It appears that Gov. Nathan Deal's new tough immigration law will probably bankrupt Georgia peach farmers. Without immigrant labor, the future of peach pies, peach turnovers, peach preserves, peach cobblers and homemade peach ice cream is doomed. This is a direct attack on our constitutional right to freeze peaches.
Curtis Black's letter June 6 in The Times clearly displayed one of the major problems in the current county budget crisis. Many of us believe one service provided by county government is a vital need while another service is a waste.
I have listened and read a lot of opinions on the Hall County budget. But I see that people only want to cut things not important to them. If they don't have a child playing, ball, cut parks and recreation. If you don't use the public libraries, cut that.
I'm wondering why it's taken our commissioners four years to realize the economy is bad. Why did they not start cutting back years ago? That's what I've had to do.
I am an infrequent movie goer. Very few movies stimulate me to attend the movie theater. One exception is Tyler Perry.
It is a great concern and sadness to me to learn of the possible closing of four of our library branches. I was serving on the Library Board when plans were being made to open the Blackshear Place Library. I remember the excitement we had in opening a new library in South Hall.
Wednesday, I was in Atlanta and spoke with some of the people that were protesting outside of the Atlanta Federal Court of Appeals building. Their signs stated "Hands Off My Health Care."
On Camp Wahsega Road, about a mile before it ends at Camp Merrill, is a tiny cemetery called Shady Grove, a place that time has forgotten. It was attached to a small Methodist church that was razed about 80 years ago on land given to the Methodist Church by our several-times-great grandpa Jacob Saine in the mid-1800s.
I had the distinct honor to watch PBS' Memorial Day presentations honoring our service members. One segment, an "Honor Flight" from Pensacola to Washington as veterans visited the various war memorials, was outstanding.
As a retired professional librarian with 25 years of experience at public, school, college and university libraries in three states, I am appalled at the suggestion that four of the six public libraries in Hall County be closed to save money.
With all the talk of budget talks vs. increasing tax rates, being a 64-year-old independent truck driver, I have some comments and questions.
The damage that the Hall County Board of Commissioners is about to do to this county will not only hurt the quality of life in this county, but will cause irreparable damage to our local economy. How in the world could anyone with a rational brain possibly think that eliminating 77 county jobs or so, eliminating public parks and libraries and cutting two ambulances will help local business?
In dire economic times like now, something has to give in order bring budgets more in line with reality. As regards to the proposed closing of four library locations out of six in total, I would like to make the following remarks and suggestions.
Yes, Chairman Tom Oliver has proposed raising the millage rate to make up for revenue losses due to property values dropping drastically in the last few years. The county commission and school board probably read all of the evaluations during the housing bubble as they cut that same millage rate year after year.
Let me start off by saying that I would like to think the tax increase would not pass, but unfortunately, it's already too late. It's already passed.
To the families of the courageous men and women who served in the United States military: These veterans; our treasure in earthen vessels, these soldiers left a strong foundation for which we can stand.
In response to a concern about our push to increase the full pool of Lake Lanier to 1,073 feet: While we don't like to see public recreation areas and personal property compromised by high water levels, it is very instructive to see what the effects of 1,073 are on the surrounding lake areas.
The Obama administration is at it again. According to President Barack Obama, he doesn't know half of what is going on in his administration, since he finds out things when he sees it on the news, like the IRS scandal. Then there was Benghazi, which the administration blamed on a movie instead of an organized terrorist organization. Then Hillary Clinton says "what difference does it make," like who cares?
As Memorial Day approaches, I'm reminded of a disturbing trend I've noticed over the past several years. I've been serving in the U.S. Army and the Georgia Army National Guard for more than 17 years now, and the amount of support we receive from the community is very much appreciated.
Have you ever been in a department store or grocery store and felt like you were among a bunch of wild animals? I despise parents who are controlled by their children. Who is in control? Obviously, not the adults.
For the last several years, the Lake Lanier Association and several advocates, have drafted plans of action to address issues regarding the lake's delicate balance, of its water quality and the constantly fluctuating levels, not to mention all the downstream demands made on this pristine North Georgia jewel.
State Sen. Steve Gooch has emphasized the need for more work on Second Amendment rights for Georgia citizens. He correctly states that, in 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the individuals right to keep and bear arms. If you wanted guns to be outlawed except for militia use or some version of that scenario, then your argument is lost.
The Hall County Family Connection Network is a collaboration of agencies and organizations that serve families and children in Hall County. In this capacity, we write to express our concern about the future of the public transportation system in Gainesville and Hall County.
It seems we are continually confronting a threat or threats: radical Islam, economic meltdown, Obama scare, war, etc. However, one of my greatest concerns is the lack of honesty in our leaders. Their response, unfortunately, is always an effort to mislead and cover up. If I recall correctly, this administration promised to be the most transparent in our history. It appears to me we have a trust deficit much larger than our fiscal one.
As you can imagine with a business that employs more than 100 people on Green Street, and one that has operated successfully on the street since 1967, we oppose the banning of left turns on Green Street as the only solution to Gainesville's traffic problem. It is a easy, knee-jerk public action but will only marginally affective in reducing the affect of traffic through our city.
It appears that Jim Scharnagel still doesn't understand the history of this country or what our Constitution and Bill of Rights are all about. In his recent letter, he left out possibly the most important reason for maintaining an armed citizenry, namely protection from an oppressive government.
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