|
Monday, August 27, 2018: On Saturday I was fortunate to meet with representatives of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees as they were in Savannah for their regional conference. This group represents technicians, artists and different craft persons in the entertainment industry including motion picture and television products as well as live theatre. I’m in Blackshear in Pierce County this morning as I have the opportunity to tour the local West Fraser mill. West Fraser is the largest lumber producer in North America and, of course, Georgia is the #1 forestry state in the country with timber having a Farm Gate value of nearly $800 million and providing for 87,000 jobs.
 |
| Rep. Carter Touring West Fraser in Blackshear |
I am very proud that the largest section of timber in the State is located in the First Congressional District. Next, I head to Waycross in Ware County. Once in Waycross, I visit “Megan’s House,” one of three children’s respite homes operated by Easterseals Southern Georgia and represented by my long-time friend Beth English. Respite care provides short term relief to parents who are caring for their child with developmental disabilities by providing care for their children for as few as 24 hours and up to 2 weeks. With strong support from the community, the children participate in numerous activities giving the parents a break and allowing the children to have some fun while receiving any medical care they may need. Afterwards, I visit the Kroger Pharmacy in Waycross to learn more of the innovative retail programs they have implemented including those supporting opioid abuse prevention. After a short meeting with Ware County Commissioner-elect Burton Carter, I head to Nahunta in Brantley County where I tour the Brantley Telephone Company to discuss rural broadband and learn that Brantley County is one of the few rural counties in Georgia where every resident has access to broadband services.
 |
| Rep. Carter discussing rural broadband at Brantley Telephone Company |
Next, I head to Waverly in Camden County where I meet with Tim and Pam Ahrens and have a tour of their beautiful bed and breakfast, The Horse Stamp Inn. Built in 2007 as a private residence, the picturesque house was converted to a bed and breakfast in 2012 and sits on the site of a former pecan orchard. Later, I head to Woodbine, where I am the guest speaker at the Woodbine Lions Club monthly meeting and have a great time meeting with this fine group of community oriented men and women.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018: My first stop this morning is in McIntosh County as I have a car tour of the route of the proposed Coastal Georgia Greenway through the county with Jim Morrison. The proposed 155-mile trail system will connect South Carolina to Florida through Georgia’s six coastal counties linking the towns, attractions, historic and cultural sites of the coast. Afterwards, I head to St. Simons Island in Glynn County where I am honored to be the guest speaker at the St. Simons Rotary Club’s weekly meeting. After bringing this great group of business and civic leaders up to date on Washington issues, I enjoy engaging in a question and answer session with them. Next, I head to Kingsland in Camden County where I meet with my good friend Sheila McNeil for a military update and briefing before heading to Folkston in Charlton County where I have the opportunity to meet with city and county officials as well as interested citizens and bring them up to date on Washington issues.
 |
| Rep. Carter meeting with city and county officials as well as interested citizens in Folkston |
Afterwards, I head to Valdosta in Lowndes County where I meet with local and state officials from the area to hear their concerns.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018: After spending the night in Valdosta, I’m at Valdosta State University bright and early where, along with Alice Johnson, District Director for Congressman Austin Scott, I host a round table discussion with local leaders and officials from Moody Air Force Base about health care services at the base. Recently, retirees and veterans who have been receiving health care benefits at the base have been informed that they must seek services off-base. Moody Commanding Officer Col. Jennifer Short and her staff, along with representatives from South Georgia Medical Center, review their plans on how health care services will be provided to these displaced patients in the future. Afterwards, I head to Jesup in Wayne County where I am the guest speaker at the Savannah and Brunswick Society of American Foresters meeting and bring them up to date on Washington issues. Along with my good friend, Dean McCraw, this fine group does a great job with our forest resources helping to ensure Georgia remains the number one forestry state in the nation. Afterwards, I head back to Waycross where I meet with the Waycross-Ware County Development Authority to discuss wetlands and permitting issues before heading to Alma in Bacon County to meet with blueberry growers. My first stop in Alma is a tour of Alma Pak, a state of the art blueberry packing facility followed by a tour of Allen Farm.
 |
| Rep. Carter touring blueberry farms |
Next, I visit the Blueberry Barn, a local retailer that specializes in all things blueberry- jams/jellies/syrups/ice cream/bread/bar b que sauce/ etc. My final meeting is at the Bacon County Extension office with a greater group of blueberry growers where I hear from them about their concerns with tariffs and NAFTA renegotiations.
Thursday, August 30, 2018: One of the greatest honors of my life was to serve as the Mayor of Pooler from 1996 to 2004. During this time we saw tremendous growth and job creation that continues today. One of our greatest accomplishments was adding JCB, Inc., to our business community. This morning, along with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, I am honored to participate in JCB’s 1000th HMEE Line Production Celebration to acknowledge the incredible support to our military and those who serve that these machines have provided.
 |
| Rep. Carter speaking at JCB's 1000th HMEE Line Production Celebration |
After this great ceremony, I head to downtown Savannah where I am honored to be the guest speaker at the Propeller Club’s monthly meeting and bring them up to date on the progress that has been made on various port projects including the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). The Savannah Port is the second largest container port on the eastern seaboard, one of the fastest growing ports in the world and is the economic engine for our region. Thanks to the excellent management team at the port, it is also one of the least congested ports anywhere. Afterwards, I head to my Savannah office where I have a series of meetings beginning with Rural Health Works to learn more of their work. Next, I am honored to receive the 2018 Champion of Healthy Seniors Award from the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease and then meet with representatives from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia. My last two meetings are with my good friend Donna Camacho and others regarding the Alzheimer’s Association followed by a meeting with Julie Barnes to discuss national issues.
Friday, August 31, 2018: I’m in Jacksonville this morning as I tour CORAR Cardinal Health Nuclear Pharmacy to learn more about radiopharmaceuticals, radioactive drugs that are physician administered.
 |
| Rep. Carter touring CORAR Cardinal Health Nuclear Pharmacy |
Most of these medications are compounded and are patient specific unit doses that are administered to patients for diagnostic imaging or radioactive procedures. This compounding is a very time sensitive process that requires specialized training for pharmacists and is performed under rigorous safety procedures.
Saturday, September 1, 2018: Along with State Representatives Bill Hitchens (R-Rincon) and Jon Burns (R-Newington) and Rincon Mayor Ken Lee, I am delighted to attend the Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication in Rincon this morning as we celebrate the 20th home built by this fine group in Effingham County.
 |
| Rep. Carter speaking at the Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication |
Executive Director Jimmy Rutland and his fine board have done an outstanding job in Effingham County of spreading Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
|
