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Friday, October 15, 1582 marked the beginning of the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar – the previous day was Thursday, October 4th.

The Pennsylvania Gazette published a criticism against the British Tea Act on October 16, 1773.

The Tea Act of 1773 was a bill designed to save the faltering British East India Company by greatly lowering its tea tax and granting it a virtual monopoly on the American tea trade. The low tax allowed the company to undercut even tea smuggled into America by Dutch traders, and many colonists viewed the act as yet another example of taxation tyranny. In response, the “Philadelphia Resolutions” called the British tax upon America unfair and said that it introduced “arbitrary government and slavery” upon the American citizens. The resolutions urged all Americans to oppose the British tax and stated that anyone who transported, sold or consumed the taxed tea would be considered “an enemy to his country.”

George Washington left New York, the nation’s capital, on October 15, 1789, embarking upon the first Presidential tour to New England.

On October 16, 1854, Abraham Lincoln, a candidate for Congress, spoke against the Kansas-Nebraska Act and called the practice of slavery “immoral.”

Lincoln, who was practicing law at the time, campaigned on behalf of abolitionist Republicans in Illinois and attacked the Kansas-Nebraska Act. He denounced members of the Democratic Party for backing a law that “assumes there can be moral right in the enslaving of one man by another.” He believed that the law went against the founding American principle that “all men are created equal.”

The world’s first combat submarine, CSS Hunley, sunk during testing in Charleston Harbor on October 15, 1863.

On October 16, 1918, visitors to the Southeastern Fair at the Lakewood Fairgrounds were required by the Georgia State Board of Health to don face masks in order to prevent the spread of the Spanish flu.

The 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution too effect October 15, 1933, changing the Presidential term of office to begin and end on January 20th following each quadrennial election and Senate and Congress to January 3d following biennial elections, both from March 4th.

Billy Graham launched his national ministry on October 15, 1949 in Los Angeles, California.

On October 15, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation creating the United States Department of Transportation. May God have mercy upon his soul.

Interstate 285 around Atlanta was completed on October 15, 1969.

The Omni opened in Atlanta on  October 15, 1972, as the Hawks beat the New York Knicks by a score of 109-101.

Maynard Jackson was elected Mayor of Atlanta on October 16, 1973. Jackson was the first African-Amercian Mayor of Atlanta; he served eight years, and was elected for a third, non-consecutive term in 1990.

On October 16, 1976, Jimmy Carter campaigned in Youngstown, Ohio.

Former Secretary General of the Communist Party of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev won the Nobel Peace Prize on October 15, 1990

Georgia-born Clarence Thomas was confirmed as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court on October 15, 1991.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division is alerting residents of Peach and Houston Counties that bears have been sighted in the woods, according to 41NBC.

According to Wildlife Biologist, Bobby Bond, as human populations increase in areas of traditional bear habitat, bears become accustomed to people and houses. He says sometimes they will ignore their traditional diet to obtain easy non-natural foods like garbage, pet food, and birdseed.

“We’ve had three bears spotted, in the Houston, and Peach County area, within the last week,” Bond said. We’ve had a couple around Warner Robins, and one close to Fort Valley, and the most recent one was near Dunbar Road, in Warner Robins.”

No word on the bears’ defecatory habits. In related news, the Department of Redundancies Department is investigating the naming of the Division.

An Albany lawyer running for office is drawing attention to something that nobody else noticed or cares about. From the Albany Herald:

Albany attorney Bo Dorough, who previously served on the Albany City Commission, sent a letter to City Attorney Nathan Davis claiming that a segment on the public access channel “is clearly advancing Ms. Hubbard’s campaign for re-election.”

“I don’t know what the city’s reaction will be, but it’s clearly an unfair advantage for the sitting mayor,” Dorough said during last weekend’s ChalkFest celebration downtown. “There are segments in the video that feature comments from prominent citizens that are clearly political endorsements.

“I think it’s only fair that all candidates running for mayor should be given equal time.”

Davis sent a tersely worded response to Dorough’s letter, saying, “You imply that an impermissible, predominantly partisan, purpose motivated the video being on the government access channel. That is not true. Supervision of city items on Channel 16 is handled impartially by the office of the city manager.”

Also challenging Hubbard for the mayor’s seat are downtown business owner Edward Allen; Henry Mathis, a businessman and former commission member; Albany State University professor James Pratt Jr.; businessman Omar Salaam, and Tracy Taylor, a Waycross firefighter who took a leave of absence from his part-time work with the Albany Fire Department to seek the office.

Governor Kemp scored a two-fer with domino appointments in Clayton County.

Gov. Kemp first appointed Tasha M. Mosley as the new District Attorney of the Clayton County Judicial Circuit.

Mosley’s appointment fill[ed] the vacancy created by Tracy G. Lawson’s recent retirement. In accepting this appointment, Mosley leaves her long-time position as Clayton County’s Solicitor General.

“For many years, Tasha has worked tirelessly to serve the Clayton County community as a strong advocate for her constituents, both in and out of the courtroom. She is beloved by her neighbors and peers, highly regarded and respected in the legal profession, and ready to take on this new adventure,”said Governor Kemp.“She has the perfect background and personality for this opportunity, and I know that she will excel.”

Kemp then appointed Charles A. Brooks as Solicitor General of the State Court of Clayton County.

“It was clear from the beginning that Charles Brooks was the right man for this job. Given his experience, the overwhelming support of his community, and his strategic vision for the office, Charles is destined to succeed as Solicitor General and make lasting, positive progress on behalf of his constituents in the years ahead,”said Governor Kemp. “This day is an exciting one for Charles, his family and community, and Bulldawg Nation.”

Gov. Kemp also appointed J. Matthew Williamson as the new Solicitor General of the State Court of Walker County.

Williamson’s appointment fills the vacancy created by Chris Townley’s recent resignation. In accepting this appointment, Williamson will leave his current role as Legal and Policy Director for Walker County.

“Matthew’s extensive experience and commitment to his local community make him an ideal choice for this important role,” said Governor Kemp. “I look forward to the positive impact Matthew will have on Walker County in his service as Solicitor General.”

“It is my great honor to serve the people of Walker County in this capacity,” said Matthew Williamson.

The Georgia Department of Public Health announced last week that it had identified a second vaping-related death.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has identified the state’s second death from a vaping-associated illness. The patient had a history of nicotine vaping, but the case is still being reviewed to determine if other substances also may have been used. The number of vaping-associated lung injury cases in Georgia is now 14, including two deaths. About 20 possible cases are under review. Cases range in age from 18 to 68 years (the median age is 31 years), and 71% are male.

The Georgia cases were hospitalized and developed pneumonia with no known infectious cause. Symptoms of vaping-associated lung injury, which worsen over time, include cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. People with a history of vaping who are experiencing breathing problems or any of these symptoms should seek medical care immediately.

More than 1,000 vaping-associated lung injuries have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including at least 18 deaths. No specific e-cigarette device or substance has been linked to all cases, although the CDC’s current investigation indicates products containing THC play a role in the outbreak.

Vaping devices and products can be obtained from stores, online retailers, from informal sources (e.g., friends, family members), or “off the street.” People who vape may not know what is in these products because they can be modified to contain a mix of ingredients including dangerous and illicit substances. People who vape should not buy vaping products off the street or modify or add any substances to them.

Governor Brian P. Kemp and DPH Commissioner Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H. urge individuals to follow CDC recommendations and not use e-cigarettes or other vaping devices while this investigation is ongoing. Without knowing the specific cause of vaping-associated lung injury, discontinuing use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices is the best prevention against becoming ill.

Two state legislators are considering legislation to limit the sale of vaping-related products, according to the Macon Telegraph.

In Georgia, state representatives Bonnie Rich, R-Suwanee, and Gerald Greene, R-Cuthbert, announced Thursday they will introduce legislation during the 2020 session to address vaping and e-cigarette use.

The legislation hasn’t been completed, but Rich told The Telegraph in an email that her main goal is to limit minors’ access to vape products.

“I’m proposing requiring ID and signature for residential vape product deliveries in the same manner as required for residential wine deliveries in Georgia,” she said. “I’m also proposing that retailers of vape products be licensed, so as to cut down on the underage sales. The FDA’s investigation showed the vast majority of underage sales came from gas stations and convenience stores, not from licensed smoke shops. Finally, I would like the prohibition of flavored tobacco to extend to flavored nicotine juices, for the same reasons the flavored tobacco is restricted.”

If Congress addresses the sale of flavored vape and e-cigarette products before January, that issue won’t be addressed in Georgia’s legislation, Rich said.

Republican U.S. Sen. David Perdue is a co-sponsor of the “Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act” which would mandate online age verification for the sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. But he did not say if he would support a flavor ban.

“Senator Perdue considers this to be a very broad, multi-faceted issue that will require input from researchers and the public health community,” according to a statement from Perdue’s spokesperson.

The Georgia Senate Study Committee on Revising Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felons heard about problems with the current law, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.

Georgia is one of 22 states that revokes an offender’s right to vote during incarceration and while on probation or parole and before they pay off all fines and fees.

As of April, the Department of Community Supervision oversaw more than 200,000 released inmates, 75% of those they considered to be nonviolent felony offenders. Those nonviolent felony offenders — 166,001 people with drug, property or other nonviolent offenses — would be able to cast a ballot if voting rights were expanded.

Vague voting laws in Georgia and other states alike cause confusion among felons and even poll workers, Totonchi said. The state cannot expect poll workers — who are volunteers — to keep track of who can and can’t vote. Sometimes offenders who are eligible may not know they can vote.The proposal hinges on the current law excluding felony offenders from voting because their crimes of “moral turpitude.” The phrase, the resolution says, is too vague and ill-defined to keep offenders from voting and reintegrating into the community.

Throughout the duration of the first Senate study committee meeting, it was unclear which felonies would be minor enough to warrant regaining the right to vote and if those who have served their time can vote before paying off all remaining fines and fees.

“There’s nothing in the code that spells this out. There are different code sections you can look to to guide for example the seven deadlies,” [Southern Center for Human Rights Executive Director Sara] Totonchi told CNHI, “but outside of that I think violent and nonviolent can be very tricky. Without the actual definitions it can be arbitrary.”

The Voting Rights Study Committee meets next on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at LaGrange College.

Macon-Bibb County is considering raising business license fees, according to the Macon Telegraph.

Currently businesses pay a $65 administrative fee annually for a business license, then an additional $39 per employee up to 250 employees. The proposed change would remove the limit, so any business with more than 250 employees would pay the $39 fee for all employees.

Therefore, a business with 500 employees would pay additional $9,750 annually.

Yvonne Williams, president of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, voiced concerns about the proposal.

“An increase of license fees would adversely impact the competitive advantage of businesses and citizens,” Williams said.

Macon-Bibb Commissioner Virgil Watkins, who sponsored the change, said he proposed it after learning other larger cities in the state did not have a limit on the per-employee fee. He said the additional fee is needed to offset the cost of government services to those employers.

Some large companies would be exempt because those are already exempt from the license fee for various reasons.

For instance, Geico, which employs about 5,700 people, is exempt because insurance companies pay a fee set by the state, said Assistant County Attorney Michael McNeill. The Medical Center, Navicent Health, which employs 4,600, is also exempt because it is a non-profit.

The proposal will next be considered by the Operations and Finance Committee, which Watkins chairs. The next committee meeting is set for Oct. 22.

If it is approved there, it will go before the full commission for a vote.

WALB covers the campaign by former Leesburg Mayor Jim Quinn for a vacant State House seat.

In South Georgia, one of the biggest elections is focused around House District 152 seat.

It’s a special election to fill the seat Ed Rynders vacated in September.

Lee, Sumter and Worth County voters will chose from four candidates.

Jim Quinn is one of those candidates.

“I have been working hard on this,” Quinn said. “I’ve enjoyed going out and meeting people. A campaign is almost a full-time job and I really have ad a good time knocking on doors, talking to people, greeting people answering calls. One of my problems, I like to talk and I’m enjoying talking to people.”

It’s the Economy

Governor Brian Kemp addressed Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

“A large part of our growth, our success and our reputation, quite honestly, I believe, as the best place to live, work and play and raise a family is made possible because of organizations such as Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful — men and women who understand that we need to protect our natural resources and keep our communities safe, green and clean,” Kemp said.

“Thankfully, over many years of visionary leadership at the state level, we’ve protected what makes Georgia so unique, and I know you all are working at the local level to do that. That’s what makes the partnership that we have in our state so great.”

Kemp highlighted work done by state legislators and agencies such as the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to preserve the state’s environment where possible. He said the state “has a lot to show off” with scenic views from around the state — such as the north Georgia mountains, pecan orchards in southwest Georgia or beaches along the state’s Golden Isles coastline — being featured in movies and television shows.

The governor pointed to the challenges that Gwinnett faces as a growing county that is expected to eventually become Georgia’s most populous county in the coming years. While that brings more jobs, infrastructure investments and additional classrooms, Kemp said it has an impact on the environment, as well.

“It also presents challenges to the diverse ecosystems that we have,” Kemp said. “It means more people and, many times, more trash, litter, dumping problems … that can negatively impact the community and this county.

“But I know with every challenge comes an opportunity, and I know (with) folks like you working hard and continuing to support this effort, that you can continue to keep Gwinnett, just like our state, not only clean and beautiful but also a great place to live, work and raise our families.”

Governor Kemp spoke at the YKK zipper plant in Macon, according to the Macon Telegraph.

Governor Brian Kemp talked up a Central Georgia business Tuesday during a stop at the YKK zipper plant in Macon-Bibb County.

Kemp said top manufacturing companies like YKK provide a big boost to Georgia’s economy.

“I’ve seen buildings restructured in downtowns all over the state, and the mayor and I have talked about how vibrant the Macon-Bibb County downtown is as well right now, and I’ve certainly seen great manufacturing facilities just like this one producing literally goods for the whole world,” Kemp said.

Governor and First Lady Kemp opened the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, according to WALB.

Kemp, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and many more were in attendance at the morning’s opening ceremony.

The governor and Marty said they want the people to know that he’s fighting hard for farmers and farm families, especially after Hurricane Michael.

“Last year, we were experienced what was a generational loss and a devastating hurricane, so we’re trying to do our part to promote Georgia agriculture and the Georgia Grown program and all the good things that we have in our state,” said Kemp.

To show her support for local farmers, First Lady Marty Kemp participated in a special Georgia Grown Showcase. It was created to encourage the use of locally grown products, hence the name.

“We need to support our farmers, we need to support our programs and just make people more aware of what’s grown in Georgia. So, we were very excited to do that. So, we’re down here doing a cooking show just to show everybody what we grow in Georgia and how they can make great recipes from it,” said Marty.

Marty shared that she and the governor wanted to come to the expo to show their support for hard-working Georgians.

Tyler Perry invited Gov. Kemp and Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan to a gala at his studio facility, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Perry had invited Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan to the gala – as a welcoming gesture.

Before Saturday night, Perry had never met the governor and he had hoped the two would be able to build a relationship.

Georgia’s movie industry has blossomed in the past decade – especially after the state adopted lucrative tax credits for companies producing their movies and television shows in Georgia. As a result, Georgia has become one to the leading locations for the filming of major movies and TV series.

But there’s has been growing anxiety that the industry in Georgia could decline if the state legislature pushes socially restrictive legislation, such as the anti-abortion “heart-beat” bill or the potentially discriminatory religious liberty legislation.

Gov. Kemp and Lt. Gov. Duncan will be pivotal players as to whether Georgia will continue to be a state that is friendly to the movie industry.

During the evening’s festivities, Duncan was asked his thoughts about the opening of Tyler Perry Studios.

“I’m just glad to be part of such a great celebration of Tyler’s success,” he said.

Kemp also said he was glad to be there, but he did not seem to want to engage in a deeper conversation.

Among the notable guests who attended the gala (a highly-sought invitation) were:

Beyonce and Jay-Z; former President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton; “P Diddy” Sean Combs; Ava DuVernay; Samuel L. Jackson; Viola Davis; Stacey Abrams; U.S. Rep Maxine Waters; Tiffany Haddish; Tamera Mowry-Housley; Loni Love; Jeannie Mai and Jeezy; Ludacris; Usher; Tyrese; 2 Chainz; TI; Terrance Howard; Gladys Knight; Gayle King; Jenifer Lewis; Kelly Rowland; Michelle Williams; Patti LaBelle; Tina Knowles; Tamron Hall; Keshia Knight Pulliam; Storm Reid and BeBe Winans.