This weekend we will have thousands visitors from all over the state and country who will be participating in the annual B.R.A.G.

This year's course travels from Oxford to St. Simons Island.

While these folks and their families are here, they will be using our motels, eating at our food establishments and shopping at our local businesses.

According to the B.R.A.G. Committee, these folks will be leaving a much needed $100,000 shot in the arm for our local economy.

Let's give our visitors a great Newton County welcome.

There will also be a big free celebration on the square Saturday night.

See you there.

It was great news to hear that plans for a second library to be built in Porterdale are moving along ahead of schedule.

It is a tribute to a county that recognizes the value of the printed word.

This type of commitment by the people of Newton County and their elected officials makes this a great place to live and work.

Based on our current polling, which can be seen and participated in at our Web site, www.covnews.com, a great majority of our voters believe that a background check is needed for all potential elected officials.

Sen. John Douglas is already on board for driving such a bill through the Georgia Senate. Representative Doug Holt will be on board soon after some additional study.

Although we are completely and without reservation behind such a bill, the bill should target convicted felons not those with minor infractions.

We do not need or care to need to know every facet of a candidates past life.