Jerboa Audio (Aikonia, LLC) announced today a partnership with the Grammy Award-winning songwriter for the production of their “The-Dream” audio speakers.

Jerboa/Aikonia speakers are the original manufacturer and distributor of the exclusive line of portable speakers that are said to offer the best in both design and performance for those seeking cutting-edge lifestyle accessories.

“When I learned about the Jerboa speakers, I was excited to help develop a product that pushed out a great sound from a speaker the size of a cigar. We are extraordinarily proud of the woofer. It’s a whole lot of sound packed into a very sleek package,” said The-Dream.

“The-Dream” Special Edition Jerboa speakers are compatible with all computers, iPod, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, and most other music devices and MP3 players using any 3.5mm jack (the same as a headphone jack).

The speakers have four-hour continuous playtime with the ability to connect multiple speakers.

The-Dream speakers are now available in Fumar (Silver) and Phantom (Black) at Dream Speakers for $149.99
Read more: The Dream Releases New Jerboa Speakers http://v103.radio.com/2011/03/03/the-dream-releases-new-jerboa-speakers/#ixzz1KlOHhVsD

“It is unconscionable to me that we would not make a small fix in state law that will provide $175 million to Georgians currently receiving unemployment benefits. These are citizens who have worked long and hard and who have paid into the unemployment benefits system,” said Abrams.

Abrams said Georgia has become a donor state.

“This is money already appropriated by the federal government to Georgia. With one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, why we would refuse to pay the final 20 weeks of allowed unemployment benefits?” asked Rep. Brian Thomas (D-Lilburn).

At issue is a technical change to Georgia code required by the federal government in order for the state to continue to receive federal unemployment dollars. The federal government allows up to 99 weeks in unemployment benefits and has already appropriated that money to Georgia.

“Georgia taxpayers – individuals and businesses – have paid into the unemployment insurance fund. They do this in good times because in tough economic times people need a chance to get back up on their feet and get back to work. Denying this $244 a week to Georgians who were working before the recession hit and were making a contribution to our state is not just heartless, it also diminishes family purchasing power in a down economy and further delays recovery. It’s counterproductive.  It wastes money,” said Rep. Debbie Buckner (D-Columbus).

Recipients of this appropriation represent those on unemployment the longest – and statistically those who have the most difficulty finding work. The average unemployment compensation to these Georgians is $244 per week. Labor Commissioner Mark Butler has said there would be no additional cost to the state.

“If we don’t act before the end of session, we will leave 60,000 Georgia families stranded,” said Rep. Calvin Smyre, (D-Columbus). “An economic recession, when decent paying jobs are hard to come by, is simply not the right time to turn our backs on Georgia families.”

Abrams says full-throated advocacy stalled the measure

Atlanta, Ga. – March 30, 2011 – Today, House Democrats claimed early victory in slowing the pace of a dangerous proposal that would raise taxes on middle class Georgians.

HB 387, a tax proposal by Republicans, claims to provide broad tax reductions to Georgians. But while providing tax breaks for Georgia’s highest wage earners and holding Georgia’s poorest harmless, the measure actually raises taxes on the middle class.

“Our full-throated advocacy stalled the dangerous march of this middle class tax increase. Republicans have been working in huddled groups to tweak a proposal that has serious flaws. We are happy to see a broad coalition of voices joining Democrats, including the Georgia Tea Party and Americans for Prosperity. This is truly grassroots powered,” Abrams said.

Republican lawmakers have not been able to explain the financial ramifications of the measure. A fiscal note on the bill showed only cumulative numbers from the Georgia State University Fiscal Research Center. However, a review of the more granular data revealed the tax increases for the 90 percent of families who make between $100,000 and $180,000. For some the increase is as high as $419.

HB 387 moved out of a special tax council on Tuesday, March 29 with little discussion and questions from only Democrats Rep. Stacey Abrams and Sen. Steve Thompson.

The proposal was expected to come to the House for a vote on Wednesday. Instead, feeling the heat from taxpayers, Republicans have spent the day trying to fix an already broken measure.

“The choices they are foisting on the middle class are too difficult. The bill will force families to decide between taking a mortgage deduction for their federal income tax or pay higher state taxes. For too many of our families, it is not a choice at all,” Abrams said.

Abrams acknowledged that HB 387 contains critical improvements to state energy taxes and to retirement income exemptions. Unfortunately, Republicans have cherry picked pieces from a larger tax reform proposal.

“They chose what they liked and discarded the pieces they didn’t like. The problem becomes ‘who pays?’ As the bill is currently configured, the middle class loses,” Abrams said.

Abrams explained that Georgia has historically chosen tax winners and losers – either corporations get a tax break or individuals.

“Our state’s tax policy should examine tax fairness and how the state should best benefit. Tax reform should never pit classes of people against one another,” Abrams said. “Good fiscal policy improves the state of the economy and those who participate.

House Democratic Whip Carolyn Hugley said too many uncertainties exist and the rush to get a bill passed will take too large a toll on rural families.

“Deals are happening around the Capitol as citizens learn what is at stake in this bill. But in trying to clean up their mistakes, the narrowness of the margin of error is too slim,” Hugley said. “In a time of fiscal unrest, and a state budget with huge shortfalls, we can ill-afford to gamble with taxpayer money,”Hugley said.

“We can’t continue to rush important policy decisions if we want to improve Georgia’s antiquated tax code. Republicans removed some of the most promising items proposed by the Tax Council. We need to slow down and solicit citizen input before crafting and voting on a comprehensive tax reform package,” Hugley said. “Georgia families deserve better than Tax and Pretend Republicans.”

“We are excited to work with both Hadassah and Gude Management Group to provide them with what we offer all of our clients – the best communications counsel in the industry,” said Liz Flowers, principal of e/flowers and associates.

Gude Management Group is a leading construction management firm. The firm, based in Atlanta, has offices in Orlando, FL and Lexington, KY.

Gude has a lengthy list of high profile clients, including the Center for Civil and Human Rights, MARTA, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Atlanta Public Schools and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is the largest Jewish and women’s membership organization in the country. Hadassah promotes the unity of the Jewish people all over the world. The organization is committed to supporting health care, education and land development in Israel.

Hadassah supports the work of two of Israel’s largest hospitals. Those centers are the leading employers in Israel, behind Israel’s military.

During the past 12 months, e/flowers and associates has expanded its client base from primarily political work, to include a range of businesses from engineering and transportation to Hip Hop artists.

Last month, the company signed music industry promoter Shanti Das, formerly of Sony/Motown, to help promote her new book Hip Hop Professional.

The firm is also working with music mogul Devyne Stephens, Grammy-winning artist Akon, MARTA, PBS&J, International Business Accelerator, Grady Health Foundation and a number of state and local elected officials. Flowers served as the spokesperson for former mayoral candidate Lisa Borders.

e/flowers and associates works with clients to strengthen their public and media relations through a variety of mechanisms, including message development, social media, advertising and business development.

Just as the Grady Health System has been undergoing a transformation, so has the Grady Health Foundation.

Established 14 years ago to support the operations of Grady Hospital, the foundation has just doubled the size of its board and is bolstering its community presence and fundraising efforts.

Several of the new board members represent companies that have made major gifts toward the $325 million Grady capital campaign, aimed at upgrading the hospital’s technology and facilities.

“We want their time and talent in addition to their dollars,” explained Lisa Borders, president of the Grady Health Foundation. “We are rebuilding the board in two ways — going to people who have invested in the hospital and get them to stay involved and looking for the skill sets we need to sustain the foundation and support the health system.”

The foundation board also has a new chairman, Peter Andruszkiewicz, president of Kaiser Permanente of Georgia Inc. (Former chairman Henry Grady III, great-great-grandson of New South leader Henry Grady, for whom the hospital is named, is serving on the hospital board.) During the capital campaign, Kaiser Permanente was one of the first major contributors giving $5 million. That led to Pete Correll and Tom Bell, the two key executives who led the transformation of Grady Hospital, to ask him to serve on the foundation.

“We want to tell the story about the new Grady, and its a great time to be part of the team trying to tell that story,” Andruszkiewicz said. “The potential and future for Grady is to become more of a destination for paying patients.”

So far, $306 million of the $325 million capital campaign has been raised in the past two years. The campaign started with a $200 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. Now Grady leaders are working on a broader-based community campaign to raise the remaining $19 million.

At the same time, the Grady Health Foundation is looking to double its annual fundraising efforts from $3 million to $6 million within the next year. The money raised by the Grady Foundation goes to support the hospitals annual operations.

New foundation board members include:

Ada Lee Correll, a philanthropist and civic leader who is chairing the development committee;

Leon Haley, Grady Hospitals medical director, who is the foundation’s vice chair for clinical affairs;

John Loomis, vice president of human resources for GE Technology Infrastructure (GE has given Grady $1 million in in-kind services);

Jeff Robertson, vice president of the SkyMiles Program for Delta Air Lines Inc. (Delta has given Grady $2 million);

Ric Schank, senior vice president and manager of operational risk processes for SunTrust Banks Inc. (SunTrust has given Grady $2.5 million);

David Smith, senior vice president of commercial and industrial banking for Regions Bank;

Elizabeth Spiegel, a civic volunteer who has served on Grady’s board of visitors; and Cheryl Yarbrough, a partner with the Tarpley & Underwood accounting firm.

As for Andruszkiewicz, he is thrilled to be playing such a major community role after only two years in Atlanta.

“I’ve moved seven times in my 25-year career, and I’ve never been in a place that is this welcoming,” Andruszkiewicz said. “It expects you to be part of the community. People here want to be part of the solution.”

Published by Atlanta Business Chronicle, June 11, 2010, Maria Saporta

Burger-eaters can also take part in a raffle of Hard Rock merchandise that will benefit the Grady Health Foundation and the Gold Shield Foundation, a non-profit which assists surviving spouses and children of law enforcement and firefighters who are killed or incapacitated in the line of duty. 

“Hard Rock Café’s commitment to the families of emergency personnel is unmatched here and now they are taking their generosity to the next level by supporting the work of Grady Hospital and our ability to provide trauma care,” said Lisa Borders, president of the Grady Health Foundation.

The event is open to the public and media. The restaurant will offer 71 cent burgers for police, firefighters and EMTs. The Grady Health Foundation ALL GOOD Ambulance will be on-site, providing information about Grady Health System services. The new tricked out ambulance has a DJ who will be spinning records and providing interactive games.

“I encourage everyone to come out and support Grady EMTs in the contest, enter the raffle, check out the ALL GOOD Ambulance and participate in the summertime festivities,” said Borders.

Published by Duluth Weekly, June 11, 2010

The Grady Health Foundation on Tuesday unveiled the “ALL GOOD” ambulance, which will start a 24-week, city-wide tour to promote Grady Memorial Hospital.

The donated ambulance will make appearances at Grady Neighborhood Health Centers, community envets, places of worship, festivals and malls.

“We will promote healthy living, provide health education and raise money in a fun way,” said Lisa Borders, president of the Grady Health Foundation.

The ALL GOOD Ambulance tour will appear at over 100 events and is expected to provide health promotion materials and education to over 100,000 people, resulting in an estimated 10,000 follow up visits to the Grady Health System, officials said.

Published by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, May 18, 2010, Crag Schneider

The July 20 primary ballot just got a little more crowded as two candidates announced their intent to replace Lynne Riley on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

By John Fredericks / Staff

The July 20 primary ballot just got a little more crowded as two candidates announced their intent to replace Lynne Riley on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

Riley will be forced to give up her solidly conservative District 3 seat when she files papers to run for the state house next week. The district represents Johns Creek, Milton, Alpharetta and most of Roswell on the commission.

Both candidates are Republicans. But the similarity ends there.

HAUSMANN PLEDGES TO BE NORTH FULTON’S WATCHDOG

Johns Creek Councilwoman Liz Hausmann says she’s ready to fill Riley’s shoes.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Post 5 City Councilwoman for Johns Creek,” the veteran Republican and former school board member said. “It was a tremendous experience to be part of the start up of our new city. Now, I am ready to put my skills to work for the county.”

Hausmann promised to be a “watchdog for the interests of North Fulton,” likening her skill set to predecessors Riley and the late Bob Fulton. “I will be the voice for residents of North Fulton and will make sure we are represented fairly and properly at the county level.”

Hausmann, a Georgia native, says she’s a fiscal conservative with an understanding of local, regional, state and national politics. She was elected in 2006 to the first Johns Creek City Council, following her work as a Board Member of the Committee for Johns Creek, which spearheaded the city’s grassroots incorporation movement. Hausmann previously served on the Fulton County School Board. In that capacity, the councilwoman said she represented 14 award-winning Johns Creek public elementary, middle and high schools, “which consistently rank as some of the U.S.’ best public schools.”

Hausmann is an account executive with Southern Bank Equipment and serves on U.S. Rep. Tom Price’s Advisory Council, as well as the Fulton County School Superintendent’s Community Council.

Liz Hausmann

BODKER BACKS LIZ

“Liz will be an excellent representative for the citizens of North Fulton,” said Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker. “Her voice on the Fulton County Commission will ensure that our issues and concerns will be heard. Liz understands that a government closest to the people functions best.”

A longtime active member of the Republican Party, Hausmann served as a delegate to the 2008 National Republican Convention and was an alternate for 2000 and 2004 National Republican Conventions. She was the Fulton County Republican Party Chairman from 2001-2002 and the former Vice Chair of the Fulton County Board of Elections and Registrations. Well known in the North Fulton district, Hausmann has a large base of activist support in her community, and has built up a phonebook-like Rolodex of political I.O.U.s over her years of service in the public arena.

IT’S KEIM TIME

But to win the GOP nomination, she’ll likely first have to get past John Keim, a retired financial investment executive and professional economist who ran a spirited race for Alpharetta City Council in 2009, garnering over 20 percent of the vote in a three candidate non-partisan field in his maiden electoral try.

John Keim

Keim ran then on a “reform and good governance platform.”

But now he’s ratcheting it up a notch.

Sounding very much like a candidate already off and running, he called his message one of “resounding reform.”

Citing the re-creation of Milton County, as his ultimate goal, Keim immediately laid out four distinct campaign themes for his drive to fix Fulton County’s notoriously inept and inefficient government in the meantime.

THE KEIM PLAN

“If elected, the first initiative I’ll propose is to cut government down to size by insisting on a 10 percent across the board salary reduction from every county employee,” Keim said. “Know what will happen? Nothing. These are government positions funded by the taxpayer that offer the safety of job protection that the private sector doesn’t,” Keim stated. “Most will stay. Those that choose to leave will give the county the opportunity to upgrade the position with better talent,” he predicted.

The former municipal candidate, originally from Ohio, said he’d insist on a new methodology of hiring talent. He coined it “The MLK” hiring plan. “We’ll hire for the county based on competence and character, not color or connections,” he said. “Talented, motivated people with a passion to get things done fuels internal reform. As county employees naturally turn over, we need to fill those positions with the best talent available.”

Keim says if elected, he’ll immediately move to undo the county’s crushing financial pension woes by proposing to suspend all pensions going forward and replacing them with employee-funded tax-deductible retirement plans available through the private sector.

As for MARTA, Keim believes the city’s transit system should be privatized. “We have to end artificial subsidies that prop up financial failing programs,” he said.

The retired financial executive says the county’s challenges are easily solvable. “But it takes leadership, relentless fortitude and guts to reform bad government. Those are the qualities I would bring to the Commission.”
Keim pledged to serve only one term. “If you can’t fix it in four years, you shouldn’t even bother to be a candidate,” he explained. “Professional local politicians want jobs for life. I want to reform a terribly inept government.”

Keim promises to help build the blueprint for reforming bad local government. “A reformed, revitalized and functional Fulton County could serve as the conservative crucible for the entire nation,” Keim claimed. “If we can remedy this mess, right here and right now, we can become the [lightening rod] for both statewide and national government reform based on conservative free market values and principals.”

He claimed some candidates just want to get to the next level in their political career, and are therefore reticent to propose bold action, instead settling for window dressing-like solutions, so as to not make waves. “That’s like rearranging the desk chairs on the Titanic, so we look pretty while we sink,” he concluded.

Published in Beacon Media, April 24, 2010, John Fredericks