In recent years, Valdosta has begun calling itself A City Without Limits. The slogan is on the city Web site, water tanks throughout the community and official signage. But it seems that the original meaning and intent of the slogan has been lost in recent years as the city manager, mayor and elected officials have begun to consider themselves without limits as well. They consider themselves to have unlimited power and unlimited control over the community and all within it.
Consider the recent actions concerning Five Points. The newspaper at no time has argued that it is being used to its best potential. The Times is solely interested in informing the public about a transaction worth millions of their hard-earned tax dollars being funneled into questionable deals with questionable motives.
Five Points is an eyesore. But it’s been an eyesore for decades. So why now? Why does the city want that property so badly? Does it have more to do with the public good or the good of a private local developer who is currently building an upscale residential community on land it acquired very recently that just happens to be right next to Five Points?
And if the city wants the land so bad, why didn’t they pay the asking price? The land on the tax rolls is worth $5 million and the city offered $3 million. Considering several recent land purchases with the city’s involvement that have garnered property owners double or more than the tax rolls say their land was worth, why not pay the asking price for this piece, rather than try to take it instead?
And if the city’s actions are so altruistic, why have they never attended, not even asked to attend, a meeting of the Library’s Board of Directors to show them the proposal? Why wasn’t the money to build the proposed new library been included in the city’s plans?
And if the need for an auditorium is so great, why don’t the plans call for building one larger than the one the city already has? If the reasoning about needing a new venue is that the current building is inadequate, why haven’t the plans been drawn to build one larger to accommodate more events? Surely it can’t be because the auditorium and the library are being used as excuses to get the property?
And once the council votes this week to proceed with condemnation and enter into costly litigation with the land owners, this newspaper and everyone in this community will have lost their power to stop the machine. In Valdosta, it’s “go along to get along” or you’re an outcast.
You can’t fight City Hall. Or can you?
What We Think
What We Think: A city without limits
- What We Think
-
-
Books: A part of summer adventures
Summer should be a time for swimming, playing, camping, trips, pursuing interests and fun for youngsters taking a break from the school year. It should be a time to recharge their batteries.
-
Memorial Day: A solemn occasion
Memorial Day has taken on many meanings through the years. The unofficial start of summer, a day off from work, a day to honor family and friends who have passed away.
-
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.
-
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!
-
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.
-
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.
-
Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
-
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.
-
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.
- More What We Think Headlines
-
Books: A part of summer adventures
