Gov. Perdue told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) that he was "disappointed" that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources didn't purchase the Oaky Woods WMA (wildlife management area) tract when Weyerhaeuser sold it to Houston County developers back in 2004. Though Perdue didn't immediately disclose his ownership interest in the adjacent property as required by law, it's becoming well-known now thanks to the AJC, the AP wire service and Mark Taylor's campaign TV ads. [ For details see Connecting dots on Sonny’s Land Deals & Tax Breaks ]

Perdue's adjacent property has doubled in value (according to tax records) since the developers purchased the Oaky Woods tract. I'm sure that's helped to mediate Perdue's "disappointment." Of course, a few words from Perdue from 2004 to the present could have set the purchase in motion and Georgia would already own it. Thus, Perdue's expression of disappointment is a typical Perdue falsehood.

Newsflash!! According to their real estate website (Robbins & Free) [ http://robbins-free.com/list/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=3 ], the complete tract (21,450+ acres) remains For Sale right now.

Most likely the developers want more for it now than the purchase price paid back in 2004 ($32.1 million). Perdue's TV ads have bragged about the large budget surplus he's created (with a little help from the General Assembly). There are numerous conservation groups willing to lend or raise money to support the State's purchase of the property for preservation. There are private and federal grants and other financing means. Let's get on it!

If the tract is truly DNR's highest priority (it was until Perdue nixed it) and the property is unique and irreplaceable, the best black bear habitat in the Southeast and all the other accolades, then the State should pony up the market price and preserve it for generations to come.

If Sonny Perdue is re-elected (to the everlasting shame of Georgia), we can payroll deduct the premium (price difference) the state had to pay from his paycheck....or perhaps send him a special assessment bill for his greed-driven failure to buy the property at a lower cost and add to it the retroactive $100,000 tax break written solely for Perdue's benefit in House Bill 488 in early 2005.

If Perdue is not re-elected, then Georgia is certainly better off without this shady crook as chief executive. Perdue will be free to pursue his fortune in real estate speculation on a full time basis. Appropriate authorities can pursue a restitution arrangement to recover Perdue's delay premium. That would be a win-win.

Either way, the Oaky Woods property is on the market---and Georgia should buy it for preservation. Opening bids should begin at $33 million. The developers should make a fair profit, but not gouge the taxpayers. Put that on your "Sonny Do" list, governor, and get 'r done before your leave office in January.

Of course, if there are any more undisclosed financial interests (say a percentage of ownership via some LLC corporation) Perdue has in the Oaky Woods development, then I'm sure that----his "disappointment" notwithstanding-----he will not support the State's purchase of Oaky Woods the natural treasure. Given his lack of action since 2004, it appears safe to say that there is more to Perdue's involvement in the Oaky Woods development than meets the eye.

In any event, pressure should be brought to bear on Perdue to make the purchase or explain WHY he won't. Democrat Mark Taylor has stated that he would have DNR purchase Oaky Woods for future generations. Perhaps Libertarian candidate Hayes would state his position on the purchase before election day.

See the Before & After Oaky Woods photos below.