I tend to look at news from far away and consider how I would report it in Madison County if it happened here. That’s true for politics, disasters, sports controversies, whatever.
You likely are familiar with the term, “playing the cards you are dealt.” That is what one must do in life. If you are dealt a bad hand, you move forward, nonetheless. Make the best of it.
Dear Editor:
Your Georgia Legislature finished its first week of session. And, as tradition is followed, Governor Brian Kemp delivered his "State of the State" address, highlighting his legislative agenda. The Governor and the legislature will continue to address gang violence, sex trafficking, and foste…
Your General Assembly convened for the 2020 Legislative session Jan. 13. In follow-up to last week’s article, I continue to report on issues that will be addressed this year.
Australia is burning and more than a billion innocent creatures are dead.
We think of vision being 20/20, but what about listening? In this year of 2020, do you have 20/20 listening skills?
Latest Madison News
- Clark, Cuneo recognized at Ga. College
- Elections office to offer demonstrations on new machines
- OPINION: ‘Mr. Trout’ and jury nullification in America
- SMITH: John and Kay Parker
- Madison Co. Library announces news, events
- Pilot Club of Madison County to host 'Princess and Pirate Party' Jan. 25
- Church News — 1-23-20
- New election equipment set to arrive Feb. 3
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- Alleged drug dealer arrested, found with multiple drugs in vehicle
- Man arrested after firing on trooper
- Danielsville man charged with battery
- Former judge emphasizes unity at MLK celebration
- Danielsville woman charged with battery
- County leaders discuss the issue of the IDA-owned Seagraves Lake Dam with the public
- Clark, Cuneo recognized at Ga. College
- Danielsville OKs rate hikes
- Knight begins new role with county extension office
- Bryant, Foley named to Dean’s List at Valdosta State
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Dear Editor: Most Madison County residents know Madison County is largely rural and agricultural. Because of this agrarian character, property owners typically shoulder the burden for most county services.
Dear Editor: (This is an open letter to U.S. Representative Doug Collins.) I found a stiff cardboard flier in my mailbox last week. It promoted your campaign for reelection.
NEW ORLEANS – After Atlanta, my home turf, the first major city I got to know well was New Orleans, which has a variety of pronunciations and nicknames. “New Or-leans” is commonplace as is New “Or-lee-uns.” Doesn’t matter how you say it, a party image comes sauntering to the forefront of you…
Dear Editor: Details on its owners, who invited it and where it came from, are not clear. There are many stories about who is to blame. Just as many half truths about it fill the air like mosquitoes buzzing on a hot summer night. All of these are clearly outweighed by the all too often heard…
We all turned the calendar page from 2019 to 2020 last week. 2019 was full of successes, failures and challenges. We often view the New Year as a time to “re-boot” and start the year fresh with new business, family and personal goals. New Year’s goals and resolutions fill all of us with hope…
Dear Editor: I want to thank everyone that worked so hard to make this a very successful Christmas and food program this year.
Dear Editor: Madison County has proven to be a perfect site for a classic case of environmental injustice. They chose us for a reason.
Happy New Year.
With a presidential election year now looking us in the face, Georgia will be one of the more intriguing states to watch.
Newsletters
President Trump gained some of his first real support as a politician when he stood on the Republican debate stage and went after George W. Bush and the Republican establishment for the war in Iraq. It was a cathartic moment for many, because Iraq was indeed a terrible move. Trump was right …
The Democrats and the rest of the left side of Congress are taking aim at the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and they are not doing it quietly.
Yogi Berra's famous saying (one of many) is the perfect way to summarize our weather in 2019.
I have inner clock vertigo today. I blinked and 20 years of the new century went by. My inner Rip Van Winkle has woken to two kids, one in high school, and gray in his hair. But I was just in college, right? What is this trick on me? What is your deal, Father Time?
Dear Editor: My wife and I moved to our 65-acre tract of land located on the Zetta Lee Johnson Road and HV Chandler Road in 1986.
Dear Editor: (In response to the Dec. 26 article, “RICO case alleges owners misrepresented power plants to investors.”) Had the county commissioners, along with state and federal officials, listened to their constituents' opposition in installation of this plant, we wouldn't have this and ot…
The following is my annual Christmas column, first written several years ago. It remains a favorite of mine and has probably received as much positive feedback from readers as anything I have written. I like to share it with readers each year. I trust this Christmas will be filled with bless…
Dear Editor: The Dec. 6 issue of “Science” opens with an editorial that is especially timely given the health threat posed by the Colbert power plant. (“Science” is the journal of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science.) It helps to answer a question I've heard frequently during…
Georgia Renewable Power (GRP) seems to fill our front page every week these days.
A few months ago I wrote about the death of my little dog, Joe.
A woman in Chattooga County (Northwest Georgia) did last week what I'm sure a lot of people would like to do to me — the wife of that county's lone commissioner poured a cup of Coke over the head of a local reporter, saying, "You deserved that."
In 1978, with the help of a friend at the Augusta National Golf Club, I was approved for a credential to cover the Open championship, the first tournament in history of the game of golf, which was also the first golfing major and for years the sole tournament in the sport.
The war in Afghanistan is now a legal adult. It was born Oct. 7, 2001. It’s 18 years old. A baby born on that day is now old enough to fight in the war.
I suspect we will be hearing from Stacy Abrams again in the very near future.
Dear Editor: The story of the ongoing imbroglio over operations at the biomass energy plants in Colbert and Carnesville is starting to look like one lifted from the pages of Southern literature.
Dear Editor: Our county leadership can take a lesson from their associates in Franklin County. Responding to complaints from citizens, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners declared a public emergency that threatened the health and safety of those they were elected to represent. They ha…
For most of us the holiday season, though often hectic and sometimes overwhelming, is when we appreciate spending time with our immediate family and often our extended family.
NEW YORK – You likely agree, if you have reached that station in life, that grandchildren are not overrated. While, I didn’t originate that assessment—it came from a pretty friend Suzanne Chastain—I succumb passionately to that notion.
Are the so-called impeachment hearings still going on?
Dear Editor: Last time I sat down to write this letter, I got a call from my 16-year-old neighbor. He needed a ride to his new job orientation, which started at 5:30. It was now 4:30. And it was 40 minutes away. And he had already called 10 people. And could I just drop everything and go do this?
Dear Editor: We want to thank all of the people who took time out of their schedules to attend the Madison County Clean Power Coalition (MCCPC) meeting about the dangers of biomass burning power plants.
There is no judgment from me when it comes to playing video games. We have our duties and responsibilities and then we want to escape mentally. For many, video games are the ticket into a different headspace with fun and less stress. Everybody searches for their own escapes. And video games …
A school teacher can never be rich except from fulfillment of helping a kid find his or her way. Few educators vacation on the Riviera, at Pebble Beach, Costa Del Sol or Bora Bora. For most of them, a corner room at a modest hotel at Destin or Hilton Head will do. Financial reward is not cen…
The Georgia Republican Party has decided the winner of the 2020 presidential primary for our state.
A three-ring circus is coming to a location near you soon!
“Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying.”
If you're like me, you like good, hot soup on a winter's day. It just seems to warm my whole innards right down to the bones.
Dear Editor: How disappointed I am that my county commissioners allowed Georgia Renewable Power (GRP) to change the understanding county citizens had about the power plant.
Dear Editor: The American Lung Association does not support biomass combustion for electricity production, a category that includes wood, wood products, agricultural residues or forest wastes, and potentially highly toxic feedstocks, such as construction and demolition waste. Burning biomass…
Once upon a time, there was Mr. Rogers' neighborhood. It was always a beautiful day there and neighbors were always welcomed with open arms.
Dear Editor: The talk given to the Rotary Club by the Colbert biomass plant manager a month ago raised some concerns for me.
I wonder if there’s a “change-your-mind” metric gathered by Google, Facebook and other Internet companies on us. I’m sure there is, right? I think Google could probably predict my next waist size before I can. The fact that I just typed that provides analytical data, doesn’t it? OK, don’t be…
Here comes Santa Claus!
The young lady is 32 years old and is employed full-time.
Thanksgiving has moved into the rearview mirror for another year, and from a personal standpoint I hate to see it gone.
Dear Editor: It’s Saturday, Nov. 23. It’s raining. With the lack of rain we’ve had, this should be welcome news. Unfortunately, there’s something different about this rain and it’s something we should all be concerned about. This rain is pouring over the Georgia Renewable Power (GRP) plant i…
Dear Editor: Georgia Renewable Power presented themselves as a good neighbor as the company got the approval to operate a biomass power plant in our county. Since beginning operation they have not been transparent or truthful with us at this point. I believe that GRP can be a good neighbor i…
LAGRANGE – This has always been an inviting town, laid back but not passive, down home but not without an appreciation for sophisticated ambience, accompanied by an accent on culture and the arts.
A few years ago, I and several other million people were called despicable by Hillary Rodham Clinton in the 2016 race for the presidency.
I’m not a fan of Black Friday, that purchasing chaos that officially launches in the wee hours Friday morning with the inevitable, subsequent headlines of crazy shoppers somewhere pushing, punching and pepper spraying their way to electronic-bargain nirvana. No, I like this Thursday instead,…
PIERRE, S. D. – Winter came early to the Upper Midwest this fall, but that did not cause any reluctance on the part of hunters who can’t wait to make their way here annually to enjoy an outdoor experience that brings about defining fulfillment.
Many issues are simply snoozers for most people until they’re personally affected. I see organ donation as that type of matter. It’s easy not to think about this until we’re in need or someone we love is in a desperate spot.
Two weeks ago, members of a Mexican drug gang or cartel murdered three women and six children en route to a wedding.
Dear Editor: I have something important to say to every one living in Madison County and the surrounding area.
Dear Editor: Instead of going to the mat to protect health and safety, Frank Ginn and John Scarborough are offering tours of the Georgia Renewable Power plant. They sound more like paid spokesmen for GRP than public servants.
Dear Editor: Thank you for the informative article about our Madison County coroner, Coach Julie Harrison, and the services her office provides to our community. I have had to use their services several times for unusual situations and found Coach Harrison and Gerald Kemp (her deputy assista…
Dear Editor: I have seen many articles and opinions in The Journal about the biomass power plant. I join with the people throughout Madison County who oppose the burning of railroad ties at the Georgia Renewable Power (GRP) facility.
Dear Editor: I need to correct something that went into the letter from Dave Ramsey, Wendy Meehan and myself that appeared in the Oct. 31 issue of The Journal. The error was my fault. The letter stated that the EPA stopped prohibiting the burning of railroad ties in power plants after the re…
“Dang.” That’s about all I could muster as I watched a two-hour Frontline special on the “promise and perils of artificial intelligence (AI).”
There really is no place like home. Home is familiarity and support among loved ones. It is the place where ideally one can totally be him or herself and be comfortable. For children who are placed in foster care, even though they have been removed from an unsafe situation, they were still r…
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