for Aug. 24, 2001



No joy in Brooks

“Last night I saw the space shuttle orbit, but I won’t see the Brooks County jamboree in Quitman because the stadium isn’t ready. We can build a space station but we can’t build a stadium even for a million dollars.”



Keep smokers out

“I believe if Valdosta built some no-smoking restaurants and just let the smokers know they are not welcome, the restaurant would never miss the smokers in the bottom line. They would make a million dollars.”



Not normal

“About Country Club Road: Normally when you close a road for a week to do repairs, you expect it to be in better shape when they get done.”



Beautiful story

“Thanks to Dean Poling for ‘A Family’s Flag.’ That was one of the most beautiful articles I have ever read, it brought tears to my eyes. Our flag is no longer respected as it should be, many people don’t even know our National Anthem or the Pledge of Allegiance.”



Stiff smokers

“I think cigarette smokers should pay higher income taxes than nonsmokers just like they have to pay higher life insurance premiums because they are the ones who are getting all the benefits from government programs that help pay the medical bills.”



Build slower cars

“If you can’t drive faster than 70 mph, why does the government allow car makers to make cars that go faster than 70, tempting people to break the law and endanger younger drivers?”



A big excuse

“To the reader who said throwing cigarette butts out the window is better than throwing out Wendy’s bags and the birds build nests from the butts: I say that is like saying having the flu is better than having diabetes. Neither is desirable and Wendy’s bags don’t start fires.”



Spray for bugs

“I wish we’d spend some of the SPLOST money in Brooks County on spraying for mosquitoes instead of slowly building a stadium that won’t pass inspection or be done on time.”



Don’t give a hoot

“Everybody wants an Olive Garden and guess what we get? A Hooters; wonderful!”



Demon rum

“If it takes alcohol on Sunday to get an Olive Garden I hope we never get one. We have enough trouble Monday through Saturday with alcohol as it is. Alcohol is the devil, and I wish Lowndes County was dry.”



Bring back tracks

“Valdosta doesn’t need more restaurants. What Valdosta needs is a motor speedway or at least another dirt track. I want Thunder Bowl back and so do some others. You can make a killing with a racetrack.”



Simple view

“What an overly generalized view of divorce! So, do you really believe that? In my case my ex-husband consumed a bottle of gin every day. I slept in the bathtub and in closets to get away from him. I finally got the nerve to leave after my son was born. Do you think I deserve nothing?”