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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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?
