Albany Herald

Photo by Laura Williams

AMERICUS, Ga. -- Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr., D-Albany, will conduct a town hall meeting 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. today at South Georgia Technical College's Pope Center.

The joint EPA-Congressional Black Caucus event is part of an Environmental Justice Tour that is meant to highlight the impact of environmental issues on communities.

The tour kicked off in Mississippi in January, with other stops being made in South Carolina and Missouri.

"I know there are a lot of mixed feelings about the EPA in the Second (Congressional) District," Bishop said. "I believe this town hall meeting is a great opportunity for us, especially in the agriculture community, to express our concerns, ask questions and, more importantly, give the administrator an opportunity to directly hear those views and concerns."

Confirmed guests include state Rep. Mike Choekas; Sumter County Commission Chairman Brent Williams; County Administrator Lynn Taylor; Americus Mayor Barry Blount; Americus CEO Charlotte Cotton; South Georgia Technical College President Sparky Reeves; Georgia Southwestern State University President Kendall Blanchard; Georgia Environmental Protection Division Director Allen Barnes; Georgia Farm Bureau President Vincent "Zippy" Duvall; Georgia Cotton Commission board member and farmer Jimmy Webb; Georgia Peanut Commission board member and farmer Donald Chase, and McClesky Mills owner and FSA Chairman Ronnie Lee.

"I want to invite anyone interested, especially our farmers, to attend the meeting this Friday." Bishop said. "I hope we will have a positive and informative discussion."