We miss you Roy, oh yes we do -- OneGeorgia Authority strays from its roots

As this blog indicates, I live in the "Other Georgia."

One of the other candidates during the U.S. Senate race would chide me when I would point this out. He would insist that there was only one Georgia. Such chiding merely confirmed his residence was in Georgia rather than the other Georgia.

Bill Shipp thinks spreading asphalt below the gnat line is nothing but politics. Bill Shipp lives above the gnat line.

For those of us below the gnat line, asphalt means transportation, and transportation means jobs.

Today we learn that Gov. Perdue has been in Atlanta too long. He has forgotten where he came from. As governor, Perdue is Chairman of the OneGeorgia Authority.

The OneGeorgia program was designed to benefit South Georgia and Middle Georgia where the bulk of the state's agricultural property is located. This is the area that stands to be hurt the most by the economy's gradual shift away from tobacco and other crops.

And what does this have to do with the price of groceries you ask?

OneGeorgia Authority was created by Governor Barnes and the legislature with a part of our state's tobacco settlement to assist Georgia's most economically challenged areas.

Wednesday of this week the rules for eligibility were changed. The program was originally designed for the 71 poorest counties in Georgia. The changes were not minor.

Starting January 1, 2005, 147 counties will be able to compete for OneGeorgia Authority grants and loans.

Let's see now. Last count we had 159 counties. So that means as a result of Wednesday's changes, only 12 counties statewide won't be allowed to participate in the OneGeorgia program, right?

Right, and all but two of those 12 are located in metro Atlanta.

Thanks fellas. And by the way, a headline in today's paper says "OneGeorgia eligibility changes could hurt rural counties, lawmakers worry." But you know we don't really believe that.

Most of us down here fell off a turnip truck, and when someone from the government says I'm here to help you, shucks, we believe 'em.

So we feel confident that you guys made these changes for our benefit; that this change was designed to help the other Georgia. Since we trust you; spare us from the explanation.

P.S.: Dear Mayor Shirley Franklin: We in the other Georgia are still willing to help you solve your sewer problem. But hey, we are glad you aren't on the OneGeorgia Authority board. That would have sort of hurt.

(9-10-04 The Macon Telegraph.)