VALDOSTA —
Every election is important, but some seem more important than others. This is one of those elections. With the state’s budget on the ropes, education funding bled nearly dry, and a multitude of other issues crowding for attention, management and money, this may well be one of the most important elections in Georgia’s history.
In the governor’s race, there is no incumbent running this year. Gov. Sonny Perdue’s limit of two terms is drawing to a close.
This means both the Republicans and Democrats are running large fields of gubernatorial candidates. With so many candidates on the ballot, many voters may feel overwhelmed trying to select one.
But make no mistake: Even after a likely run-off for both parties, one of these candidates will represent each party. From there, one candidate will be the next governor of Georgia.
One of these candidates will hopefully be the person to steer Georgia onto a brighter course, or the winning candidate could well be the person who digs Georgia deeper into a hole.
If you believe one candidate has the abilities, savvy and intelligence to lead Georgia to that better future, we ask that you vote for this person today. Don’t assume the candidate you believe to be the best person for the job will be the winner. Do something about it. Take part. Vote for that person.
Lowndes County Commission faces a similar situation. Two commission posts are wide open, with neither incumbent seeking re-election. Each commission seat has several candidates vying to be the representative from the two parties.
By the start of next year, Lowndes County will have two new leaders. With the current Lowndes County Commission system of three voting commissioners and a non-voting commission chairman, these new commissioners represent two-thirds of the county’s decision makers.
Who will those two people be? Who will the next governor of Georgia and many other statewide officers be? Today is your opportunity to be one of the state’s most important decision makers. Today, you are a citizen with a vote.
What We Think
Election vote
- What We Think
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Leaving NCLB behind
Georgia schools may be sighing in relief today, following the announcement that the U.S. Department of Education granted a waiver to the state, along with nine others, from the rigorous requirements of the No Child Left Behind act.
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Don’t jettison landmark
While we respect the request to relocate the F-86 aircraft from outside Mathis City Auditorium to the new Moody Air Force Base Airpark, we would hope the city and MAFB would reconsider moving it.
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Shame in Berrien County
Unfortunately for Sherrie Williams of the Berrien County school-based health clinic, she talked to The Times and praised the program that she oversees. This pride in her work led to the loss of her job.
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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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Leaving NCLB behind
