SBA’s Deadline for Physical Damage Disaster Loan Applications in Georgia Is June 28

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration reminds homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations of the deadline to submit disaster loan applications for damages caused by the severe storms, tornadoes, high winds and flooding that occurred April 27-28. The deadline to file an SBA disaster loan application for physical damage is on June 28, 2011.

Anyone with insured losses should not wait for an insurance settlement before applying to the SBA. “If someone does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, the SBA will consider making a loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided they agree to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay their SBA loan,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

Low-interest disaster loans for physical damages are available in the following Georgia counties: Bartow, Catoosa, Cherokee, Coweta, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Greene, Habersham, Harris, Heard, Lamar, Lumpkin, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Pickens, Polk, Rabun, Spalding, Troup, Upson, Walker and White, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.

Interest rates are as low as 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. The SBA sets the loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

For additional assistance, call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., ET or send an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan application forms can be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical damage is June 28, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is January 30, 2012.

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CPSC Alert: Counterfeit Smoke Alarms Distributed in Atlanta

/PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers in the Atlanta area to check their homes for counterfeit smoke alarms. About 18,500 counterfeit photoelectric smoke alarms were distributed for free in the Atlanta area between 2006 through May 2011 as part of the Atlanta Smoke Alarm Program. The smoke alarms can fail to alert consumers in the event of a fire.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, which distributed the free smoke alarms as part of a fire safety campaign, is recalling the smoke alarms and is working to provide free smoke alarm inspections and replacement units. Consumers who received these alarms should immediately contact the Atlanta Smoke Alarm Recall Hotline at (404) 546-2733.

The counterfeit alarms can be identified by a silver Underwriters Laboratories' UL label on the back and three sets of vented slots on the front. The UL label is counterfeit. The alarms do not have a model number or brand name printed on them. "Important: Refer to Manual for Operating Instruction and Safety" and "Do Not Paint" are stamped into the plastic on the front of the alarm in both English and German. The package states, "This Smoke Alarm save [sic] life and property by early warning!" Claims that smoke alarms can "save property" are not typical claims for smoke alarms. The packaging states, "10 YEAR LIFE LITHIUM BATTERY," but the battery included with the smoke alarm is a carbon zinc, industrial, heavy duty battery, which will power the alarm for only one year.

CPSC's independent testing of the smoke alarms determined that the alarms pose a life safety hazard to the occupants in the event of a fire. The alarms perform poorly and inconsistently and do not meet voluntary standards requirements in Underwriters Laboratories' (UL) 217, Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. The smoke alarms' sensitivity settings varied greatly between the alarms tested. Some alarms did not respond within an adequate time for life safety and other alarms did not respond at all.

CPSC has worked with the voluntary standards organizations to improve smoke alarm performance and reliability. Counterfeit alarms can put lives at risk. Working smoke alarms that meet the voluntary standards are proven to save lives. CPSC urges consumers to install smoke alarms on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas and inside bedrooms. Replace batteries at least once every year and test the alarms once a month.

Counterfeit UL Label

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed to a significant decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or re-sell any recalled product.

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Reminder: National Infantry Museum, Columbus, GA, to Host Gulf War 20th Anniversary National Tribute 9 a.m. Thurs., May 26 to Honor Service Members, Unveil Stones to Those Who Lost Lives in Decisive Military Action

/PRNewswire/ -- The National Infantry Museum, located adjacent to Fort Benning in Columbus, GA, will host a Gulf War Twentieth Anniversary National Tribute to the men and women killed in service during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm on Thursday, May 26, from 9-10:30 a.m., leading off Memorial Day Weekend. The event will include participation by the top service commanders from the conflict and will feature laying commemorative granite paved stones for each of the men and women who died. Families and unit members will attend and thousands are expected.

"We won rapidly in the Gulf War; 382 men and women gave their lives," says Col. Greg Camp (Ret), Executive Vice President of the National Infantry Foundation. Infantry Foundation Chairman Lieutenant General Carmen Cavezza added, "This event is a well earned national tribute to the sacrifices our military heroes made to enable a clear victory by the United States and coalition forces. This will be the first official recognition of all Gulf War men and women who died in service." The event is also Fort Benning's Memorial Day celebration.

The event's host speaker will be retired Four-Star General Barry R. McCaffrey, a division commander in the Gulf War. The top Air Force and Navy commanders in the Gulf War have already indicated participation, Gen. Charles Horner (Ret), and Admiral Stanley Arthur (Ret), as well as LtGen. William M. Keys, USMC (Ret.), who commanded the 2nd Marine Division in the Gulf War. Other leaders from all branches are expected. In addition to the stone pavers and speeches, a military honor guard will march. Taps will be played following the unveiling of the stones and the raising of a new, special, dedicated flag for the Gulf War.

McCaffrey stated, "The Gulf War was a decisive military action. Anyone who comes to the Infantry Museum and sees the powerful exhibits from all of America's wars will understand how appropriate it is that the Gulf War commemoration be hosted here. As a participant in the Gulf War, I am proud that America is giving recognition to those who served and died for their country."

The National Infantry Museum and Foundation continues to seek information from families and unit members of the service members killed in the Gulf War to include at the event. All are invited to come. Persons with information or photos of the 382 are asked to send them to Cyndy Cerbin at ccerbin@nationalinfantryfoundation.org. "We want families and friends of Gulf War veterans to feel that this is home for recognition of their heroes," said Ben Williams, Executive Director of National Infantry Foundation.

In partnership with the Army and the Maneuver Center of Excellence, the Gulf War ceremony will be a special event included at the conclusion of the graduation of a company of new Infantry School soldiers, a powerful message of continuity for the graduates. Four-Star General BB Bell (Ret), who was General Norman Schwarzkopf's executive officer in the Gulf War as a colonel, will deliver the graduation address. Four-Star General Ronald Griffith, a commander of the First Armored Division in Iraq, will also participate. The class will then march the short distance to the granite pavers for the unveiling.

For planning purposes, Columbus' airport is served by Delta and American Airlines, or media may wish to fly to Atlanta and rent a car or take a shuttle to Columbus, which has many hotels. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International airport (ATL) is approximately a 75-minute drive from the National Infantry Museum, and Columbus Airport (CSG) is a twenty-minute drive.

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Georgia Receives $55,000 Grant from NSSF to Promote Hunting

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has been awarded a grant for $55,000 from the National Shooting Sports Foundation to expand opportunities for hunters.

The state is one of nine to receive funding from NSSF through its Hunting Heritage Partnership program. NSSF, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting-sports industry, has provided more than $4.3 million in grants to 38 state agencies over the past nine years to support programs that promote hunting and target shooting.

The agency's project, which will be coordinated with Alabama and Kentucky, will assess the best ways to encourage and assist hunter-education graduates to become active hunters and hunting-license purchasers. The project will focus on developing "next step" guidance for hunter-education graduates.

"The future of hunting in Georgia relies on establishing new generations of hunters," says Dan Forster, director of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. "This grant will help make it possible for state wildlife agencies to obtain practical and specific tools and resources to help hunter-education graduates take the next step toward becoming hunters."

NSSF developed the Hunting Heritage Partnership grant program to assist state agencies nationwide in their attempts to help hunters locate land on which to hunt and easily access state hunting information plus encourage newcomers to start and then continue hunting.

"NSSF grants to state agencies are making a difference," said Chris Dolnack, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of NSSF. "Programs are being launched to benefit hunting and target shooting that otherwise might never have gotten off the ground in these challenging economic times."

The grant program is helping NSSF fulfill its goal of increasing participation in hunting and target shooting by 20 percent by 2014.

"I congratulate the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for earning this NSSF grant. By increasing the number of sportsmen in America we increase the funding available for wildlife conservation and for building target shooting ranges, thereby preserving our American heritage well into the future," said Joshua W. Dorsey IV, vice president of operations at Smyrna-based Glock Inc. and a member of the NSSF Board of Governors.

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Governor Deal Signs Bill Enhancing Beautification, Outdoor Advertising Projects in Georgia

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Governor Nathan Deal yesterday (May 12) announced he has signed House Bill 179, legislation that finally creates a common sense approach balancing the need for our community businesses to effectively promote themselves, while establishing stronger stewardship provisions than are in current law. In addition to the bill signing, the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia (OAAG) is also proud to announce that member companies are donating hundreds of vinyl signs to be used as tarps to cover storm-damaged homes as well as space on billboards to inform residents of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and American Red Cross contact information.

“I am proud that we are doing our part to help our neighbors who were severely impacted by these devastating storms.”

Under the new law, vegetation removal will now be allowed in a smaller area in front of billboards allowing motorists to fully view advertising messages and bring new business to Georgia companies. The bill requires outdoor advertising companies to pay the highest mitigation fees in the country and fund the replacement and replanting of all vegetation that is removed.

“The previous law was very ineffective, leaving signs close to the ground obstructed from view behind trees and either abandoned or raised to skyscraper levels for visibility,” said Ray Moyers, President of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia (OAAG). “This compromise bill will lead to lower signs, more beautification projects and, most importantly, economic growth as Georgia small businesses reach new customers through advertising.”

In addition, the bill requires signs to be lowered to at least 75 feet as a condition for receiving relief from obstructions. It also ensures the industry fully funds the Georgia Department of Transportation’s administrative costs, relieving the burden from our state’s taxpayers.

For the first time in state law, House Bill 179 creates new provisions for the removal of abandoned, cluttered, and dilapidated signs at no cost to the taxpayer. And, the legislation emphasizes local control allowing local governments to determine billboard regulations in their community.

“Georgia’s network of outdoor advertising can be an incredible resource to help us market our community businesses, grow new jobs, and maintain our existing workforce, but only if the messages were visible to the traveling public,” said Rep. Jon Burns, sponsor of HB 179. “We worked hard over the past few months and fashioned a reasonable bill that achieves many of the goals sought after by both sides of this debate. I want to publicly thank Governor Deal for recognizing the benefits of the bill and signing it into law.”

Since the bill passed during this year’s legislative session, the outdoor advertising industry has continued to contribute heavily to Georgia’s economy and civic concerns. When tornados struck Georgia in late April, billboard companies immediately mobilized and donated over 500 vinyl signs that can be used as tarps to cover storm-damaged homes until repairs can be made.

The industry has also donated space on 75 electronic message boards in Georgia, including the hardest-hit storm areas of Rome, Griffin and Clayton. The messages inform residents on how to contact FEMA for storm-related assistance. There will also be two traditional (non-electronic) billboards in Trenton and Ringgold with FEMA contact information. The Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia is paying for the production of the vinyl signs and Fairway Outdoor Advertising of Chattanooga is donating the space for those two signs. Clear Channel is also featuring messages for the American Red Cross on more than 20 digital signs in the Metro Atlanta area.

“Our industry is made up of community-minded citizens that respond quickly when Georgians are in need,” Moyers added. “I am proud that we are doing our part to help our neighbors who were severely impacted by these devastating storms.”

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Deal signs Child Booster Seat bill, creates MLK Advisory Council

Gov. Nathan Deal today bolstered child safety efforts by signing a bill to strengthen the state’s booster seat law (SB 88), and he enacted legislation that creates an advisory council for state Capitol ceremonies for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (SB 141).

“We must do everything in our power to protect young Georgians, and studies show consistently that booster seats provide children with a much greater level of safety than vehicle seats built for adults,” said Deal, who signed the bill at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Scottish Rite Hospital. “I have no doubt that this law will save countless lives and prevent serious injuries for many young children.”

This bill will bring Georgia in line with the age recommendations of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by raising the mandatory booster seat age to 8. SB 88 contains exceptions for children taller than 4 feet 9 inches or a child’s parent or guardian obtaining a physician’s written permission.

At Ebenezer Baptist Church, surrounded by members of the King family, Deal signed SB 141, a bill that promotes the legacy and philosophy of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. by creating the Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council.

“It will be the duty of this council to promote the principles of nonviolence, peace, social justice and the awareness and appreciation of the civil rights movement and the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Deal said. “Our state is proud to be the home of Dr. King, and Ebenezer Baptist Church, surrounded by Dr. King’s family, was the perfect place to start this new council.”

The advisory council will also develop and coordinate ceremonies and activities relating to the observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. on behalf of the state of Georgia.

Bills can be read in their entirety at http://www.legis.ga.gov/en-US/default.aspx.

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Deal signs bill to designate funding for burn trauma centers

In Augusta and Columbia County today, Gov. Nathan Deal signed three bills into law. The governor signed HB 307, a bill that designates burn trauma centers treating the largest portion of significant burn cases -- at least 300 patients annually -- as designated facilities of the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission.

“Despite Georgia’s fast-paced growth and a population of more than 9.8 million people in our state, we have only two major burn trauma centers, which bear the demand of treating patients with serious burn injuries. One center is at Doctors Hospital in Augusta; the other is at Grady Hospital in Atlanta,” said Deal. “This designation will permit Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission funding for the treatment of indigent burn victims at these burn centers.

“We must ensure our state is well-positioned to continue to provide critical care to victims of these life-threatening injuries.”

Deal signed the bill during a ceremony at the Enterprise Mill in Augusta. While there, Deal also enacted SB 240, a bill that creates a new class of motor vehicles and personal transportation vehicles (golf carts). Georgia is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of golf carts, and this legislation aims not only to promote the use of golf carts but also to support job growth in the state.

Earlier in the day during the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce’s post-legislative session breakfast at Savannah Rapids Pavilion in Martinez, he signed HB 280, which allows counties and municipalities with excess 911 funds to utilize that money for 911-related expenses. Currently that money was restricted to expenses as defined when the Georgia Emergency Telephone Act was passed in 1977, and HB 280 permits money to be spent on modern technologies. Deal was joined by Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle for the bill signing.

Bills can be read in their entirety at http://www.legis.ga.gov/en-US/default.aspx

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Deal signs bill to fight human trafficking: Governor modernizes Georgia legal code, including updated Rules of Evidence

Gov. Nathan Deal today signed three bills pertaining to legal issues at the State Bar of Georgia and signed two bills advocated by the Women’s Caucus at My Sister’s House, an Atlanta facility that offers overnight shelter and residential discipleship programs for homeless women and women with children.

Bill signing at State Bar:

HB 24 modernizes the Rules of Evidence
Current Rules of Evidence are nearly 150 years old
Brings OCGA in line with Federal Rules of Evidence pertaining to hearsay
Georgia becomes the 45th state to modernize

HB 238 revamps the Georgia Public Defenders Standards Council
Agency has been plagued with issues
Gives more autonomy to Director
Reconstitutes the Council

HB 415 provides for a statewide jury pool
Since the 1960s, Georgia has used forced balancing to ensure demographic groups within counties are proportionally represented in the jury pool.
Ends forced balancing and implements a series of procedures and rules to compile a statewide, inclusive juror source list. It calls for the Council of Superior Court Clerks to establish and maintain a statewide master jury list and requires the Department of Driver Services and the Secretary of State to provide certain information to the Council of Superior Court Clerks.
The council will screen driver license records, vital records and voter registration records to create a more inclusive source list of eligible jurors. The database will be cleaned of duplicates, bad addresses and the names of felons and deceased people. Then the Council of Superior Court Clerks will certify and distribute an inclusive list to each individual county’s Board of Jury Commissioners.

Bill Signing at My Sister’s House:

“Human trafficking is a repugnant crime that is growing like a cancer in our society,” Deal said. “Signing this bill into law, I join my fellow Georgians in declaring moral outrage and vowing to fight human trafficking here in our state. These criminals rob their victims of freedom and human dignity, and they destroy lives. With this bill now a law, we will find these criminals and we will punish them harshly.”

HB 200 addresses human trafficking
Strengthens the punishment against traffickers by increasing the minimum imprisonment for any person who commits the offense of trafficking a person for labor or sexual servitude and subjects the convicted to a fine.
Increases the punishment for any person who commits the offense of trafficking a person for labor or sexual servitude against a person who is under the age of 18 years
Protects those that fall victim to predators whom act on their state of desperation by providing that a person shall NOT be guilty of a sexual crime if the conduct upon which the alleged criminal liability is based was committed under coercion or deception while the accused was being trafficked for sexual servitude

HB 503 provides for the Georgia Crime Victims Emergency Fund to cover the costs of medical exams of alleged victims of rape
Ensures that victims will have these exams paid for and that the responsibility will not fall on local law enforcement that have budget constraints

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Survey: Weak Economy Led to 1,395 Child Care Program Closures In Georgia Last Year

/PRNewswire/ -- Already struggling in a difficult economy, conditions went from bad to worse in 2010 for Georgia's child care providers and the thousands of children and families they serve.

According to a new report released by Quality Care for Children, Georgia lost 1,395 child care programs due to the poor economy – a net loss of 43,000 child care slots statewide. This represents an 11 percent decline in the number of child care centers and a more than 30 percent decline in family child care.

The 1,395 closures are more than double the 600 shutdowns reported by Quality Care for Children last year.

And the worst may not be over. The annual statewide survey of 485 child care programs also found that 20 percent of child care centers and 33 percent of family child care providers are considering closing their doors. Approximately one in three family child care providers say they're worried about having to close, an increase from last year when one in four had the same concern.

"We've seen a huge spike in the number of vacancies in child care programs throughout the state, brought on by parents who've either lost jobs or seen their income reduced and then had to withdraw their children," said Quality Care for Children CEO Pam Tatum, "At the same time, costs to operate a center have never been higher – further adding to the financial pressure on providers. The most pressing concern is: Who is now caring for these children? In tough economic times, parents have fewer options and often feel financially pressured to leave their kids in care situations that may be unsuitable – even dangerous – in order to make ends meet. Ultimately it's the kids who pay the price."

Tatum said nearly 65 percent of families in Georgia use some form of child care today.

QCC also reported a troubling new trend tied to the economy: More children are arriving to child care hungry. A significant number of providers are reporting that children appear more stressed and are living in homes that are experiencing hardship, evidenced by the number of children coming into the provider's home hungry in the morning, especially after weekends.

QCC ensures more than 10,000 children in family child care receive nutritious snacks and meals every day through the USDA Child Care Food Program. "Clearly, that's not enough," Tatum said.

"Any child who starts their day hungry; who seems visibly stressed; and who is not in a stable, nurturing quality environment is not getting the start that is essential to their healthy development and the ultimate health of Georgia's economy," Tatum said.

For the third consecutive year, QCC reported substantial declines in the overall quality of child care programs as well, measured by the number of programs that have cut staff hours, eliminated staff positions, and spent less on needed improvements and supplies such as books and toys. "These cuts and lack of investments can be devastating to the quality of early education in Georgia. Our children can't afford another year of decline."

Copies of the report are available at www.qualitycareforchildren.org.

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Health Care Compact Heads to Governor’s Desk in Georgia

The Georgia General Assembly passed the Health Care Compact, making them the second state to send the Compact to its governor. The Compact, introduced in the Senate by State Sen. Charlie Bethel (R-Dalton), would allow Georgia to join a Health Care Compact and provide Georgia the freedom and responsibility to develop health care laws. The Health Care Compact allows consumers more power to make health care decisions by returning funding and authority to state governments.

“Preserving 10th Amendment rights so states can move forward with true health care reform has been a driving force behind support across this nation for this Compact,” said Bethel. “Here in Georgia, we deserve full authority over our health care system to provide the best and most effective services for our citizens. It is our goal to implement free-market initiatives aimed at improving quality, increasing access, and lowering costs of health care for all Georgians. With this compact in place, we are ensured that we can make the decisions best for every person in this state. I thank the House and Senate for their hard work getting this compact passed and I look forward to working with Governor Deal to have it signed into law.”

I along with my conservative colleagues believe that states deserve control over health care goods and services and this Compact will guarantee

The Health Care Compact is an agreement between participating states that restores authority and responsibility for health care regulation to member states. The compact allows member states to create laws that are better suited for the state’s needs, including amendments to the federal health care law passed last year.

Georgia is the second state to send the compact to their governor for signature. The Health Care Compact has been introduced in 12 states and has passed the State House of Representatives in Montana, Missouri, and Arizona and State Senate in Oklahoma and Arizona. In addition, more than 36 states, citizen groups and state legislators are actively considering the Health Care Compact with legislative activity expected in the coming weeks.

The Georgia House version of the compact was introduced by Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper) and was co-sponsored by Representatives John Meadows (R-Calhoun), Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica), Terry England (R-Auburn), Roger Williams (R-Dalton), Delvis Dutton (R- Glennville) and others.

The Health Care Compact was introduced by the Health Care Compact Alliance, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to providing Americans more influence over decisions that govern their health care.

“The Health Care Compact gives the health care decision-making power back to the people instead of the bureaucrats in Washington. It allows greater citizen influence, more competition, and more options for health care for millions of Americans,” said Eric O’Keefe, Chairman of the Health Care Compact Alliance. “We would like to thank Sen. Bethel for introducing this important legislation that will provide the citizens of Georgia with greater control over their government and, ultimately, over their health care.”

For the Health Care Compact to become law it must be passed by both houses of the General Assembly, signed by the governor, and approved through Congress. The way health care works in a member state is not prescribed in the compact. Who and what is covered as well as the level of regulation are determined by each state after the compact is ratified.

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Civil Rights Leaders Call for Halt to Water Fluoridation

/PRNewswire/ -- Because fluoride can disproportionately harm poor citizens and black families, Atlanta civil rights leaders, Andrew Young and Dr. Gerald Durley, have asked Georgia legislators to repeal the state's mandatory water fluoridation law, reports Fluoride Action Network (FAN).

Andrew Young, former U.N. Ambassador and former Atlanta Mayor, along with Reverend Dr. Gerald Durley, Pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Atlanta, both inductees in the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, expressed concerns about the fairness, safety, and full disclosure regarding fluoridation in letters to the state's minority and majority legislative leaders. (4,5)

Fluoride chemicals, added to 96% of Georgia's public drinking water supplies are meant to prevent tooth decay, especially in the poor. Yet, 61% of low-income Georgia third-graders have tooth decay compared to 51% from higher income families - and 33% and 20%, respectively, have untreated cavities showing a dire need for dental care. (1)

"We also have a cavity epidemic today in our inner cities that have been fluoridated for decades," wrote Ambassador Young.

Studies show that despite fluoridation, tooth decay is higher in blacks (2) along with fluoride overexposure symptoms - dental fluorosis or discolored teeth.(3)

Dr. Durley wrote, "The National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences has designated kidney patients, diabetics, seniors, and babies as 'susceptible subpopulations' that are especially vulnerable to harm from ingested fluorides. Black citizens are disproportionately affected by kidney disease and diabetes, and are therefore more impacted by fluorides."(4)

Ambassador Young wrote, "I am most deeply concerned for poor families who have babies: if they cannot afford unfluoridated water for their babies' milk formula, do their babies not count? Of course they do. This is an issue of fairness, civil rights, and compassion. We must find better ways to prevent cavities, such as helping those most at risk for cavities obtain access to the services of a dentist."(5)

Dr. Durley's letter to the legislators also says, "I support the holding of Fluoridegate hearings at the state and national level so we can learn why we haven't been openly told that fluorides build up in the body over time (and) why our government agencies haven't told the black community openly that fluorides disproportionately harm black Americans…"

An American Association for Justice Newsletter for trial lawyers describes potential fluoride legal actions based on personal injury, consumer fraud, and civil rights harm.(6)

In a letter to their state's Health Commissioner, a bipartisan group of Tennessee legislators expressed their concern about fluoridation's undesirable impact on babies and other groups.(7)

A bipartisan group of New York City Council Members has also introduced legislation to stop fluoridation in NYC. (8)

Daniel G. Stockin of The Lillie Center Inc., a Georgia-based firm working to end the practice of fluoridation says, "You can look for even more leaders and persons harmed by fluoridation to speak out now."

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposes to lower water fluoride levels to alleviate the growing dental fluorosis epidemic. FAN submitted scientific evidence to HHS indicating that fluoridation must stop completely to preserve health, documenting that:

* HHS has failed to consider fluoride's impact on the brain. Fluoride has been linked to lowered IQ in 24 human studies, and over 100 animal studies have reported damage to the brain.
* Infants who are fed formula made with fluoridated tap water will receive up to 175 times more fluoride than breast-fed infants. Infants 0-6 months old, the smallest and most vulnerable in our population, were completely excluded from risk calculations in HHS's proposal.
* African-American children and low-income children suffer from the highest rates of dental fluorosis, including the most severe forms of the condition. The HHS has failed to take any steps to redress this inequity, thereby making fluoridation an Environmental Justice issue.


(Ref: FAN submission to HHS, Feb 4, 2011. http://fluoridealert.org/fan-comments.html)

Young stated, "My father was a dentist. I formerly was a strong believer in the benefits of water fluoridation for preventing cavities. But many things that we began to do 50 or more years ago we now no longer do, because we have learned further information that changes our practices and policies. So it is with fluoridation."

Paul Connett, PhD, Director of FAN says, "Fluoridation is unnecessary, unethical, the benefits wildly exaggerated and the risks minimized."

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Georgia Latino Population Swells

/PRNewswire/ -- The Latino population in Georgia experienced exceptional growth since 2000, increasing 96% in the last decade, according to a National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund analysis of newly released Census 2010 data.

Between 2000 and 2010, while the state's overall population grew 18% from 8.2 million to 9.7 million, the Latino population increased from 435,227 to 853,689.

Latinos account for 28% of overall population growth in the state over the last ten years, and represent 8.8% of the state's population.

"These numbers show that Latinos are an integral part of the state's future economic well-being," said State Representative Pedro Marin. "In order to ensure the prosperity and well-being of all residents of Georgia, our policies must promote the economic and civic progress of Latinos."

Many of Georgia's ten largest incorporated areas – which include the state's cities – also have significant Latino populations, including Roswell (17%), Sandy Springs (14%), and Athens-Clarke County (10%), which the U.S. Census Bureau classifies as the state's fastest-growing big city. Additionally, more than half (57%) of Georgia's Latino residents live in the ten largest counties, including Fulton – home to Atlanta.

The data also found the Latino population is significantly younger than the non-Latino population.

"The newly released numbers suggest that the Latino community in our state placed a high priority on being counted in the 2010 Census and of being full participants in the political process in our country," said Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO).

"As Georgia now undertakes the redistricting process, it is time to make sure Latinos can embrace the opportunity to translate those Census numbers into full and fair representation."

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Georgia State to host National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day event

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will hold an event to observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on March 10 at Georgia State University.

The event, sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Region IV and GSU's Department of Student Health Promotion, will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hall in Dahlberg Hall, 30 Courtland St.

Other co-sponsors include the Center for Black Women's Wellness, The Creative Conversations Group LLC, Girlfriends Health Guide and AID Atlanta.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in five people living with HIV infection in the United States do not know they are infected. In 2007, more than a quarter of diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States were among women and girls age 13 and older. The numbers are an indicator that it is time to increase awareness and prevention efforts.

According to the Office on Women's Health, National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a nationwide observance that encourages people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls. Organizations across the country come together to offer support, encourage discussion, and teach women and girls about prevention of HIV, the importance of getting tested for HIV, and how to live with and manage HIV/AIDS.

During the event, Candice Wiggins of the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx will share her personal testimony in regards to HIV/AIDS while encouraging young women and girls to take a stand and get tested. The event will highlight a thought provoking HIV/AIDS awareness performance by the group "Substance Abuse Prevention Teen Theater (SAPTT)." In addition, the event will include a self esteem building workshop to inspire women and girls facilitated by AID Atlanta.

For more information on National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, please visit http://www.womenshealth.gov/nwghaad.

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Department of Defense to Turn Landfill Gases into Sustainable Renewable Clean Energy with FlexEnergy Powerstation™

Technology slated for Fort Benning, Ga., will be showcased at today's ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit

 /PRNewswire/ -- FlexEnergy (www.flexenergy.com), a cleantech company that creates clean energy with near-zero emissions from harmful greenhouse gases, announced its Powerstation™ technology will allow the Department of Defense's (DoD) Fort Benning, Ga. base to convert its landfill gas, an unconventional energy source, into renewable energy. FlexEnergy will deliver two powerstations in collaboration with Southern Research Institute (SRI) through the DoD's ESTCP (Environmental Security Technology Certification Program).
"The Department of Defense is at the forefront of deploying breakthrough technologies. The installation of the Flex Powerstation at Fort Benning, GA enables the Army to generate its own continuous, clean, renewable energy from an on base landfill," said Joseph Perry, CEO of FlexEnergy.

Currently, a successful Powerstation™ pilot program operates at the Lamb Canyon Landfill in Riverside County, Calif. The smaller, 10-ton test unit has the capability to produce enough electricity to power 30 homes in the community. Once installed at Fort Benning, the 250 kW Powerstation™ can potentially provide electricity for 250 homes.

FlexEnergy will showcase its Powerstation™ February 28-March 2 at the second annual ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C. The Summit, co-hosted by the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) and the Clean Technology and Sustainable Industries Organization (CTSI), features cutting-edge cleantech organizations that are helping to determine the future of energy. FlexEnergy's plug-and-play system was selected for its ability to oxidize gases as low as 1.5 percent methane, a greenhouse gas with 20-25 times the environmental impact of carbon dioxide.

"Exhibiting among the key players in the energy community at ARPA-E is a great opportunity to reach more potential customers who want to control pollution, generate clean sustainable energy and help save the U.S. up to 60 million barrels of oil imports annually," Perry said.

FlexEnergy will exhibit to nearly 2,000 researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, corporate executives and government officials at the Gaylord Convention Center just outside of Washington, D.C. The ARPA-E Summit's high-profile speakers include U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, ARPA-E Director Arun Majumdar and U.S. Navy Secretary Raymond Mabus.

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Governor's Office Grant Helps Prevent Underage Drinking

/PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Governor's Office for Children and Families (GOCF) awarded a $60,000 grant to The Council on Alcohol and Drugs to prevent and reduce underage drinking through a statewide website, stopalcoholunder21.org. The grant also provides for radio PSAs and newspaper print ads in ten counties in Georgia determined to be most at risk via a 2010 Underage Drinking Needs Reassessment conducted by Georgia State University and The Council on Alcohol and Drugs.

Underage drinking and the consequences of juvenile alcohol use are serious issues in the state of Georgia. The Georgia Governor's Office for Children and Families (GOCF) has awarded a $60,000 grant to The Council on Alcohol and Drugs to prevent and reduce underage drinking by providing a statewide website, stopalcoholunder21.org.

The website includes features designed to help parents, youth, educators, alcohol retailers and others. Those features include downloadable:

* Public Service Announcements for Radio Broadcast
* Newspaper Print Ads
* Parenting Manuals for Parents of Children Ages 6-11 / 12-14 / 15-18/ and 19-20
* 1/2 Hour Video: "The Worst Drug of All"
* Video Vignettes on various topics related to Underage Drinking
* Resource Links to Other Web Sites related to Preventing Underage Drinking
* Additional Print Resources


The grant also provides for radio PSAs and newspaper print ads in ten counties in Georgia determined to be most at risk for underage drinking via a 2010 Underage Drinking Needs Reassessment conducted by Georgia State University and The Council on Alcohol and Drugs. The counties being served by the grant's Media Campaign are Ben Hill, Bulloch, Candler, Catoosa, Fannin, Lanier, Lowndes, Walker, Wilcox and Worth Counties.

This program is made possible with funding from the Governor's Office for Children and Families under a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws Block Grant Program, CFDA 16.727.

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HHS increases total LIHEAP funding available to help low-income families to $3.9 billion

Georgia's allocation will be $86,178,083.

Today U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of additional funding to help eligible low-income families meet their home energy needs, bringing the total made available since October 1 to $3.9 billion. These funds will go to states, tribes and territories under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and are available under the terms of the latest continuing resolution.

"Much of the country has already experienced a very cold winter," said Secretary Sebelius. "Today's additional funds will help struggling families keep safe and warm for the remainder of the season."

LIHEAP assists qualified families with their home energy needs such as heating in the winter, cooling their homes in the summer, and insulating their homes to make them more energy efficient and reduce their energy costs. By doing so, families are less likely to have to choose between paying their energy bills and other necessities, such as food or medicine. Energy assistance can reduce illness or the risk of fires that can break out when households turn to using candles or space heaters because they cannot pay their electricity or gas bill.

The block grant funds released today supplement two previous releases of funds under continuing resolutions in Fiscal Year 2011.

"As temperatures drop, heating costs can pose a serious challenge for struggling families," said David A. Hansell, HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families. "At the start of a new year, these additional LIHEAP funds will help ease the financial burdens for many families."

A complete list of funds available to states today is below:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2011/liheap_allocation.html

Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance should contact their local/state LIHEAP agency. For more information, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/ or http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/brochure/brochure.html.

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GDOT Crews Opening Roads Around Metro Area

WHAT: Work crews have been moving across the Metro Area and have opened a number of areas.
Additionally, crews are on location at several hot spots in an effort to get those interstates opened.

WHERE:
I-75 at Wade Green - opened
I-75 at Mt. Zion – opened
I-75 at Delk Road in Cobb County – DOT crews on site
I-20 Conyers/Rockdale County – 5 DOT trucks on site
I-75/I-285 in South Fulton County – 12 DOT trucks on site – already moved 3 tractor trailer trucks out of the roadway
I-75 at Frey Road overpass in Cobb County– DOT crews on site
I-85 N at GA 400 – DOT crews are working a jack-knifed tractor trailer

WHEN: NOW through late Tuesday at least

The Georgia DOT Maintenance Crews continue to work around the clock to clear roadways across Georgia. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution as travel remains hazardous in many areas. If you must drive, be especially careful on bridges and overpasses, as ice often forms more quickly in these areas. Motorists should check with media outlets for updates.

Motorists are urged to slow down and leave, at least, a ten car length distance between their vehicles and the DOT trucks clearing the roadways. They are also advised to treat any traffic signal that is not working as a four-way stop, and be aware of black ice, especially on bridges and overpasses.

Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org .

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Georgia DOT Urges Avoid All Travel Until Tuesday

12:20 pm Mon. Jan. 10: A winter storm warning is in effect through Monday evening for all of north and central Georgia. Extremely hazardous driving conditions, major accidents, and impassable roads have been reported throughout the warning area. Motorists are urged to AVOID ALL TRAVEL until at least Tuesday.

Source:  Georgia DOT

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Georgia Power Urges Customers to Prepare for Winter Storms

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power has crews on standby statewide, as well as mutual-assistance crews from around the country en-route, to mobilize and restore power outages caused by the anticipated winter storm.

The company urges its customers to have their emergency plans in place as there may be lengthy delays in power restoration if severe weather coats ice on roads, tree limbs and power lines.

To learn more about how ice and snow can interrupt power, visit our website to watch an interactive video. Major outage information will be available on Twitter, @georgiapower.

Here are some safety tips for customers to follow when severe weather hits:

* Anyone with a life-threatening medical emergency should dial 9-1-1.

* Always avoid downed power lines. Any downed line should be considered energized and therefore dangerous. Report downed lines immediately to local public safety authorities and stay out of the immediate area.

* Avoid debris on the ground that may conceal downed power lines and make sure there are no downed lines before allowing children out to play. Do not attempt to make repairs to Georgia Power's electrical system or pull limbs off lines.

* Watch out for falling trees, tree limbs and power lines.

* Steer clear of Georgia Power crew work areas. Equipment and energized lines may be in the area that could create a safety hazard.

* When driving, watch for crews working along the roadways, and obey all traffic signs and directions around work areas.

* When leaving your home and power is off, turn off the main breaker as a precaution to avoid a power surge once the power is restored.

* Be patient. When major outages occur, Georgia Power crews must first restore power to transmission lines and distribution circuits before working on distribution lines that feed directly to homes and businesses. However, be assured that Georgia Power crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to customers.

* Customers are reminded to be careful when using portable heaters or other supplemental heating. Never place heaters near flammable materials or where they might tip over. Use fire screens to prevent sparks and embers from causing problems.

* Customers should exercise extreme caution if using candles during a power outage. Always keep candles away from flammable objects and never leave them burning unattended. Make sure flashlights have fresh batteries.

If the weather interrupts electrical service, customers are urged to report outages by visiting our website, www.georgiapower.com or by calling the Customer Care Center at 1-888-891-0938. This line is answered by an automated system designed to handle power outage calls quicker than speaking to a person; however, customers may also talk directly with a customer service representative.

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SBA Disaster Loans Available Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration in Georgia

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration announces today (December 7) that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes located in the entire state of Georgia because of drought and excessive heat that began July 1, 2010.

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities affected by the same disaster”

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities affected by the same disaster,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. Agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA, but nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions.

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with a 4 percent interest rate for small businesses, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. These loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than July 26, 2011.

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