6 MyConnection | Wednesday, October 7, 2015
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Health hazards The American summer of 2015 started with a scream a s a n overdose of sh a rk attacks made coastal Carolina beaches resemble the set of the movie “Jaws.” Beachfront businesses suffered heavy losses as ocean lovers stayed home by the boatload. If you didn't know better, you’d think the Great Feeding Frenzy of 2015 was either a sure sign of the apocalypse or evidence that the “Sharknado” movies were actually documentaries. The shark attacks were bad for people and good for TV news ratings. But as far as public dangers go, statistics show that, so far in 2015, more people have died while taking smartphone selfies than from shark attacks. St ick t h at one i n you r pocket for trivia night. According to the Shark Attack Survivors website, eight people have died worldwide from shark attacks in 201 5. Meanwhile, website Mashable.com reports that the number of selfie-related deaths reached 12 in September when a Japanese visitor tumbled down the stairs to his death while taking his very last selfie at the Taj Mahal. The Mashable.com report said the leading cause of deaths from self ie-related incidents was falling. The n e x t le a d i n g c a u s e w a s train-related accidents while
attempting to take self-portrait photos. Selfies have gotten so dangerous that even the Russians — never known for being wa r m a nd f u zz y — have started a “Safe Selfie” program, complete with pictures of dangerous selfie-taking behavior. Actually, selfie safety training is not a bad idea. But if selfie-safety is going to be promoted, the word should forget about the Russians and hire some real experts. The world’s most prolific takers — and posters — of selfies are the Kardashian clan, which includes several trashy sisters and half-sisters, an even trashier mother, and former Olympic champion Bruce Jenner, who now wears dresses and calls himself Caitlyn. Members of the extended Kardashian family have taken millions of selfies in every pose, posit ion a nd place imaginable, and we have not lost a single one. They remain as indestructible as cockroaches — and perhaps less appealing. But as far as accidental deaths go, shark attacks and selfie deaths barely scratch the statistical surface. Global figures show that, year after year, the most dangerous activity on Earth is soccer. Here's the best part. Soccer players aren’t dying. It’s
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the fans who are falling like wheat before a John Deere combine. Especially those on the east side of the Atlantic. Don’t take my word for it. Read the April 2015 article in the Wall Street Journal titled “Soccer violence escalates in Europe.” The Journal reported that “in 1985, a melee collapsed a wall at Belgium’s Heysel stadium, killing 39 people, and a 1989 disaster at Britain’s Hillsborough Stadium crushed 96 fans.” Things have gotten worse. According to the article, German officials “reported 7,863 soccer-related offenses last season, up from 4,576 in 200506. Italy saw 1,515 last year, up from 1,161.” Those “offenses” led to a large number of deaths. Soccer violence among the former Soviet republics in
eastern Europe has reached levels previously undreamed of. An Eastern European soccer match is no longer considered a success unless a fan or two leaves the stadium in a body bag. Take it from an expert’s mouth. “The possibility of violence is always present,” said Aleksandar Pavlovic, a member of the sports faculty at Belgrade’s Union-Nikola Tesla University. “Casualties are not rare.” Now there’s a slogan any sport can be proud of. Speaking of which, until sig n s say i ng “Ca sua lt ies are not rare” are posted on beaches and selfie sticks, I’ll stay safe by avoiding Eastern European soccer matches.
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By SARAH FAY CAMPBELL sarah@newnan.com
PHOTO BY DEBBY DYE
William W. “Billy” Thomasson, president of The Newnan Times-Herald, enjoys a light moment with Dorris Gilbert at the newspaper’s 150th birthday celebration. Gilbert, who is believed to be the paper’s longest subscriber, has known Thomasson all his life.
NTH celebrates its 150th
By W. WINSTON SKINNER winston@newnan.com Dozens of people attended the open house at The Newnan Times-Herald on Wednesday as the newspaper celebrated its 150th birthday. Visitors were invited to circulate among the items on display. through the building so they could see Refreshments were served on both the news, advertising, circulation and floors of the building. There were two business areas of the newspaper. His- birthday cakes featuring the newspatorical displays were arranged in the per’s sesquicentennial logo. Shrimp, front lobby and in a couple of other pasta salad, cookies and brownies – along with punch – were also served. areas in the building. Visitors included longtime readers Old newspapers and a copy of the them Dorris Gilbert, who has among – were cookbook 1967 ’s newspaper
See more pictures on page 2A
been taking the paper more than 75 years – and relative newcomers who wanted to see the building and meet members of the staff. Staff members were on hand to greet visitors and to answer questions. A magazine celebrating the history of the newspaper and the community was included in home delivery copies of The Times-Herald on Wednesday, and open house guests could get magazines to take home. Copies are now available at the front desk of the newspaper office,
150TH, page 2A
To d a y ’s p u b l i c h e a r ing will be Cowetans’ only chance to voice their opinion on Coweta County’s proposed 2016 budget. Fol low i ng t he Coweta Cou nt y Com m issioners’ recent decision to go with the “rollback” millage rate, county staff has revised the proposed budget, making $3.3 million in cuts. County sta ff had proposed a n increase in the property tax millage rate. The rollback rate is a decrease in the rate; however, the rollback rate brings in the same amount of revenue as last year’s rate, because of an increase in property values. The original proposed budget was $72 , 56 4, 576 , and the revised proposal is $69,258,236. However, the budget is a “working document,” and county staffers were still working Wednesday on possible changes. The public hearing is on
the agenda for tonight’s commissioner’s meeting. Once the public hearing is closed – likely during tonight’s meeting – no more public comment will be taken on the budget. Coweta n s who ca n’t at tend t he meet i ng ca n email or fax comments on the budget, but they must be received before the public hearing. For the comments to be read or considered, the commenter must request that they be “made a part of the official meeting.” Comments should be emailed to Ftabor@coweta.ga.us and Szerangue@coweta.ga.us. Other written comments go into the minutes f ile but usually are not read or reviewed by commissioners or staff. You can view a copy of the proposed budget at www. coweta.ga.us. Click on “2016 Budget” on the home page under “top stories.”
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