August 23 , 2006

Perdue beefs up campaign in Elberton.

By Pearce Adams
Anderson Independent-Mail

ELBERTON — Georgia’s top politician chose Elbert County on Wednesday as the place to put some beef into his gubernatorial campaign. Seeking a second four-year term in office, Gov. Sonny Perdue faces Mark Taylor in the November General Election. If elected, Gov. Perdue said his next administration would continue a focus on re-training workers and bringing them opportunities."As we prepare ourselves for the future, then I think the jobs are gonna come beating on our door," he said.
According to the Georgia Department of Labor, unemployment impacts 5.1 percent of the state’s 4.7 million workforce.

Nationally, the rate is 5 percent, according to state labor statistics. Gov. Perdue said this summer’s drought conditions have hurt the state’s agriculture, but he could not immediately quantify the impact.
"It’s a disaster, that’s the fact," he said, and that’s led to suffering in 154 counties by large industries and individual farmers. He said it’s sad that both might need to turn to low-interest loans and borrow themselves out of trouble."We’re glad for federal help," he said. "We could use more." Earlier and after making a 45-minute tour of Eagle Granite in Elberton, Gov. Perdue made a second stop in the first of four cities during Wednesday’s almost-six-hour campaign swing into Eastern Georgia.

Following a 10:15 a.m. tour of the 100-employee Bubba Burgers’ plant, Gov. Perdue filled his plate with a beef-and-Vidalia Onion burger, potato chips and soft drink."I just left a monument factory," he said. "I’d rather have a sample here than there."
Walter "Bubba" Eaves and his family had operated Bubba Foods for decades before Florida-based Hickory Foods acquired it in 2000, turning it international."Their growth is a testimony to the quality product that was developed right here in Elberton," Gov. Perdue said. Mr. Eaves said the governor’s burger was made from the same recipe that Mr. Eaves’ mother once used.

Elberton Mayor Larry Guest said such diversity in the community is needed, noting the granite industry is becoming more high-tech and less labor intensive. And that means a need for more job opportunities, he said. Prior to leaving by helicopter for another campaign stop in Augusta, Gov. Perdue said it’s exciting to see successful, entrepreneurial stories honed from granite and beef.

"It’s a good example of people taking the things that they have been blessed with naturally and creating jobs," he said. But in the nearby counties of Hart and Rabun, more than 1,500 workers are losing their jobs due to the closure of textile mills.
"They did not close because of the workforce there," Gov. Perdue said. "They closed because of worldwide economic conditions where people can make it cheaper elsewhere for various reasons."

Henry’s Hickory House Bubba Foods, LLC
P.O. Box 2823 Jacksonville, FL 32203
904-482-1900 Fax 904-354-1946