Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for January 5, 2024

On January 5, 1734, the Trustees of Georgia ordered the return of 42 Jewish settlers who had come in 1733, primarily from Portugal, without the knowledge or approval of the Trustees. The Brits who sponsored the Jewish settlers refused and Georgia is home to one of the oldest Jewish settlements in the United States.

On January 5, 1781, traitor Benedict Arnold and 1600 British troops captured Richmond, Virginia.

Samuel Elbert was elected Governor of Georgia for a one-year term on January 6, 1785. Elbert was an early participant in Patriot meetings at Tondee’s Tavern, a Lt. Colonel in the first group of troops raised in Georgia, and a prisoner of war, exchanged for a British General, and eventually promoted to Brigadier General reporting to Gen. George Washington. As Governor, Elbert oversaw the charter of the University of Georgia and afterward, he served briefly as Sheriff of Chatham County.

Georgia voted for George Washington for President on January 7, 1789. Technically, they elected Presidential Electors who would later meet in Augusta and cast their ballots for Washington.

On January 7, 1795, Georgia Governor George Matthews signed the Yazoo Act, passed after four land companies bribed members of the General Assembly to vote for legislation selling more than 35 million acres of land for less than 2 cents per acre.

Utah was admitted as the 45th state on January 4, 1896.

On January 6, 1961, United States District Court Judge William Bootle ordered the University of Georgia to enroll Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter, ending the segregation of UGA.

On January 4, 1965, shortly after the assassination of President Kennedy, Lyndon Baines Johnson delivered the State of the Union and outlined his plan for a “Great Society.”

“He requested ‘doubling the war against poverty this year’ and called for new emphasis on area redevelopment, further efforts at retraining unskilled workers, an improvement in the unemployment compensation system and an extension of the minimum wage floor to two million workers now unprotected by it. … He called for new, improved or bigger programs in attacking physical and mental disease, urban blight, water and air pollution, and crime and delinquency.”

The Great Society legislation included “War on Poverty” programs, many created under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which established jobs and youth volunteer programs as well as Head Start, which provided pre-school education for poor children. Johnson’s social welfare legislation also consisted of the formation of Medicare and Medicaid, which offered health care services for citizens over 65 and low-income citizens, respectively. In addition, the Great Society included the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Voting Rights Act of 1968.

On January 4, 1974, President Richard M. Nixon refused to turn over tapes recorded in the Oval Office to the Senate Watergate Committee.

On January 5, 1978, the British band the Sex Pistols started their American tour at the Great Southeast Music Hall in Atlanta, GA.

On January 6, 1988, the United States Postal Service released a stamp commemorating the bicentennial of Georgia’s ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1788.

Georgia Congressman Newt Gingrich was elected Speaker of the House on January 4, 1995, the third Georgian to wield the gavel. This marked the first time in more than forty years that Republicans controlled the House of Representatives.

Georgia Congressman Newt Gingrich (R) was re-elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on January 7, 1997. In the election for a second term, nine Republicans voted against the incumbent Speaker.

On January 4, 1999, in DeKalb County, State Court Judge Al Wong became the first Asian-American judge in Georgia and the Southeast.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Governor Brian Kemp announced staffing changes, according to a Press Release.

Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced changes to his staff ahead of the 2024 legislative session. Kristyn Long will serve as Executive Counsel, following the departure of David Dove at the end of the month to join the law firm Troutman Pepper as a partner leading their Regulatory and Economic Investment Practice in Georgia. Filling her role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be Dr. Russell Crutchfield, who will join Deputy COO Mark Smith in overseeing state agency operations.

“David Dove has been a valued and trusted member of the Kemp family and Team Kemp for many years,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “His service and contributions in that time have made our state stronger and more prosperous, and we’re grateful for his tireless support. Marty, the girls, and I wish him and his family success in this new chapter and look forward to his future achievements as we continue to work together for the people of Georgia.”

“Kristyn Long has been essential to our state’s successful response to the unprecedented challenges of the past few years, and Marty, the girls, and I are grateful for her willingness to continue serving as a part of my office’s senior leadership,” he further shared. “We are also excited to welcome Russell Crutchfield to our team as Chief Operating Officer and are grateful for the expertise he brings as he helps us keep state government efficient and effective.”

Governor Kemp also announced the following changes to his staff:

Ian Caraway will serve as Director of Policy
Caitlan Coleman will serve as Deputy Director of Policy
Jenna Schuckman will join the Governor’s Office of Health Strategy as a Policy Analyst
Lauren Jafojo will serve as a Senior Staff Assistant and Policy Aide
Aimee Lawson will serve as an Administrative Assistant
Kristyn Long currently serves as Chief Operating Officer in the Office of Governor Brian Kemp and will become Executive Counsel. She previously served as Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Executive Counsel. Prior to joining the Governor’s staff in February 2020, she worked in private practice, focusing on civil litigation, probate litigation, and estate planning. Long holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. She and her husband reside in Ball Ground.

Russell Crutchfield has served as Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President at the University of West Georgia (UWG) since 2016. Dr. Crutchfield has previously held executive leadership positions with several Georgia state agencies, including the Department of Community Health, Department of Labor, and the Department of Public Health. He is an alumnus and two-time graduate of UWG and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Public Administration. He earned his Doctor of Education degree in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Crutchfield and his wife, Susan, reside in Newnan.

Ian Caraway currently serves as the Deputy Director of Policy in the Office of Governor Brian Kemp and will become Director of Policy. He previously served as Senate Liaison and Senior Policy Advisor, Policy Advisor, and Local Government Liaison for the Governor’s Office. He has also served in multiple capacities on campaigns across the state, including as Deputy Campaign Manager for Kemp for Governor.

Caitlan Coleman currently serves as the House Legislative Liaison and Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Governor Brian Kemp and will become Deputy Director of Policy. She previously served as Policy Advisor in the Office of Governor Brian Kemp and has also worked as Communications Manager and Political Director for the Georgia House Republican Caucus. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from the University of Georgia.

Jenna Schuckman has joined the Governor’s Office of Health Strategy as a Policy Analyst. She previously worked for the University of West Georgia, the Office of Governor Brian Kemp, the Georgia Association of REALTORS, and for the Solicitor General’s Office of Douglasville. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from the University of West Georgia and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration.

Lauren Jafojo serves as Senior Staff Assistant and Policy Aide in the Office of Governor Brian Kemp. She previously worked for the Governor’s Office of Health Strategy. Lauren earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Rural Community Development from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and is currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration at the University of Georgia.

Aimee Lawson serves as Administrative Assistant for the Office of Governor Brian Kemp. Aimee brings nearly 20 years of experience in management, hospitality, and client service to the office, including most recently as a Vital Records Representative for Northside Hospital. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Care Administration with a minor in Psychology from Clayton State University.

Governor Kemp issued Executive Order #01.04.24.01, setting a February 13, 2024 Special Election for Senate District 30, vacated by Sen. Mike Dugan and Executive Order #01.03.24.01, setting a February 13, 2024 Special Election for House District 125, vacated by Rep. Barry Fleming.

Former State Sen. Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton) announced his campaign for the Third Congressional District, where incumbent U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson announced he will not run for reelection, according to the Ledger-Enquirer.

Dugan was elected to the General Assembly in 2012. His 30th Senate District includes portions of Carroll, Douglas, Haralson and Paulding counties. Dugan became then-Gov. Nathan Deal’s floor leader before he was elected Senate majority leader by his Senate colleagues in 2018.

But he lost a bid for Senate president pro tempore at the beginning of last year’s legislative session. Last month, he was the only Republican in the Senate to vote against the new Senate redistricting map drawn by the GOP majority, objecting to changes to his district.

“It is time to get back to a government that works for the people, and I would be honored to be the voice that represents Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District,” Dugan said in a statement.

The similarly-named “Mike Duggan” announced his campaign for Congress, according to the Albany Herald.

Army veteran and conservative businessman Mike Dugan has announced plans to step down as state Senator for the 30th District of Georgia to run for U.S. Congress in Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District. This follows Rep. Drew Ferguson’s recent announcement that he will not seek re-election.

“I am proud of the service and successful track record I have been able to provide for my constituents over the last decade serving in the Georgia State Senate,” Dugan said in a news release. “I was dedicated in delivering steadfast results for economic development, public safety and education, as well as championing legislation that best serves and cares for our military — active duty, veterans and their families. I look forward to putting my experience to work on a larger scale for Georgia in the U.S Congress.”

Having been at the forefront of drafting and leading Georgia’s economic policies that have made it the No. 1 state to do business, Dugan said he plans to bring his experience to Congress to champion solutions for economic reform and hold the line against inflation.

Former State Rep. Philip Singleton will run for the Third Congressional District, according to the AJC.

Former state Rep. Philip Singleton filed paperwork Thursday to run in the GOP primary for the 3rd Congressional District, adding his name to the crowded list.

Singleton was drawn out of his state legislative district two years ago by Georgia House Republicans and is now the top aide to U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Suwanee. He could tap McCormick’s fundraising apparatus in his bid for Congress. He also unsuccessfully challenged Ferguson, R-The Rock, in 2018.

Other announced contenders for the West Georgia seat include state Rep. David Jenkins, R-Grantville, and state Sen. Mike Dugan, R-Carrollton, who formally stepped down from office on Thursday.

Gov. Brian Kemp set a Feb. 13 special election for Dugan’s Carrollton-based Senate seat. Among the potential candidates for the office are former state Reps. Tim Bearden and Kevin Cooke.

Qualifying for the House District 125 seat vacated by Judge-select Barry Fleming opens on January 8, 2024, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

On Dec. 27, Harlem attorney Barry Fleming was named by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill the unexpired term of Columbia Judicial Circuit Chief Judge James Blanchard Jr., who retired at the end of 2023.

The qualifying period to declare candidacy for the House seat will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 8; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 9; and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 10. It will be held at the Georgia secretary of state’s office, 2 MLK Jr. Drive, Suite 802, Floyd West Tower, Atlanta. The qualifying fee costs $400.

So far, the only candidate to declare candidacy in the House race has been term-limited Columbia County District 3 Commissioner Gary Richardson.

Augusta District Attorney Jared T. Williams announced he is under consideration for the role of deciding whether to prosecute Lt. Governor Burt Jones, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

Augusta District Attorney Jared T. Williams announced Thursday that he is being considered for a conflict prosecutor role on a potential case against Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, stemming from the indictment against former President Donald Trump.

In an interview with the New York Times this week, Williams said he was willing to investigate Jones “if called upon.”

Days later, Williams announced the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, which is tasked with finding a special prosecutor for the case, is considering him for the role.

“I became aware this week that I am being considered by the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council as the conflict prosecutor on a case arising from the Donald Trump indictment led by (Fulton County) District Attorney Fani Willis, in which Lt. Governor Burt Jones is a potential co-conspirator,” Williams said in a statement issued Thursday. “I am honored by the confidence and trust that has led to my consideration to serve in this role. In my time as District Attorney, our office has handled several conflict cases that resulted in convictions throughout the state.”

Willis was barred from pursuing criminal charges against Jones in July 2022, with a judge ruling there was a conflict of interest in Willis’ support for one of Jones’ political opponents, Democrat Charlie Bailey. Willis co-hosted a fundraiser for Bailey and donated to his primary campaign, according to an article from USA Today.

The New York Times reported the council’s executive director, Peter J. Skandalakis, said he “thought highly” of Williams and would talk to him about the job, but was concerned about Williams’ involvement in the suit [challenging the Constitutionality of Senate Bill 92, which created the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission].

The Times stated Skandalakis “already ruled out some other prosecutors because they were plaintiffs in the lawsuit,” according to article.

The Times reported Skandalakis asked Clayton County District Attorney Tasha M. Mosley if she had interest in the role, but she declined because her office could not take prosecutors off of local murder cases or afford to hire additional attorneys.

“Before accepting conflicts, we do both a legal and logistical analysis to ensure we are able to accept,” Williams said in a email to The Chronicle. “This case would be no exception, but we have done an initial assessment and do not see a barrier to taking the case.”

The Tift County Board of Elections is asking residents to vote early in the Presidential Preference Primary on March 12, 2024, according to WALB.

From Feb. 19 through March 8 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday, the elections office will be hosting early voting at The Old Gym on the corner of E. 4th Street and Chesnutt Lane. Saturday voting will be on Feb. 24 and March 2 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

The last day to vote is March 12. For those who wait until the last day to vote, they will need to go to their assigned polling location, according to the Board of Elections.

If the times listed are not convenient, people are encouraged to vote by mail. Request an application for an absentee mail ballot by calling (229) 386-7915 or email shekia.holley@tiftcounty.org.

The Georgia State Election Board is considering changes to limit mail-in voting, according to the Tifton Gazette.

According to the State Election Board’s proposal, the board has received numerous complaints involving absentee ballot requests, duplicate voting by absentee ballot, failure to mail or deliver absentee ballots in a timely manner, defects in the handling process and recording of absentee ballots and the appearance of counterfeit absentee ballots, which has undermined “public faith and integrity of elections in Georgia.”

Georgia is one of nearly 30 states that gives voters the option to vote absentee-by-mail without an excuse and has allowed such for more than 15 years.

Under the board’s proposal, absentee voting would revert to pre-2009 requirements when only certain people were allowed to vote by mail, such as those who would be absent from their precinct during the elections, have a physical disability, or caregivers of someone with a disability.

Voters 75 years or older or voters required to remain on duty in their place of employment for the protection of the health, life or safety of the public would be allowed to vote by mail.

Two Camilla City Council members ordered removed from office are appealing the decision, according to WALB.

In December 2023, the Superior Court ordered Councilman Corey Morgan and Councilman Venterra Pollard to be removed from their seats. After investigations found that they are not the city of Camilla residents.

Morgan and Pollard disagree saying they are both lifelong residents of Camilla and combined have been elected officials for nearly eight years.

“Corey Morgan’s grandmother couldn’t even identify his personal belongings that were supposedly in her house. Pollard’s family couldn’t even testify whether or not he lived in the house he claimed to live in. Everybody knows that they don’t live there,” Attorney Chris Cohilas, representing the Plaintiffs, said.

According to the reconsideration [motion] — Morgan and Pollard believe a reconsideration should be granted because the court “overlooked a material fact in the record.” They say their fate should’ve been decided by a jury, not a judge.

In a joint statement from the two councilmen, they stated, “We remain at awe that two members of the Mitchell County Development Authority are challenging our residency. It could be that we make up — for the first time — a progressive majority that believes in equity, inclusion, and diversity both socially and economically.”

Cohilas says he feels very confident that the reconsideration will be denied, “Here’s the end of the story — they lost! The victims in this case are the citizens of Camilla. They ought to have council members who actually live there, who actually care about rules and laws, and who have to pay the same utility bills that they do.”

Donalsonville City Council member Mitzy Moye intends to sue the city and some fellow officials, according to WALB.

It all started when Donalsonville Councilwoman Mitzy Moye responded to a complaint. Moye claims other council members launched a smear campaign against her.

Now, Moye filed an ante litem notice naming the city, the mayor, the council and the city police department.

After Moye responded to that complaint, she says another council member, Mitchell Blanks, accused her of coercing a police cadet into writing an incident report over it. Blanks launched an investigation into her actions, which she says amounted to a smear campaign.

At Tuesday night’s Donalsonville City Council Meeting, the council decided not to take action against Moye.

The city of Donalsonville sent a statement regarding the ante litem stating, “The city wishes to clearly state that we wholeheartedly disagree with the allegations presented in this notice. It is our firm intention to refute these allegations and to provide a robust defense for the City and its staff as necessary.”

State legislators may consider legislation to protect the Okefenokee Swamp, according to WABE.

Georgia lawmakers are set to take up the controversial plan for a mine near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge when the legislative session starts later this month. Opponents of the mine are trying several avenues to prevent it, both in and outside of the statehouse.

A bill before the state legislature, House Bill 71, seeks to protect the Okefenokee by banning new mining permits within the area. Although it didn’t advance last year, lead sponsor Darlene Taylor said she’s optimistic this time, stating that the bill has support because many Georgians love the swamp.

“It’s a natural wonder of the world,” Taylor said. “It’s very beautiful … there’s no other place like it, and it’s important that we preserve that.”

The bill would only stop future mines or expansions, not those already applying for permits. But opponents are trying other means to block the proposed mine altogether.

Twin Pines maintains their method of mining would not harm the swamp.

The Georgia House Democratic Caucus committee on maternal mortality heard testimony on the issue, according to the Savannah Morning News.

At a public hearing held Thursday to address maternal mortality in Georgia, the consensus among state legislators, healthcare workers and advocates was clear: Pregnancy-related deaths, which disproportionately impact Black and brown women in Georgia, are largely preventable.

Georgia is currently ranked as one of the worst states in the nation for maternal health outcomes, and according to a 2023 report from the Georgia Department of Public Health, the state’s maternal mortality rates are on the rise.

Between 2018 and 2020, there were 30.2 pregnancy-related deaths for every 100,000 live births, compared to 25.1 between 2015 and 2017. Black women in the state are also twice as likely to die as white women, and women on Medicaid are disproportionately affected. A staggering 89% of the deaths had at least some chance of being prevented.

“Some of our birthing families travel over two hours to come to our birth center because they live in a desert wasteland of healthcare,” she said.

“I think we’re going to have to make Georgia a more attractive state to practice OB/GYN in,” [Emory Regional Perinatal Center Medical Director Dr. Jane] Ellis said. “There are a lot of issues that are keeping new providers from wanting to come to Georgia. There are also a lot of those same issues that keep currently graduating residents from wanting to stay in Georgia. … There has to be better reimbursement. There has to be more opportunities for providers to come to Georgia and flourish.”

State Rep. Lydia Glaize ended the hearing with a call to action, vowing to wear purple armbands throughout the 2024 legislative session to bring awareness to the state of maternal mortality in Georgia and calling on other female legislators to do the same.

From the AJC:

Some solutions suggested included Medicaid expansion, increasing education around maternal mortality prevention for providers, paid leave for mothers and reducing restrictions for midwives.

“The bottom line is women, specifically Black women who become pregnant in Georgia are dying, and that simply does not have to be so,” said Staci Fox, chief executive officer and president of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.

Georgia is one of 10 states to not expand Medicaid, the state-federal program that pays for health care for the poor, people with disabilities and many elderly patients. Because the state did not expand Medicaid, which was part of the Affordable Care Act, billions of federal dollars that are meant to support the state’s health systems are going unused. According to Fox, 46% of all births in Georgia are funded by Medicaid.

“What we see is a continued pattern of indifference,” said Sandra Williams, president of the North Georgia Labor Council. “We know that the lack of health care and living in a state that refuses to expand Medicaid has a tremendous impact on poor people, but particularly poor Black women.”

Georgia State Rep. Emory Dunahoo (R-Gillsville) discussed his legislative priorities, according to AccessWDUN.

Dunahoo (R-Gillsville), who represents a district that includes most of Jackson County as well as an area of eastern Hall County, spoke on WDUN’s “The Drive at 5” Wednesday. He said he began working on a tax exemption bill after being approached by Jackson County residents.

“In Jackson County, it’s been 30 years since we had a senior tax exemption, and the tax laws have stayed the same with property taxes,” Dunahoo said. “I started having people come up to me, and they’re like “taxes are killing us, we moved here, we are retired, we cannot afford the increase.’”

Dunahoo said his bill would modify the current tax exemptions to allow residents ages 62-65 to have their taxes levied against $10,000 to $40,000 below the current tax evaluation of their home. For residents ages 65 to 70 it would be $50,000 to $75,000, and for residents age 70 and above it would be from $50,000 to $125,000.

Dunahoo said the bill would also allow residents age 65 and over to freeze their tax bill. He said he’s received positive feedback on the proposal from residents.

The other bill Dunahoo spoke on Wednesday was one that was dropped a year ago. The Georgia Prenatal Equal Protection Act was presented by Dunahoo last year, along with District 3 Representative Mitchell Horner (R-Ringgold), District 18 Representative Tyler Paul Smith (R-Bremen), District 20 Representative Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) and District 149 Representative Danny Mathis (R-Cochran).

Dunahoo said the bill would stiffen the penalties against women who elect to have an abortion, and would extend protections for the unborn to earlier in prenatal development than currently covered by the state’s recently passed Heartbeat Bill.

“We have buzzwords we use all the time, like the heartbeat. I supported that (Heartbeat Bill)…but if you believe in God’s word, God’s word says that life starts at conception,” Dunahoo said. “We’re looking at saying if you’re going to go ahead and abort this child, there will be consequences. That means that the female can be charged with murder, however that doesn’t mean that every one will be charged with murder. Every case will stand up on its own.”

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) selected a contractor to raise the Talmadge Bridge in Savannah, according to the Statesboro Herald.

Maintenance and construction on the Eugene Talmadge Memorial Bridge are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025, the DOT said in a statement announcing that Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. will serve as general contractor.

Built in 1991, the bridge spans the Savannah River at the Georgia-South Carolina state line. Cargo ships passing Savannah’s downtown riverfront must sail underneath the bridge to reach the Port of Savannah, the fourth-busiest U.S. port for cargo shipped in containers.

Griff Lynch, president and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, has called out the Talmadge Bridge as an impediment to future growth at Savannah’s port, which handled 5.4 million container units in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

The authority is spending $1.9 billion to grow Savannah’s cargo handling capacity. Lynch says that investment needs to be met with taxpayer-funded infrastructure upgrades. Less than two years after the Army Corps of Engineers finished a $973 million deepening of the Savannah River shipping channel, the authority is already seeking congressional authorization to study another round of dredging.

Meanwhile, even as it prepares to raise the Talmadge Bridge, the Georgia DOT is simultaneously studying a long-term project to either replace it altogether with an even taller bridge or build a tunnel allowing cars to travel beneath the river. A September 2022 report estimates costs could reach $2 billion.

United States Representative Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) says conservatives need to be at the table on climate change issues, according to WSAV.

As a five-term GOP member of Congress, Buddy Carter considered Republicans’ skepticism as he contemplated traveling to Dubai for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP 28, which wrapped up Dec. 13.

“I did have some reservations because I thought I’d probably take some criticism from the climate deniers, but that’s okay,” Carter said during a recent interview in his Savannah office. “Conservatives need to be here. We need a seat at the table.”

Carter made the trip with other members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce – an assignment he says he pushed hard for because his district covers the entire Georgia coast, which is particularly vulnerable to severe storms, sea-level rise and other effects of overall warming temperatures.

“I believe in climate change,” he insisted. “I believe it’s real.”

But he also reiterated his view that climate change is “cyclical,” a term used by many climate deniers who suggest Earth’s current period of warming is primarily a natural occurrence driven only minimally by human-caused pollution.

When asked later to clarify his “cyclical” reference, Carter replied in an email that “earth’s climate goes through cycles independent of human activity.”

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson writes about menthol cigarettes and African-Americans in the Savannah Morning News.

In the fight to save Black lives, reduce racial health disparities and increase the health of our city and nation, no single action would have a greater impact than the elimination of menthol cigarettes. Yet, last month, the White House delayed a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule to do just that — again putting Black Americans’ health on the back burner.

Most people know that cigarettes are addictive and habit forming, but not everyone is aware that menthol worsens these characteristics. Black Americans use menthol cigarettes at exponentially higher rates compared to other racial groups — and it’s depleting our health. It’s one of the key reasons why tobacco use is the leading contributor to heart disease, cancer and stroke, the top three causes of preventable death among Black Americans. What’s worse, Black Americans also die at far higher rates than other Americans from these diseases. Overall, tobacco claims 45,000 Black lives every year.

In the 1950s, only 10% of Black voters smoked menthols. These days, that number is 85%, compared to 29% of white smokers. Over the past 60 years, tobacco companies have specifically targeted our communities with free samples and aggressive advertising, sponsorship of Black music festivals and community events, even lower pricing in neighborhoods of color to entice more potential customers, including kids. Growing up, I remember our corner stores were overstocked with menthol cigarettes, and Kools were the cool smokes to have. And even today, there are more tobacco retailers, more ads for menthol cigarettes and more promotions for menthols in Black neighborhoods.

Ending the decades of harm caused by Big Tobacco’s predatory marketing of menthol cigarettes in our communities is something we all should be able to agree upon. A menthol ban would be a significant step forward for Savannah and for our nation. As mayor, I want to see my city and our residents flourish. I want our people to live their best possible lives. Eliminating menthol is a good place to start.

Augusta City Commissioners may consider a referendum on Sunday alcohol sales, according to WJBF.

State law says commissioners can select one Sunday a year for bars to be open, but the law does not say which one.

“I think we know somebody is not going to be happy, whether we keep it on the Sunday, or it gets moved to Cinco de Mayo. Because bar owners feeling that’s a better day for them,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom.

Commissioners first selected Super Bowl Sunday but now are proposing switching to Cinco de Mayo, but sports bars are already preparing for game day.

Under state law commissioners cannot pick more than one Sunday, however voters could and that is what city leaders want to see happen.

“At some point we have to get this on a referendum for the voters of Richmond County decide how ma[n]y Sunday’s we want to be able to let our sports bars and restaurants entertain,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

“I highly recommend assembling a task force before we actually put this on a referendum to determine which is best for our city,” said the mayor.

The Georgia Medical Board has revised rules on some prescription drugs to pre-COVID policies, according to 13WMAZ.

The Georgia Medical Board extended its rules allowing virtual prescriptions for DEA-controlled substances, previously rescinded.

Basically, the board is returning to pre-covid protocols effective May 1.

People who need prescriptions for any controlled substances on the DEA list must see a doctor face-to-face starting that day.

Executive Director Daniel Dorsey said in an email, “This morning, the Board voted to extend tele-prescribing flexibilities (one more time) which will allow licensees to make arrangements with their patients as needed. Effective May 1, the GCMB will no longer recognize the federal authorization of tele-prescribing flexibilities allowed through the Drug Enforcement Administration for Georgia licensees.”

Glynn County Board of Education members will vote on whether to extend Gov. Kemp’s $1000 bonus for educators to employees who would not qualify for the state-funded bonus, according to The Brunswick News.

The Glynn County Board of Education will vote Tuesday on whether to approve using $726,700 in federal pandemic-relief funds to give $1,000 to the nearly 700 local employees that do not fall under the state’s umbrella for the raise.

“(Kemp) gave most of our employees $1,000, but he only gave them based if they’re on the FTE report,” said Scott Spence, superintendent of Glynn County Schools, during the school board’s work session Thursday. “All of our employees are not paid by the state. A lot of our employees are paid 100% through local funds. Only the folks who got money from the state are folks that he paid.”

“Our teachers did a great job,” Spence said. “It’s been a tough three and a half years. But they made it through and we are back above where we were in 2019.”

In other business, the school board voted to name Eaddy Sams board chair again this year and Hank Yeargan vice-chair. The board will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, and the meeting will be streamed live on the school districts Facebook and YouTube pages.

Rome City Schools and Floyd County Schools are both considering retention bonuses for existing employees, according to the Rome News Tribune.

Teachers in the Rome City and Floyd County school systems are scheduled to receive a retention bonus announced by Gov. Brian Kemp in December, however both school systems are seeking to give a bonus to all their employees.

The $1,000 state bonus doesn’t apply to all positions within both school systems. Certified positions, like teachers and administrators, are set to receive that bonus but classified positions, such as paraprofessionals, bus drivers, kitchen staff, janitors and other support professionals, would not.

Both Rome City Schools Superintendent Eric Holland and Floyd County Schools Superintendent Glenn White said they’re working to extend a bonus to all employees.

Albany Mayor Bo Dorough and three reelected City Council members will be sworn in Monday, according to the Albany Herald.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. at the Government Center for Mayor Bo Dorough and Commissioners Jon Howard, Chad Warbington and Demetrius Young.

Dorough, Howard in Ward I and Warbington in Ward IV each fought off challengers to gain another four years in office, while Young ran unopposed to win a second term in Ward VI.

Garden City swore in four returning City Council members and Mayor Bruce Campbell, according to the Savannah Morning News.

…Garden City held their inauguration of four incumbents to city council, including Mayor Bruce Campbell, who is the first Black person to be elected to the seat.

City Manager Scott Robider asked for visiting officials to give their remarks at the top of the program, and Sen. Derek Mallow and Savannah Councilmember Deitric Leggett were among those who spoke.

“I look forward to working with our mayor and council to work to remain strong in the city and move through the city through this next era of leadership that will bring it in line with other communities,” Mallow said. “I think it’s time for Garden City to be at the front of all our conversations, so it’s not just Savannah and Pooler. It’s Savannah, Pooler and Garden City.”

Campbell, councilmembers for Districts 2 and 3, Debbie Ruiz and Natalyn Morris, respectively were sworn in by Judge Crystal Harmon. District 4 Councilmember Ricky Lassiter was sworn in by his uncle, Judge Jule Clifton Lassiter.

Vickie Nail will serve as the first female Mayor of Reidsville, according to WSAV.

She is the first woman to be elected mayor. “I just felt like it was time for me to step up,” she told News 3.

Nail was born in raised in Reidsville. When she put her name on the election ballot, she knew she was fulfilling what God called her to do — making the place she calls home better as mayor.

“With the cooperation of the council, we can really revitalize Reidsville and make it a thriving city again.”

As far as being the first female mayor, Nail says it hasn’t sunk in yet, but she is ready to get to work. She has experience with handling growth in Reidsville. She previously served on the planning and zoning committee and the development authority. She hopes to use those skills in her new role.

Tybee Island Mayor Brian West and four City Council members were sworn in, according to WSAV.

There were very few seats left at Tybee Post Theatre as Brian West was named the city’s mayor on Thursday night. West previously served as a councilman for one year before running for mayor. He won with 952 of the almost 1,500 votes.

Tony Ploughe, Bill Garbett, Nick Sears, and Kathryn Williams also took their oath as council members.

“Our agenda is packed with plans for our future and plans to make Tybee a great place to live,” West said. “Tybee is full. There is no more room for development on Tybee. If you want to develop, we are going to have to tear down something old to put up something new. That is a tough place to be in, in a very quickly growing economy in Southeast Georgia… so we are going to have to be very careful to watch what we allow to occur as far as increasing more and more building on our island. We need more green space, and we need more recreational spaces.”

Molly McIlvaine was sworn in as a Glynn County Juvenile Court Judge, according to The Brunswick News.

She is replacing George Rountree, who is retiring after 20 years on the bench.

Brunswick Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Stephen G. Scarlett said he and the other judges who originally appointed Rountree to the bench got it right and they were getting it right again by appointing McIlvaine.

McIlvaine said the appointment was humbling, noting, “Juvenile courts are literally ground zero.”

Former Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams is expected to announce he is running for District 9 on the Commission, according to WRDW.

Commissioner Francine Scott is currently serving in this position.

Williams’ announcement is expected to be at noon.

The Monroe County Public Library Board has been requested to remove some books from the young adult section, according to 13WMAZ.

The Monroe County Public Library board addressed two books that some people have asked to be moved out of the young adult section in order to protect their children. Both of the highlighted books have LGBTQ themes.

Stranger Than Fan Fiction and My Most Excellent Year are the books that were in the spotlight. Over a 11-day period, the library received five submissions to relocate the books.

“I was just hoping that they would take materials of an adult nature that only a parent or guardian should allow their child to see if they choose to do that, it would be put in an adult section,” Callahan said.

“Our collection is based on the totality of the community not just the majority. We also try to represent the perspectives and experiences of the underrepresented and marginalized because everyone whether they are majority, minority, or underrepresented are part of the community,” [librarian] Kimberly Smothers-Clayton said.

“58 of those titles have the LGBTQ sticker. That is probably less than one-hundredth of a percent. It makes no sense for folks to be worried about that and if you are that concerned about what your children are reading, you wouldn’t drop them off at the public library,” Whitehead-Freeman said.

Chatham County Commissioners are expected to approve a proclamation of Human Trafficking Prevention month, according to WTOC.

The month of January is nationally recognized as Human Trafficking Prevention month.

Friday morning, the Chatham County Commission will be recognizing it by giving a proclamation to Tharros Place, a local organization that combats the human trafficking of teenagers.

According to Tharros Place, Chatham County ranks #4 for most human trafficking cases in the state of Georgia, and the average age of a victim is 12 to 14.

“Nobody is immune to the dangers of human trafficking. No family is immune to it, from any race, color, or creed. So please keep open lines of communication with your children and make sure that you know where your children are. We talked about that campaign, ‘Do you know where your children are?’ At times like this, it’s even more important to know where your children are,” said Commissioner [Aaron]Whitely.

Jesup City Commissioners voted to remove City Manager Rose Marcus from that role, according to WTOC.

“I’d like to make a motion that we remove Miss Rose Marcus from position of city manager as per her contract that she retain her salary with the city, and a position to be determined at a later date,” said Jonathan McCullough, Commissioner.

Mayor Ralph Hickox was the final vote as the city commissions votes were split 3-3. He says that his decision was based on what direction he felt the city needed to go.

“When it comes down to their undecided, or split 50-50 to my decision, and my decision was that I felt like the city needed a new direction. All respect to Miss Rose. She is a wonderful person. We just needed a new direction,” said Hickox.

Marcus has worked with the city for nearly 34 years and will return to her previous salary and duties. She says that she saw this demotion coming but it still stings.

The commission also appointed Nick Ellis as the current interim city manager.

Winder City Administrator Mandi Cody is resigning effective February 12, 2024, according to AccessWDUN.

Mayor Jimmy Terrell said the search for Cody’s replacement will begin immediately for either an interim or permanent replacement.

“We wish her well, it was a 6-0 vote to accept Cody’s resignation and she will receive a 6-month severance package,” Terrell said.

Former Mayor David Maynard said Cody embodied the true meaning of a public servant.

“I know a lot of people who have done a lot of things for the City, but Mandi came to us in a time where we needed help financially and strategically,” Maynard said. “She worked to build our current team of department heads, which I believe is the best team we have ever had.”

Former Thomson Mayor Robert “Bob” E. Knox, Jr. died, according to WJBF.