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.
7.7.23
The purpose of affirmative action in the United States was to create government programs to overcome the effects of past societal discrimination by allocating jobs and resources to members of specific groups, such as minorities and women. There is no question that past societal discrimination occurred in the United States and perhaps the only appropriate remedy {at the time} was affirmative action. However, I believe this policy has outlived its purpose. Anywhere you look in the United States, minorities are well represented. Besides, there is a limit to punishing people for the sins of their forefathers. It is unfair to award preference based on race when all other qualifications are equal. This not only undermines the means to determining the best candidates but also serves to de-legitimize the accomplishments of someone who was given preference based on race. Those opposed to affirmative action look to section one of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
I believe the minorities of this country have been given enough time to allow for the "cream to rise to the top" and now must take their equal position along side of the majority. The time is long overdue to stop rewarding underachieving individuals because of their race and start rewarding overachieving individuals because of their accomplishments. To do otherwise, would mean denying the very principles set forth in the Fourteenth Amendment.
Joe Bialek
Ohio
6.20.23
To Pike County and surrounding areas:
The Pike County American Legion Post 197 thanks all those who sponsored, supported, volunteered, and participated in the June 10, 2023 Zebulon 5K/10K Fun Run/Walk Fundraiser. 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, Chamber of Commerce, and City of Zebulon logos. The event had a total of 41 local sponsors to include In-kind sponsors.
Post 197 thanks our Blue- (highest) Level Sponsors: Auto Hobby Collision Repair, Barbara Richardson, BJ’s Bottle Shop, Concord Manor & Winery, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, Middle Georgia Water Systems, Moody-Daniel Funeral Home, Palmetto Sleep, Retrieving Freedom, SIA Insurance, Southern Blasting & Coating, State Farm Insurance - Janice Honeycutt, The Narrow Path Ministries International, Wealth Intelligence; Red Level Sponsors: Advance Power Equipment, DQ Grill & Chill - Zebulon, Harper’s Lawn Service, Pike Firefighter Museum, Pike Pools, Prosperity Real Estate Group, State Farm Insurance - Walt McAbee, Village Photography; White Level Sponsors: AJ Food Mart, A Novel Experience, Big Chic, Brenda Runyon, Caddies Corner, Cindy’s Florist, City of Zebulon, El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant, J&L Auto Repair, Palomas Mex Grill, Pike County Chamber of Commerce, Pike County Journal Reporter, Pike County School District, Pike County Times, Pike Pest Management, Venessa Wilkins, Winstead Winstead & Heath, Zebulon Animal Hospital, and Zebulon Floor Covering.
We also would like to thank the friends and relatives who signed up to honor deceased Veterans. We honored a record high of eleven Veterans: Lawrence E. Brock, Michael S. Brooks, Albert B. Chapman, George D. Coddington, Michael J. Coddington, William C. Dials II, Gerald A. Richardson, Barney Runyon, Murray Slaughter, Franklin D. Thrift Sr, and Leonard Wheat 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.
The next 5K/10K Fun Run/Walk will be conducted on September 16, 2023 in the great city of Meansville which will be 17th Run/Walk since 2016 and 4th conducted in Meansville. We are working to make this another highly enjoyable event in the Meansville area. More information will be provided in the near future.
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.]