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Letter To
The Editor
The Madison County Journal
Exclusively online
Interest
of children should come first
Dear editor:
I'm a citizen of Clarke County. I have heard about a case of
Madison County family that began in Walton County and also in
Carnesville. It concerns a small, female child with great dignity
that was ripped away from her at a very young age.
The child claims that a friend of her fathers was touching/fondling
her in the wrong places, but after having been examined by a
medical doctor, only evidence of an infection was found. But
a child of such a young age should not know of any such things
as what she was explaining to family and doctors.
Yet the family was torn apart when going to court and the court
awarded custody to the drug addicted father that has no right
to have the child. The concern here is that the law and public
defenders are supposed to serve and protect and not let anything
of harm come into our children's precious little lives. Things
said and done to children hurt them and they never asked to be
in this world in the first place. So why are some having to go
through torture just to make their way? Why isn't the law helping
in ways to protect instead of worrying about little nic-pic things
that really don't matter or help at all?
It is sickening to know there are people out there working for
the government and county that are worse off in the head to do
this than a drunkard on the streets.
Our children were put here for us to love and let live out happy
lives and good memories, not to have nightmares and things said
and done.
Why does this world have to be so cruel? And why is there a county
family and children service here when they're not here to protect
the children. But they go into the wrong homes messing with the
wrong people when all along if they were across the way, their
problem would be found. They go to a home for uncleanness or
because mom has a live-in friend instead of listening to the
children crying out for help and they only turn their heads.
They are so wrong for this and things need to be done to stop
this insanity and give our children back their reason for being
here with us - for loving and sharing.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Rodireges, Athens
Letter To
The Editor
The Madison County Journal
July 12, 2000
DOT appeal is standard legal procedure
Dear editor:
I am responding to the Gauldings' July 5th letter concerning
their legal fight with the Department of Transportation (DOT).
For those who might just be tuning in, the Gauldings are complaining
about DOT's "taking" of their land by condemnation
under the state's power of eminent domain.
Let me state at the outset that I know nothing about the property
values involved, but it certainly may be that the original DOT
offer of $525 was ridiculously low, and perhaps the jury valuation
of $50,000 was right on the mark. But that is not the reason
for this letter. I do understand that the Gauldings are not lawyers,
but either their lawyer did not explain things to them or the
Gauldings are going at it alone. I am a practicing attorney and
the Gauldings' letter alerted me to the fact that perhaps a primer
in appellate procedure might be in order.
At this stage, all that DOT has done is to exercise its right
to appeal - just as the Gauldings could have chosen to appeal
had they lost at the trial court level. In fact, the state has
apparently filed (judging by the Gauldings' letter) what are
known as "the general grounds" (a euphemism for "boilerplate"
language) in its Motion For New Trial (MFNT) -which is really
just an appeal back to the trial court. At some point, the DOT
will supplement these "general" grounds with specific
claims as to what went wrong at the trial level. Perhaps the
Gauldings would not like to hear that when a MFNT is lost, there
is yet another appeal available - to a statewide appellate court
in Atlanta. On the other hand, should the Gauldings lose at the
MFNT level, then I guess that maybe they would like to know that
there is yet another avenue of appeal. To digress, in most states,
there is a right to appeal - or at least a right to attempt to
appeal, from an adverse civil or criminal conviction.
In Georgia, the losing party generally has 30 days in which to
file for an appeal (or, in this case, as previously described,
to file a MFNT). Here, the DOT apparently filed its notice after
25 days but within the 30-day period specified under state law
for filing an appeal. There is no requirement that either side
tell the other that it "will" or "will not"
appeal. One simply appeals, or else one does not appeal. Don't
despair, Gauldings - it simply takes (a lot of) time. The state
is now appealing and you too can appeal if you lose at this next
level. This is all standard operating procedure and par for the
course. You had the right to complain about the amount of money
offered when the DOT took your land and you chose to take advantage
of that right. The state is simply now exercising its own rights.
This does not mean that you will lose. It just means that you
might have to wait a bit before you finally prevail. If the jury
verdict is ultimately upheld, you will get your money.
Sincerely, Roger Baruch, Colbert
Letter To
The Editor
The Madison County Journal
July 12, 2000
Mayor thanks festival helpers
Dear editor:
We wish to thank all who helped with the Colbert July 4th Celebration.
To the workers, sponsors, entertainers, and those who attended,
we thank you very much.
Sincerely, John A Waggoner, Colbert Mayor
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Letter To
The Editor
The Madison County Journal
Exclusively online
Give Mr.
Gaulding the money he deserves
Dear editor:
It is with great interest that I read of the plight of Mr. Harold
Gaulding concerning his dealings with the DOT. When will this
injustice stop? A jury of12 taxpaying citizens of Madison County
has awarded just compensation to a man who is being abused by
the state. These12 citizens have made a decision based on facts
presented and should not be overruled. The judgment was fair
and the state is simply crying sour grapes because one man stood
up to them. We, as citizens and taxpayers of Madison County,
should be allowed to determine our own fate. Today, land grabbing
and deceit. Tomorrow, who knows? Give Mr. Gaulding the money
he deserves.
Sincerely, Mike Rock, Colbert
Letter To
The Editor
The Madison County Journal
Exclusively online
BOE should support library
Dear editor:
I would like to publicly urge the Madison County Board of Education
to suppport the public library through appropriate funding. Public
libraries are vital to the health and well-being of a community.
I am especially proud of our library, which our family uses on
a regular basis. I hope the board will reconsider its position
on funding, and support education in madison County through this
excellent public service.
Sincerely, Michael Hill, Transco Road
Letter To
The Editor
The Madison County Journal
July 12, 2000
School board wrong in not aiding library
Dear editor:
The Madison County Board of Education is making a terrible mistake
by not supporting the public library.
Currently, the number one challenge to Georgia's economy is lack
of a skilled workforce. The state is experiencing tremendous
economic growth and businesses are desperate for workers at all
levels. So far, the majority of this workforce has come out of
the metropolitan Atlanta area, but more and more, thanks to our
improved education system and the burgeoning technical schools,
businesses are combing the countryside for workers who can read
and write, will show up for work, and are computer literate.
The sign of a healthy, forward-thinking community is a community
whose leaders support institutions like our public libraries
which offer not only reading programs, books, information, and
ties to other communities, but also Internet access and computer
classes. By failing to contribute to our library's budget, the
Board of Education is limiting our citizens' opportunities for
economic advancement right here in the county, forcing people
to seek work elsewhere or settle for a lower standard of living.
So far, I have not heard a reasonable argument for not including
the public library in the BOE budget. I hope the board will reconsider
its position on this and find the funds to meet the needs of
the library. Madison Countians deserve access to information,
education and intelligent recreation.
Sincerely, Melissa Tufts, Comer
Letter To
The Editor
The Madison County Journal
July 12, 2000
Appreciates support for injured man
Dear editor:
On behalf of Charles and Martha McCarty, we wish to thank everyone
who helped in any way with the benefit fund on July 4th. To all
of the friends who gave their time - thank you! To all the friends
who made a donation - thank you! A special thanks to all the
people who donated money because they care, even though they
don't know Charles and Martha personally.
Our prayer is for a miracle for Charles, so that he may someday
be able to walk again.
Again, thank each one who gave in any way and may God Bless each
of you.
Please remember there are funds established at both local banks.
Sincerely, Linda and Harold Gaulding
Letter To
The Editor
The Madison County Journal
July 12, 2000
Doug Benton will be missed
Dear editor:
In regards to the shocking murder of Doug Benton, I am one of
his neighbors. I read the newspaper and watch the news on television,
but the reality of all the violence doesn't become reality until
it happens in our backyard. I'm an Atlanta native and I moved
here to the country to get away from such violence. It just seems
that you can't escape violence no matter where you live. Doug
Benton will be greatly missed by all who knew him. We will miss
the sound of his Harley every evening and seeing him throw up
his hand to give a wave as we drove by. We will miss watching
his 4-year-old son riding his four-wheeler around in the yard
as his daddy watched with pride.
Sincerely, Robin Cruickshank, Colbert
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