Tractor Supply Company

coming to

Bibb County, Georgia

The Headline in "The Telegraph" today makes it quite clear.  "200 new jobs coming to Bibb."  I find this most interesting and as I read the article I ascertained that our area was chosen because of transportation considerations.  I am confident that we all realize that we are in a unique location for such type organizations - distribution systems/warehouses.

We are located at the junction of I-16 and I-75 in the center of Georgia and also near enough to the fourth most vital seaport in the U. S. A. when it comes to the amount of cargo that the Port of Savannah handles that business organizations find our location very accessable.

This fact and the proposed expansion of the Runway at Lewis B. Wilson Airport makes our area very attractive for future business development.  If the current trend continues we will garner even more jobs for the citizens of Middle Georgia and these jobs will not be limited to residents of Bibb County.  Therefore we can assume that the Tractor Supply Company location in Bibb County will become a part of even more development.

I would like to take this opportunity to encourage my fellow voters in Middle Georgia, in fact the whole State of Georgia to vote for their respective T-SPLOST.  Passage of this program will certainly help the whole state of Georgia grow and we all know and realize that we need growth in industry.  We cannot have success unless we have citizens who are employed and supporting the local, state and national governments with their taxes.  Without wage earners the governments at all of these levels cannot continue providing for the less fortunate among us.  We need jobs and we need them now for ourselves and we need them in the future for our children and even our grandchildren. 

Please think about the long term impact of an improved transportation system here in our great State of Georgia.

President of the United States of America

Oath of Office

US Constitution, Article II, Section 1

Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:

 "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

I have a concern that I suspect many of my peers who are also citizens of the United States of America share with me. 

Our President does not obey the laws and when he disagrees, he issues an order.  As the President I think that it is his solemn duty to uphold the laws.  Of course it is also possible to work to change the laws; however to simply issue an order does not support the concept of law and order in the United States of America.

Governor Rick Perry made the following statement regarding our President's recent order to grant what I would consider amnesty to many who are between the ages of 16 and 30 years who may have been brought to this country by their parents:

“The Obama Administration’s election-year tactic to bypass Congress and arbitrarily grant amnesty to potentially millions of illegal immigrants is another example of its blatant disregard for our Constitution, our rule of law and our democratic process,”

I would suggest that this is no way to even run a railroad, much less a whole country.  I would also suggest that this action by our President certainly does not serve as a worthwhile "Role Model" for millions of our Nation's Youth and Young People. 

I would suggest that our President has the most honorable task in the World and that when he avoids the laws of the land that he is setting a tragic precedent.  In addition to the most honorable task in the World he also has the most responsible task in the World.  To use his position  in a lawless manner is simply a heinous crime. 

Shovel Ready Projects

to

Boost the Economy

For several years we here in the United States of America have heard a lot about Shovel Ready Projects and the additional Federal Spending required to boost the economy of our great country.

Recently the sub-division where I reside completed three Shovel Ready Projects and expended the necessary funds to do so.  These projects were completed in a timely manner using local labor and did not require any government funds.  The reserve fund of our Sub-Division was used to provide these worthwhile employment opportunities for workers of all ethnic backgrounds to work.

This street repair project involved the removal of several yards of damaged concrete and the pouring of several yards of new concrete and also stamping the new concrete to match the exiswting roadway.  This picture was taken today, June 24, 2012.  This project was actually completed in September of 2011.

The second project was completed in the Spring of 2012 and involved the removal of unsightly vines and replacing this area with new sod. 

This wall repair project, except for a few minor touch up areas was completed on Friday, June 22, 2012.  It involved the removal of all the bricks on this facade and the relaying of the usable bricks plus new bricks to complete the project.  It involved a local Bricklayer and his two employees. 

I certainly am proud to be part of an organization that has provided gainful employment opportunity for four firms who worked on these three projects.  Additionally, each of these firms obtained the resources they needed from local Middle Georgia firms. 

Three shovel ready projects completed within the span of ten months.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Worship at The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity

Macon, Georgia

The Sermon Outline for the Sunday Worship on June 24, 2012 is as follows:

Message Text:  First Peter 4:10 "Stewards of God's Grace."  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

1. by God's grace, we are connected to Jesus and in such we enjoy the graces associated with that connection.  In fact Jesus is our connection to God.
2. Connected under His grace, we desire that others be connected to Him as well.
3. God grants each of us, His people, gifts in order that we might use those gifts to accomplish His purposes.

Everyone is Welcome to attend.  The church is located at 1899 Tucker Road, Macon, Georgia.  Phone:  (478) 474-8393.

Bicentennial War of 1812 Marker Dedication

War of 1812

Bicentennial Marker Dedication

Fort Hawkins, Macon, Georgia

Today I took the opportunity to attend the National Society, United Daughters of 1812, Major Philip Cook Chapter and The Fort Hawkins Commission Bicentennial Marker Dedication.

June 18, 1812 was the day that our Congress declared War against Britian in what became known as the War of 1812.  It lasted through December 1814.

 I arrived early enough to capture several pictures which I will share here of the Fort and the Fifteen Star Flag that flew in the United States of America during this War.

 This is a view of the six inch cannon which was used at Fort Hawkins.  There was never a battle here, however the Fort was a vital logistics center during the War.

This is a photo of the Fort Hawkins Marker which was erected by the Georgia Historical Society and the Fort Hawkins Commission.

Attending were several re-enactors from the era of the War of 1812.   This hero was in conversation with the President of the Major Philip Cook Chapter prior to the dedication.

Mr. Marty Willet introduced the key note speaker.  He along with Macon City Councilman, Ed Defore were members of the original Fort Hawkins Commission.

 This is a picture of the Marker after it was unveiled.  The marker was funded by the Fort Hawkins Commission and the United States Daughters of 1812 Major Philip Cook Chapter.

As the Dedication concluded everyone in attendance recited The American's Creed by Wm Tyler Page, which I quote here:

"I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people and for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

"I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag and to defend it against all enemies."

Photography Contest

Most of the readers here know that I enjoy Photography as a hobby.  I am a member of the Middle Georgia Camera Club and have been since late 1999.  I participate in the Club Competitions.  Here is one of my six images that I will enter in July 2012.

I will also enter this image at the Georgia National Fair Photography Contest this year.

This image was edited using Picasa with the Neon option as well as the framing option.

If any readers here can identify the town or city in Georgia where this picture was taken, please let me know.  

I Remember

I realize that these pictures are from years ago, but they are not as old as World War II.  The top picture is of my Brother's Iowa Sea Hawks Boot Camp Company from April of 1963.

The second picture is of my other Brother's FTM "A" School Graduation Class.

In an earlier Blog Entry today I stressed the need to remember and to also strive to keep America Free.

Here are my reasons.

We Remember

We Care About our U.S.A.



Americans care about their Country.  Americans want the best for their Children and their Grand Children and all future generations.   Today I quote a Web Site that list American War Deaths Through Our History:



Revolutionary War

1775-1783

25,000

Northwest Indian War

1785-1795

~1,056

Quasi-War

1798-1800

514

War of 1812

1812-1815

~20,000

1st Seminole War

1817-1818

36

Black Hawk War

1832

305

2nd Seminole War

1835-1842

1,535

Mexican-American War

1846-1848

13,283

3rd Seminole War

1855-1858

26

Civil War

1861-1865

~625,000

Indian Wars

1865-1898

919

Great Sioux War

1875-1877

314

Spanish-America War

1898

2,446

Philippine-American War

1898-1913

4,196

Boxer Rebellion

1900-1901

131

Mexican Revolution

1914-1919

~35

Haiti Occupation

1915-1934

148

World War 1

1917-1918

116,516

North Russia Campaign

1918-1920

424

American Exp. Force Siberia

1918-1920

328

Nicaragua Occupation

1927-1933

48

World War 2

1941-1945

405,399

                                                                     Korean War

1950-1953

36,516

Vietnam War

1955-1975

58,209

El Salvador Civil War

1980-1992

37

Beirut

1982-1984

266

Grenada

1983

19

Panama

1989

40

Gulf War

1990-1991

258

Operation Provide Comfort

1991-1996

19

Somalia Intervention

1992-1995

43

Bosnia

1995-2004

12

NATO Air Campaign Yugoslavia

1999

20

Afghanistan (ongoing)

2001-

1,893 (02/2012)

Iraq

2003-2011

4,484 (02/2012)

As you can quickly ascertain a lot of blood has been shed for the Freedoms we enjoy in our United States of America.  As we remember "D" Day today and remember our Heroes of the past I think that it is important that we all strive to keep America Great.  I believe that these Heroes of our History fought for us.  Hopefully they did not die for no purpose.  As a Retired Navy Veteran I know that I and my Shipmates served to protect the Freedoms that our past Heroes saved for us.

I suspect that everyone has an ancestor who died for the cause of freedom.  I know that everyone knows or even has a family member who is a Hero who has given his or her life for our Freedoms.

You may be wondering why I am focused on this today.  I am concerned about the future of our country.  We won the Cold War so we could enjoy our American Values.  Yet today we so much movement toward socialism.  We are watching the erosion of our way of life.  The incentives to do better, to enjoy Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are being destroyed.  These fundamental freedoms are being taken away from us on a daily basis. 

I believe that it is imperative that we all strive to restore America to the greatness that we all have enjoyed or at least heard of.  We can certainly honor and memorialize our Heroes by working to maintain our Freedoms.  The bedrock of the American Way of Life is to be able to enjoy Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. 

This is why thousands of peoples from all Lands came to America.  This is why thousands of Americans served their Country.

All we have to do is work to keep democracy!!!!!!

On Wisconsin !!!!

There is nothing more that needs to be said!!!!

Summer Opportunities

"Dream - Big READ"

You are encouraged to join the Summer Reading Club at your local Bibb County public library.  That is the information contained on a flyer that I acquired last week at my local Library Branch.

The program runs from June 4th through July 21, 2012 and is known as the "Summer Reading Children's Programing."

The following is a summary of the Summer Reading Program in Bibb County:

Shurling - Mondays 10:30 A.M.  744-0875

West Bibb - Tuesdays 10:30 A.M.  744-0818

Lanford - Wednesdays 10:30 A.M.  621-6972

Washington - Thursdays 10:30 A.M.  744-0859

Riverside - Fridays 10:30 A.M.  757-8900

Washington - Saturdays 10:30 A.M.  744-0859

I am confident that each Georgia County also has a Summer Reading Program for their Children.  I would suggest that you contact your County Library System now so that your Scholars will maintain their reading readiness over the Summer Holidays.



TSPLOST

Recently I have enjoyed reading about the soon to be voted on "TSPLOST" during the upcoming Primary Elections on July 31, 2012.

Most of the commentary I have read is focused on the limited viewpoint/s of the writer.  What a shame.  I am one citizen of Georgia that can truthfully state that I am very glad that our duly elected officials are giving us the opportunity to vote on this issue.  I would also quickly state that I am very content and also glad that our duly elected officials are planning for the future. 

All too often we have elected officials that are concerned about their own re-election opportunities to give much consideration about the long term benefits of any of their actions.

I would submit that as you prepare to vote in the July 31st primaries that you consider:

• Will the passage of the TSPLOST enhance our area's ability to attract new industry?
• I would suspect that the longer Runway at our local Airport will enhance the ability of Middle Georgia to attract organizations/business firms that need cargo shipments in a rapid manner.  After all our local Passenger Airport  in Atlanta is really quite busy now.  An Airport in Middle Georgia to facilitate Cargo Planes and shipments would certainly be a plus for the potential of attracting new industry.
• Each County was able to generate projects that they felt would improve their situation.
• For those who may think that anyone county in Middle Georgia is going to benefit more than another, may I submit that if new industry is attracted to our area, every county will benefit.  I know for a fact that when I was an employee of Brown and Williamson here in Macon, Georgia and also located in Bibb County that many of my coworkers traveled in excess of 50 miles one way to work.  Therefore any infrastructure in Bibb County, where I reside, that would employ people would be a benefit to all of Middle Georgia.  So there goes the statement that I recently read about any one individual county benefiting on the expenditure of funds for a project would benefit only that county.  If Middle Georgia, no matter what county acquires a large industry I am confident that we all can benefit.
• I have recently read about individuals concerned about "bike paths" as being non essential.  May I submit that we live on a Congressional District that is of poor health and that many of our fellow citizens are obese.  Maybe every county should have requested "bike paths."

I suspect that by now you can ascertain that I will vote for the TSPLOST.  It is certainly a program that will allow Middle Georgia to hopefully improve the employment opportunities for our own Children, our own Grand Children and future generations.  Yes, I am thankful that our Duly Elected State Officials are planning ahead and also wanting to improve the employment opportunities for all of Middle Georgia's citizens.  We all deserve this type of thinking.  I would also suggest that it is now our opportunity to consider what is important to the future of our area versus the limited potential that some would have us hope for.

Every time I travel to Southern portions of Georgia on either I-475 or I-75 I am grateful for the long range planning that someone performed to allow our South Bibb County to be ready for the future.

So I would ask and also suggest:  Why can we not have progress and forward thinking regarding the I-75 and I-16 interchange which will also improve the transportation infrastructure in Middle Georgia and also Bibb County.  If anyone doubts the need for these improvements may I suggest that they simply take a census of Warner Robins Air Force Base employees that travel from Jones County, Northeast and East Bibb County to work at the Base.  Also, anyone who has ever desired to travel to our local lakes North of Macon on a Friday evening knows that we can do better with an improved I-75/I-16 travel system. 

Additionally, our entertainment/convention business at the Centreplex would possibly improve is we had a more efficient travel situation at the Spring Street/Martin Luther King Blvd. exits/entrances.

This is not an issue about any particular race or ethnic group.  This is an issue for the improvement of the transportation of people/raw materials/finished products for all of Middle Georgia. 

It is certainly time to think about the future as our duly elected officials have given us the opportunity to do this July 31, 2012.  We need to plan ahead and also realize that the future of our Middle Georgia depends on these improvements.  As I stated earlier in this post, our Children and everyones Children deserve much better than what we currently have. 

I have fond memories of a former "Move Forward" campaign here in Macon, Georgia.  It is time that we once again "Move Forward." 



An Historic Macon Presentation

On May 15, 2012 I was able to attend an Historic Macon Presentation at the Sidney Lanier Cottage.  I must admit that I am slow on posting this entry; however please be aware that I often let other projects interupt my Blog Post.

The program was by Mr. Rob Tanner and his recent book, "From Animal House To Our House:  A Love Story."  Mr. Tanner discussed his courtship with his Bride and the restoration of a lovely Victorian Home.

Yes, they did restore a wrecked fraternity house into a charming Victorian Brownstone.  They started in 2000 and in 2008 their work was featured in "This Old House" magazine.

Mr. Tanner made several comments during his presentation:

• During the first Summer of their work their Neighbors held a Dinner Party for them.  They were ready for stable occupants in this former frat house.
• Take Breaks, at least once a week.
• They took their Breaks and visited any Flee Market that was open to acquire needed items to complete the project.
• Have A Plan!!!!!
• Leave No Room Behind.
• Once a room is complete and you find a new item always remember that "something in requires something out."

Mr. Tanner's powerpoint images displayed the before and after situations very well.  His sense of humor was infectious and you can learn more about this project by visiting:

http://houselove.org/

I would suggest that everyone take the opportunity to visit this website and learn about the opportunities that are available in the home restoration hobby/business.