DEL.ICIO.USGEORGIA
‘Go Fish’ project goes ahead — despite huge cuts elsewhere
Governor’s $23 million fishing tourism center in Perry is criticized
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Amid state employee furloughs and calls for massive spending cuts, work is set to begin this week on the $23 million Go Fish Center down the road from Gov. Sonny Perdue’s home in Houston County.
Department of Natural Resources officials said Perdue signed the contract to get the project moving earlier this month. That was two months after he told state agencies to cut spending 6 percent to make up for a projected $1.6 billion budget shortfall.
But the cutbacks — which will affect everything from schools and health programs to veterans — didn’t include Perdue’s Go Fish Center, which was approved for funding more than a year ago. Perdue’s proposed cuts were for spending approved by lawmakers this year, not in 2007.
The facility, which will include a fish hatchery, welcome center, exhibits and public fishing ponds, is the most expensive piece of Perdue’s Go Fish program aimed at increasing fishing tourism in the state. It is being built in Perry.
Although many of them voted for the budget that included the Go Fish money in 2007, Democrats decried the decision to go forward with the project while the state faces a fiscal crisis.
“This sends a terrible message when you Go Fish at a time you’re asking people to make real-life sacrifices,” said Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway), chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus. “It’s hard for me to explain this to my constituents.”
Williams said he is particularly disturbed that Go Fish is going forward at the same time some veterans are having to find new homes because of the state’s decision to save $2.7 million by closing a Milledgeville domiciliary unit at the Georgia War Veterans Home.
Sen. George Hooks, (D-Americus), former longtime chairman of the Senate budget committee, said, “In today’s climate, with today’s budget, I would be extremely cautious about starting any new projects.”
But Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley said the governor and legislative leaders agreed that the state should go forward with the $1 billion in construction projects approved by lawmakers during the 2008 session. The bonds for the Go Fish Center were sold last fall and this spring.
“If you take back the bond projects, not only are you not taking advantage of the current low construction costs, but you also don’t have this money being pumped into local economies,” Brantley said.
The Go Fish Georgia program was the centerpiece of Perdue’s 2007 legislative agenda. Lawmakers approved $19 million for the program. About $14 million of the $19 million was designated for the Go Fish Center. The rest of the cost for the center is being raised from local governments and other sources.
Go Fish also is funding mega-boat ramps capable of handling hundreds of boats for fishing tournaments.
DNR spokeswoman Beth Brown said the mega-ramps are in the process of being built.
“We’re already getting calls from national bass-fishing tournaments to use those ramps,” Brown said.
Proceeds from bonds approved by lawmakers are not necessarily spent in the year they are approved. Projects aren’t always built, and the bond proceeds sometimes are later approved to be used for other projects.
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Comments
By State employee
Oct 28, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
I am a State employee struggling to make ends meet even before I was forced to have my pay cut due to his budget cuts. Sonny's disregard for the welfare of the families affected by his decisions is atrocious! Words cannot express the disappointment, dissatisfaction and frustration that comes to my mind as a result of his decisions, so I say nothing further. This article from the speaks volumes. I only wish that when he was up for re-election the voters had told him to... GO FISH!!!
By state employee
Oct 28, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
I am a state employee and this is so stupid. We are not getting a raise, insurance premiums are going up and furloughs. He takes money for a fishing pond. It is about time somebody stand up for the state employees because we are the lowest paid to have to do all this work. We are about to be sitting on the other side of the desk to receive foodstamps and medicaid, but I forgot the higher ups don't think it is possible. If you are a single parent working for the state you have to almost have a second job to make it. They don't care long as the work is being done and the numbers are kept low. The only encourgement we get is a big pat on the back and job well done. They give us no incentives to stay, but they want us to give to charitable organizations when we are almost a charity ourselves. Will someone please wake up because this is a tragedy that no one seems to understand!!!!1
By Choices
Oct 28, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
This is the craziest thing I have ever heard of. The state governor wants to close state parks and existing fish hatcheries because of budget cuts. On the other hand oh, lets go build a new 23 million dollar pond in the governors back yard. All I can do is pray for him!!! What can an ordinary individual do to help stop these kind of things from happening!
By Phil Lanier
Oct 28, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
Golly, Uncle Jed! Ole Sonny wants to promote fishin' in Georgia! But tarnation, let the ole fool PRAY for fishin' instead of spending our dern tax money. After all, that's the best he could come up with fer solvin' the water shortage, weren't it? Yee doggies, that Sonny shore is a rocket scientist ain't he!!!
By Phil Lanier
Oct 28, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Golly, Uncle Jed! Ole Sonny wants to promote fishin' in Georgia! But tarnation, let the let the ole fool PRAY for fishin' instead of spending our dern tax money. After all, that's the best he could come up with fer solvin' the water shortage, weren't it? Yee doggies, that Sonny shore is a rocket scientist ain't he!!!
By jhenry
Oct 27, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
To Get Over It It's idiots like you that has this country in the mess it's in now. Tell that garbage you're spouting to the veteran who has served his country and now can't afford to live in it. Tell that garbage to the millions of people who work untiringly in hospitals but can't afford to be sick. The only people that are going to benefit from that little venture is Perdue and other rich geezers. The majority of us are too busy trying to keep a roof over our heads, food on our tables, and clothes on our backs to be worried about going fishing. You're damn right I'm for Obama. He will put an end to the rich getting richer at the expense of the rest of us. It's people like you that voted Perdue and Bush in for an 8 year term when they clearly had made a mess of their first four years. You're the one that needs to get over it because a new day is coming Nov. 4, 2008.
By Jean Jean
Oct 27, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
Perdue's whole time as governor has been all about what he can do for himself. I can't think of any other way to say it.
By Juliet
Oct 27, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
There are probably plenty of ways to increase tourism without spending $23 million in Perry (or anywhere else) for Perdue's pet project. That money could be used to better purpose on needed state services. Has anyone ever heard of advertising?
It's time for us all to pay attention to how our taxes are used, and to actually think about and discuss what we want, rather than follow anyone who says what we want to hear. Then we might have enough money to take care of the roads, schools, and people of Georgia.
By Gait 2010 victim
Oct 27, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Great so I am loosing my job next year so sonny boy can build his retirement retreat. What about the "one vendor" issue on outsourcing when he took office? I guess that was different. A budget deficit fo 1.6B and a price tag for a contract 1.6B isn't that odd. Who will point it out the AJC sure doesn't seem to care, its almost like the NYT for Nobama.
By GBA
Oct 27, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
What a poor leader you are, to cut so many programs, then put a large portion of State Employee's on furlough (without pay). We remain on a spending and hiring freeze with major travel constraints, and you can find millions to start up a Go Fish Project. Go FIGURE. Enjoy your unfair selecting process because it is about over.
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