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.
2.19.24
A political primary is a preliminary election in which the registered voters of a political party nominate candidates for office. The key word here is preliminary. The current system allows small states such as Iowa and New Hampshire {assisted by the media} to award front-runner status to the victorious candidate. From there the candidates travel a path determined by which states wants to "leap frog" the other by moving up their primary dates. Candidates are whisked across the country without any real ability to distinguish regional issues from national issues. Consequently, party platforms are determined by a make-it-up-as-you-go approach. If the primary process were organized on a regional basis, candidates would be able to study the regional issues, campaign to confirm those issues and then receive votes based on the solutions they propose. A regional approach would also prevent a premature selection of a front runner because success in one region certainly would not guarantee success in the next region. This would also further validate the process because each state would still have a say all the way down to the end. Finally, the number of delegates awarded in each state should be determined by the percentage of votes won by each candidate. And yes, convert the caucuses to primaries.
Accordingly, the political primaries should occur between January and June of each presidential election year. Each of the six regions would be assigned a particular month. A lottery held in June of the previous year would determine which month each region holds its primaries. An example illustrates the format:
January
Middle West (9):
Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin
February
Southern (8):
Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
March
Atlantic (8):
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina,
April
New England (8):
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
May
Northwestern (9):
Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming
June
Southwestern (9):
Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah
Joe Bialek
Cleveland, OH
11.30.23
To Pike County and surrounding areas: The Pike County American Legion Post 197 thanks all those who sponsored, supported, volunteered, and participated in the 21 October 2023 Concord 5K/10K Fun Run/Walk Fundraiser. This event helped kick-off the 50th Anniversary of the Concord Jubilee. The weather was perfect. The Pike County Chamber of Commerce, Pike County Times, and Pike County Journal Reporter helped promote this event. Village Photography produced anther unique T-shirt incorporating the American Legion, 50th Annerversary Concord Jubilee, and City of Concord logos. The event had a total of 33 local sponsors to include in-kind sponsors. This year, we added business logos to the Sponsor Board and these were displayed during the 2-day Concord Jubilee.
Post 197 thanks our Patriot (Highest) Level Sponsors: Promo Vision Advertising and Davis Electrical Solutions; Blue Level Sponsors: Barbara Richardson, Concord Manor & Winery, Family Medical & Urgent Care Clinic-Zebulon, Kindrick Law Office, Magnolia Farms Equestrian Center, McLeRoy Realty, Middle Georgia Fleet Services, MM&B Dentistry-Zebulon, ReMax Southern-Griffin, Southern Rivers Energy, The Wood Yard, The Narrow Path Ministries, and in memory of Lawrence and Annette Brock; Red Level Sponsors: A Novel Experience, Marcia Callaway-Ingram-Chief Magistrate, Pike County Chamber of Commerce, Pike Propane, Shears to You, SIA Insurance & Financial Services, Stefan Huckaby, and Village Photography; White Level Sponsors: City of Concord, Hilltop Community, Perkins Towing and Recovery, Pike County Journal Reporter, Pike County Times, Prosperity Real Estate Group, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Bank-Zebulon Branch, Van Dyk Mortgage, Venessa Wilkins, and Virginia Terry.
We also would like to thank the friends and relatives who signed up to honor deceased Veterans. We honored a record high of thirteen Veterans: Marshall H. Callaway, Jr., Johnathon F. Davis, James Huckaby, Robert L. Huckaby, Timothy J. Odell, Robert E. Oxford, Gerald A. Richardson, Donald R. Rogin, Paul A. Saylor, Glenn Terry, Franklin D. Thrift, Jack Turner, and Milledge Wilkins, Sr. on the back of the event T-shirt.
The Pike County American Legion Post 197 conducts Programs that help honor Veterans; assist Veterans and their families; and educate the community on Veterans affairs and patriotism. Funds from sponsorship and event participation allows Post 197 to continue our great programs.
Again, thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, and participants for your continued support of these community events.
Sincerely,
Bryan D. Richardson
Event Director
Pike County American Legion Post 197
5.17.22
Dear Editor,
I am not a political person; I do not care for politics. Making sure I know the candidates well enough to make an informed decision when I vote is as deep as I get.
Over a year ago, I got involved in a conflict with the Pike County Manager, which was an attack against my wife. Hopefully the issue has been resolved, but the scars remain. Because of what happened and what I found out about the County Manager, I have become very interested in the actions of the County Manager.
I think it would be advisable if everyone in Pike County would make an effort to get to know the County Manager's job description and how he is fulfilling those functions. Everything the County Manager writes or says is a matter of public record; all citizens have access to public records.
I must state that I do not have first-hand knowledge of all these events, so I must say yes, they are my opinions, and it would be advisable for each of you to find out the truth for yourself.
Over a year ago, I made a written charge against the County Manager for public endangerment and unprofessionalism regarding a dangerous road condition that he refused to remedy. The conflict began.
The County Manager decided to establish 36 hours of work per week as the requirement for full-time employment, which he has the right to do, with the approval of the Board of Commissioners. What he does not have the right to do is tell the county's Constitutional Officers what to do.
The County Manager tried to force a Constitutional Officer to make one of their employees part-time; The County Manager failed.
Not having been able to impose his will on the Constitutional Officer, the County Manager changed the newly approved retirement plan to require a 36-hour workweek to qualify for retirement. The only person in the county who was going to retire was the same person The County Manager tried to force her to work a 36-hour workweek. I wonder if there could have been some leftover resentment from his failure to get his way? By the way, it took a vote of the County Board of Commissioners to ensure the thirty-one-year employee got the retirement she deserved. Unfortunately, it took this same employee four months to get a penny of her money after she retired. There has been no explanation from the County Manager why such a delay.
The infamous boat dock/rock issue. I have no opinion on this matter, but how the county manager deceived people to have the rocks removed shows me immaturity and a lack of integrity.
There appear to be several other issues, such as withholding money from a department budget because the County Manager did not think they needed the money the department asked for in their budget. It would appear the County Manager believes he knows best in all things.
I have spoken to several county employees and have only found one person who has anything nice to say about the County Manager. I have heard words like chauvinist, narcissist, and bully, which are the nice words.
My point is, do we want or need a person who will defy even the County Commissioners to get his way. A person who seems to act as if he was the ultimate authority and power in Pike County. I strongly suggest that every citizen start paying attention to what is happening in Pike County and contact your Commissioner when you see something wrong.
Ben Maxedon
Zebulon
[Note from the Editor: Pike County Times has been covering the actions of the county manager for some time including each of the situations named above.
The story behind his attempt to force a constitutional officer to bend to his will during a retirement discussion can be found here: www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BOC9.28.21.html.
Click here to read how the rocks were moved at the Shoals prior to a meeting with the county manager to discuss removing the rocks: www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSflatshoals3.15.22.html
Withholding money from a budget could refer to the $16,000 that the county manager removed and refused to put back into Superior Court's budget last year (www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BOC9.28.21.html) or the reduction in the J. Joel Edwards Library budget this year (www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BOCSCM4.21.22.html). Does there seem to be an unfortunate pattern here?
Pike County Times wrote an article on county manager's contract which can be read here along with a link to a copy of his contract which requires annual evaluations that have not been done to date over the two years that he has been employed here: www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/brandonrogers2.26.22.html. The evaluations by county commissioners are in the process but have still not been completed, and there is a 30 day window from June 30, 2022 in which to renew his contract. And there is also the matter of a $5,000 raise that he wrote for himself in the upcoming budget.
UPDATE 6.20.23: Pike County Times continues to cover this matter and chooses to leave this editorial online a year later since there has been an allegation of a hostile work environment by a current employee (pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSrogerscomplaint5.9.23.html) and a former county employee is currently suing the county sexual discrimination and retaliation (http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSlawsuit5.22.23.html). Until the issues are resolved and are no longer continuing to occur, this editorial will remain right here and be updated with continuing activity. I am of the opinion that following the rules and treating others like one wants to be treated -- especially when in a position of authority -- should not be that hard to do.]
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.]