GAINESVILLE – The venue was different but the result was still the same: a total sellout for the annual Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce “Eggs & Issues Breakfast”.
Classes had yet to commence on the new 95-acre campus of Lanier Technical College – that will happen in January – but a record crowd of 625-guests packed The Ramsey Conference Center to hear from the local state legislative delegation about the upcoming Georgia General Assembly and the issues it might be addressing.
Unique to Thursday’s 25th iteration of Eggs & Issues, Governor Nathan Deal served as the featured speaker. With only weeks remaining in his term as Georgia’s 82nd governor, the event justifiably paused before beginning the Q&A session with the five elected state officials on stage to remember and honor Deal’s tenure as Chief of State.
Brian Rochester, Chairman Elect of the GHCC, unabashedly called Deal, “…the best governor in the history of America” as he welcomed the audience to the event.
Introducing the governor was handled by State Senator Butch Miller, who was no less glowing in his tribute to Deal than was Rochester. Miller quoted Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle in describing Deal: “History is but a biography of great men.”
Becoming a bit emotional, Miller, who serves as president pro tempore in the State Senate, said, “This may be the last opportunity I have to introduce a man of incredible integrity, of keen intellect and a guy who has had an incredible impact on people all over the state…" Referencing Carlyle's quote again, Miller added, "...then the history of the great state of Georgia is a biography of Nathan Deal.”
Deal acknowledged the standing ovation as he climbed the stage and stood at the podium. He deflected the emotion of the occasion by joking about the upcoming General Assembly scheduled to begin January 14th in Atlanta.
Deal mentioned some of the tough issues awaiting the state legislators and said, “I’m not going to be down there,” and then added with a chuckle, “good luck, fellas!”
On a serious note Deal thanked those individuals and organizations who made his efforts successful, including the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and its CEO, Kit Dunlap.
Deal then surprised everyone, saying, “I’m pleased to announce to you that as of today this ballroom that you are sitting in is going to be named the Kathryn L. ‘Kit’ Dunlap Ballroom. Congratulations, Kit, we’re all very proud of you.”
Seated on stage following the governor’s speech were:
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Butch Miller, State Senator, 49th District
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John Wlkinson, State Senator, 50th District
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Lee Hawkins, State Representative, 27th District
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Matt Dubnik, State Representative, 29th District
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Emory Dunahoo, Jr., State Representative, 30th District
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(State Representative Timothy Barr was absent, away on a missions trip)
The questions from the audience discussed by the five legislators were regarding:
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how to keep growing jobs
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meeting broadband needs in rural areas
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determining Certificate of Need cases to assure health care in low population areas
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Medicaid expansion issues
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funding public education and the Senior Exemption from ad valorem school taxes
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changing school start dates
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enhancing the Technical College system
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the Religious Freedom Restoration Act
(To hear Governor Deal’s speech in its entirety use the audio player at the top of this story.)
