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.
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.]