No playing favorites in race for District 4 Commission vacancy
Editor:
My purpose for seeking a seat on the Columbia County Board of Commis-sioners, representing District 4, is to represent the constituents who live in this vast district. According to News-Times publisher Barry Paschal, I lost in my first political attempt for a seat on the county Board of Education (column, Oct. 8). However, this loss can be equated to the expression of losing the battle but winning the war.
Grovetown now has a first ever Grovetown Middle School and Harlem Middle has spruced up the area where unsightly portables were jam packed with congestion inside and out.
Paschal strongly favors one candidate over all others according to the Good Ol Boy practice, such as relating to cousins and their cousins making that Ol Boy the best qualified. In Paschals Oct. 8 column he includes a misunderstanding between candidate Sam Jones and Columbia County Re-publican Party Chairman Lee Muns pertaining to Muns endorsing Jones candidacy, stating that Muns said to Jones via e-mail, It is very unethical to use someones name in such a powerful manner without their personal consent.
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Now Barry should check with Dennis Trudeau, mayor of Grovetown . Paschal states that (George) James comes in as an early favorite by virtue of his endorsement from (Mark) Devoti and from the mayors of Grovetown and Harlem. I cant speak for the Harlem mayor, but I can assure you that Trudeau wouldnt endorse one candidate over another. Paschal should confirm this statement unless early favorite means to first person to qualify at the county Board of Elections.
There have been three major issues presented to the county this year:
Possible closing of Fort Gordon;
Consolidation of the fire departments;
County capital improvements plan for 2005-2010 (SPLOST revenue).
I felt compelled to be informed about these overwhelming issues and attended (forums on) each of them in my area. But I did not see in attendance any of the other candidates who have qualified for a seat on the County Board of Commissioners. Did I miss seeing them, or were they not interested at that time?
Rosa Lee Owens
Grovetown
(Editor's note: Barry Paschal's response is included in the column in this issue.)