This week's Buzz of Northwest Georgia
>Russell Airport/Tower Field soaring thanks to growth, air show
>More bad news from the state this week on revenue collections--and cuts
>Cave Spring plans the ultimate hog call as chefs prepare butts, ribs
>Three-Dot Buzz: More good news at the airport?
>Peaks & Valleys: Dr. Sam honored; one word for RIFF 2008--Bravo!
SPLOST: Advance voting begins; continues through Friday> Vote
WeatherCenter
>High near 92 with a 20 percent chance of rain; 67 degrees tonight.
>Rain ahead this week. Your complete forecast: WeatherCenter
>Ike roars over Cuba, prepares to enter the Gulf of Mexico> Tropics
John McClellan's Friday Night picks: Check the latest on John's picks for week three of high school football. Go to The Football Report
Sports
>Norman's Arey's Sports Roundtable: Cream puff college football games nothing short of disgraceful> Arey
>The Football Report from Printworks: Shorter travels to LaGrange for Governor's Cup; links to this week's high school games> The Football Report
>South Atlantic League playoffs: Augusta vs. W. Virginia> Sports
Advance voting begins Monday for education SPLOST: Advance voting is set for Monday through Friday at two locations as Rome, Cave Spring and Floyd County voters decide the fate of the proposed education special purpose local option sales tax. Hours are 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. at both sites:
>Floyd County Administrative Building, 12 E. Fourth Ave., Second Floor, commissioner's caucus Room
>Rome Civic Center, 400 Civic Center Drive
>The election itself is set for Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
>How the SPLOST question appears on Rome precinct ballots> Rome
>How the SPLOST question appears on Floyd precinct ballots> County
Richard B. Russell Airport/Towers Field are soaring
The new CVTC Aviation Training Center welcomes students this fall. It is expected to be a draw for others interested in the community and aviation as well.
By Natalie Simms/For Hometown Headlines
With the opening of the Coosa Valley Technical College's new aviation center and the third annual North Georgia Car & Air Show up this weekend, Richard B. Russell Regional Airport/Towers Field has a lot more than airplanes soaring these days.
Fresh on the heels of the opening of the CVTC $5 million Aviation Training Center, there are lots of new projects under way at the Armuchee-area airport. All of which are aimed at bringing new business and industry into Northwest Georgia.
"Part of our master plan is to develop the area northwest of the airport where Coosa Valley (Technical College) is now," says Mike Mathews, airport manager. "We closed that runway several years ago so we really have the potential to use that area and grow."
A new fire tank and sewer system have been installed in the area and a paving project is under way. It will create a ramp area from the CVTC aviation center to the airport's main runway, says Mathews. The paving project is part of Phase 1 of the state-funded North Terminal Development Area. Phase 2 will begin in 2009 and will involve bringing water, power and fire suppression to the area for additional hangars.
"With the fire tank and the sewer system, we can build several more hangars in that area," Mathews said. "We hope to get industrial aviation businesses in that can use our facilities."
With the CVTC program, Mathews says he has seen a definite increase in interest at the airport. "It (CVTC) is a major plus for us because people flock to where there are trained people," he adds.
The CVTC Aviation Training Center has 30,744 square feet with five classrooms and eight labs for both Aviation Maintenance Technology and Avionic Maintenance Technology. It includes a large airframe lab, powerplant lab, five additional FAA curriculum labs and a technical library/reference lab. It also houses a written testing center for FAA, Federal Communication Commission and National Center for Aircraft Technician Training certifications and licensure.
"We hope and believe our two new programs will attract major manufacturers and industries who will want to be in Rome," says Jon Byrd, Director of Aviation at CVTC. "I definitely share the vision of our president, Craig McDaniel, that the airport and our program is a great economic attraction to the area and will attract jobs."
AIRPORT A 'GATEWAY' TO ROME, MORE GROWTH: Byrd says the airport is "the gateway" to the community and officials with Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau echo that sentiment.
"I don't think the average Floyd County citizen realizes the amount of air traffic and the importance of having an airport like Richard B. Russell with its services in our area," says Lisa Smith, Executive Director of the CVB.
Smith said she has worked with the airport to add a lot of new support services for visitors, including a rental car service, golf options at Stonebridge for pilots and a hotel shuttle service. She added that this weekend's North Georgia Air & Car Show is a "highlight" for our airport.
"The air show draws pilots and aircraft into the area and exposes them to Rome," Smith says. "I have spoken to many pilots and they are really blown away by our facilities and the beautiful terrain."
Mathews says he has seen corporate aviation in Rome increase by 25-30 percent over recent years, while general aviation has gone down because of fuel costs. However, Mathews said officials are looking forward to a new flight program of the Civil Air Patrol called Freedom Flight.
"Freedom Flight is a flight school and we haven't had one in several years," Mathews says. "We hope it will generate pilots who will buy planes and need hangars and fuel from us, so we are excited to have new pilots."
Members of the CAP, including state Rep. Barry Loudermilk and Fred Barasoain, are pulling the Freedom Flight program together. They're setting up the office and looking for planes, Mathews said.
AIR, CAR SHOW RETURNS FOR THIRD YEAR: For those flying enthusiasts and others, this weekend's North Georgia Transportation (Car & Air Show) Expo, presented by Coosa Valley Credit Union, will be a sight to see.
This year's show is a "Salute to the U.S. Air Reserve" on its 60th anniversary and it promises to do just that. Two large transport aircraft, the C-17 and C-130, will be featured on display, as well as other forms of USAF Reserve crafts. The event offers a full 4-hour air show each day (Saturday and Sunday), along with the annual car/truck show and competition.
New to this year's Expo is the Vintage Aircraft Experience featuring aircraft built prior to 1958, or those of rare or unusual type, said Gene Schayer, President of Transportation Expo Productions.
"Vintage aircraft are defined as any air frame built in 1958 or earlier. This assures that the show will draw many famous 'oldies' such as the Beech Staggerwing, the Boeing Stearman, the Cessna 195, plus Stinson, Aeronca and many other former name plates," Schayer says.
"What makes this part of the show even more interesting is that most spectators will see many of these aircraft for the first time, and will never see many of them again."
Gates open at 9 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children (6-12) at the gate. Discounted tickets may be purchased before this Thursday at a number of local outlets including all Coosa Valley Credit Union locations, CVTC, Chick-fil-A Dwarf House, Kroger at Riverbend Center and the airport terminal.
Parking will be off Warren Road. Signs will be posted to direct people to the parking area. It is suggested that you bring folding chairs and blankets to sit on the ground. Food services this year are provided by Outback Steakhouse and Chick-fil-A (Saturday only). Spectators are reminded that no coolers will be allowed on airport grounds and no alcohol is permitted.
For more information, visit the show's website at www.texpo23.org>Please see Three-Dot Buzz and Peaks & Valleys for more on the airport.
Get ready for even harsher state budget cuts
The under-the-radar rumor moving about the crowd at Friday's ribbon cutting for Coosa Valley Technical College's aviation center concerned a shotgun marriage with Northwest Georgia Technical College. The "logic" is that this merger would save the state $500,000 as would other proposed groups in the tech school system.
At the same time, differing reports on the fate of the Small Business Development Center at Heritage Hall were popping up on different Web sites. Two said a closing of the office was official; the other said the reassignment of a staffer would help the local office make ends meet.
Now add to that reports of potential patrol cutbacks for local officers to save even more gasoline. And don't forget the one-day-a-month furlough for prosecutors statewide.
All sound troubling and the kicker is this: the worst is yet to come.
Later today or at least early in the week, we'll hear some troublesome numbers from the state concerning August revenue collections. Look for the total to be 6 percent or more under the August 2007 count. At issue: budgets are built on revenue projections and few if any thought the economy would still be stuck at this time.
If that August forecast is true, we can expect even more cuts in government services and operations. Likewise, the General Assembly will almost be forced into special session to handle said cuts. Imagine how incumbent senators and House members will look when they either:
>Chop away at the dollars promised for pet district projects.
>Or refuse to make said cuts and watch the state's economic picture worsen.
For now, it is the proverbial wait-and-see. The question is what we'll see after the budget ax drops.
For more on the state revenue shortfall, please see a guest column submitted by state Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome. Click Politics.
Cave Spring plans to be living high on the hog Sept. 27
You have to appreciate the fun people can have with barbecue challenges. Consider this dare: "Would you put your ribs and butts up against the best BBQ in three counties to prove it? If so, put your South where your Mouth is and enter Cave Spring¹s Second Annual Semi-Famous Pig-Out Barbecue Cook-Off. "
The second Cave Spring Pig-Out opens to the crowds and judges at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Rolater Park. Entry forms are available online at www.cityofcavespring.com. Entry fees are $100 for butts and $175
for butts and ribs. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to winners in each category (including the People's Choice) on Saturday afternoon.
Also on tap: a hog-calling contest, pig games and horseshoes, piggies and clowns, face painting and animal tattoos for the kids. Also planned: fake pig noses.
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 to 12. The admission covers tasting each team's barbecue, a vote in the People's Choice contest and the other activities. Barbecue and sides will be on sale from 11 a.m. until noon or until supplies run out. To enter the barbecue or hog calling competitions, call Betty Sue Hickman (706-777-0779) or Nancy Boehm (706-777-0066).
Three-Dot Buzz ... :
Keep an eye on the airport: It seems this is Richard B. Russell Airport/Towers Field Week here at Hometown Headlines. That said, keep an eye on developments in and around this Armuchee economic engine. We keep hearing big project, several hundred jobs and many of those high-paying jobs . . .
And speaking of the Armuchee/Mount Berry area: As Berry Crossing gets more attention, don't overlook Armuchee Village. Talk continues about enhancements there. And one of the more interesting rumors floating these days: a major, stand-alone retailer optioning land on the other side of the highway? Again, a rumor--for now.
By the numbers on Walker's Ridge: A few more details are out on the planned mixed-use development off U.S. 411 near Old Gillam Springs Road--estimated value is $125 million; estimated annual taxes, $1.25 million; and expected completion date: 2017. Those are big numbers--unless you compare it to Towne West near Adairsville with a planned build-out value of $690 million . . .
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to Dr. Sam Spector: The respected Rome businessman was named an honorary alumnus of Berry College during Friday night's 35th anniversary celebration of Berry's Master of Business Administration program -- a program Spector helped start. Spector taught business at Berry for nine years and is the former president of Garden Lakes Realty. Spector continues to be a big supporter of the college and his new "status" with the college is an outstanding example of local businesses supporting local colleges--one we wish others would emulate.
Peak to the fifth edition of the Rome International Film Festival: Once again, several thousand guests and local film buffs embraced this boutique cinema exchange, pumping thousands of dollars into the local economy for four consecutive nights. Established stars, directors and writers came to Rome as part of the celebration. And some will return to pursue onscreen ventures here as others already are doing. The festival continues to be a solid draw for Northwest Georgia. In a word: Bravo!
Valley to the shallow 'media:' The faceless wimps hiding behind blogs and forums had a field day with the news that Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. Is this what politics and the media have become in the Internet age? Vicious name calling, baseless accusations and pummeling teen-agers? God help us if a sibling gets caught with a cigarette at school. You have to wonder what's next: Extorting businesses and corporations with threats of online harassment unless they advertise? Disgusting.
Peak to the developers of Berry Crossing: We see a fair number of proposals floated in Northwest Georgia for shopping centers and developments, and the "for sure" home of a Publix and Target every other week. That said, we find it refreshing to see work indeed under way on Berry Crossing, the high-end strip center planned at Martha Berry and the Bypass.
Peak to Geraldine Green, new truck winner
The North Georgia Honda Dealers (including Heritage Honda and Honda Carland North) gave away a 2008 Ridgeline truck worth $31,000 during Labor Day's U.S. 10K classic in metro Atlanta. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefited World Children's Center. Pictured with Green, left to right, are Jerry Goddard, general manager, Hennessy Honda of Woodstock, and Butch Miller, general manager, Milton Martin Honda of Gainesville.
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