Monthly Archives: August 2010

Troy Davis ruling concerns Amnesty International

Date: August 24th, 2010, 2:39 pm

Amnesty International is concerned about the impact of the latest federal district court ruling on Georgia death-row inmate Troy Anthony Davis.

William Cordery, Amnesty International’s senior development officer for the Southern region, just sent me a press release that has come out of the organization’s Washington office.

Here is the release

(Washington, D.C.) – Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) today expressed deep concern that a federal district court decision puts Georgia death-row inmate Troy Anthony Davis Continue reading →

Posted in Latest Reports | Leave a comment

Wonderful summer concerts give rhythm to our lives

Date: August 22nd, 2010, 9:13 pm

By Maria Saporta

It’s been a wonderful summer of music.

And even though the heat of the summer is still with us, I know we’re quickly witnessing the end of our summer music season.

One of my guilty pleasures is going to hear live music — indoors or preferably outdoors. I bought tickets to several shows — and sadly the last concert on my dance card was the Jack Johnson show at the Aaron’s Ampitheatre (or as us natives would say — Lakewood).

It used to be that we would kick off the Continue reading →

Posted in Latest Reports | 5 Comments

Challenges await new airport chief

Date: , 8:15 pm

By Maria Saporta and Ben Smith
Friday, August 20, 2010

The new general manager of Atlanta’s airport will have to deal with a full plate of managerial challenges and politically fraught decisions in the coming months.

The general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is arguably one of the most important public roles in the Atlanta region. As the world’s largest and busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson is the fuel that makes Atlanta the economic engine of the Continue reading →

Posted in ABC Articles | Leave a comment

Georgia’s faith community targets stimulus funds for energy efficiency

Date: , 8:00 pm

By Guest Columnist ALEXIS CHASE, executive director, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light.

Energy efficiency and Georgia’s faith community have not always been friends. Most congregations tend to think short-term, rarely considering long-term sustainability when renovating old structures or building new ones; their eyes are fixed on cost and speed.

Fortunately, that’s changing, thanks to an innovative statewide program recently launched by Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL). It’s called Power Wise.

We received $400,000 in federal stimulus money enhanced by $200,000 from a private foundation to help Georgia’s faith communities of every religion, Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Columns | Leave a comment

Rep. Oberstar shows that bi-partisan support for transportation investment is possible

Date: , 7:40 pm

Bipartisanship is still possible — even in a polarized state like Georgia.

That bipartisanship was in full force on Monday, Aug. 16 when U.S. Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minnesota) gave a luncheon speech at the Council for Quality Growth’s 25th anniversary celebration at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North.

Oberstar, who chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, clearly had the clout to bring together politicians on both sides of the aisle.

Among the Georgia politicians in attendance were: U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Democrat; U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, a Republican; U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, a Republican; U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat; and former U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal,
Continue reading →

Posted in Maria's Metro | 7 Comments

Gubernatorial candidates go to Metro Atlanta Chamber

Date: August 19th, 2010, 2:33 pm

By Maria Saporta

The two top candidates for governor each spent a half hour this morning talking to the executive committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. And both apparently had done their homework.

Former Gov. Roy Barnes, who is the Democratic nominee, was the first one to talk to the group of about 25 business leaders at their regular monthly meeting.

His visit was then followed by former U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, who is the Republican nominee for governor.

“They are both well-informed, and both Continue reading →

Posted in Latest Reports | 4 Comments

Column: Atlanta Community Foundation recognized nationally

Date: , 7:33 am

By Maria Saporta
Friday, August 13, 2010

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta does not believe that now is a time to be stingy with its dollars. Last year it gave away $140 million to nonprofit organizations in metro Atlanta and beyond.

“Our payout last year was 22 percent,” said Alicia Philipp, president of metro Atlanta’s Community Foundation. “We are getting the money out there. We think that’s an important message. These high-net-worth individuals, who are our donors, want to get the money out Continue reading →

Posted in ABC Articles | Leave a comment

Possible Hartsfield-Jackson GM candidates revealed

Date: August 17th, 2010, 9:32 pm

By Ben Smith and Maria Saporta
Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Two former Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport employees, a current general manager from Indianapolis and a former CEO of Detroit’s airport authority are said to be in the running for general manager of Atlanta’s airport, sources say.

They are John D. Clark III, Lester W. Robinson, Steven Baker and Miguel Southwell, according to three sources familiar with the search to replace former GM Benjamin Continue reading →

Posted in ABC Articles | 1 Comment

‘Two Georgias’ to be discussed at statewide forum

Date: , 9:29 pm

By Maria Saporta
Friday, August 13, 2010

It’s no secret that Georgia has been a divided state. For decades, business leaders and politicians have talked about the two Georgias — metro Atlanta and the rest of the state.

But at an all-day event in Macon on Aug. 25, leaders from across the state will explore how Georgia compares to other states and what the different communities can do to help create a common vision.
Continue reading →

Posted in ABC Articles | Leave a comment

Sea Island files Chapter 11

Date: , 9:27 pm

By Douglas Sams and Maria Saporta
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 | Modified: Thursday, August 12, 2010

Tony Southeast Georgia resort Sea Island Co. became one of the state’s highest profile casualties of the economy and real estate crash late Tuesday, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing at least 1,000 creditors that are owed up to $1 billion.

The bankruptcy coincides with an agreement to sell its assets to New York-based Avenue Capital Corp. and Los Angeles-based Oaktree Capital for $197.5 million. They Continue reading →

Posted in ABC Articles | Leave a comment