Dooly officials participate in forum

By BECKY CRISSMAN

VIENNA — Dooly County citizens had the opportunity Thursday morning to hear from their federal, state, and local officials on pertinent issues affecting them during the annual Eggs and Issues breakfast held here.

The event was hosted by the Dooly County Chamber of Commerce and featured a panel of speakers from all areas of government. Dooly County’s Family Resource Center was the setting for the forum.

Brad Ray, Dooly Chamber Governmental Affairs chair welcomed attendees, and after breakfast was served by the RBC Bank Coffee Club, he introduced a panel of 11 speakers.

Among those on the panel were State Senator George Hooks, State Representatives Buddy Harden and Lynmore James, Bill Stembridge from the office of Senator Saxby Chambliss, Kenneth Cutts from Congressman Sanford Bishop’s office, and Skip Langley, representing Senator Johnny Isakson’s office.

Local officials were A.C. Daniels, chairman of the Dooly County Commissioners, Vienna Mayor Emerson Lundy, Unadilla Mayor Charles West, School Superintendent Dr. Grady Miles and Chuck Ellis, Dooly County Extension Service agent.

Budgetary issues was one of the biggest topics for discussion.

“The state budget is down10.5%from last year,” Hooks said. He has served on the appropriations committee for the past 26 years.

Hooks described some of Governor Perdue’s possible solutions including furlough days for state employees, a 3%cut on Medicaid and Peachcare, and a 5% cut in the legislative and judicial branches. He assured his audience that state officials would be working with local officials on these issues.

Also mentioned were the grants that Dooly has applied for. James said the furlough days also applied to legislators. He also mentioned the funds the state lottery has provided for education.

“Agriculture is still our largest industry,” said James. “We need to tap into everything we can.”

Cutts, who spoke on behalf of Congressman Bishop said that this has been the busiest legislative session he has seen and that a lot of changes are to come. One of his primary concerns was troops on foreign soil. He also commented briefly on healthcare reform.

Daniels announced that while managing the county budget, Dooly Commissioners were able to maintain the same millage rate as last year. Unfortunately, he added, county officials were unable to approve any raises in pay for county employees.

Both Lundy and West commented briefly on some of the positive things that are happening in their cities.

“There are new businesses coming to the area and all of our storefronts have been refurbished,” said Lundy. “There are upgrades being made to the wastewater system as well. There is still much to do.”

West discussed the recent flood that damaged parts of Unadilla, damaging property and homes and asked that citizens remember those affected.

“The Sheriff’s Department has done an excellent job since council voted to contract with them for law enforcement,” said West. “We are also entering into contract with ESG to manage our public works.”

Ellis spoke about the revenue farming brings into the community.

“The farm income from last year was estimated to be around $135 million,” he said. “The average farm size is 524 acres. Cotton and peanuts are the two largest crops for the area.”

As for the education system, Dr. Miles said that he wants to involve the public in the happenings within the school system.

“Education is everyone’s business,” he said.

Dr. Miles has future community meetings planned around the county so that everyone has an opportunity to see, first-hand what direction the schools are heading.

“There will be a meeting in Unadilla on Oct. 26 at City Hall and one on Oct. 27 in Vienna at DCHS. I encourage everyone to come out.”

After listening to reports, citizens were allowed to ask questions. “What can we do?” meaning what can the people do to help the governmental officials, one citizen asked.

The main thing that all officials said citizens can do is contact their elected officials and let them know what they think.

“Write, e-mail, call, fax, or yell at me,” said Langley. “Let us know how you feel on the issues.”

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