Fresh Loaf

Tired of swallowing Xanax every time you jump on a plane to visit the folks? You might get an alternative, my weary friend.

A new multi-state study says high-speed rail is feasible along I-85 from Charlotte, N.C. to Macon. Greenville, S.C. and Atlanta would be stops along the route.

From a press release about the study:

The Charlotte-Macon Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor study assesses the capacity and speed capabilities of the corridor and estimates possible ridership, revenue, operating and capital costs associated with extending high-speed passenger rail from Charlotte, N.C. to Macon, Ga., along the I-85 corridor. The report also addresses the feasibility of train speeds up to 150 miles per hour, including new track construction in locations that would increase speeds and avoid congested areas. The study was conducted by the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, Mass.

“This effort supports our shared belief that we must seriously consider — and plan for — transportation alternatives in these rapidly developing areas,” said Georgia Transportation Commissioner Gena Evans. “Given the growth our states continue to experience, we must explore every tool in our tool box in order to move the needle on transportation reform.”

…

High speed rail service, where appropriate, will provide business and leisure travelers with a competitive alternative to air and auto for trips between 100 and 500 miles.

Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia are working together with the business communities in each state to plan, develop and implement high speed rail in the Southeast. If implemented, the system would be developed incrementally, upgrading existing rail rights of way where possible.

What’s next? More studies, of course, including environmental assessments and modeling to gauge how viabile it would be to connect high-speed rail to other cities such as Washington, D.C. and Boston. Nowhere in the release does it mention how much the project would cost, which, in the end, is what determines whether it gets off the drawing board and into reality.

The complete study is also available online for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Full press release is after the jump.
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Atlanta-based Alazaan.com is having a party at the Al-Farooq Masjid of Atlanta mosque in Midtown Saturday to launch a software application that will allow Muslims to access accurate dates and times for prayers and holidays on mobile phones.

The Muslim calendar is lunar. Its months and days don’t correspond with the 365-day, 12-month solar calendar.

Additionally, various Muslim practices, such as prayers or fasts, are timed to sunrise and sunset — the times of which change throughout a year.

The ex-mayor of Macon will be there. He converted to Islam while in office.

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And like all immortals, he’s a Democrat!

David Poythress, brother of Prometheus, descended yesterday from his gymnasium high atop Mt. Olympus, cousin of Stone Mountain, to announce he’s running for governor in 2010.

In reality, it was at the Peace Officers Association of Georgia meeting at Jekyll Island, and according to his bio, Poythress is a Macon native. A mythical land in its own right, yes, but Greece it is not.

This won’t be the first time the former commander of the Georgia National Guard takes a stab at the state’s top job. He ran an unsuccessful bid in 1998 while he was commissioner of the state Department of Labor.

Just how successful of a run this could be depends, first, on who else jumps into the still-26-months-away race, and second, if a Democrat really has any chance of winning a gubernatorial election in Georgia. Aside from Atlanta, that island of blue in the red sea that is the rest of the state, a Democrat may have a hard time convincing voters to check his name. According to this report from the AJC, Poythress thinks he has a chance to win over moderate Republicans and independents. WMAZ in Macon reports Poythress highlighted transportation, commuter rail and trauma care as the key issues he’ll stress.

The only other candidate who’s officially tossed his name into the mix is state insurance commissioner John Oxendine. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and state House Minority Leader DuBose Porter, D-Dublin, have also been mentioned as possible candidates.

Poythress has a long list of superlatives attached to his name. We’ve pasted them from his state Dept. of Defense website bio after the jump.

(Photo courtesy of the state DOD)

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Tee hee.

From the office of Gov. Sonny Perdue:

Kumho Tire to Locate First U.S.

Manufacturing Facility in Macon

Korean tire company to create 450 jobs, invest $225 million in Bibb County facility

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Hey, Victor. Buddy, chum, daily Fresh Loaf commenter, beacon of hope and knowledge. You know, I can count on you for all things Bibb, but come about 110 days or so, when Atlanta’s water is probably going to run out, I might make a visit to Macon. And I think I might stay there for another 390 days. Until Macon’s water runs out. And then the two of us and any other thirsty folks who want to come along can move to Jones County. And the beauty of the Internets means we’ll still be able to post on here! It’s a win-win!

I’m very clean, don’t own any pets, no criminal history to speak of — passed the background check to work here, after all — and I boast a fine collection of antiques that could easily double as firewood should our power be the second resource to go. Whattya say there, Victor? Wanna hang out and eat ice cream together, watch Dirty Dancing? Welcome a 76-year-old redheaded blogger into the Macon mix. You have roughly 110 days to decide.

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This month, Macon residents reacted angrily after Mayor Jack Ellis of Macon sent a letter to President Hugo Chavez declaring solidarity with the outspoken Venezuelan. A vocal critic of American foreign policy, Chavez called President Bush “the devil” at a United Nations meeting last September.

“I think the Mayor has absolutely every right to express his personal opinion, as we all do, but I want to make sure that the rest of the world doesn’t think that the entire city of Macon supports what he’s doing.”

— Democrat Rick Hutto, Macon city councilman, speaking on FOX News

“Telegraph readers filled 20 pages of comments on the macon.com message board before the content became so inappropriate that it had to be taken down.”

— Macon.com, the website of Macon’s the Telegraph newspaper

“C. Jack Ellis should take his muslim arse to Venezuela and get on his knees before Chavez! Hey Jack, you are as bad as Jane Fonda! You’re a traitor!”

— Macon.com commenter “J. Hooker.” Ellis announced his conversion to Islam in February.

“I NEVER tell anyone I am from Macon. I am so ashamed our our so called Mayor. He is such a moron. He tries to act and talk so sophicated, but the true ignorant being shows thru. GO TO THE MUSLIM TERRITORY……….YOU AIN’T WANTED HERE!!!!!”

— Macon.com anonymous commenter

“All is not lost.”

— President Chavez, thanking Ellis for his letter during a televised speech lasting eight hours

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