Dear Editor,
Lately, I have had many people come to me with questions concerning Governor Nathan Deal, whom I had the honor of volunteering for, and his recent decisions regarding the HOPE Scholarship.
The scholarship was created in 1993 by former Governor Zell Miller, and it is a merit based higher educational scholarship that is funded entirely by the revenue from the Georgia Lottery. Students who had at least a 3.0 grade point average and attended college within the state were eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship. But, after several years and a bad economy, this is simply not possible anymore.
When this scholarship was first established, only 66 thousand students were covered, but now, more than 200 thousand students are covered. That is a big difference.
[Full Story »]
Opinions - Topics from March, 2011
Troubled over commission’s decision
For the past week The News-Banner has been in a battle to retrieve a document from the Appling County Board of Commissioners or the Appling County Recreation Authority, which is reportedly some type of settlement agreement for Appling County Recreation Director Michael Coleman in return for his resignation. County attorney Bob Highsmith has cited the attorney/client provision in the Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-2(e)), in that the settlement agreement is still in negotiations as the reasoning that the request is not being honored at this time.
[Full Story »]
Bad traffic and bad weather!
When three months passed without seeing our grandchildren, Larry and I realized that we had to go to Atlanta. If our various aches and pain intensified with travel, so be it. We had to go. We’ve never been away from them this long in their lives before, but this year has been difficult. Calvin and Julie had assorted surgeries, and then my shoulder fell apart. We couldn’t seem to get together except on Skype on the computer. I admit that this program is wonderful. We can see each other and talk, but it’s just not the same as being there. We can’t reach into cyberspace for hugs or snuggle on the biggest bed in the house to read the Berenstain Bears before going off to sleep. We left Baxley around noon on Friday, Atlanta bound.
[Full Story »]
A super sunset and a super moon
B. J. and I love to stroll on beaches under a full moon. We have been on beaches under full moons from Hawaii to Naples, Italy. It is a wonderful feeling and we love it. Perhaps the only feeling that equals being on a beautiful beach under a full moon is being on a Caribbean cruise under a full moon.
[Full Story »]
Concerned that pants are too low
Dear Editor,
My family in Baxley and in various states enjoys your coverage of the news in Baxley and in Appling County; and we appreciate your telling “both sides of the story.” [Full Story »]
My family in Baxley and in various states enjoys your coverage of the news in Baxley and in Appling County; and we appreciate your telling “both sides of the story.” [Full Story »]
Who has believed our report?
Dear Editor,
Can’t you see God is speaking and we are not listening? We want everything our way. We haven’t heard a word He is saying through His works. Are you listening? Why can’t we see that we are not in control? [Full Story »]
Can’t you see God is speaking and we are not listening? We want everything our way. We haven’t heard a word He is saying through His works. Are you listening? Why can’t we see that we are not in control? [Full Story »]
Prevention of Medicare fraud
Dear Editor,
Today, I read that our retired and current retired state employees are faced with an increase in the cost of their health benefit programs. In the same paper, the elimination in vital programs in our children’s education curriculum are required due to budget deficits. Teachers, law enforcement personnel and other public government employees are being furloughed or their positions eliminated because our reduced resources mandate these actions. [Full Story »]
Today, I read that our retired and current retired state employees are faced with an increase in the cost of their health benefit programs. In the same paper, the elimination in vital programs in our children’s education curriculum are required due to budget deficits. Teachers, law enforcement personnel and other public government employees are being furloughed or their positions eliminated because our reduced resources mandate these actions. [Full Story »]
Enforce Sunshine Law
(Editor’s note: The following is an editorial written by the staff of the Savannah Morning News and published on March 14.)
PARENTS MAY stress the concept of personal safety to their children, but for some kids, the idea of “don’t touch the hot stove” never really comes home until they singe their fingertips.
It’s a succinct, powerful lesson: Break the rule, get burned. [Full Story »]
PARENTS MAY stress the concept of personal safety to their children, but for some kids, the idea of “don’t touch the hot stove” never really comes home until they singe their fingertips.
It’s a succinct, powerful lesson: Break the rule, get burned. [Full Story »]
Sharing with Jordan
Now and again I feel the need to relinquish my space for a week and share the words of one of my students with my readers. Such is the case this week. Jordan Taylor is one of my seniors and a most delightful student. She loves reading, literature in general, and writing. She’s also an excellent writer as you will discover in the following piece. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
[Full Story »]
An exciting new dish
One day last week, the temperature on St. Simons rose to eighty-four degrees. Beach walking has been great and B. J. and I are getting into it good. We have made several long strolls along the strand both by ourselves and with friends However, one of those strolls did develop into a leisurely shell-collecting ramble. We love to collect shells. We have a collection of seashells from beaches in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
[Full Story »]
“It will take all to make sure we get funding”
Dear Jamie,
As you know, I am not one to write to you as Editor so this is new territory for me. However, I feel the need to express my feelings of support for Congressman Jack Kingston who has been under attack lately because funding for the deepening of the Savannah River channel has not been “ear marked”. [Full Story »]
As you know, I am not one to write to you as Editor so this is new territory for me. However, I feel the need to express my feelings of support for Congressman Jack Kingston who has been under attack lately because funding for the deepening of the Savannah River channel has not been “ear marked”. [Full Story »]
New life
Spring is without a doubt my favorite time of year. It’s as if new life is brimming everywhere you turn. Have you noticed the Bradford Pears around town? The white blooms have been beautiful this year. In addition, it will not be long until the azaleas will also be in full bloom.
[Full Story »]
“You worthless piece of machinery”
This morning when the alarm clock sounded, I glared at its red face. I knew it was lying to me, telling me the time was 7 o’clock. Its face should have been red with shame. My body knew though, knew perfectly well that it was only 6 a.m. My inner clock is much more reliable than the one that runs my life, the electric one beside my bed. My bleary eyes were in no condition to open. The covers held me captive, and not even the thought of a hot cup of coffee enticed me to crawl from between my cozy flannel sheets.
[Full Story »]
The cooking out season begins
Charles Adams, the present efficient and popular superintendent of Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island, and his amiable wife Millie have been our good friends for a long time. At first, our relationship was strictly professional. He was our district superintendent in the Statesboro District of the United Methodist Church. When Charles discovered that I was a fair cook, I was appointed district cook every year at the setup meeting held annually at the Tattnall Campground in Tattnall County.
[Full Story »]
News from Rep. Smith
Friday, March 11th, completed the twenty-eighth day of the Georgia General Assembly’s 2011 legislative session. Two of the biggest and most important issues facing Georgia and local communities are the immigration bill and the HOPE Scholarship Program. I, along with a number of rural legislators, are making a strong effort to insure that the immigration bill, when it is finalized, does not have the unintended effect of creating a beauracy with complicated regulations and unnecessary paperwork placed on farmers, that would make it difficult for them to hire immigrant labor with legal status. Legal immigrants have provided required labor for the blueberry and cotton industry as well as other types of farming. This has a direct impact on our local businesses and area economy. There will be more on this important issue as it unfolds this week, in our next report.
[Full Story »]
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