-Were it on the board in Las Vegas, we'd bet $100 on Phil Gingrey to enter the Republican hunt to be Georgia's next governor. Twenty-four hours ago, we might have wagered $1 just for grins. But with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle's mystifying exit, a race that seemed pretty much Cagle's to lose is now most anyone's to win.
-Karen Handel and John Oxendine can say they're front-runners but the new No. 1 is a player to be named sooner, not later. Gingrey might be that person. Even as he ran for a fourth term representing District 11 in Congress, Gingrey was hearing calls to run for governor. He's got the resume: congressman, longtime local and state lawmaker, staunch conservative and rabid fund-raiser. Also, Gingrey is known in much of the state, especially as a very vocal Republican first-responder against Democratic challenges and legislation.
The negatives start with that same quick lip: Gingrey "had" to apologize to talk show host Rush Limbaugh earlier in the year. It cost him on several levels but he remains popular among conservatives. Another factor: Gingrey would take office at age 68.
And earlier this month, in an editorial board meeting with the Marietta paper, Gingrey pretty much said he and his family had ruled out a bid for governor, citing too much to be done on major issues before Congress (MDJ).
-Others are looking, too: Today, Jerry Keen has a 10 a.m. news conference and is expected to join the GOP race. Overnight, we got an e-mail from state Rep. Austin Scott on his candidacy.
-What to watch: Should Gingrey make the jump, the dominos would fall quickly. Anxious candidates for Congress certainly would come from Cobb, Bartow and Floyd counties, and some would be giving up existing seats in the General Assembly. Already, perhaps three or four candidates are watching to see if Preston Smith runs for attorney general (he's previously confirmed plans to seek a new Senate term). Some of those same Senate candidates will look at Gingrey's seat.
-The bottom line: The next seven days could shuffle many 2010 ballots, including those in Northwest Georgia.
Updates on May 8 auction(s): We've added an "s" for several reasons. First, you can now view the site of the U.S. 411/Dodd Boulevard auction of 39.4 acres owned by G. H. Riddle by clicking Dempsey. The auction begins at 10 a.m. that Friday. Also, scroll down the page to see the 1 p.m. auction of the .55-of-an-acre site that once was home to Owen's BBQ on U.S. 27 and Dixie Park Road.
'Hail of a sale' following Friday's storms: You tell us--smart marketing or not? Courtesy Ford in Rome is having a "hail of a sale" following Friday's tornadic-like storms. Also, the dealership is advertising car dent repairs. That comes as the state Insurance Office raises statewide storm damage estimates to $100 million.> Click
Rome High junior follows mom's cause to battle cancer: Ann Hook, a two-time cancer patient, is a force in the community battle to beat the disease. Now her oldest daughter, Jessica, a junior at Rome High, and some friends are dancing to 'Bust Cancer' > Healthy Living
Recycling helping homeless in Greater Rome: The William S. Davies Homeless Shelters have partnered with Paper Recovery of Georgia to benefit from the collection of newspapers, magazines, junk mail and shredded paper. Collection bins are at the end of Hicks Drive just past Home Depot; West 10th and Martha Berry Boulevard across from Scants Corner; the old Burns car lot (most recently Vast Supply) on Martha Berry ; and at Mount Berry Square. For more information, contact the Davis shelters at 706-290-1562 or click Davies.
Thursday's Buzz:
-Redmond Regional earns 3-year cancer care accreditation> Health
-Heart of the Community donated defibrillator to Boys, Girls Club> HOC
-No tickets left for Tony Dungy's lecture at Berry tonight: Says Berry College spokesman Rick Woodall: "All tickets for Tony Dungy's public lecture have been exhausted." Hometown will have coverage Friday> Berry
-Floyd County's Got Talent set for Saturday, April 25: Sponsored by the Modern Woodmen of America, the talent contest benefits the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth. It is set for 7 p.m. at the City Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children and $5 for those 12 and under. Reserved seats are available for $15. For more, call 706-232-0703.
-Saturday/St. Mary's golf tournament: Teams and individuals can sign up to play in Saturday's St. Mary's Golf Tournament set for the Plantation of Horseleg. Teams of four, $300; individuals, $75. Proceeds benefit St. Mary's Catholic School. Call 706-506-0954 or see the event flyer by clicking SMS
-What's ahead at this weekend's Waterfest IX> Details
WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court
-Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near71. Gusts as high as 15 mph.
-Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
-Friday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Gusts to 15 mph.
-Friday night: Mostly clear, low of 42.
-Live radar views: Click The State or The Region
-For more, click WeatherCenter
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota
- Be careful duck hunting in Oregon; Paulus for president; Yoculan's new career> Arey
-Braves take two-game series vs. Sandgnats, win 5-3.
-Next game: Tonight at 7 as Charleston comes to town.
-Game photos courtesy of Mills Fitzner> Click
Downtown Headlines
-Big entertainment weekend ahead, starting tonight and continuing through Sundays, says Bryan Mullins of Mullinsmania.com> Click Downtown
-Updated/Stargazer's newsletter posted: "Wednesday morning, before sunrise, we have a chance to see a beautiful meteor shower (Lyrid)" Stargazers
-Updated/Latest library newsletter now posted> Link
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