Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for July 12, 2013

John Percival, an Irish Member of Parliament who served as a Georgia Trustee, was born on July 12, 1683.

In the British House of Commons, Percival served on the committee on jails with a young member named James Oglethorpe, who shared his idea about a new colony in North America for the deserving poor. Percival, like Oglethorpe became a Georgia Trustee, and during Georgia’s first decade, with Oglethorpe in America, Percival worked harder than anyone to champion Georgia’s cause and secure its future.

The United States Army Medal of Honor was created on July 12, 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation authorizing the award.

The first U.S. Army soldiers to receive what would become the nation’s highest military honor were six members of a Union raiding party who in 1862 penetrated deep into Confederate territory to destroy bridges and railroad tracks between Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Lt. Frank Reasoner of Kellogg, Idaho died in action on July 12, 1965 and was later posthumously awarded the first Medal of Honor to a United States Marines in connection with the Vietnam War.

On July 12, 1984, Congresswoman Geradine Ferraro (R-NY) joined the Democratic ticket with Presidential nominee Walter Mondale. Ferraro was the first woman and first Italian-American woman nominated for Vice President. Mondale and Ferraro lost the General Election in the largest ever Republican landslide to Republican President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Bush.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Stacey Abrams‘ campaign for Governor raised about 60% of it’s most recent donations from out-of-state, according to the Macon Telegraph.

Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams raised more than $2.7 million in the latest campaign filings, with roughly 60 percent of her itemized contributions coming from donors outside the state, according to a McClatchy analysis.

Abrams said the number of out-of-state donors to her campaign reflects the national interest in the gubernatorial race and the importance of Georgia — home of the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta and the country’s fourth-busiest container port in Savannah.

[Lieutenant Governor Casey] Cagle raised more than $3.7 million between April 1 and June 30 and had more than $1.3 million left in the bank at the end of the reporting period. About 91 percent of his donations came from Georgia individuals and organizations, according to McClatchy’s analysis.

[Secretary of State Brian] Kemp took in $1.6 million in contributions in the three-month period and reported $700,000 cash on hand. About 97 percent of his itemized contributions came from within the state.

The Associated Press reports that the gubernatorial contest is the most-expensive in Georgia history.

Federal legislation to smooth the path for international adoptions by Americans passed Congress, according to the Gainesville Times.

A bill aimed at helping American families navigate international adoption processes sponsored by U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, July 11.

“Adopting children from abroad is an act of love that is too often complicated by a lack of reliable information about the international adoption landscape,” Collins said in a press release. “The Intercountry Adoption Information Act would help unite loving parents and vulnerable children by providing them with accurate, timely information procedures and hurdles associated with adoption in specific countries.”

Collins said he was motivated by the story of Pam and Mark Romano, of Jefferson, who had started the process of adopting Russian-born brothers before the former Soviet state stopped the flow of adoptions to the United States in 2012.

“Each day, families in Northeast Georgia and beyond remain separated from their adoptive children as a result of shifting international policies and information gaps, so I hope the strong bipartisan support we saw in the House today encourages the Senate to pass this bill swiftly,” Collins said.

Georgia and neighboring states will begin a crackdown on speeding next week, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

On Monday, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and South Carolina’s Operation Southern Shield begins, a public safety campaign aimed at targeting drivers who are speeding on interstates, major highways and local roads.

“Our troopers are dedicated to participating in collaborative enforcement efforts like Operation Southern Shield that encourage motorists to drive safely and slow down,” said Col. Mark McDonough, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “Our main focus this week is reducing crashes and providing a safer transportation experience for motorists traveling in our state.”

Last year was the first annual collaboration, and the operation drew national attention — and results.

According to preliminary numbers from the Georgia Department of Transportation, the number of traffic deaths reported in the state during last year’s Southern Shield was 35 percent lower than the other three weeks of July.

Georgia will send a delegation to China to discuss trade issues, according to the AJC.

The delegation takes off July 20 as part of a celebration of the new Delta Air Lines route from Atlanta to Shanghai, a prized nonstop connection between the two cities.

Gov. Nathan Deal is not joining the trip, but his top aide Chris Riley and several deputies are going. So is chief Delta lobbyist David Werner, Georgia Power executive Walt Farrell and PruittHealth chairman Neil Pruitt.

Board of Regents chancellor Steve Wrigley will be there, too, as will state Sens. Butch Miller and Jeff Mullis.

The agenda is a busy one: The group will meet with four potential business prospects, attend the signing of a pact between Atlanta’s airport and its counterpart in Shanghai and participate in a series of trade meetings and roundtable discussions with Chinese officials.

Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) appointed State Rep. Micah Gravley (R-Douglasville) as co-chair of the Joint Study Commission on Low THC Medical Oil Access.

“I’d like to thank Speaker Ralston for appointing me to serve as co-chair of this important commission, and I’m eager for the commission to begin its important work,” said Rep. Gravley. “The Georgia General Assembly has championed several pro-medical cannabis bills in recent years, and while our state has made great strides in expanding our medical cannabis program, we still have a ways to go to ensure that hurting Georgians have safe, affordable access to medical cannabis. I look forward to serving alongside my fellow commission members as we explore ways to help Georgia’s sick and suffering citizens in need of medical cannabis and low THC oil.”

Established by House Bill 65, the Joint Study Commission on Low THC Medical Oil Access will examine in-state access to medical cannabis and low THC oil, including the security and control of the process from acquisition and planting of seeds to final destruction of unused portions of the plant; quality control of the manufacturing process; and dispensing the final product. The commission will also explore and identify ways to ensure proper security safeguards and systems for evaluating the qualifications of potential licensees, as well as implement a plan to ensure that low THC oil is affordable and readily available statewide to properly registered patients and caregivers.

Ralston also appointed the following members to the low THC oil Study Commission:

• David Clark (R-Buford)
• Alan Powell (R-Hartwell)
• Shannon Cloud
• Susan McWhorter Driscoll

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle also announced appointments to the Study Commission:

“I’ve been very clear – I’m 100% opposed to legalizing marijuana. However, I am fully committed to helping children, veterans, and all Georgians struggling with devastating health challenges. After consulting with physicians and experts, we passed this legislation to allow Georgia to design a safe, effective, legal system to provide patients reliable access to low THC medical cannabis oil.”

As Lt. Governor, Cagle supported legislation in 2015 (HB 1), 2017 (SB 16), and 2018 (HB 65) to offer patients with debilitating conditions greater access to potentially life-changing low THC cannabis oil. This year, Cagle led an expansion of the program to afford more patients safe access to this medication. In addition to improving patient access, the commission will determine best practices for acquiring and manufacturing medical cannabis oil, ensuring that treatments distributed in Georgia are secured, quality-tested, and dispensed by trained professionals to patients and caregivers properly registered in our state.

“I want what’s best for Georgia’s families statewide. If my sons – or grandchildren – were suffering from a serious medical condition, I’d want every possible solution to be available,” said Cagle.

Lt. Governor Cagle has appointed the following members to the Joint Study Commission on Low THC Medical Oil Access: Senator Matt Brass (Co-Chair), Senator Ben Watson, Senator Butch Miller, Sheriff James Woodruff, and Dale Jackson.

“For Georgians struggling with debilitating illnesses, access to medical cannabis oil can be the difference that allows them to live a full life,” said Senator Matt Brass, Co-Chair. “The commission’s work in expanding access to low THC medical cannabis oil will improve the quality of life for our state’s patients. Thanks to Lt. Governor Cagle’s leadership and the work of so many advocates and parents from communities across our state, Georgia is answering the call to provide patients access to every possible treatment to improve their lives.”

Macon businesses may see additional costs due to the Macon-Bibb County government budget issues, according to the Macon Telegraph.

Macon’s zoning commission is imposing new fees and may increase existing fees 150 percent in response to the county’s budget crisis, and that could affect whether companies, particularly small businesses, decide to locate here.

“If it costs more to start and run a business in Macon-Bibb than it does in an adjoining county, and there is no corresponding benefit to locate in Macon-Bibb, they will go someplace else,” said Bobby Cleveland, senior vice president of commercial development and acquisitions for Fickling & Co. “It’s that darn simple.”

The Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission is worried about its financial situation after the county government cut its financing of $800,000 from the budget then reinstated it contingent on an increase in property taxes. The money from the county is half of the zoning commission’s budget.

Kingsland residents protested the shooting of an unarmed African-American man by a police officer, according to The Brunwick News.

Officer Zechariah Presley, 26, was charged with voluntary manslaughter and violation of his oath of office after Georgia Bureau of Investigation officials reviewed footage taken from his body camera. Green was shot eight times, according to reports.

Bond was denied last week and Presley remains jailed. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 17 at the Camden County Courthouse in Woodbine.

The Rev. Mack De’Von Knight, pastor of Refreshing Oasis Church, addressed Kingsland City Council members Monday on behalf of Green’s family and supporters.

“Someone should have said something by now,” Knight said. “The city has returned to business as usual as if nothing was done. This is an alarming and appalling situation.”

The City of Granville loses nearly 40% of the water purchased for the municipal water system, according to the Newnan Times-Herald.

The Statesboro Alcohol Advisory Committee will have new members appointed after all current member terms expired June 30, according to the Statesboro Herald.

Augusta’s riverfront depot project could be derailed by additional conditions imposed by the Augusta Commission, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

The $93 million deal to develop the Depot project on Augusta’s riverfront could be “in danger” after the Augusta Commission on Tuesday added last-minute conditions, the executive director of the Downtown Development Authority said Wednesday.

“Is it dead? No. Is it in danger? Yes. That’s how I would put this now,” Margaret Woodard said.

The authority has been working for the past 3½ years on trying to get a developer and a good deal for the 6.27 acre site at 511 Reynolds St.. The commission had agreed to have the authority issue $14 million in bonds to help fund about 15 percent of the $93 million total project and the city would provide support of about $14 million to the authority to cover the bonds’ cost. On Tuesday, after a legal session of more than three hours, the commission voted to approve an agreement that included a stipulation that the project not be developed in two phases as proposed but that Augusta Developers LLC commit to doing it in one phase. That was one of 11 concerns Augusta Administrator Janice Allen Jackson had on a list approved by the commission with the agreement.

“These concerns very well could have been raised in November” when the deal was first approved by the commission, Woodard said. “That was the shock yesterday. Why hadn’t we heard this? And the developer had not heard it. I’m trying to stay optimistic but it’s a long-shot.”

The Augusta Recreation and Parks Department will receive a $30,000 grant from Disney for a new playground that includes accessible equipment for children with disabilities, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

The Savannah Riverkeeper and Veterans for Clean Water will collaborate to test water in the river, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

Each week volunteers, predominantly with Veterans for Clean Water, will take samples from the sites to be tested at the City of Augusta Wastewater Treatment Plant. The results are then posted in Swim Guide, a free app that allows users to check the water quality across the country. Data can also be accessed by texting SRKswimguide to 84483 or calling (706) 510-0036.

“We’re using this program to give people a better idea whether the spots they like to swim or boat are safe,” communications director Elena Richards said.

The app lists the sites and indicates their quality with a red, yellow or green icon next to it. If sites are safe, a yellow or green icon is used. If bacteria is higher than the state’s standards, a red icon is used deeming it unsafe.

Hold My Beer, and Y’all Watch This

Elected officials in the upper left-hand corner of Georgia said they’re not receiving many complaints about fireworks, according to the Dalton Daily Citizen.

“I just had my first complaint from a citizen this week,” said Whitfield County Board of Commissioners Chairman Lynn Laughter. “She said she and her children go to bed around 10 p.m. and people are shooting off fireworks after that. She has an autistic son and he’s having to wear a headset because the noise upsets him so much. But that’s the first complaint I’ve heard.”

Dalton City Administrator Jason Parker said the city hasn’t received many complaints about fireworks.

“So far, we believe the time and place restrictions under state law are sufficient,” he said. “But if we start to get complaints from local residents, I’m sure the council will ask to take a look at that and see if we need to take advantage of the new state law.”

Murray County Sole Commissioner Greg Hogan said he also thinks the restrictions set by state law are sufficient.

 Savannah City Council is considering restricting fireworks beyond current state law, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Crafting a solution will not be easy, according to Deputy City Attorney Jennifer Herman.

The legislation allows local governments to regulate the use of fireworks through their noise ordinance, but the ordinance has to pertain to all sounds and not solely noises caused by fireworks. There is also the question of how the noise will be measured and how the ordinance will be enforced, Herman said.

“It has to be an across the board noise prohibition,” she said. “And that’s where we need some insight into how to measure that and that gets into an enforcement issue.”

Alderman Julian Miller said the attempt was worth the effort. Levine’s concerns were indicative of a number of complaints he has received from residents, Miller said.

“We’ve got a mess here,” he said. “The unfortunate thing is, as with just about anything else, it’s the individuals who choose to take advantage of a situation to make their neighbors miserable that brings us to this.”