President Richard Nixon said my time was up in the United States Air Force in October 1969 after three years, five months and six days. My release says “due to budgetary limitations.” I had worked myself up to four stripes but the pay was not all that good so I am sure it was not just me that my government could not afford. Back home, I went to the one place I had always loved, my local newspaper. I was hired selling ads for a group of five South Georgia weekly newspapers.
With yellow legal pad, rate card and a pen I set out for the big city of Valdosta. One of my first stops was 5 Points Shopping Center and to Renee Fashions. I met the owner, he was very gracious and I sold him my first ad. His purchase gave me confirmation that my career choice was right. I went next door to another dress shop and sold an ad for my papers there as well. My day was really looking up.
Both of these stores sat between Belk’s and JCPenney. The next year, I remember my wife and me shopping at Belk’s where I bought my first and only “Members Only” jacket. Both of the big box stores bought ads because this was at a time when store managers placed their own local advertising.
The movement of stores to 5 Points and to other local strip centers came at the expense of Downtown Valdosta. Sears was the anchor for the shopping center on Patterson which is now VSU property. The first part of Castle Park opened on Ashley.
Everything was well for Valdosta’s three shopping centers until the mall came to town. All of the big box stores quickly made their way to the new shopping concept. I think it is ironic that the very latest shopping adventures are in Lifestyle Centers which is back to the strip-center concept.
We had a short boost to 5 Points during the Pick’n Save era when the Wal-Mart-like retailer moved into the JCPenney building. After their store chain closed, the big boxes remained empty until Big Lots moved into the Belk’s building. That is pretty much the last major activity in the area.
We have all wanted to see something happen at 5 Points. Driving by, anyone can see the great potential the property holds for this community. I have been mad along with many others when possible ventures there have failed because the owners did not want to sell. If we are honest with ourselves, we have also said that of many other pieces of property in this town. More than once, I have heard someone lament, “we will have to wait on a funeral or two before something will happen.”
It is not as if we have filled up every available piece of land and cannot make a progressive move in this community without the 5 Points property.
The leaders of the City of Valdosta are convinced the Five Points property is so valuable to them they have decided to take it. Today, commercial retail real estate is not the most exciting investment one can make but two, five years from now an investor might say Five Points is the best area for a Town Center. This would then become a very valuable taxable investment in our community. Like it or not, we should wait here as well. My question to our city leaders is this: if this land was not owned by an out-of-town family, would you be as quick to look at condemnation? Or would we be satisfied in waiting for a funeral?
What We Think
From the publisher: Mr. Mayor, why I can’t agree
- 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?
