www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-22 16:00:00
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the closure of 11 boat ramps and parks at Lake Lanier due to staffing shortages, affecting Burton Mill, Old Federal Day Use, Keith’s Bridge, and others. While 21 areas remain open, the closures sparked political debate in Georgia. Senator Raphael Warnock blamed staffing cuts on former President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, while State Senator Greg Dolezal disputed this, citing Corps officials who said the issue stems from a Department of Defense hiring freeze and deferred resignations, not budget cuts. The Corps manages 400 projects across 43 states and hopes to hire temporary summer staff soon.
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers said Thursday that 11 Lake Lanier boat ramps and their parks are closed, revising a number released Thursday.
The 11 ramps are Burton Mill, Old Federal Day Use, Keith’s Bridge, Robinson, Little Hall, Two Mill, Little River, Van Pugh North, Van Pugh South, Long Hollow and Mountain View. Twenty-one areas managed by the Corps of Engineers are open.
The Corps of Engineers has closed several recreational areas across the country. A map on its website shows visitors what is open and closed.
The announced closures set off a debate between Georgia lawmakers.
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, R-Ga., blamed the staffing shortages on President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency.
“Trump and Elon’s DOGE cuts are forcing Georgia parks to indefinitely close right before a holiday weekend,” Warnock said in a post on X. “Enough is enough with these reckless cuts. Georgia families deserve better.”
State Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, said Warnock was wrong.
“When @RichforGA (U.S. Rep. Rick McCormick) and I spoke with the Corps today, they said ‘this is not about money,’” Dolezal said on X. “Warnock might know this if he bothered to put down the keyboard, pick up the phone, and advocate for his constituents like we did.”
Dustin Gautney, chief of public affairs for the Corps of Engineers Mobile District said in an email to The Center Square: “It is true that the staffing shortage is due to the Department of Defense hiring freeze along with a series of deferred resignations this is a manning issue and not a budget issue. Normally we are able to ‘flex’ our manning with temporary hires during the summer. We are hoping we will be able to bring in more summer positions soon and open even more parks for the public to enjoy.”
The Corps of Engineers manages 400 lake and river projects in 43 states, according to its website.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
The article primarily reports on a specific issue—the closure of boat ramps managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—and presents statements from political figures with differing perspectives. It includes a claim by Senator Raphael Warnock attributing the closures to budget cuts under a previous administration and a rebuttal from State Senator Greg Dolezal disputing that claim and offering an alternative explanation. The inclusion of a factual response from the Corps of Engineers adds context that neutrally clarifies the situation. The language and framing maintain a factual tone without endorsing either side’s viewpoint, thus presenting factual reporting on ideological positions rather than adopting an ideological stance itself.
SUMMARY: Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A have announced new aligned qualification criteria for the Masters Tournament and The Open, starting immediately. Winners and top finishers of selected national opens will receive invitations to these majors, enhancing international representation and pathways from professional tours worldwide. This builds on The R&A’s Open Qualifying Series, which includes 15 events in 13 countries for the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale in 2026. The collaboration aims to recognize top talent globally, strengthening both championships’ fields. The 2026 Masters will be held April 6-12, and The Open July 12-19. Full criteria will be released in September.
SUMMARY: Environmental groups in Glynn County, Georgia, allege that a Sea Island developer illegally filled a half-acre wetland on St. Simons Island under a fraudulently obtained permit, violating the Clean Water Act. The lawsuit, filed in 2019 by the Glynn Environmental Coalition, Center for a Sustainable Coast, and resident Jane Frazer, claims filling the wetland with landscaping and sodding constitutes pollutant discharge. Courts have dismissed the case twice, citing plaintiffs’ lack of standing and a 2023 Supreme Court ruling narrowing the definition of jurisdictional wetlands. Plaintiffs have petitioned the Eleventh Circuit for a rehearing, concerned about the case’s precedent for coastal water protections.
Seven candidates compete in Tuesday’s jungle general election to replace former state Sen. Brandon Beach in a northern Atlanta suburban Georgia Senate district covering parts of Cherokee and north Fulton counties. Early voting ended Friday with about 12,000 ballots cast (8% turnout). Beach, a Trump ally who resigned to become U.S. Treasurer, held the seat for 13 years. Democrats hope Alpharetta mom Debra Shigley, the lone Democrat, can flip the strongly GOP district. Republicans remain confident with six candidates, many championing MAGA views. If no majority winner emerges Tuesday, a runoff is set for Sept. 23.
Seven candidates are vying to replace former state Sen. Brandon Beach as the lawmaker representing a northern Atlanta suburban district in the Georgia Senate. Early voting concluded Friday in the district, which covers much of Cherokee County and extends into north Fulton County, and just under 12,000 voters have already cast a ballot for a turnout rate of 8% in early voting.
Election day is Tuesday, and polls will open again at 7 a.m. If one candidate does not secure more than 50% of the vote, a runoff is on the books for Sept. 23.
Beach resigned earlier this year, leaving his seat vacant. His resignation came after a March appointment from President Donald Trump to become the 46th U.S. Treasurer. Prior to this appointment, the Alpharetta Republican held onto his seat in the Senate for 13 years.
Beach has been a consistent Trump ally – including by backing false conspiracies that the 2020 election had been rigged. The conservative suburban and rural district sent him back to the state Capitol with large margins of victory. In 2024, he won more than 70% of the vote against a Democratic challenger.
While Democrats are hoping to flip the seat, GOP voters feel optimistic about retaining party control with six Republicans on the ballot.
“I’m a Republican, so I’d like to see a Republican fill Brandon Beach’s shoes, and there were several to choose from,” said Fulton County early voter Lynna Lee after casting a ballot at the Alpharetta library.
Democrats have placed their faith in Alpharetta mom, attorney and small business owner, Debra Shigley. As the only Democratic candidate in the race, Shigley is fighting to overturn a long standing precedent in the red district.
“(When) hoping to flip a Republican-held seat, the best opportunity is to have only one candidate, because it’s a jungle general election where the candidates from both parties are listed on the ballot,” said Melita Easters, executive director of Georgia WIN List.
Georgia WIN List, a political action committee focused on electing Democratic women who support reproductive rights, has officially endorsed Shigley. Easters believes that Shigley will stand out against the “stale, pale, male” Republicans also fighting for a spot in the Senate.
“You’ve got these five men over here yelling, ‘I’m more MAGA than the other guys’, and they’re all spouting the same message,” Easters said.
Stephanie Donegan is the only Republican woman running in the district, and her campaign remains rooted in conservative values.
The party in power typically faces a backlash after a presidential election. Democrats are hoping frustration with GOP leaders at the state and federal levels could depress Republican turnout while invigorating Democrats to vote. Flipping a seat in a staunchly conservative district would be a major publicity win for a state party that has spent decades in the minority.
Gabrielle Smith, a Democratic voter, cast her ballot in Alpharetta during the second week of early voting. Smith said she was “concerned about the way things are going in the country” and hopes that her vote for Shigley could help make a difference.
“I think that a woman’s voice is needed,” Smith said. “I think that in a red state, a blue voice is needed. I think that somebody who isn’t trading on fear and hate is needed. Honestly, that’s why I voted for her.”
Democrats hope that having a single candidate in the race will work to their advantage, but Republicans are not convinced that the strategy will prove successful. Kennesaw State University professor of political science and former Cobb County Republican Party Chair Jason Shepherd said he thinks that it could be hard for Democrats to walk away with a victory.
Shepherd predicts Shigley could be a third place finisher in the “overwhelmingly Republican” district and that there will be a September runoff between Tuesday’s top two Republican vote-getters.
“If by some reason the Democrats do win it, then the Republicans need to be very nervous about these midterm elections,” Shepherd said. “And the person who should be most nervous is (Lt. Gov.) Burt Jones, who has Trump’s endorsement.”
Jones is a Republican running for governor next year who has heavily touted his early endorsement from the president. Right now, his top rival on the GOP side is Attorney General Chris Carr.
Despite signs some voters are excited to use their voice at the ballot box this month, low turnout is expected to continue tomorrow.
“Voting is important, and I think the local people can impact your life a lot, in addition to the people in Washington, D.C.,” Lee said. “I think that since I get the opportunity to vote, especially as women we’ve had people fight for us to vote, that I should execute that.”
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Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jill Nolin for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Center-Left
The content presents a generally balanced overview of the Georgia state Senate race, providing perspectives from both Republican and Democratic candidates and voters. However, it includes subtle language that favors Democratic viewpoints, such as highlighting endorsements from Democratic groups supporting reproductive rights and quoting Democratic voters emphasizing the need for change. The article also critiques Republican candidates by noting their alignment with Trump and MAGA rhetoric, which suggests a slight lean toward a center-left perspective without overt partisanship.
