College dean earned a lifetime of respect

In one of my favorite Merle Haggard songs, "Okie From Muskogee," Haggard writes about the local college saying "Football's still the roughest thing on campus and the kids there still respect the college dean." Herbert Robinson was the first dean of what was then Gainesville Junior College. They didn't have football, but I am quite confident the kids truly respected the college dean.

Some things I will miss

And others I won't. As the community recently paid respects and said final farewell to beloved members Charles Finley and Dr. Herbert Robinson, many were aware of what they personally would miss with these two gone.

Strengthen the S.T.E.M.

I knew the adults were upset again. I had first seen it when I was very young living in Cuba. The Castro revolution had advanced to the Navy base perimeter and the adults were tense. Military families left Cuba shortly thereafter.

Recent trip a reminder to take nothing for granted

I have just returned from a memorable trip to Valdosta. I went there to speak to the Rotary Club. The members laughed in all the right places, which not only was memorable, but downright remarkable. What made the trip even more special were two visits I made while there. I dropped by to see my beloved college professor, Dr. Raymond Cook on his 93rd birthday. My detractors will find little comfort in this but I ...

Airport authority necessary?

One of the most contentious issues facing Dawson County has been the conversion of Elliott Field to a regional airport. All studies have concluded this is not a suitable location for such a facility and the vast majority of the areas residents are opposed to such a drastic transformation.

Officials wasteful with tax dollars

The courthouse is beautiful, right? Most agree that it is. Just like a large diamond ring, it is beautiful to see. But in these strained economic times neither is practical. In 2007 (economic boom times) the voters approved SPLOST V by a large percentage of those few who voted.

I am now certified

Would you allow an unlicensed electrician to install a bug zapper in your living room? Would you let an unlicensed plumber unclog the throne in your reading room?

Correct decisions made for government center

I saw a candidate sign that seemed to me to say that our new county courthouse was wasteful government spending and that the county could have gotten along just fine with what we had. People that used our old building or tried to keep it going know that the now gone courthouse was too small and at the end of its useful life and that it had no architectural value that warranted preservation.

The other side of what health care decision means to Georgia

Last week Rep. Amos Amerson (Republican, 9th District) wrote about the Supreme Court Decision to uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, or ObamaCare as the Republicans like to call it. He called it a tax that would fall primarily on young people and the poor people who can't afford it.

Everybody is talking about …

Of course, everyone talks about the weather, although we can't control it. Records substantiate our complaints about the heat: It really hadn't been that hot on any other Independence Day - all over the country.

Plum Nelly Pitts: Higgs boson won’t fix stupid

News bulletin: Scientists working at the world's biggest atom smasher near Geneva have announced the discovery of a new subatomic particle that looks remarkably like the long-sought Higgs boson. Sometimes called the "God particle" because its existence is fundamental to the creation of the universe, the hunt for the Higgs involved thousands of scientists from all over the world.

What the Supreme Court decisions mean to Georgia

Recently the United States Supreme Court issued rulings and then ran for cover. Not all of the rulings were generally acceptable to ordinary citizens, particularly to those living in the 28 states which had opposed "The Affordable Care Act," commonly referred to as ObamaCare.

Safe boating needs a priority for Lanier

In boating vernacular, "setting a course" means to plot one's journey before raising the sails in hopes of arriving at one's destination safely. As the chairman of the board for Islands Management Company, the entity responsible for the operations of Lake Lanier Islands Resort, I feel it is high time we - as a cohesive community -proactively set our course for a safer Lake Sidney Lanier together. The recent tragedy on the lake that resulted ...

Congratulations Judge Gosselin

On behalf of the State Bar of Georgia, I am writing to congratulate Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Kathlene F. Gosselin on her appointment by Chief Justice George H. Carley of the Supreme Court of Georgia to serve on the newly formed Accountability Court Funding Committee. Judge Gosselin will have the opportunity to have a positive, lasting impact on Georgia's justice system through her service on the committee, which is part of the state's ...

We don’t find lobby reform ‘silly’

Everyone seems comfortable with the relationship between lawmakers and lizard-loafered lobbyists except We the Unwashed. But, then, what do we know? Rep. Don Parsons, R-Cobb County, a seven-term member of the House, views the fuss over trying to curb unlimited lobbying expenditures as "silly." Parsons has some serious competition in the Republican primary. I would have suggested he employ a more appropriate term. Most of us don't find this matter to be silly.

Mayor mulls run against Gov. Deal

David Pennington, the mayor of Dalton, is making noises about challenging incumbent Gov. Nathan Deal in the 2014 Republican primary. Say what?

Session has ended

The legislative session has ended, and Gov. Nathan Deal has now either signed or vetoed every bill that passed the General Assembly.

What’s next for Georgia?

The debate surrounding second amendment rights received national attention a few weeks ago as the U.S. Senate voted down a bill that would require expanded background checks for firearm purchases.

Senior triumphs, inspires

Thankful for the community support

We just wanted to say thank you to everyone who supported the Lady Tigers basketball team this season.

The continued budget cuts

Senator Gooch recently wrote about the final budget for Georgia for fiscal year 2014.

Concert supports recovery

Relay for Life is a stunning example of what the caring, compassionate and hard-working people who live in Dawson County can accomplish.

Nothing to do but dress as Big Bird

RING! RING!

Ensuring returns on state’s transportation investment

When I was named chair of the Senate Transportation Committee in January, it was becoming clear that there could be some struggles with producing a balanced FY 2014 budget for Georgia.

Brings back memories of Atlanta attack

When the terrorist attacks occurred in Boston during the running of the Boston Marathon, memories came flooding back of our own dark days in Atlanta. It was 17 years ago, July 27, 1996, when those of us who were a part of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games had our worst fears realized. A pipe bomb detonated in the Centennial Olympic Park during the middle weekend of that worldwide celebration, killing two people and ...

You never really get back home

A friend and I met up in the massive Frankfurt airport's central lobby just by coincidence.

Education, Medicaid are areas of concern

One of the most challenging tasks the Georgia General Assembly takes on each year is sorting through the state's finances. Unlike legislation, the budget isn't something that can be carried over to the next biennial year.

Does this column sound familiar?

Has it really been 43 years since the first "Earth Day?" I remember it well; that's when I became an environmentalist.

Legislators need a push

It turns out that you can go home again. I recently established a chair in crisis communications leadership at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communi­cations at my beloved University of Georgia. UGA President-elect Jere Morehead, along with Dink NeSmith, chairman of the Board of Regents came for the ceremony and both made my family and me feel warmly welcomed on campus. That is something we haven't felt at my alma mater for a long time.

Team is UGA’s best-kept secret

They are the best University of Georgia athletic team you have likely never heard of. They have won five national titles and go into next week's national championships one of the favorites to win it all again.