The Savannah tribune. (Savannah, Ga.) 1973-current, March 03, 2010, Image 1
PRSRTSTD U.S POSTAGE PAID Savannah. GA Permit No. 923 “GEORGIA’S BEST WEEKLY” ahamtah tribune ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Week of March 3,2010 - March 9,2010 • Vol. 38 No. 2 • www.savannahtribune.com • 912-233-6128 • Fax: 912-233-6140 President Obama Visits Savannah By Shirley B. James and Tina A. Brown For The Savannah Tribune President Barack Obama offered a glimmer of hope for the nation’s handy men and arms of industry that manufacture energy effi cient materials, such as win dows, doors, heating, solar and air conditioning equip ment. During his visit Tuesday to Savannah Technical College, Obama was well received by standing ova tions. He talked to an invita tion-only group of about 300 local politicians, students, staff, members of the busi ness community and the Longshoreman ILA Local 144 about the most pressing issues facing the state of Georgia and the nation: the disappearance of jobs and job creation. Obama was greeted at Air Force One by Gov. Sonny Perdue, Savannah Mayor Otis S. Johnson, Brig. General Jeffrey Phillips and Ginger Cucolo, the wife of Major General Tony Cucolo, who is head of the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq,; and Command Sgt. Major Jeffrey Ashman at Hunter Airfield shortly before noon. “Unemployment in Georgia is still above 10 per cent. That doesn’t include folks who’ve had to accept part-time jobs; or in some cases have given up finding a job altogether,” Obama said. "When it comes to domes tic policy, I have no more important job as president than seeing to that every American that wants to work and is able to work can find a job,” he told the group at Savannah Technical where 200 to 300 stu dents are current ly being trained i n trades that might make the Obama adminis tration’s HomeStar program a success. “(Job cre ation) was my focus last year and that is my focus this year,” he said, "to lay a founda tion for economic growth that creates jobs.” Obama acknowledged that “it's tough out there,’’for people who haven’t found work. He said that he hopes that the HomeStar program may revved up a segment of the economy that needs to get going. selves to be the Obama ’ s talk also focused on the Youth Build program at Savannah Technical College and he visited with students who are preparing them- n e w workforce in clean energy and con struction. He then proposed the “Home-Star” energy saving program - an instant rebate program for home owners to encourage them to use energy efficient materi als and appliances when making improvements in their homes; a program that will not only save the approximately 40% consumption of energy in our homes, but also boost the econ omy and cre ate more jobs for those companies in the U.S. that pro duce the materials. The White House estimates that 2-to- 3 million house holds in the U.S. will partici pate in the $6 billion pro gram. His chal lenge was to embrace the kind of educational training programs that were being offered at Savannah Technical College. Dr. Dorothy Stoneman, founder of the Youth Build program, which originated in Harlem (New York City) in 1978, applauded the President for supporting the Youth Build programs nation-wide with a 17% increase in funding through the stimulus package. The city of Savannah provides 25% of this funding. Twenty-five students, former high school dropouts from all across Chatham County between the ages of 16 - 24, are enrolled in the program at Savannah Tech, she said. It is a frill nine- month program where stu dents spend 50% of the time in classes taught at the col lege in construction manage ment and H-VAC, and 50% of the time utilizing their skills building homes Their current project is at 2112 Love St. Jim Wheeless, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Technical College lauds the program. He said it provides opportuni ties for students who need that “second chance” to progress into the future world of work and careers that will be in green energy. Obama made an indelible impression upon people in the audience. Patrick Shay (D), a Chatham County Commissioner and also an architect with Gunn Meyerhoff Shay, who along with a select group of busi nessmen had an audience with the President. Shay described our Obama as a very bright and intelligent leader whom he was glad to meet, but he also mentioned that he was even more glad See Obama, page 4 President Obama exiting Air Force One Photo courtesy of D & D Photography Hope Jones, Melinda Simmons and Dr. Dorothy Stoneman Audience Members at today’s speech ILA Local 1414 Willie Seymore, Tim Mackey, Greg Eady, Eddie Me Bride, Jr.