Who Paid For These 28 People?

From the T&G
Fly-in trip aims to boost Camden's image
By Emily Goodson
Camden County's potential for growth was the emphasis local leaders made recently during a lobbying trip to Washington, D.C.Twenty-eight representatives from the county, three cities and local businesses trekked to D.C. to present Camden's military, educational and quality of life issues to the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., Sen. Saxby Chambliss, Sen. Johnny Isakson and the Pentagon.
Christine Daniel, president of the Camden-Kings Bay Chamber of Commerce, said she thinks the trip was a tremendous success for Camden County."It was very, very successful," she said. "I think the group was very excited about being there, and our issues were listened to."Daniel said she stressed the need for the county to keep affordable housing available to its working class residents."People need to be aware that, with the rising cost of land ... the working class is going to be priced right out of a house," Daniel said, citing firefighters, police officers and teachers as examples. "That's the workforce that we need to survive."

Daniel also said she discussed Cumberland Island's need for wheelchair accessibility with Kingston."People need to be able to travel the island and see the whole island in itself," she said.Currently, Cumberland Island does not conform to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as access is limited to foot and bicycle traffic.Other issues presented to federal leaders included Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay's potential for growth, but also its aging utility infrastructure. According to an information packet put together by the fly-in group, Kings Bay's infrastructure is about 30 years old, and reaching the end of its useful service life.The group recommended that maintenance funding be allotted to Kings Bay at the same level as Naval shipyards.The theme of Camden's future growth was further emphasized by the $29 million expansion of the Camden Campus of Southeast Georgia Health System. A new, two-story addition to the local hospital will double the size of the current facility and will include emergency, surgery, radiology and cardiopulmonary departments, as well as a maternity center, the packet states.Daniel said she is already excited about next year's fly-in."It was a pleasure to be able to put together such a successful trip," she said. "I look forward to our next fly-in trip."

TRSP Review: I would like to know who paid for these 28 people to fly to Washington, spend a few days, get absolutely nothing accomplished, and fly back? We are looking at 10 grand just in plane tickets. I feel this is a waste of county money. U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., Sen. Saxby Chambliss, Sen. Johnny Isakson all have offices just down the road in Brunswick and Savannah, why not go to them there and let them plead our case in Washington. That is how it is supposed to be done. That is why they are our Reps in Washington. I hope you all enjoyed your trip on the Camden taxpayer.