Archive for August, 2009

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Health Department extends hours for mass seasonal flu shot clinic Sept. 2

– August 31, 2009Posted in: Health

The Dougherty County Health Department will open early and stay late Wednesday during a seasonal flu shot mass clinic aimed at protecting as many residents as possible as quickly as possible.

The cost will be $20, which is $5 less than Public Health charged last year per dose.

“It is more important than ever to get your flu shot, and to get it early, because we already have Pandemic H1N1 influenza in our community,” explained Suzette Profit, immunization coordinator for the Dougherty County Health Department.

“We are dedicating all day Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to a mass seasonal flu vaccination clinic. Giving flu shots is all we will be doing that day,” Profit said. “We’ll have five times our usual number of nurses on hand so we can move people through quickly and conveniently.”

The seasonal flu vaccine will help protect individuals from co-infections, which could allow the H1N1 virus to mutate into a disease that is drug-resistant or more severe. Every fall, a number of influenza viruses begin circulating. The seasonal flu shot is designed to fight the three viruses expected to cause the most sickness each autumn.

Meanwhile, a vaccine for H1N1 Influenza is under development, with a delivery date of October at the earliest. It is likely to require two doses given 21 days apart.

“This is something you can do to protect your health, the health of your loved ones and the wellbeing of the community as a whole,” Profit said. “Children as young as 6 months can get vaccinated against the flu. We recommend it for everyone from that age up unless they have had a severe allergic reaction to eggs, have a history of Guillain-Barré or have a fever.”

To find out more about influenza, contact the Dougherty County Health Department or visit Southwest Georgia Public Health District’s website, www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org.

Tags: Health, swine flu
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Southwest Ga Food bank purchases new(er) semi truck

– August 31, 2009Posted in: Business

The Food Bank of Southwest Georgia has upgraded to a newer semi truck, which will be used to obtain and distribute more food throughout Southwest Georgia in the fight against hunger. Thanks to a grant from the Zeist Foundation in Atlanta and the support of local donors the Food Bank was able to purchase a 2004 Freightliner with low mileage. The truck will be used to transport large volumes of food (dry and refrigerated) and other grocery items which will be used to fight the growing problem of hunger here in Southwest Georgia.

“With the economy struggling and unemployment on the rise, food insecurity among our neighbors has never been higher,” said Brett Kirkland, President of the Food Bank. “We are working tirelessly at meeting the increased demands and upgrading our transportation equipment will give us the ability to access more food and enable us to distribute it more efficiently.”

Last year, the Food Bank was awarded a 2009 International refrigerated box truck through a grant from Feeding America and Wal-Mart Foundation, which significantly improved its deteriorating fleet. The Food Bank is looking next at upgrading its single-axle semi truck, which will be used to increase its mobile pantry program, and purchasing a new delivery van, which will be used to deliver meals for its Kids Cafe program.

The Food Bank of Southwest Georgia, located in Albany, is one of eight non-profit food banks in Georgia that is a part of the Feeding America network. The Food Bank provides food and grocery items to more than 300 agencies (i.e. churches, soup kitchens, food pantries, rescue missions, abuse shelters, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc.) throughout 20 counties in Southwest Georgia. They also operate the Manna Mobile Pantry Program, BackPack Program, and Kids Cafe Program. Last year, the Food Bank distributed over 3.3 million pounds of food and grocery items throughout Southwest Georgia. For more information, visit www.foodbank-swga.org.

Tags: food bank, Videos
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Metro Albany’s July unemployment rate rises to 10.6 percent

– August 31, 2009Posted in: Business

The Georgia Department of Labor says the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the metro Albany area rose to 10.6 percent in July, up five-tenths of one percentage point from a revised 10.1 percent in June.

In Albany, the number of unemployed workers increased in July to 8,120, up 2,987 from July 2008. The number of payroll jobs in metro Albany was 61,500, a loss of 1,800 or 2.8 percent from July 2008.

Statewide, the number of payroll jobs in July decreased 199,400, or 4.9 percent, from July 2008. The over-the-year losses were in manufacturing, trade, transportation and warehousing, professional and business services, including temporary employment agencies, and construction. Jobs in healthcare, private educational services, and local and state governmental education showed a combined increase of 19,600 jobs.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 10.3 percent in July, up two-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 10.1 percent in June. Last month, 493,748 unemployed Georgians were looking for work, an increase of 63.6 percent from July 2008.

Georgia labor market data is available at www.dol.state.ga.us

Tags: Business, economy
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Why Protest Reform That Would Benefit Us: A Letter To Congressman Bishop

– August 31, 2009Posted in: Bill Waller

In a recent article about the protest at Congressman Sanford Bishop’s office against healthcare reform, Congressman Bishop said, “We have the First Amendment in this country, but I find it curious that people choose to protest healthcare reform that would benefit them.” Congressman, you find it curious because at your town hall meeting in Albany you chose to talk to your constituents rather than listen. I know that your staff in the Albany office has become a fan of SWGAPolitics. I hope you are reading this too. I’ll try once more to explain why America, and more importantly—your constituents, do not want this reform.

There is an old saying that goes… “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I am not implying that the healthcare system in this country could not use a little tweaking, but it is not to the point where we should scrap the entire system and rebuild it. Have you seen the polls that show numbers around 75% of Americans that are happy with their insurance plan? Tweaking the system with free market solutions that involve patient/doctor relationships rather than government officials is where we should look. Let’s explore health savings accounts, tax breaks for healthy lifestyle choices, and a system that is accountable to the patient. Why does the plan not address tort reform? A constituent mentioned that out of 47 million uninsured, only 15 million are chronically uninsured. They can be covered by the savings that will occur through a free market approach. Please sir, I am begging you to listen!

Congressman Bishop, we have the best healthcare system in the world. People come from all over the globe to be treated here in America because their government run plans are substandard to the care in this country. Why do you believe that our system will stay number one when it is run by the bureaucrats in Washington? We may pay more than other countries, but we are getting the best care in the world. What’s more, whether they have insurance or not, nobody is denied treatment in this country.

One of the biggest problems in Washington is that the lawmakers never seem to think beyond the first step with all of the lofty goals and experiments that are conducted on our society. Providing healthcare coverage to everybody sounds like a great thing to do. What will result from this action? Doctors will be told where to live and how much they can spend to treat patients. Patient care will be a decision of the new Health Choices Commissioner. The system that most Americans view as the world’s best will be fundamentally changed forever.

A reporter from CBS recently uncovered in the 1000 plus page bill that section 431(a) “says that the IRS must divulge taxpayer identity information, including the filing status, the modified adjusted gross income, the number of dependents, and “other information as is prescribed by” regulation. That information will be provided to the new Health Choices Commissioner and state health programs and used to determine who qualifies for “affordability credits.” The article cites two other sections where the IRS must report your confidential information to countless government bureaucrats who have no business knowing about the private lives of the citizens of this country. Are you starting to see now why people are protesting?

You said that you have read the House bill at the town hall meeting at ASU. You can then verify the following facts from the bill. Readers of this entry that want to check the facts against the actual bill can find the bill here. I cut several of the points out to reduce the size. Is there any wonder why we would not support this piece of legislation? I beg you Congressman Bishop to read the bill and vote the conscious of your constituents. Government health care for all sounds great, but with these stipulations? I find it curious that legislators choose to vote for healthcare reform that would harm us all.

Pg 16 Line 10 Under Limitation of New Enrollment you will go on the government plan if you ever lose your current insurance coverage. No new policies will be written after Y1.

Pg 22 of the Health Care Bill MANDATES the Govt will audit books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self-insure!!

Pg 30 Sec 123- THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get.

Pg 29 lines 4-16 – There is an annual limitation on basic expenses which is a form of rationing.

PG 50 Section 152- HC will be provided to ALL non-US citizens, illegal or otherwise.

Pg 53- Severability:

“If any provision of the Act, or any application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of the provisions of this Act and the application of the provision to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected.”

Pg 58 – Govt will have real-time access to individual’s finances & a National ID Healthcard will be issued!

Pg 59 lines 21-24- Govt will have direct access to your bank accounts for electronic funds transfer

Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating an HC Exchange to bring private HC plans under Govt control.

PG 84 Sec 203 – Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private HC plans in the Exchange

PG 85 Line 7 – Specs of Benefit Levels For Plans. Bishop talked about the plan levels at the ASU town hall, but if the government is providing for all of us we should all get the same level of treatment. Otherwise it can be construed as rationing.

PG 102 Lines 12-18- Medicaid-Eligible Individual will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice.

pg 124 lines 24-25 No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No “judicial review” against Govt Monopoly.

pg 127 Lines 1-16- RE: Doctors- The Govt will tell YOU what you can make.

Pg 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto-enroll employees into public option plan. NO CHOICE

Pg 146 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for health care for part time employees AND their families.

Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer w/ payroll $400k & above who doesn’t provide public option pays 8% tax on all payroll.

PG 150 Lines 9-13- Biz w payroll between 251k & 400k who don’t provide pub. opt pay 2-6% tax on all payroll

Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesn’t have acceptable health insurance according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income.

Pg 170 Lines 1-3 Any NONRESIDENT Alien is EXEMPT from individual taxes. (Americans will pay)

Pg 195 -Officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans financial/personal records

PG 203 Line 14-15- “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax.” Yes, it actualy says that.

Pg 239 Line 14-24-Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor will be affected.

Pg 241 Line 6-8- Doctors, doesn’t matter what specialty you have, you will all be paid the same. Why would a doctor study a specialty when they will all be rewarded the same?

Page 280 Sec 1151- The Govt will penalize hospitals for what Govt deems “preventable re-admissions.”

Pg 317 L 13-20- PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Govt tells Drs. what/how much they can own of a healthcare facility.

Pg 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3: PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is mandating hospitals cannot expand.

Pg 335 Line 16 Govt mandates establishment of outcome based measures. Health care the way they want. Rationing.

Pg 341 Lines 3-9: Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Adv Plans, HMOs, etc. Forcing people into Govt plan

Pg 354 Sec 1177 – Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs people!

PG 424 Lines 20 Govt mandates “Advanced Care Planning Consultations.”

Pg 429 Lines 1-9: An “advanced care planning consult” will be used frequently as patients health deteriorates

Pg 429 Lines 13-25 – The govt will specify which Doctors can write an end of life order.

PG 430 Lines 9-17- The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life.

PG 489 Sec 1308: The Govt will cover Marriage & Family therapy. Which means they will insert Govt into your marriage.

Pg 494-498: Govt will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, rationing those services.

PG 501 Section 1181 Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research Established. – Hello Big Brother – Literally.

PG 503 Line 19-25 The Center will collect data both published & unpublished (that means public & your private info)

PG 659-670 Doctors in Residency – Government will tell you where your residency will be, thus where you’ll live.

PG 675-685 Government will regulate hospitals in EVERY aspect of residency programs, including teaching hospitals.

PGs 700-703 Section 1619 If your part of HealthCare plan that isn’t in Government HealthCare Exchange but you qualify for Federal aid, no payment.

Pg 734 lines 16-25 For law enforcement purposes, the Secretary of Health & Human Services will give Attorney General access to ALL data.

PG 739-756 Government sets guidelines for subsidizing the uninsured with your tax dollars.

Page 762 1-8 No DS/EA hospitals will be paid unless they provide services without regard to national origin

Pg 769 SEC 1714 Federal Government mandates eligibility for State Family Planning Services. Abortion & State Sovereignty issues come to mind.

Pg 789-797 Government will set & mandate drug prices, controlling which drugs will brought to market. Bye-bye to innovation

Page 820-824 Sec 1801 Government will identify individuals ineligible for subsidies. Will access all personal finances.

PG 829-833 Government will impose a fee on ALL private health insurance plans including self insured to pay for Trust Fund!

838-840 Government will design & implement Home Visitation Program for families with young kids & families expecting kids.

PG 844-845 This Home Visitation Program includes Government coming into your house & telling you how to parent.

Pg 859 Government will establish a Public Health Fund at a cost of $88,800,000,000. Yes that’s Billion!

PG 876-892 The Government takes over the education of our Medical students and Drs.

PG 898 The Government will establish a Public Health Workforce Corps. to ensure supply of public health professionals.

PG 913-914 Government starts a HealthCare affirmative action program thru guise of diversity scholarships.

Pg 931 The Government will establish Preventative & Wellness Trust fund – The cost for fiscal year 2010 is $2,400,000,000 with billions more for each following year.

PG 934 21-22 Government will identify specific goals & objectives for prevention & wellness activities. Control You!!

PG 940 Lines 22-25 More Government? Offices of Surgeon General -Public Health Services, Minority Health, Women’s Health – THIS MEANS TAX DOLLARS USED TO PAY FOR ABORTIONS.

PG 1017 States give up some of their State Sovereignty.

billwallerWritten by Bill Waller.  Mr. Waller is a author and contributor local blog, Southwest Georgia Politics. He enjoys writing, traveling, and researching history.  He currently resides in Albany, Georgia.

Tags: healthcare reform, sanford bishop
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Opinion: Keown should replace Bishop

– August 30, 2009Posted in: Politics

I want to report on Mike Keown’s campaign for Congress against Sanford Bishop. He has a website: www.mikekeown.com and is hard at work moving across the district. But first let me share some other good news.

Americans for Prosperity sent an update with some good news. Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, has stated that the Card Check bill will not be coming up for vote this year. The card check bill would take away the right of workers to have a secret ballot in determining whether or not to unionize. Big Labor is fighting hard to get this bill. Unfortunately, Sanford Bishop, is a co-sponsor of this pro-union legislation. Sanford Bishop no longer even gives lip service to Georgians. He has sold out to his new inside the beltway gang of Pelosi, Obama, Reid, and big money lobbyists. Georgia is a leader in attracting new industry.

Our two strongest selling points are that unions do not have a stranglehold on business and that we have cheap power costs. It would seem that the congressman from the 2nd District would be doing everything possible to promote new business and industry in his district which is one of the poorest in the nation. Instead, he voted for the Cap and Trade bill which will hit Georgia power producers the hardest causing your utility bills to sky rocket. Now he is a co-sponsor of this bill to rob workers of the right to a secret ballot in determining if they want to unionize. Sanford Bishop does not represent Southwest Georgia.

Let me get back to State Representative Mike Keown. About 3 weeks ago, Mike filed his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission and sent out a press release. He has a website www.mikekeown.com and a means to contribute. Last week his Facebook page, Mike Keown for Congress, went live and he has over 600 fans on line in less than a week. Mike tells me that the ability to contribute on-line will be in place soon. He has met with groups from Seminole County all the way up to Peach County and is scheduling meetings every day. Contributions are coming in and people are excited to have a strong candidate running who can beat Sanford.

One of the first questions I always heard when I was working to recruit a candidate to run against Sanford related to the farm community. Mike met with a group of farmers in Unadilla recently and they jumped in to help in a big way. Chip Dunmon called together some of his friends and they decided to host an opening day bird hunt in Dooly County on Saturday, September 5 around noon on the farm of Wayne West. There is a landing strip for those who would like to fly in. If you want to know more about the event, you can contact Chip directly for more information at agprochip09@yahoo.com or cell # (229) 854-4394.

Funding for campaigns is always critical. It is especially critical when challenging an incumbent. The first report for Mike is for the period ending September 30. Last month I met with Chairman Pete Session of the National Republican Congressional Committee to find out how they made decisions on involvement in campaigns. The bottom line is what the candidate can do in his or her own district raising funds. At this point in time, Representative Mike Keown is the only Republican candidate to file with the Federal Election Commission as a candidate. Right now is the time to be organizing and preparing for a tough campaign against Sanford Bishop in 2010. Mike Keown has stepped up to the plate and is devoting his full time toward this campaign right now.

For years I have heard the common refrain, “We need to get rid of Sanford Bishop.” Well, my friend, we have someone who can do that in State Representative Mike Keown. It is time to take out your personal checkbook and show just how badly you really want to get rid of Sanford Bishop. Mike tells me that many people are doing that right now. Southwest Georgians, it is time to stand up and make a sacrifice to stop the Obama runway socialistic freight train. Go to www.mikekeown.com and learn how to invest in stopping the train.

Donald E. Cole is Chairman of the 2nd Congressional District Georgia Republican Party. He can be reached at Donald.cole@rttassociates.com or (229) 271-9266.

Tags: mike keown, sanford bishop
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The Sheriff Speaks: Helpful tips from Dougherty County Sheriff Kevin Sproul

– August 30, 2009Posted in: Kevin Sproul

Watch Groups (Part 1)

With the recent rash of home invasions and burglaries, are you worried about crime in your neighborhood? You are not alone. More than likely, your next door neighbor is probably as concerned as you are.

Crime destroys neighborhoods and can shatter lives. Crime can also cause a climate of fear and mistrust with one another. Residents withdraw into their homes and lose contact with each other. As neighbors withdraw from each other, crime increases. Crime tends to thrive in neighborhoods where residents keep to themselves and do not get involved. Although Dougherty County has three law enforcement agencies, the police or deputy sheriffs cannot be everywhere at all times. Law enforcement needs the eyes and ears of concerned and caring citizens. We must all work together in preventing crime in our neighborhoods. So what can you do to prevent or reduce crime in your neighborhood?

If you live in a neighborhood that does not have an active neighborhood watch program, you need to form a small watch group with neighbors who live in close proximity to you. A common fault that I see being played out over and over is apathy. Sometimes we only tend to be concerned about our own property or we do not want to get involved because we might have to go to court.

Neighborhood watch groups make a criminal’s job tougher when citizens are watching out for each other. Neighbors need to look out for each other and communicate with each other about suspicious activity in and around their neighborhood.

After forming your small group, hold an initial meeting and hear the concerns of your neighbors and concentrate on their needs. If possible, elect a captain or chairperson who will be responsible in conveying or relaying updated information about crime or suspicious activity to the group.

Your group needs to establish a regular means of communication such as a newsletter and/or possibly using email. Make sure to collect telephone numbers and keep them in a safe place in case of an emergency.

Also be sure to keep all of the group’s telephone numbers updated on a regular basis. Have a law enforcement official attend your first organized meeting. You can call me at the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office at 430-6508. You can also contact a representative of the Albany Police Department at 431-2100 or the Dougherty County Police Department at 430-6600.

Having a law enforcement official attend your meeting will greatly benefit your group. The representative will give your group expert advice and prepare them with a plethora of knowledge on what to look for and how to handle various situations that may arise.

In next month’s article, I will discuss the three main areas that your group should focus on and how you should respond to suspicious activity. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call my office.

Written by Kevin Sproul

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County health departments to begin offering seasonal flu shots Wednesday

– August 30, 2009Posted in: Health

Southwest Health District’s 14 county health departments will begin offering seasonal flu shots Wednesday, Sept. 2, roughly a month earlier than usual. Plus, the District has reduced the price to $20.

“We are offering seasonal flu vaccine earlier than usual and cutting the cost to help encourage residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” said Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. “Getting your seasonal flu shot is an important way to fight the spread of the Pandemic H1N1 virus, which, as you know, is already in our communities.”

A seasonal flu shot offers no protection against H1N1 infection, but it will help prevent co-infections, she explained.

“When an individual is infected with more than one virus, it is an opportunity for the viruses to exchange genetic material. That could lead to creation of a more severe virus, or one that is resistant to drugs,” she said.

While the novel H1N1 virus has been getting the most attention, especially since it achieved pandemic status in June, seasonal flu itself can cause significant illness.

“Remember, seasonal flu claims around 36,000 lives and results in around 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States each year,” Grant said. “Now, with H1N1, we may be faced with four or more different circulating flu strains.”

So far, she said, H1N1 has been mild to moderate. “However, we are already seeing high absenteeism and crowded emergency rooms and doctors’ offices throughout the district, and the regular flu season hasn’t started yet,” noted Grant. “Patients who get seasonal flu shots are less likely to end up with complications requiring hospitalization and medical attention from physicians. So that can help reduce pressure on the healthcare system, care-givers and others.”

Vaccine for H1N1 is being produced, but won’t be available until mid-October at the earliest, she said. It is likely to be administered in two doses.

This year’s seasonal flu vaccine contains three virus strains that researchers anticipate will cause the most illness during the flu season. They are A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like virus; A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus and B/Brisbane 60/2008-like antigens.

“The 2009-10 influenza vaccine is intended to protect you from getting sick from these three viruses, or make your illness milder if you get a related but different influenza virus strain,” Grant explained.

Anyone who wants to reduce the chance of catching the seasonal flu can get vaccinated. But certain populations face greater risk of developing serious complications from influenza and Public Health experts recommend they be vaccinated. They include:

▪ Children aged 6 months to 19 years

▪ Pregnant women

▪ People 50 and older

▪ People of any age with chronic medical conditions like asthma or heart disease

▪ People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

▪ People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

▪ Healthcare workers

▪ Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu

▪ Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (children too young to be vaccinated)

Those who should talk to their doctor before getting a flu shot include anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or a previous flu shot, a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome or is running a fever, Grant added.

She said that influenza usually starts suddenly and may include fever (usually high), cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose and body aches. Diarrhea and vomiting may also occur and are usually more common in children than adults.

“Remember, this year it is more important than ever to get your seasonal flu vaccination,” Grant said.

For more information about flu shots, contact your local county health department or go online to www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org.

Tags: swine flu
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For the love of the game, these fans are READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL

– August 29, 2009Posted in: Sports

To be such big football fans that they rarely miss a Dougherty High Trojan practice, much less out-of-town games, you’d think that 51-year-old twins Clem and Tim Washington would have once played the sport they so dearly love.

Not a chance.

Their mother would have none of it.

Was the Washingtons’ mother afraid her boys would get hurt playing the often-brutal sport?

“Nope,” Tim said. “Mama wouldn’t let us play because there was too much work to be done in the fields. Peas and corn. Not enough time for games.”

Still, there was time for the boys to develop into huge football fans. The two Sunnyland Farms employees remember joining the Trojan cause when schools integrated when they were middle-schoolers, and they recall Dougherty High’s first region championship like it was yesterday a few years later.

“We were seniors. Thirty-one years ago. And we’ve been Trojans ever since,” Tim said.

Many years later, they were in attendance at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in 1998 when their beloved alma matter won Dougherty County’s first state football championship.

“I’ll never forget it. Never,” Clem said.

The twins love hoops, too; they are staples at Trojan basketball games.

But football is their primary sports love. Dougherty kicks off its 2009 campaign Thursday again Americus-Sumter on Thursday at Hugh Mills Stadium.

“I can’t wait for the new season. We are going to be good. Tough to beat,” Tim added. “I’m ready to go back to the Dome.”

For a complete look at Dougherty and Lee county’s prospects, schedules and rosters, except for Deerfield-Windsor School, which was featured last week, see The Albany Journal’s 2009 prep football previews in Section B.

Tags: high school football
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Lawnscapes is Albany Chamber’s Busines of the Week

– August 29, 2009Posted in: Business

The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Star Business of the Week is Lawnscapes.

This Star Business of the Week presentation will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, August 31, 2009 at the Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber staff, board members and ambassadors will present Mathew Parker a plaque.

Rachelle Bitterman

Director of Communications

Albany Area Chamber of Commerce

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David Maschke, Charlie Peeler get gubernatorial appointments

– August 29, 2009Posted in: Politics

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has appointed David Maschke of Albany to the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission and Charlie Peeler to the Judicial Nominating Commission.

An architect, Maschke chairs the Dougherty County School Board. The Regional Commissions, formerly known as Regional Development Centers, are the official regional planning and development organizations for local governments and citizens.The Regional Commission Councils create policy direction for the area’s short and long-term comprehensive planning and serve as liaisons between regional communities and the state government.

Peeler is a founding member of Flynn Peeler & Phillips, which represents clients across the United States in the areas of complex business litigation and patent, copyright, and trademark law. He previously practiced at Jones & Askew and King & Spalding LLP.

Peeler is a native of Marietta and in 2005, Charlie and his family moved to Albany and he formed what is now the firm of Flynn, Peeler, & Phillips LLC. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1995 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and he received his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

Staff reports

Tags: politics
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