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Column
By
Frank Gillespie
The Madison County Journal
June 21, 2000
Frankly
Speaking
 New Yorkers do it again
Well, the people of New York City are at it again. Two news articles
illustrate just how ugly our Yankee friends can be.
The first story concerns a mass attack on some 40 women in Central
Park by a group of Hispanic men. This ugly crowd threw water
on the women, most of whom were white. They ripped off their
clothes and committed various sexual assaults. One of the victims
was a newly wed from France. The villains held her husband and
forced him to watch as they molested his bride.
After the event, the Rev? Al Sharpton brought forth two black
girls who accused the police of being responsible for the assaults
because they did not react fast enough. That was strange since
it is Sharpton, the nation's number one bigot, who has often
led anti-police riots in the city.
The second story, which has received little coverage, are the
insults being thrown at injured talk show host Don Imus. Imus
was seriously injured at the Arizona ranch operated by himself
and his brother for the benefit of children with cancer.
According to a New York Post article, the most despicable Howard
Stern was quick to insult the injured Imus. When his co-host
asked "What was he doing on a horse?" Stern responded
"Doing what he always does. Nothing. It would be funny if
he ended up like Christopher Reeve in a wheelchair."
The insults continued on the "Opie and Anthony" show,
where one of the inconsiderate scoundrels imitated Imus as saying
"Good thing I didn't fall on my face, it woudda hurt the
ground. Going to be in a body cast, yeah baby. Well, it's not
like I move anyway."
The heroic Imus is expected to leave the hospital later this
week. He plans to be on hand to welcome a group of cancer-suffering
children to the ranch on Monday.
With these two recent examples of just how ugly the people of
New York can be, John Rocker deserves applause for his ability
to accurately describe the negative aspects of our largest city.
Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal.
His web page can be accessed at www.mcga.net.
Letter To
The Editor
The Madison County Journal
June 21, 2000
Allegations against
Royston
are no 'smear campaign'
Dear editor:
It has been alleged by county probate judge and elections superintendent
Mr. Donald "Hoppy" Royston and a journalist that the
allegations we brought to light concerning Mr. Royston's actions
as elections superintendent are simply a "smear campaign"
and perhaps a generated scandal. It would be a convenient conclusion
for a journalist who chooses not to investigate the facts or
question the parties involved in the matter. For a politician,
this conclusion would be a convenient method of keeping the public
from focusing on the facts surrounding the allegations.
We are executive officers of the Madison County Republican Party.
Are we partisan? Of course. But is this simply a smear campaign
or a generated scandal created to undermine the re-election attempt
of Mr. Royston? If that was the intention of bringing the matter
to light, it would have made more sense to call public attention
to the matter a week prior to the November election. It may be
hard to believe, but as officers of the Madison County Republican
Party, we are offended that the elections superintendent violated
his oath of office and ignored the state election code to enhance
the position of the Democratic Party.
The law allows parties to question or poll its members on any
ballot questions it sees fit. These questions may range from
proposed state legislation, party platform issues or issues pertaining
to local government. We chose to exercise the right of ballot
initiatives on this year's primary. Although it may be nice to
know how members of the opposite party feel on these issues,
we do not have the authority, nor should we, to place these questions
on another party's ballot. While the political wisdom of adopting
another party's ballot initiatives would be questionable, it
can be done, if it is done, in a legal manner. This adoption
was illegal.
Mr. Royston said that it had been a long-standing agreement to
contact the other party if one of the parties had submitted ballot
questions. Mr. Royston's notification policy is not allowed for
by state law. The notification policy only extended to Democratic
party officials. Mr. Royston's statements to the local press
about his notification procedures show a violation of his oath
of impartiality as elections superintendent. Mr. Royston has
not publicly answered as to the specific timing of the Democratic
request. Mr. Royston never answered as to why he did not inform
us that he had notified or intended to notify the local Democratic
Party of our ballot request.
The blanket request made by the local Democratic Party is not
a valid submission of questions. The election code (O.C.G.A 21-2-284-d)
does not allow blanket requests. The law is clear that specific
questions must be certified by the elections superintendent.
No specific questions were submitted by the Democratic Party,
only a blanket request. The acceptance of that request by Mr.
Royston is a violation of state law. Mr. Royston brought forth
the names of other individuals involved in the Democratic request.
None of these individuals were mentioned in our press releases
last week. Mr. Royston's attempt to publicly use them as a shield
we find pathetic.
We thank the local Democratic Party leaders for the confidence
they have in the Republican Party by adopting the questions we
authored. We believe the confidence will translate into votes
for the Republican ticket in November. We hope local Democrats
will also adopt the strong principles of ethics, individual freedom
and less government intrusion that are the bedrock of the Republican
Party. We also hope they follow our lead in nominating candidates
grounded with a solid moral compass. There are a number of ideas
and principles we would be glad to share with Democrats. Next
time, maybe they should consider asking.
It is our belief that the integrity of the elections process
is vital to the protection of the fundamental rights of all citizens.
Any violation of the laws instituted to protect the integrity
of the process must always be exposed and corrected. It is unfortunate
some members of the local media choose not to recognize the importance
of that integrity. Just as we have choices in the political parties
and candidates, we also have choices in local newspapers. Despite
Mr. Royston's actions as elections superintendent, we do believe
that ultimately the elections process in Madison County will
run fairly and efficiently due to the efforts of the pollworkers
and pollwatchers who have an exemplary record of honesty and
impartiality in past elections. We have confidence in them.
Sincerely, Paul Boatwright, Chairman of the Madison County Republican
Party and Hank Burnham, Secretary/treasurer of the Madison County
Republican Party
GO TO RELATED ARTICLES:
Front Page
Article
The Madison County Journal
June 14, 2000
Republicans accuse judge of violating election code
Republican leaders may seek a state investigation of county probate
judge and elections superintendent Donald "Hoppy" Royston,
claiming the 23-year incumbent violated state election law...
Column
By Zach
Mitcham
The Madison County Journal
June 14, 2000
County sees first gusts of election storm
If 2000 holds a major political storm for Madison County, this
week provided the first good gusts of the election season.
Letter To
The Editor
The Madison County Journal
June 14, 2000
Royston responds to accusations
Dear editor:
The point in question is that the political parties can place
non-binding questions on the general primary ballot. The Republican
Party chose to place four questions on the July 18, 2000, ballot.
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Column
By
Ben Munro
The Madison County Journal
June 21, 2000
Former Raiders
in prime time
Well, let's see here: On one coast of our nation during this
past week we had a former Raider out of the class of 1997 playing
against the likes of Tiger Woods and Fred Couples in one of the
most important golf tournaments in the world - the U.S. Open.
On the other coast, a Raider from the class of '96 was pitching
in the cathedral of baseball, Yankee Stadium, to the likes of
sluggers like Frank Thomas.
And both were roaming the halls of a Danielsville high school
with many of us just a few years ago.
The recent exploits Madison County's Jedd McLuen, who competed
in the U.S. Open this past Thursday and Friday, and Jake Westbrook,
who made his Major League pitching debut this past Saturday against
the White Sox, have done much to bolster community pride within
the county. It's a classic case of the local boy done good, the
guys who started out in the close-knit Madison County community
and got a taste of the big time while we stayed at home and cheered
them on.
And while neither of the two's first taste of big-time sporting
action went as they would have liked, the fact that they were
there competing on such a lofty level was enough to instill a
sense of pride in all of us who call places like Carlton, Colbert,
Comer, Danielsville, Hull or Ila our home.
Their accomplishments are a testament to hard work and dedication.
They put in hours of practice each day of their lives out here
in Madison County to help make it to the fields were the greats
and legends roam.
You could find Jedd McLuen practicing for hours and hours each
day just off Hwy. 72 while he was growing up, chipping, putting
and driving day in and day out at Whispering Pines Golf Course
in the hopes that his efforts would one day land him in a PGA
tour event.
Jake Westbrook, who could be found at the Madison County Recreation
Department with hundreds of other boys with the same ambitions,
took his dreams in hand when he first picked up a ball and glove
and mowed down batters in Little League, then later at Red Raider
Stadium in the prep ranks.
From an easily won spring golf match in Colbert or a shutout
Red Raider victory at the ballpark in Danielsville, they dominated
the fields at home far away from the bright lights of the big
cities and pushed themselves and moved from one level to the
next.
And they reached the destination of their journeys when they
got to play with the big boys, the road from Madison County to
the big time became complete. Even if it is the only taste they
ever get of the prime time, they have reached the pinnacle of
athletic competition and made a comunity proud.
But Jedd and Jake aren't the only Madison County boys to make
a name for themselves in the athletic world.
You could go on and on about the accomplishments of Colbert's
Ryan Hybl. As great as Jedd's accomplishment was, McLuen wasn't
the only Raider to have competed in a PGA tour event. Hybl, who
was ranked number one in the nation during his junior golf days,
actually did that last year, playing in the Greater Hartford
Open and missing the cut by just two strokes. The 1998 AJGA player
of the year and the 1999 AAA Individual State Champion will also
look to power the Dawgs' golf team as the UGA signee should be
an integral part of that squad next year.
And who can forget Adam Swann? The Raider who obliterated the
MCHS offensive record books has gotten off to a solid start in
the college ranks, nailing down a starting job in right field
in his sophomore season while hitting .305 with nine homers in
Divison I competion for the Georgia Bulldog baseball team. Swann
even tied a UGA record with three grand slams this past season.
Adding to this list is former Raider fireballer Scott Tolbert,
who recently wrapped up his senior season at the high school
and has heard the professional ranks call his name as he was
selected by the Cleveland Indians in the ninth round in the recent
Major League draft.
Madison County has started a fine tradition of athletes garnering
the spotlight at larger levels. Who knows where there athletic
endeavors take them? But no matter how far they go, there careers
all started out here in this community on the same fields and
courses that we all played on.
May they go far in their athletic pursuits and have them know
that there is a entire county behind them.
Ben Munro is a reporter for The Madison County Journal.
Letter To
The Editor
The Madison County Journal
June 21, 2000
Upset that road
hasn't been paved
Dear editor:
We the taxpayers of Sailors Road in Hull would like the citizens
of Madison County to know how our road commission has lied to
us.
Four years ago at election time, the county came and widened
our road in what was supposed to be the preparation for pavement.
By widening the road all they did was make it wide enough for
cars to travel at a speed as high as 65 miles an hour up a dirt
road. There are 17 homes, plus access to five chicken houses,
on this one-mile stretch of road, which connects two paved roads
and is traveled frequently as a shortcut between the two paved
roads.
One of our residents was told a year ago that we were next in
line to be paved. Since this time a road that only has two homes
on it has been paved on one side of us and another on the other
side is being paved now that only has three homes on it.
At least five of the property owners gave up huge trees for the
widening. Either we want to be reimbursed for our trees or we
want the road paved as we have been promised time and time again.
Sincerely, Betty Jo Barrett, Jason Mize, Richard Barrett, Kenneth
Pullium, Steve McDaniel, Wayne Barrett, Terry Meeler, Randall
Bolman, Richard Douglas Barrett and Jerry Brown
Column
By Carl
Varnadoe
The Madison County Journal
June 21, 2000
When purchasing
gardening
tools, buy the best
Gardeners may not agree on the best mulch or the perfect fertilizer,
but there's one thing that every gardener agrees on: When it
comes time to purchase tools, buy the best. Quality garden tools
are an investment that yields dividends over time. Here are the
top 10 gardening tools every gardener should own.
·Trowel. A well-made trowel is your most important tool.
From container gardening to large beds, a trowel will help you
get your plants into the soil.
·Hand fork. A hand fork helps cultivate soil, chop up
clumps and work amendments into the soil. A hand fork is necessary
for cultivating in closely planted beds.
·Hoe. A long-handled hoe is a gardener's best friend.
Keeping weeds at bay is the purpose of this useful tool.
·Shovel. The sharper the better, a shovel is a requisite
tool for planting large perennials, shrubs and trees. The most
basic act in the garden is breaking ground, so it stands to reason
that a sharp shovel will be a key player.
·Spading fork. You can't dig and divide perennials without
one (and some dividing methods even suggest you own two!).
·Watering can. Haws are the best in the business. This
English watering can creates a fine, even stream of water that
delivers with a gentleness that won't wash seedlings or sprouting
seeds out of their soil.
·Hand pruners. Invest in a pair of quality pruners such
as Felco. This sturdy pruner is used for clipping rose canes,
cutting back perennials and other trimming jobs that need to
be done.
·Loppers. For large pruning jobs that can't be accomplished
with a hand pruner (such as pruning fruit tree limbs), use a
sharp pair of loppers. Keep sharpened with a whetstone so that
you make a clean, healthy cut each time.
·Gloves. Unless you want to wear your favorite hobby under
your nails, use gloves. Leather gloves hold up best. If you have
roses, get a pair that resist thorn pricks.
·Hose. This is the fastest way to transport lots of water
from your water source to your garden.
Now that you have the top 10 tools, you'll want to make them
last. Here are some tool care tips that keep your garden tools
happy. And remember, a happy tool is a useful tool.
·Clean up. Always clean all soil from digging tools after
each use. If soil has dried, use a wire brush or even a knife.
·How to handle handles. If wooden tool handles are damp,
set the tools in the sun to dry before storing. At the end of
each gardening season, rub linseed oil or tung oil into handles.
·Stay on the cutting edge. Don't forget to sharpen cutting
tools and blades of shovels, spades and hoes during the gardening
season. Frequently used tools dull quickly, so keep a whetstone
or a sharpener in your tool arsenal.
·Chase rust away. Damp tools welcome rust. After each
use, wipe down metal parts of all tools (pruners, shears, loppers,
hoes and shovels) with an oily rag. This will help keep rust
at bay.
Carl Varnadoe is Madison County's extension coordinator.
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