ATLANTA - The state spends nearly $60,000 a year for membership dues at 38 private clubs for staffers at the Georgia Ports Authority. <br>
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That's according to a story in Monday's editions of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. <br>
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And Ports Authority Executive Director Doug Marchand topped all state officials last year with a nearly $93,000 tab, often staying in luxury hotel rooms around the world. <br>
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Supporters say the private clubs and travel are justified because executives with shipping companies expect to be treated well before agreeing to move cargo through Georgia ports. <br>
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But the spending has drawn the attention of state legislators, who consider the club memberships inappropriate. <br>
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Executives and sales staff at the Ports Authority charge the state for memberships at country clubs in Savannah, St. Simons, Atlanta and New Jersey. <br>
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The Georgia Ports Authority, created in 1945, operates ocean and inland river ports within the state, including the ports of Savannah and Brunswick, and the Bainbridge and Columbus barge terminals. <br>
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Recently, Marchand and his director of international trade dropped two golf club memberships at the Hampton Club on St. Simons and the Wilmington Island Club in Savannah. <br>
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Last month, Keith Mason, chairman of the Georgia Ports Authority, wrote to Gov. Roy Barnes, to say that his board was reviewing the club memberships, travel and entertainment expense policies.