Local & State Headlines

Legislators discuss '08 session at lunch

• State elected officials talk about the past but also place importance on the future.

Barbara Rivera Holmes

ALBANY — While the Albany-Dougherty County state delegation noted the strides made during the 2008 session of the General Assembly, legislators Monday also cautioned that the 2012 redistricting will affect Southwest Georgia in perhaps not the most favorable way.

With the Atlanta area’s population booming and Southwest Georgia’s declining, the redrawing of district lines may cost the region south of Macon five House seats and two senators, officials said.

“The voice of Southwest Georgia is becoming diluted because of the rapid expansion of Atlanta,” said state Rep. Ed Rynders, R-Leesburg, during a legislative luncheon Monday. “How are we going to engage to put (Albany-Dougherty County) on the map? Now we’ve got to be smarter than the situation.”

The luncheon, hosted by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce at Wynfield Plantation, was organized to “thank our local delegation for the wonderful work they do in Atlanta every year,” said the chamber’s interim president, Wendy Martin.

Legislators in attendance were Rynders and Reps. Freddie Powell Sims, D-Albany, and Winfred Dukes, D-Albany, along with Sen. Michael Meyer von Bremen, D-Albany.

Rynders said Southwest Georgia has been spoiled by its rich history of strong legislative leaders — among them, the late Gov. George Busbee of Vienna; former Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, D-Albany; and Meyer von Bremen, who won’t seek re-election this fall. Of course, there also is former state governor and President Jimmy Carter of Plains.

Sims will seek the seat vacated by Meyer von Bremen, who will take his shot at a judgeship on the state Court of Appeals.

The local delegation this year also will lose to retirement Reps. Johnny Floyd, R- Cordele, and A. Richard Royal, R-Camilla, whom Rynders said “knows appropriations like the back of his hand. This is a huge loss for us.”

“Politics is who gets the money and how,” Rynders said. “How do we make ourselves relevant? In a split- party state, sometimes it’s thinking about the politics ... of the Capitol.”

Rynders urged local leaders and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce to put together a “game plan” for dealing with the changes that may come and effectively communicate their wants and concerns to the delegation.

“We’re politicians, yes,” said Sims, “but you are citizens and you have connections, too. He (Rynders) is exactly right. We need to have your listening ear and your support.”

“We’ve got to show a unified front,” Rynders urged.

The legislators also spoke Monday about the General Assembly’s 2008 work.

To that end, the elected officials noted efforts such as providing property tax discounts for timberland owners, a jury exemption bill, funding for Albany Technical College’s Building K and a charter school commission.

“Albany Technical College — hallelujah,” said Meyer von Bremen, who thanked Maj. Gen. Willie Williams, commanding general of Albany- based United States Marine Corps Logistics Command, for his knowledge. “Now Albany can be a (bigger) player in something so vital as defense. It (Building K) is going to be good for logistics.”

The senator was addressed by colleagues and admirers with the utmost respect.

“He (Meyer von Bremen) truly is a leader in a rich history of leaders coming from Dougherty County,” said Rynders. “He’s been a mentor to me.”

Said Martin of the senator, “You have epitomized what a great statesman and senator should be. ... You have been a constant in that purpose of serving Southwest Georgia. ... We love you and appreciate you.”

Meyer von Bremen received a standing ovation as he approached and later departed the podium.

“You have e-mailed me, you have called me ... you have criticized me ... and you’ve helped educate me,” said the senator, who was first elected to office in 1998. “That means a lot, your e-mails, your letters — that helps shape policy.”

The senator, who called himself the “son of a German immigrant and a Baker County farm girl,” said his story proves that “anybody, if they put their heart into it, can serve the people.”

Meyer von Bremen will come up for election to the nonpartisan court in November.

“It’s over for me. I’m hanging up my hat. I appreciate your support,” he said. “It was such an honor.”

More Headlines>>