Political Notebook: Perdue speaks on ‘systematic’ national data breaches
U.S. Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., said the latest data breaches are another example of why government officials must toughen communication security.
Perdue cited concerns with a State Department inspector general report that detailed how some senior diplomats with the U.S. Embassy in Japan were found to have used personal email accounts to exchange sensitive information. The latest reports about former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sending classified emails from her personal account also emerged this week.
“This inspector general report indicates systemic issues across the State Department, specifically in email communications,” Perdue said in a statement. “As chairman of the subcommittee charged with overseeing State Department operations, I will continue to advocate for greater oversight to ensure these common-sense IG recommendations are implemented. National security and safeguarding sensitive government information must always be a top priority.”
MODEL AIRSHIP DONATED TO MACON-BIBB
A replica of a 1930s airship has been donated to Macon-Bibb County.
Macon attorney Christopher Smith presented the 2-foot long model of the USS Macon to Mayor Robert Reichert on Aug. 28. Reichert told the Telegraph in 2014 that he wanted a way to honor the U.S. Navy vessel that sank in 1935 after it crashed into the Pacific Ocean.
The model ship is now on display at the Macon-Bibb County Government Center.
A model of another cruiser also named USS Macon is in the Government Center’s lobby.
The USS Macon’s crash ended the Navy’s large, rigid airship program. The vessel was recovered in 1991 after having sunk 1,500 feet into the ocean.
GRAY RECOGNIZED FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The city of Gray has become the state’s 92nd Certified Local Government, according to a news release from the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed the designation.
Located along a rail line, Gray grew in the 1880s and 1890s to become the largest village in Jones County. It superseded Clinton as the county seat in 1905. Gray has a historic preservation ordinance and a three-person citizens board that serves as its historic preservation commission, the release said.
To become a Certified Local Government, local governments must meet federal and state requirements, including the enactment of a historic preservation ordinance that establishes a design review commission.
“The City of Gray is appreciative and thankful to earn the designation of Certified Local Government,” Mayor Stephen Tingen said in the release. “Pursuing and achieving these types of distinctions for Gray opens up new grant opportunities for historical restoration projects. Preserving our past, our history, is important to our community; and being a Certified Local Government will aid us in future restoration projects.”
PERRY CITY COUNCIL TALKS TRASH, TABLES ORDINANCE CHANGE
In a Monday discussion focused on updating sanitation ordinances, the Perry City Council batted around a few potential rules for yard trash and bulk waste but did not finalize any changes.
The weight limit, length and diameter of tree limbs and other yard waste was central to the conversation between City Manager Lee Gilmour and Director of Public Works Decius Aaron in the work session. Some discussion called into question how such rules could be enforced.
“I think the stipulation that Mr. Gilmour is recommending is that if the machine can pick it up, then we’re going to pick it up, and if not, it’s not,” Councilman Robert Jones said. “Hopefully, common sense would prevail, and someone wouldn’t put out a massive tree trunk and expect us to pick it up.”
“This is what I need to say,” Councilwoman Phyllis Bynum-Grace interjected. “If sense was common, everybody would have some.”
Laughter ensued and the council ultimately tabled the matter until such details could be determined.
Telegraph staff writers Stanley Dunlap and Laura Corley contributed to this report.
This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 10:38 PM with the headline "Political Notebook: Perdue speaks on ‘systematic’ national data breaches ."