Each year, The Valdosta Daily Times Editorial Board, comprised of Publisher Sandy Sanders, Managing Editor Kay Harris, Assistant Managing Editor Dean Poling, News Editor Jessica Pope and Photo Editor Paul Leavy, collectively determines the editorial objectives for the year. These objectives are printed daily on the editorial page as a reminder to all and the Times plans a series of stories throughout the year to emphasize the importance of these topics.
Although there are only seven objectives listed currently, the Times may add a few throughout the year as the need arises, but the focus will continue to be the growth and development of the community, and the oversight of government, particularly the manner in which tax dollars are spent.
Board members are frequently asked how the Times forms opinions for its daily editorials and who writes them.
The Board meets weekly, more as needed, to develop ideas and the editorials are written by all the members of the board and approved by all members of the board. The opinions expressed are the opinions of the group as a whole.
It is true that the Times holds elected officials to a higher standard. Their decisions affect the future of the community and how they spend taxpayer’s money is examined closely and at times perhaps harshly, but never in a vacuum.
The members of the editorial board consult outside opinions, attend government meetings, conduct interviews and access other information as needed before writing editorials.
On the opinions page, the names of the five individuals whose researched opinions are expressed in the editorials appears every single day as we are proud of the time and effort taken to ensure our readers are kept apprised of local issues.
Editorials are meant to be thought provoking, interesting, congratulatory, informative, but overall, to be an honest reflection of the community and its perception of problems and opportunities.
Following are the 2010 Editorial Objectives, and the editorial board is committed to ensuring that these objectives, which are both problems and opportunities for our community, continue to receive the attention they deserve in the coming year.
1. Lowndes County Commission expansion
Despite a tremendous effort by elected officials and the overwhelming majority vote of the citizens to accomplish this, the Lowndes County Commission expansion was derailed this year by the Justice Department. The county and the community is not ready to give up yet, though, and next year there will be a renewed push for the expansion.
2. School consolidation
The Times has had this objective for six years, and continues to be a strong proponent for this goal. A county divided so harshly along school district lines will never succeed and prosper as it should. This continues to be a top priority for 2010.
3. Lowndes County Courthouse rehabilitation
With the offices and courtrooms relocating to the new Judicial Complex in the coming months, the 100 year-old Courthouse will be essentially empty. The county plans to tear down the annex, which is not part of the original building, and restore the courthouse. The Times would love to see tours for school children and tourists, and perhaps a tourist center developed in this historic treasure to ensure that its history and glory reman intact for generations to come.
4. Improving and expanding the library system
In South Georgia, the illiteracy rate is high and the support for the library system is low. Counties such as Echols and Lanier have struggled in recent years to find the funds to keep their branches open. In addition, usage of the libraries has never been higher, and the need never greater than it is today. The Times is dedicated to ensuring a strong library system, which includes improving the branches the system now serves and the possibility of building more.
5. Wise use of tax dollars
In recent years, elected officials have treated the public’s money as a never ending well of revenue, wasting far too much of our hard earned dollars. In the coming year, readers will see a renewed emphasis on accountability for local and state government as the Times continues to call attention to the wise use of tax dollars.
6. Keep downtown alive
Downtown Valdosta is the hub of the community and has seen a tremendous influx of business and revitalization in the last decade, but it still has a ways to go. Downtown business owners pay a heavy burden of special taxes in order to pay for the city’s Main Street program and for keeping the area clean and cared for. These same business owners need continued support to keep our downtown a hub of activity that is safe and entertaining for all to enjoy.
7. Job creation
In 2009, Lowndes County lost hundreds of jobs to the recession, with the closing of Shaw Industries and many small businesses, in addition to large layoffs in several industries. The community needs to honestly face the issue and acknowledge that it need well paying jobs, and the leadership such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Authority that is tasked and paid to create jobs will face increased pressure this year to deliver.
