Change the name of the Rainwater Conference Center

Published 9:00 am Sunday, July 16, 2017

When I think of the late Valdosta City Mayor James H. Rainwater (Jimmy Rainwater to most), I can’t help but to think how great an ambassador he was for this city. Everywhere he went and every time he spoke, he promoted what a great area of the state we lived in. The late Mayor Rainwater would talk about the opportunities our city offered and the great quality of life one could enjoy by living in the Azalea City. 

So why do I suggest a name change for the conference center? Well, it’s simple. The conference center does not practice the belief that the late mayor had regarding fairness and opportunity. One would think that if you worked hard, followed the rules, and got a good education, then you would at least be given a fair chance to advance yourself in the building named after a person that promoted fairness and opportunity. Apparently this is not the case at the Rainwater Conference Center.

Playing by the rules does not matter, getting a good education does not matter, being an outstanding employee matters even less. I’m appalled at the unfair labor practices being conducted at the conference center, that bears the name James H. Rainwater, where rules are made up as they see fit and every employee is treated differently.

So, if a building is going to bear the name of a person, it only makes sense that the actions of those in charge of the building conduct themselves in a manner that the name bearer would appreciate and be proud of. So maybe a name change is warranted.

J.D. Rice, Valdosta