VALDOSTA —
Seems everybody’s been hit by hard times. If you don’t pay your bills or fines you may be hit by even harder times.
For example, take the Cook County Probate Court’s announcement this week that it has collected $100,000 in unpaid traffic citations. It could add even more to the county’s coffers in the coming months.
Three years ago, with more than 4,000 unpaid traffic citations, the probate court discovered more than $700,000 owed to Cook County. To recoup this money, the Cook County Probate court contracted SC Services, a Florida collection agency.
Last month, South Georgia Regional Library announced it is using a collection agency to collect unreturned materials and late fees. As of April 1, the South Georgia Regional Library had 10,034 items listed at being more than 180 days overdue, and a total of $315,350 in uncollected material replacement and overdue fees.
In times past, counties, libraries and other organizations could possibly write off such losses. Collecting these amounts seemed like more trouble than it was worth.
But as the Cook County and library figures indicate, these outstanding fees add up to serious amounts. Money that can make the difference in staying open or closing doors in budget-strapped times.
We’re in such an era now. One where every dollar matters. Where it’s better to pay a collection agency $2 for every $10 collected because that represents $8 which a county, a library, or some other service can use to continue operating or doing business.
So, if you have an outstanding traffic citation, pay it. If you have an overdue library book, return it and pay the fine.
If you don’t, you may not face an arrest warrant but rather something that will really hound you — a collection agency.
What We Think
Fees: No longer collecting dust
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
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Thoughts on graduation
