Q&A on the News

Q: A recent AJC article concerned a big cypress tree in McIntosh County. Can you give specific directions on how to get to that tree? —Gerald Wade, Stockbridge

A: Those cypress trees “are very difficult to get to on foot,” Altamaha Riverkeeper Jen Hilburn told Q&A on the News in an email. “Most of the year requires some slogging — often a long way,” she wrote.

She suggested a canoe/ kayak trip to the area. Altamaha Coastal Tours (altamaha.com, 912-437-6010) offers trips.

Q: The Georgia Power Foundation donated $900,000 to the Atlanta Police Department for helmets and body armor. I don’t question the need or recipient, but I am sur- prised that a regulated monopoly that charges the citizens of Georgia to deliver electricity is allowed to take money from them and then, at its sole discretion, decide who is a worthy recipient. Is this foundation funded with the money paid by customers? —Leonard Paskevich, Decatur

A: Customer utility payments or charges do not fund charitable donations made by the Georgia Power Foundation, according to Georgia Power. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is separate from Georgia Power, an investor-owned public company that serves 2.4 million customers each year in the state.

Foundation funds are mostly from corporate earnings, not customers, spokesman John Kraft told Q&A on the News in an email. The foundation has given more than $170 million since it was established in 1986.

Fast Copy News Service wrote this column; Kelsey Green contributed. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).