If downtown Valdosta is not “the heart and soul of this community,” then what is? The ranter reminds me of the folks who tore down everything in sight on Patterson and Ashley streets until someone realized that ugly block buildings were just that. Now, we've spent years trying to correct that huge mistake of the ‘50s which marched well into the ‘80s. Personally, I prefer the streets and buildings filled with worshippers, people enjoying the eateries, entertainment, and businesses than to leave an important part of our history to filth and ruins.
To the parents of kids under the age of 10: Retail stores are not designed to babysit your kids. If you are unwilling or cannot monitor your children in stores, please do the rest of us consumers a favor and leave your uncontrollable brats at home. Nobody thinks they are cute. Nobody enjoys their antics. Nobody appreciates them tearing up the stores.
In regards to the NAACP involving the city school systems, parents should be involved more with the discipline of the child before they come to school. We can’t place the burden of raising our children on the school superintendent and the school faculty. The biggest burden is on the parent to teach the child right from wrong.
For two nights in a row, my cable and Internet service were cut off because of winds that could hardly be called "strong.” May I suggest that if Valdosta is to catch up with the modern world that we consider putting those unsightly power and phone lines underground like other cities? This is ridiculous.
As a 15-year veteran of the Valdosta State Prison, I never once felt threatened by the inmates. I believe any officer attacked has brought it on themselves by an improper attitude on the inmates. Looking down on them and trying to intimidate them. I have seen it happen numerous times. An officer has to earn the respect of the inmates and too many young officers don’t have the management experience and try to run right into the inmates instead of leading them.
Thank you Applebee’s, St. Augustine Road, for your Veterans Day special. I met new veterans from this area as well as North Florida. The food was outstanding and so was your staff.
When we lose our downtowns, we lose our history. Without downtowns, we become strip-malls, chain stores, — all the same, built to fade, without a soul.
What We Think
Rant & Rave for Monday, Nov. 16, 2009
- 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
