THUMBS UP: To the members of the Valdosta City Council and the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners for deciding to keep their annual planning retreats local this year. In light of the economy, it’s comforting to taxpayers to see their money spent judiciously by both governments.
THUMBS UP: To the airmen of the 823rd Security Forces Squadron who returned last week to Moody Air Force Base from a four-month deployment in Iraq. Of the 170 or so men and women who served in Iraq, all of them were welcomed home by a host of loved ones gathered on the base. We appreciate your sacrifice, as well as that of your families and friends who miss you when you are gone.
THUMBS UP: To the citizen whose tip led to the arrest of a man suspected of breaking into a car in the 100 block of McKey Street this week. Because of your efforts, the police were able to apprehend the suspect quickly and put him behind bars. This community needs more people like you who are willing to look out for the rights of others and report suspicious activity.
THUMBS UP: To the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority floor hockey team for being selected to represent Team USA at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, Feb. 7-13. Although team members have only been together for a matter of months, we know they will make South Georgia proud and show the world why Valdosta is TitleTown USA.
THUMBS DOWN: To Richard Lee of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners for voting against a change order to the Skipper Bridge Road project, for voting against saving the taxpayers of Lowndes County some $92,000. With the road scheduled to be closed for other work, it made perfect sense for the board to partner and complete the projects at the same time, especially when doing so saved the county funds that could be better spent in other areas.
THUMBS UP: To everyone honored during the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce’s 97th Annual Dinner Meeting. Jodi Doss, owner of Jodi’s Accessories, was presented the A.I. Girardin Award for her loyalty and her accessibility and for keeping the best interests of the chamber at heart.
What We Think
OUR OPINION: Thumbs up, thumbs down
- What We Think
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Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
- More What We Think Headlines
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Grading policy: A second chance?
