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Letters to the Editor
March 11, 2008
Dear Editor:
Some people think that due to the drought, they should not plant at all. This is not true. Changes in water restrictions now allow more flexibility for homeowners and gardeners.
We must not be ‘drop-wise and bucket foolish’ to paraphrase an old saying. Groundcovers, turf, trees and shrubs help keep our watersheds healthy by reducing flooding, pollution and erosion. Plants are critical to reducing the impact of development and pavement on rivers and streams. And let’s not forget that vegetation, especially trees, and especially trees in our cities, reduces the heat island effect and improves air quality.
Besides the environmental benefits, everyone understands and appreciates the beauty and value landscaping adds to our homes and property.
Spring is here. I encourage everyone to plant something. Horticulturists at nurseries and garden centers are available to help customers select plants, instruct them on how to prepare the soil, how to mulch, and how to efficiently and adequately apply water. Selecting the right plants and installing them properly will greatly reduce the amount of water your home landscape needs. Yes, gardening during times of drought may require a little more research and even a little more creativity and effort, but it is worth it.
The benefits of planting trees, shrubs and other plants are enormous. You will feel better, too, knowing that you are helping the environment, providing homes for wildlife, making Georgia more beautiful, and providing shade and oxygen for thankful generations to come.
Sincerely,
Tommy Irvin
Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture
January 11, 2008
To the Editor,
re: American Injustice for Marion Jones
I continue to be amazed at how our country differentiates between steroids and tobacco.
Last year three different federal agencies told me that they had no record of a death by steroids. However, 450,000 die premature and painful tobacco related deaths in the U.S. annually.
It’s estimated that 6,000,000 plus (unless smoking declines) U.S. kids under the age 18 alive today will ultimately die from smoking.
Even President Bush preached about steroids in one of his State of the Union Addresses, but never sacred “tobacco.”
An act of hypocrisy for Gold Medal winner Marion Jones to be placed in jail, while the CEO of a death trade tobacco business serves on the board The United Way.
When will our toady political leaders return their bloody “gold medals” to the all-time cheater of life Big, Bully, and Brutal Tobacco?
I could never jail a person for steroid use, while tobacco is legal and on the loose.
With compassion,
Mike Sawyer
Executive Director
I Will Never Use Tobacco, Inc. 501 (c) (3)
Birmingham, Alabama
January 6, 2008
To the Editor:
The students and PTA of Peachtree Elementary want to thank you for helping to promote our book drive for the Norcross Cooperative Ministries. The students in the Norcross Cluster, as well as several area businesses, collected more than 2,300 books for the needy kids in our area. I personally noticed that many of the books were for young adults and teens, not just for preschoolers. Perhaps this will spark of a love of reading for some of these children.
Again, we appreciate your help with this project. We are proud of our students, who are beginning a lifetime of service to the community.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Hale
Peachtree Elementary PTA secretary
December 20, 2007
To the Editor:
Tax Proposals in the Upcoming Legislative Session
This legislative year, there will be numerous tax plans proposed in the Georgia General Assembly promising tax reform. Be leery of the six second sound bite, which may be enticing, but at a closer look may be seriously and fatally flawed.
In some instances, what may appear as a tax cut is actually a tax shift. For some elderly who are already exempt from school taxes, some proposals would actually mean a tax increase.
The Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) is on record as supporting comprehensive tax reform. GSBA supports the creation of a commission to truly study tax reform done right - thoughtfully and openly. Recommendations from the commission must be made with a clear and unbiased understanding of the economic and governance impact new or revised taxes could have on local communities.
We have made suggestions on tax reform to legislative study committees, including but not limited to, creating a sunset committee to review tax exemptions and freezing any new exemptions. We have met frequently with those state leaders who would listen and have attempted to meet with those who would not.
The 1.6 million children of Georgia currently enrolled in our public schools cannot vote but their voices must be heard. If we all remain silent or passive, then surely they will be short changed and we will be negligent in our responsibility to provide them with the best education possible.
For years, school systems have been faced with cuts in state funding, unfunded mandates at the State and Federal level, and underfunding of basic education program expenses.
To cite just a very few:
Since local school systems have received no state funding for technology since 2002, local property taxes have paid for any local technology initiatives.
The State has provided 28% of the cost of textbooks. Local property taxes pay for 72% of all textbooks used by students in our school systems. Some systems have delayed the purchase of textbooks because of lack of funds.
The cost of purchasing buses, the fuel, drivers, etc., is funded primarily by local property taxes. The State pays only 28 % of these expenses; local communities pay 72%.
Many of the proposed tax initiatives aggravate an already dire situation where the proportion of State funds is shrinking and local dollars must make up the shortfall, or pay for needed programs. Some of these initiatives also threaten the way local dollars are used. For example, local dollars help pay for programs such as elementary art, music, foreign language and physical education and all teacher salary supplements and local professional development.
Finally, several years ago, Governor Perdue established a Task Force (IE2) under the capable leadership of businessman Dean Alford to define what excellence in public education looks like and how much should it cost. The Task Force is in the process of completing its work. How can there be serious discussion concerning funding public education and taxation until the General Assembly receives the funding recommendations from the Task Force?
If the ability to fund schools at the local level did not exist, and state and federal unfunded mandates continue as well as underfunding of programs, what course of action would local officials face when shortfalls in funding occur?
It is critical that you pay attention to what is being said and seriously study the issues. It is also important that you encourage your legislators to make wise decisions that could impact the education of Georgia's children for years to come.
Jeannie M. (Sis) Henry, Executive Director
Georgia School Boards Association
5120 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville
December 4, 2007
To the Editor:
"Over the Limit, Under Arrest"
Georgia's Operation Zero Tolerance
Drunk driving is still one of America’s deadliest crimes. And this travel period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is still one of the deadliest and most dangerous times to be on America’s roadways due to the increase in holiday partying and impaired driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA) 1,076 people were killed nationwide in December last year in crashes involving drivers with illegal Blood Alcohol Concentrations (BAC) of .08 or above.
The BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of .08 is the point at which the fatal crash risk significantly increases and virtually everyone is seriously impaired. At that point, all of the critical driving skills are affected: braking, steering, lane changing, judgment and response time.
Most motorists don’t realize the risk of a driver dying in a crash at .08 BAC is at least 11 times that of drivers without alcohol in their system! That’s why driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in every state.
Yet too many people still ignore the law. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, more than 1.3 million people were arrested for driving under the influence during 2005.
Why? Because way too many people still believe you have to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to safely drive. And that’s where Georgia’s new “Over The Limit. Under Arrest” campaign comes in. Research proves that high visibility enforcement, coupled with focused media attention, results in reduced impaired driving crashes and fatalities. In Georgia, we call that Operation ZERO TOLERANCE.. OZT.
Georgia’s OZT holiday enforcement crackdown is scheduled to begin Friday, December 14 and run through Tuesday, January 1, 2008. Georgia will mobilize along with the thousands of local and state law enforcement agencies nationwide. And in Georgia alone, more than 500 police departments, sheriff’s offices and State Patrol Posts will set up sobriety checkpoints and run concentrated patrols on our roadways and interstates.
Drunk driving is deadly serious and it’s against the law. If you drive drunk this holiday season, you will be caught and you will go to jail. Violators will be spending their December paychecks on bail, court, lawyers and towing fees instead of holiday presents. No amount of good cheer can save you from the consequences of impaired driving. Don’t take the chance. Remember: Over The Limit. Under Arrest.
Bob Dallas, Director
Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety
For more information, visit
www.StopImpairedDriving.org
October 9, 2007
To the Editor:
Ron Paul may be the Candidate who breaks through. His campaign has turned into the most significant Pro-Freedom mass movement in modern American history.
Ron Paul, called 'Modern-Day Founding Father', excites and inspires grassroots America in a way not seen since Ron Reagan. After the first Republican debate, Paul was most "googled" and "yahooed" person on the Internet in May and June 2007. At meetup.com, over 52,000 Americans are signed up for local meetups. (Romney & Guiliani each have less than 20). Dr. Paul notes that many in his meetup groups and attending rallies are young supporters who read and learn about Freedom while supporting him.
One young Paul organizer said, "He's the only Republican running on a humble foreign policy, meaning no nation building; a true defender of our Constitution. His message of freedom and liberty is gaining him popularity daily. He's more like Reagan than any other candidate, and the only Republican I'd vote for."
Patriotic "Paulies" create flyers, buy yard signs, make banners, and with a depth of concern for America, make personal campaigning for Freedom a young and vibrant 'Hope For America' Revolution!
Perhaps with Ron Paul, Freedom has a chance!
Tami Freedman
Rossville, GA
September 24, 2007
To the Editor:
Just when I thought there was not much more I could read about that would horrify me I see the story about a monster from Lawrenceville Georgia. This sick low life is said to have captured cats and kittens, cause injury to them and then feed them (still alive) to his Pit Bulls. How could this have happened? Where are the people in Lawrenceville Georgia who watch out for the animals? It’s not like Lawrenceville is some huge cosmopolitan city. How is it that this sick psychopath was allowed to walk around? I could only hope that justice will be served and the authorities in Lawrenceville will take this piece of crap and cause (severe) injury to him then feed him alive to some wild animals. Just before, of course, he is publicly castrated all while being filmed on someone’s cell phone.
Barbara Israel
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