THUMBS UP: To the few voters who actually made the effort to cast ballots in Tuesday’s elections. In Lowndes County, a little over 9 percent of the registered voters made it to the polls either during the nine-day early voting period, five-day advance voting period or on election day. Given that voters had 15 days to cast ballots, the fact that nearly 90 percent of the county’s voters did not care enough to exercise their right to vote is sad.

THUMBS UP: To County Line Church for winning the Thomas Kinkade Bible during the annual Bible Verse contest sponsored by The Valdosta Daily Times.

THUMBS UP: To all the riders of Jacobs’ Ladder Therapeutic Riding Center for their performance during the Hands & Hearts for Horses Show in Thomasville. The team came home with two first-place, five second-place, nine third-place and four fourth-place ribbons.

THUMBS UP: To everyone who participated in the annual Start! Heart Walk Thursday and helped to raise awareness of and funds for heart disease and stroke-prevention efforts. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in this country. Stroke is No. 3. The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency with a mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Its impact goal is to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010.

THUMBS DOWN: To candidates who still haven’t removed their campaign signs. There are two run-off races in the city. Anyone who isn’t running in either of those races should have taken down their signs by now.