Guest columnist

Dear Editor - Message Boards

Another “HotBed,” issue,” bites the dust in Valdosta, Georgia!
Recently I addressed the Honorable Mayor John Fretti, and City Council on
removing an 1860 charter from display near the City Municipal Courtroom to
the local museum.

The charter refers to slaves, free people of color as hogs, dogs,
horses, and other live stock, and that they must be suppressed, controlled,
and abated, by Valdosta elected officials in paragraph 100 Section XI.

I responded to the Honorable Major’s letter during City Council
Meeting---before a packed house.

Folowing the meeting a local radio talk show host Mr. Scott James from
WVLD 1450 am commended me for taking a strong passionate stand on the
issue. He then invited me to be a guest on his talk show the next day
and I accepted. We discussed removing the 1860 charter for 20 minutes.

The Honorable Mayor Fretti was Mr. Scott James guest earlier that
morning and they too discussed the 1860 charter.

However, our local editor Ron Wayne of the Valdosta Daily Times made no
mention whatsoever in his article covering the City Council Meeting.
It appears that VDT is the reason our city is locked into a time
warp---unlike Macon and Atlanta.

Nothing seems to get pass the South Georgia Media Machine—with no
relief in sight. We need local government and news media outlets that are of
the people, by the people, and for the people. Peace!



George Rhynes
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity