GTC confirms 515 alternate path to Boardtown road projectNews
May 4, 2021
, by Lonnie Adams
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – An official statement from the Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) today has given relief to the Boardtown road community, through Highway 515, who have been vocally opposing the major project’s plans to build on the road.
The community and its leaders often stated that they supported the project and agreed with it being a needed upgrade, but wanted the project relocated to a different location. Many specifically stated Highway 515 as an alternative.
Even GTC said they had originally looked at 515 but were turned down.
Today, with the aid of House Speaker David Ralston and Senator Steve Gooch, the GTC said, “Following months of extensive analysis at the request of the local community, Georgia Transmission has determined that Highway 515 is a viable corridor for the Whitepath Electric Reliability Project. Conversations are underway with the Georgia Department
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston (Photo by Patrick Saunders)
House Speaker David Ralston called anti-transgender bills introduced by his Republican colleagues this year “a solution in search of a problem.”
Ralston, who represents House District 7 in Blue Ridge, made the comments on GPB’s “Political Rewind” podcast on April 23. He commented on three bills filed during this year’s legislative session that targeted transgender student-athletes.
“Well, sometimes we have issues that come along that are almost solutions in search of a problem, and I think we have to be very, very careful with those kinds of measures,” he said. “I have been very careful with those.”
Throughout much of her childhood, P. felt like something was off. But she didn t know exactly what. I felt at odds with myself, the Decatur resident recounted. Almost like my physical body was trying to push me in one direction but I wanted to go another.
The breakthrough moment came on a family vacation in 2017, when she read a National Geographic cover story about Avery Jackson, a pink-haired 9-year-old who is transgender. I remember reading her story at like 1 in the morning, sitting in the Airbnb thinking, oh my God, that sounds like me, said P., now 16.
There are no simple paths for transgender children, whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.
Transgender Georgians, families brace as states across South pass restrictive laws
Updated 8:51 AM;
Today 8:51 AM
The Georgia State Capitol, where two sets of anti-transgender bills have been introduced. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images/TNS)TNS
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By Tamar Hallerman, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)
Throughout much of her childhood, P. felt like something was off. But she didn’t know exactly what.
“I felt at odds with myself,” the Decatur resident recounted. “Almost like my physical body was trying to push me in one direction but I wanted to go another.”
The breakthrough moment came on a family vacation in 2017, when she read a National Geographic cover story about Avery Jackson, a pink-haired 9-year-old who is transgender.
In the last few weeks, multiple candidates have said they would be interested in running for Georgia House District 165, which encompasses much of the east side of Savannah.
For years, the seat has been held by Mickey Stephens, who has been sidelined by illness since 2019.
So what s happening in District 165? Here s what we know.
Stephens has not officially retired
Stephens returned to the Georgia Capitol on March 31 after being kept mostly homebound since falling ill in 2019. There, Gloria Stephens, his wife of over 50 years, gave a heartfelt thank you to his colleagues for their support.
Stephens has not yet sent a resignation letter to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, however.