THUMBS DOWN: To the newly-hired Clayton County Schools Superintendent, John Thompson, for squandering $80,000 in system funds to reprint 3,000 high school diplomas because they did not bear his name. Though diplomas were ordered in December, six months before Thompson took his position as the head of the system, high school graduates received blank sheets of paper on their big day. Hired to pull the system out of the black hole of possible loss of accreditation, Thompson needs to focus his energy on things with greater value to the 52,800 students and community he vowed to serve.
THUMBS UP: To the city of Valdosta for unveiling their Transportation Management Plan and making every effort to solicit community opinion and involvement in the process. The $201 million plan, which has taken the efforts of all city departments and a professional consulting firm more than 12 months to design, addresses concerns and offer conceptual ideas for managing the flow of vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic around and through the city. This complex list of over 90 projects will need to be tailored to the needs of our city and citizens should continue to voice their constructive opinions. Whether or not citizens agree with every aspect of the plan as presented for the first time Tuesday, having such a plan puts the city of Valdosta ahead of the curve as the cities of Atlanta and Tallahassee are in the beginning stages of developing their first traffic management plans.
THUMBS UP: To 17-year-old John Ellis who has undertaken a huge challenge in order to raise money and awareness for a disease he was diagnosed with nearly two years ago. At 16, Ellis learned that he had an infection in his liver and was later diagnosed with Hepatitis B. Shortly after the diagnosis, the journey he is now on began to develop. Ellis and his friend Jamaal Warren started Monday riding their bikes on a journey that will take them 1,100 miles from their home town of Pensacola, Fla. to Philladelphia. The 2008 Believe in the Cure Cycling Tour has already raised $6,000 for the Hepatitis B Foundation. Instead of being discouraged by his diagnosis, Ellis turned the news into an opportunity to raise awareness about the seriousness of Hepatitis B and to share a message of hope. For more information, or to donate to the cause visit www.hepb.org.
What We Think
OUR OPINION: Thumbs up, thumbs down
- What We Think
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Memorial Day: A solemn occasion
Memorial Day has taken on many meanings through the years. The unofficial start of summer, a day off from work, a day to honor family and friends who have passed away.
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
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Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
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Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Memorial Day: A solemn occasion
