Georgia Beat

Rep. Stuckey-Benfield Won’t Run Again: Accepts Greenlaw Position

Joe — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:52:34 +0000

Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield has been named executive director of Greenlaw, a Georgia environmental advocacy organization. She says she will not seek re-election to the State House. An outdoors enthusiast and nature lover, Rep. Stucke-Benfield has been a vocal environmental … Continue reading →

Farris Freeman Died Sunday of Stroke

Joe — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:23:53 +0000

Farris Freeman, Democratic Party officials in the late 60s.

A retired state official who was well known in political circles in Georgia has died. Farris Freeman was at the home of one of her two sons when she suffered a stroke and died within a short time after being rushed to a hospital. She is survived by two sons, Louis and Phil.
Friends says that she was 83 years of age.
Farris worked for the Democratic Party of Georgia when James H. Gray was chairman. She ran for political office in Cobb County. She would spend most of career with the Georgia Department of Labor and the Board of Workers Compensation.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at Carmichael Funeral Home in Marietta. There will be a visitation on Tuesday evening six to eight.

Senator Mary Landrieu Speaks to Buckhead Coalition

Joe — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:25:21 +0000

U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu of the State of Louisiana said that her father influenced her decision to accept an invitation to speak Wednesday in Atlanta to the annual Buckhead Coalition Annual Meeting. She said that her father served as Mayor of New Orleans at the time that Sam Massell was Mayor of Atlanta and her Dad encouraged her acceptance. The Democratic Senator, who was first elected to the Louisiana state legislature at the age of 23, she was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996.
Senator Landrieu has been the leading voice in Washington for the Gulf Coast recovery effort. She said that as chair of the Small Business Committee she is working to ensure that all small businesses have access to capital and contract, superior health insurance at a low cost, and the resources needed to help boost our economy and guarantee America’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.”

Senator Mary Landrieu and Sam Massell

Regents Approve Eight Down to Four College Merger

Joe — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:04:15 +0000

The State Board of Regents Tuesday morning took steps to merge eight Georgia colleges into four with an eye on savings and expanding degree offerings.
The mergers:
Augusta State College and Georgia Health Sciences University; Gainesville Stte College and North Georgia College & State University; Middle Georgia College with Macon State College; and Waycross College with South Georgia College in Douglas.
The proposed mergers brought an unusually large crowd to the Regents meeting but the Regents moved forward on the issue. A large number of Waycross residents protested the merger saying they were worried about job losses in the community. Senator Greg Goggans, who has both the Waycross and Douglas schools in his district, had sought more study of that particular merger, but the Board of Regents says the eight colleges will have committees to suggest solutions to different merger issues.

Former Congressman Ed Jenkins, 78, Died on Sunday, Funeral on Saturday

Joe — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:18:21 +0000

Ed Jenkins at Catrala Convention 2009

Former U.S. Congressman Ed Jenkins, age 78, died on Sunday after a brief illness. He served in the U.S. Congressman from the 9th District from 1977 to 1993.
Jenkins was elected to Congress in 1976, the same year that another Georgian, Jimmy Carter, was elected president. He became a powerful member of the Ways and Means Committee.
Jenkins was an aide to his predecessor Phil Landrum after having served as a prosecutor before his election. After retiring from Congress, Jenkins remained active in church and civic affairs and served on the Board of Regents.

He is survived by his wife, Jo and two daughters, Janice and Amy, and two grandsons.
Some months ago, a close friend and former colleague of Jenkins, Dawson Mathis, spoke of his friend’s diagnosis of cancer and the treatment he was undergoing. Mathis called Jenkins “one of the most effective members of the U.S. Congress for many years.”

Services – Visitation will be held Frioday, January 6th at Cagle Funeral Home in Jsper from 4 to 8: p.m.. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 7th at 11 a.. at the First Baptist Church of Jasper. He will lie in state at Antoc Baptist Church of Blairsville from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 8 and will be interred in the Antioc Church Cemetery at 3 p.m. with military honors.

Washington Approves Georgia Maps

Joe — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:46:06 +0000

The Department of Justice on Friday approved the new political boundaries which were drawn during the last legislative session.
Republican lawmakers pushed through the new maps over Democratic objections during a special August legislative session. Georgia is one of seveal states that must have any change in voting or election law precleared by the Justice Department or federal court before it can be implemented.
The new maps approved for the state’s 180 House District and 56 Senate District show that Republicans could achieve two-thirds majorities in both chambers in Novemer 2012 — enough to pass constitutional amendments without Democratic interference. The new maps will increase to 14 the number of congressional districts in Georgia.

Fred Taylor Died Friday in Albany

Joe — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:40:30 +0000

A successful businessman with a commitment to good government and strong political leaders, Fred Taylor, died early Friday morning at his home in Albany. Fred was father of former Georgia lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor.
Taylor also served as chief of staff to the late governor George Busbee.

Fred Taylor is a native of Alma, and attended South Georgia College. It was there that he met his wife, Tommie Lee Fletcher of Douglas and they were married for 56 years. In addition to their son Mark, they have two daughters, Marsha and Linda.
Shortly after going to South Georgia College in Douglas following military service, Taylor started a trucking company in Ocilla and later moved to Albany. His company, Interstate NationalLease is Georgia’s largest independent truck leasing firm with 16 locations in Georgia and Alabama. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at Porterfield Methodist Church in Albany. A personal note, I first met Fred Taylor while he was attending South Georgia College and he was a great friend and political supporter throughout the years. My deepest sympathy is extended to Tommie and to Mark and their daughters and grandchildren.
Georgia is a better place because Fred Taylor came our way.)

Fred Taylor

Former Democratic Senate Leader Robert Brown Dies of Self-inflicted Gunshot Wound

Joe — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:10:54 +0000

There is news out of Macon tonight that former state Sen. Robert Brown has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 13WMAZ gave this report based on information received from Bibb County coroner Leon Jones. Brown, 61, was found dead at his home in East Macon.
Brown served in the state Senate for 20 years, rising to the rank of Democrtic leader before leaving to run unsuccessfully for mayor of Macon earlier this year. “Robert’s impact on Democratic politics and our caucus will live on for many years,” said Sen. Steve Henmson of Tucker, who succeeded Brown as Democratic Senate minority leader. He announced there would be a tribute for Brown some time during the upcoming legislative session.

Department of Driver Services Serves as Toys For Tots Drop-Off Site

Joe — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:05:33 +0000

The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) will again partner with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation this holiday season as a toy collection site. DDS customers may drop off new, unwrapped toys during customer service center operating hours through December 16. This is the third year that DDS has served as a Toys for Tots drop-off site. “While DDS is committed to improving customer service for all Georgians, we also believe in the power of contributing to the communikty,” sad DDS Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier. “Thank you for helping us contribute to Toys for Tots this holiday season,” he added. There are sixty-four DDS centers throughout the state. (More information is available from DDS Public Information Officer Susan Sports (678) 413-8657.)

Cain Ends Campaign for President

Joe — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:44:27 +0000

Georgia Businessman and ex talk show host, Herman Cain, said today he is suspending his campaign for President of the United State and will go to “Plan B”. His wife was at his side at an event previously scheduled to be the opening of an Atlanta Campaign Office. Cain said he would endorse a candidate in the race. His departure leaves one Georgian in the Race, former Speaker Newt Gingrich, who has moved to the top of some polls.