According to the Lowndes County Elections Office, a dismal 1,148 voters turned out for early, advance and absentee voting. That’s barely two percent of the registered voters in the county.
Where are you, voters? There are two Valdosta City Council seats up for grabs, four Valdosta Board of Education seats, two Hahira City Council and one Dasher City Council seat, plus the countywide referendum on expanding the Lowndes County Commission from three to five voting commissioners.
Do you not care? Do you not understand that your vote counts? Do you not understand your civic responsibility?
Unless you go to the polls today and cast your ballot, you should not be allowed to speak at any forum, at any council meeting, at any commission meeting. You should have to forfeit your right to speak out against decisions made by the commissioners and councilmen.
Maybe then you would take your right to vote more seriously. Some would say they’re exercising their right not to vote. But considering how hard women and minorities fought for that very right; how much blood was shed just to be able to cast a ballot in this country; and how many voters in other countries desperately want those same freedoms, it’s unbelievable that there are more than 56,000 residents of Lowndes County who choose not to participate.
Take time out of your busy day. Go to your precinct and vote. Be a part of the democratic process. Be a part of making the decisions that affect us all. Vote.
What We Think
What We Think: Get out and vote today
- What We Think
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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
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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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. - More What We Think Headlines
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
