Washington Fly-In – April 24-26, 2007

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the following for their sponsorship of the 2007 Washington Fly-In: Southeast Georgia Health System (SGHS), Privett-Bennett & Associates, Inc., P & A Engineering and Georgia Power Company.

During the 3-day trip, visits were made to the United States Coast Guard, the United States Chamber of Commerce, Congressman Jack Kingston, Senator Johnny Isakson, Senator Saxby Chambliss, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS), the Pentagon and the Embassy of Lebanon. This year’s message was one of continued growth, education and quality of life issues. “Sheila McNeill, past National Navy League President confirmed, “Our capacity for growth and the ability to expand the missions at Kings Bay was the message we brought to everyone we met, and they listened! We emphasized the fact we appreciate the military presence in Kings Bay, and our sailors, marines and coasties are all good neighbors.”

Walt Yourstone, president of The Camden Partnership concurred with McNeill, “Once again the fly-in has demonstrated how important it is for our community to be proactive in presenting issues and building relationships with our Congressional delegation, and senior Navy and Coast Guard leadership. During the fly-in, we were able to meet as a group with our elected officials and individually with their staffs. It is time well spent giving these key folks a view of our community and our values. By increasing their understanding of our issues they are better able to serve their constituents.”


Camden - Kings Bay
2007: Capacity for Growth

Two themes tie the 2007 Issues and Information documents together.

The first is that Camden County is experiencing tremendous growth. To manage this growth we are crafting a vision to support the planning and development necessary to preserve our quality of life, define our community character, and meet the needs of key stakeholders. Our community must understand the near and long-term needs of the maritime services, one of our key stakeholders, in order for this effort to be successful.

The second theme is building relationships. Our experience during the base realignment and closure (BRAC) process emphasized the importance of personal contact between your staff and the community. One of our goals is to continue to strengthen these ties.

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.

1.  Military: (Authored by Walt Yourstone)

1.1 Special Operations at Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay , GA
1.2 Aircraft Carrier Presence at Naval Station Mayport, FL
1.3 Installation Maintenance Funding
1.4 Department of Homeland Security Opportunities at NSB Base, Kings Bay, GA
1.5 United States Coast Guard Operations at Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, GA

2.  Education: (Authored by Michael Wooden)

2.1 Camden County Schools - Capacity for Growth
2.2 Camden County Schools - Federal Impact Aid
2.3 Carl D. Perkins/Technical Education Funding
2.4 Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

3.  Quality of Life:

3.1 Southeast Georgia Health System - Camden Campus Hospital Expansion Project (Howard Sepp)
3.2 Entrepreneurial Friendly State Designation (Christine Daniel)
3.3 Workforce Development Task Force (Christine Daniel)
3.4 Affordable Housing
3.5 Cumberland Island National Seashore Update (Jerre Brumbelow)

4.  Additional Documents:

4.1 Arrival of USS Georgia Preparation (Dave Reilly)
4.2 Camden County: Ready for Growth (May 25, 2005 – The Camden Partnership)
4.3 Kings Bay: Positioned for Growth (Feb 27, 2005 – The Camden Partnership)
4.4 Roster of Participants
4.5 Trip Itinerary 2007