Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2007 > November > 08
Thursday, November 8, 2007
D.C. to Mayor: Did you ever get our invitation?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin was a no-show at a congressional hearing Thursday related to the drought-induced water crisis hitting the Atlanta metro area.
Franklin had been listed among the witnesses to testify at a hearing organized by Rep. John Linder (R-Ga.) to make the case for a new federal water commission that would identify and help stretch water sources nationwide.
There were two rumors in the halls of House office buildings. The first suggests that Franklin’s name was added to the list even though no one actually invited her or checked to confirm her participation.
Another is that it was simply a mayoral scheduling conflict.
Linder’s office had no explanation for Franklin’s MIA status, but says the mayor was definitely invited. A mayoral spokesman could not be reached Thursday evening.
So for now, just pick whichever rumor suits you. And if you happen to be Mayor Franklin, please feel free to drop us a line and let us know what the heck happened.
Norwood VA center now official
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
President Bush made it official Thursday. The VA center in Augusta is now the “Charlie Norwood Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center.”
Norwood, the former congressman from Augusta for 12 years, died last February after a long fight with an incurable lung disease and cancer.
Following the president’s signing, Georgia senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson praised Norwood “unceasing passion and integrity” and for being “so diligent in his efforts to ensure that the treatment and services we give our veterans are equal to the sacrifice they have made for our country.”
Ramsey enters race for Lakly’s seat
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
And the race is on to replace the late Dan Lakly in the state House.
Our colleague, John Hollis, reports that local Republican attorney Matt Ramsey has entered the special election Dec. 18 to replace Lakly, a Peachtree City Republican, who died Oct. 29 of a massive heart attack.
Ramsey used to work for former congressman Mac Collins (R-Ga.), and further honed his conservative credentials working with state Sen. Mitch Seabaugh and state House Speaker pro tem Mark Burkhalter.
Ramsey graduated from Georgia Southern and has a law degree from Georgia State University.
Georgia drought hits D.C.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s unprecedented drought arrives on Capitol Hill today.
Well, not the drought itself. This is Congress; they have all the free water they want.
Rather, Rep. John Linder (R-Ga.) and Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) are holding separate meetings today on Capitol Hill to talk about ways to resolve the water-sharing dispute between Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
Linder is holding a hearing on a bill he introduced last January to form the federal “21st Century Water Commission” to oversee water resources nationwide.
The five-member commission would investigate exactly how states and localities are using water to ensure “an adequate and dependable water supply to meet U.S. needs for the next 50 years.”
In addition to Linder, Georgians appearing at the hearing include Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and water expert Aris Georgakakos from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Gingrey, meanwhile, will be part of a roundtable discussion on the tri-state issue. The discussion will include congressmen from all three states and representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
If hot air can be converted to rain, they may actually resolve this whole thing.
