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.
3.13.25
Becky Watts at The Pike County Times broke the news this week that the Board of Commissioners had announced two finalists for the currently vacant county manager position. The candidates are Jeremy Gilbert and Rob Morton, both no doubt eminently qualified to fill the position. There is, however, a major caveat concerning Mr. Morton.
Mr. Morton is currently acting as county manager. He is also the County Attorney. If selected, Mr. Morton will apparently also retain his paid position as county attorney. Even if we assume, as we should, that Mr. Morton’s ethics are unimpeachable, how does it make sense that the person responsible for advising and counselling the county manager - and commissioners - on legal matters is the same person? Even the slightest perception of any conflict of interest could be potentially scandalous. Mr. Morton also owns and operates a law firm in Pike County and acts as a judge in at least one city. Will he also continue to divide his attention among these as well?
When I spoke about this subject with Chairman Briar Johnson last month, he assured me that should Mr. Morton refuse to resign his position as county attorney as a condition of employment, he would not be considered as a candidate. Obviously, something changed Mr. Johnson’s position since he now appears to have shifted his position. This is significant since Mr. Johnson would act as tiebreaker should there be a deadlock among the four district commissioners.
Mr. Gilbert is highly qualified and has consistently proven himself as such in his current position as Director of Planning and Development. He has not indicated that, should he be selected as county manager, that he would also insist on also retaining his current position. In fact, I cannot imagine the commissioners would allow it.
The commissioners will decide on which candidate to hire by 9 April. I urge you to quickly contact your commissioner, but also to contact Chairman Johnson, by both phone and email. Post on social media. Spread the word among your friends and neighbors in Pike County. Let’s make certain that the will of the citizenry is considered. We deserve a strong, dedicated county manager, not one whose attention might potentially be divided even under the best of circumstances and intentions.
To be clear, I have no personal vendetta against Mr. Morton. In fact, I think he would be a wonderful county manager. I simply do not believe that it is the best interest of Pike County that anyone simultaneously holds two mutually supporting positions in county government. What do you think?
Anthony Vinson
Williamson, GA
[Note from the Editor: Click here to read "BREAKING NEWS: Finalists for County Manager Announced."]
8.22.24
Domestic violence is something that doesn't get talked about much as it needs to be with what happened to the deputy who was called to a domestic violence call
In Georgia the sentence for domestic violence is only 12 months it needs to be 5 or more years it needs to be a felony instead of a misdemeanor and most times they only get probation or the district attorney's will not even prosocute I am a domestic violence advocate as well as dating a 3 time domestic violence survivor
And another shocking thing is most times law enforcement will only give out warnings or citations to go to court
Ga NEEDS to be a mandatory arrest state like 24 states currently have for domestic violence in Georgia in 2023 there was 30,000 plus cases of domestic violence however only
14,188 were actually arrested
11,000 children was present
Out of 11000 9,024 children was the victims of this violent crime we gotta all contact Georgia lawmakers to do better and make these crimes to be a more severe punishment
Thank you
Howard Allison
Upson County
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.]