Georgia task force says state can't meet water deadline
By Tom Baxter
Southern Political Report
November 25, 2009 — The Water Contingency Task Force set up by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue says the state can't find enough new ways to supply water to Metro Atlanta to meet a three-year deadline imposed last summer by a federal judge. It would take at least eight years and a massive investment to replace the water the area needs if it is forced to stop withdrawing water from Lake Lanier, north of the ctiy, the panel said. The task force finding added to the pressure for Georgia to negotiate a settlement with Alabama and Florida to end the years-long dispute over water usage. State officials have even begun to question the location of Georgia's border with Tennessee, eyeing the Tennessee River as a possible new source. -- The Kentucky State Police said Tuesday the US Census worker found hanged with the word "fed" scrawled across his chest two months ago committed suicide. State Police Capt. Lisa Rudzinski said at a news conference that William Sparkman had taken out two accidental death life insurance policies totaling $600,000, and appears to have staged his death as a homicide. She said he had told witnesses he intended to commit suicide. -- Birmingham has its third mayor in a month after a city councilman switched his support from Carole Smitherman to Roderick Royal at a council meeting Tuesday. The issue will be settled Dec. 8 in an election to replace former Mayor Larry Langford, who was convicted on federal corruption charges. Smitherman and the councilman who switched his vote, Steven Hoyt, are among the 14 candidates in the race. -- PETA, the animal rights group, says being a mascot added to the health problems that killed Uga VII, the University of Georgia bulldog, and has asked the school to use a robot dog or costumed mascot in the future. |
