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♦ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19,2006 6A ISSUES From page lA those 65. Both were con cerned about the loss of rev enue and possible increase to those not exempt. Tolleson said the money would be spent by the seniors and generate more revenue in sales tax. Both also agreed the state needed comprehensive tax reform. Tolleson was the mas ter of ceremonies for the delegation’s portion of the program. He introduced each of his fellow legisla tors and also explained why Representative Larry O’Neal, R-Warner Robins, was unable to attend. “This is one of the first he has missed.” O’Neal is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “We are very fortunate to have Larry chair this very difficult com mittee,” Tolleson said. Brown, the Senate minor ity leader emphasized the importance of regionalism. “Many of the tough policies we have to address require regional solutions.” Those issues include cost ly things like transportation and water. Delta Air Lines is another regional matter. Senator Cecil Staton, R- Macon, had high praise for his colleagues. “The gentle men I serve with have a great deal of passion for Middle Georgia.” Staton said he and O’Neal are serving on a joint House/ Senate committee on trau ma care, “something I have a personal interest in,” he explained after a auto acci dent where he was cut from the car and required three surgeries and six to seven months of rehabilitation. “I was fortunate to be near a trauma center. South from here to Florida the only one is in Thomasville,” Staton noted. There are only four level one trauma centers in the state, Staton said, “fortu nately we have one, The Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon.” Staton chairs the Senate Science and technology Committee. “One of the things we do is looking at how technology is used by criminals. We continue to focus on that and make sure we have laws to protect us.” He closed his remarked with an oft-repeated state ment from elected officials: “Every day I go up there and walk in the historic halls, I ROBBERY From page iA dreadlocks and was last seen wearing a black winter coat and white knit cap. ■ Suspect No. 2 has a dark complexion and is approxi mately in height, with a slender build. He was wearing blue coveralls. ■ The only description for Suspect No. 3 is he has a dark complexion. Anyone with information concerning the aforemen tioned incident is asked to contact Curnutte at 918- 2977 or 929-1170. NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP? ■L J X . . .. YOH i*3fi Bbbh Il fO? 1 TTffi RWflfiOffl OrMiHteM Bosiness or Trade • 1 Month ■ ONLY $100! call 478-987-1823 try to remember the people of District 18 could not be there so they sent me.” Representative Johnny Floyd was introduced as the senior statesman of the delegation, for his 18 years of service. Floyd from Crisp County, noted he represents the governor in the house as his district covers the south part of the county includ ing Kathleen, Bonaire, Hayneville and Elko. “After 18 years as a Democrat,” Floyd noted, “I followed the governor’s lead and ran as a Republican this time.” He also cited transporta tion and education needs. “Most of the counties I rep resent have a 40 percent or higher high school dropout rate. Education is one of the mainstays to move Georgia, rural Georgia forward.” Floyd said he’s enjoyed working with the Houston delegation. “I’ve learned a lot from great leaders like Sonny Perdue, Larry Walker, Sonny Watson and Robert Ray.” Representative Willie Talton, R-Warner Robins, said he’s learned a lot in his past two years about the House. “It’s gone by real fast. Some things that go on,” Talton said, “I don’t particularly like, but the system works.” He said the state needs to address the drug problem, the bad- meth problem. “If we don’t get control of it,” he said, the costs for the state and crime will con tinue to rise.” Talton emphasized he is here for the voters, “even if you didn’t vote for me, if you’re not in my district.” “I’m here to represent the people of the state of Georgia and District 145. If you have a problem and think I can help, fee free to come to me,” Talton said, “You all SANTA-LIKE SPEED AT A JOLLY GOOD PRICE. PHONE BROADBAND DIGITAL TV . •>: »■» ■&**-• ■-.- > - Sfcgb>~ __ Jft jufl & -fIHwMB II fe» -'&v .iHM^yMß^' 'nHHH - o^HjMMKn^OH nStefaft*^. . ISm LJBLJ .<Jw ■ a jjSßbßi^^,^M m/vVUM XM Radio—now available at Windstream. Sign up at 1.866.333.1839 today! (((XM))) XM Radio'available at these locations. Sue-<wms. mu«£rty coherence cate Cna^.og S3S^S2SSKS£S^3^W.3gM^ bundle a diacontinued. the account will oomert to tha Wndetream 10 plan Additional Information: Credit approval reputed A prepayment may &e gxee Met i (renghltocanoelordaconlirHjethteplvtatanybme II any required bundle component i* (tsconnected all remaintnß component* convert to the ragUer tented monthly rate Other ree»tc*oo» may app*y Oden ere KJCvKt 10 fie wind*] ear enrs & Conditions for Communications available at any Wifostream store oral wmdstmam com Contaa a VWtdsbeam representative lor detail*. set my agenda.” Talton was also glad not be the freshman any more. Representative Tony Sellier, R-Crawford County, has taken that spot, after being elected to the seat Ray retired from. "I’m the new guy,” Sellier told the Chamber members, “but I know most of you.” He said he’ll be “following the big footsteps of Robert Ray, a great leader and men tor to me.” Sellier said his issues are mostly rural, some urban and include water and pol lution. Tolleson said his time has been consumed with water policy, developing the state wide water plan. He said the state is explod ing with growth - the port systems, the coastal region, Columbus, the Atlanta region and of course Houston County and the Middle Georgia region. Tolleson said “we have to look at the state as one economic engine and each region is a cylinder of that engine.” He said agriculture is still the largest part of the econ omy. “The state continues to grow be we need to be wise in the use of our natural resources.” Tolleson also touted alter native fuels, which are “a shot in the arm for the agri cultural base. The state is becoming a huge leader in Boa-j^ngel FREE 2-NIGHT VACATION! Donate Car • Boat * RV • Motorcycle www.boatangel.com XM CANTON 1353 Riverstone Parkway, Suite ioo 7704792000 LOCAL alternative fuels,” he said. “The governor has been real focused on taking down hurdles for industry to develop alternative fuels,” He said. This is another tool in the War on Terrorism. This is the future for our children.” Transportation is one of the key issues this term, he said including refining the design on Highway 96 wid ening. “The delegation is moving that up, it was sup posed to begin in 2012.” The delegation also field ed questions from the audi ence. When asked about the pos sible reduction or elimina tion in state retiree benefits, they all agreed it was a bad idea. Tolleson explained, “it is not the goal of anybody in the General Assembly. We have to look at assets and liabilities. Obviously I don’t agree with a reduction of benefits.” He added that the tough decision can’t be put off to the future. “Let’s make the decision today instead of letting it get worse in the future, let’s meet it head »» on. When asked about immi gration issues, Staton noted “the General Assembly passed the toughest legisla tion in the U.S. last session, unfortunately we’re pre empted by the federal gov ernment. We run into that i -800-227-2643 TWO MONTHS FREE XM DALTON 100 W Walnut, Suite 108 7061797000 BROADBAND 594.95 V \vnr roonfti WITH BUNDLE VISIT US IN GEORGIA DAWSON 163 N Stonewall Street NE 2299955800 very often.” He said “it is an impor tant issue. We want people who come here to be here legally.” Brown said “we need to ask why they come here, but when we do we get some pushback from business and farmers. They say we can’t survive without them.” He told the business com munity “you don’t have to hire them and if you don’t hire them, they won’t come.” The final question came from Kathy Balletto, vice chairman of governmental affairs for the Chamber. m MEtf wmmWW MHnSSf Wnt IfifW Ck x iiimx IHKCitfP kMIkMaH 6 - monthCD s.so-i *%* y* •'•*!-** awi i lPt . ■k*** 4-P * -set■ * «w- i m> n&rtam wt ’xitwwM* 4*o **sm*H'> !iA. *tA *v ***** jB THE BANK OF PERRY _____ LOBft Mst* Sswvr, JPfrm * fT&'W-2354 WWVK Jfoßl&MfjpW TfVt «M»; M windstream 1.877.312.W1ND | windstream.com J XM JASPER 50 Mark Whitfield Street 7066924456 HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL “One that always comes up,” she said, about the exit of the Museum of Aviation. Tolleson said, he recently met with the state Department of Transportation. “They are committed to address this issue to help redesign the intersection. I think in the next 12 months you will see some progress.” People Pleasing! anaMt RELIABLE CONNECTIONS DOWNLOAD MOVIES AND MUSIC SHARE PHOTOS AND MORE *39 95 WITH BUNDLE UNLIMITED LOCAL AND UNLIMITED LONG DISTANCE LAFAYETTE 502 Church Street 7066388000 % me PERRY 2031 Highway 41S 4789871256 !*5i3L