The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 24

A24 Thursday. May 27, 1999 LOCAL NEWS The Atlanta Journal -Constitution Iew director to tackle system's debt On-the-job training awaits incoming chairman By Alan Judd stability at the agency that runs Georgia Public Television and By Kathey Pruitt STAFf WRITER If it involved state money during the past three decades, it probably fell under the micro- bottling plant site in Midtown and a residential subdivision about three blocks from the Governor's King, the chief fund-raiser for Barnes' 1998 campaign, professed to have no magic cure for GPB's financial woes, but he said he is motivated to solve the agen cy's problems. "I'm a great fan of King said. "I watch the program ming, and I enjoy the programming." the situation is how big is the deficit, what is our cash flow, do we have anything available we can do?" Vickers Vickers began his state government career immediately after graduating from the University of Georgia in 1967 with a degree in accounting. He also has worked in the state revenue and transportation departments.

problems at the 23-station public broadcasting system and a three-year deficit projected to hit $7 million, Barnes pressed a reluctant Vickers into the agency's chief executive position. His first job is to try to figure out how to get Georgia Public Broadcasting back into the black, a scenario Vickers admits won't be easy. "The first thing I'm going to do is literally find out exactly what STAFF WRITER Kim King's only experience with Georgia Public Broadcasting has been as a color commentator for a high school football game. But as the new chairman of GPB's board of directors, the Atlanta real estate developer is about to become much better acquainted with the statewide network. His assignment from Gov.

Roy Barnes: restore financial atupc oi aumior Claude Vickers. I C- -1! reach Mate Public Radio. It's a different role for Donald Kimbrough King, 53, who followed a run as quarterback for Georgia Tech's football team in the 1960s still described in detail on his resume" with a business career in banking and development. Projects developed by his company, Kim King Associates have included a retail center at the former Coca-Cola the past seven years, Vickers combed through the books of state depart '-2 A ments to point out fiscal short Vickers comings and suggest better ways to keep track of public money. Before that, he headed the fiscal division of the Department of Administrative Services, a position tantamount to state treasurer.

Now, Vickers, 55, has the unenviable challenge of trying to follow up on one of his own reports. After a draft audit by his department detailed "systemic" Dismantle: Ousted leader defends agency Continued from A I resignation of the six appointed members of Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission. He said mismanagement at the agency is too pervasive to correct without retooling of the entire operation from the ground up." "Here's the rule: If you don't manage the state's money, there's going to be a penalty to pay," Barnes said. "Business would not allow an excuse for not keeping up with money, and neither am Faced with a choice of resigning or being fired by a new board, Rogers announced his resignation via a faxed statement immediately after the governor's afternoon news conference. Rogers, 57, a former state school superintendent, was appointed in 1994 by former Gov.

Zell Miller to run the public broadcasting agency. He did not return reporters' phone calls Wednesday, but issued a statement: "GPB employees should be receiving accolades, rather than having their work labeled as wasteful or extravagant. The truth is that Georgia Public a i Miir If! i II A I jLU Vis I JiJ4J fP! mj fA fx I I 1 I i ssm I A VI w'V lti-J tz 1 ETifW 1 yJ LJ V-JU Ifteygy i 3ffr i I Refrigerators, Dishwashers, Microwaves, 1... 'J Ranges, Washers and I Buy 'em Right Off the Truck or tzZ We Can Deliver! zir-r yv Countertop, Fixture or Appliance Single Purchase Purchase for your Kitchen or rr-'" Bath now and Ask about No zrzzl, Payments for 6 months and 1 1 I No Interest if Paid in 6 months. 1 i Payments will not be required tor six months on any i approved kitchen cabinet, countertop, appliance, and fixtures single purchases of $500 or more charged to .1 your Home Depot Consumer Charge Card account JT between January 1,1999 and December 31, 1999.

ZZ 1 Finance charges will accrue during the six month I 1 Wii 'JVi 1 A period, but will be credited to your account if the ItA 1 'AMfTIM purchase and optional Insurance premiums on the a I purchases are paid In full within six months. fc I NiKH'l1 7m I See address listing for key credit terms. In order to I Y' itm 3 I v-Ah receive these promotional Items, you must ask for miml'l" the promotion when making your purchase. It TjfifTA 1 lh lli ft f7jJ-j WT A 'III Utfi Offer only available In certain Home Depot locations, JiH, yii ih check store for details. Tjlffi ll t-if fy I lJU-V HAMMOND DR East of Highway 400 at the intersection i of Mt.

Vernon Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. tfffi I Broadcasting is doing far more right than we are doing wrong." Barnes immediately swore in Cobb County developer Kim King, finance chairman of his 998 election campaign, to chair the new public broadcasting board. The governor promised to name the other board members by next week. 1 Ousted board Chairman Dink NeSmith was out of the country and could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Two other board members didn't return phone calls.

But those contacted said the commission already was taking steps to deal with the financial crisis by stepping up its infrequent meeting schedule and forming an audit committee to offer more financial oversight. The board's vice chairman, 0i Minter, a former editor of fbe Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said it was "regrettable" the gov irnbr was replacing the board just as it began to assert control 3 the agency sjtnances. I certainly don't object to 018-governor's action," Minter $9id. "We serve at his pleasure." Besides the six board members who are appointed by the governor, three others serve by virtue of their state positions: School Superintendent Linda Schrenko; University System Chancellor Stephen Portch; and Technical and Adult Education Commissioner Kenneth Breeden. They will remain on the board.

Senate Minority Leader Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), who had urged Rogers' firing last week, applauded the governor's action, Johnson had vowed Republican legislators would withhold support for bailout efforts until the executive director was removed. "He took decisive action, cleaning house, and he held everybody accountable," Johnson said Wednesday. "I would think it would give a lot more confidence to the General Assembly. And I would think it would give more confidence to private contributors, too, Prices may vary after May 31, 1999 I IT Austell (770)941-9600 Cascade (404)691-2077 Canton (770)720-3910 Conyers (770) 918-9670 Cumberland (770) 432-9530 Decatur (404)3154015 Douglasvills (770) 577-831 1 Fayetteviile (770) 461-9819 Griffin (770)233-9411 Hiram (770)4394707 Jonesboro Rd. (404) 361-5634 Kennesaw (770) 424-1309 Merchant's Walk (770)977-9700 Morrow (770) 478-9990 Newnan (770)252-1585 North Fulton (770) 4764460 N.W.

Roswell (678) 461-0155 Roswell Snellville (770) 982-6166 Stone Mountain (770)985-1077 Wesley Chapel (770) 981-4S53 West CootVDaltau Hwy. (770)792-6858 Woodstock (770) 591-8663 if there are market variations. We reserve the right lo limit quantities to the amount reasonable lot homeowners and our regular contractor customers, II is our policy lo run MM, accurate advertising. In the event ol an error, we will make every reasonable effort to arxommodate our cuslomets. Details on any product warranties available al store, 'Key credit tarmt: For purchases made with your Home Depot Consumer Charge Card, the Annual Parcenlaga Rata (APR) is 21 (18 In IA).

for single purchases ol 2000 or glutei that quality lot the Major Purchase Feature ol your Home Depot Consumer Charge Card Account, the APR will be 15.48, Minimum monthly finance rtrarge is S1 ($.50 In IA and Wl). Any minimum monthly payment shown Is an eslimale based on purchase puce only Does not include sales tan. insurance charges, or linanca charges and may be higher il you have an enisling balance or make additional pur- chases on your account. Oiler subject to credit approval bv Monogram Credil Card Bank ol Georgia Check slore tor derails, license numbers available upon request, 1999, HOMER TLC. Inc.

All rights reserved, 5537 Buford 770 831-5005 dimming (770)888-8135 Duluth (770 564-2607 Gainesville (770 532-7395 Lawrenceville (770) 338-9830 Sandy Spr (770) 8044065 Buckhead (404)231-1411 Tilly Mill Rd (770)452-8858.