Georgia operates the fifth-largest prison system in the nation, at a
cost of $1 billion a year. The job of overseeing 60,000 inmates and
150,000 felons on probation consumes 1 of every 17 state dollars.
Last night was the second of the three forums
the Valdosta Board of Education (VBOE) approved
along with its
statement opposing school consolidation.
George Rhynes reports there were 300 people there,
and he videoed everybody who stood up and spoke.
Videos of last night’s Valdosta school forum by George Rhynes
education, referendum, consolidation, statement,
Forum at Valdosta Middle School, Valdosta Board of Education (VBOE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 20 September 2011.
Videos by George Boston Rhynes for bostongbr on YouTube.
Videos of last night’s Valdosta school forum by George Rhynes
education, referendum, consolidation, statement,
Forum at Valdosta Middle School, Valdosta Board of Education (VBOE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 20 September 2011.
Videos by George Boston Rhynes for bostongbr on YouTube.
the Lowndes County Commission could lead by making one of their famous
position statements, this time in favor of solar,
or by putting solar on the roofs of their buildings (solar on the jail! imagine that),
bringing in money to do so by
or by applying for grants,
or by making a project big enough to apply for private venture capital
from the at least two firms that are looking for such projects.
If the LCC won’t do it, how about solar Valdosta fire departments,
or solar Hahira tobacco barns?
This has been a great year for the Georgia Solar Energy Association,
too. Our membership has swelled to almost 300 corporate and individual
members. This number includes manufacturers, installers, integrators,
consultants and advocates who want to see Georgia benefit from an
industry that contributed more than $5 billion in economic activity to
the U.S. gross domestic product since 2008 and now employs more than
93,000 workers nationwide.
Our annual Southern Solar Summit in Atlanta this summer sold out, filling
the auditorium at the Georgia Tech Research Institute Conference Center
with Georgians eager to learn what innovations are making solar power
more accessible in Georgia and beyond. Another annual Solar Summit
in Savannah last month doubled its attendance this year, proving that
interest in solar has spread beyond metro Atlanta.
The 2011 Georgia Solar Tour will feature sites statewide. We hope that
some of the participants in this year’s tour will become hosts in
next year’s.
Georgia’s pardons board rejected a last-ditch clemency plea from death
row inmate Troy Davis on Tuesday despite high-profile support from figures
including the pope and
a former FBI director for the claim that he was
wrongly convicted of killing a police officer in 1989.
Davis is scheduled to die Wednesday by injection for the killing of
off-duty Savannah officer Mark MacPhail, who was slain while rushing to
help a homeless man being attacked. It is the fourth time in four years
that Davis’ execution has been scheduled by Georgia officials.
Steve Hayes, spokesman for the Board of Pardons and Paroles, said
VSU student Bobbi Anne Hancock asked Gov. Nathan Deal what was going on
with the selection process for a new president for Valdosta State University.
He went on at some length but I can’t quite make out whether he answered the
question.
What about VSU President selection? —Bobbi Anne Hancock to Nathan Deal @ VSU 16 September 2011
Student protesters,
Press Conference, Gov. Nathan Deal (VSU),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 16 September 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
What about Phil Kent? — Kathryn Grant to Gov. Deal @ VSU 16 Sep 2011
Student protesters,
Press Conference, Gov. Nathan Deal (VSU),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 16 September 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
South Georgia death penalty opponents took their protest to the governor
while he was in Valdosta.
Governor Deal was in Valdosta to tour VSU’s nursing college but death
penalty opponents confronted him about the upcoming execution of cop
killer Troy Davis.
A small group of demonstrators gathered a VSU to plead for clemency for
Troy Davis.
“We hope he uses his influence to the pardons and parole board to get
out get rid of this execution,” said Deandre Jones, the president of
the VSU’s NAACP college chapter.
Protesters approached the governor as he left the university center.
“The committee has followed the legal process and has gone through the
appellate court,” said Deal.
Davis’ execution is set for Wednesday for killing an off duty Savannah
police officer in 1989.
Possibly the last thing Gov. Nathan Deal expected to find at Valdosta
State University greeted him: student protesters!
Their main question was about the impending Sept. 21st execution of
Troy Anthony Davis,
about whom Amnesty International says there is too much doubt.
Student protesters greet Governor Nathan Deal at Valdosta State University, 16 Sep 2011.
Pictures by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.