These editorials reflect the opinions of their authors and don't necessarily reflect my personal opinions. Feel free to express your opinion with a letter to the editor to: editor(@)pikecountytimes.com. [Remove the () after you cut and paste.]
Letter writing guidelines are as follows: I do not have a word limit. However, I do have 3 rules that must be followed or the editorial will not be printed.
1) All editorials must be respectful even when hard points are made about any topic including local, state, or national politics.
2) If I have a problem with an editorial, I will let you know by email. It can either be resolved or not printed because I will proof letters for grammatical errors, but I do not edit letters based on content.
3) And last but not least, your editorial must be accompanied by your name and a county or city of residence. NO exceptions.
10.11.25
Pike County School District
Mr. Shane Williamson, Superintendent
7454 Highway 19
Zebulon, GA 30295
Re: Objection to Turning Point USA (TPUSA) Presence on School Property
Dear Superintendent, Shane Williamson and Members of the Pike County School Board,
On behalf of the Georgia NAACP, Pike County Branch NAACP and Concerned Citizens of Pike County(CC4P), we are writing to express deep concern and strong objection to the presence and activities of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) on school property within the Pike County School District.
TPUSA has a well-documented history of fostering division, spreading misinformation, and targeting vulnerable student populations with rhetoric that undermines diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their tactics are not rooted in the principles of education, civic engagement, or healthy debate. Instead, they use intimidation and inflammatory messaging designed to provoke, rather than to inform or inspire.
Public schools are charged with creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where all students can learn free from harassment, hostility, or political coercion. Allowing TPUSA access to school grounds compromises this mission, sending the dangerous message that divisive political organizations have a sanctioned place within the educational environment.
We urge the Pike County School District to:
1 Immediately, review policies regarding outside groups accessing students and school property.
2 Deny TPUSA further access to Pike County school facilities, classrooms, or events.
3 Affirm the District’s commitment to fostering a learning environment that protects every student, regardless of race, background, or beliefs, from political exploitation.
Our children’s education must not be politicized or used as a tool for outside groups seeking to advance their own agendas. We stand ready to work with the District in developing clear guidelines that uphold both the rights of students and the responsibility of schools to protect them. We respectfully request a response on this matter and will continue to monitor closely to ensure Pike County schools remain safe and inclusive for all.
Sincerely,
Gerald A. Griggs, Esq.
President, Georgia NAACP
Patricia Beckham
President, Pike County Branch NAACP
Rev. Herman Lucas,
President, Concerned Citizens for Pike County
Cc: Superintendent Shane Williamson
Pike County Board of Education
[Note from the Editor: This letter was sent to Pike County Times with a request to print it so I am doing so -- and I expect that this will be addressed in the near future if it hasn't been addressed already.
However, I will point out that there are federal regulations which address denial of equal access based on "religious, political, philosophical, or other speech content" for organizations which are "voluntary and student-initiated." That would include a chapter of the organization receiving this complaint AND the organization making this complaint. Click here to read from 20 USC 4071: Denial of equal access prohibited (contains those laws in effect on October 10, 2025).
9.16.25
As I look daily and weekly at our newspapers and the court sentences handed down by our district attorneys and judges within the Griffin Judicial Circuit, one disturbing pattern jumps out: probation is being handed out far more often than actual punishment.
Time and time again, violent offenders—people who commit sexual crimes against innocent children, or those guilty of domestic violence against women and children—walk away with probation. Maybe it hurts their wallet for a moment, but it does not protect victims. It does not serve justice. And worst of all, it gives these offenders a second chance to reoffend, knowing full well that the system is soft enough to hand them probation again.
This is not justice. This is a broken system that protects criminals more than it protects the people they harm. Victims are left to suffer while their abusers and predators are free to repeat the same cycle of violence. Every time probation is used as a substitute for real accountability, the message is clear: hurting others isn’t taken seriously enough in our courts.
This has to stop. We must hold our district attorneys and judges accountable for the sentences they hand down. Probation should never be the default for violent crimes. Real punishment, real prison time, and real consequences are the only way to protect victims and prevent repeat offenses.
Justice is not about convenience, and it is not about cutting deals—it is about protecting people. If we continue to treat probation like it is justice, we will only see more victims, more lives destroyed, and more communities left unprotected.
Asking if you or someone you know who has ever been a victim of a violent crime like domestic violence Or know of any child or children Who may have been a victim of any kind of any sexual crimes.
To reach out to me at eugeneallison2024@gmail.com
I'm trying to fix the broken justice system that we have that aren't protecting victims of violent crimes But helping them to continue to commit these crimes knowing that they aren't going to be punished.
Thank you,
Eugene Allison
Political activist
Upson County
9.10.25
Honorable Commissioners et al.,
I'd like to express my appreciation for the modifications to Hunter Road at Elkins Creek. The Public Works Department deserves recognition for the excellent work done, as the project was completed in a timely, efficient manner and looks to be a great solution to the flooding problems that we were experiencing. We citizens often share concerns with good reason, but we need to recognize the positive and not just the negative. I believe that our Public Works Department does a great job with the resources they have. Please share my appreciation with all that were involved in getting this done.
Mike Singleton
Pike County
8.6.25
I am writing to you concerning a rezoning change that is happening within the city limits of Zebulon. The location is on Ga Hwy 18E right across from the old train depot (now the Lions Club). The two vacant lots are facing Hwy 18E and lead into the Wrightsburg subdivision. These two lots were zoned commercial but I believe the city council may have already made the zoning change without proper notification to accept a multi family development. All of a sudden a development company out of Fayetteville is requesting to build a complex of 17 multi family units (previously approved if the number was reduced from 28 units) on these two lots. I don’t know the exact figures but one side is less than one acre and the other side is a tad more than one acre. I feel there are so many negative concerns about this that I had to write to let the people know that this is a real concern not only for our neighborhood and the city but for the county as well.
It was my understanding that the Wrightsburg subdivision was originally planned as an older citizens neighborhood. The homes are smaller and situated on small lots. I lived in my home 19 years. Because they were affordable and the location was convenient, they quickly sold to young couples starting out and some with small children. Every home in Wrightsburg is either sold or bought as a rental home— and there are no vacancies. Also, in the original development plan there was a large playground to be built which never happened. There were three vacant lots in Wrightsburg but these lots have recently been purchased by the same developer that wants to build the apartments (they’re calling them townhouses) on the two commercial lots. These townhouses will sell for $250,000-$300,000 and any unsold units will be turn into rental units.
The developer has planned the units so that they will physically and totally cover these two lots providing no yards for children to play and no green space. There are a number issues to building additional housing in Wrightsburg. Wrightsburg has one street and it is a circle. Several years ago the school buses gave up driving thru the neighborhood because of parking issues making the street impassable. So they pick up small children on the highway. Parents fill up the street with cars waiting on the buses and then turning around on the street to go back home. Folks going to work say it’s a nightmare early in the morning. I know personally cause I get out early and go to breakfast. There are other major issues, there was a fire recently in one of the homes and the fire department could not get close enough to help. The garbage collectors are having the same problem getting thru the neighborhood as well. The original ordinances stated no street parking but it has never been enforced. There are existing water pressure issues in the homes. There is no place for children to play but in the street. There are 30 odd number of homes in Wrightsburg on small lots and three more homes coming soon that have already been approved— no green space. Note: It’s expected the more people that are squeezed into a small area— trouble… so expect the law enforcement budget to be increased.
Neither the City Council or the Planning and Zoning Board have shown any interest in studying our neighborhood issues. That is unless their plan is to “allow over crowdedness” within our small city limits. Maybe we need more curbing and flower gardens around the square or around the school auditorium so there is less parking for our growth. Oh, and while we are at it— let’s buy three more of those Christmas trees with blinking (non-working) lights— we’ll have one on every corner. Pike County and the City of Zebulon (which is the county seat) need a plan of our own and not a plan borrowed from a neighboring county/city… Look at what’s happening in the neighboring cities and counties. Pike is starting to grow like an out of control wild fire! Perhaps what “we” need (I’m being facetious again) is more elected officials and appointed committees that somehow after they are elected (or appointed) get a disease called “closed mindedness” and thus follow their own agenda and do whatever the heck they believe is best. Or maybe they are seeing $ signs… You think?!
Seriously, please help us (Wrightsburg citizens) spread the word. This change to Wrightsburg cannot be allowed. If the city wants to change these lots facing Hwy 18E, we suggest they “invest in the city” and build a more visible family park and playground with some parking in this noticeable area of the city.
Thank you,
Margaret Woodall
A concerned citizen of Zebulon and Pike County
[Note from the Editor: https://cityofzebulonga.us/events/category/meetings has upcoming meeting dates and times in one easy place to keep up with what is going on. Kudos to Administrative Assistant Cami Hoopes for her work on the City of Zebulon website!"]
11.16.20
Pike County Residents,
I am an emergency medical services worker whose service includes all of Pike County. I am concerned about our ambulances and the rescue vehicles struggling to locate residences that are not clearly marked by a numerical address.
When a resident is having a heart attack, stroke, or serious bleeding issue, seconds may mean the difference in a resident’s survival or demise. If our vehicles lose cell and radio signals in a rural area, we could arrive at the scene much later than desired. A simple numerical placard near the roadway would be the perfect solution to aid the police, fire, and emergency services in completing their roles successfully.
This has been done in many rural counties for the same reasons and has been a success for the first responders and delivery vehicles, mail carriers, and passers-by. A second suggestion would be to keep the trees and bushes surrounding street signs that are already in place to ensure that their visibility is 100% from the roadway.
Tonie P. Biles
Pike County
[Note from the Editor: The Pike County Emergency Service Auxillary is selling reflective address signs to Pike County citizens. Proceeds benefit all emergency services personnel with disaster assistance in the form of gatorade, water, and other necessary items. Green signs are 6 inches by 18 inches with 4 inch reflective numbers on each side. To order, call 770-468-8633 for more information. All orders for reflective address signs must be made in writing.
I am leaving this up in the interest of safety because these signs are still being made and sold to citizens as indicated above.]