New Middle Georgia Fishing Area

People in Middle Georgia now have one more place to go fishing, thanks to the state and recent rains.
Flat Rock Public Fishing Area opened this morning in Perry. The two-million dollar lake was delayed for a couple years due to the drought. Three years ago the state stocked it with large mouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill bream. It's nearly 100 acres.
The lake has been in the planning stages for ten years. It will eventually be part of a nearly 900 acre state park when the state has more money. Governor Sonny Perdue has been a big proponent of fishing with his multi-million dollar and widely criticized Go Fish campaign. He came for the opening and says fishing is a good investment.

"We spend money on reservoirs. We spend money on creating access opportunities. Go Fish is about having real access to these beautiful parts of Georgia that we want people to be exposed to. So it's an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars."

Perdue says fishing stands to bring millions in tourism dollars to the state. The Flat Rock Fishing Area is managed by the Department of Natural Resources and will employ two full-time employees.

Palin packs the house for Chambliss

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin stumping for incumbent Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss in his runoff race against opponent Democrat Jim Martin at a rally in Perry, Georgia, Dec., 1, 2008.

Palin spent the day campaigning for Chambliss at rally's in Augusta, Savannah, Perry and Atlanta. While in Perry, Palin told the crowd of 3-thousand that the eyes of the nation were watching Georgia.



(All photos: Josephine Bennett)

Palin got personal when she thanked the crowd for her son's good experience he had while training for the military at Fort Benning in Columbus. The loudest applause came when Palin declared, "Saxby, you betcha!"




(Josephine Bennett)

After addressing the crowd Palin joined Chambliss shaking hands and posing for pictures with several in the crowd.



(Josephine Bennett)

Chambliss faces Democratic challenger, Jim Martin in the December 2, runoff election.


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