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Russo sets sights on Congress
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Nathan Russo

First district U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston may have some competition in the coming election.
Glynn County resident Nathan Russo has announced his plans to seek the congressional seat and face off as a Democrat against Kingston, a Republican.
Russo, originally from New York, has lived on St. Simons Island in Glynn County full-time for six years now, but has owned a home there for 23 years, he said.
Russo said his calling to run for Congress came after spending time in Southeast Asia. Although he got very few American television stations, he saw enough to realize the country was in trouble, he said.
“The more and more I thought about it, the more I thought, ‘wow, my country is really in trouble,’” he said. “So I thought, ‘Well, what else can I do?’ It seems like nobody is talking to anybody in Congress these days. People are bitter on the left and bitter on the right, so maybe I could make a difference if I could get into Congress.”
Though Russo has no political background, he said he is up-to-date with political ideas.
“I read a lot about political things not only here but in other countries, so I’m well-versed on the political ideas here and how other countries do things,” he said.
He also said he is a good listener, something he feels is important in a congressman.
“I’ve learned that you need to be a listener and even though you not be able to satisfy everyone’s needs, pick themes out that people are talking about and try to represent their needs honestly in government,” Russo said. “You need to represent the people and not the lobbyists.”
He is involved with charity work overseas in countries like Vietnam and Thailand, but he also works with the Optimist Club on St. Simons Island, which allows him to work with children, he said.  
Read more in the May 16 edition of the News.

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Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program announces grant
Funds earmarked for Share the Road initiatives
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Grant funding totaling $93,458 has been awarded to the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP) by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The approved funding will be used to increase motorcycle safety awareness and outreach by encouraging all motorists and motorcyclists to Share the Road.

“The need for motorcycle safety programs is greater than ever, and this support from GOHS enables motorcycle safety programs and impaired riding initiatives to reach riders and non-riders alike” said Commissioner Spencer R. Moore. “Thank you GOHS for helping (the Department of Driver Services) and GMSP educate and encourage all Georgia drivers to ‘Share the Road.’”

The grant allows DDS to further develop the Motorcycle Safety Outreach Program by continuing to fund a position to promote state and national safety initiatives. The GMSP outreach coordinator researches, coordinates and helps maintain an adequate presence at industry events, local schools and colleges, regional meetings and festivals to increase awareness of motorcycles on the roadways and provide the most current information on motorcycle safety initiatives.

Visitors to a GMSP event display are also encouraged to sign up for regular newsletters which provide additional safety information, as well as review the motorcycle safety message on other social media platforms.

GMSP regulates motorcycle training for new riders, as well as seasoned riders, who want to learn how to ride a motorcycle legally and safely. The program is based on a continuum of learning and therefore offers three entry points to rider education.

Students participating in the Basic Riders Course do not need specialized motorcycle equipment, as the GMSP provides both a motorcycle and a helmet to class participants. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a 90-day license waiver card that exempts them from both the written and on-cycle skills tests needed to obtain a Class M license in the state of Georgia.

Please visit the DDS website at www.dds.georgia.gov for many online services including the convenience of enrolling in a GMSP training class and accessing many licensing services.

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