Towns Tribune May 4, 2010 Page 4A
opinions and editorials
What’s on your mind? Illegal Immigration- had enough? Illegal Immigration is a topic again even President OBAMA is speaking about. Thanks Jan Brewer Governor of Arizona and all concerned with the problem and for SB.1070. After Bob Krentz was murdered on his property by an Illegal Alien, there has been too many people killed across this country by Illegal Aliens and it is my hope that more will be done now. I lost my son to an Illegal Alien almost ten years ago. Gonzalo Harrell Gonzales was an Illegal Alien from Monterey, Mexico and he still hasn’t, can’t or probably won’t be found, and held accountable for his actions. It’s not right. Period. Just like the one that killed Mr. Krentz; probably won’t be caught. They say we, here in Georgia, have more Illegal Aliens, than they do in Arizona, and I think its a shame that our elected officials know about this problem and haven’t done anything about it. Now you have Galeo (Georgia Association Latino Elected Officials) and others, at the Atlanta Capitol crying that it’s in-humane to be busting up families,
but, they don’t care about busting up the citizens’ families of our country. I have asked two different Hispanics that I deal with daily- one I believe to be legal, and the other, I am not so sure- if they have seen Gonzalo (or thought it was Gonzalo) would they turn him in. Their answer was “No”! Do any of you remember a couple of weeks ago- Sb.67 English Only Drivers Test? Well, Jerry Gonzales from Galeo, was on the news calling it a hate bill but he told the reporter that our elected officials should not be concerned with public safety. Why not? I would Like to thank all who speak their minds about the illegal immigration problem- with hope more will be done. I especially thank D.A. King and all of the Dustin Inman Society Supporters and every one of our uniformed officers - every branch who try end this problem. Remember there are already ways to be here legally but illegals choose not to use them. Their decision- not ours. They should be responsible, not us. I hope the Krentz family and the other victims of Illegal Immigration will find some peace that is needed. /s/ Dustin’s Dad, Billy Inman/ Woodstock
Broun to Run for Re-Election
Congressman Paul C. Broun, M.D. yesterday qualified to run for re-election in the 10th Congressional District: “It is an honor to serve the people in the 10th Congressional District, and I am pleased to announce my run for re-election so I can continue representing their interest in Washington,” said Broun. “Over the past three years, I have fought tirelessly to lower taxes, incentivize economic growth in the private sector, and shrink the size and scope of the federal government. Despite liberals’ attempts to steer our nation down the road to socialism, we have the opportunity to fight back and preserve liberty, free markets, and prosperity for future generations. And, I look forward to continue working with Georgians to implement common-sense solutions to these critical issues facing our nation.”
Just a Thought...
Becky Landress
Selective Memory Have you ever felt that you have selective memory? Well, I do. I smell laundry that has hung out on the line on a hot summer day and I think back to when I was a kid and Mama would bring in a basketful of the crisp towels and sheets. I don’t know why the smell takes me back there- I have hung out way more clothes as an adult than I ever did as a girl. My friend Michelle has a blog. I love to read it. She is a lot like me. Any way, her last post listed pictures of things that we all grew up with. There was the Cabbage Patch
Kid. I always wanted one of those adorable hand made dolls with the custom signature across the bottom but I never got one. It could have something to do with the fact that they were outrageously high. A couple of my grade school friends did have them though, and oh, how I envied them. A few of the other things I remember that take me back are Holly Hobbie lunch boxes, jelly shoes and watching MASH at 5 o’clock with my daddy. When I see a box fan I think of the hot summer days that I would sit in front of it when I was a kid and make funny sounds. I remember riding in the back of the truck and playing under the water hose. Those were the days. What is so ironic is that there are so few things that I look at with fondness throughout my adult years. I will forever remember my kids
though. I will remember learning to french braid my daughters’ hair and I will remember that I have to blow several times after applying peroxide to a scrapped knee. I will remember that teenage boys do not like to share information with their mother and I will remember what it feels like to see your children’s feelings get hurt. I will remember worrying over bills with my husband and celebrating with him when our daughter pitched her first softball game. I will remember the feeling when I said the words to my husband, promising “Til’ death do us part” in front of our family and God. Things though… I won’t remember many of those. I don’t remember any of the cars I have ever owned as much as I remember my first car. I think I would have had a fit if there had of ever been a wad of chewed gum in the seat of that first car, a Toyota. I believe every car that I have had since has had that wad of gum appear in the seat at least once or twice. Maybe I have selective memory when it comes to things but then again, maybe it is easier to remember when you have a mind without worry. As adults, the little things are often only outlined by the more important things. Those things will forever be the things that can’t be replaced. I can always order me a Cabbage Patch Kid off of Ebay but why bother? She would probably only end up with a wad of gum in her hair; placed there by the ones that really do matter.
Ray McBerry and the Georgia GOP... an OP-ED By: Byran Miller Guest Writer
It has come to light in recent weeks that long shot GOP candidate for Governor Ray McBerry, a former teacher, carried on an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl while he was the girl’s youth pastor. While I will not go into specific details of the allegations, and what McBerry himself admits to, the information can be found online at www.ajc.com. Last week McBerry wrote a $4,180.18 check and qualified to be on the ballot this July as a republican. Party officials are barred by law from preventing his candidacy. Thus, the Georgia GOP should do everything it can to separate itself from all things Ray McBerry. State party officials should donate McBerry’s qualifying check to charity and make it clear there is no room in the GA GOP for candidates who have demonstrated such behavior. It is up to local party officials and event organizers not to invite or allow McBerry to participate in any candidate forums, party meetings, events, and so on. Any invitation currently out there should be rescinded. It is frankly nauseating that we have people who will applaud and cast straw poll votes for such a disgraceful individual as Ray McBerry. Those voters should be ashamed. While I have not, and have no plans to, endorse any gubernatorial candidate for governor until after the primary, I applaud Karen Handel for her stance on this issue. Handel has been the most critical of McBerry’s actions and has gone further to say she will no longer appear on stage at forums with him. If you recall, Handel was also the first, and only, GOP candidate for governor to call on former Speaker Glenn Richardson to resign amidst news he carried on an affair with a utility lobbyist while sponsoring legislation that would have benefited her employer. Lastly, Ray McBerry has said he has no intention of getting out of this race. McBerry blames everyone but himself for this problem. He has continued to act in a way that only enhances his own ego. It is time for him to take responsibility for his actions. It is time for him to do what is best for his family and the people of this state. It is time for Ray McBerry to get out of this race and out of the public eye.
Your letters and comments welcome. Send them to townstribune@ gmail.com
Weekly Sheriff’s Report
Chris Clinton, Sheriff
We are currently planning the Second Annual Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes Fundraiser. Last year we raised about $7,500.00 for this great cause. All proceeds from the event will go directly to support the children of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes. As the event draws closer, I will keep you posted about the details. Last year’s event was a fun-filled day with a lot of exciting things to do. There were a lot of people who came out to watch and participate in the raffles and drawings that were held. You do not have to participate directly in the event’s competitions in order to come out and enjoy the day. Last year we raffled off some great prizes including a guided hog hunt for two, a guided grouse hunt for two, a 12 gauge shotgun, a 20 gauge shotgun, a weekend stay for two at Brasstown Valley Resort, fishing gear, meals at local restaurants and much more. Anyone can participate in the raffles and you do not have to be present to win. We are planning to have more of these exciting gifts to give away this year. Helping the Georgia
A Balanced Budget By Sen. Jim Butterworth
The General Assembly achieved victory for Georgians this week against seemingly impossible budget numbers. Our diligent work, in conjunction with the House of Representatives, resulted in a balanced Fiscal Year 2011 budget that does not raise taxes on the citizens of Georgia. We balanced the budget in a way that will help families and future economic growth in our state. This is the toughest economic environment since the Great Depression. Our budget gaps have grown to unprecedented proportions. However, we prevailed and reduced the size of government while maintaining basic services. By fulfilling our constitutional duty and passing a balanced budget, we demonstrated good fiscal management that we wish to see in the federal government. The Senate budget cut $2.6 billion in state spending. We did this while fulfilling our vow to not raise taxes, for anyone. Most state agencies were reduced by more than 20 percent. This budget, which takes effect July 1, 2010, reflects an 18 percent decline from the original FY 2009 budget
Sheriffs’ Youth Homes is something that means a lot to me and all the other people who lend a hand. None of the children in the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes have ever been in trouble. These children are good kids that are only asking for a chance. I believe in the mission of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes and that is why I am always glad to support them. I am very thankful for all of those who helped make last year’s event a success. I hope you will all return again this year and please bring your family and friends. They are sure to have a great time and this is all for a great cause. I would like to say a special thank you to the Chatuge Gun Club for being so helpful and for being so supportive of the event. I look forward to seeing you there! For more information about the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, to share your comments or ask questions please contact us at www.townscountysheriffsoffice.com or call 706/896-4444. Or simply come by the Sheriff’s Office located at 4070 State Hwy 339, Young Harris, Georgia. You can send an anonymous e-mail tip about suspicious activity by visiting the Contact Us page on the website, or call 706/896-3697 to leave an anonymous tip. Your information will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared without your consent. equaling a $3.7 billion shortfall. These numbers are often hard to grapple with when faced with a duty to pass a balance budget. We did save essential programs that impact the lives of Georgians in significant ways. We maintained the integrity of the 4-H program, allowing young Georgians to continue learning and growing in an agriculturefocused environment. The Senate also restored funding to the Georgia Council of the Arts, a state agency that provides access to the arts through the award of highly competitive grants that fund arts programming. If we had not restored this funding, Georgia would be the only state without a statewide arts agency and we would be depriving Georgia’s citizens of dance, music, the performing arts and more. Apart from the budget, we passed a major ethics reform package to ensure Georgia’s elected officials are held to the highest ethical standards. This was a much-needed bill that will bring significant change to the political system in Georgia. It was crafted with a provision that broadens the scope and authority of the Ethics commission. It includes stricter reporting requirements and increases penalties for those lobbyists and elected officials who break the law. The bill passed the House and the Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature. see BUTTERWORTH on page 6A