AthensFAQ - For Athens Quality-of-life

Athens group glad biolab not coming to town - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

matt — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:47:13 -0800

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Saturday, December 06, 2008

An Athens citizens group says it is proud to have helped stop a bid by the state to land a $450 million laboratory to study biological threats for the federal government.

Perdue criticizes anti-NBAF activists - The Athens Banner-Herald

matt — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:46:53 -0800

By BLAKE AUED | blake.aued@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 11:08 pm on 12/5/2008

Vocal opponents cost Athens a $700 million federal animal disease research laboratory, Gov. Sonny Perdue said Friday.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security officially released a lengthy study Friday that recommends Manhattan, Kan., over four other finalists, including Athens, for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility. The study's executive summary leaked Wednesday.

Adams: Foes of NBAF likely hurt UGA's bid - Athens Banner Herald

matt — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:54:03 -0800

By Lee Shearer | lee.shearer@onlineathens.com

Grassroots opposition to the proposed National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility probably helped derail a University of Georgia bid to bring the $700 million lab to Athens.

Still, UGA must move on to new research challenges, UGA President Michael Adams said Thursday.

"I think the report indicates that (opposition played a role). You'll never know why completely. But I don't think it was because of the quality of the science," Adams said.

Government Recommends Kansas for Biodefense Lab - AP

matt — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:23:32 -0800

December 3, 2008

Government Recommends Kansas for Biodefense Lab

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 11:11 a.m. ET

Word on NBAF likely by Dec. 5 - Manhattan Mercury

matt — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:06:16 -0800

Bill Felber
bfelber@themercury.com

A final recommendation on siting of the National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility is likely within two weeks, a top project aide said Thursday.

Forum: UGA lab incidents problematic for believers of NBAF - Athens Banner-Herald

matt — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:07:33 -0800

By Kathy Prescott | Athens Banner-Herald

I applaud the Banner-Herald for its Nov. 12 editorial, "Lab's 'minor incidents' stir major doubts," and its reference to a "minor incident" mindset at the University of Georgia's Animal Health Research Center.

NBAF pick by Jan. 20 - Athens Banner-Herald

matt — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:29:12 -0800

Feds to act before Obama takes helm

By BLAKE AUED | blake.aued@onlineathens.com

The Department of Homeland Security will pick a site for a proposed massive animal disease research laboratory before President-elect Obama takes office Jan. 20.

The final version of a study that will guide officials as they decide whether to build the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Athens or another site is scheduled to be released in early December, Homeland Security spokesman John Verrico said.

Feds may delay lab decision - Hattiesburg American

matt — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:40:48 -0800

By ANA RADELAT

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration's lame-duck status could affect a long-awaited decision on whether to build a new federal research lab in Flora, and the choice is likely to be made now by the Obama administration.

Lab's 'minor incidents' stir major doubts - Athens Banner-Herald Editorial

matt — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:52:40 -0800

Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Tom Jackson nailed it.

In an Oct. 7 e-mail to UGA College of Veterinary Medicine administrators, the University of Georgia vice president for public affairs wrote "there are no 'minor incidents' " when it comes to the operation of a high-security biocontainment laboratory containing animal diseases that also can affect people.

Vet school leak kept quiet - Athens Banner-Herald

matt — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:59:29 -0800

UGA's liaison panel at first not told of mishaps

Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Sunday, November 09, 2008

By Lee Shearer

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine didn't inform a community liaison committee about potentially serious leaks in a high-security biocontainment building until reporters learned about the leaks.