No person shall be eligible as a write-in candidate in a general
or special election if such person was a candidate for nomination or
election to the same office in the immediately preceding primary.
I’m just an older, working man that lives in our fair city of
Valdosta. I have children and grandchildren that live, work and go to
school in Lowndes County. After looking at the information available, and
doing some research in my limited spare time, I’ve come to the
conclusion that this proposed biomass facility that the Industrial
Authority is trying to push through is a really bad idea. The pollution
that will continuously pour from the plant will create cancers, heart and
respiratory disease, as well as seriously aggravating chronic conditions
such as asthma. Children are especially at risk, and there are two schools
within a mile of the plant site, not to mention all the homes.
I wonder if there is any way for the Industrial Authority, County Commission
and City Council to now do the right thing for Lowndes County.
How can they save face?
Reading the scientific data makes it clear that an error was made,
and clearly this data wasn’t made available to those who have been
charged with finding appropriate industry for us,
industry that will raise the quality of life for the citizens of Lowndes County
by providing good jobs.
They can be excused for an industry that provides only a few jobs.
Jobs are jobs, after all. But how can we help them apologize to all
of us and thank those citizens who have spent so many hours
of their own time gathering information and providing a forum to educate us?
I wish it were possible.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has said that violent offenders will remain
behind bars, but the state needs to rethink the costs of locking up
others, like nonviolent drug offenders.
Approximately three hundred marchers converged onto the steps of the
Brooks County Courthouse to send a public message that voter intimidation
and voter disenfranchisement will not be tolerated.
This story has flown under the radar of the mainstream media, but the GBI
in conjunction with Republican J. David Miller, the district attorney for
the Southern Judicial District that represent majority-African-American
towns such as Thomasville, Moultrie, Valdosta and Alma, is preparing
to move forward in the targeting of ten African-American Brooks County
citizens, otherwise known as the “Quitman 10”.
Former VLCIA Executive Director decides based on rants in the VDT
to come say “I trust in you” and
“If it turns out to be wrong, then we live with that.”
“I made a decision that although I’m concerned about a lot of things,
and I’m concerned about anything….
I have to trust those people who are in those positions
will do their homework and make the right decision.
Then I will live with that.
If it turns out to be wrong, then we live with that.
What bothered me was when I started reading in the paper
about the veiled threats.
The personal issues.
…
When I started reading about veiled threats.
When I started reading about people being chastised because
they didn’t accept a brochure or some literature.
You know, that bothered me.
Then when I read one of the rants about it;
they wondered how you folks were chosen.
If you don’t know how these people are chosen….
They ought to do their basic homework.
But I’m here tonight to say that:
I’ve looked at it; I’ve researched it; I don’t always agree
with all the things the authority does… but I trust in you….”
Update 2014-03-31:VDT wrote 3 March 2014 that Garren joined VLCIA after Sterling Chemical came in.
Then he praises Sterling Chemical which came in on his watch,
and while Norman Bennett (currently on the VLCIA)
was Chairman of the County Commission.
See for yourself:
In the current fashion he begins by saying when he first moved here
(1965).
Is that what’s required these days to be worth listening to?
Continue reading →
Bobbi Anne Hancock asked a question at the VLCIA board meeting 18 Jan 2011,
and Chairman Jerry Jennett explained that he’s a businessman,
not a scientist, he has to trust the experts, and he’s not prepared
to answer questions.
He says she can state a position, though, and she does so.
See it for yourself:
Apologies for missing the first part, and for the muddy sound.
Professional staff of a tax-funded organization could probably
do a far better job of taking and publishing videos than
a tiny all-volunteer activist organizations such as LAKE.
Video by John S. Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
I was recently reading “Masterpieces of Eloquence,” which includes a
speech delivered by the fourth Earl of Chesterfield to the House of Lords in
Feb., 1743. “The bill now under our consideration appears to me to deserve a
much closer regard than seems to have been paid to it in the other House,
through which it was hurried with the utmost precipitation, and where it
passed almost without the formality of a debate. Nor can I think that
earnestness with which some lords seem inclined to press it forward here
consistent with the importance of the consequences which may with great
reason be expected from it.” He goes on to say, “surely it never before was
conceived, by any man entrusted with the administration of public affairs,
to raise taxes by the destruction of the people.”
I find this quote applies exactly, mutatis mutandis, to the present
situation. The effects of these toxic chemicals are far more devastating to
my mind than the effects of gin. The science panel assembled by Michael is
more credible than the assurances of the industrial authority expert. In
fact, the emissions from the plant are so close to the permit threshold that
they could easily exceed that threshhold on occasion. Would the IA expert
then continue to hold the position that there is “No health hazard to the
public?” I don’t think anyone who favors the proposal is aware of the
enormity that could result if the plant goes into operation. They have left
the public health out of their equation. They have just enough science, they
think, to push the deal through over the objections of an easily deceived
public.
The
recent biomass meeting
was a great example of democracy in
action. Concerned citizens gave up an evening to educate themselves
and it was heartening to see many in the audience participate. I’m
no political scientist, but this must be what the founders of the
constitution had in mind in conceiving that document.
The evening was not without controversy. Several speakers spoke
passionately, even vehemently, prompting someone to question the tone
of some on the anti-biomass side. One wonders how closely he follows
events in the area?
Valdostans are frustrated at the blatantly anti-democratic tactics
employed by local government that result in our getting things rammed
down our throats. Biomass is just the latest example.
Calling investigative reporters: here’s a trail of fishy behavior in the Brooks County elections.
George Rhynes brings up an interesting point in
Quitman Ten, Judge Porter’s decision, News Media Outlets, Is Another Investigation Needed, and can Justice Be Found in South Georgia?
The two write-in candidates in the general election
for the Brooks County Board of Education
were allowed to run despite a clear restriction in the Georgia code,
O.C.G.A. 21-2-133.
This restriction is mentioned in the Ga. Secretary of State
Candidate Training Guide:
