Fri., Jan. 30, 9:30am: Chatham County Commission meeting, 124 Bull St.
Sun., Feb. 1, 3pm: Oysters on the Bluff, Chatham-Sav. Citizens' Advocacy
Mon., Feb. 2, 6pm: Bryan County Town Hall re: Nickel Refinery, 520 Cedar St.
Tues., Feb. 3, 6pm: Riceboro City Council meeting
Thurs., Feb. 5, 3pm: Hinesville City Council meeting
& 7pm: Bloomingdale City Council meeting
Mon., Feb. 9, 6pm: Midway City Council meeting
Thurs., Feb. 12, 6:30pm: Tybee Island City Council meeting
Fri., Feb. 13, 8am - 10am: Come to the Table @ Sunbury Coffee Bar
110 N. Commerce St., Hinesville
& 2pm: Savannah City Council
Mon., Feb. 16, tba: League of Women Voters of Coastal GA, J.G. Low Birthplace
& 6:30pm: Gum Branch City Council meeting
Fri., Feb. 20, 8am - 10am: Come to the Table @ Ten40 Cafe,
1040 King George Blvd., Savannah
Fri. - Sun., March 6 - 8: Dirtroad Organizing workshop, Chicago, IL
Upcoming Events
I'm listening. I'm always going to listen AND RESPOND to my constituents -- that is, anyone who lives in Georgia State Senate District 1. Your issues aren't labeled Democratic or Republican. If you live in the District, you matter to me!
Therefore, I'm scheduling "Come to the Table" listening sessions throughout the District this February through April. Let me know your favorite gathering spot* and I'll meet you there!
* Sunbury Coffee Bar and First Watch, Hinesville
Way Station and All Things Chocolate, Richmond Hill
Haunted Grounds, Pembroke
Tybean Coffee, Tybee island
Friendship Coffee, Wilmington Island
Ten40 Cafe, Georgetown
Why I want to work for you
My name is Barbara Gooby, and I am running in 2026 for Georgia State Senate in District 1, which you might know as Ben Watson's district. So while I tell you a little about myself, ask yourself this question: What has Ben Watson done for you lately?
I grew up in Raleigh, NC, went up north for college, came back and attended law school in Chapel Hill, lived and worked there for a while, then moved to Durham. In 2004, I met my husband, who has lived in Savannah since 1988. So I happily chose Savannah as my new home when we married in 2005.
I'm a lifelong Democrat -- an old-fashioned Democrat -- my values were formed when Dems actively worked to create a fair society in which everyone could thrive. We fought for farmers, women, factory workers, the poor, the middle and working classes -- not CEOs and billionaires. We fought to make our communities stronger, to make sure that our work was valued fairly, and that all of our votes counted equally. Those are still my values and that's why I'm running for office now -- I want to help realize a society, a community, in which each and every one of us can thrive, grow, and have hope for a better future.
Sadly, in today's world, that feels like a huge uphill battle. Money and power have corrupted too many of our elected representatives. Too many on both sides of the aisle are primarily concerned -- not with doing what's best for you, their constituents, but with getting and keeping power and money. Through gerrymandering, many office holders have chosen their voters, and since they haven't had to worry about getting elected, they no longer feel responsible to work for you.
So I ask again, what has Ben Watson done for you lately -- or ever? He voted against expanding Medicaid in Georgia -- and he's a medical doctor! He sponsored the bill in the GA Senate that gave Hyundai the right to sell Bryan County's water. And he has told his constituents that he works for us only for the 2+ months that he's paid to be in Atlanta. He's not interested in listening to or talking with you any other time.
I am committed not only to work and fight for you year-round, but also to keep you informed about the issues coming before the legislature. I'm especially committed to listen to you and address your concerns. I will always make the time to listen to you, no matter what "flavor" of voter you are -- because the issues aren't Democrat, Republican, or whatever -- the issues are what concerns you, the the people who live in my -- no, OUR community. It will take all of us talking, listening, and working together to create a community of hope, a table where all are welcome, a society in which we can all thrive. Together, we will build a community in which we show the ultra-wealthy and powerful elite that we matter -- we're important -- ignore us at your peril.
A number of people have asked me: What made you decide to run for office? In recent years, my church and my faith have become very important to me. I was in a Bible Study class learning about Deborah, the judge, prophet, and military leader. At the end of every chapter of our study, the author asked: What do you see that needs to be made right; is it worth fighting for; and what are you going to do about it? I've talked with a lot of people who share my concerns about the injustice we're experiencing in America today, but they can't imaging themselves running for office. I have a background in law, administration, and theater, so I believed I could. I know how to read and research the law, find solutions to problems, and I don't mind making a fool of myself in front of people! So here I am, doing something about it. I want to work towards justice, towards our community of hope, for -- but especially with you. Because my heart is full of hope that together, we can and will make things better for all of us in our community.
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In 2024, the CEO pay at the 100 lowest-paying major US companies averaged $17.2 million; median worker pay averaged $35,570. It would take an average worker 483.5 years to earn as much as a CEO does in one year. And the gap is getting wider every year. Does anyone work 483.5 times as hard as you do? Do you think that's fair? I certainly don't!
Fair pay is not the only issue -- corporations have no loyalty to or feel no responsibility for their workers. The U.S. Dept. of Labor is now slashing workplace safety laws. The new federal budget includes huge cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, which means that rural hospitals and medical centers will soon close in areas they are needed most.
International Paper decided to leave Savannah and Riceboro at very short notice and with little or no provision to help their employees find new jobs, even though our counties and cities had approved bond issues for IP and given IP tax breaks and other incentives to help their business. Our municipalities were good community partners -- IP wasn't.
So what do we do now? I'm fighting for you to...
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increase the minimum wage to a livable wage
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create more steady jobs
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training and apprenticeships in the trades
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support small and medium-sized local businesses
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jobs addressing environmental health/climate change
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ensure workers and our families have a healthy environment in which to work and live
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secure your rights to workplace safety
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require corporations to invest in their workers through training and assistance in finding new jobs as needed
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require corporations to invest in their community
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eliminate the "right to work" (for whatever wage the company will pay) laws and encourage/support labor unions
I'm also fighting for...
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Expanded voting rights
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fair redistricting so your vote counts as much as anyone else's
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reduce increasing harsh restrictions on who may vote
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Affordable housing (e.g., renters' tax credits)
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Better infrastructure
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no corporate ownership of water rights
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clean air and water
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address flooding issues throughout District 1
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better planning for traffic/roadway issues
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expanded public transportation
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Improved reading & math scores in public schools
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Improved access to medical & mental health care
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Reproductive autonomy
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Common sense gun laws to stem gun violence
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Your civil rights (1st Amendment, LGBTQ+, et al.)