What We Think
What We Think: Retreating in Lowndes County
The Lowndes County Commission is holding its annual planning retreat this weekend at the 4-H Camp in Lake Park.
Officials are stating that projected decreases in revenue will cause a massive budget shortfall, in the area of $2 million county-wide. With the anticipated cuts in funding from state and federal sources, the county will be handicapped in its ability to continue funding at current service levels to citizens.
The county funds the sheriff’s department, the jail, the court system, the public defender’s office, the library system, animal control and much more. The county has numerous mandated expenditures that are set by legislators that cannot be changed.
The county has been running a relatively lean government for several years, leaving positions unfilled for long periods, but cannot continue to operate in that manner indefinitely.
Last year, most all departments got cut, many severely, in the county’s budget, and there is no reason to expect things will be different this year.
So what’s left to be cut? Good question. Good luck to the chairman, county manager and commissioners as they try to figure it out this weekend.
- What We Think
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What we think: Public has right to know
The accidental release of three inmates from the Lowndes County Jail was an unfortunate incident.
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What we think: Wanted: Your vote
Early voting for the runoff election to see who will make it to the November general election begins today at the Elections Office in Lowndes County, 2808 N. Oak St.
If you voted in the primary election, you can only vote in the runoff election for the same party you voted previously. -
What We Think: Wanting answers for Wanat
Family of American soldiers killed in Afghanistan have wanted answers.
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Severe heat warnings
More than two thirds of the counties in Georgia were on extreme heat alerts Monday as temperatures rose to the high 90s with a heat index well over 100 degrees.
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Blood for all ages
While many children have spent the summer swimming, Sammy Giltner, 8, and Savannah Dallas, 5, have endured chemotherapy treatments.
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Where’s the money?
As part of a large transportation public hearing this week, the city unveiled its proposed plans for the new Gateways Project that will affect West Hill Avenue from Interstate 75 to downtown, and Madison Highway from the airport to South Patterson Street.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS DOWN: To the candidates who have not removed their campaign signs from area roadways and yards. The only candidates who need signs at this point are those heading into the runoff and — maybe — those who are already guaranteed a place on the November ballot.
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What we think: One vote
Think your vote doesn’t matter? Did you have a candidate you liked but didn’t vote because you thought, well, what’s one vote?
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What we think: Sad end for Fresh Start
Fresh Start seems to have been a good idea that came to a rotten end this week. After all, there was the disappointed anger of those turned away a few weeks ago because the program lacked the manpower to handle hundreds of applications at one time.
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Election vote
Every election is important, but some seem more important than others. This is one of those elections. With the state’s budget on the ropes, education funding bled nearly dry, and a multitude of other issues crowding for attention, management and money, this may well be one of the most important elections in Georgia’s history.
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What we think: Public has right to know
