Column on rezoning 'inflames' while county is trying to move forward

Editor:

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I was quoted twice in The News-Times, from the first middle school rezoning meeting and the first high school rezoning meeting. I was actually there.

I am OK with the rezoning of my seventh graders to Harlem High, and am looking forward to the "community" atmosphere that I believe does and will continue to exist there. I wouldn't want to be a part of a school that the community wasn't proud of.

However, I am not OK with Barry Paschal's March 26 column, "Harlem's dogs fighting back?"

Why inflame when you have the perfect opportunity to help our county move forward? Do you not think that our kids are listening? My kids know nothing of any past animosity between schools from 25 years ago.

Quit living in the past. Columbia County is trying to move forward! I have many friends in both places (Harlem and Greenbrier), and we are all looking forward to a great school becoming even better, no thanks to Paschal's negativity. I wonder if that makes me an elitist?

Let me clarify a few points:

There was no time given for public comment at the first high school rezoning meeting. We were instructed to write our comments down and they would be addressed. I am quite sure they went "write" in the trash bin.

The applause Paschal mentioned came after Superintendent Charles Nagle mentioned that we (voters) would be debt-free with regard to building and bond obligations after a certain time. I heard no applause after the rezoning "dog and pony show" ended.

As for the meeting at Greenbrier, isn't this America? Don't we have a right to hold and voice our opinions? I have heard only one virulent voice of opposition to going to Harlem. Whether I agree with her or not, I would fight and die for her right to speak out.

Sorry that the board doesn't have unanimous support; welcome to adulthood. If our elected board members and appointed superintendent can't take the heat, get out. They are there because we (voters) put them there to look after our interests. Sorry for the government lesson; I learned that at Evans High School, in Mrs. Vaughn's government class.

Keith Price

Appling