Advocates Push for Immigration Reform

Rallies titled "The Campaign to Reform Immigration for America" kicked off in more than 30 dozen cities across the country on Monday.

The group is made up of members of the faith, business and labor communities.

Its aim is to secure the federal votes needed so that millions of undocumented workers get to live inside the law.

State representative Pete Marin of Gwinnett County says granting some type of limited amnesty to undocumented workers means millions can live in the United States without fear of reprisals.

"People are afraid of getting out of their homes. People are afraid of engaging, of volunterism. People are afraid of going to the doctor, of going to the hospital. People are in fear. It is a sad story but I see families being split apart because of this, some of the racial laws that we're having."

Gina Perez is a third year accounting major at Georgia State University. She's got friends and family who are afraid to travel through some parts of the state.

"You know how lately there's been a lot of checkpoints on the road? There's this thing, like the prohibited counties. Cobb, Hall and Whitefield or Gwinnett. You do not go to those counties ‘cause you know if you go those counties and they check you, it's bad. How is it fair the regular police can act as ICE agents. It baffles my mind."

Immigration advocates say previous attempts to reform federal immigration laws under Presidents Regan and Clinton have failed and left undocumented workers with few, if any, constitutional protections.

Shuya Ohno is the national spokesman for the Campaign to Reform Immigration for America.

He describes immigration reform as a political hot potato, which no one wants to touch, until it’s politically advantageous to do so.

"I think a lot of people used it for kind of heated rhetoric more than policy solutions. That's why it became such a hot topic on talk radio and cable TV. Cause it was against the back drop of electoral politics."

It's estimated that five-percent of America's workforce are undocumented. That comes out to about 10 to 12 million people. Advocates say, those workers should be given a chance to work for equal pay, to pay back taxes, even a fine if that's required.

However, those who oppose amnesty of any kind for the undocumented -- including DeKalb County resident Joe Patricia Aaronstein -- say those workers should 'go home, get in line and wait their turn.'

"I'm for immigration that's legal. I've done it. I've lived in other countries. And, I did it the legal way. They should do it legally. They should apply for citizenship. There's a way to enter legally."

The Campaign for Immigration Reform for America hopes to persuade U-S legislators to create an independent commission, one which assesses nationwide labor shortages, including in agriculture.

The Obama administration has signaled that it wants to begin a discussion on comprehensive immigration reform before the end of the year.

Tri-State Water Fight Now in Florida Courtroom

With the fate of metro-Atlanta's drinking water supply now in the hands of a federal judge, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson says it's time the attorneys stepped aside. And, with no quick decision expected in the case, Isakson says lawyers have argued the case for nearly two decades and nothing's been accomplished. He says it's time cooler heads prevailed.

"We've had far too much litigation and not enough conversation. People with cool heads have got to sit down. We can't start lobbing bombs at one another and trying to gotcha each other politically. It's too important an issue that has hurt this region for far too long."

And, Isakson has volunteered to kick start the dialogue.

"If we get a bad ruling, the first thing that I'm going to do is invite (the senators from) Alabama and Florida, to join Saxby and I at a lunch to sit down and talk about how we cannot afford to play gotcha politics with the drinking water … that [the] basin provides."

This latest case, now being heard in a Florida court, consolidates seven cases into one and centers on metro Atlanta’s share of water from Lake Lanier. Lake Lanier is the area's primary drinking water source.

Florida would like an increase in the amount of water released from the dam to protect endangered shell fish. Alabama wants more water to cool its nuclear power plants.

Oxendine To Return Questioned Contributions

Republican gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine says he is returning more than $100,000 in campaign contributions brought into question by a recent investigative report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The report claims two insurance companies in the state headed by the same person directed $120,000 to Oxendine’s campaign. The paper says money was received from the insurance companies through 10 political action committees set up by an Alabama board member of both firms. Oxendine is Georgia’s Insurance and fire safety commissioner, and was the first Republican to announce his entry into the 2010 governor’s race.

Below is Oxendine's statement released Monday on his website:

"I appreciate all those who have expressed their support these past few days as our campaign has addressed an issue related to contributions made to our campaign.

As it appeared to us, these were not checks from an insurance company we regulate. Additionally, it appeared that these checks were from different entities, not controlled by the same person or people. Under those facts, as we understood them, accepting these contributions was perfectly legal. Based on facts that have recently come to light, previously unknown to us, we have concerns whether our understanding of the facts were complete. Last week, before these facts fully came to light, we filed an advisory opinion request with the Georgia State Ethics Commission.

Out of an abundance of caution, I decided to return the funds pending advice from the State Ethics Commission. Let me be transparent and direct with the taxpayers of Georgia. I have promised to transform Georgia government. Although my staff and legal counsel, Stefan Passantino of McKenna, Long and Aldridge, advise that we have done nothing illegal, based on the facts as we know them, I am concerned Georgia voters might see this as politics as usual. Therefore, last week, immediately after my initial awareness of this matter, I ordered the process be set in motion to return every single contribution in question and to seek advice as to our rights and obligations to the State Ethics Commission.

I have criticized this as a hit piece and the facts are thus: Mr. Passantino communicated via email with the AJC reporter last Friday that they were to speak today. It is unfortunate that the AJC elected to move forward with this piece before having spoken with Mr. Passantino to get our side of the story. Had this occurred, the story would not have been an issue because the AJC would have had the opportunity to report that the money had already been returned and that we had previously initiated a request for guidance and clarification from the State Ethics Commission.

The critics have questioned my personal integrity. I respect each of you as voters. I realize that many Georgians support our campaign and some oppose it. However, I am determined that those who do oppose my campaign, do so based on honorable disagreements on the issues and not based on a question of my integrity as it relates to campaign contributions.

I will run a non-traditional campaign and be a different type of Governor. I hope that today I have taken steps to demonstrate my sincerity to Georgia. It is my desire to have a campaign that is a positive, issue-oriented campaign based on traditional Reagan conservative values.

When reporters cover issues such as campaign contributions as opposed to covering the important issues before Georgia of transportation, education, water, health care, jobs, agriculture, and the Fair Tax, nothing is done to improve the lives of working families in Georgia.

I am pleased this matter is behind us and welcome the opportunity to listen to Georgians about those issues important to them and to talk about my Contract with Georgia."

Porter to Run For Governor

Democrat Dubose Porter has announced he will run for Governor.

The Georgia House Minority Leader announced in his hometown paper, the Dublin Courier Herald, that he will seek the governorship in 2010.

It’s been speculated for quite some time Porter would run, and in an op-ed in the Courier Herald, Porter writes he is qualified for the position because he "listens to my people."

Porter also chastises what he calls the "ego driven politics" of the current Republican leadership.

The entrance of Porter on the Democratic side sets guarantees a crowded primary.

State Attorney General Thurbert Baker and former LT. Gen David Poythress have entered, with former Governor Roy Barnes expected to announce soon.

Unity Begins the 2009 Legislative Session

Democrats in the Georgia State Legislature opened the first day of the 2009 session with a sign of unity. With Republicans holding a majority of seats in the House, Republican Speaker Glenn Richardson was re-elected – but not with the usual “yeas” or “nays.” He was elected by process of acclamation, where no formal vote was held.
Minority Leader Dubose Porter says Democrats in Georgia are taking a page from President-elect Barack Obama.

"We, at this important crossroads in Georgia's history, want to show just as our president-elect in Washington is putting the country's welfare ahead of partisan politics, we too, the Democratic caucus in Georgia, put aside the partisan rancor and ask that we move forward with the work of this state."

The gesture did not go unnoticed by Republicans. Majority Leader Jerry Keen says that both sides of the House need to work together as the Democratic-controlled government will soon begin helping the states' ailing budgets.

CDC head resigns

The Bush administration appointee for the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is out of the job effective January 20. Dr. Julie Gerberding stepped down as director of the CDC.

Her resignation was announced in an email sent Friday to employees of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Gerberding’s decision complies with the Obama administration’s request for her resignation, along with a number of other senior-level officials.

Gerberding was appointed head of the CDC in July 2002. Her six- year tenure is marred with controversy, from allegations she allowed politics to interfere with science to concerns her decisions would inhibit the agency from responding in a public health crisis.

A CDC spokesman said Gerberding was traveling in Africa and unavailable for comment. The CDC's chief operating officer William Gimson, will step in as interim director.

Martin's port slip fodder for Chambliss

There's more fallout for Democratic Senate hopeful Jim Martin over a slip he made Monday in a debate with the GOP incumbent. Senator Saxby Chambliss is now airing a television ad in Savannah blasting Martin for saying he opposes deepening the Savannah harbor, widely seen as critical to the state's economic future. Martin later said he didn't understand the question and supports the project. A Martin spokeswoman says, the ad is more politics as usual from a Senator who failed to secure Congressional funding for deepening.

Perdue: schools flexible to spend $$$

With Georgia in the midst of a budget crunch, Governor Sonny Perdue says he'll let schools decide how to spend their money. But, not everyone welcomes the Governor’s message of flexibility.

Earlier this year, Governor Perdue asked for and got a two percent reduction in the state's school funding formula. Now -- in a letter to the state’s schools superintendents -- Perdue says schools systems will be given "flexibility" in how the remaining funds are spent.

However, one group called the Governor's actions little more than a band-aid to a system already weakened by an obsolete funding mechanism. Tim Callanhan is a spokesperson for the 72-thousand member Professional Association of Georgia Educators.

"This crisis was exacerbated by a lack of vision and leadership over the last several years by allowing a 20-something year old funding formula to fall into abuse and disabuse."

Callahan blamed partisan politics as well.

"We've got no leadership except in a negative sense. From the Governor's side it has been cut and cut and cut in terms of funding. From the Senate side, the leader of the Senate is pushing a voucher program and from the House side, the leader of the House talking about eliminating property taxes."

However, a spokesperson for Olglethorpe county schools does applaud the governor's actions, but stops short of describing the proposed flexible spending plan as a long term solution to the state's financial woes.

Perdue has also asked the State Board of Education to allow reasonable class size waivers. And, the Governor says he'll introduce legislation in 2009 to temporarily waive restrictions on some school expenditures.

GOP leader: Chambliss in 'fight of his life'

Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, talking with reporters about his election prospects and his Wall Street bailout vote at a press conference at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Oct 2, 2008. (file/Dave Bender)

This central-Georgia military town outside Robins Air Force Base should be a cakewalk on Election Day for Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss. But ask people here if they support him and one finds surprising ambivalence, even hostility.

The mood has changed so much in recent weeks that Georgia Republican Party Chairwoman Sue Everhart says Chambliss is in "the fight of his life."

"I think he will win," Everhart said prior to Georgia's GOP Victory Dinner in Atlanta last Tuesday. "But not by the large margin we expected early on."

Once considered a safe bet for re-election to a second term, Chambliss suddenly appears vulnerable amid a wave of anti-incumbent frustration and economic turmoil.

"I think everybody is just so totally dissatisfied with what's going on in Washington now that we feel like you probably can't get much worse, so you might as well try somebody new," said Jean Hammock, a longtime Republican who listens daily to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.

His newly troubled candidacy is giving Democrats visions of approaching a 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority in next month's election, instead of just the four or five seats they had expected to take from Republicans. Democrats control the Senate 51-49.

Chambliss' "yes" vote for the $700 billion financial package earlier this month is the latest in a series of positions that haven't sat well with the conservatives who make up his base. He also faces a potential surge of newly registered Democratic voters excited about Barack Obama's presidential campaign, and a general anti-Republican sentiment after eight years of the Bush administration.

Without question, Georgia remains a GOP stronghold, and Chambliss is still favored over Democrat Jim Martin. The state supported President Bush with 58 percent of the vote four years ago. Martin would need impressive turnout — and perhaps a strong assist from Libertarian candidate Allen Buckley — to win.

But recent polls show Chambliss with a modest lead, but the race tightening. And Democrats relish the possibility of revenge against the man who, in a 2002 campaign ad, criticized Democratic Sen. Max Cleland's commitment to national security even though Cleland lost three limbs in the Vietnam War. Chambliss defeated Cleland with 53 percent of the vote.

Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, head of the Democrats' Senate campaign committee, said Martin and Chambliss are virtually tied, even in polls that Schumer believes don't fully capture Obama's effect on African-American and young voters.

"We're doing extremely well in places we didn't expect to do well," said Schumer. "Georgia was a surprise to us."

The Democratic committee, however, still doesn't list the state as a battleground, and so far hasn't put much money into the race. Schumer declined to say whether it will run ads in Georgia as it has in other competitive races. Georgia is "a state we're taking a very close look at," he said.

Martin has been running television ads throughout the state but trails Chambliss in fundraising. The Democrat has stepped up his attacks in recent days, criticizing Chambliss for his bailout vote and loyalty to Bush.

Chambliss said he always predicted the race would be tight. He knew he had not endeared himself to conservatives by supporting a compromise immigration package that drew him boos at a state GOP function last year and, more recently, championing a bipartisan energy measure criticized by Limbaugh and other conservative commentators.

He also was well aware of the political risks of supporting the bailout package. But he said Congress had little choice but to respond and try to contain economic losses. He's hoping sharp market declines in recent days will strengthen his case that action was urgently needed.

The senator downplayed suggestions that the bailout vote would make or break him.

"I've cast hundreds and hundreds of votes over the last 14 years," Chambliss, a former House member, told reporters before the GOP Victory dinner in Atlanta. "To say any one is going to cost me the election, that's just not the case."

At least one self-described lifelong Republican thinks otherwise. Ron Davis of Dallas, Ga., said he was so infuriated by Chambliss' bailout vote that he set up a Web site http://www.FireSaxby.com

"I never really followed politics closely. This was a wake-up call to me," the 31-year-old information technology administrator said.

Davis said he'll vote for Buckley in November, adding that GOP friends in his neighborhood are also disillusioned with Chambliss.

"I think he should be worried," Davis said.

(The Associated Press)

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Georgia National Fair to host candidates

The Georgia National Fair in Perry has the rides, fair food, and concerts on its menu. For today, it’ll have politics on the schedule. The first face-to-face meeting for Saxby Chambliss and Jim Martin is set as time is ticking down toward next month’s election, when voters decide the Georgia U.S. Senate race. Republican incumbent Chambliss, along with Democratic challenger Martin, will be joined by Libertarian Allen Buckley in the candidates forum.

Bailout: political hot button issue

The war of words between the candidates for the hotly contested 8th Congressional District seat heats us as the proposed Wall Street bailout package is shaping up to be this election season's political hot potato.

Two days after democrat Jim Marshall said he's willing to lose his seat over his "yes" vote in favor of the $700 billion dollar plan, here's how his Republican rival Rick Goddard responded.

"This is politics. This is pure politics. And, I’m not playing into that game."

Marshall is a self-described conservative democrat, a label Goddard dismisses. What both candidates can agree upon is that something must be done about the current credit crisis.

However, Goddard warns a rush to judgment is perilous.

"This bailout has not been properly vetted in the Congress. It has not gone before committee. Nobody has testified as to the pros and cons. It is a quick knee jerk reaction to the crisis and we don't even know if this will fix the problem."

Jim Marshall is one of just two Georgia House members to support the bailout. The other is Democrat Sanford Bishop of Albany.

Health care pros: Grady broke its promise

Health care advocates met in Atlanta today to address the widening health care disparities in minority populations. Of particular concern to some – how politics have shaped the allocation of medical services at one high profile hospital.

According to Dr. George Rust, the ratio of poor African Americans unable to access adequate and affordable health care has remained unchanged for nearly half a century. Rust directs the National Center for Primary Care at the Morehouse School of Medicine. All Morehouse medical students are required to do some clinical work at nearby Grady Memorial Hospital. But, Rust says Grady isn't delivering on its promise made in the 1890s. Namely, to serve the poor.

"We segregate health care for the poor and then we under fund it. We say we're going to create a separate system of care for the uninsured and then we're not going to adequately fund it. And what we're seeing is that when deliver care separately you get separate health outcomes and worse health outcomes."

Today it’s estimated that annually so-called segregated health care means 83,000 African Americans die at earlier ages of treatable and preventable diseases. Most experts agree lifestyle choices may be the root causes of treatable diseases like diabetes and obesity. But add, the lack of culturally sensitive medical personnel unfairly burdens some minority communities.

Chambliss "surprised" by bailout vote

One of Georgia's Senators says he would have voted YES to the sweeping federal bailout bill defeated by House members Monday.

Chambliss says the plan’s current version contains adequate safeguards and oversight that he--and taxpayers--should feel comfortable with.

Chambliss spoke on Tuesday just back from Washington, where he and fellow GOP Senator Johnny Isakson met with House Republicans. As for GOP House members who voted against the recovery measure, Chambliss offered this:

"We all were opposed to the first two versions...I was hopeful that changes would be made that would convince them they need to support it. They represent different congressional districts...Johnny and I represent nine-and-a-half million people. Sometimes you see things a little bit differently".

As for Chambliss' office getting flooded with calls from Georgians opposed to a massive bailout?

"I can’t worry about politics. This is so important for my constituents and it’s so important for my children and my grandchildren and the economy that they’re going to inherit, that you’ve got to think about what’s in the best interest of the country first".

Democrat Jim Martin is vying for Chambliss’ seat in November. At a candidate forum Monday, Martin blamed the incumbent and the Bush administration for the economy’s condition. Martin says he does not support the current bailout bill.

Rural schools drop lawsuit against state

The Consortium for Adequate School Funding in Georgia is dropping it's lawsuit against the state because the group doesn't approve of a new judget. The lawsuit contends that education is not funded adequately in the State as is required by the Georgia constitution. The case had been in Fulton County Superior court for several years and was scheduled to go to trial next month.

Consortium officials say the new judge Craig L. Schwall who is now handling the case was appointed to the bench by Governor Sonny Perdue and used to be chaiman of the Fulton County Republican Party. In a statement Jeffery Welch, President of the Consortium says "The issues in this case are so vital to the future of our state that they must be insulated from even the appearance of partisan politics."

The consotium says it will now take other actions, including the filing of a new lawsuit in another court in Georgia.

State Supreme Court takes up candidacy

Georgia's top court has agreed to decide whether a Public Service Commission candidate's name can appear on November's ballot. It's an appeal by Secretary of State Karen Handel, who argues that Democrat Jim Powell doesn't meet the residency requirement to run in the north Georgia district. Handel disqualified Powell and two other Democrats from running for office days before the July primary. But Powell went on to win the most votes. Democrats have accused Handel, who is a Republican, of playing politics.

The Gulf Coast waits: Will it be another Katrina?

(NOAA report)

With a historic evacuation complete, and gun-toting police and National Guardsmen standing watch over this city's empty streets, even presidential politics stood still Sunday while the nation waited to see if Hurricane Gustav would be another Katrina.

The storm was set to crash ashore midday Monday with frightful force, testing the three years of planning and rebuilding that followed Katrina's devastating blow to the Gulf Coast.

Painfully aware of the failings that led to that horrific suffering and more than 1,600 deaths, this time, officials moved beyond merely insisting tourists and residents leave south Louisiana. They threatened arrest, loaded thousands onto buses and warned that anyone who remained behind would not be rescued.

"Looters will go directly to jail. You will not get a pass this time," Mayor Ray Nagin said. "You will not have a temporary stay in the city. You will go directly to the Big House."

Col. Mike Edmondson, state police commander, said he believed that 90 percent of the population had fled the Louisiana coast. The exodus of 1.9 million people is the largest evacuation in state history, and thousands more had left from Mississippi, Alabama and flood-prone southeast Texas.

Louisiana and Mississippi changed traffic flow so all highway lanes led away from the coast, and cars were packed bumper-to-bumper. Stores and restaurants shut down, hotels closed and windows were boarded up. Some who planned to stay changed their mind at the last second, not willing to risk the worst.

"I was trying to get situated at home. I was trying to get things so it would be halfway safe," said 46-year-old painter Jerry Williams, who showed up at the city's Union Station to catch one of the last buses out of town. "You're torn. Do you leave it and worry about it, or do you stay and worry about living?"

Click here for GPB News coverage of Georgia's plans for assisting evacuees.

Forecasters said Gustav was likely to grow stronger as it marched toward the coast with top sustained winds of around 115 mph. At 5 p.m. EDT Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said Gustav was a Category 3 storm centered about 215 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River and moving northwest near 18 mph.

Against all warnings, some gambled and decided to face its wrath. On an otherwise deserted commercial block of downtown Lafayette, about 135 miles west of the city, Tim Schooler removed the awnings from his photography studio. He thought about evacuating Sunday before decided he was better off riding out the storm at home with his wife, Nona.

"There's really no place to go. All the hotels are booked up to Little Rock and beyond," he said. "We're just hoping for the best."

There were frightening comparisons between Gustav and Katrina, which flooded 80 percent of New Orleans when storm surge overtook the levees. While Gustav isn't as large as Katrina, which was a massive Category 5 storm at roughly the same place in the Gulf, there was no doubt the storm posed a major threat to a partially rebuilt New Orleans and the flood-prone coasts of Louisiana and southeast Texas. The storm has already killed at least 94 people on its path through the Caribbean.

(The Associated Press)

Click here for more GPB News coverage of Hurricane Gustav, and other recent stormy weather.

Judge says Democrat can serve office

A Fulton County judge has ruled that Democrat Jim Powell's name can stay on the ballot in November. Judge Wendy Shoob's ruling Thursday reversed the decision by Georgia's top elections official to disqualify Powell from the election.

Secretary of State Karen Handel's office said it "strongly disagreed" with the decision and that it may appeal. Powell was disqualified from the race for a seat on Georgia's Public Service Commission days before the July primary on grounds that he doesn't meet residency requirements. A judge later ruled Powell's name could remain on the ballot. He earned more than 330,000 votes and easily defeated opponent Bob Indech.

Handel's office dismissed accusations that politics were involved in the decision. Powell has called it "dirty politics at its worst."

(Associate Press)

Columbus man running for state rep slot

Zephaniah Baker (Courtesy)

Columbus native 31-year-old Zephaniah Baker, plans to run for District 132 as an independent on the November 4 ballot.

Running what he calls a “people over politics” campaign, Baker says he's calling for better educational opportunities, especially in the district's middle and high schools. He says he wants to create a more welcoming business climate for industry, that would bring, in his words, “high paying jobs,” to the area.

Baker says he started canvassing the district in January, and has received a requisite 990 verified signatures to be added to the ballot as an independent candidate.

Baker tells the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer newspaper that he's running, in his words, "for the post," and not against the current Democratic representative, Calvin Smyre.

Smyre is a 30-year veteran of Georgia politics and serves as House Minority Whip.

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Ex-EPA scientist fights agency over sewage sludge

David Lewis is a lab rat with no lab, a researcher with no salary, a once-influential scientist whose only perk these days is a lonely cubbyhole.

In his heyday, he was a high-ranking Environmental Protection Agency scientist whose discovery that dental equipment could be a haven for the HIV virus in the 1990s earned him prestige and respect.

Now he's a pariah, working out of a spare office at the University of Georgia and waging a quixotic battle with his former patron over sewage sludge, the reason for his gradual fall from grace.

More than a decade ago, Lewis began to challenge the EPA's policy allowing farmers to spread the semi-solid byproduct of wastewater treatment plants over their fields as a free, nutrient-rich fertilizer.

He's investigated illnesses and deaths he claims are linked to the sludge; he said his work has helped prod government officials to issue guidelines for workers who handle the sludge. He's also filed a flurry of lawsuits, the latest in March 2006 claiming UGA was complicit in a scheme by EPA leaders to justify the agency's program that distributes sludge to farm fields.

"Science is getting trumped by politics and I want that fixed," said Lewis. "My case is the worst case scenario where politics is blocking good science."

There was more than a hint of a conspiratorial tone in his voice recently when he said he's up against "an effort organized by multiple federal agencies and powerful industry groups with support of tens of millions of dollars in congressional earmarks."

The UGA and EPA researchers have stood by their work and deny wrongdoing.

"There's no cover-up. There's no conspiracy," said Robert Brobst, an EPA environmental engineer and a defendant in the lawsuit. "We're a bunch of nerdy scientists. How the hell do we know how to cover up and do conspiracies? We're boring."

For Lewis, who said he's trying to reclaim his reputation, it's been a costly crusade. He's lost his job with the EPA and was spurned by UGA, where he once hoped to land a gig as a tenured professor.

But he has reason to be encouraged. A federal judge has refused to throw out Lewis' lawsuit against UGA, and his work is helping focus attention on sewage sludge beyond the small circle of scientists who now study it.

"There really has not been adequate research about what this material is, let alone the repercussions," said Rob Hale, an environmental chemistry professor at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences. "Folks were told that this stuff had been studied to death, and Lewis is concerned that they're overstating what they knew about the material."

Wastewater treatment plants across the nation produce about 7 million tons of the sludge each year as a byproduct, and slightly more than half of it is used as fertilizer. The EPA has long argued the sludge is safe as long as it's applied properly.

"If it's misused, if it's overapplied, if it doesn't meet quality criteria, of course it's going to be a problem," said Brobst, who has specialized in this area for 30 years.

Still, "Based on what we know today, yes, it's safe," he said. "Science takes little steps, but if you add up all the little pieces in 1,500 articles in the last five years, you have a safe argument."

Lewis, who was never shy to question EPA policies, turned his attention to sewage sludge in 1996 after the issue kept coming up during an informal poll of his colleagues.

He started collecting samples from sewage treatment plants, using some of the same methods he used while investigating dental products: Collecting gunk and analyzing it for harmful pathogens and toxic materials. He soon found some that certain pathogens in the sludge could survive disinfection by taking shelter in fatty greases and oils.

"It doesn't take but a high school education in science to understand this stuff: Bacteria hides in hunks of gunk," he said.

He presented his findings at a national conference in 1998, prompting a new round of media coverage - and more scrutiny from his employer. Other EPA researchers soon conducted a study that refuted some of his work, though Lewis has questioned their methodology.

Lewis' growing reputation didn't do him any favors with his bosses, who offered in 1998 to pay his salary at UGA for four years as long as he retired after the contract was up. At UGA, though, he said he wasn't granted the freedom he had hoped, and started conducting research on his own dime. UGA never did offer him a job, and when his EPA contract was up, Lewis refused to retire and was let go in 2003.

Since then, he's turned his full attention toward fighting his former employers in court, where he's had a few successes and some stinging defeats, such as a 2004 administrative judge ruling that said Lewis has not provided "scientific evidence to back up his belief" that the sludge could pose a significant danger to people.

On the walls of Lewis' modest home in Watkinsville are some of the proudest images of his career, and in his office is a silver cabinet full of sludge files.

To Lewis, they are a constant reminder of the score he still wants to settle. And to some of his colleagues, that's not such a far-fetched idea.

"He's got a lot of guts and fortitude, and he's been right in the past," said Hale. "You need people like that, whether you agree with him or not."

(The Associated Press)

Click here for more GPB News coverage of environmental issues.

New name in 2010 Governor's race

Here’s another name to throw in the pot for a possible gubernatorial bid in 2010 - - Democratic Sen. Tim Golden of Valdosta. Golden told Insider Thursday he is “seriously looking” at a run but has made no decision yet. Even so, he said he thinks he has something to offer. "People are tired of partisan politics and they really prefer someone who will put policy over politics. I've been doing that for 18 years," he said. Golden served in the House from 1990 through 1998 and has served in the Senate since. He is chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

There will be a lot more names, no doubt, in the coming months. On the Democratic side, former Adjutant General (and former Secretary of State) David Poythress has said he’s interested. So has House Minority Leader DuBose Porter of Dublin.

Among Republicans, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine already has declared he’s in the race, but Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle is out there working hard, although he hasn’t announced. Also on the speech circuit already is House Majority Leader Jerry Keen, and there’s talk of Secretary of State Karen Handel.

Early?

It may seem that way but it costs mega-bucks these days to run statewide campaigns.

And even back when it was cheaper, campaigns have started much earlier than this. When Jimmy Carter lost in 1966, he immediately began work on his successful 1970 run for governor.

Golden said he's aware of the likely cost of a campaign and isn't scared off, based on encouragement he's gotten so far. He said he thinks his pro-business record and support for education and health care initiatives would hold him in good stead should he run.

(Insider Advantage Georgia)