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Thoughts on St. Patrick's Day
On March 17, in this country and in our community we celebrate St. Patrick's Day, a day celebrated throughout the land with parades and merriment and music. Celebrating this day is the right thing to do in this country because there is not a race of people who have contributed more to the might and culture of America than the Irish.




Our thoughts...Tell us something we don't know
We are pleased to note that the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission, a 12-county planning group that has been working on a year 2035 plan, has recognized the fact that Newton County is a great place to live as it is filled with natural resources and historic areas. Of course, those of us that live here have known that all along.




Our thoughts...Consider carefully
The Covington Planning Commission has approved the annexation and re-zoning of the 167 acres of land belonging to Gil Gainer. This recommendation by the planning commission has been sent to city council for final approval.




Our thoughts...A job well done
Our Newton Rams brought our community some great excitement this winter as they hustled and fought their way to the final four in the state basketball championship. Even though they lost to Milton, a team built on recruited players in the Atlanta metro area, they never stopped showing a special determination and pride for their community.




Look, daddy, an airplane
Last week news broke of an air traffic controller working New York City's busy John F. Kennedy International Airport bringing his young son to work with him, and actually allowing the child to convey instructions to aircraft. Some of the airline pilots were amused, and the aberration from the normal airport operation almost passed without incident. Having spent parts of the 20th and 21st centuries in the company tower for the busiest airline at the ...




From bad to worse
As of March 11, your Georgia legislature had completed 24 of 40 working days in Atlanta. We have 16 days remaining that will likely be spread over the next month in order to give us more time to search for budget solutions. We are also working on other areas of interest to improve the efficiency of state government and to make life less expensive for the citizens of our state. Budget news here goes from ...




Our thoughts...BOE turnover
There were 51 and now there are three - candidates for Newton County Schools superintendent that is. All three look very promising; you can see their résumés at CovNews.com.




Spring has arrived
When it comes to snow, I have passed the point that I want to go out and play.




Our thoughts... An absurd idea
The request to build a drag strip in Social Circle was put on temporary hiatus this week as drag strip developer Donnie Clack withdrew his request to build the project — for now.




How not to repair a garage door
It’s a fact: I don’t like to pay someone else to do something that I can do better. Well, at least that’s the theory. The reality is that I’m cheap, and I hate to let my money go on long trips without me. So, I often repair things that I should never mess with, just to save a few bucks. A classic example of my penny-pinching foolishness dates from about 1986, when ...




Our thoughts... Field of dreams
Our struggling economy has caused the delay of many worthwhile projects in our area. One such plan was the downtown development project, which would have included a new hotel and entertainment facility.




Our thoughts...The Good Ship America
Today's paper includes 44 pages of legal notices; they reflect the smashed dreams of homeowners, business owners, folks who have lost their only means transportation and other struggling individuals and families. We are approaching the second year of this type of loss in Newton County.




All state workers need to sacrifice
When Chancellor Erroll Davis was told by legislators to make further budget cuts at the University System, he put up several ideas for consideration. You could raise tuition 35 percent or so, Davis said, as well as charge students an "emergency fee," shorten semesters, lay off some employees, or discontinue popular programs such as 4-H and county extension offices.




No taxation without representation
Dear Editor: I was very interested in the information contained in the March 3rd article "City residents question electric rates, system." Now I understand from the mayor's own statement that our higher than normal electric rates are being used to subsidize lower city property taxes. There is a very basic problem with that process. A large percentage of Covington Electric customers do not live in the city limits of Covington. I live about 5 miles ...




Perdue playing with budget proposals
In the midst of one of the worst economic crises in memory, the Georgia General Assembly has to make some extremely difficult financial decisions. I don't envy them their job. To make their challenge even harder, up pops Gov. Sonny Perdue with some budget add-ons. This time we aren't talking about concrete fishponds. While teachers are being furloughed, state employees laid off and budgets slashed to the bone, news reports say our chief executive desires ...




Our thoughts...Blue & White Pride
Here in Newton County, we have experienced the very lowest of the current economic malaise that has swept the nation. The gloom and despair can be seen on faces throughout the community.




Our thoughts... Around the corner
There is no question that this has been a tough winter here in Newton County and Social Circle.




Our thoughts... Letting go
 The residents of Nelson Heights received good news this week.




Derailed
The Smart Growth Newton County board of directors is disappointed by the Covington City Council’s refusal to approve pursuing a nonbinding grant for funds to aid in conversion of unused rail lines in the city to walking and biking trails, should the rail lines be purchased. The grant investigation would have cost the city nothing; it would have simply added information to help the council weigh the merits and costs of trail ...




Wish I didn’t know now
Lyrics were always the hardest thing for me to master as a kid. The Beatles invaded American rock-n-roll in December 1963, and appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in February ‘64. Invited to join a fledgling band, I discovered how challenging memorizing lyrics to a myriad of tunes really is.




Scare tactics
Last Sunday we were proud to once again recognize the importance of agribusiness to Newton County; little did we know that the chancellor and the Board of Regents of The University System of Georgia were planning a broadside attack against the future of a segment of our economy that provides more than $70 billion in revenue in Georgia and employs more than 69,000 workers. In these tough economic times the university system is under pressure ...




Head, heart, hands and health
I was in fifth grade when the announcement was made that a meeting of the 4-H club was being held that day. Not exactly sure what the 4-H club was, I went.




The sounds of love
Dear Editor: The Church at Covington did, indeed, ring with the sounds of love and praise at the FaithWorks' benefit, Sing-A-Song of Love, on Friday night, Feb. 26. Choir members and performers from the churches and community came together to raise funds for our ministry to those needing rent or utility assistance in Newton County. Admission was free, but generous hearts contributed over $4,600 in offerings taken that night. We could never have imagined such ...




Everyday heroes
Dear Editor: I want to thank the sheriff's department, fire department, ambulance staff, and wrecker services that came to our aid on a cold, rainy Tuesday night, March 2, at the accident on Hazelbrand Road at the eastbound entrance ramp of Interstate 20 at approximately 8 p.m. Your response was swift. I am grateful no one was injured, but I am glad you all were there to help.




Speak up
Dear Editor: I am deeply saddened by the Covington City Council decision not to pursue a grant to create a multi-use trail along the abandoned Norfolk Southern Railroad. One continuous complaint by Newton County and Covington officials is that Newton County residents go elsewhere to spend their money, robbing the city and county of sales tax dollars spent in neighboring counties. Well, the reason people go elsewhere is because our representatives keep passing up great ...




No backbone
"I support extending unemployment benefits, COBRA [health] benefits, flood insurance, highway bill fix, doc fix, small business loans, and distant network television for satellite viewers," Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.). Jim Bunning spent 15 years in major league baseball pitching for the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. During that time he was a solid, all-around player winning more than 200 games.




Not even coffee
Dear Editor: Mr. [Earnest] Simmons has it wrong. Elected officials and government employees should never even take a cup of coffee from anyone whom they are doing business with as a government official. Our elected officials volunteer to serve. If they are looking for a free meal, then [they need to] resign or not run again.




Community that cares
Dear Editor: On Monday, Jan. 25, what a parent hopes and prays to be a normal, regular, safe day at school turned out to be one of the scariest days of our family's life. Our son, James P. Norrington, a 17-year-old student at Newton High School, entered his third block class and stated to his teacher that he didn't feel good; the teacher told him to go to the clinic and see the nurse but ...




Encore
This time of year, we are not only excited that the first warmer days of spring are just around the corner, but also that the Arts Association in Newton County's spring series is ramping up too. During the month of March the Arts Association sponsors the True Colours Art Exhibit at the Newton County Library. This exhibit features work from all grades of Newton County students and we are always amazed at the talent of the young people within our boarders.




So long, Linder
There was a time when communities like ours knew their congressman. He usually attended all the major functions, patted babies on their head and even made speeches at Rotary and Kiwanis meetings. Then politicians figured out a way that they could have their party, and themselves if they played their cards right, stay in power for as long as they chose.




Pillow talk in the governor's race
It's time for Bill and Hillary Clinton to step aside. The hottest new couple in politics is one of Georgia's own, DuBose and Carol Porter. DuBose Porter, the state legislator from Dublin, has already been campaigning for several months in the Democratic primary for governor. His wife, Carol, announced last week that she will run in the same primary for lieutenant governor.




Greatest little town
Dear Editor: Dear Social Circle Planning & Zoning Committee Members: I would like to thank each of you for your dedication to the city of Social Circle. I know each of you love and care for Social Circle; otherwise you would not volunteer your time and knowledge for a sometimes thankless job. I know the past several months have been tiresome at times, and I applaud you for your willingness to hear from everyone who ...




Comfort food
Has anyone seen or heard from Al Gore this year? It would be serendipitous, indeed, for the former vice-president to appear and convince Old Man Winter to pack his bags. Gore can pontificate about global warming to his heart's content, but here in the Deep South folks are tired of being this cold for this long. Easter is but five Sundays away. For crying out loud, in just 39 days Jack and Arnie tee off ...




The president's still not listening
With Democrats holding the presidency, a majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate, you might think that they could pass whatever legislation they want. But more than a year after Obama took office, his party's version of health care "reform" has not been passed and may be going nowhere fast. Not to be deterred by facts, the current mantra from the Obama administration is that the Republicans, whom they label the party of NO, are holding up progress.




Commission ethics
We think it's worthwhile that the Newton County Board of Commissioners is reviewing their ethics policies. The reason this is even necessary is the abuse of gifts of every sort by politicians across the country.




The legacy of the land
"When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state."




Our thoughts... Unchained melody
The county BOC also is considering passing an anti-tethering ordinance.




Our thoughts... Liquor by the drink
Residents of Newton County, in one way or another, have all felt the effects of the economic downturn mainly caused by the collapse of the housing industry.




Oh, deer
We’ve got a gang problem in my neighborhood.




Letter to the editor...Make your voices heard
Dear Editor: This letter is to all bus drivers, janitors, cafeteria workers and their families of [the] Newton County School System. The school board will soon decide the calendar for next school year. If the board chooses either the 169-day year or the four-day week, then the lowest paid employees will take a significant pay cut of up to 20 percent. You must take action by taking the survey on the school ...




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