Dear Editor: This is in response to concerns expressed by Julie Buffalo.

I watched my children speed along ahead of us on a trail at Amerson River Park in Macon Sunday, my daughter on a bike, my son on an Ezyroller. I was thinking about watching them go out into the world, and how parenthood is a gradual letting go of control as they move beyond us.

I saw the recent picture of one of our county commissioners in last week's newspaper and wonder what Federal regulations that group was so happy about dismantling/ deregulating. Our county depends on federal aid for quality of life, water, air, soil, federal monies for schools, EMS, roads an…

Dear Editor: Victory is defined in the Random House Dictionary as follows: 1) A success or triumph over an enemy in battle or war. 2) The ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or contest. You may have heard that the signing of HB 857 By Governor Kemp on Aug. 4, which bans the burni…

The technician was a nice fellow. He looked at the box outside our house. He identified a couple of problems and said he’d get us hooked up. He left and for a few hours, I thought things were looking up for our Internet service — still slow, but at least not constantly cutting out.

I’ve known this for a long time, but the issue of masks has really brought it home to me.

The number of calls related to weed problems in ponds always increases in the hot summer months. This has certainly been the case this year. Warm temperatures have pond weeds growing like — well, weeds! Here are few suggestions to help you keep pond weed issues under control or, if it’s too …

Dear Editor: Preparedness long after the fact is not preparedness at all! The majority of Georgians did not take this virus seriously, many following the attitudes they absorbed from television and current leadership. My fellow citizens have died because of this. That’s right; dead and gone …

Dear Editor: Once again, I am faced with another opinion (“American or Confederate flag: pick one or the other,” by Zach Mitcham, July 9) that could wait until more important matters are discussed.

Dear Editor: I was happy to read in the July 9 edition about the well-deserved six Georgia Press Association awards that The Madison County Journal won. Citizens of Madison County are certainly fortunate to have such a remarkable and professional weekly newspaper.

I absolutely detest wearing a mask, but I will wear one these days as needed.

I hope you enjoyed your cool start to the summer. June was tied for the ninth coolest summer out of the last 38 years of records for Madison County.

Dear Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and thanks to all who supported the campaign to rid our state of the burning of creosote-treated wood products. Without the emails to legislators, support, signatures on our petitions, and the likes and shares on o…

My feelings about this paper’s founder, Frank Gillispie, who died in 2019, are not simple. When I remember him, I think of small-town journalism. I also think of the South and the narratives we accept or deny. I think of the Confederacy and how it seems to live with many people long after its time.

In this crazy year of 2020, it’s almost hard to believe what I just saw — a genuinely good thing.

June is always a monumental month for me. It always has been. It’s the month my Daddy was born and the month my parents celebrated their anniversary.

Dear Editor: Thanks to Zach Mitcham for his thorough story about an insider’s view of operations at the “twin sisters” power generation plants in Madison and Franklin counties.

The Georgia General Assembly adjourned Sine Die Friday, June 26. Overall, members of both chambers introduced over 1,000 bills and close to 1,400 resolutions. Of the introduced pieces of legislation, more than 40 Senate Bills and Resolutions received final passage this week. I am proud of al…

Dear Editor: Thank you to all of the residents, elected and appointed officials of Madison County who joined together in the effort to stop the burning of carcinogenic railroad ties at the GRP biomass plant near Colbert. Our hard and diligent work paid off when the bill, to ban the burning o…

Dear Editor: On June 25, the Georgia Senate voted unanimously to pass HB 857. The vote was 48 yeas’ to 0 nays. HB 857 made it to the Senate for this vote because on March 12th the Georgia House members voted unanimously in favor of HB 857. The vote was 163 yeas’ to 0 nays. HB 857 is a bill t…

Dear Editor: Congratulations to Madison County High School graduates. I was disappointed to see no masks on any adults at the ceremony in the photos highlighting this life event. This gives the impression that adults aren't aware or don't value public safety as demonstrated by wearing masks …

Dear Editor: I would like to take this time and thank you for turning out to voice your opinion in the June 9 election. We had a very successful election day and that is because of you the voter as well as our poll workers. Congratulations to the winners and for those candidates that didn’t …

In times of stress, it’s sometimes pleasant to think back on simple joys, like how little pieces of cardboard brought such joy to my life for a few years.

My colleagues and I in the Georgia General Assembly returned to the State Capitol June 15 to resume the 2020 legislative session.

The Senate has officially reconvened after suspending in March to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. State legislators are excited to be back to pass legislation that is important to you and a balanced budget. As we head back to the Capitol, several steps have to been taken to ensure a safe re…

Fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes are one of the great joys of summer. However, sometimes diseases, pests and/or environmental stresses get in the way of our tomato harvests. I have already gotten several calls and visits about problems with tomato plants. Below are some common issues and potenti…

Dear Editor: I encourage all of us who live within the “fugitive emissions” zone to write the EPD during the time frame allowed (until 6/19/20)

Dear Editor: I am writing this letter to thank The Madison County Journal for their excellence in reporting on the local issues that so affect the lives and pocketbooks of Madison County citizens. How would citizens know what decisions our county officials are making on our behalf if it were…

Game of Thrones warned that “Winter is coming.” These days, that foreboding message sticks with me, but I change the season to “Fall is coming.”

Dear Editor: Our all Republican, all white board of commissioners has really raised our taxes in recent years. Led by the nose by State Senator Frank Ginn, (AKA IDA director) they have brought us one dirty, new industry. Georgia Renewable Power (GRP) burns railroad ties, spewing out carcinog…

I am only one person with one life. And I only know so much.

Dear Editor: I am writing this letter because I think that the taxpayers of Madison County deserve a more complete picture regarding the MOU, i.e. the Memorandum of Understanding, with Georgia Renewable Power (GRP).

Dear Editor: The agenda published in The Madison County Journal for the Tuesday, May 26 IDA meeting listed a modification of the IDA’s GEFA loan. I had some important information for the IDA members, part of which concerned the principal balance of the GEFA loan.

Dear Editor: What does it take to be heard? I have been asking this question since last year, when Georgia Renewable Power (GRP) began operations.

Dear Editor: I just want to express my appreciation for Alex Buffington’s column, “This is white privilege,” last week. Using her personal experience of growing up in a multi-racial family, she articulated quite well the privileges her white skin accords her – privileges her two bi-racial si…

Dear Editor: (In response to “A Rural Electrification Act for the 21st century” by Zach Mitcham in the May 21 Madison County Journal.) I absolutely agree with you about the need for rural Internet, just like the need for rural power back in the 1930s and 1940s. Jackson EMC “owns” the right o…

It used to be when you made a forecast for the summer you were talking about June - August. But the last three out of four Septembers have been so much above average that we might as well include at least part of that month in our summer outlook as well.

Dear Editor: I totally agree with Dave Ramsey’s opinion (“When will we learn to accept one another,” June 4, 2020). How many of us even remember Rodney King? I certainly do. After an incredibly brutal beating from which that black man barely survived, he tiredly asked, “Can’t we all just get…

My daddy was a George Wallace man. He cast the last vote of his life for a racist.

Dear Editor: Madison County has escaped the violent expressions of rage and destruction over the brutal torture and murder of George Floyd and so many other Black citizens. But I’m sure it is felt here, too. When will we learn to accept one another? This was expressed by Rodney King after he…

Dear Editor: Does anyone else find it interesting that no comments are posted by the numerous honorable candidates for BOC seats regarding the need for a strategic plan for the county to evaluate what options exist to provide reasonably acceptable Internet service in our county while surroun…

President Trump wants to punish Twitter, but what will it mean if he really gets his way? Do people realize that the act of revenge could profoundly transform the Internet? Does he realize the implications?

Dear Editor: Thank you to the following churches for their generous support of our 12 McKinney-Vento graduates of the Class of 2020: Anchor Bible Church, Colbert First Baptist Church, Gordon’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Jones Chapel United Methodist Church, Meadow Baptist Church, New To…

Dear Editor: I’m hoping to help Madison Countians more fully understand why and how we must learn to live with COVID 19 until a vaccine is found, about a year. From the beginning, I felt this virus was primarily contagious via the air, like measles. It was just too easily transmitted. We kno…

Dear Editor: In these strange and difficult times it seems that every day it becomes harder and harder to know what is fact and what is fiction.

Dear Editor: In approving a $9.5 billion agriculture relief package in March, Congress asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use the funds to support producers, including livestock, specialty crops and local food producers.

It was 15 years ago this month that long-time newspaperman Jere Ayers died.

Dear Editor: We moved to our property in 1986, anticipating that most of the dirt roads in the county would soon be paved.

Dear Editor: After graduation, the Class of 2020 like those that have come before them, with years of learning in school are now ready to enter the world where they will continue their educations, begin careers and families while also learning about life's lessons.

The warmer temperatures and extra time at home have prompted you to plant a garden. Daydreams of fresh, hand-picked veggies going straight from the garden to your dinner table are inching towards reality. But having a success vegetable garden takes some work and planning. Here are some tips …

(This is a letter from the Madison County Clean Power Coalition and the Franklin County GRP Fallout Citizens Group to the Governor, Lt. Governor and Georgia senators.)