The
event was a huge success with twenty-nine interested government and community
leaders delivering the message –Camden County is positioned for growth. The
issues discussed fell into three categories: military, education and quality of
life in Camden County. Community leaders from the Cities of Kingsland, St.
Marys & Woodbine, Camden County, Board of Education, Camden County Chamber of
Commerce, Camden County Joint Development Authority, The Camden Partnership, The
Camden-Kings Bay Navy League, V.T. Services, Southeast Georgia Health System,
Soncel, Georgia Power Company, Cumberland Financial Group, Coastal Bank of
Georgia, Satilla Community Bank, WKBX-FM 106.3, and Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford
and Martin PC represented Camden County.Shown in the photo above are: 1st Row: Jim Steele, Chris Daniel, Pat Lee, Mike Wooden, Steve Howard, Bob Noble. 2nd & 3rd Row: Carmella and David Brown, Marty Klumpp, Jeff & Cathy Barker, Jeff Zawislak, Howard Sepp, Jim Lomis, Keith Post, Bill Deloughy, Diana Smith, Robbie Frye, Charlie A. Smith, and Mike McKinnon (not Pictured – Sheila M. McNeill and Charlie Smith, Jr.)
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our sponsors supporting the fly-in this year. The Coast Guard luncheon, dinner for Congressman Kingston and all his staffers, Senator Isakson and Chambliss’ staffers, and Admiral Haney and Admiral Landry, and Congressman Kingston’s breakfast meeting at the Capital would not have been possible without the support of Southeast Georgia Health System, Camden Center, Georgia Power Company, Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford & Martin, and TGC Properties.
A great deal of planning occurs months prior to the trip, with the fly-in participants and interested parties meeting regularly to discuss the many issues affecting Camden County now and in the future. This year the message was again clear, concise and as always - we spoke with one voice! During the many planning meetings issues were discussed, debated, researched and discussed some more. If the group cannot come to a consensus on an issue, the issue is tabled and not taken to Washington. The planning process is long and tedious, but in the long run the results are worth all the preparations.
During the 3-day trip, visits were made to the United States Coast Guard, Strategic Systems Program, Department of Education, Congressman Kingston, Senator Isakson, Senator Chambliss and the Pentagon. Charlie Smith, Jr., said it best, “This is always an important trip for Camden County and its citizens. It's vital for our community leaders to maintain a presence and awareness in Washington. You can't put a price on the value of this annual visit.”
The issues presented during this year’s trip are organized in three major topic areas: Military, Education and Quality of Life. Following the issue and information papers, we also provide additional documents for background information with the author listed.
Military:
1.1 MILCON Funding for Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic (SWFLANT), at Naval Submarine Base (NSB), Kings Bay, GA (Sheila M. McNeill and Keith F. Post)
1.2 Installation Maintenance Funding (Mike McKinnon)
1.3 Aircraft Carrier at Naval Station Mayport, FL (Mike McKinnon)
1.4 Special Operations at NSB, Kings Bay (Mike McKinnon)
1.5 Marine Corps Security Force Company – NSB, Kings Bay (Sheila McNeill and Keith F. Post)
1.6 Strategic Systems Program (SSP) at NSB, Kings Bay (Mike McKinnon)
1.7 United States Coast Guard Operations at NSB, Kings Bay and in St. Marys, GA (Sheila McNeill and Keith F. Post)
1.8 Securing the Future of NSB, Kings Bay (Sheila M. McNeill)
Education:
2.1 Capacity For Growth (Michael Wooden)
2.2 Federal Impact Aid (Michael Wooden)
2.3 Carl D. Perkins Act (Michael Wooden)
2.4 Reauthorization of No Child Left Behind (Michael Wooden)
Quality of Life:
3.1 Horsestamp Church Road Interchange (Diana Smith)
3.2 Kingsland Bypass (Diana Smith)
3.3 City of St. Marys and US Navy – Emergency Evacuation Routes (Rowland Eskridge, Jr.)
3.4 Housing Availability and Affordability (Keith F. Post and Robbie Frye)
3.5 Camden County’s Workforce Development (Christine Daniel and Rachael M. Baldwin)
3.6 SE Georgia Health System – Camden Campus Hospital Expansion (Howard Sepp)
3.7 Tricare Reimbursement Issues (Howard Sepp)
3.8 700 MHz or 800 MHz Communication System (Diana Smith)
3.9 No New Performance Taxes on Radio Stations (James Steele)
3.10 Preventing Signal Interference to Broadcast FM Radio Stations (James Steele)
3.11 Foundations – Working for the Greater Good / The Untold Story (Jeff Barker)
3.12 Coastal Medical Access Project – 2008 Appropriation Request Summary (Patricia J. Kota, RN MSPL)
3.13 City of St. Marys – Sewer and Water Capacity for Quality Sustainable Growth (Rowland Eskridge, Jr.)
Supporting Documentation:
4.1 U.S. Submarines: At the Forefront of Innovation, Defense (Sheila M. McNeill)
4.2 Georgia Association of Broadcasters – letter to Congress (Jere L. Pigue and Zach Fowler)
4.3 SSGN – Illustration
4.4 SSGN – Description
Navy League Legislative Agenda:
5.1 Legislative Agenda – 110th Congress, First Session – page 1
5.2 Legislative Agenda – 110th Congress, First Session – page 2