Second of two reports on last night's VLPRA steering committee received today. -jsq
The message of
Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority
Executive Director George Page was clear at tonight's Master
Planning Steering Committee workshop when he told the group “I'm not a
fan of the status quo.” If you've followed the work of Mr. Page and
the staff of the VLPRA,
especially their work on securing the upcoming
baseball tournament
which is projected to have an economic impact of about
$250,000, then you know that this is no exaggeration.
The meeting tonight was the first of a series of meetings that are
geared toward getting public involvement in the upcoming Parks and
Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan. The VLPRA has contracted with
the Nashville-based architectural and land planning group
Lose and Associates,
to conduct the comprehensive plan. Lose is pronounced
more like the geologic term defining windborne silt (loess), and less
like how we identify the team that scores fewer goals in a soccer match
(lose). The meeting tonight, which was led by two Lose planners, was
focused on evaluating current VLPRA programs and facilities and
offering suggestions for future improvements.
This evening's group of about 15 participants consisted of
Continue reading "The group overwhelmingly supported the building of... —Matt Portwood" »

State Sen. Tim Golden used Yogi Berra to illustrate that solar power
is no longer just a theory: it's now implemented in practice.
Yogi said, and I quote:
In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice,
but in practice, there is.
...
I thought about that quote because solar power at one time was a theory,
and now it's in practice.
A very good point.
(This is also where
Sonny Murphy got the idea to quote Yogi Berra.)
Sen. Golden mentioned that he and Sonny Murphy grew up with Gov. Nathan Deal.
He said he met Pete Marte of Hannah Solar at the governor's office
the previous day, at the signing of HB 346, which includes solar tax credits.
That's the bill that
Wes Hudson said
"extends the renewable energy tax credit to the year ending Dec. 31,
2014, and for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 it newly expands the total
statewide credit amount from $2.5 million to $5 million in each of the
years 2012-2014."
Sen. Golden once again said we'd gone from theory to practice.
He lauded Jimmy Carter for putting solar panels on the White House
Continue reading ""Solar power at one time was a theory, and now it's in practice" —Sen. Tim Golden" »
A message to the only elected
body in Lowndes County that represents the entire county.
I've added a few links, and otherwise what you see is
the suggestions I sent to the Commissioners and the County Clerk
Thursday after
offering them Tuesday. -jsq
From: John S. Quarterman
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2011 1:40 PM
To: Commissioner@lowndescounty.com
Cc: Paige Dukes
Subject: Policies and Procedures for Citizens Wishing to be Heard
Dear Commissioners,
At your most recent meeting I mentioned I had a few suggestions
about your new Policies and Procedures for Citizens Wishing
To Be Heard, and at least one of you has indicated he would
like to see them, so here they are.
"2. A maximum of 10 persons shall be allowed to speak at any meeting."
I think that number is too low. On the one hand,
Continue reading "Celebrate citizen participation --John S. Quarterman" »
I received this on 7 Oct for posting.
-jsq
Valdosta is an innovative city with expanding opportunities for
our growing community. Valdosta has recently celebrated 150 years of
progress. As a citizen, I have spent most of my adult life experiencing
this progress. I've seen economic developments through recruitment,
retention and expansions that benefit our city, with tremendous support
from our communities. I've seen job opportunities that improve the
livelihood of our citizens, through the recruitment of national companies
who have established their businesses in our great city.
Our school systems are innovative, and they serve as models for
other school systems in our state, with great parental involvement and
encouragement toward improvements. Our University and College systems are
some of the best in the state, with phenomenal enrollment and retention
of traditional and non-traditional students in our city and abroad.
Our religious establishments are growing from leaps and bounds with more
and more people becoming citizens of our great city, who are leaving
larger unsafe, polluted, and unproductive cities, for a safer, less
polluted and productive small town lifestyle, such as our wonderful
city provides.
The development of small businesses, through our downtown projects, have
been a great success story for our city. The innovative improvements
make our city one of the most visited in our state. We pride ourselves
as a Titletown community, through continuous progress over 150 years.
When I contemplate our shared 150 years of progress, I find it disturbing
that our Industrial Authority would make such a bad decision as to bring
a Biomass incinerator into our community. As an advocate for the welfare
of children, women, and families I am gravely concerned and disappointed
that such a project has been endorsed by leaders who were elected to
carry out the wishes of the community for the betterment of all citizens.
Continue reading "Phyllis Stallworth: "I am gravely concerned and disappointed"" »
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