The blog.

George Washington’s Continental Army entered winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania on December 19, 1777.

On December 20, 1864, Confederate forces in Savannah retreated ahead of Sherman’s army, crossing over into South Carolina, four years to the day after South Carolina’s secession.

On December 19, 1868, Congress opened hearings into barriers African-Americans faced to voting in Georgia, which included threats, violence, and death, on

Eugene Talmadge, who was elected four times as Governor of Georgia, in 1932, 1934, 1940, and 1946, died on December 21, 1946, leading to the Three Governors Controversy.

On December 19, 1998, President Bill Clinton was impeached by the United States House of Representatives for “high crimes and misdemeanors” for lying under oath and obstructing justice by a vote of 228-206.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Former Bartow County Probate Judge Mitchell Scoggins was elected this week in a Special Election to succeed Christian Coomer after Coomer was appointed to the Georgia Court of Appeals, according to the Cartersville Daily Tribune News.

Mitchell Scoggins, a former Bartow County probate judge, won Tuesday’s special Republican primary election, securing 2,048 of the 3,173 votes cast in the race for the state’s District 14 House of Representatives seat.

Scoggins secured roughly 64 percent of all ballots, more than enough to prevent the need for a runoff. Kenneth Coomer came in second with 893 votes (28.14 percent), Nickie Leighly third with 155 votes (4.8 percent) and Nathan Wilson finished last with 77 votes (2.4 percent.)

Among Bartow voters, Scoggins won about 70 percent of the vote, securing 1.910 of the 2,709 ballots cast in the county. Coomer (the father of the district’s former representative) had 631 votes (23 percent) in the county, with Leighly and Wilson collecting 109 (4 percent) and 59 (2.1 percent) votes, respectively.

In total, about 9 percent of eligible voters in the district voted in the special election, including almost 11 percent of eligible Bartow voters.

Bartow County Election Supervisor Joseph Kirk said he was mildly surprised the local turnout surpassed 10 percent.

Rupert is a young male Mountain Cur and Shepherd mix puppy who is available for adoption from Dirt Road Doggies Rescue, Inc in Gillsville, GA.

Loretta is a young female English Coonhound who is available for adoption from Dirt Road Doggies Rescue, Inc in Gillsville, GA.

Loretta is a true survivor! After being picked up as a stray, she found herself in the back room of a high kill shelter in NE Georgia. Very few dogs leave the back room. The public is not allowed there for various reasons which baffles rescues, volunteers, and the public, but this is a conversation for another day. Sweet Loretta had her babies in this shelter – on a cold concrete floor with a thin sheet to keep her and her newborns warm.

Loretta is a beautiful Redtick English Coonhoud who prefers snuggling with her foster family while watching TV. She is very curious about the TV. She just stares and tilts her head when it’s on. One of the joys of fostering is watching an abandoned, unloved dog discover life indoors with a human family. Lorretta LOVES her thick, comfy bed. She will lay there for hours.

She is gentle with people, other dogs but does not like cats. Loretta is crate trained and has not had an accident in the house. When her foster family is not home, she is crated. She walks well on a leash but will pull when she catches a scent.

Patsy is a young female English Coonhound & Black Labrador Retriever mix puppy who is available for adoption from Dirt Road Doggies Rescue, Inc in Gillsville, GA.

Meet Patsy, one of Loretta’s (Redtick English Coonhound) puppies. We think Patsy’s daddy is a black lab which makes for a stunning combination. Patsy and her siblings were born around August 1st in a high kill shelter in NE Georgia. Their momma was skin and bones when picked up by Animal Control as a stray and it’s a miracle any of them survived. Patsy and her family not only survived but are thriving and ready to find their forever families.

The puppies have had all age appropriate vaccines, multiple deworming’s, and are full of puppy love and energy. If they are as smart as their momma, it won’t take long for them to figure out potty training. Since momma is considered a working breed, these pups should be in an active family. There are seven females and two males in the litter. We estimate them to be approximately 50 lbs when fully grown. The adoption fee covers spay/neuter, microchip, and any additional boosters needed.

The British ship Mayflower landed at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts on December 18, 1620.

Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley who founded Methodism, and one of the great hymn-writers, was born on December 18, 1707. Wesley accompanied James Oglethorpe to Georgia in 1736.

France formally recognized the United States as an independent nation on December 17, 1777.

The first national day of thanksgiving was observed on December 18, 1777 commemorating the American victory over the British at Saratoga the previous month.

Congress wrote, “It is therefore recommended to the Legislative or executive Powers of these UNITED STATES, to set apart THURSDAY, the eighteenth Day of December next, for solemn THANKSGIVING and PRAISE; That at one Time and with one Voice the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor”.

On December 18, 1834, Governor William Lumpkin signed legislation chartering the Georgia Methodists Conference Manual Labor School at Oxford, Georgia, which would later become Emory College in 1836 and Emory University in 1915.

General Ulysses S. Grant expelled all Jews from his military district, which covered parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky on December 17, 1862. President Lincoln ordered Grant to rescind the order.

On December 18, 1865, U.S. Secretary of State William Seward issued a statement verifying the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which outlawed slavery in the United States.

The office of Superintendent of Public Education and Georgia Schools was created on December 18, 1866 when Gov. Charles Jenkins signed legislation passed by the General Assembly; on December 18, 1894, Gov. William Atkinson approved a resolution for a Constitutional Amendment to make the State School Commissioner elected statewide.

President William McKinley visited Savannah, Georgia on December 17, 1898. While there, McKinley attended church at Wesley Monumental Methodist Church and visited Georgia Agricultural and Medical College (now Savannah State University) and the Seventh Army.

On December 17, 1902, legislation changed Georgia’s state flag changed to include the coat of arms on the blue band.

On December 17, 1944, Major General Henry C. Pratt ordered the end of the imprisonment of American citizens of Japanese descent in prison camps.

WTBS began broadcasting under new call letters on December 17, 1976 and uplinked its programming to satellite to become “America’s Super Station.”

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Voters in parts of Floyd and Bartow Counties go to the polls today in a Special Election for the State House district formerly held by Christian Coomer, according to the Rome News-Digest.

A week of early voting ended Friday, netting a total of just 696 mailed and in-person ballots. That included 609 from Bartow, where the majority of the district lies, and 87 from Floyd, according to a secretary of state data report.

In comparison, there were a total of 18,677 votes cast in the 2016 election for the seat: 13,166 in Bartow and 5,511 in Floyd.

Tuesday’s election is billed as a Republican primary special election, although Georgia voters don’t register by party so anyone in the district registered by Nov. 27 is eligible to vote in the race.

Robert Brady, Floyd County’s chief elections clerk, said the purpose is to replace Christian Coomer, who was unopposed for re-election but withdrew for a seat on the Georgia Court of Appeals.

“The winner of the Republican primary did not make it to the general election, so a special election is needed to determine a candidate,” Brady explained.

The RN-T also has Q&A with the candidates – Ken Coomer, Nickie Leighly, Mitchell Scoggins and Nathan Wilson.

State Representative Dan Gasaway (R-Homer) has asked for a recount of a re-done election, according to WNEG in Toccoa.

On Monday afternoon, Gasaway asked for a recount of the votes in all three counties of House District 28.

“We decided to go ahead and ask for the recount.  We will have to have our own personal monitor at each location during the recount,” he said. “I’m hoping it will be at different times otherwise I’ll have to hire poll monitors to watch the procedure.”

Under the terms of the recount, the Election Supervisors must also manually review by hand, in plain view of the public and designated officials from both candidates, any optical scan ballots in which an overvote is detected for House District 28.

In the Special Primary, with all votes counted, including provisional ballots, Gasaway lost to Republican challenger Chris Erwin by just two votes.

However, Gasaway claims two provisional ballots that were accepted in Habersham County were illegal.

The Rome News-Tribune spoke to local legislators about the upcoming 2019 session.

Sen. Chuck Hufstetler and Reps. Katie Dempsey and Eddie Lumsden are slated to attend a joint session of the Rome and Floyd County school boards this morning.

The Republican legislators, all from Floyd County, also heard Friday from the Rome City Commission. Priorities for the board include state action on illegal gaming machines, better accountability of sales tax collected locally and potential re-use of the state-owned Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital property.

The local legislative delegation, however, is one short.

A special election is set for today to fill the state House District 14 seat vacated by Christian Coomer when he accepted an appointment to the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the district, which covers the western half of Bartow County and five precincts in Floyd: Barkers, Chulio, Etowah, Howell and part of North Rome.

On the ballot today are Pastor Ken Coomer, who is Christian Coomer’s father; small business owner Nickie Leighly; retired Probate Court Judge Mitchell Scoggins; and Nathan Wilson, owner of Wilson Contracting Co.

Coomer reported taking in over $36,000 in campaign contributions, starting with $2,600 from his son. Other Georgia lawmakers backing him with cash included House Speaker David Ralson, Reps. Jay Powell of Camilla, Butch Miller of Gainesville and several others. Lumsden donated $500.

 

Floyd County Commissioners are considering supplementing their District Attorney’s pay, according to the Rome News-Tribune.

Floyd County Commissioners plan to consider in January a boost to the local supplement paid on top of the state salaries in the district attorney’s office.

“Caseload-wise, we’re off the charts,” County Manager Jamie McCord told the board. “They have the biggest caseloads in the state.”

The Georgia General Assembly sets minimum salaries for elected county officials and certain non-elected officers, usually based on population. Most counties add local supplements to make the pay more competitive.

District Attorney Leigh Patterson’s request for an increase notes that Floyd County’s supplement for assistant district attorneys, set at $8,200 each, has seen little change in more than a decade. It’s now below most comparable judicial circuits.

“She’s trying to hire bar-certified attorneys and (base pay of) $45,000 to $50,000 is not real attractive,” McCord said.

Patterson gets a $13,135 local supplement added to her base pay of $120,072. However, the local supplement for Floyd County superior court judges was increased to $24,000 — on top of the state base rate of $126,265 — and she’s seeking the same level.

Houston County is considering how to expand transit beyond Warner Robins, according to the Macon Telegraph.

That effort, which is in its infancy stage, has several obstacles to be cleared, including getting backing from city and county governments. It would be a transformation to the Warner Robins Transit bus system that currently has two shuttle buses making several dozen stops on weekdays throughout Warner Robins and to the Houston County Galleria in Centerville..

The push to expand the Warner Robins Transit system to areas like Byron and Perry is being led by local nonprofit Educare Center, Inc.

The organization took over the management of the system earlier this year from the Warner Robins and Houston County Housing authorities. Starting in January the nonprofit will have full control over the entity, and its CEO says she’ll be reaching out to government leaders to gauge their interest.

“We want to continue providing public, demand transportation and paratransit for the community but we need your help to expand the current public transportation system to meet the needs of our growing cities in our urban community,” Educare’s CEO Spring Rosati wrote in a letter to the Warner Robins City Council.

Dalton City Council members voted unanimously for a FY 2019 budget that increases spending, according to the Dalton Daily Citizen.

When the budget proposal was tabled on Nov. 19, council members said they hoped to find savings in the proposed $34.645 million budget, which would have been an increase of 6.87 percent from the $32.5 million in spending in the 2018 budget. Instead, the council members Monday night approved a 2019 budget of $34.72 million.

City resident Cathy Holmes said income data for the area and the City Council’s reluctance to cut spending signal more taxes in the future.

“Even though I know you are not proposing a millage rate increase for this year, you are setting the stage for a millage rate increase,” she said. “And we are already the highest taxed city in northwest Georgia, which you know. When you look at the data … it speaks to the fact that our community, unfortunately, is not as wealthy as it used to be, nor as we would like it to be. We are taxing an ever poorer community. Our taxes are the highest, and again I would like to express my disappointment that you could not find any cost reductions for the 2019 budget.”

The Dalton Daily Citizen editorial board is not amused.

Almost four weeks ago when some members of the public and this newspaper called for the Dalton City Council to find cost savings in its ever-escalating 2019 budget, they said they would try.

They couldn’t find any. Actually, councilmembers found a way to increase next year’s budget.

We find it disheartening that the City Council, its department heads and city administrator found no cost savings.

We understand that running a city isn’t cheap, and maintaining a level of service that residents demand requires spending. But with residents facing stagnant wages and rising health costs, many of us are constantly tightening our spending.

We are astonished that the City Council refuses to do the same.

Glynn County Commissioners will consider allowing elected officials to be added to the pension plan, according to The Brunswick News.

The Glynn County Commission is expected to discuss on Tuesday allowing elected officials to participate in the county’s pension plan.

“We have some constitutional officers who aren’t county employees but are elected officials who have a retirement plan through the state. Some of them want to get on (the county’s pension) because they think it’s a better deal, I guess,” said county commission Chairman Bill Brunson.

Several elected county officials had signed a letter making the request, including the Glynn County Solicitor General, Sheriff, Tax Commissioner and state and magistrate court judges, he said.

As of Friday, Brunson said the county was still looking into it. Glynn County offers a defined benefit pension plan, which is more costly than most. The commission held multiple meetings to consider changing the plan but ultimately decided to stick with it.

Glynn County is also considering whether to amend the Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission, according to The Brunswick News.

The Glynn County Board of Elections discussed the open position of Elections Supervisor, according to The Brunswick News.

he Glynn County Board of Elections held a special-called meeting Monday to discuss a job listing for its recently-vacated supervisor positions.

The board fired former Elections and Registration Supervisor Monica Couch following a discussion in closed session at its regular meeting last week.

Habersham County Commissioners voted to spend up to $60,000 for a new van or bus for the local 4-H, according to AccessWDUN.com.

Commission Chairman Victor Anderson pointed out the new vehicle will be a mini-bus to accommodate safe transport of students.

“I did feel strongly about it,” Harper said after the meeting. “We have a van that we are transporting our children in that is 26 years old. The door was being held together with a rope, and it had no air conditioning.

“We ought to be ashamed that we even allowed that to happen, so I am so proud that my fellow commissioners agreed with me tonight to put on some funds so that they can buy a decent van,” Harper said. “They go around the state representing us, winning all sorts of awards and we need to show them how proud we are, but we also need to keep them safe.”

Muscogee County Board of Education members Frank Myers and John Thomas spoke at their last meeting, according to the Ledger-Enquirer.

Philip Schley, who served 21 years on the board (1972-81 and 1998-2010), including nine as chairman, defeated Myers in May for the District 8 seat.

Mike Edmonson will replace Thomas in the District 2 seat after beating Bart Steed in the July runoff. Thomas didn’t run for re-election.

Thomas said he was honored to serve on the board. He sought a seat on the governing body to advocate for “more transparency and efficiency” in the school district.

“After four years, I did not accomplish any of the goals,” Thomas said. “. . . I appreciate the support of the voters of District 2, and I’m sorry that I could not deliver on the platform that I set.”

Their critics, Myers said, called them “controversial, disruptive, disorderly, negative, all these things, even though John and I vote with this board, just like tonight, about 80 percent of the time.”

Myers lamented that he and Thomas couldn’t “curb the epidemic of good people, especially teachers, leaving this school district in droves, seeking to only find a nontoxic environment where they can do what they love to do, which is to teach young people. And we were never able to convince a majority of this board that it is the job of the board to establish policy and the job of the administration to carry out that policy. That is black-letter law.”

Hall County Board of Education member-elect Mark Pettitt was arrested and charged with DUI, according to the Gainesville Times.

“I regret to share with you that I was charged with driving under the influence this past Saturday,” Pettitt acknowledged in a Facebook post on Monday afternoon, Dec. 17. “While I plan to defend this accusation, I want to convey my respect for law enforcement and the rule of law.”

Pettitt’s attorney, Graham McKinnon, asked that his client be allowed to be “innocent until proven guilty.”

Snellville Mayor Tom Witts pled guilty to eleven charges and will leave his post, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Snellville Mayor Tom Witts maintained his innocence regarding more than five dozen criminal charges lodged against him, but pleaded guilty to 11 of those charges Monday, while promising to resign from office and never again run for a political position.

Witts, who was indicted in Sept. 2017 on 66 charges ranging from tax evasion and theft to lying under oath and abusing his position as an elected official, entered an Alford plea before Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Melodie Snell Conner Monday afternoon, where he was also sentenced for the crimes.

While Witts’ plea and his sentencing will allow the embattled mayor to avoid jail time all together, he will serve 10 years probation, with the first six months on house arrest. He must also pay $40,000 in delinquent taxes immediately.

“It’s been a long time in the making, from the investigation to the resolution,” Porter said Monday. “There have been a lot of turns in the road, the latest being (Witts’) health issues. Initially, I felt like this was a case where, given the number of offenses and the long term offenses, it justified at least some period of incarceration … but all of a sudden, there were the medical issues that are so serious that I didn’t want to put the burden of care onto the state.”

Gunner is a young male Hound mix (and maybe Boxer?) who is available for adoption from the Habersham County Animal Shelter in Clarkesville, GA.

Clara is a young female Hound mix puppy who is available for adoption from the Habersham County Animal Shelter in Clarkesville, GA.

Sugar Plum Fairy is a young female Hound mix puppy who is available for adoption from the Habersham County Animal Shelter in Clarkesville, GA.

On December 13, 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony General Court organized three regiments of militia to guard against attacks by the Pequot Indians. That day is recognized as the birth of the National Guard.

On December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty, led by Patriot Sam Adams, boarded three British ships in Boston harbor and threw tea worth $700,000 to $1 million in today’s money into the water in what came to be known as the Boston Tea Party.

On December 15, 1791, Virginia ratified the Bill of Rights, giving the first ten Amendments a three-quarter majority required to become law.

President George Washington died at Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799. Here’s an article about the nation’s mourning for our first President.

The Congress, in session at the capital of Philadelphia when Washington’s death was announced, immediately adjourned. The House of Representatives assembled the next day and resolved to shroud the Speaker’s chair in black and have members wear black during the remainder of the session. On December 23, John Marshall speaking for the joint committee of both houses, presented five points that became the foundation for the United States’ first “state” funeral. Resolutions structured mourning events around public commemorations that fostered unity and a sense of national identity among grieving Americans.

Governor George Towns signed legislation on December 16, 1847 to build a State School for the Deaf and Dumb. The institution now known as the Georgia School for the Deaf was begun with a log cabin, $5000 from the legislature and four students and is still in operation in Cave Spring, Georgia.

Echols County, Georgia was created by the Georgia General Assembly on December 13, 1858.

On December 15, 1859, Georgia Governor Joseph Brown signed legislation outlawing public execution of criminals. The previous day he signed legislation prohibiting slave owners from freeing their slaves on the owner’s death.

On December 16, 1897, Gov. William Atkinson signed legislation recognizing June 3, the birthday of Jefferson Davis, as a state holiday.

President William McKinley addressed the Georgia General Assembly on December 14, 1898.

On December 14, 1939, a parade was held through downtown Atlanta with stars from Gone With the Wind and the Junior League held a ball that night. The next day, December 15, 1939, Gone With the Wind held its world premiere at Loew’s Grand Theater in Atlanta. On December 15, 1939, Gone With the Wind held its world premiere at Loew’s Grand Theater in Atlanta.

On December 16, 1944, a German counterattack in the Ardennes region of Belgium created a “bulge” in Allied lines with particularly difficult fighting near the town of Bastogne. During the Battle of the Bulge, 89,000 Americans were wounded and 19,000 killed in the bloodiest battle fought by the U.S. in World War II. National Geographic has an interesting article published for the 70th Anniversary of the Battle.

Former Georgia Governor Ellis Arnall died on December 13, 1992. Arnall served in the State House, as Speaker, Attorney General, and in 1942 at the age of 35, was elected Governor.

Arnall also led the fight to outlaw the poll tax and the white primary, and is noted for making Georgia the first state to allow 18-year-olds to vote. He is further remembered for his role in obtaining a new state constitution for Georgia in 1945.

The United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee released a report on December 15, 1998 that recommended impeachment against President Bill Clinton and introduced H.Res. 611.

Al Gore conceded the presidential election to George W. Bush on December 13, 2000.

On December 15, 2016, Republican Tim Echols was sworn in by Gov. Nathan Deal to a second term on the Georgia Public Service Commission.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Governor Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that Norfolk Southern Corporation will be moving its corporate headquarters to Atlanta.Continue Reading..

Kenny is a young male Labrador Retriever mix puppy who is available for adoption from the Atlanta Canine Adoption Project in Monticello, GA.

Timmy is a young male Chihuahua mix puppy who is available for adoption from the Atlanta Canine Adoption Project in Monticello, GA.

Bam Bam is a young male American Bulldog mix puppy who is available for adoption from the Atlanta Canine Adoption Project in Monticello, GA. Bam Bam had one rear leg amputated, but he’s already learned to run up stairs.

Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the Constitution on December 12, 1787.

Guglielmo Marconi completed the first transatlantic radio transmission from Cornwall, England to Newfoundland on December 12, 1901.

Jimmy Carter announced he would run for President of the United States on December 12, 1974.

Dickey Betts, guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band, was born on December 12, 1943.

The United States Supreme Court released its decision in Bush v. Gore on December 12, 2000, stopping manual recounts of contested ballots in Florida.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Governor-elect Brian Kemp addressed state legislators yesterday at the Biennial Institute in Athens, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.

Governor-elect Brian Kemp called for unity and outlined some of his legislative agenda in his first major speech since winning the close gubernatorial election over Democrat Stacey Abrams last month.

“But the campaign is over and it’s time to put politics behind us,” he said. “It’s time to shed the labels and work together as Georgians. It’s time to stand up for our communities, and our values, and our people.”

Kemp was the final speaker at the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s three-day Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators, held in election years just after elections for state offices and just before the newly elected state Legislature convenes in January.

Kemp praised the track records of his Republican predecessors in the governor’s mansion, Sonny Perdue and Nathan Deal, and also outlined what some of his first legislative goals will be. He noted recent accomplishments of the Legislature and outgoing Deal, including a public education system now “fully funded” and the addition of 800,000 jobs during Deal’s two terms.

“Governor Deal transformed the criminal justice system, reducing costs, strengthening families, and keeping our communities safe,” Kemp said, indicating he will build on those reforms.

“My plan for Georgia’s future begins with our economy and continued job growth,” Kemp said. “As a small business guy I know the impact that taxes, regulation and government red tape can have on investment, expansion and hiring. That’s why on day one I will create the Georgians First Committee, led by business leaders, not bureaucrats, to identify things that frustrate our small business owners.”

“Let’s raise the rural hospital tax credit, tackle the rural doctor shortage, improve teacher retention through pay raises, and champion an early learning initiative that improves outcomes for Georgia students,” he said. “Let’s use innovation to lower health care costs, insurance premiums and prescription drug prices, while improving access to quality health care.”

From Jill Nolin with CNHI:

“The rising tide in Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah has not lifted our rural communities. Some continue to struggle and in some areas it feels like they’re still in the Great Recession,” he said.

“We know that mental health is the root of school violence. Let’s address this before the tragedy strikes,” Kemp said. “Our classrooms are for raising the next generation of Georgia leaders, not a hunting ground for school shooters.”

Senate Minority Leader Steve Henson, D-Stone Mountain, said he was encouraged by the focus on teacher pay, but said the $5,000 salary bumps that Kemp proposed during his campaign isn’t enough.

Likewise, Henson said expanding the rural hospital tax credit, which enables eligible hospitals to raise up to $4 million a year in donations, fails to address the high number of uninsured and under insured patients straining these hospitals. He said talk of a Medicaid waiver might progress with Kemp.

From the AJC:

In the speech, Kemp didn’t announce a departure from his stance on issues such as his vow to expand gun rights and pledge to sign a “religious liberty” measure. But he sought to take a more conciliatory approach to the lawmakers he’ll need to pass his agenda.

He repeated previous campaign promises, such as an increase in teacher pay and a boost in rural hospital tax credits. And he outlined a new group, dubbed the Georgians First Committee, that will hash out ways to reduce regulations and boost small businesses.

State House Speaker David Ralston also discussed his priorities, according to the AJC.

House members, led by Ralston, had already laid out their own agenda. Last week, finishing up two years of work, the House Rural Development Council offered up a package of legislation intended to help rescue a rural Georgia bereft of jobs, health care, and – increasingly – young people.

It proposes a rewriting of Georgia’s “certificate of need” process, through which the state regulates the construction of hospitals and the services they offer. House members also proposed lowering – but also broadening – a tax on communication services, so that it includes services like satellite TV and livestreaming purchases. Think Netflix and Hulu.

That cash would be used to extend high-speed service to Georgia’s broadband deserts.

Other initiatives: Tax credits would be extended to employers who create jobs five and 10 at a time, rather than 50. Farm-based wineries would be able to sell as much as 24,000 gallons of their product without running afoul of Georgia’s arcane alcohol laws.

Insider: How does “certificate of need” fit into rural development?

Ralston: Anything that breaks down the barriers to access to quality health care in rural Georgia, or creates barriers, I think is fair game. And there’s a feeling by many that we couldn’t talk about the whole issue of rural hospitals and ignore that issue. So I think it has to be part of the discussion.

Insider: I didn’t see any reference to Medicaid waivers. (Note: Democrats speak of expanding Medicaid coverage for those who can’t afford health insurance. Some red states have pursued separate deals with the federal government, allowing them more control over how the money is spent, under the name of “waivers.”)

Ralston: There’s some discussion out there. I think Governor-elect Kemp talked about that in the campaign. I’m willing to have a discussion about that. I just don’t think we can fix our health care system on the promises of the federal government. That’s been my concern with Medicaid expansion. Waivers are a different kind of thing.

Whitfield County legislative delegation members want to know public opinion before deciding whether to support changing term limits for county commissioners, according to the Rome News-Tribune.

State Rep. Kasey Carpenter, R-Dalton, said he would “have a struggle” with supporting local legislation to abolish term limits on commissioners since it wasn’t supported by all board members.

“I’ll take a look at it, but it has been the precedent, well before I came to the Legislature, that a request for local legislation be unanimous,” he said.

“Most of the calls I’ve been getting have been against changing term limits,” he said. “If there are people who support removing term limits, I want to hear from them and find out what their reasons are.”

State Sen. Chuck Payne, R-Dalton, said he wants commissioners to place a question on an election ballot asking if voters support removing term limits before he decides whether he could support a law ending those term limits

“Because it isn’t a unanimous vote, before we take legislation down there, we need to make sure this is what the community wants. If the people want to do away with term limits for county commissioners, I’ll be happy to introduce that bill,” he said.

Payne said he wants to make sure he’s acting in the interests of the majority and not a few.

Brad Freeman will be sworn-in as Sheriff of Monroe County on Thursday, according to the Macon Telegraph.

Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson and District 5 Council member Mike Baker attended their last meeting of city council, according to the Ledger-Enquirer.

Tomlinson, 53, is wrapping up almost eight years as the 69th mayor of Columbus while Baker, 61, has served his district for three terms, nearly 12 years. Both were presented a real clock from the 10-member council and separate resolutions thanking them for their service to a government with a $275.3 million budget.

The mayor, an attorney, is set to join the law office of Hall Booth Smith P.C., after leaving early next month while also looking at pursuing a higher political office.

One of her biggest defeats as mayor was a vote to “Thaw the Freeze” on property taxes, which failed by a 60 percent to 40 percent margin in November 2016. The same proposal failed by an even larger margin in a previous referendum.

“We were not able to overcome the tax system, which is very controversial in this community, the property tax freeze,” the mayor said. “I know this. We made up 20 points in favor of doing something in adopting another system. I also know that young people cannot and will not tolerate the current tax system we have. They, from a generational perspective, understand the strain it puts on our growth and prosperity.”

The Glynn County Board of Elections fired Elections and Registration Supervisor Monica Couch, according to The Brunswick News.

Assistant supervisor Chris Channell will serve as interim supervisor while the board searches for a permanent replacement. Chairwoman Patricia Gibson had no comment on the decision to fire Couch when reached by phone Tuesday afternoon. She did say the board had been in touch with human resources to start the process of posting the job and hiring a new supervisor.

Before going into executive session, the board discussed, among other things, two temporary employees who will be responsible for scanning physical voter registration cards into a physical database.

Jim Sells was sworn-in to the Grantville City Council, representing District 1, according to the Newnan Times-Herald.

Last month, Councilman Willie Kee resigned from his council post and requested the city council appoint Sells, who won the council seat by one vote, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s website. City Manager Al Grieshaber said the council will decide whether or not to appoint Sells at its Dec. 17 meeting. The swearing in was the only order of business that could be completed because of the lack of a quorum.

Environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit in Charleston, SC, challenging plans for seismic testing off the east coast, according to The Brunswick News.

Alice Keyes, vice president for One Hundred Miles, said one of the reasons OHM is part of the suit is because they “believe our federal government is unlawfully and unjustifiably threatening marine species and taking it one step closer to offshore drilling. This is an industrial development that will transform Georgia’s working waterfront, our beaches and our pristine marshes.”

She said seismic testing poses a danger to the entire food chain, but especially to North Atlantic right whales. Keyes referenced a letter signed by 28 right whale experts and sent to the Obama administration in 2016 that suggested seismic testing off the Atlantic coast could provide a tipping point to the right whales’ path toward extinction.

The CDC confirmed a fourth case of acute flaccid myelitis in Georgia, according to Georgia Health News.

The Georgia Department of Public Health did not give identifying information about the fourth patient with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), but said Monday that the person is a child.

There is no known single cause of AFM, whose symptoms include weakness in the arms or legs, and sometimes paralysis.

The condition affects the nervous system, specifically the area of the spinal cord called gray matter. It causes the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak or even paralyzed. Cases of acute flaccid myelitis are characterized by a sudden onset of arm or leg weakness and loss of muscle tone and reflexes.

Acute flaccid myelitis’s symptoms are likened to those caused by polio, which was once a major public health threat in the United States. But polio was eradicated in this country thanks to the polio vaccine, and the CDC recently emphasized that none of the children who developed AFM symptoms had the polio virus.

Navicent Health moved closer to a merger with South Carolina-based Atrium Health, according to the Macon Telegraph.

The Navicent Health Board of Directors and the Atrium Health Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the strategic combination Tuesday. The Georgia Attorney General’s Office has already authorized the proposed deal, which the two parties will finalize over the next several weeks.

“We believe this strategic combination between Atrium Health and Navicent Health will have a significant and positive impact on the communities we are privileged to serve, and we look forward to expanding access to quality healthcare while reducing disparities,” the health care systems wrote in a joint statement Tuesday.

“By working together, Atrium Health and Navicent Health can implement innovative treatment models like virtual care and telepsychiatry throughout central and south Georgia, creating the next generation of healthcare that is better for all we serve.”

Georgia Power is accepting proposals for up to 540 megawatts of renewable energy, according to the AJC.

The purchases, through Georgia Power’s Renewable Energy Development Initiative (REDI), will be the final action to fulfill a 2016 deal approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission to provide 1,200 megawatts of renewable energy through multiple projects.

The company, the largest electric provider in the state serving more than 2.5 million customers, will be receiving proposals from interested companies until noon January 15, 2019.

“We are eager to receive, review and select projects from this RFP that will provide significant long-term value,” said Mallard.

The company, which currently has 976 megawatts of solar power online, expects to grow its renewable resources by an additional 1,600 megawatts by 2021.

Starla is a 2-4 month old, 28-pound, young female mixed breed puppy who is available for adoption from Athenspets in Athens, GA.

Starla is an adorable little hunk o’ love! She looks so serious in her pictures, but that’s only because she was concentrating on earning a treat and doing her best to please me and stay. MOST of the time, she was running to me to be loved on or bouncing with joy. You’ll just have to come see her smile in person! Starla is soft and sweet and would love to give you kisses all day. She can be shy about leaving the back of her kennel (it’s such a noisy place!), but if you go inside, talk sweetly, and maybe even offer her a treat, she’ll come running out wagging her tail. Believe me, you’ll fall in love with Starla!

Patty is a 4-6 month old, 22-pound female puppy who is available for adoption from Athenspets in Athens, GA.

Patty is a happy, bouncy pup. She’s not shy in the least and loves everyone. She likes to run and play with other dogs at the fence but call her to you and she’s there in seconds ready for pets and hugs. One way to get Patty to put the brakes on is to hold up a treat. You’ve got her attention now, and she’ll even sit for them. Patty is filled with joy and love and can’t wait to share both with a new family!

Peaches is a young female, 52-pound mixed breed dog who is available for adoption from Athenspets in Athens, GA.

Thanks to a grant from the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s license plate program, Peaches is spayed and up-to-date on her basic vaccinations!

Peaches never meets a stranger! She had just been surrendered but was thrilled to meet a new friend. She’s a happy, energetic dog who loves to run and have fun. She’d chase stuffed toys and toss them around and them come to me for pets and treats. She hasn’t been taught to sit, but she’s treat motivated and can learn. If you enjoy an active lifestyle and are looking for a companion to keep up with you, Peaches is your girl!

On December 11, 1777, during their movement to Valley Forge for the winter, Washington’s colonial forces engaged British troops under General Cornwallis as the Americans were crossing the Schuylkill River.

Indiana became the 19th State on December 11, 1816.

Governor Charles McDonald signed legislation on December 11, 1841 to prevent a person from having his or her testimony excluded in court because of the individual’s religious beliefs.

The first use of nitrous oxide as a dental anesthetic took place on December 11, 1844.

On December 11, 1872, Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback took office in Louisiana as the first black Governor in the United States.

A memorial service for Jefferson Davis, former President of the Confederate States of America, was held in the Georgia State Capitol on December 11, 1889 while his funeral was that day in New Orleans.

On December 11, 1941, Germany declared war on the United States.

On December 11, 1960, a civil rights demonstration including 8000 African-American citizens was held in Atlanta as part of the movement to boycott stores that remained segregated.

The Libertarian Party was founded on December 11, 1971 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Governor Nathan Deal announced yesterday that state government offices will delay opening today.

Acting on the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that state government will delay opening until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11. The National Weather Service has warned that counties basically north of I-20 may have black ice on roads as temperatures drop below freezing overnight.

“Out of an abundance of caution and following the latest update from the National Weather Service, state government will delay opening for non-essential personnel until 10 a.m. tomorrow,” said Deal. “Our top priorities are to ensure the safety of Georgians and to allow the Georgia Department of Transportation to keep our roads as safe as possible. I encourage those in affected areas to remain off of the roads early tomorrow morning. We will continue monitoring the weather and will provide updates as necessary.”

Gwinnett County government offices will also delay opening, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Gwinnett schools and colleges, trials and hearings in the county and state government offices will operate on a two-hour delay on Tuesday out of concerns that potential black ice may form overnight on roads in north Georgia.

County spokesman Joe Sorenson said trials and hearings in the county will be delayed until 10 a.m. as well.

Meanwhile, Buford City Schools and Gwinnett County Public Schools announced their schools will also open two hours later than usual.

“Morning buses will run two hours later than the regularly scheduled pick-up time,” Gwinnett schools spokeswoman Sloan Roach said. “This means if your bus usually comes at 6:30 a.m. it will be at the stop at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow. All schools will end and release at their normally scheduled time.

“All after school and evening activities on Tuesday will be held as scheduled,” she added.

Some of Gwinnett’s cities have already announced morning delays or cancellations. Officials in Duluth and Loganville announced Monday night that they will delay opening their respective city offices until 10 a.m., and Suwanee announced its 9 a.m. municipal court session has been cancelled. Cases scheduled for that session will be rescheduled for Jan. 22, according to announcement the city’s Facebook page.

Governor-elect Brian Kemp and Lieutenant Governor-elect Geoff Duncan will address the Biennial Institute in Athens today. From the AJC:

The Republican is set to address lawmakers Tuesday at the legislative biennial in Athens, and he’s likely to strike a vastly different tone than he did during the divisive race against Democrat Stacey Abrams.

Kemp’s allies say he won’t depart from his stance on key policy debates, from guns to “religious liberty,” but that he’ll signal a more conciliatory approach to the lawmakers he’ll need to corral to pass his agenda.

Several Democratic lawmakers have pledged to boycott the event, saying they won’t forget his “hateful” rhetoric during the campaign and don’t want to lend legitimacy to him by attending his first address.

United States Senator David Perdue spoke to the Golden Isles Republican Women on Monday, according to The Brunswick News.

Lunch attendees asked him a number of questions, including about the recently-announced closure of four U.S. General Motors manufacturing plants.

He referenced investments the U.S. government made in car manufacturers from in 2008 to 2010. Bailing out the automakers just prolonged the inevitable, he said.

“I know what those factories looked like in the 1970s when every small town in South Georgia had an operator plant that had 200 operators in it … We don’t have those anymore. I don’t know how to bring those back, frankly, when you’re dealing with $3 an hour labor in China,” Perdue said.

One member of the Republican women asked him if a border wall along America’s border with Mexico has a chance of receiving funding before Christmas.

Perdue said around $1.6 billion for the project is included in one of the final U.S. Senate appropriations bills of the year, but that he wasn’t sure it would get the votes necessary to pass.

Buford City Schools is searching for a new superintendent, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

The Gainesville Times looks at when changes in brunch service laws will go into effect.

Oakwood City Council tweaked its alcohol ordinance Monday night to reflect voters’ Nov. 6 OK of earlier Sunday alcohol sales at restaurants.

Voters in Hall County, Gainesville, Flowery Branch and Oakwood approved allowing sales to begin at 11 a.m. instead of 12:30 p.m.

Moving forward, the cities and county “are looking at the implementation date” of Feb. 3, City Manager Stan Brown told the council at its Dec. 10 meeting.

“We’re just trying to eliminate confusion between different jurisdictions,” he said.

The Augusta Commission will consider appointing an interim District 5 commissioner, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

Last week, three commissioners’ nominations for an interim commissioner to replace Andrew Jefferson, who died Nov. 4, each failed to garner six supporting votes. The interim will serve until a March special election but would appear on the ballot as the incumbent if he or she chooses to run.

Floyd County Commissioners meet today to discuss the county budget, according to the Rome News-Tribune.

Floyd County Commissioners will hold a public hearing this morning on the proposed 2019 operating and capital projects budgets.

The board also is expected to elect the chair and vice chair for the coming year.

Commissioners are scheduled to caucus at 9 a.m. and start their regular meeting at 10 a.m. in the County Administration Building, 12 E. Fourth Ave. Both sessions are open.

The board normally meets at 6 p.m. but moved today’s meeting to the morning when it looked like the Rome Wolves would be playing in the GHSA state football championship in Atlanta. The Wolves lost in the semi-finals, but it was too late to change the public notice time.

Mabel is a female Labrador Retriever & Siberian Husky puppy who is available for adoption from Athens Canine Rescue in Athens, GA.

Mabel is a 4 month old lab-husky mix puppy who we think will top out at around 50 pounds once she’s full grown. Mabel didn’t have the best start to life, so she’s currently learning how to be a puppy!

Mabel is nearly potty trained! She knows that outside is where she should go potty, but sometimes her bladder just can’t hold it any more! But, Mabel tries really hard to wait until she’s outside to do her business. Mabel is also crate trained! Foster Mom said that Mabel picked up on crate training very quickly – Mabel is a fast learner! Mabel will go into her kennel on command, and will lay quietly in there until Foster Mom comes home.

Mabel is still a little shy around other dogs, but she is willing to approach them to see if they want to be friends! Mabel currently lives with other ACR adoptables and Foster Mom’s own dogs, and has started trying to play with them. We think that once she’s older she will be a good dog park dog as long as her confidence keeps going up! As far as feline friends go, Mabel met one at the vet’s office, and didn’t really react to it. Mabel is shy with new human friends, too, but quickly warms up once she realizes that they just want to give her some love!

Mabel is a puppy, so she has a lot of puppy energy. She loves to play around the house and chew on some toys, and then takes a nice nap. One of her favorite ways to get energy out is practicing her puppy paws – she prances towards objects and taps them with her paws to make sure they’re safe/good to play with or investigate! Once she’s done exploring, she’ll climb up on the couch and cuddle next to Foster Mom. But, she can self-entertain with a toy if Foster Mom is busy.

Chancey is a female American Bulldog & Labrador Retriever mix puppy who is available for adoption from Athens Canine Rescue in Athens, GA.

Chancey is a sweet 6-month old American Bulldog puppy. Chancey currently weighs ~50 pounds, and will probably top out at around 60-70 pounds.

Chancey has graduated from Potty Training 101 with gold stars, and is officially potty trained! Chancey also does great in her crate. She keeps her crate clean when she’s in it, and will go in with a little food encouragement. Once inside, Chancey will lay down and go to sleep – you won’t hear a peep out of her. Foster Mom has been working with Chancey on learning new commands, and now knows “”sit” and “stay.” Chancey also has good house manners, and only chews on her toys instead of other objects in the house!

Chancey is good with kids! She has been around kids aged 6-13 years old, and just wanted to play with them. She also does well with other dogs, and Foster Mom told us that Chancey gets along great with her older dogs. Since Chancey is still a puppy she can get a little rowdy with them sometimes; but, she has learned dog code for, “I don’t want to play” and backs off once she gets that message! We think she’d have a great time at the dog park, as she loves meeting new dogs and playing with them.

Chancey would be happiest with a family that’s willing to work with her to get some of her puppy energy out. She loves walks around the blocks, wrestling sessions with doggie-friends, and exploring the outdoors in rainy weather. After a walk or play session, Chancey is ready to snuggle up next to Foster Mom and take a snooze. She loves to be loved on, but understands that you might have other thing to do than snuggle with her. There’s only one thing Chancey loves more than snuggling with her family: her tennis ball. Chancey almost always has a ball, and will even sleep with it!

Emily is a female Dalmatian & Boxer mix puppy who is available for adoption from Athens Canine Rescue in Athens, GA.

Emily is an adorable 8 month old dalmatian x boxer mix. She currently weighs around 40 pounds, and we think she’ll top out around 50-60 pounds. Earlier this year Emily hurt her tail from wagging it too much, but we are glad to say that she has recovered from her case of Happy Tail!.

Emily has almost mastered potty training! Emily doesn’t have a consistent potty signal just yet, but knows to wait until Foster Mom lets her go outside to do her business. She as also completely mastered crate training! She will walk right in on command and settles in quickly without whining. Emily has also mastered going to the dog park – you can often find her there playing with anyone who is willing, or running around playing a game of chase with the dogs there.

Emily is great with familiar and unfamiliar folks! While at a recent ACR outreach event, she was friendly as can be with college kids, adults, and even those in electric wheelchairs! As far as dogs go, she loves them – especially dogs that love to roughhouse! Her eagerness to roughhouse can overwhelm some dogs, but Emily is working on learning which dogs to play rough with and which dogs to tone it down with. As far as energy goes, Emily has a lot of it. Since she is a puppy, she is full of puppy energy. She would do well with an active family who is able to take her on walks, trips to the dog park, or play with her throughout the day!

When Emily isn’t running outside or trying to find her next adventure, you can catch her trying to get some cuddles with Foster Mom. She loves attention and snuggling, but understands that she can’t get attention 24/7.