Moody support worth effort
Published 8:15 pm Monday, December 5, 2005
South Georgians can look up the road to see what happens if a community doesn’t commit itself to support a military base. The Macon area is reeling from news that the Pentagon wants to move eight B-1 bombers from Robins Air Force Base in Houston County.
Gov. Roy Barnes said Thursday that the move would make Robins vulnerable to being closed at a time when Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is also urging a new round of base closings as a cost-saving measure.
Barnes was surprised at the announcement because he had just visited the Pentagon last week after hearing the bomb wing might be moved from Robins.
He said he raised the issue with one Air Force official who “was sheepish about it, ‘We’re considering it, it’s still in the works…’ And then — BAM! — all of a sudden it came.”
Barnes visited the Pentagon with Parker Greene of the Moody Support Committee, which was the first time any governor had taken the time to visit the Pentagon, Greene said. We hope the gesture was not too late in regards to Robins.
As for Moody, we know that Greene has perfected the art of lobbying for our base. His efforts have won him wide recognition from Pentagon bigwigs who know this area fully supports Moody.
It takes a consistent and focused effort to make sure our priorities are known to people who may never visit South Georgia. The financial support for the Moody Support Committee from the city and county is well worth the effort Greene makes on our behalf.
