Special Report: Local banks and the swirl in the financial industry
>In a special report, we look at area banks amid today's financial swirl. We talk to six bank executives about customer questions spawned by IndyMac's recent collapse and other stories in the financial industry. The bankers discuss what they're telling customers, the state of local banking (solid and safe, they say) and what might be ahead. Click Special Report
On this week's Buzz: (click)
>Campaign 2008: Prime time politics begins
>Will what works in Greenville, S.C., play well in Rome?
>3-Dot Buzz: Holiday Inn Express opens; new RSO 'brass'; Phil at the plate
WeatherCenter
>Mostly sunny, high of 98 with a heat index of 103 likely > WeatherCenter
>Updates: We'll have updates all day, watching the heat, heat index
>Checking the tropics: Cristobal, Dolly on the move> Hurricane Center
Sports
>Norman Arey's Sports: These dog days of summer are killing me> Arey
>Lights out as Braves ground Power, 11-7> Sports
Downtown Headlines
>Big week for Forum with Unashamed and 3,500 guests> Downtown Headlines
The Buzz of Northwest Georgia
Special report: The state of local banks and what to know> Click
Campaign 2008: Prime time politics begins
Sunday's intense heat didn't stop the sign crew from spotting the "Keep Kevin Payne Tax Commissioner" placard on the north side of U.S. 411 heading into Rome. The pickup truck, fully loaded with what appeared to be sign materials, quickly left the latest posting en route to the next target. On the side of the pickup: A magnetic version of the Republican's sign.
You'll see several more large signs on the hill behind the unofficial car pool lot at the Bypass and U.S. 411. One belongs to Payne's Democratic opponent, Ron Morris. Next to it is a sign four years in the making: Steve Hulsey for Sheriff. The Republican, who lost to Democrat Tim Burkhalter in 2004, said he'd run again.
Within hours after the end of Tuesday's mostly ignored primary (by voters, that is), signage was going up for the bigger fights this fall. Barbecues, hangar drop-ins and other events are on the short-term calendar as summer quickly ends for both the candidates and their key supporters.
Behind the scenes, the races are getting even busier. Open Records requests are being processed as candidates (and media) check a new round of rumors about opponents' backgrounds. Call it The Fricks Effect. Had the veteran county commissioner's driving record been known a few months ago, you can be sure we'd have seen a challenger or three in that race.
Speaking of Garry Fricks: Any chance of an independent challenging him in November is over. The deadline was July 8 and no one stepped forward despite all the rhetoric.
Perhaps the biggest news to come out of the primary--aside from Barbara Penson's surprising win in the clerk of court's race--was the defeat of Jeff Lewis for the Cartersville House seat. The veteran lawmaker fell in a not-so-close vote to Paul Battles.
The issue mostly was Lewis' ties to Speaker Glenn Richardson. Within hours of Lewis' defeat, political Web sites were predicting a challenge of Richardson from within the Republican Party. That challenge is now under way, and the underlying issue is what impact--if any--it could have on Katie Dempsey.
Two years ago, Richardson spoke on her behalf during a campaign rally and she has been a steady supporter of the speaker.Will those ties come into play in the Dempsey-Bob Puckett rematch for House District 13? Most likely -- but the big difference vs. the Lewis/Battles race and this one: The Cartersville candidates were Republican on Republican; Dempsey faces Democrat Puckett this fall.
That means a different strategy in a county that continues to move toward the right. Then again, Puckett was a supporter of Penson in her race vs. John Harkins. If he picks up some of her grassroots support, it could be another nail biter on Nov. 4.
Will what works in Greenville, S.C., play well in Rome?
Last year, a business group from Rome/Floyd County traveled to Greenville, S.C., on one of those scouting missions, similar to one made to Columbus a few years back. More than anything else, it was an "ideal" shopping experience. We hope it was a successful one because Greenville is a community doing it exactly right.
From a beautiful park with a one-of-a-kind pedestrian suspension bridge to a vibrant downtown (even after 6 p.m.), Greenville is a community to emulate. A walk down bustling Main Street on a hot Saturday afternoon showcased rows upon rows of specialty stores, shops, financial centers and restaurants of every genre. The coveted Mast General Store is there as is barbecue favorite Sticky Fingers.
Rome already has something of a tie to Greenville courtesy of the Drive, rivals of the Braves in the South Atlantic League. Greenville, upon losing the AA-Braves to Mississippi, quickly shopped around for the Single A team. The Drive play in the 2006 baseball park of the year and that title is on target, too. In addition to a wonderful ballpark experience, Fluor Field graces the community's West End with a retail/residential complex rising just beyond left-to-centerfield. The fans watching from their balconies made it feel like a Chicago Cubs home game.
And one more baseball note: Shoeless Joe Jackson was from Greenville and died there in 1951. A museum in a home he built there has been open for a month, complete with a huge baseball library stocked with books donated by Jackson fans. Jackson's infamous record is eclipsed only by the community's passion for his overall baseball career. The museum is a tasteful cut of his life at home and is steps away from one of the entrances to Fluor Field. Braves' fans on the edge of taking a road trip to Greenville next season need to make a stop here. We'll be back, and supportive, too. Click Shoeless.
A weekend-only trolley system adds to the experience, taking you from the baseball park and museum to downtown Greenville (and past Shoeless Joe Jackson Plaza) and back. Bottom line: There are some good ideas in play for us to borrow.
Three-Dot Buzz . . . :
>You might have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night: That's because the new one is open next to Country Inn & Suites off U.S. 411. The hotel, with 81 rooms including 23 suites, had a big "now open" balloon in front Sunday afternoon. Also new: the logo atop the building. It's not even on the corporate Web site yet. For a previous look at what's inside, please click Chamber . . .
>Arts news heating up: Dr. Richard Prior is the new music director and conductor of the Rome Symphony Orchestra. Prior, a native of England, was chosen from 24 applicants. You can read about his impressive background by checking the posting on the RSO Web site. He began his new duties on July 1 and will conduct the opening concert of the 2008-2009 season on Oct. 4 . . .
>Phil at the plate:
That's U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, No. 11 (as in the 11th Congressional District) sporting a Shorter jersey during last week's 47th Annual Congressional Baseball Game. The charitable event took place at the dazzling new Nationals Park, home of the not-so-dazzling Washington team, last week. The Republicans again beat the Democrats (11-10) for the Roll Call Trophy. In the bottom of the sixth, Gingrey "stepped in as a pinch hitter and reached first base on a fielder's choice to keep the rally alive. His run would eventually score as the Republicans tacked on four runs in the sixth to take a large lead into the seventh and final inning. The Dems battled back in the seventh" but the rest is history . . .
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