Letters!

Please pass the word! If you are tired of the VDT and it's "editorial" opinions fire off your comments and concerns. Thanks!
Now for another letter....

George B. Rhynes (229-251-8645) 5 December 2003
605 ½ East Hill Ave
Valdosta, Georgia 31605

Dear Editor

Thanks to you, and other Internet web-sites, the citizens of Valdosta,
Georgia can finally get their editorials, opinions, and columns
published in Lowndes County.

In my opinion: For years, I have watched the Valdosta Daily Times
(VDT); our only local daily newspapers omit the real news, and concerns of
the community. Therefore, the Internet has become a breath of fresh air
for many local citizens. Now the hoodwink of an 1857 time warp can be
permanently removed from the eyes of the masses.

Especially, since we have Moody AFB, Valdosta State University, Wild
Adventure, many Retired Veterans from around the world, and Educators
from the best schools, colleges, and universities known to man. Yet, many
of these professionals are dissatisfied with our local news media
outlets.

Even local organizations come together across racial lines to condemn
the manner in which meetings are inadequately covered by VDT at various
city and county monthly meetings such as:

a. Supplies needed by our youths as brought before the mayor and city
council recently. Some elderly citizens are afraid to come out of their
homes because of alleged gang activity. The director from South Side
Recreation Center that helps under privilege youths were recognized at a
City Board of Education monthly meeting. That railroad tracts in
several locations on the South Side of the City presents a hazard, but since
the (VDT) times will not report on items of this nature. The citizens
have no way of knowing that problems presented are being worked by
mayor and council.

b. Moreover, local citizens are not notified by the VDT, concerning
drive by shootings addressed at various meetings. Eleven, Lowndes County
Inmates constitutional rights allegedly was being denied. In addition,
they requested help from outside sources by written official
statements---which was presented to the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners.
Serious incidents were being swept under the rug. Irregularities, in
the local electoral process with candidates names missing from ballots,
voters name was not listed on voting list, citizens in district 1,
having to drive over 10-12 miles round trip to a polling place to cast their
votee, incidents at the County Fair was not reported and many local
citizens knew nothing these incidents.

However, these problems are seldom reported and addressed in our local
media outlets, although some are sent in writing. Therefore, it is the
local citizens responsibility to network, write letters, make telephone
calls, make full use of internet services, and create newsletters to
keep the community informed when news outlets fail to do so.

In addition, we must hold our news media accountable to their
responsibility---not only to the citizens of Valdosta, but also to the Founding
Fathers of this Republic. Moreover, to the Veterans who served our
nation to preserve our Freedom of Speech and of the Press indefinitely.
Peace!