Political Insider

By Roy

February 26, 2009 6:16 PM | Link to this

Seems to me Gena Evans was more concered about getting laid by a board member than she was about doing the work of the people like the Liar Chicken Perdue claims.

Now she joins the ranks of the 8.6% unemployed in Georgia because she couldn’t keep her pants up.

By Angie

February 26, 2009 6:16 PM | Link to this

Sonny should be the next to go. Where was the accountability from his office. Most don’t believe that such a serious budget problem such as the DOT,s could have existed without someone knowing about and that,s his job isn’t it?

By jonboy

February 26, 2009 6:21 PM | Link to this

Go ahead on! Thank God again, for this miracle and I pray God will crush Sonny Perdue’s asperation to control the DOT for his own personal use along with Glen and Casey. Hello! GLEN/CASEY the writing’s on th wall U ain’t gone get the votes next time you up for election I GUARANTEE. Sonny has been courtin this big construction company from another country and has it all figured out. (gettin kick backs is fun) Hell when you got the money who cares? Hopefully My God won’t let this Christian Hipocrite have his way and his little take over bid gets CRUSHED. I’m rooting for you GOD!

By jonboy

February 26, 2009 6:27 PM | Link to this

Go ahead on! Thank God again, for this miracle and I pray God will crush Sonny Perdue’s asperation to control the DOT for his own personal use along with Glen and Casey. Hello! GLEN/CASEY the writing’s on th wall U ain’t gone get the votes next time you up for election I GUARANTEE. Sonny has been courtin this big construction company from another country and has it all figured out. (gettin kick backs is fun) Hell when you got the money who cares? Hopefully My God won’t let this Christian Hipocrite have his way and his little take over bid gets CRUSHED. I’m rooting for you GOD!

By mick

February 26, 2009 6:33 PM | Link to this

Now that Speaker Richardson has gotten Gena Evans fired, watch him put his man Vance Smith into the DOT Commissioner’s chair and WITHDRAW his legislative support of Sonny’s new Super road agency. The Speaker has pulled Sonny’s pants down clean around his ankles….and Casey Cagle also looks to be a fool. The Speaker has control of DOT now, so why change it and give control to Sonny and Casey? Watching this stuff unfold is really a lot of fun. Hat tip to the Speaker for this smart manuever.

By schwedel

February 26, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this

Roy:

This has nothing to do with Gena Evans “getting laid” or keeping her pants on! You are talking out of the side of your head, because of trash you read and believe. Not to mention the hypocrisy spewed when there is probably not a man on capitol hill [and lets not EVEN talk about our ex president BILL [I love young interns} CLINTON.

Talk about something you actually know about, or learn what the REAL problems are. I The problem is the “good ol boys” - those that didn’t get their way and she was voted in by the Board, were out to get her from the “get go.” - She is an extremely competent, intelligent person. Who she did or did not sleep with 5 years ago, has NOTHING to do with this. Idiot.

By DEE

February 26, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this

The only thing that would have made this story any better would have been that crook Porky Pig Perdue having had a heart attack when he heard the news that his slut had been fired.

By schwedel

February 26, 2009 6:58 PM | Link to this

Dee: You are a nasty hateful person with any ugly heart. Wishing a heart attack on someone is sick.

By Dale

February 26, 2009 6:59 PM | Link to this

She’ll be Secretary of Transportation before Sonny can put the pen down after signing the bill.

By schwedel

February 26, 2009 7:00 PM | Link to this

Dee: You are a nasty hateful person with any ugly heart. Wishing a heart attack on someone is sick.

By Dale

February 26, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this

She’ll be Secretary of Transportation before Sonny can put the pen down after signing the bill.

By schwedel

February 26, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this

Ms. Angie:

The Governor doesn’t “micro-manage” - You obviously have NO idea what you are talking about. Ms. Evans stepped into a huge mess in GDOT. Many of the GDOT projects have been on the books for 30 years. Ms. Evans is 39 years old….she has been commissioner for 14 months……it was a mess that she inherited. You do the math. GDOT is huge. So before anyone of you off spouting off at the mouth about something you NOTHING about, except the tripe put out AJC, why don’t you actually find out what and how an agency like this is run, who run it before she got into office? Add the numbers..

Who she slept with is a diversion, and only fools who don’t know what they are talking about use this excuse to “hate” her. Tell me that a large amount of those members of the house, or the board, or any number of men on capitol hill, here and in D.C., aren’t screwing around or breaking laws, like EVADING taxes…fooling around on interns when they are married….hmmmm….I bet most of you spewing foolish remarks on this board, have NO problem with BILL CLINTON!

By Dale

February 26, 2009 7:08 PM | Link to this

She’ll be Secretary of Transportation before Sonny can put the pen down after signing the bill.

By Eye B Talking

February 26, 2009 7:18 PM | Link to this

Sonny may be the worst Governor we have had in a century. He rolled out the DOT fast forward program then said they had spent too much money. Was he just too stupid to see it coming ? Watch him go into business with Gena and his $21 million loan as a partner with the Spanish contractors as partners. They can setup shop in Bone Air !

By Clay

February 26, 2009 7:19 PM | Link to this

Earth to Gold Dome, Earth to Gold Dome!? A 13 member board representing 13 congressional districts is corrupt and 3 people self appointing its own committee is NOT?! The governor talks a lot of crap about what is best for the citizens. Does this sound like a move for the citizens of the state of Georgia or a move for Sonny? He thinks he is fixing transportation for the citizens. Is he really, or is he just forgetting about the fast forward program failure that got us here? Is this relevant to the board firing Gena? Maybe, maybe not, but does anyone want this power greedy Boss Hogg wannabe in control? What about his lil’ sidekick Cagle? I think Purdue and Cagle need to take a permanent vacation to some football game in hell.

By Eye B Talking

February 26, 2009 7:19 PM | Link to this

Sonny may be the worst Governor we have had in a century. He rolled out the DOT fast forward program then said they had spent too much money. Was he just too stupid to see it coming ? Watch him go into business with Gena and his $21 million loan as a partner with the Spanish contractors as partners. They can setup shop in Bone Air !

By chuck allison

February 26, 2009 7:23 PM | Link to this

I support Gena Evans and our governor. The DOT has been wasting money for decades now. Who cannot remember all the trees cut from the I75 median and burned. Who can’t remember all the sod and shrubs purchased to replace the ravaged forests? The DOT is a self-pertuating mess and we need to stop its excesses. DOT employees actually go out and lobby for additional funds. They spend too much and do it without conscience. Go get them, Sonny!

And just how can the board fire an elected official? I don’t understand that one.

By Eye B Talking

February 26, 2009 7:23 PM | Link to this

Sonny may be the worst Governor we have had in a century. He rolled out the DOT fast forward program then said they had spent too much money. Was he just too stupid to see it coming ? Watch him go into business with Gena and his $21 million loan as a partner with the Spanish contractors as partners. They can setup shop in Bone Air !

By Eye B Talking

February 26, 2009 7:24 PM | Link to this

Sonny may be the worst Governor we have had in a century. He rolled out the DOT fast forward program then said they had spent too much money. Was he just too stupid to see it coming ? Watch him go into business with Gena and his $21 million loan as a partner with the Spanish contractors as partners. They can setup shop in Bone Air !

By Get Movin Georgia

February 26, 2009 7:36 PM | Link to this

The DOT Commissioner is NOT an elected official. Chuck, you might pay more attention. The GDOT Commissioner is elected by the Board members and is SUPPOSED to report to the Board not the Governor. I say good job Board members!!! Now, maybe morale will improve at GDOT.

By jonboy

February 26, 2009 7:43 PM | Link to this

Dear Chuck A. You must be horny for Gena too! Or maybe a three way with Sunny would be better? Dude the DOT hasn’t been wasting money, they have been doing just what our Govenor ordered - Dweebert! It’s duuf’s like you who voted for this roll-on head. Really I don’t mean to be mean, but man you don’t know nuttin bout what you are talking about so please stick to what you might be good at. Oh by the way, the Legilature just voted to allow tree trimmin in front of the Bill boards complete with sod and shrubs in front. Gulp! that was mm mm good!

By jonboy

February 26, 2009 7:48 PM | Link to this

Dear Chuck A. You must be horny for Gena too! Or maybe a three way with Sunny would be better? Dude the DOT hasn’t been wasting money, they have been doing just what our Govenor ordered - Dweebert! It’s duuf’s like you who voted for this roll-on head. Really I don’t mean to be mean, but man you don’t know nuttin bout what you are talking about so please stick to what you might be good at. Oh by the way, the Legilature just voted to allow tree trimmin in front of the Bill boards complete with sod and shrubs in front. Gulp! that was mm mm good!

By Peter

February 26, 2009 7:53 PM | Link to this

I wish someone would remember the hard working GDOT employees and how they feel tied up in this mess. It is embarassing to even be at GDOT now a days. Perdue is trying to do away with GDOT and hire a private contractor to run the road system. He should be ashamed. He is doing it for himself not the state of Georgia. Perdue needs to be booted out of office as well.

By Road Warrior

February 26, 2009 7:59 PM | Link to this

GDOT is a large agency with 900 fewer people today than the Governor recommends in the FY 2010 budget. During her 14 months Gena ran off many good and dedicated transportation professionals, brought in her own team of goons and proceeded to destroy the GDOT.

Finally after being had by Gena, Mike and the Governor the Board got serious and did the right thing for Georgia.

Sure there are some things that she implemented that will be continued because they are improvements over the old way. But the constant confusion and crisis mode of the past 14 months is hopefully behind the GDOT.

For folks that don’t know GDOT has about half the number of employees it had in 1972. The agency has for many years been the envy of the nation when it came to transportation facilities.

Only when Sonny brought his plant in did the @@@XX hit the fan so to speak.

Don’t worry about Gena, she is the head of State Road and Tollway Authority and will sell the bonds that GDOT needs to sell to pay for Sonnys road improvement program.

By Kathy

February 26, 2009 8:00 PM | Link to this

Good ole boys again. Could not stand to see the gal clean up the place. Used lame excuses to fire her-I pray she gets a lawyer after them. They could not stand the fact she was trying to pull back on the pork spending. She found mismanagement and debt. Maybe this is why GA is in the mess we are in. Now the government is handing our state some stimulus $$, they let her go. I would love to see how much of this money will actually go to GOOD use at DOT. The pork barrel is wide open -where the money goes will be interesting to see. The DOT had TRUE oversite. Good luck GENA.

By By Andy

February 26, 2009 8:07 PM | Link to this

All hail the Board, the wicked witch is gone. Thanks for throwing the water on her (Wizard of OZ). Two years of evil rule are over. Yes, I’m thankful to good ole boys on the board. Let’s get Georgia moving again.

By joe

February 26, 2009 8:10 PM | Link to this

From my point of view which is as an employee of the DOT,Good bye Gena hope you and mike are happy I know the employees of the DOT are. When Sonny is gone We will be even happier!!!!

By jonboy

February 26, 2009 8:19 PM | Link to this

Kathy, you must be kin to Helen Reddy? Hell that was 30 years ago?? Duh! Let’s re-cap: The GDOT has been number uno (that’s hispanic for one) for the past 20 years on the FHWA ( that’s Federal Highway Administration) list of State’s for overall quality of Transportation System. Your just mad it’s a gal who can’t handle the truth! Our DOT has it’s problems just like other agencies within the State, but Georgia is the 3rd fasting growing State in the Nation in population. Building roads is serious business and the people put their life on the line each day along roads going by your house, so how bout doin some research before the opinion??

By Eddie

February 26, 2009 8:21 PM | Link to this

Now we can finally get some work done and get the great state of Georgia moving. Ever since that woman has taken control of GDOT. we hear nothing but Moaning, screaming and B$$$$$ about how bad things are. we need someone who can tell us how he/she is going to fix it not just throwing negativity day in and day out. You people should ask Sonny the Idiot governor that who started the Fast Forward program without any vision or math and got us all into this fiscal crisis at GDOT. the Same Department has gotten has top ratings nationwide when it comes to roads. how comes the same department is being targeted wrongfully for Sonny’s mismanagement, lack of vision and leadership. This is not a dems, or republican issue. I hope, Georgian wake up and Vote out all the cronies out of the government in 2010.

By Ding Dong the witch is dead

February 26, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this

Gena rememeber when you said you were going to out last us????? Guess you were wrong. Again. The people that have made comments for Gena have never worked for the woman, please don’t make comments if you don’t know her. As GDOT employees we did. She would fire people for no reason and was TRYING to make the DOT and the board look Dysfunctional. She was off on a ski trip instead of doing her GDOT board duties last week. Must be nice. Ask yourself this question, in the last 18 years, GDOT has been in the top 10 or no.1 BEST DOT in the United States before Gena came. We were doing something right. We have people from all over the globe Russians, Chinese, etc…. coming not to Florida or California to learn how to build roads their coming to Georgia. Guess were doing something right. Gena was Sonny Purdues Stooge, and get this yes SB 200 made it thru the senate, there are 106 republican congressmen the 180 is the total. They need 118 to pass his bill. The Democrats do not like his bill, he has to get at least 12-20 to go along with them. So If anybody thinks this is over. Start watching politics more, this was Sonnys republican power grab and the democrats just slammed it right in his face. Also his bill might violate the civil liberties act. We have a african anerican president, I just don’t think that would go over too well. Were just stuck with the worst redneck Georgia Governor in history that should be impeached. Also his plan doesn’t help the replublicans, what if the democrats win the Governor and lieut governor and Speaker jobs in 2010. The Democrats take over. The DOT Board did the right thing today and I commend them for it.

By Eddie

February 26, 2009 8:44 PM | Link to this

Finally, we can get some work done. Ever since, Gena has stepped in to office. we heard nothing but how bad things are, we never heard how she is going to fix it. All we hear, we gonna do audit, Gdot dysfunctional and on and on. At the same time, why don’t some one ask that how got us into this mess in the first place? she is always telling us “something happened in 2006-2007” which cause fiscal crisis we are having right not at GDOT. but she never tells us what it was. IT WAS FAST FORWARD program started by the blessing out of hideous Governor. Sonny is going to go down in the history as the worse governor ever, he has no vision, no math, no leadership skill. he shot out the project out of his rear and never look at if we have the money. People who never get tired of blaming GDOt, please get your facts right. how can an agency which has given us top roads in the nation, can go into this mess in just two short years? wasn’t Sonny over sighting the agency, didn’t the first commissioner had Sonny’s blessing? Sonny knew everything and he pushed for Fast forward program without any vision and now he suddenly found about the fiscal responsibility.

Sonny is hideous, manipulating politician. he takes Georgia for guaranteed because he thinks it is a red state so he can get away with all his Shenanigans. It is about time, Georgians should wake up and give Sonny and his cronies what they deserve “Vote Out” just like today, GDOT BOARD voted Gena out. she was nothing but a crony of Sonny and working on his plan to obtain absolute power from the get go.

All those who wants to give One man power over GDOT. remember, Absolute power causes Absolute corruption.

I would support the 13 elected officials looking over GDOT than one guy with Absolute power any day.

By Eddie

February 26, 2009 9:13 PM | Link to this

Finally, we can get some work done. Ever since, Gena has stepped in to office. we heard nothing but how bad things are, we never heard how she is going to fix it. All we hear, we gonna do audit, Gdot dysfunctional and on and on. At the same time, why don’t some one ask that how got us into this mess in the first place? she is always telling us “something happened in 2006-2007” which cause fiscal crisis we are having right not at GDOT. but she never tells us what it was. IT WAS FAST FORWARD program started by the blessing out of hideous Governor. Sonny is going to go down in the history as the worse governor ever, he has no vision, no math, no leadership skill. he shot out the project out of his rear and never look at if we have the money. People who never get tired of blaming GDOt, please get your facts right. how can an agency which has given us top roads in the nation, can go into this mess in just two short years? wasn’t Sonny over sighting the agency, didn’t the first commissioner had Sonny’s blessing? Sonny knew everything and he pushed for Fast forward program without any vision and now he suddenly found about the fiscal responsibility.

Sonny is hideous, manipulating politician. he takes Georgia for guaranteed because he thinks it is a red state so he can get away with all his Shenanigans. It is about time, Georgians should wake up and give Sonny and his cronies what they deserve “Vote Out” just like today, GDOT BOARD voted Gena out. she was nothing but a crony of Sonny and working on his plan to obtain absolute power from the get go.

All those who wants to give One man power over GDOT. remember, Absolute power causes Absolute corruption.

I would support the 13 elected officials looking over GDOT than one guy with Absolute power any day.

By Junior

February 26, 2009 9:21 PM | Link to this

The GDOT board is awesome. First, they stuck up for employees when budget reductions were being discussed, now they have removed the cause of the majority of the chaos surrounding GDOT. You always see stories of the “dysfuntional” GDOT, but no one writes about the good that the agency does for the state of Georgia. The politicians who support the gov’s plan to overhaul transportation continually say that this new STA would get projects let and constructed quicker since DOT can’t put out and complete projects. It’s funny since the gov’s Fast Forward Program put out and completed billions of dollars worth of projects, but they now complain it was over budget and was a failure. While they complain, GDOT is not putting out any projects supposedly because of funding. But the gov and his people fail to provide GDOT with any additional funding to let GDOT operate how the citizens of Georgia expect. They complain about GDOT not furloughing……but GDOT has reduced their budget by the gov’s mandate just like every other state agency. The majority of these officials need to go furlough themselves, since the majority of the proposed bills are not of benefit for the citizens, but for themselves and the coorporations and money machines that control them.

By Screwball Willie

February 26, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this

First off, GO DAWGS SIC EM WOOF WOOF!!! That goes without saying. Second, I tip my hat to Miss Gena. She hunkered down when times got tough and make some tough decisions. Her personal and personality faults ultimately became the story instead of the much-needed reforms she was bringing to the Department.

Next, to the poster who keeps bringing up that GDOT has half of the employees today that it did in the early 70’s. You neglect to report the number of consultants doing work today that GDOT employees handled in the 70’s. Funny how many of the consulting firms are owned in some form by former GDOT commissioners or board members!

By Dave

February 26, 2009 10:03 PM | Link to this

It’s now clear that Sonny planted a saboteur to lead GDOT, laying the groundwork to justify this power grab. To be honest, I didn’t know that Sonny was clever enough to pull it off this well. As for Gena, I don’t know if she was in cahoots with Sonny or if she was merely his puppet - a well-trained bulldog sent in to maul GDOT and the board. I actually think the latter is true, so again, Sonny has surprised me with his scheming.

In addition, this further explains Gena’s slowdown of projects and Sonny’s opposition to the last year’s transportation tax bill. It’s clear that Sonny was up to something. So business community, how does it feel to know that your transportation wishes (and the well-being of the state) were sacrificed last year by Sonny as not to interfere with his planned power grab? And this power grab definitely endangers the transportation initiatives that are now on the table in the legislature.

By Keith

February 26, 2009 11:31 PM | Link to this

You ought to read the press release sent out by the DOT Board! They played the race card. Everything in the release stated over and over that Gena Evans replacement is the first black DOT commissioner. They hope to make this the story and then when Perdue and the Legislature guts the DOT as planned they can claim it is racial. David Doss and the others should resign.

By justiceserved

February 27, 2009 8:01 AM | Link to this

I am glad the ethics she was preaching to everyone else finally fit the foot that they went on.Remember when you point a finger you got 3 pointing back at yourself. Now we need a new Governor & Lt. Governor that are not power & money hungry.We then could see the great State Of Georgia become a good place to live again. The 8% unemployment rate is the highest its ever been thanks to our fine Governor.The State Transportation Board did what the Board was appointed to do “serve the citizens of Georgia” & I think this was a step in the right direction.At least the newspaper headlines can change the front page headlines to a new story.

By GA VALUES

February 27, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this

Perdoofus has had six years to do something about traffic and transportation. What has he accomplished?

By AChangeGonCome

February 27, 2009 6:27 PM | Link to this

Sonny Purdue and the rest of his cronies have to be removed in 2010, no doubt. He used this Gena Evans to take absolute control over the DOT and she didn’t mind doing it, either. I don’t think he counted on her finding a husband on the job, b/c then she lost focus, there making everybody at the GDOT lives miserable. Serves him right. He has received billions in stimulus money that he will not release and he think things are going to go well with him and his picks. Bottom line Sonny, if you don’t care about the people in the State of GA, guess what, they don’t care about what you want either. I’m sure you can find another position for Gena Evans, she won’t have to worry about collecting unemployment like the rest of us, then who knows, maybe she will. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

By AChangeGonCome

February 27, 2009 6:33 PM | Link to this

Sonny Purdue and the rest of his cronies have to be removed in 2010, no doubt. He used this Gena Evans to take absolute control over the DOT and she didn’t mind doing it, either. I don’t think he counted on her finding a husband on the job, b/c then she lost focus, there making everybody at the GDOT lives miserable. Serves him right. He has received billions in stimulus money that he will not release and he think things are going to go well with him and his picks. Bottom line Sonny, if you don’t care about the people in the State of GA, guess what, they don’t care about what you want either. I’m sure you can find another position for Gena Evans, she won’t have to worry about collecting unemployment like the rest of us, then who knows, maybe she will. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

By AChangeGonCome

February 27, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this

Sonny Purdue and the rest of his cronies have to be removed in 2010, no doubt. He used this Gena Evans to take absolute control over the DOT and she didn’t mind doing it, either. I don’t think he counted on her finding a husband on the job, b/c then she lost focus, there making everybody at the GDOT lives miserable. Serves him right. He has received billions in stimulus money that he will not release and he think things are going to go well with him and his picks. Bottom line Sonny, if you don’t care about the people in the State of GA, guess what, they don’t care about what you want either. I’m sure you can find another position for Gena Evans, she won’t have to worry about collecting unemployment like the rest of us, then who knows, maybe she will. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

By just the facts

February 27, 2009 9:14 PM | Link to this

Well Well Well, all of the DOT Employees are happy on this day. BUT wait a minute..by June 1 2009 they will be back in the same boat as they were on Wednesday February 25 2009. The GDOT will be a smaller less important agency. Gena Evans will still run the SRTA and the money for all Transportation Projects will run through her hands. The GDOT ineffective staffs will begging for another reprieve. Yes You will. Time has come to abolish the GDOT as we have known it. It is a JOBS PROGRAM AND IS IN ALL ASPECTS A TAX PAYERS BURDEN. IF anyone thinks Mr. Ross is the answer you are sadly mistaken. The job cuts will come and the TAX dollars will be spent more wisely.

By johnatl

February 28, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this

just the facts - Is that you, Boss Hogg?

By Not Surprised

February 28, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this

I have already posted this comment once and see it was never placed. Mr. Galloway, doesn’t that leave you open to litigation to control the content of a blog? I think so. I posted a comment on Friday regarding the fact that I wondered if I was the only person to think Gena Evans was a woman with soome serious emotional issues and why did Sonny and Casey continue to support her after she made fools of them with her preaching of ethics/morality but then got caught sleeping with her boss, the chairman of the DOT Board, married him and then just months later it comes to light that while she was head of the another state agency she was using state issued computers on taxpayer time to send explicit sex emails to a co-worker. Then investigative reports found that she had given state contracts to boyfriends, covered up a criminal investigation for another. All of this while that she was preaching her ethics/morality and even issuing a letter to the DOT staff outlining her expectations. Yet, she knew this inappropriate, unethical and even immoral behavior was in her past but continued to berate others and even fired employees for the same offense she had committed. After being caught, she then refused responsibility and blamed others. Am I the only person who thinks this woman is emotionally unfit to manage anyone or anything? Gov Perdue and Lt. Gov Gagle, the two of you should be ashamed. It makes one wonder the nature of your relationship with this woman. Congratulatoins to the DOT Board for finally doing what they should have done the day they caught her having an inappropriate relationship with the boss/bd chair, Fire her. She is dangerous and if you continue to publicly support her she will only embarass you again.

By Road Warrior

February 28, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this

Georgians and the State Legislature need to support legislation that provides new funding for maintenance and construction of roads, bridges, and intermodal facilities. Motor Fuel Tax in this and many other states has been proven to be an inadequate source of funding for an acceptable per capita transportation funding source. The Georgia Department of Transportation is not dysfunctional. It is grossly unfunded. We have proven time and time again that we can deliver when the money is available. We have provided terrific maintenance on twice the lane miles with less employees and no increase in funding in essentially 30 years. This is not lip service. The department has been ranked either # 1 or within the top five in the nation for many years regarding the maintenance of our roads. Does that sound dysfunctional? Legislators have thrown a tremendous amount of money toward education without any positive results. We still rank around 48th in the nation in education. Point is, today 4% of the state’s budget is spent on transportation in comparison to 22% in 1964. That is the problem, not the agency.

Vote YES to HB277 and NO to SB200. The GDOT Board was created to remove the politics. We would move backwards 50 years if SB200 becomes law. Essentially, this legislation would allow three individuals the power to define transportation needs in our state in lieu of a 13 member board representing the entire state. It is simply ludicrous. Please do the right thing. The Governor has stated publicly that he will not support any new funding if he is not successful in changing the governance. We must work to change his mind. We need new funding and the current structure to administer it.

I truly feel that the legislature, for the most part, hasn’t a clue about the inner workings of the department. I also believe, with such knowledge, they would vote no to SB200. The media has reported many negatives regarding project delivery when they know nothing of the process. I hope the media is not the source of educating lawmakers about the department. This knowledge can be provided to any interested lawmaker. There are many within the department that can and will provide such information if given the opportunity. Please encourage other lawmakers to fully understand what they will be voting on.

I appreciate your time and what you do for our great state.

By Road Warrior

February 28, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this

Georgians and the State Legislature need to support legislation that provides new funding for maintenance and construction of roads, bridges, and intermodal facilities. Motor Fuel Tax in this and many other states has been proven to be an inadequate source of funding for an acceptable per capita transportation funding source. The Georgia Department of Transportation is not dysfunctional. It is grossly unfunded. We have proven time and time again that we can deliver when the money is available. We have provided terrific maintenance on twice the lane miles with less employees and no increase in funding in essentially 30 years. This is not lip service. The department has been ranked either # 1 or within the top five in the nation for many years regarding the maintenance of our roads. Does that sound dysfunctional? Legislators have thrown a tremendous amount of money toward education without any positive results. We still rank around 48th in the nation in education. Point is, today 4% of the state’s budget is spent on transportation in comparison to 22% in 1964. That is the problem, not the agency.

Vote YES to HB277 and NO to SB200. The GDOT Board was created to remove the politics. We would move backwards 50 years if SB200 becomes law. Essentially, this legislation would allow three individuals the power to define transportation needs in our state in lieu of a 13 member board representing the entire state. It is simply ludicrous. Please do the right thing. The Governor has stated publicly that he will not support any new funding if he is not successful in changing the governance. We must work to change his mind. We need new funding and the current structure to administer it.

I truly feel that the legislature, for the most part, hasn’t a clue about the inner workings of the department. I also believe, with such knowledge, they would vote no to SB200. The media has reported many negatives regarding project delivery when they know nothing of the process. I hope the media is not the source of educating lawmakers about the department. This knowledge can be provided to any interested lawmaker. There are many within the department that can and will provide such information if given the opportunity. Please encourage other lawmakers to fully understand what they will be voting on.

By Truthsayer

February 28, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this

Please support legislation that provides new funding for maintenance and construction of roads, bridges, and intermodal facilities. Motor Fuel Tax in this and many other states has been proven to be an inadequate source of funding for an acceptable per capita transportation funding source. The Georgia Department of Transportation is not dysfunctional. It is grossly unfunded. We have proven time and time again that we can deliver when the money is available. We have provided terrific maintenance on twice the lane miles with less employees and no increase in funding in essentially 30 years. This is not lip service. The department has been ranked either # 1 or within the top five in the nation for many years regarding the maintenance of our roads. Does that sound dysfunctional? Legislators have thrown a tremendous amount of money toward education without any positive results. We still rank around 48th in the nation in education. Point is, today 4% of the state’s budget is spent on transportation in comparison to 22% in 1964. That is the problem, not the agency.

Vote YES to HB277 and NO to SB200. The GDOT Board was created to remove the politics. We would move backwards 50 years if SB200 becomes law. Essentially, this legislation would allow three individuals the power to define transportation needs in our state in lieu of a 13 member board representing the entire state. It is simply ludicrous. Please do the right thing. The Governor has stated publicly that he will not support any new funding if he is not successful in changing the governance. We must work to change his mind. We need new funding and the current structure to administer it.

I truly feel that the legislature, for the most part, hasn’t a clue about the inner workings of the department. I also believe, with such knowledge, they would vote no to SB200. The media has reported many negatives regarding project delivery when they know nothing of the process. I hope the media is not the source of educating lawmakers about the department. This knowledge can be provided to any interested lawmaker. There are many within the department that can and will provide such information if given the opportunity. Please encourage other lawmakers to fully understand what they will be voting on.

By Truthsayer

February 28, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this

Please support legislation that provides new funding for maintenance and construction of roads, bridges, and intermodal facilities. Motor Fuel Tax in this and many other states has been proven to be an inadequate source of funding for an acceptable per capita transportation funding source. The Georgia Department of Transportation is not dysfunctional. It is grossly unfunded. We have proven time and time again that we can deliver when the money is available. We have provided terrific maintenance on twice the lane miles with less employees and no increase in funding in essentially 30 years. This is not lip service. The department has been ranked either # 1 or within the top five in the nation for many years regarding the maintenance of our roads. Does that sound dysfunctional? Legislators have thrown a tremendous amount of money toward education without any positive results. We still rank around 48th in the nation in education. Point is, today 4% of the state’s budget is spent on transportation in comparison to 22% in 1964. That is the problem, not the agency.

Vote YES to HB277 and NO to SB200. The GDOT Board was created to remove the politics. We would move backwards 50 years if SB200 becomes law. Essentially, this legislation would allow three individuals the power to define transportation needs in our state in lieu of a 13 member board representing the entire state. It is simply ludicrous. Please do the right thing. The Governor has stated publicly that he will not support any new funding if he is not successful in changing the governance. We must work to change his mind. We need new funding and the current structure to administer it.

I truly feel that the legislature, for the most part, hasn’t a clue about the inner workings of the department. I also believe, with such knowledge, they would vote no to SB200. The media has reported many negatives regarding project delivery when they know nothing of the process. I hope the media is not the source of educating lawmakers about the department. This knowledge can be provided to any interested lawmaker. There are many within the department that can and will provide such information if given the opportunity. Please encourage other lawmakers to fully understand what they will be voting on.

By Will Jones - Atlanta

March 1, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this

Gena is Perdue:Perdue is Bush: Bush is Evil.

Georgia’s roads have been good and great for the forty years I’ve been here (since they got rid of the horrendous on-ramps for I-85 in Atlanta).

Atlanta’s traffic is the best of any major city in America.

Rail is an enhancement to develop over time.

Perdue allowed our citizens to have the impression he was a Vietnam Vet rather than the draft-dodger he is(like the draft-dodging closet-queen Bush he supported). The fish rots from the head down and Georgia is the greatest state in the Nation. We must have the best, not the worst.

Reject Bush: reject Perdue: reject his puppets: enjoy living in the greatest state in America with roads brought to us by the good graduates and patriots from Georgia Tech, not private and foreign contractors using illegals and out-of-state contractors.

Any elected official under the Gold Dome who supports Perdue is supporting Bush and his known treason against The People, and must be removed from office next goround.

theamericanfundament.blogspot.com

By just the facts

March 1, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this

Georgia Roads WERE the best in Nation 10 years ago, Thanks to the money spent for the 1996 Olympics. Since that time and the money for pet projects has taken over the roads in Georgia are in the Mid Pack of Transportation and Commodities for FHWA evaluations. The experience is no longer in the GDOT to get the job done. It has not been for many years.

So all those that keep saying the GEORGIA has the best roads and transportation systems are really about 8 years behind the facts. The roads in North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, Arizona, Nevada have all exceeded Georgia in the studies from 2000- 2005. As the next ratings come out in March we will see the congestive issues and planning divisons will be in the bottom 10 in the state evaluations. Georgia will need to move on to a competitive applications that have proven to be more successful with Privatization and Development programs.

GDOT employees are a not getting the job done and anyone requesting more money from the taxpayers is a Liberal Idiot.

Just the Facts. Go to FHWA’s website and read the latest reviews or the Regional rankings for roads, bridges and infrastructures report. The reports were all done prior to the EVANS Administration.

By Will Jones - Atlanta

March 1, 2009 5:35 PM | Link to this

All those roads you cite are in those other states…no matter how new or smooth they are, they will never be in Georgia - the greatest State of The Fifty! We need to best the others in righteous government not miles of pavement.

Perdue is tarred by his own bad choices in life and Georgia must cut him and his faction…and the contractors seeking his favor…loose.

Georgia Tech will always turn out the best Civil Engineers looking to do what’s best for The People of Georgia and our transportation needs. Brains and good spirits is all that is required, not buckets of money to political cronies.