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- Wednesday, May 22, 2013 DAWSONVILLE, GA
Archive By Section - Opinion: Letters/Columns
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.
Deforestation not welcomed
For the last three months, we have awakened to the sounds of heavy equipment clearing trees in the neighborhood. Hundreds and hundreds of acres have been cleared from Frank Bruce Road through to Hwy. 136 and further west just below Hwy. 9.
Business owner takes time to donate to worthy cause
I don't know much about Blake Adams but I like him. Adams owns the Subway restaurant at the end of Ga. 400, at the intersection with Hwy. 60.
Menu not threatening longevity of women
I read several news reports recently about a study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington and the Imperial College in London that says while women are still expected to live longer than men, the gap is closing. The study concludes that life expectancy for women in Georgia increased by a little less than three years while men increased more than five-and-a-half years.
It all happened so gradually
This age of instant gratification also works in reverse: Whether results are good or bad, if we don't see them immediately or looming in the near future, we don't believe anything is happening. Man-made activities that affect the world environment have happened and are happening so gradually that it is easy to deny any effect, especially if we do not want to make changes.
Methodists more than a match for secularists
I received a press release last week from the Secular Coalition for America, a group of "atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers and other nontheistic Americans" announcing plans to establish a chapter in Georgia to lobby state lawmakers. Among the things they don't like in our state are the annual Clergy Day at the state capitol and a law that "requires" that "In God We Trust" be printed on license plates.
What to consider before voting on T-SPLOST
Many of you have called wanting to discuss the upcoming referendum on the 1 cent transportation sales tax, T-SPLOST. I have learned that not all of you will vote for the tax in spite of it being pushed by most local governments and chambers of commerce.
Golden Isles don’t need any approval
Have you ever heard of Florida International University? I must admit they don't come to mind when talking about institutions of higher learning. Perhaps that is because I think first of the University of Georgia, the oldest state-chartered university in the nation, located in Athens, the Classic City of the South, current state football champions and home to 18 Rhodes Scholars. Woof! Woof! OK, maybe FIU has more students than UGA but so does University ...
Violence is a reality I try to avoid
Obviously, if one is aware of the popularity of "The Avengers" and similar movies, I am a minority when I decry violence in movies, television, video games, etc. But I usually just don't watch it. Sweat and tears I can abide, but scratch the blood.
Tax exemption puts ‘happy’ back into happy birthday
During the 2012 Legislative Session, the Georgia General Assembly adopted HB 386, a comprehensive tax package aimed at creating a friendlier tax structure for Georgia families and businesses. One of the most discussed portions of House Bill 386 will eliminate the "birthday tax" Georgians pay on vehicles each year.
Think twice about apartment project
As an ex-city council member and ex-county commissioner, I understand some of what things cost and what pays in Dawson County. For instance, what it costs per person in Dawson County for infrastructure.
Alliance continues meeting needs of Dawson community
You may have been aware of the Alliance of Churches of Dawson County as that group has prepared and served "open house" Thanksgiving dinners for the past two years. The dinners were especially for families who currently could not provide such a feast for themselves and for individuals who might otherwise be alone on that holiday. The alliance is now offering assistance to those same citizens who may need minor home repairs.
The debt we will never be able to repay
My father turns 92 next week. In college he felt bad things were going to happen so he joined the Navy. Two months later the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He spent the next four years fighting in the Pacific.
Articles by Section - Opinion: Letters/Columns
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.
Knocking down the silos
I stood on an oil rig miles off the coast of Africa as the final pipe joints were pulled from a just completed well. The mood was somber because we had not found oil. The following week I sat in an uncomfortable meeting where our corporate vice president declared my efforts had resulted in the driest well in years. Back in my office overlooking the beautiful San Francisco hills I pondered what to do next with the project.
Skeeter not impressed with reform
When the phone rang, I knew who was on the other end: Skeeter Skates, owner of Skeeter's Tree Stump Removal and Plow Repair in Greater Metropolitan Pooler. I can't tell you exactly why but the phone always sounds more urgent when Skeeter calls. One thing about Skeeter Skates. He gets right to the point. Niceties aren't his style.
The final countdown
In January, the Georgia State Senate started the first term of the 152nd legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly with a challenging task list. We were asked to find a way to fill a large anticipated Medicaid shortfall, evaluate the ethical behavior of elected officials, do more with less in the state budget, revamp the state's juvenile justice system, clarify points from 2012's tax code overhaul and find ways to expand access to higher ...
Some more learnings to share
In my last column, I shared some observations about current happenings and promised some more. So here they are. As Christians observed Holy Week leading to Easter, one of the emphases has been on service and sacrifice.
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