•The closing of Union Road Recycling Center



In response to the questions of why the Union Road Recycling Center was closed in the Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 edition of The Valdosta Daily Times, it was indicated that the Lowndes County manager stated that this site was moved to the location on Highway 41 because the City of Hahira requested it. I will set the record straight.

The Union Road site is under the City of Hahira’s ownership, and has been used by Lowndes County, free of charge, for residents of North Lowndes County to dump their yard debris and recyclables for the past 20 years. However, we did not ask that the site be moved to the Mineola location. We asked that Lowndes County move their operations because we did not feel that our citizens should pay for dumping their yard debris and recyclables.

We now offer Hahira citizens a place to dump on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., free of charge, at the Union Road site.

Hahira citizens only need to show proof of residency through a driver’s license and water bill to the attendant.

We understand that the county can no longer provide the free service due to its cost, however, it is not up to our government to render a decision regarding where they choose to provide their services.

If the citizens of unincorporated North Lowndes have any further questions concerning this, we encourage them to contact their county commissioner.



Wayne Bullard is Mayor for the City of Hahira.



• Friends of Law Enforcement

Three years ago, the Rotary Club of Valdosta initiated a community-service project called the Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner (LEAD). The success of this event has been due to friends of law enforcement throughout Lowndes County.

The purpose of this dinner is to give our local police chiefs and sheriff the opportunity to honor their officers-of-the-year in front of a large group of family, friends, and supporters at the Lowndes County Conference Center.

The money generated from this dinner has allowed us to set up a fund to assist officers and their families in times of special need. We have presented checks to officers affected by fire and flooding. As the fund grows, we will be in a position to do even more including giving substantial assistance to the family of any officer killed in the line of duty. Officers in Lowndes County including Valdosta, Hahira, Remerton, Lake Park, and the Sheriff’s Department are eligible for this assistance. Knowing this assistance is coming from friends of law enforcement throughout Lowndes County brings on a special appreciation from these officers.

The importance of these officers to our community cannot be overstated. All of us leave our places of employment each day believing they will be there the next day. We leave our homes and families each day believing that everything and everybody will be unharmed when we get home. The individuals that we can thank for that are the men and women who leave their homes and families each day to provide safety and protection for all of us.

On Thursday night, February 18, 2010, you will have an opportunity to say thanks to a deserving group of men and women that this community could not do without. There also could not be a better time to make a greater personal investment in Lowndes County Law Enforcement. Reserve your seat or table and be in attendance.

Thanks for your support of Lowndes County Law Enforcement. For additional information, call 229-251-3799.



James Dominey, Chairman

Rotary Law Enforcement Committee



• Our society is changing

The race for the late Senator Kennedy’s office is like the shot heard round the world. Why? Because of health care, preserving filibuster capacity, or the President’s political capital. But not a word about what is best for the American people.

Speaking of the American people. We’ve been beset recently with a spike in crime. Laws are made to protect people and the environment. Criminals have lost respect for our laws. Criminal behavior is preserved and protected by procedural flaws. Success is weakened by the struggle over who gets the collar. The voices and votes of the people are the answer to giving our laws meaning once again.

Recently, I accompanied a client to a family attorney consultation. Both my client and I were confident that the laws were on the side of what’s best for her 3-year old. The weathered attorney was not moved at all by the laws. We left the meeting with the impression that attorney to attorney negotiations, political tit for tat, and ultimate court involvement leaves the letter of the law with no meaning.

How can we make the law reflect its intended purpose through action against threats to lives and pursuit of happiness again? Our voices and votes will ultimately make the difference in all aspects again. Our society and public policy are changing. How can we reverse? Someone said that the shortest distance between two people is a smile. I say that the shortest distance between we the people and change is prayer then action. If there is a place to win for our families, it is in the places where policy and legislature are made and this requires prayer and hard work over politics.



Jim Harnage

Lake Park



• Unfit to be president

I hope all of you, our congressional representatives, are as outraged as I am by the conduct of Barak Obama. I cannot bring myself to call him President. In his reckless spending of money we do not have, and trying to force legislation we do not want or need. Worse yet, his conduct of buying votes, bribes, from Senators from five states, maybe more, costing millions for taxpayers to digest.

How about his desperate trip to Massachusetts to save his 60/40 majority in the Senate. Who paid for that? All of that was unpresidential, unprofessional, and maybe illegal and punishable.

We all understand the problems of a minority party, but surely there must be experienced professionals in both parties who recognize Obama’s power grab, and would join in a bipartison move to rein in his excesses. Difficult, maybe impossible, but nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Last November, we (not I) thought we elected an exciting young candidate, but instead got an unqualified opportunist with visions of grandeur, and limited if any qualifications for the job. I hope the electorate has learned better ... if not yet, we should watch closely how Obama goes about establishing a Socialist State with big government in charge of everything. Health care is just the beginning, and everyone should be involved, informed, and active!



Eric M. Burk

Valdosta



• Blame game has become tedious

Regarding Star Parker’s recent article on legalized abortion, I agree that it is a poor form of birth control; but it has been the law of the land since Roe v. Wade, as determined by the U.S. Supreme Court.

It is illogical to hold the Obama Administration responsible for a decision made by the highest court in the nation. If, and until, the law of the land is overturned, let’s get off this “blaming” bit. It has become tedious!



Mario D. Bartoletti, Ed.D.

Valdosta