics. It is time we had a political outsider get into the fold and truly represent the people.
I’m principled. I will never give my vote on a whim, or in a back-room deal to further my agenda. I will work for the people, not for the government.
I am hard working and working for the people. I have been knocking on doors, doing politics the old fashioned way. I am meeting the people, hearing their concerns, and working to further my understanding of the issues and how to solve the problems based on the peoples needs.


Why do you feel compelled to represent your fellow residents in the state House of Representatives?

For too long it seems that legislation in our government has been proposed and passed, not with the people in mind, but special interests. Our state constitution states, “All government, of right, originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole. Public officers are the trustees and servants of the people and are at all times amenable to them.” The laws have not reflected such sentiment. I want to be a voice for the people of this district, a voice for limited government, and a voice for personal freedom.


What are the three biggest issues facing the State of Georgia?

The economy, education, and an overreaching Federal Government.

As a member of the General Assembly, what will you do to address these three issues during the next legislative session?

Much of our economic problems have come as a result of too much government intervention, control, and regulation of the markets. The market has not been allowed to correct itself due to government meddling. The first step in reviving our economy is work towards a smaller, more limited government. Cutting income taxes would put more money in this district’s residents and in turn be more money in our local economy. Cutting corporate taxes would give businesses more capital to invest in plant, equipment, and most importantly, labor. Moreover, it would give more incentive not only to open in our area, but also stay in the area, instead of shipping jobs out of the country.

Our education system needs vast improvement. The state has poured money into the system, but the results do not correlate. We must have more responsibility and accountability from our education professionals. I believe school choice and a merit based pay system for teachers would improve our education and create more accountability and responsibility, as well as increase parent involvement in the education process. Education is the foundation of a free society, and we have to ensure a great education system if we want our district, state, and country to continue to excel in the future.

The Federal Government has grown too large and taken too much control of our great state. They have consistently overstepped their constitutional authority granted in Article One, Section Eight, and limited by the Tenth Amendment. The most recent unconstitutional action has been the attempt to pass massive government healthcare reform. It is our right and duty to fight for our state and fight against unconstitutional overreach by the Federal Government. I will work to pass the 10th Amendment Resolution currently in the Georgia House, as well as fight against Federal mandates and the many unconstitutional actions and laws passed by the United States congress.


In the past, the City of Milledgeville has asked members of its legislative delegation to bring legislation to the General Assembly to change its municipal charter, and now the Baldwin County Commission is considering changes to the way the county elects its commissioners, how will you work with your constituents and their elected officials when they seek changes to local government, and how will you work to ensure that elected officials’ desire for change is shared by their electors?

Assuming the elected officials are working with and for the community I will certainly work with them to improve our local government. I will be their representative and must act accordingly. However, these changes should only be proposed within the community and at the state level if the people are behind it. Further, any changes in the government should be directed at promoting freedom and responsibility, not more government intervention. The key to improving government is activism on the part of the people. If they do not speak with their representatives, they give up their voice. I want to promote an environment of community involvement, and will always be available to the leaders of the community, but more importantly, the people of the community.


As a member of the state House of Representatives what will you do to work with the state’s leadership and state agencies to protect Baldwin County’s state employment base?

We have lost two prisons and the YDC over the past year. Baldwin’s unemployment is over 12%, and losing the state jobs is one of the reasons that number is so high. We must fight to keep the jobs that we still do have here. I will work diligently with state leaders to ensure Milledgeville does not receive the brunt of future cuts, and look for alternatives to closures and relocations. There are lots of items in the state budget that are wasteful and unnecessary other than Milledgeville’s jobs.
While working to protect our base, we must also work to diversify our economy. Nearly 40% of Baldwin’s current employment is state jobs. That is a dangerously high number, and unhealthy for the economy, as we have seen with the recent cuts made by the state. We must look to the future and work towards a much broader private sector economy if we are to truly rebuild and redevelop Milledgeville and Baldwin County. We have the minds, the ideas and the spirit here to recover and continue to grow and make this area an even better place to live, raise a family, and retire.

Amen Bruddah!

To continue with the technology-related posts of the last couple of days, here is a story that says things that need to be said about the industry that puts food on my plate.
Since when were human beings so afraid of transformative change?

Of no relation to the launch of Milledgeville's Wireless Broadband Network

The Union-Recorder's Web operations will undergo a face lift in the coming weeks or months.
To get a sneak peek of what you can expect, visit our sister publication, located somewhere in a place called Alabama.

Vote O'Connor

Georgia College & State University Interim University Librarian Nancy Davis Bray passed this interesting tidbit along:

The National Book Foundation is asking the public to vote for the Best of the National Book Awards. The Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor is one of the six books nominated.
If you would like to vote, you can do so here.

Seems O'Connor will be going up against other literary heavyweights who need only be referred to by their last names like Faulkner, Ellison, Cheever, Pynchon and Welty. So go and put one on the board for the home team!

The First Candidate to return their candidate questions is...

Phillip Joiner
And to show my appreciation for getting back to me on this, here's a sneak peek at Joiner's responses.

Name as I would like it to appear on the ballot:

Phillip Joiner

Age: 32

Occupation: Promotions/Talent Director, Sales Exec and On-air personality for Z97 FM / Marketing/Promotions Director for Amici Italian Cafe

Office qualifying for: Milledgeville City Council - District 4

Positions/titles in the community: Executive Producer/emcee for Milledgeville Idol/Milledgeville's Got Talent, Deep Roots Festival committee member and mainstage emcee, Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, and have helped with Milledgeville's Junior Miss program, The Oconee River Greenway Foundation and Young Professionals Organization. Recently named Milledgeville's "Radio Personality of the Year" by the readers of the Union Recorder

List and Describe the attributes that make you an effective public servant:

I have dedicated myself to serving this city by becoming immersed in many of its great organizations over the years and using my marketing and sales background to promote the city. Recruitment of business and visitors is key to maintaining our financial and cultural vitality and I hope to make further use of my skill set to benefit Milledgeville in a larger capacity. I'm also very energetic and available to the constituents to try and immediately address their needs or concerns.

Why do you feel compelled to represent your fellow residents on Council?

We all must contribute to our city's growth and I believe being a public servant is an important way to make a contribution. Serving the needs of the people directly is a challenge that I'm excited to take on.

What are the 3 biggest issues facing the city of milledgeville/what would you do to address these 3:

Obviously, creating opportunities for new jobs is number one. Vigorously recruiting new businesses both large and small is going to be crucial in the coming year. Our leaders in government must become ambassadors to the city and do whatever it takes to compel companies to consider Milledgeville as a destination. Higher unemployment leads to a higher crime rate. Crime would then be the second issue. I support the outlining of a plan consisting of education, awareness and prevention to tackle this very serious problem. Once the next city budget is put forth, council should continue to support our local law enforcement in any way necessary and provide them the resources they require. The third issue affects my district specifically. Our "Town and Gown" divide in the downtown area has been a contentious battle for too long. The District needs a councilman who can work with long time residents, new residents, college students and downtown businesses. I have built strong relationships with all parties with whom these issues concern. From Parking to housing, renters rights to vandalism of homes and yards, there are a myriad of complex issues that I have been immersed in for years and feel qualified to address as the representative in council for the district.

The tax collection and budget balancing:

Each year, the city deals with issues both new and old, and the budget should reflect the ever changing landscape of these issues. I believe in careful spending, and making sure that city infrastructure is maintained and improved.

What are Milledgeville's most marketable resources:

Milledgeville is a unique position, in that we are 90 minutes from Atlanta, 80 minutes from Athens, 30 minutes from Macon and 2 hours from Savannah. Being in the center of these major Georgia cities is a marketable resource for recruitment of industry and cultural vitality. We have a great River Greenway, 2 lakes just minutes away, beautiful antebellum homes downtown, Andalusia, Lockerly Arboretum, the old Governors Mansion, The Liberal Arts College of Georgia in GCSU, Georgia Military College and more. I've been involved in marketing all these things and consider them valuable resources to attract businesses, visitors and future residents.

Vision of Milledgeville for the 21st century:

I see Milledgeville as being in the early stages of a Renaissance period, our current job situation not withstanding. If you look back at the early history of this town and follow the timeline all the way to the present, you'll notice that Milledgeville has always "repacked" itself. Things are evolving and times are once again changing, and Milledgeville must find its identity and work with all of our efforts to positively brand that identity on the local, state and regional levels.

Alright Dan the man, hope all that can be of use and I appreciate all of your help. Good luck covering all this - it could get interesting!

Warmest Regards,

Phillip

see the original questionnaire here.

...Just Write About Yourself 2

Last month I wrote this post about the awkward trend of newspapers casting themselves as the protagonists of their own stories.
Well, unfortunately this trend seems to be catching on.
The AJC had this article about their prospective move from downtown Atlanta to my parents' neck of the woods.
That certainly is a shame.
Here's what one blog I follow has to say about this.

Update on What's Wrong with Milledgeville

Apparently word is spreading quickly throughout the two local government buildings in downtown Milledgeville about the community's budding music industry.
But in contrast to the way the State of Georgia attracts industry through windfall tax giveaways, Baldwin County is looking to a higher level of regulation to prevent the use of their property for revenue generating enterprises.
Assistant County Manager Ralph McMullen told media representatives that the county is looking to tighten its application process for renting out county properties.
To his knowledge, although he was not certain at the time, Frank Nitty's production applied for and received permission to use the Collins P. Lee Harrisburg Community Center, but there was no disclosure that the community center was going to be used as the location for a music video production.
McMullen said the county is reviewing Nitty's application to use the community center, and they are reviewing the application process to find ways of preventing unauthorized usage of county properties in the future.
McMullen did go on to say that he's viewed the video and is appalled by the content of the video.
"There are some nasty, nasty views expressed in [the video]," he said.

What's wrong with Milledgeville?

Well we might want to start with the fact that some of our local leadership think it's alright to be featured in music videos that promote the culture of drugs and gang violence.
"Doin' Big Sh** from City to City/Everywhere Nitty man, the Bloods is with me"
Please tell me how someone can explain away the bad judgment of being an elected county school board official in a video that proudly proclaims Milledgeville as Murda City and goes on to tout the upperward mobility of selling drugs.
"Weighing Sh**, Bagging Sh**, Cooking Sh**, Fu** a Bi***"
Could you at least take the Baldwin High School Football shirt off for the video shoot so that there could plausibly be some separation between what you do in your off time and your role as an elected official?
"So Long, They Misrepresent Me/A Real Dope Boy/Let Me Show You How To Live It"
No Harold Simmons, I think you've represented yourself pretty darn well. It just worries me about how you represent this community.

Rollin' with Rusty

Just thought I'd add this excellent picture of E. Culver "Rusty" Kidd to the blog.
If you decide to take this man on, your picture can get posted here too!

Problems filling that news hole...just write about yourself

Before my time at the Union-Recorder, there was some kind of editorial policy that allowed U-R reporters writing editorials about what's going on in their lives and how they perceive the world around them.
As newsroom resources continual to dwindle, not only here but everywhere in the newspapering world, maybe this'll be something we and other news outlets will look back into.
I see the Telegraph is already exploring this possibility.
Seems that our neighbor to the west is not only minimizing the imprint their publication has on the community, but they're actively seeking ways of downsizing the footprint their organization has in the community.
Don't characterize of it as a decline, think of it as a fun slide into the unknown.

More media jumping on the Griffin 2010 bandwagon

Update: When contacted, Floyd Griffin said, "I have no comment on my political future."
So read from that what you will.

While doing the daily media rounds, I saw that Tondee's Tavern is jumping on the Griffin in 2010 bandwagon.
The Tavern, a Georgia Democrats blog, puts Milledgeville's former Mayor up against Ray City's current mayor Carl Camon for the Democratic nomination for the Lt. Governor's race.
Griffin made a failed attempt at Lt. Gov back in 1998. Griffin wrote in his autobiography--which is getting pulled off my shelf more and more these days--that his campaign for statewide office, which was run off a promise to reform education, ended in defeat because of inadequate fund raising.

"My biggest problem during the campaign was the lack of funds. While my opponents racked up nearly a million dollars apiece, I was trying to run a campaign on barely $150,000. This made for a lot of traveling around the state in my own car rather than flying; I couldn't do any mass mailings or yard signs and I couldn't afford to pay any campaign workers. Also detrimental was the lack of a TV ad campaign."

But the Tavern is not the only Georgia blog wondering about a Floyd Griffin Jr. comeback in 2010. Peanut Politics has this post about getting Griffin into some state office next election cycle.
While on the link, you may notice the poll question asking you the reader what office Griffin should seek.
I guess we can expect an updated edition of "Legacy to Legend: Winners Make It Happen" in the next couple of years.

Waiting, waiting, waiting

Yes. I, like just about everyone else in my line of business, am waiting to hear what this man has to say at his press conference.

Barrow gains a republican contender for 2010

Not to be outdone by Phillip Joiner or the candidates for the 2010 governor's race, former Thunderbolt City Councilman Carl Smith informed the Union-Recorder this week that he'll be challenging Congressman John Barrow for the 12th District seat in next year.
“The reason I want to represent Georgia’s 12th district, is to stand against the congressional borrow, tax, print, and spend policies.” In February 2009, John Barrow voted in favor of the 787 billion dollar stimulus bill. ”That is exactly the type of irresponsible spending that has gotten us in this financial crisis,” Carl remarked.
Funny, I thought that was the type of irresponsible spending that the government proposed to get us out of this financial crisis. But who really knows anyway.
Smith lists his experiences as being a 22-year firefighter and fire chief who has been a first responder to numerous regional disasters. He has also served as President of the Savannah Firefighters Association and served several terms on the Chatham County Fire Chiefs Association, as well as the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs.
In the political arena--civilian politics I guess--Smith was elected to two terms on the Thunderbolt City Council, during which time he says "he helped reduce property taxes and enhanced the response capabilities of the police and fire departments. As finance chair, he reformed the city’s budget and accounting practices and corrected their audit deficiencies."
Welcome to the race, we'll be expecting a visit to the state's Antebellum Capital soon.