The person that sent the rant about the officer at HMS apparently does not have a child attending school there. This officer has a bond with the students and the students trust him. He knows these kids’ behavior and who he needs to keep and eye on. I personally like having him there. To have different officers come in would be terrible. Leave HMS alone.



Anyone who believes Bush was responsible for rising gas prices or is responsible for falling gas prices needs to do some research.



I want to give Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) a great rave. In spite of the fact that he differs greatly with the present administration, he chastised Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for coming to his country and his district to criticize his president. For whatever reason he did this, I applaud him. It is one thing to be an American and criticize our leader, but don’t come to our house and do it. Chavez is a nut.



People, please — turn your head and look before changing lanes. There are such things as blind spots. Many thanks to the lady who ran me off the road on North Valdosta Road this morning while I was trying to go to work. Great way to start a week.



Next year, could the high schools and the city consider having their parades that use Patterson street scheduled for later in the day? It’s a bit ridiculous to block Patterson Street at 3 p.m. on Fridays when all VSU employees get off work at that exact time! Also, the general lack of publicity about such events doesn’t allow people to make alternate plans for travel. Not everyone has children in these schools and is informed about such events.



While your article on the fine people who protect our state forests was commendable, please see if you can get a group of them to patrol the needless destroying of trees for commercial buildings and homes in town. The puny little lollipop ones planted will never replace the beautiful and majestic oaks that die.



To the remark about knocking on your neighbor’s door and getting to know them: Have you seen the show “Desperate Housewives” or “Close To Home”? Your neighbors may not be who they seem.



Thanks to Wild Adventures for supporting our local talent. Daddy’s Money was awesome. Charlie Walker and his sidekick, Jim Morgan, do a lot for our community, and let’s not forget about Lloyd. Way to go, Wild Adventures.



As with all school functions, students are expected to follow school rules. If they break rules at the football games, then they have to suffer the consequences at school the following day. So parents, beware if you drop your kids off at games. Be prepared to suffer along with your children.



What makes you think if these children had parents with them at the games they would behave any differently or even sit with them? Aren’t manners and good language learned at home first?



I do not have a child in HMS, but if I did with all the trouble in schools today, I would be happy a deputy was on duty. So quit griping and support the safety precautions schools have in place.



Charley Reese is right. He is a foreigner in his own country.