Opening Up for Business
Gov. Kemp has decided that the greater good will be served if he begins to open up the economy this coming Friday. We disagree. The curve has not flattened in Georgia, our death rate still climbs. As of Monday evening 775 deaths in Georgia. We are getting close to a very few degrees of separation for those who may know someone who are either quite ill or who’ve died as a result of having contracted COVID 19. Check the Georgia Department of Human Resources for up to date figures. It’s updated twice daily.
See the AJC article linked above for a list of the businesses that are slated to open. All are personal service or entertainment. It would be rare to find a hairdresser or barber with 6 foot arms. We would prefer that the governor spend his time advocating for workers to receive unemployment benefits and that the stimulus check find its way to workers quickly.
Ultimately, the World Congress Center was not opened up for our governor to actively work to fill the beds with COVID 19 patients. The 200 bed facility opened as a palliative measure for overflowing hospitals once we hit the peak. We have not yet reached the peak.
Before Georgia can “reopen for business” we want to see:
more tests (testing, testing, testing)
more contact tracing
more reporting on nursing homes
jails and detention centers implementing prisoner release and testing
PPE for medical personnel
PPE and safety measures for frontline workers
When you call the governor’s office you will be directed to a constituent form to register your comments. We ask that you work to speak with the person answering the phone at 404/656-1776. The governor should not operate without hearing directly from the people. Please speak your truth, please be mindful that the person on the phone is not the governor. If you wish, after your phone call, please leave a longer message on the form: https://gov.georgia.gov/contact-us/constituent-services from his website.
Demand Oversight and Accountability for the $2 Trillion Bailout
It’s essential that relief funds are distributed fairly and properly during this pandemic. But President Trump just removed the top independent federal watchdog from his post overseeing the new $2 trillion dollar coronavirus fund, and replaced him with an administration lackey. That means there’s no one to stop the president or the GOP from
using this huge corporate slush fund to put money back into their own pockets and the pockets of the wealthiest few — all at our expense.
Again and again, the Trump Administration has tried to avoid accountability, even now that Americans’ lives and livelihoods are on the line. To address this, and to make sure these funds reach the people who need it the most, Congress MUST include strict accountability and oversight measures in the next coronavirus relief plan. *Call to action from The Tax March. Their calling tool will connect you straight away to DC. Let’s hold our elected officials accountable.
Mining in the Okefenokee
UPDATE: DEADLINE EXTENDED MAY 28TH
Thank you to all who submitted public comments with your concerns and a request for an extension!
Before the public comment period for the proposed mining near the Okefenokee was to close yesterday evening, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers both extended the comment deadline and scheduled a virtual public meeting.
The comment period deadline is now May 28th – Comments may be submitted via email or by post: Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Attention: Ms. Holly Ross, 1104 North Westover Boulevard, Suite 9, Albany, Georgia, 31707
The public meeting is scheduled for May 13. Please see the memo HERE that outlines ways you can participate at a distance in the hearing.
Vote At Home – Advocate for Secure Drop Off Locations for Ballots
We know that our upcoming election is dubbed Vote By Mail, however, what if you could vote in the comfort of your own home and drop the ballot off at a secure location that would be available 24/7 during early voting and through election day? This movement has caught on in various states.
Email links are on listed below, choose sidebar for Election Board Members.
Send a email message or postcard/letter to the Secretary of State and the State Elections Board to require the following:
1) Provide state dollars to all counties to pay for installing drop boxes as these should be paid for with state dollars, not stressed county budgets
2) Ensure that drop boxes are located outside of buildings and available 24 hours a day.
State Board of Elections:
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Chairperson
214 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Phone: (404) 656-2881
E-mail
Mrs. Rebecca N. Sullivan, Vice Chair
Georgia Department of Administrative Services
200 Piedmont Avenue SE
Suite 1804, West Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-9010
Phone: (404) 651-5935
Email: rebecca.sullivan@doas.ga.gov
Mr. David J. Worley
Evangelista Worley LLC
500 Sugar Mill Road Suite 245A
Atlanta, GA 30350
Phone: 404-205-8400
Email: david@ewlawllc.com
Mr. Matthew Mashburn
P.O. Box 451
Cartersville, GA 30120
Mrs. Anh Le
Attorney
P.O. Box 4008
Decatur,GA 30031