At the annual Black Tie Banquet of 100 Black Men of Valdosta on May 15,
Johnny P. Ball, III gave Community Service awards
Here is MC Donald Williams introducing the evening: Continue reading
On May 12, the Valdosta Daily Times (VDT) published
Expansion No Go:
No additional commissioners this year.
About that, John S. Quarterman sent this letter to the editor (LTE) yesterday:
I see by the VDT that the current County Commission’s plan to expand the commission by adding two super districts failed in the legislature on a technicality. This pause provides useful time to see if there might be a different strategy. It’s already 2010, and census data for redistricting should be available in spring of next year. That will take a lot of the guesswork out of redistricting.The VDT responded:While the voters said last year they were for commission expansion, it is not clear that people actually favor super districts, since no other option was on the ballot. Each current district has more people than the total population of several nearby counties. This makes commissioner elections needlessly expensive and less representative of the variety within Lowndes County. It’s never been clear to me how adding two larger districts solves that most basic problem, when there are other options available.
Lowndes County could use more commissioners, and the current Commission made a good try at that. Soon it will be the turn of a new Commission to try again.
John S. Quarterman is running for County Commission, District 2.
The editor has reviewed your letter. She did not approve your letter because as a candidate for office, we cannot run a letter to the editor from you as it is considered campaigning and we would have to give equal opportunities to the other candidates as well.Indeed he is, see www.JSQ4LCC.com. And as readers of On the LAKE Front are aware, he is also one of the founders of LAKE.
We understand the VDT has space constraints because it is primarily on paper. However, LAKE is online, and LAKE welcomes statements on this subject from any and all candidates. Send them in, and LAKE will post them, just like this one. Online, please: no paper, no fax. So lengths will be comparable, please keep it to 250 words, like a VDT LTE. Send a picture of yourself if you want to.
Principal Mrs. Mickie Fisher MCs a picnic on the grounds of Pine Grove Elementary (PGE) to celebrate its 140 years of operation before it moves to its new location. The last day of classes is Wednesday. First, hear former prinicpal Reuben Jenkins, Clerk or Courts Sara Crow, and especially the PGE Chorus: Continue reading
Video of people eating lunch and listening to jazz: Continue reading
Here’s a brief clip of a band playing at the Bennie’s Gallery: Continue reading
Deb Cox, Election Supervisor for Lowndes County, came to the Lowndes County Democratic Party Meeting last Monday.
She talked about new rules for voter registration, important dates, and redrawing county district lines.
Voter registration training materials are available at the Lowndes County Board of Elections at 2808 North Oak Street.
The meeting about re-drawing district lines in the county is scheduled for May 20th at 9:00 am at 2808 North Oak Street.
The Georgia Secretary of State web site has information about important election and voter registration dates and the rules for Voter Registration .
With fountains and bridges: Continue reading
Quantifying something we can all feel:
ScienceDaily (May 1, 2010) — How much “green exercise” produces the greatest improvement in mood and sense of personal well-being? A new study in the American Chemical Society’s semi-monthly journal Environmental Science & Technology has a surprising answer.The answer is likely to please people in a society with much to do but little time to do it: Just five minutes of exercise in a park, working in a backyard garden, on a nature trail, or other green space will benefit mental health.
All natural environments were beneficial including parks in urban settings. Green areas with water added something extra. A blue and green environment seems even better for health, Pretty noted.Here’s a link to a news blurb in the journal:
Pretty says that his goal with this study is not to provide just another recommendation for individuals but to provide data that can be used in policy discussions. Those data “could translate into what the landscape guidelines are for schools or for public housing,” says Nancy Wells, associate professor of community ecology at Cornell University.Here is a link to the actual article.
A video snippet of them playing: Continue reading
Gretchen found this in the public notices in the VDT:
5/5/2010The TIP is on the SGRC website.
gpn14The Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has developed the Draft Fiscal Year 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Valdosta Urbanized Area which includes all of Lowndes County and portions of Berrien and Lanier Counties.
This TIP is available for public review and comment from April 20, 2010 through June 3, 2010 at the Southern Georgia Regional Commission, 327 W. Savannah Ave.; the South Georgia Regional Library located at 300 Woodrow Wilson Dr.; the Valdosta City Hall located at 216 E. Central Ave.; the Lowndes County Administrative Offices located at 325 W. Savannah Ave.; or on the internet at www.sgrc.us/transportation; www.valdostacity.com; or www.lowndescounty.com.
A Public Open House will be held on Monday, May 17, 2010 from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Southern Georgia Regional Commission located at 327 W Savannah Ave., Valdosta, GA, for interested parties to view the document and ask questions of staff.
Comments are being accepted by email at chull@sgrc.us by fax at 229-333-5312, or by mailing them to VLMPO, 327 W Savannah Ave., Valdosta, GA 31601.
For more information, please call Corey Hull, MPO Coordinator at 229-333-5277.
23558663
04/25;05/16/10
Note this TIP is different from the longer-term 2035 Transportation Plan. The TIP is apparently for projects expected to be implemented in the next few years.
-jsq
John S. Quarterman