April 3, 2019 Page 5A
Reporter
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
by Don Daniel
I had all intentions of attending the Board of Education
open house last Friday to see the renovation of the old
BOE offices. So, I have to depend on the comments by
several who attended: impressive and well worth our
taxpayer money being used. Hopefully I can get a private
tour.
As you are aware, our school system and facilities are a
major selling point when the Development Authority of
Monroe County is trying to entice industries to plop down
an investment in Monroe County.
I have seen more growth, potential
growth and best of all, a work-
ing together amongst the leaders
attempting to take advantage of
growth instead of growth taking
advantage of us.
Yes, we are all impatient to see
growth to provide jobs but we are
not quite ready for the often strin-
gent and "where did that come
from?" proposed resolution adopt-
ing minimum standards for dwell-
ings, buildings and structures. I
have read the 20-page document
and have come to the conclusion
some parts of the resolution are
!i ii.i
:7
common sense but, on the other hand, Monroe County is
not quite ready for "Persons shall keep their property free of
weeds" and "owners and occupants of property shall not per-
mit weeds or grass within 50 feet of any building or structure
to grow on such property to a height exceeding 18 inches".
I don't think you should have to, but you just might have to
file an Open Records Request to get a copy of the resolution.
Go up to the commissioners' office and request a copy. A
special public hearing by the commissioners was likely to be
scheduled on Tuesday at the commission meeting. Show up
or shut-up.
And this from The Vent: Monroe County Commissioners
AKA (Also Known As) Monroe County HOA (Home Own-
ers Association)
I have often said and it is proven that when we don't govern
ourselves, we become governed and when we do not exercise
common sense, that common sense can and will be taken
away from us. Having worked and consulted with govern-
ments (except local) all over this state and nation, common
sense by governments is hard to acquire and implement.
Here's an update: Back in November, the Fabulous Five and
The Czar inadvertently discussed adopting county business
licenses. Well, it is still being studied like it has over the last
20 years.
Last week's front page headline, "Growth is back: County
getting more subdivisions" and stories by Will and Diane
should have been an above the fold and in 72 points, big
headline because it is indicative of the potential of Monroe
County and is finally being capitalized on. Go back and
read the first and second paragraphs and then read Will and
Diane's story.
Usually on Saturday or Sunday, I take a tour of Monroe
County, just riding all over the county to see what's going on.
We have a beautiful county, from rolling hills to wide open
pastures. I am usually surprised at the humongous homes
we have, many situated offthe beaten path and less trav-
eled road. You ought to take a Saturday or Sunday tour of
Monroe County.
JUST SHUT UP and listen is obviously still the mantra
of the board of education with freedom of expression and
speech still limited if you attend and want to speak/address
the BOE. Just in case you missed the story, individuals who
want to address the board will have to submit a written
request up to 15 minutes before the board meeting.
Guess if you raise your hand to speak without submitting
your request, you will be ignored and possibly be escorted
out of the meeting. Quite often as history has proven the
high and mighty have proven to themselves they are high
and mighty and the public be damned. Just wonder what
the board is afraid of by letting parents or whoever address
them.
I VISITED briefly the High Falls Civic Club meeting last
week and Sheriff Brad Freeman was the speaker. Wonder
why District 4 Commissioner George Emami, who repre-
sents the High Falls area, didn't show up. Several of his voters
asked the same question.
There were about 40 people listening to the Sheriffand all
were concerned with the "crime element" in the High Falls
area with the Sheriff revealing just enough information to let
High Fallians be assured the Monroe County Sheriff's' Office
is aware of the drug reputation of High Falls and there were/
are "things" going on to stem and even eradicate the High
Falls drug reputation.
LAST WEEK'S question was name at least three persons
to be inducted into the Forsyth/Monroe County Sports Hall
of Fame. Susan Parker was again the first to identify Harold
Clarke, Geraldine Ham and Tra Battle as being inducted.
Susan added a footnote to her answer: "Don, went by Re-
porter on Wednesday and got my $25 and certificate. Went
to the FFA plant sale at Mary Persons and spent that $25.
Believe in supporting the hometown. Thanks"
Susan gets the certificate for a dozen Dunkin Donuts,
Dairy Queen Blizzard, Whistle Stop fried green tomato
appetizer, Bolingbroke Sweet Tea dessert, slice of Shoney's
strawberry pie, slice of Jonah's pizza, sandwich, drink and
chips at The Pickled Okra and a Forsyth Main Street t-shirt.
Here's The Question for this week: On the front page of
Classified, in last week's paper, the Monroe County Commis-
sioners had an advertisement for hiring what position? First
correct e-mail after 12 noon on Thursday gets the certificate.
Donald Daniel is the founder and former publisher of The
Monroe County Reporter. Email him at mediadr@bellsouth.
net.
]
TO THE
To the Editor:
a member of the Forsyth Lions Club. Our
club is a community service organization who
provides help for people who have problems
their vision and can't afford to take care of it
themselves. We also give scholarships and donate to
other community causes. We actually do a lot in the
community!
Our problem is that all our members are getting
old and there is no one to replace us. In a few months
or maybe a year or two, Forsyth Lions Club will no
longer exist. What will happen to people who need
our services?
I think that is true of many of the traditional service
organizations and even some of the churches in our
community. Can we all be replaced by a "Go Fund
Me" page?
We are looking for younger people to be "Lions:' We
would be glad to have youl Join us on the 2nd and 4th
Mondays at Hong Kong Palace at 6 p.m. Although we
!
have a serious mission, we have a lot of fun too.
Sandra Monroe
Forsyth
To the Editor: honored the vote. We the American people are the ones
"1" A "T"hat is gong on with people? I was a teen supposed to be in charge. I did not vote for people to
] in the 70 s we were all about peace, love go and work for their agenda, I voted for people to get a
V and happiness. I have never in mylife jobdone. I research candidates and ifthey are running
seen the hatred people portray becauseon my beliefs, I vote for them. This circus in Wash-
of your political stance. I have always been involved in
my community. I am from Atlanta, moved to Forsyth
seven years ago. I have been voting since I was 18, I
have never been denied service from a business due
to my political bdiefs. I have never seen a President
treated the way our President has and is being treated.
What happened to honoring the vote, all sides working
together to get things done? I don't care how anyone
votes that is their business, but I know I have always
ington needs to stop, they all need to get to work for
the American people. When I went to school we were
taught that the media was unbiased and honest, what
you heard on the news was fact. Not anymore. However
you vote I don't care, but please tell the people you vote
for to work for the American people, not their agenda!
tinda Sanders
Forsyth
!
To the Editor:
It shouldn't come as a surprise
that I am responding to your
On the Porch column last
week. Your gloating is a sign
you are suffering from premature
adjudication.
The column was straight out of
the right-wing playbook and Fox
"Faux" News. I was not surprised
that Muel er did not find proof
beyond a reasonable doubt that
Trump did not collude. However,
he was not exonerated, either. I have
long believed that Trump is a mas-
ter mob boss and knows enough to
keep his hands dean while getting
the job done through vague lan-
guage, a wink and a nod.
Like a mob boss, Trump passed
the dirty work offto his underlings-
Manafort, Flynn, Cohen, Stone,
and the many others indicted for
their role. Then in the end, he found
his perfect foil, Bill Barr, who had
already dedared he did not believe
a President could obstruct. I will
always believe that Trump colluded
with Russia; it just wasn't proven.
I am not "insane" to believe that. I
know Trump obstructed. I am not
"insane" or "mentally ill" to believe
that either. We must see the full
Mueller Report to know the truth.
Bill Barr can only stall so long.
Obstruction is not a decision for
Bill Barr to make. The Constitution
placed that decision in the hands of
Congress. If it is proven that Trump
did not obstruct, then you can gloat.
Your assertion that a coup was
attempted against Trump is laugh-
able! As a former member of the
intelligence community myself, I
say unequivocally they were doing
their job. They did not "cook up"
an investigation. Their mission
is to protect our country against
enemies, foreign and domestic. I
took that oath, and everyone in the
government took that oath. Since
there was a mountain of evidence
suggesting Trumps collusion, they
would have been derelict in their
duties to ignore it. The same goes
for obstruction. Further, it is asinine
to claim that Democrats all got
together and concocted a coup or
as Trumps says, "a hoax,' requiring
tens of thousands of actors, even
some Russians, and tricked Trump
into saying things like, "Russia
if you're listening, find Hillary's
emails". It's obvious you don't know
much about Democrats.
Nothing has changed since Mark
Twain said, "I am not a member of
any organized political party. I am a
Democrat" Me, too!
You know I have more to say, but
my cruise ship horn is blowing. I'm
going to "plop" down on a deck
chair and practice the shark song
while George and I celebrate our
50th wedding anniversary with our
family.
Marilyn Langford
High Falls
To the Editor:
I decided to label your statement
in last week's On the Porch as
the quote of the week. "Take
Georgia's own Stacey Abrams.
I mean please, somebody take her"
Well said Will. I am very concerned
about our country.
On another note, I went to see the
movie presently playing in Macon,
"Unplanned." I did not want to
see it, but felt because of what I
do, I needed to see it. I was right.
It is graphic and the world needs
to see graphic, but even then some
will not change. I do understand
that only God can change a heart.
I do pray for that. May both Stacey
Abrams and those who are in the
mindset and path that Abby John-
son once was on, come to know the
God who places value on human
life. I pray that we can continue to
teach truth to Monroe County stu-
dents about relationships and life.
Movene Futch
Forsyth
To the Editor:
County Depart-
ment of Family and
Children Services
review the
HIPPA policy and follow it. Birth
certificates, social security numbers,
drivers licenses, all documents that
are to be shredded or secured. Yeah,
three days later the lady pulls 'em
out of the trash can under her desk.
But don't worry, thanks to every-
one's advice here, I recorded it all!
Mostly because I filed and submit-
ted paper work seven days ago and
they still haven't been uploaded.
Monroe County, you're pissing off
the wrong woman. You take better
Care of your meth-heads than the
children.
Melissa Snarke
Forsyth
J
To the Editor:
1o the angel at Minorfs
Italian Ristorante tonight
that paid for my son and
his lady's meal, They
didn't know until after you left; I
pray you can see this. THANK you
from the bottom of my heart!! You
are definitely an angel senti! You
have no idea how his father and
I have struggled to make sure he
had a good time tonight. He is our
first-born and has also struggled
to graduate, so tonight is ver very
special to him and to us. You are the
first one to show him how a strang-
er can be kind and that means more
than you will ever know! Whoever
you are, I'm sure God will know;
You will forever be in our prayers
and thanks!
Jade Marie
Forsyth
