As war plays out on television, viewers weigh how much to watch

A longtime Augusta banker was named Tuesday to head community efforts to protect Fort Gordon from closure in 2005.

Larry DeMeyers, a former Banker's First president, was named as chairman of the CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon during a press conference at Gate 1 of Fort Gordon.

"I think the threat of closure is real, and we need to get going and prevent that from happening," Mr. DeMeyers said.

Mr. DeMeyers, who trained and taught at Fort Gordon during the mid-1960s, said that base closure was the greatest challenge facing the Augusta community's future.

The alliance comprises business and political leaders from the Augusta area to present a united voice against the possibility of Fort Gordon's closure during the next round of base closures, scheduled for 2005.

Mr. DeMeyers said the alliance will need to raise funds to hire a base-closure consultant who can help the group bolster the installation's case.

"I've talked to several people about cost estimates, but we really haven't firmed up a number," Mr. DeMeyers said.

Rep. Charlie Norwood, who helped to spearhead the alliance, said the legislation authorizing base closure was ready and it is certain that closures will happen. The round of base realignment and closures could be kicked up a year or two, but Mr. Norwood said he doesn't expect that.

"(Defense) Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is a tight businessman, and he's going to find ways to save money," Mr. Norwood said, "and the realignment of bases is one of them."

Mr. Norwood and Mr. DeMeyers said that the alliance was not thinking about plans in case Fort Gordon is approved for realignment or closure.

"If we had a total disaster, we could figure it out then," Mr. Norwood said. "But I want everyone totally focused on protecting and growing this fort."

Mr. Norwood also said that Monday's visit by Gen. Kevin P. Byrnes - head of all Army training - helped to show the military Fort Gordon's importance to defense.

"We want him to understand that as a community that we're going to do everything we possibly can to grow this fort, and we'll defend it from closing," Mr. Norwood said.

Reach Jeremy Craig at (706) 823-3409 or at jeremy.craig@augustachronicle.com.