COVER STORY

A Literary Triple Crown
By Jerry Grillo
A trio of Georgians – Hank Klibanoff, Cynthia Tucker and Natasha Tretheway – all native Southerners, won Pulitzer Prizes this year. Their common bond is a stream of racial consciousness that flows through their writing.

ABOUT THE COVER: Daemon Baizan photographed Hank Klibanoff, right, and Cynthia Tucker at The Atlanta Journal- Constitution for Georgia Trend.

FEATURES

Moving The Masses: Running On Empty
By Jerry Grillo
Challenges abound for the state’s transit systems, even as roadways are increasingly gridlocked. Federal funding is evaporating, and Georgia is one of only nine states that provides no state operating funds for public transportation. That puts a big responsibility on local jurisdictions.

Sonny Perdue: Balancing Needs And Resources
By Susan Percy
Georgia’s governor says his job is adding value to citizens’ quality of life, not necessarily dealing with marquee issues. He’s introduced a new healthcare initiative, and says transportation and education will be high on his 2008 to-do list.

2007 Silver Spoon Awards
By Krista Reese
For the sixth year, our dining editor selects Georgia’s 10 best restaurants, pays homage to topflight dining experiences throughout the state, and points her fork in the direction of some exciting vacation spot meals.

The Best Places To Work In Georgia
Edited By Susan Percy
Sometimes it’s the benefits, sometimes it’s the educational opportunities. But sometimes it’s the atmosphere, the community involvement or the sense that what you’re doing is important that make a company a good place to work. Here are 15 employers whose employees consider them the best.

Keeping It Green
By Ed Lightsey
The Institute of Georgia Environmental Leadership provides a forum for candid communication among activists, academics, government officials and businesspeople. Participants say the experience serves them well in tackling real-life environmental problems.

OUR STATE

Griffin/Spalding County: Changing Times
Welcoming retirees, students and downtown developers
Plus, Griffin/Spalding County At-A-Glance
By Karen Kennedy

Rome/Floyd County: World-Class Appeal
A well-educated workforce and a vibrant community
Plus, Rome/Floyd County At-A-Glance
By Randy Southerland

Camden Couty: Ship And Shore
Naval base spurs inland development
Plus, Camden County At-A-Glance
By Ed Lightsey

DEPARTMENTS

Organizations: Georgia Association Of Water Professionals
By Shannon Wilder

The GreenRoom
By Ben Young

Political RoundUp
By Tom Crawford

Neely Young: Robert E. Lee And Equal Rights
A visit to Arlington National Cemetery provides a different view of the Confederate general who celebrated the end of slavery, saying he was “rejoiced” that it is abolished.

Business Casual: A Healthy Debate
By Susan Percy
There’s a new awareness of the need and the urgency of the need to make the benefits of good healthcare more broadly available, especially to the 1.7 million Georgians who have no health insurance.

Trend Radar
By Ed Lightsey

State Of The Economy: No Soft Landing
By Jeffrey Humphreys
Slower growth in consumer spending lies immediately ahead. Households’ inflation- adjusted spending will advance by only 2.2 percent in 2008.

Profile: Drawn To Public Service
By Patty Rasmussen
From turkeys to tributes, former Cobb Commissioner Butch Thompson stays involved

Legends: The Mayor Of Orrsville
By Gene Asher
From UGA to Baltimore, Jimmy Orr made his mark

Politics: The Great Outdoors
By Tom Crawford
Why aren’t more Georgians putting on orange vests and going hunting? Well, the state’s burgeoning residential and commercial growth has cut down on areas where people can hunt.