A one-on-one

with the governor of the state is usually part of the trek to the state

Capitol by the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce.

Sponsored by

its Legislative Action Committee, participants to the Dome Roam this year

got no closer than the gallery in the state House.

The State of

the State address was delivered to a crowd consisting of the joint Legislature,

the state Supreme Court justices, the state Court of Appeals and the Consular

Corps housed in Atlanta.

Gov. Roy E.

Barnes said that the last three years in Georgia were pretty easy, times

were good, earnings were up and crime was down.

"Even

though the state's net gain was less than most of us can remember,"

he said, "and even though Georgians are concerned about families,

values and traditions and the future, the future of Georgia is bright

and secure.

"Georgia

is prepared for any downturn. The state has a five percent rainy-day fund,"

he said.

Twenty-five

chamber members attended the event and were treated to a light lunch in

the legislative building. Fayette representatives Lynn Westmoreland, Mitch

Seabaugh and Greg Hecht answered questions as well as two representatives

who may represent Fayette County after reapportionment, John P. Yates

and John Lunsford. Kathy Cox was speaking to the Fayette County youth

leadership class and was unable to attend.

"We feel

our visit was productive," said chamber President Elissa Hall. "Our

state representatives always answer questions directly and straight from

the hip. Our business people appreciate their honesty and straightforwardness

even in the instances in which they might disagree."