THUMBS UP: To the few voters who actually made the effort to cast ballots in Tuesday’s elections. In Lowndes County, a little over 9 percent of the registered voters made it to the polls either during the nine-day early voting period, five-day advance voting period or on election day. Given that voters had 15 days to cast ballots, the fact that nearly 90 percent of the county’s voters did not care enough to exercise their right to vote is sad.
THUMBS UP: To County Line Church for winning the Thomas Kinkade Bible during the annual Bible Verse contest sponsored by The Valdosta Daily Times.
THUMBS UP: To all the riders of Jacobs’ Ladder Therapeutic Riding Center for their performance during the Hands & Hearts for Horses Show in Thomasville. The team came home with two first-place, five second-place, nine third-place and four fourth-place ribbons.
THUMBS UP: To everyone who participated in the annual Start! Heart Walk Thursday and helped to raise awareness of and funds for heart disease and stroke-prevention efforts. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in this country. Stroke is No. 3. The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency with a mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Its impact goal is to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010.
THUMBS DOWN: To candidates who still haven’t removed their campaign signs. There are two run-off races in the city. Anyone who isn’t running in either of those races should have taken down their signs by now.
What We Think
What We Think: 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.
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Grading policy: A second chance?
