Text of Perdue's planned remarks about Hurricane Katrina (Georgia)

The Macon Times ^ | August 31, 2005

[snowsislander]

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue's prepared remarks on Hurricane Katrina:

Good afternoon. We have all seen the images of massive destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Hundreds of thousands of our neighbors in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama have lost their homes and are in need of food, water, shelter and medical supplies. Millions are without electricity.

Georgia, fortunately, was spared the worst effects of the storm. We are saddened by the loss of life and property in Georgia. Led by GEMA, we are assessing the damage and providing assistance to tornado victims in Peach, White and Carroll Counties.

Our hearts go out to our neighbors here at home and in the most affected states. I know that many Georgians want to help those in need.

I've come to the American Red Cross to tell you how individual Georgians can best help the hurricane victims.

I also want to let you know what official state resources we are sending to help our neighbors.

And I want to ask for calm over gas supply and gas prices.

First, many Georgians are asking how they can help.

The best way to help is to make a cash donation to volunteer relief agencies such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and others.

Cash donations are the most effective way to help the hurricane victims because they allow the relief agencies to issue cash vouchers to victims so they can meet their needs.

Cash donations also allow agencies to purchase exactly the emergency goods that are most needed and avoid the cost of sorting, storing and shipping donated goods.

Again, the best way you can help the hurricane victims is to make a cash donation to the American Red Cross or other relief agency.

As far as our official response, Georgia has coordinated with the American Red Cross and local governments to open seven shelters for citizens from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama evacuated due to the hurricane.

As hospitals in New Orleans are continuing to close due to flooding, patients are being evacuated to local Atlanta hospitals. We expect up to 400 patients will arrive. Our Georgia Public Health Division is monitoring this situation.

Our Georgia National Guard is sending three CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to the Gulf Region to help move equipment and supplies.

We have also deployed teams from Georgia's public safety agencies to assist with rescue and emergency operations in Mississippi. Our Georgia Forestry Commission has sent teams to assist with clean-up.

I'm not going to give you a full agency- by- agency run-down.

I can tell you that I have issued an executive order directed all state agencies to render all available support to the rescue and relief efforts Ð and that's what we are doing.

Now let me touch on gas supply and gas prices.

As we know, the storm and flooding have shut down refineries and disrupted gas pipelines in the region.

That does affect our gas supply and it has led to an increase in gas prices. However, this is a temporary situation and is no cause for alarm or panic.

The supply disruptions which are causing the price increases are only temporary. I have been in contact with the major gas distributors that serve the Georgia market and they are working around the clock to address the supply problem.

The most important thing motorists can do is stay calm, conserve fuel and don't rush to the pumps.

A significant portion of Georgia's gas supplies ship in by water rather than through the disrupted pipelines, so fresh fuel is continuing to reach Atlanta and other Georgia markets.

In addition, the Colonial Pipeline Ð one of the main pipelines that is down Ð is expected to be back in operation by this weekend.

To further ease supply problems, we have temporarily lifted EPD fuel additive rules to expand the supply of gasoline approved for sale in the Atlanta area.

In addition the Georgia DOT has lifted hour restrictions on operation of heavy trucks so that tanker trucks can operate 24 hours a day to make deliveries.

In other words, there is no reason to panic. There is plenty of gas on the way and the only reason we would have problems locally is if people rush out to buy gas they don't need.

• The best response right now is calm and conservation.
• Don't go top off your tank. Just continue with your normal fueling habits.
• I encourage employers to make greater use of telework in the coming days.

And I ask Georgians É just cut out a night out this week and stay home with your family. Take one less trip than you would otherwise.

We'll get through this fine. I know higher gas prices are an inconvenience, but let's put that inconvenience in perspective with the massive humanitarian disaster folks in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana are experiencing.

Let's concentrate on our neighbors in a real crisis.

Again, I ask Georgians to give to the Red Cross or other relief agencies if you can. And even if you can't do that you can give the best relief of all by offering a prayer for all those affected by the disaster.

[WoodstockCat]

unfortunately the panic set in. The QT below my house in Towne Lake is out of gas tonight.

[The Last Rebel]

I wonder if he topped off the state helicopter when he got back to the mansion.

Just a thought.

---

From Hank Williams Jr.'s song "Tired of Being Johnny B. Good"

"DON'T TELL ME TO RIDE A BUS AND TURN DOWN MY THERMOSTAT, WHEN YOU'RE ALL RUNNING AROUND IN JETS AND CADILLACS!"

TLR

[nyconse]

I live in Town Lake-Wyngate. It took me an hour to get home from Chastain area today. The darn gas lines were blocking the intersections.

[rawhide]

Good statement and action by the governor. A lot of the empty gas stations will be full again on the morning, with deliveries going on thru the night. Good move, Governor!
In fact, my local gas station (Athens) tonight around 9:30 was almost completely empty of cars, yet they has plenty of gas. And the station across the street was open with no cars.

[cdtracing]

I topped off the tanks of both my car ant truck on Sunday when gas was still $2.45 a gallon.
Coming home to night I saw several gas stations that were out of fuel, but talking to some tanker drivers on the CB radio there is still plenty of gas in the Doraville terminal the trucks just can't it to the stations fast enough. I saw people filling cars, trucks with boats, and a but load of gas cans being filled up.

[AJ504]

Here in Augusta, all the talk at the Medical College of Georgia was that the prices were skyrocketing and that all the stations anticipated being out by Friday.

Since I am playing summer bum for another 7 weeks, I decided to take my 'running on fumes' Camry out to fill it up so my wife could have 2 weeks worth of gas for her commute.

I paid $2.17 last week.

Golly gee, at 11 p.m., the two closest stations already had changed to $3.29/gallon. 1/4 mile down the road were two more at $2.99, and one at $2.89. Sheesh.

They're really bumpin' them up over here, Sonny!

[WoodstockCat]

The BP Amoco across from the Kroger is open right now..I had to go out to Walmart for supplies for our Miss in-laws..2.67 for regular..

[backhoe]

Sticker Shock-$3 a gallon gas? Click the picture:

( Sign in Atlanta... )

Sticker Shock-$3 a gallon gas? Click the picture:

[nyconse]

Well, I will make a note of those price gougers and avoid them in the future. This station is being fair; they have my business. I was paid on Tuesday. I always fill up on pay day so I avoided all the mess yesterday.

[jer33 3]

I don't know how many folks heard his speech yesterday as the lines were long at the pumps.

I would definitely recommend Salvation Army over Red Cross anyday. Another good agency is Samaritan's Purse out of North Carolina.

[traviskicks]

Gov Perdue is a horrible gov according to the CATO institute (which I trust). This 'rationing' and anti gouging laws are absurd and hurt much more than they help. From a recent blog:

First, let me return to a previous post in 'Tsunami Tyranny':

 

A Wave of Price Gouging 1/10/05 Cafe Hayek produces a great article illustrating how the free market may raise prices, but also delivers much needed goods to victims of disasters. Tsunami Brings Long List of Profiteers - 1/27/05 Associated Press describes a few of the entrepreneurs that help make immediate Tsunami relief possible and long term recovery feasible. Price Gouging in Florida - 9/14/04 Dr. Thomas Sowell details the hurtful counterproductiveness of Florida Republican Governor Jeb Bush's efforts to ensure 'fair prices' for Florida victims of hurricane Jeanne. Another so-called 'Conservative'... and he was sent by President Bush to oversea Tsunami relief!

 

    After reading those articles you can see how hurtful government controls on prices are in disaster areas, accomplishing the opposite of their intentions and hurting, not helping, devastated populations. Yet, we see the same effects already taking place during Hurricane Katrina:

    President Bush said on Thursday looters plundering stores in New Orleans and elsewhere in the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina should be treated with "zero tolerance" and warned gasoline sellers against price gouging.

    Ouch! $6 gas near Atlanta Georgia governor outlaws gouging as stations jack up cost, lines form

8/31/05 World Net Daily "We will not tolerate the exploitation of Georgia consumers as we recover from the effects of Hurricane Katrina," Perdue said in a statement. "Violators of this price gouging statute will be punished to the fullest extent possible."

    Here we see a 'Republican' President and a staunch 'Conservative' newspaper with no mention of how misguided these policies are. Most disappointing.