VIENNA — Dooly County citizens had the opportunity Thursday morning to hear from their federal, state, and local officials on pertinent issues affecting them during the annual Eggs and Issues breakfast held here.

The event was hosted by the Dooly County Chamber of Commerce and featured a panel of speakers from all areas of government. Dooly County’s Family Resource Center was the setting for the forum.

Brad Ray, Dooly Chamber Governmental Affairs chair welcomed attendees, and after breakfast was served by the RBC Bank Coffee Club, he introduced a panel of 11 speakers.

Among those on the panel were State Senator George Hooks, State Representatives Buddy Harden and Lynmore James, Bill Stembridge from the office of Senator Saxby Chambliss, Kenneth Cutts from Congressman Sanford Bishop’s office, and Skip Langley, representing Senator Johnny Isakson’s office.

Local officials were A.C. Daniels, chairman of the Dooly County Commissioners, Vienna Mayor Emerson Lundy, Unadilla Mayor Charles West, School Superintendent Dr. Grady Miles and Chuck Ellis, Dooly County Extension Service agent.

Budgetary issues was one of the biggest topics for discussion.

“The state budget is down10.5%from last year,” Hooks said. He has served on the appropriations committee for the past 26 years.

Hooks described some of Governor Perdue’s possible solutions including furlough days for state employees, a 3%cut on Medicaid and Peachcare, and a 5% cut in the legislative and judicial branches. He assured his audience that state officials would be working with local officials on these issues.

Also mentioned were the grants that Dooly has applied for. James said the furlough days also applied to legislators. He also mentioned the funds the state lottery has provided for education.

“Agriculture is still our largest industry,” said James. “We need to tap into everything we can.”

Cutts, who spoke on behalf of Congressman Bishop said that this has been the busiest legislative session he has seen and that a lot of changes are to come. One of his primary concerns was troops on foreign soil. He also commented briefly on healthcare reform.

Daniels announced that while managing the county budget, Dooly Commissioners were able to maintain the same millage rate as last year. Unfortunately, he added, county officials were unable to approve any raises in pay for county employees.

Both Lundy and West commented briefly on some of the positive things that are happening in their cities.

“There are new businesses coming to the area and all of our storefronts have been refurbished,” said Lundy. “There are upgrades being made to the wastewater system as well. There is still much to do.”

West discussed the recent flood that damaged parts of Unadilla, damaging property and homes and asked that citizens remember those affected.