In winning a second term Tuesday, John Fretti fully comes into his own as Valdosta’s mayor. While he has served honorably for the past four years, Tuesday’s victory removes a shadow that has silently hung over Fretti’s first term.
Four years ago, John Fretti entered the mayoral race along with candidate Benny Mitcham as challengers to Mayor James H. Rainwater’s re-election bid. Having been in office from 1988 to 2003, Jimmy Rainwater had consolidated considerable power as Valdosta’s mayor. As a past editorial in The Valdosta Daily Times noted, Jimmy Rainwater as mayor had become “Valdosta’s voice, the city’s representative, its administrator, ambassador, negotiator, cheerleader, and leader.”
Still, as the city elections approached in 2003, John Fretti was viewed as a serious challenger to another Rainwater term. Some believed Fretti had real potential to end Rainwater’s push for 20 years as Valdosta’s mayor.
Could Fretti have defeated Rainwater?
We will never know for certain. A few weeks before the 2003 election, Mayor James H. Rainwater died.
Following Rainwater’s death, City Councilman David Sumner became interim Valdosta mayor. There was an unsuccessful push to allow additional candidates to register for the mayor’s race in the vacuum left by Rainwater’s passing.
In the end, Fretti handily won the election against Benny Mitcham, but the shadow of the failed attempt to register additional candidates caused instant divides on the Valdosta City Council, and the lingering shadow of Rainwater’s legacy made it difficult for Fretti as mayor to mend those divides.
Meanwhile, John Fretti grew into the role of mayor. He became an ambassador and a leader. He has made himself accessible to the public. He has worked hard to make Valdosta a destination for tourists and for industry.
In winning his re-election bid against a formidable challenger in former State Rep. Ron Borders, Fretti has earned the political clout to mend rifts and consolidate power on City Council.
We hope Fretti uses this power wisely. With his victory Tuesday night, there can be no more doubts or speculation. John Fretti is Valdosta’s mayor.
What We Think
OUR OPINION: Valdosta’s Mayor John Fretti
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THUMBS UP: To Brooks County High School engineering and technology teacher Don Morgan and his students. They recently received national attention for their work with biodiesel fuel. They collect used cooking oil from area fast-food restaurants then process this oil into biodiesel. Morgan hopes to next interest the Brooks County school buses into running on the fuel created in his class. This classroom not only prepares students for the future but may prepare all of us for an alternative energy source.
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Take me out to the ball park
The Valdosta State baseball season begins today. The Blazers host Lindenwood at 2:30 p.m. Nothing beats quality baseball played in warm weather with a great venue like Billy Grant Field.
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What We Think: Signing Day
Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the country make official announcements about what school they’ve chosen to sign with.
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School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
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Just the facts, please
The Times has taken some hits this weekend following the reporting of the Rev. Floyd Rose’ rally on Saturday concerning the car which drove into a home, killing an infant on New Year’s, and an incident at Pinevale Learning Center. Some police officers think the VDT is not being fair, and Rose accused the VDT of not printing the facts, but the facts are as follows:
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Fathers teaching daughters
It began as a small gathering for fathers and daughters. It has become one of Valdosta’s most popular social events of the year.
Several years ago, Jeff Stewart co-founded the event with his wife, Becky, as a way for him to give a special night to his two daughters. Other fathers of First Presbyterian Church liked the idea and the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance was born. -
Sports tourneys: They will come
More than 20 years after its release, “Field of Dreams’” mantra, “If you build it, they will come,” has possibly become one of the most overused lines from any movie. Yet, it seems all too fitting for what’s been happening lately within the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority.
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Thumbs Up
THUMBS UP: To Valdosta State University Athletics for its 2012 Chili Fest scheduled for this afternoon, 3-5:30 p.m. at the PE Complex. Should be some good eating even if we’re not experiencing the traditional January winter weather. Plus, it’s an old-style no-bean chili event. Tasty, indeed.
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Theatre: A busy week ahead
Theatre: A busy week ahead
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Help for the greater need
This weekend, people will gather to help two Valdosta-area young people and their families. Ride for Haley is scheduled to raise money for Haley Waites, a Valdosta High senior battling a brain tumor.
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