With over 1,000 men locked up together 24/7, it is actually kind of ludicrous to think that violence and assaults will not happen. We can’t threaten most of these guys with sanctions and more time. They got too much time already. This happens in every prison in America, every day, not just Valdosta State Prison.
There are several places in the area for men and women to get help for substance abuse. Do a little research before saying something you know nothing about. Anyone can get help if they really want it. You can’t use the excuse there is no place to get help. That is ridiculous.
Concerning Valdosta State Prison. They say that VSP is the worst prison on state because of the types of inmates now housed at the prison. Run-off from Autry, Calhoun, Reidsville and Jackson are now housed at VSP. At last count, there was approximately 1,500 inmates housed at the prison. With furloughs and no pay raises in sight for who knows how long and the pressure of working understaffed with ill-trained officers and supervisors that have forgotten what it is like to be a line officer, I see only a bad day on the horizon for those of us that work at VPS.
Would Lake Park Elementary please do something about the morning car rider line? It is very aggravating to have to pass the school, be stopped by the crossing guard, make a U-turn on a four-lane highway, be stopped by the same crossing guard again before finally having to sit in a long line that snakes through the parking lot and down the four-lane highway. It is a one-way driveway with two lanes. Why can’t both be utilized? Children are tardy, missing class and parents are late for work. Surely there is a better system.
The Georgia Department of Corrections is staffed by outstanding and committed officers and administrators. They are taken for granted, underpaid, and work in a dangerous and unsafe environment. Budget cuts to the DOC have drastically increased the chances of a full-blown riot. I encourage all citizens to demand better pay, more staff, and increased budgets of their elected officials. Pray for the staff as the future will not bode well if more resources are not provided.
I’d be careful about barring that Times staff writer from Cleveland Field. Considering how much attendance is down at VHS games, I don’t think I would want to turn away anyone.
What We Think
Rant & Rave for Monday, Nov. 9, 2009
- What We Think
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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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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:
- More What We Think Headlines
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Don’t jettison landmark
