The Central Georgian

Monday last day to register to vote in Georgia...
Election officials are reminding Georgia residents that (today) Monday is the last day to register to vote in the general election on Nov. 4.

According to the secretary of state's office, Georgia had more than 406,300 new voters as of Oct. 1. That's a 9 percent increase over the same period in 2004.

The general election will feature the presidential plus statewide and local races.

Desperate McCain gets tough with attack on Obama’s character

Energy tax holiday begins in Georgia ...

(AP) Georgia residents will soon get a tax break for buying energy-efficient products.

The state's energy-efficient sales tax holiday began Thursday and runs through midnight Sunday. It exempts the sales tax for those who buy energy-efficient air conditioners, light bulbs, windows, refrigerators and other products priced below $1,500.

Legislators also added a provision this year that extends the tax break to water-saving products. That includes high-efficiency toilets, faucet accessories and bathroom sink faucets.

Push to register felons to vote could aid Obama
By DIONNE WALKER and MIKE BAKER - Associated Press Writers
RICHMOND, Va. --Undaunted by the heat, James Bailey spent his late-summer afternoons walking Virginia's bleakest neighborhoods on the hunt for ex-cons - each a potential voter who might cast the decisive ballot in this hotly contested state.

Finding them isn't the hard part. It's getting them to admit that a past mistake has kept them from the ballot box.

"People are really, really reluctant to say, 'I lost my rights to vote,'" Bailey said of his quest, which continued in the run-up to Monday's registration deadline in Virginia for the November election.

Nationally, there are roughly 4 million released felons whose convictions have cost them the right to vote at least temporarily, if not permanently. To return to the ballot box, felons must negotiate suffrage laws that vary from state to state, in many cases working with election officials who can be both unfamiliar with the law and hostile to former convicts seeking to register.

Such challenges matter little to Bailey and others trying to return former criminals to voter rolls, an effort they consider crucial in light of the results of the past two presidential elections: A shift of a few hundred votes in Florida in 2000 would have changed the outcome of the presidential race, and the results in 2004 came down to a margin of 119,000 votes in Ohio.

The nonprofit groups and individual activists making the push on felons' behalf agree the effort is broader this year than in previous elections, even if they aren't necessarily making a coordinated push. They expect that effort to benefit Barack Obama more than John McCain, given that the population of former felons is disproportionately black.

Obama has co-sponsored a Senate measure that would allow all ex-felons to vote, but his campaign isn't directly targeting ex-felons for registration. His campaign does include relevant info on its Web site and educates volunteers so they can explain state laws to those who may not realize they have the right to vote, said spokesman Kevin Griffis.

"All we're trying to do is make sure that, if someone is eligible, that they know their rights and that if they want to vote, they can take part," Griffis said Tuesday. "I think there's a lot of misinformation out there. Even people who may have been guilty of a misdemeanor feel like the felony laws apply to them and say they can't vote."

McCain has said states should decide whether felons have voting rights. But he personally believes ex-felons should forfeit certain rights when they commit a serious crime and that the right to vote should be restored only on a case-by-case basis - much like Virginia's process.

Roughly 13 percent of black men nationwide have lost the right to vote, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University's School of Law, which advocates the reform of felon voting rights. Black ministers, civic leaders and activists believe they are a rich source of votes for Obama.

"Of course I would go with Barack," said Deshawn Tatem, a dreadlocked drug dealer-turned-activist from Chesapeake, Va. But he's never cast a ballot. "Right at 18, I caught the felony."

High School Football Scores
Schley County 54 Taylor County 34
Dublin 42 Bleckley County 7
 Baldwin 17 Burke County High School 7
Macon County 13 Crawford Co 12
Southwest 34 Northeast  27
 Twiggs County  36  Turner County 14
 Westside  44 Lee County 3

From 8 a.m to 3:30 p.m., flu shots are available at the Baldwin County Health Department. The flu shot is $25 and the FluMist is $35. They are available at no charge to those on Medicaid, PeachCare and Medicare Part B. No appointment is necessary.The pneumonia vaccine is available and recommended for all persons 65 years or older and anyone under 65 years of age with a chronic illness.For more information, please call the Baldwin County Health Department at (478) 445-4264.

On Friday, October 10th, Macon State College will host its first annual “Concert for Cures” which benefits breast cancer research, awareness and prevention and the Memory Walk of Central Ga. for Alzheimer care, support and research.“Concert for Cures” is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m.To purchase tickets ($5 minimum donation) and/or shirts, email april.vanderford@maconstate.edu.

The Warner Robins Recreation Department will begin registration for their 2009 Youth Basketball Program on Saturday, October 18th, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. The program is for boys ages 5 - 17 and girls ages 5 - 12. The child's height is required at time of registration. Birth certificate is also required, unless currently on file.

King siblings' lawsuit could derail book deal....
By ERRIN HAINES - Associated Press Writer
ATLANTA --A lawsuit involving the three surviving children of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King is threatening to derail a $1.4 million deal for a book on their mother.

The New York-based Penguin Group agreed to pay $1.2 million plus royalties to King Inc., which controls the civil rights icon's intellectual property. The publisher would pay another $200,000 to the Rev. Barbara Reynolds, who taped conversations with Mrs. King before she died in January 2006.

This week, Penguin said it would terminate the contract and demand the return of a $300,000 advance if the publisher does not receive photos, personal writing and letters within seven business days.

A message was left Friday with Penguin general counsel Karen Mayer.

The lawsuit - the third among the three siblings in as many months - was filed Sept. 24 in Fulton County probate court. Bernice King is listed as plaintiff and administrator of her mother's estate, and the estate of Martin Luther King Jr., which Dexter King controls, is listed as the defendant.

The siblings are feuding over whether the documents should be turned over. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III maintain that their mother no longer wanted to work with Reynolds on the book. They are asking that the documents be distributed among Coretta Scott King's heirs and not given to the publisher.

Dexter King, president and chief executive officer of King Inc., signed the book contract.

Craig Frankel, Dexter King's personal attorney, said his client was within his rights to sign the contract and had discussed the deal with his siblings.

"He signed the contract, but that's his job," Frankel said. "No one questioned when they got their share of the sale from the King papers whether Dexter had the authority to sign a contract. Nobody complained when they got their millions."

Also at issue is whether Coretta Scott King's biography is part of King Inc., since it was not part of the 10,000-document collection auctioned by Sotheby's in 2006 in a $32 million, eleventh-hour deal brokered by the city of Atlanta. The siblings have received equal shares of the money.

Coretta Scott King died in January 2006.

Jock Smith, an attorney for Bernice and Martin Luther King III, said his clients had no knowledge of the book deal until they were asked to turn over the documents a few weeks ago.

"This basically comes down to a situation where Dexter has done things on his own," Smith said.

Smith added that such actions were the basis for a separate lawsuit filed in July by Bernice and Martin Luther King III attempting to force their brother to open the books of their father's estate. In August, Dexter King sued them, alleging that they each established foundations that compete with The King Center.

All the cases could be resolved before they make it to a courtroom, though prospects for a meeting between the estranged siblings were unclear.

"Ideally, I don't think anybody is opposed to discussion, but that has to start with a board meeting to rectify the wrongs that have occurred here," Smith said. "I'll tell you this: There has been no meeting called since the death of Coretta Scott King."

Ga. transportation board weighs $189M in cuts

(AP) ATLANTA --Georgia transportation officials on Friday grappled with how to fill a $189 million budget shortfall that could endanger road projects and force employee furloughs and even layoffs.

"This is a crisis and we are trying to buy time until we can recover," state transportation board member Emory McClinton said.

Transportation Commissioner Gena Evans laid out a list of recommended cuts ranging from a one day a month unpaid furlough for all of the department's 5,500 employees to slashing the money for highway landscaping contracts and eliminating pay raises.

One possible target - laying off 566 department employees - got a cool reception from some board members who said the current tough economy is not the time to be handing out pink slips. More...

High School Football: SW improves to 3-1 with convincing 49-21 win over Monticello...

Warner Robins picks up road win over Valdosta...

Northeast blanks Howard, 49-0...

Westside over Bainbridge, 30-6...

Ga. public defender system reluctantly agrees to cuts...

ATLANTA --Leaders of Georgia's public defender system signed off on a plan Friday to cut spending and furlough staffers, despite fierce objections from some members that it will jeopardize the program's ability to represent poor people.

The move came one month after the board angrily defied Gov. Sonny Perdue's order for a 6 percent budget cut, saying it would rob the system of the resources to carry out its constitutional duties. But the council backtracked two weeks ago after acknowledging that the cuts are coming regardless. More....

Local: Tractor-trailer accident in Dooly County slows I-75 traffic; driver sent to hospital with serious injuries...

Perdue questions Ga. school districts in lawsuit
ATLANTA (AP) --Gov. Sonny Perdue has asked the Georgia attorney general to rule on whether local school districts can use taxpayer money to pay for lawsuits against the state.

Perdue sent the request to Attorney General Thurbert Baker on Tuesday, a week after the Consortium for Adequate School Funding in Georgia withdrew a 4-year-old lawsuit claiming the state has an unfair system of paying for education. More....

Senate approves bill to probe civil rights murders
WASHINGTON --The Senate passed legislation Wednesday that would give the Justice Department more money to investigate unsolved murders from the civil rights era.

The bill authorizes $10 million annually over 10 years to help the FBI and other agencies take a fresh look at dozens of cold cases, mostly in the South. Additional funds are included for local law enforcement agencies. More...

McCain Wants A Time Out -- But Why? Bush was able to debate Kerry while he was president. For all of his sudden urgency, McCain acknowledged just yesterday that he had not even read the administration's three-page bailout proposal.

Flu shot season begins with ample supply coming

WASHINGTON --Just about everybody needs a flu vaccine - unless you're an infant or a healthy adult hermit - but far too few of the Americans who need protection the most get it.

That's the message as flu-shot season officially began Wednesday with a call for a record number to be inoculated - including 30 million more school-age children than ever before targeted. More..

Troy Davis gets last-minute execution reprieve...

ATLANTA (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court gave a reprieve to a Georgia inmate less than two hours before his scheduled execution Tuesday for the 1989 slaying of an off-duty police officer.

Supporters of 39-year-old Troy Davis have called for a new trial as seven of the nine witnesses who helped put him on death row recanted their testimony. Protesters had arrived by the busload to protest the execution, carrying signs with slogans like "Justice for Troy Davis" and wearing blue T-shirts emblazoned with "I am Troy Davis." A crowd of about 50 erupted in cheers when the stay, granted around 5:20 p.m., was announced. More...

Hawks exercise options on Horford, Law

 (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the contract options for the 2009-10 season on forward/center Al Horford and guard Acie Law.

A unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and runner-up for Rookie of the Year honors, Horford had an outstanding rookie season in helping the Hawks reach the postseason for the first time in nine years. Horford nearly averaged a double-double a year ago, recording 10.1 points and 9.7 rebounds in 81 contests.

During the playoffs, the 6-foot-10 forward/center from Florida increased his totals, scoring 12.6 points and grabbing 10.4 rebounds in the seven games against Boston.

Despite battling injuries for much of the 2007-08 campaign, Law was fifth among rookies in assists and third on the Hawks with 2.0 per game, to go along with 4.2 points in 56 contest.

Macon Regional CrimeStoppers  names Jarrod Walker Executive Director

Historically black bank aims to keep, attract customers
By DAVID RANII
The News & Observer of Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. | The growing affluence of the African-American community, ironically, is making life tougher for black-owned banks such as Durham's Mechanics & Farmers Bank and Mutual Community Savings Bank. The two rivals recently agreed to combine forces.

The union comes as African-Americans' increased buying power has attracted the attention of larger, non-minority banks, which in recent years have stepped up marketing efforts to reach them. The non-minority banks also actively recruit African-American bankers.

All of which makes it harder for black-owned banks to stand out as they compete for customers.  Click here for more...

DeKalb CEO Jones announces bid for U.S. Senate seat

MARIETTA, Ga. --Politician Vernon Jones on Saturday journeyed from his base in mostly black DeKalb County to a town square in mostly white Cobb County to announce he is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

It was the conservatism and military tradition of Cobb County that drew him there, not skin color, said Jones, a self-described "conservative Democrat" who has been DeKalb County's elected chief executive since 2000.

"People are more concerned with who's in touch with their values than with somebody's color. This race is not based on race," Jones, who is black, told the Associated Press. More...

Nation's largest African-American religious group tackles AIDS

ST. LOUIS (ABP) -- For the first time, the nation's largest African-American religious body has corporately addressed the HIV/AIDS crisis.

AIDS awareness and prevention figured prominently on the agenda for the annual meeting of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Scheduled to meet June 18-22 in St. Louis, leaders of the 7.5-million-member group said 45,000 National Baptists were participating in the gathering. More...

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