VALDOSTA —
Amid the lost homes of this past weekend’s tornado and severe storms, South Georgia could use an infusion of hope.
Good news came Monday with word that the Valdosta State University Health Sciences and Business Administration building has a renewed shot at becoming reality.
Earlier this year, the $23.5 million project was assumed dead. Though its inclusion had been expected, the building was not part of the 2012 state budget.
Despite that disappointment, area legislators did not quit the project. District 8 State Sen. Tim Golden made the VSU Health Sciences and Business Administration a priority. State Reps. Amy Carter (R-175), Ellis Black (R-174) and Jason Shaw (R-176) have all worked to bring the project and the necessary construction dollars to Valdosta.
Monday’s news revealed that the project could be included in the 2013 Georgia general budget. Today, the budget, including the VSU project, will face a vote in the state House of Representatives. If approved there, the budget goes before the state Senate. Legislators must include an additional $8 million to fully fund the project.
So, our area legislative delegation spoke of the project with guarded optimism. Nothing is guaranteed but, as of this morning, the building’s prospects are much better than they were a month ago.
The Times hopes the building will be included in the budget. After the past few days, South Georgia can use all of the good news it can get.
What We Think
A ray of hope for VSU project
- What We Think
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Thank you, EMS
We always pull over for them, but we rarely seem to thank them.
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Tornado: An aftermath of help
Seeing the massive path of destruction left in the wake of tornadoes in Oklahoma Monday was a sobering reminder of the power of spring storms.
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Thank you, EMS
