Q: In a recent article, Georgia Lottery President Margaret DeFrancisco was reported to make $378,000 a year and received a bonus of $204,000 in 2009. Then the Legislature limited lottery bonuses. Who decided the amount of her bonus? What amount will she get either as a bonus or severance upon retirement?
— Woody Jones, Sandy Springs
A: DeFrancisco's bonuses of $204,034 in 2009 and $143,276 in fiscal 2010 were approved by the Georgia Lottery Corp. board. She didn't receive a raise or a bonus for the fiscal year beginning in July 2011 because of cutbacks at the Lottery Corp. and legislation that "drastically reduced the amount of money the Lottery Corp. can pay its employees in 'incentive pay,' or bonuses," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last year. She won't receive a severance and doesn't qualify for state retirement, The Associated Press reported. DeFrancisco, 63, announced her retirement on Aug. 15, but will remain in her job until the lottery transitions to a new president.
Q: Regarding the swim caps worn in water polo for the Olympics, what is the object over the ears, and what does it do?
— Gwen Plemmons, Roswell
A: Water polo caps come with plastic ear guards that protect the players' ears from being hit by balls or from being injured in the close contact sport. Teammates will wear caps of the same color to help identify one another. The caps also include numbers to help identify individual players.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We'll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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