Vince Dooley, Herschel Walker on opposite sides of billboard fight
The House fight over a measure to loosen restrictions on billboard companies pit former University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley against his former protégé, Herschel Walker.
Walker won, 98 to 68, as the House passed HB 179.
Dooley recorded a robo-call urging defeat of the bill aimed at residents of lawmakers in key districts. Less publicly, No. 34 made live calls to lawmakers on behalf of the billboard industry.
State Rep. Jay Roberts, R-Ocilla, said from the House well that he was one of those called by the former UGA running back — and that he had saved Walker’s cell phone number.
Here’s a transcript of the recorded message from Dooley:
”This is Coach Vince Dooley. I’m calling to alert you to House Bill 179 which allows billboard companies to clear cut trees on public property for the viewing of billboards on private property. This controversial bill would replace an existing compromise that was agreed to by the billboard companies and the environmental community.
“I am in favor of keeping the existing law because it protects more of our trees and will keep our state roads and highways more scenic and beautiful and at the same time provide proper maintenance for the billboard companies. Please join me on opposing this effort to allow the clear cutting of our trees by calling your state representative and asking him or her. To vote no on House Bill 179. This is Coach Vince Dooley. Thank you for your time and for your help.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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152 comments Add your comment
Dear Joe,
February 24th, 2011
1:58 pm
Wrong group of Representatives. It is the House in GA you need to be contacting not Congress.
Bubba
February 24th, 2011
1:59 pm
How many billboards are there on I-75 South of Atlanta that advertise the “Cafe Risque” club? It would be a shame to block any of these with pine trees.
AJ
February 24th, 2011
2:02 pm
I will make calls for either side for a $1000 donation.
tim
February 24th, 2011
2:03 pm
The billboard industry sinks to a new low by hiring a man who, by his own admission, can’t read…….duhhh
State of Panic
February 24th, 2011
2:04 pm
@GA Blue – You’re dead on buddy. OUR VOTES MEAN NOTHING.
Americans always come with this crap about you not having a voice if you don’t vote or that you shouldn’t complain. Total bunk. The government doesn’t care whether you vote or not, the only way you matter in this world is by how much money you spend and how much you pay in taxes. As long as the government takes money out of your check, you have a voice. You can’t have your life ruined by not voting but stop paying taxes and watch what happens to you.
Keep voting if that makes you feel all democratic and American and all that other junk, but please know that unless you vote comes with thousands or millions or dollars it doesn’t matter. Our money and therefore our votes are but a faint whisper.
Vince Dooley, Herschel Walker on opposite sides of billboard fight | Conservative GA
February 24th, 2011
2:08 pm
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Beeg Boi
February 24th, 2011
2:10 pm
I need a Pecan Log now! Can I still get one at the Magnolia?
Pat H
February 24th, 2011
2:13 pm
The billboard companies do pay a large fee and donation to the beautification of Atlanta for every tree cut….to me it makes it a win/win (better for busienss and better for beautification)! Many people have commented that the billboard companies do not pay fees or donations, but that is not the case…per the bill.
EDIMGIAFAD
February 24th, 2011
2:13 pm
TIMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!
EDIMGIAFAD
February 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
TXDawg – I have to agree with you!!!
chris
February 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
Well the cons like to destroy nature, so I would guess this makes sense.
roger
February 24th, 2011
2:16 pm
I think that in order to fully make an opinion about HB 179 a person should actually read the bill. First, it is important to remember that this bill has been worked on for five years. Each year it comes up for a vote and each year it has failed. It has not failed due to environmental concerns or anything like that because this bill only deals with 2,300 acres of Georgia’s nearly 25 million acres of timber land. All that this bill says is that the trees on the right of way will be trimmed to increase line of site to the bill boards affected by over growth. In addition, the 2,300 acres that could possibly be affected by this bill is the maximum estimate. Over 9000 permits for vegetation removal would have to be accepted for those 2300 acres to be touched (with a trimming, not a clear cutting). The billboard companies will take on the cost of trimming the right of ways in the affected areas ad will plant an equivalent amount of trees to any removal that takes place. The money comes from fees the outdoor advertisers pay to be able to put up a billboard. This is brief summary of the bill, but I encourage all to read it and become educated about the matter for themselves. The bill is HB 179 on the Georgia legislature site… be sure to view the burns amendment added today that address the funding of the service
Sam
February 24th, 2011
2:17 pm
Thanks Vince – you fought the good fight. The idiots who run this state don’t have the sense to realize how invaluable trees are to us. We’ll be another junk state like NJ turnpikes – tacky ugly signs instead of beautiful, beneficial trees.
Hershel: I am so disappointed with you. The only football player I ever cared about. You have really let me and the rest of GA down!
roger
February 24th, 2011
2:18 pm
many concessions and agreements were mad over the past five years to get this bill to pass. Republican legislatures voted it down five years in a row. Do not confuse our state legislature with the republicans in washington d.c., they are very different.
Stupid Liberal Hypocrites
February 24th, 2011
2:18 pm
This wouldn’t be an issue if the companies were allowed to build a sign as tall as they wanted so they wouldn’t have to cut down trees. Another perfect example of TOO MUCH regulation causing more harm than good. Either it’s private property or it’s not. But NOOOOOO, liberals want to stick their noses in other people’s business to ‘Regulate’ the behavior of private individuals on their own private land, because they’re so damned afraid that someone is going to do something they don’t like; as in post a sign over 100 feet in the air to it clears the treetops. Their solution? Regulate, regulate, regulate. And now they want to complain about the problems those Regulations create. Stupid F*&$ing morons.
roger
February 24th, 2011
2:18 pm
*made
roger
February 24th, 2011
2:20 pm
Finally, this does not add more billboards. The bill places a moratorium on new billboard construction for five years.
Aquagirl
February 24th, 2011
2:22 pm
roger, get back to work for your corporate billboard overlords.
Logic 05
February 24th, 2011
2:24 pm
Looks like Herschel is a complete sellout for the almighty $$$
Ryan
February 24th, 2011
2:29 pm
Herschel actually lft a recorded message about Viagra on my voice mail. Now I’m really confused. Is he pro-wood or anti-wood?
Pro Business
February 24th, 2011
2:33 pm
I think the people who are against this bill are so non-business it is not even funny. Dont you realize that there are people who work for these companies and with the chance of opening up billboards it will create revenue and the possibility of creating jobs. In this time of our economy jobs are very important and if this can help then lets do it. In addition it is not like the billboard companies are tearing down every tree. If you read HB 179 they are removing less then .00000000001% of the trees plus replacing whatever you take down. That is really going to effect our oxygen levels. What a bunch of idiots that are against this. It is about business and not emotions you idiots.
GaBlue
February 24th, 2011
2:35 pm
Stupid Liberal Hypocrites,
Somewhere in your hate-filled, hyperbolic nastygram, you make a good point about “FREEDOM.” The question is: “Freedom for WHOM?” You see, the people you [are free to] vilify think that businesses should be regulated since businesses affect individuals outside said business, and also the environment, community, and economy shared by many.
Conversely, the folks to screech their hatred for “liberal hypocrites” are often the same folks who want regulations on individuals: When we can buy beer, whom we can marry, what we can grow in our gardens, what medical decisions we make in the privacy of our doctor’s offices, what color we can paint our fence, even. More and more regulations seem to be pushed on people by those who are anti-regulation when it comes to business. Ironic, huh?
In this case, clearly the people of Georgia are NOT free to choose whether we want to look at state-owned (our) trees or tacky advertisements. Businesses ARE free to bombard us endlessly with their garbage.
You are now free to continue cursing at people who like trees better than ugly commercialism.
Marty
February 24th, 2011
2:37 pm
Didn’t we go thtough this mess with Zig Zag Zell.
Aquagirl
February 24th, 2011
2:43 pm
Pro-business, the only business you are concerned about is the billboard business. You see, despite all the Delta-Is-Ready-When-You-Are boring drones, when Georgia looks like crap, it drives other people away. People with money and businesses to relocate. Tourists. Investors. You know, the entire rest of the world.
Now, get back to work with roger, crafting simpering whines for your trashy billboard bosses. Nobody is buying your BS, not even Georgia voters. And that’s a low bar to clear.
i want an exotic massage at exit 30......
February 24th, 2011
2:46 pm
@ProBiz…. really couldn’t care less about the trees, just hate billboards. find another job, use that energy for something more appealing.
funny how the conservative, pro-business, anti-alcohol on sunday legislators support an industry that is a huge supporter of strip club and adult novelty business advertising. those seem to be the signs that people remember when driving through our fair state.
funny ha ha and funny weird…..
what the media doesn't tell you
February 24th, 2011
2:53 pm
Herschel Walker was the keynote speaker at the annual convention of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia a couple of years ago. Look up their website on google before they go into hiding after this article was published.
The issue here is not about trees or the aesthetics of billboards, but rather special interest groups gaining control of publicly-owned property. So-called Republicans claim to be against special interest groups. If you’re OK with the billboard industry controlling public property, then you’ll love this bill. Also, the See Rock City owners are big-time supporters of this bill. It’s interesting that you don’t see any billboards from their scenic vistas.
Bill
February 24th, 2011
2:55 pm
Hey, Hershel. Shut up!
Seems like there is a persistent problem at UGA–the coach can’t control his players off the field.
rooster
February 24th, 2011
3:03 pm
They ought to at least get the billboarders to contribute to the cost of keeping the roadsides free of litter. The state is being penny-wise and pound-foolish to “save” the expense of keeping highways clean. Check out the infields at the 75-85-20 interchange. They’re trashy. It’s the biggest confluence of interstate highways in this part of the country. Think any out-of-state folks passing through there gain an impression of us?
Double Zero Eight
February 24th, 2011
3:18 pm
Our legislators cater to the ones that ” show them the money”
(lobbyists). The outcome could be predicted from the onset.
The advertisers won as expected.
State of Panic
February 24th, 2011
3:37 pm
Liberals vs. Conservatives….such a lame, never-ending battle of ideologies than mean nothing in the physical world. There is no liberal or conservative way to ensure a sustainable future for our children. It’s only a distraction and boy do Americans eat it up.LMAO.
Truth is most of us are “conservative” about some things and “liberal” about some things. But we tend to pick one over another because we just can’t stand to be wrong about anything. Drop the labels folks as both sides are only using us. Anyone who to subscribes to all things liberal or all things conservative muse be slightly retarded or afraid to think for themselves.
Politics is not your friend.
State of Panic
February 24th, 2011
3:38 pm
Anyone who to subscribes to all things liberal or all things conservative MUST be slightly retarded or afraid to think for themselves.
Five Man Electrical Band
February 24th, 2011
3:45 pm
Sign Sign everywhere a Sign
Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
Wouldn’t it be nice to have less signs and garbage on our roads?
Country roads – take me home ……
LakeDawg
February 24th, 2011
3:47 pm
I see ole Herschel has sold out. That’s a shame.
aquagirl's mom
February 24th, 2011
3:49 pm
One of those billboards might create a job for you, so you aren’t so bitter aquagirl. Advertising helps other industries besides just the outdoor industry. So put the cupcakes down and pick up a classifieds and find a job so you can move out of the basement.
Burroughston Broch
February 24th, 2011
3:50 pm
Why should it make one bit of difference which side of an issue Vince Dooley and Herschel Walker are being PAID to market? A has-been coach and a has-been player. State politics fallen to a new low beneath UGA athletics.
what the media doesn't tell you
February 24th, 2011
3:56 pm
This is in reply to the comments by ugagrad_2001.
Statement 1. “GDOT spends money every year to keep the R/W (right of way) clear of trees, but there is not enough tax money in the state to keep all of the R/W’s clear.”
Truth 1. The GDOT does not spend money every year to keep the r/w clear of trees. The r/w is the boundary on either side of the highways, including the paved roads, that is state property. The GDOT keeps the clear zones clear of trees. This is the horizontal grassed area on each side of the roadway that is kept clear of trees.
Statement 2. “Trees in the R/W create a traffic hazard when there are traffic accidents that result in vehicles leaving the roadway.”
Truth 2. See #1 above. The clear zones are based on Federal Highway Administration guidelines.
Statement 3. “Encroachment of trees in the R/W also exacerbate the problem of deer in the roadway. If the R/W is clear deer can be seen as they approach the traffic lanes giving cars a chance to spot and avoid them.”
Truth 3. Please share your data on this. There is nothing that mankind can do to prevent deer, or any other wild or domesticated animals from entering the roadways.
Statement 4. “GDOT already requires utility companies to clear all trees within the R/W before issuing them a permit to install utilities (power/phone lines, gas lines, water/sewer, etc.)in the GDOT R/W’s.”
Truth 4. GDOT does not regulate utility companies. Permits to perform any activity on the GDOT r/w are issued before any such activity is allowed.
Statement 5. “Why not issue permits for clearing in front of billboards.”
Truth 5. Permits for clearing in front of billboards have been issued for several years, as mandated by current law.
Statement 6. “As a condition of the permit you could require the permittee to clear all trees 0.5 mile in each direction from the billboard location.”
Truth 6. Billboards are not allowed to be placed closer than 500 feet to each other along the interstates. One-half of a mile is almost 5 times that distance.
Statement 7. “This would save the state and taxpayers a pile of money in R/W clearing costs, not to mention it would cut down on traffic accidents which would eventually lead to lower car insurance rates for everyone in Georgia.”
Truth 7. Please share with us, the taxpayers and car insurance payers, your data on this broad statement.
Harvey Updyke
February 24th, 2011
3:56 pm
Hey, this is why I doctored those Toomer oaks. I wanted to replace them with a “Roll Tide” sign. My lawyer says this bill passing may save my behind.
WE have lost our way
February 24th, 2011
3:57 pm
Bill just passed the House–Billboards won. Trees lost.
chalkdawg4
February 24th, 2011
4:03 pm
Vince Dooley never found a product he could not endorse. Does anyone remember Barbara hawking ‘Dooley’s other dogs”. He is even a shill for Champion who Neal Boortz had to quit after getting wise to their antics. Might get flagged for this since AJC loves them some Champion Windows and Doors. I actually agree with Vince on this on though. Herschel could develop another personality and send another view out tomorrow. Just sayin.
State of Panic
February 24th, 2011
4:08 pm
@ aquagirl’s mom
You said:
“One of those billboards might create a job for you, so you aren’t so bitter aquagirl. Advertising helps other industries besides just the outdoor industry. So put the cupcakes down and pick up a classifieds and find a job so you can move out of the basement.”
What difference does it make if we’re losing 50 jobs for every job the billboards create? What have we really gained except dozens of eyesores? How about creating some jobs that can benefit ALL OF US like the kind that rebuild our crumbling infrastructure? We’re behind on transit too, so why not start there? But billboards??? BILLBOARDS for creating jobs???
Rally?
State of Panic
February 24th, 2011
4:12 pm
Really???
State of Panic
February 24th, 2011
4:13 pm
Heck, “rally’ too!
Last Man Standing
February 24th, 2011
4:16 pm
How would you ant-billboard, pro Sunday package alcohol sales feel about billboards endorsing your cause? You want the “right” to buy your alcohol on Sundays but want to impede or totally halt the “right” of businesses to advertize. So, what’s fair for the goose ain’t necessarily fair for the gander?
gatorman770
February 24th, 2011
4:16 pm
I just hope it’s not paid for by taxpayers, the tree cutters are required to haul away all parts of trees cut and required to replant with low growing trees and other ground cover.
State of Panic
February 24th, 2011
4:20 pm
Last Man Standing:
There are other ways for everyone to bring attention to their “cause” or business.Billboards are NOT essential to a businesses growth, especially in this information age.
Bruce
February 24th, 2011
4:24 pm
Herschel has multiple personalities so he may also agree with Dooley!!
Pro Business
February 24th, 2011
4:26 pm
State of Panic. You are an absolute idiot who knows nothing about business. Go sit on your porch and smoke your corn pipe and let business people decide what is best for this state.
flintrock70
February 24th, 2011
4:31 pm
@5150 UOAD
Wrong again. Remember that we pay our income taxes out of our checks. These companies do not pay any taxes at all! I read the legislation that would actually require them to pay something last year, HB 1246. And it was that which was used to keep them at bay. The agreement was, they wouldn’t be charged taxes and we’d keep the trees. Bone up on your history son.
flintrock70
February 24th, 2011
4:34 pm
Being pro-trees = pro-business. Go to the coast and ask the tourists what would they rather see, trees or billboards as they make their trek there.
Pro Business
February 24th, 2011
4:39 pm
Aqua Girl you obviously no nothing about business as well. First of all I am an an engineer but feel that everyone is entitled to make money in the world in a fair regulated industry. Billboards do not pollute the air and actually helps our state generate revenue for small business all over Georgia. Yes i agree that adult clubs are a bit of an eyesore and would rather not see them on billboards but this product helps small businesses everywhere especially tourists driving our interstates. It can also be seen as a safety product for someone that needs a hotel or gas station. So open your eyes people and think about all the people with jobs behind these billboards and how many people they effect. Put your emotions aside. WAKE UP!!!!