VALDOSTA —
The election is over, your candidate may have won or lost, but today is the time for reconciliation.
In both the national and local elections, bitter disputes divided friends, relatives, and co-workers. Harsh words were spoken, posted on Facebook, or tweeted that can never be taken back or erased. Feelings were hurt. Relationships have been tested.
So today is the day to come to terms with the election results. Win or lose, we all have to live together and get along. Apologize for hurt feelings. Make amends. Take the high road.
That same holds true for all of the local candidates. Those who won should be grateful and gracious — grateful for those who voted for them and gracious to their opponents and their supporters. This isn’t the time to gloat or get back at someone you think may have campaigned in a less than honorable manner. Be the bigger person. Reach out and make peace.
And if you lost, the same holds true. Don’t hold a grudge. Don’t be spiteful. It’s a waste of time. The voters have spoken and you were not the victor. You can always run again in a future election, and you don’t want to do anything that might jeopardize your future chances.
And lastly, make today the day for removing campaign signs around the county. Candidates, please don’t leave them up for weeks or even months. They are cluttering up many corners and right of ways all around the community. Don’t leave it for someone else to do. Take the initiative and take them down yourself. Win or lose, the signs belong to you, your name is on them, and you are the person who will catch the ire of individuals for not removing them in a timely manner.
Today is a day for coming together as a community. Be thankful that the democratic process is still alive and well and that you have been able to be a part of it.
What We Think
Election aftermath
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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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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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