THUMBS UP: The Gathering of Eagles, which was a success once again. Business leaders from all across the region took advantage of the opportunity to gain insights from experienced business leaders on how to continue or build success in tough economic times. Valdosta Technical College scheduled a list of knowledgeable individuals from a variety of industries in the area including Chick-fil-A, Synovus Financial, Patten Seed, Agrilliance, Riley Church Pews and Letica Corporation. Despite their different industries and expertise, one thing each of these companies share is a history of success and those in attendance surely walked away with some valuable information.
THUMBS UP: The kickoff of Blazer Baseball and Softball with the Blazer Blast at Billy Grant Field and the North Campus Softball Complex. The day of family-fun offers area kids a chance to meet their favorite players and work one-on-one with a great group of local role models. It is great to see these students taking the time to give back to the community that supports them. Good luck this season!
THUMBS UP: To Sen. Saxby Chambliss for leading the plea to Congress to restore funding for the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program. This program is instrumental in helping law-enforcement agencies pay for drug task forces, courts and treatment programs, police salaries, innovative technologies, and gang-prevention strategies. The South Georgia Drug Task Force relies on the program for 75 percent of its funding and will lose vital equipment and manpower if the funding is not restored. Citizens urge the government to fight the war against drugs and Congress must work to provide the resources necessary for our law enforcement to do their jobs. Also a thumbs up to Sen. Johnny Isakson and Rep. Jack Kingston who voted against the cut in funding for the program.
THUMBS DOWN: To presidential candidates who have dismissed the citizens of Georgia and have failed to take the time to campaign in our state. There are a handful of candidates who have continued to maintain a presence in Georgia throughout the campaign and those that seem to have forgotten that voting citizens actually live here, too.
What We Think
OUR OPINION: Thumbs up, thumbs down
- What We Think
-
-
Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
-
Be up to any weather challenge
Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today and runs through Friday. The idea behind the week is to prepare Georgians for weather emergencies and how to keep these situations from becoming tragedies.
-
Parents and schools
There is a lot of talk lately about school systems and grading policies, and how all of a child's problems come back to a lack of parenting. But is it really that simple? Can it be a case where the school systems are so focused on the problem few that the majority of students are ignored?
-
Thumbs up, thumbs down
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
-
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:
-
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.
- More What We Think Headlines
-
Grading policy: A second chance?
