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Senator not satisfied with colleague's fine
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Associated Press
Updated: Aug 21, 2012, 3:13 PM
Published: Aug 21, 2012, 3:18 PM

ATLANTA — A first-term state senator wants stiffer penalties for a veteran colleague who admitted filing erroneous documentation so he could get paid for in-state work on days he was not in Georgia.

Joshua McKoon, a Columbus Republican, said Monday that the $5,000 fine that Don Balfour negotiated with the Ethics Committee last week is insufficient. McKoon, the lone member to vote against the settlement, filed a minority report with the Senate.

McKoon wants the attorney general to consider Balfour's actions. He called for the full Senate to consider a censure resolution, and he wants Balfour removed as Rules Committee chairman. That post gives the Snellville Republican considerable power over Senate business.

Balfour's attorney, Robert Highsmith, said the Ethics Committee vote means the matter is over, regardless of McKoon's filing.

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Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program announces grant
Funds earmarked for Share the Road initiatives
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Bryan County News
Updated: Dec 1, 2017, 7:02 PM
Published: Nov 28, 2017, 7:08 PM

Grant funding totaling $93,458 has been awarded to the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP) by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The approved funding will be used to increase motorcycle safety awareness and outreach by encouraging all motorists and motorcyclists to Share the Road.

“The need for motorcycle safety programs is greater than ever, and this support from GOHS enables motorcycle safety programs and impaired riding initiatives to reach riders and non-riders alike” said Commissioner Spencer R. Moore. “Thank you GOHS for helping (the Department of Driver Services) and GMSP educate and encourage all Georgia drivers to ‘Share the Road.’”

The grant allows DDS to further develop the Motorcycle Safety Outreach Program by continuing to fund a position to promote state and national safety initiatives. The GMSP outreach coordinator researches, coordinates and helps maintain an adequate presence at industry events, local schools and colleges, regional meetings and festivals to increase awareness of motorcycles on the roadways and provide the most current information on motorcycle safety initiatives.

Visitors to a GMSP event display are also encouraged to sign up for regular newsletters which provide additional safety information, as well as review the motorcycle safety message on other social media platforms.

GMSP regulates motorcycle training for new riders, as well as seasoned riders, who want to learn how to ride a motorcycle legally and safely. The program is based on a continuum of learning and therefore offers three entry points to rider education.

Students participating in the Basic Riders Course do not need specialized motorcycle equipment, as the GMSP provides both a motorcycle and a helmet to class participants. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a 90-day license waiver card that exempts them from both the written and on-cycle skills tests needed to obtain a Class M license in the state of Georgia.

Please visit the DDS website at www.dds.georgia.gov for many online services including the convenience of enrolling in a GMSP training class and accessing many licensing services.

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