Georgia News(Week 9) - End of Paid Hotels for Evacuees

In two weeks, according to a recent article, FEMA will stop paying the hotel bills of Hurricane Katrina evacuees. The 12,000 exacuees living in Georgia hotels "received word Tuesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency would stop paying hotel bills Dec. 1." The article also mentions that, in order to continue receiving aid, evacuees must call a 1-800 number, "find a new place, sign a lease, and move." Many of those against this measure are worried that stopping aid to evacuees will send many into the streets or homeless shelters. Religious leaders in Atlanta recently called a meeting to discuss methods of helping the evacuees. Various charities and non-profit organzations also want to help evacuees, but "wonder how they can do it with their funding and staff." Those in favor of the stoppage in aid cite a fear that many evacuees may be taking advantage of the aid. President pro tempore of the state Senate, Eric Johnson, echoes this sentiment, stating that "if [the evacuees] are working-bodied citizens, they need to be down at the Department of Labor looking for a job, not at a hotel." This is interesting, as FEMA should still try its best to provide aid to evacuees, as the article mentions that FEMA will try to do. FEMA and the government's suspicions do contain some valid reasoning, as it is wise on their part to try to prevent improper use of government funds and aid.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/1105/17metevacuee.html

Georgia News(Week 9) - "Gas gougers cited"

15 gas stations are being cited for abusing comsumer's rights following Hurricane Katrina, according to a recent article. Many gas station owners settled on fines up to and including $10,000. Gov. Sonny Purdue, according to the article, "signed an executive order Aug. 31 promising to punish retailers who capitalized on fears of a hurricane-related gas shortage." After Katrina, many consumers complained about the rise in gas prices, with some prices going as high as even $5 or $6 a gallon. 12 of the 15 gas stations in question, according to the article, are located in "Atlanta or its close-in suburbs." The aforementioned executive order, once signed, prevented gas stations from charging more than a wholesale price for their fuel. Many however, as the article mentions, feel the blame should be placed on higher powers, as quoted: "ask the governor to take it a step further and look at the oil companies." Gas station managers, on the other hand, find the fines unfair as many owners, like Akber Lassi, only raised gas prices to "maintain [their] profit margin." Customers who saved their receipts as proof of overcharging will also be reimbursed, according to the article. If gas station owners did raise gas prices out of sheer greed, then I find the fines to be just and fair. If the price hike came from a higher source, however, I think the state should look to the oil companies, instead of those simply following orders.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1105/15gouge.html

Georgia News(Week 9) - "Holy Scripture" Law Challenged

According to a recent article, a retired librarian and a bookshop owner are challenging a Georgia state law which "grants a sales tax exemption for purchases of the Bible and other books pertaining to 'Holy Scripture.'" The lawsuit concerns not the exemption itself, but rather the fact that the tax exemption is in effect only for "better-known religions such as Christianity and Judaism." The "decades-old" law, according to the article, exempts all "religious paper," but does not define this term. A spokesperson for Gov. Sonny Perdue stated that "it appears that the question lies in the definition of Holy Scripture.'" This is an interesting case, as the law is being considered unconstitutional, as it, according to the article, "has 'the primary effect of endorsing religion in general and Judaism and Christianity in particular.'" This is new to me, as I have not previously heard of religiously-specific tax exemptions. The plaintiffs seems to have a respectable case here, however, as their arguments seem very strong and well-reasoned. If all goes as I think it will, the tax exemption will be expanded to all religious texts, including those outside of Judaism and Christianity.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1105/15metholy.html

Georgia News(Week 8) - Senoia Pastor Speaks Out

A recent article describes a Senoia pastor's fight to prevent a motion to allow liquor by the drink on Sundays. Pastor Ted Padgett cited many past experiences during his recent sermon, including a story about his father's drinking, and a story relating the pain of a father whose daughter was killed in a drunk driving crash involving her father's own liquor. If voters approve, according to the article, "Senoia would be the first Coweta County city to allow Sunday liquor by the drink." Neither the town's current mayor, Robert Hannah, nor Robert Belisle, Hannah's opponent, as the article mentions, will not state their standings on this controversial issue. Many feel that allowing Sunday liquor by the drink would improve business for a town that the article describes as "[one] on the cusp of big growth." Padgett, in his sermon, also voiced concerns that "drinking on the Lord's day dishonors God." This is an interesting issue, as there is an obvious religious interest in this issue, as Sunday is widely considered God's day. The final vote and the public and clergy's response to the outcome will prove to be an interesting and possibly suprising event.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/fayette/1105/07senoia.html?cxntnid=amn110705e

Georgia News(Week 8) - Bright Future for Beltline

The Beltline, a proposal to transform dangerous Atlanta neighborhoods into "pleasant places to walk, shop and live," made a step in the positive direction Monday after the Atlanta City Council "overwhelmingly approved" the plan. The Atlanta City Council's vote created a "special tax district" to raise around $2 billion to pay for many of the developments that would come out of the Beltline plan. Once the plan is approved by the city school board and Fulton county, things will be set in motion. The Beltline proposal, according to the article, is expected to come before both of these groups before the end of the year. There are two sides to the Beltline debate, as the proposal's supporters feel that "the changes that are to unfold over the next 25 years could be...significant in Atlanta's history." Those against the proposal, according to the article, argue that the Beltline plan "leaves out low-income families and focuses too much on development." Another upside to the Beltline plan is the predicted $95 million that the Atlanta school board would receive "to build and maintain schools." This seems like a very positive proposal, as both the community and schools would benefit from the Beltline plan. If all goes well, as it already is, Atlanta should soon be well on its way to a brighter future.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/1105/08beltline.html?cxntnid=amn110805e

Georgia News(Week 8) - Fate of Former Federal Lands in Question

According to a recent article, the land remaining after the closure of four Georgia military installations may be taken over by federal agencies. The article notes that Georgia should not have that difficult a time finding takers for the empty land, as "three of the state's condemned bases are in the Atlanta area." Federal agencies have first dibs on the land, and have up to a month to show interest in purchasing the land from the Pentagon. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also expressed interest in the land, according to the article. FEMA would "acquire storage space at Gillem and develop a regional headquarters at McPherson," one of the areas remaining after the closure of the bases. This mass closure of bases stems from the BRAC, a massive governmental reorganization affecting many apsects of the government, such as employment and military bases. In addition to federal agencies, the article also mentions various community groups that are "developing community reuse plans,"many of which are real estate and commercial in nature. The article estimates that the fate of the land should be known by January. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, the federal agencies decide to do with the land, as it can be an obviously profitable venture for them. The community groups' interests are also important, as they no doubt will want a share in the profit from these lands.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1105/08brac.html?cxntnid=amn110805e

Georgia News(Week 7) - School Laptop Controversy

According to a recent article, a"rare, 26-member special grand jury has begun an investigation into the school system's failed plan to give laptop computers to thousands of students and teachers." The investigation is intent on finding out whether or not laws were broken during the contracting process for the plan with Apple Computer. Each jury member is a resident of Cobb County, the involved county, but, as the article, states, "there [is] no restriction on occupations." The setup of the grand jury for this case is interesting, as there is no time limit as to how long they can deliberate for and the jury can set its own agenda. Cobb Superior Court judge Jim Bodiford can, however, end the jury's deliberations if he "believes the panel has reached an impasse." The $88 million plan in question was proposed by former Cobb Superintendent Joseph Redden and caused a huge public debate when announced, eventually leading to testimony of suspicion of a "tainted" bidding process. The jury, according to the article, will "determine if anyone should be indicted for falsifying documents, conspiring to rig bids or committing perjury in connection with the computer contracts." This should be an interesting case, especially given the setup of the grand jury and the nature of the case itself. Given this interesting setup, however, this ordeal could last for a very long time, unless Judge Bodiford feels it necessary to stop their proceedings.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/cobb/1105/04schoollaptops.html?cxntnid=amn110405e

Georgia News(Week 7) - Ralph Reed Speaks

This article details the statement of Ralph Reed, Republican candidate for Lt. Governor and former Christian Coalition Leader. Reed is commenting on the current controversy stemming from a recent Senate hearing, which, according to the article, revealed that "[Reed's] anti-gambling work in Louisiana and Texas had been paid for by a tribe that derives all its income from a casino." Reed begins by mentioning his role in opposing a $550 million dollar casino, stating that "[he is] proud [he] opposed the casino because it would have destroyed lives, marriages, families and businesses while offering a false hope of jobs and economic development." Reed then goes on to deny the allegations, stating that "[he was] not hired by nor had any relationship with the Louisiana Coushattas whatsoever." Reed's agrument seems somewhat credible here, although he does not provide any concrete evidence to refute the charges against him. The truth will no doubt begin to surface as the investigation continues, however. If Reed was in cahoots with a tribe involved in gambling, some measure of punishment should be offered, as it would obviously be wrong for Reed to fund his anti-gambling measures with funds from a gambling-orientated organization.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1105/02reedstatement.html

Georgia News(Week 7) - Happy Hour Ban

Students of a Georgia university are planning to boycott the businesses of those involved in the banning of happy hour in Statesboro City, according to a recent article. The city council's vote prohibits drinking establishments from "giving away alcohol or offering reduced prices during certain hours of the day." People are also not allowed to order a pitcher of beer unless at least two other people are present to drink it, according to the measure. The measure is not intended to "to stop all the drinking at Georgia Southern or in Bulloch County," but rather "to slow it down and to focus on underage drinking," according to Mayor William Hatcher. Many, according to the article, fear the the happy hour ban will force students to drink at house parties or in nearby Savannah, only 30 minutes away. Many students recently signed up for a boycott of businesses owned by the city council members on the popular college website facebook.com. This is an interesting issue, as city council members seem to have students' best interests in mind by limiting how much one person can drink. In my opinion, this measure will remain a hot topic, as city council members will not take too kindly to boycotts of their businesses, actions that will definetely affect their respective incomes.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1105/02metdrink.html