OUR OPINION: Thumbs up, thumbs down

February 01, 2008 11:23 pm

— THUMBS UP: The Gathering of Eagles, which was a success once again. Business leaders from all across the region took advantage of the opportunity to gain insights from experienced business leaders on how to continue or build success in tough economic times. Valdosta Technical College scheduled a list of knowledgeable individuals from a variety of industries in the area including Chick-fil-A, Synovus Financial, Patten Seed, Agrilliance, Riley Church Pews and Letica Corporation. Despite their different industries and expertise, one thing each of these companies share is a history of success and those in attendance surely walked away with some valuable information.

THUMBS UP: The kickoff of Blazer Baseball and Softball with the Blazer Blast at Billy Grant Field and the North Campus Softball Complex. The day of family-fun offers area kids a chance to meet their favorite players and work one-on-one with a great group of local role models. It is great to see these students taking the time to give back to the community that supports them. Good luck this season!

THUMBS UP: To Sen. Saxby Chambliss for leading the plea to Congress to restore funding for the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program. This program is instrumental in helping law-enforcement agencies pay for drug task forces, courts and treatment programs, police salaries, innovative technologies, and gang-prevention strategies. The South Georgia Drug Task Force relies on the program for 75 percent of its funding and will lose vital equipment and manpower if the funding is not restored. Citizens urge the government to fight the war against drugs and Congress must work to provide the resources necessary for our law enforcement to do their jobs. Also a thumbs up to Sen. Johnny Isakson and Rep. Jack Kingston who voted against the cut in funding for the program.

THUMBS DOWN: To presidential candidates who have dismissed the citizens of Georgia and have failed to take the time to campaign in our state. There are a handful of candidates who have continued to maintain a presence in Georgia throughout the campaign and those that seem to have forgotten that voting citizens actually live here, too.