On the LAKE Front

Rock the Bomb in Atlanta tonight

If you happen to be in Atlanta, an Atlanta-based group is holding an anti-nuclear event in Atlanta tonight at the Lake Claire Community Land Trust, 280 Arizona Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia.

-jsq

17th Annual 100 Black Men BBQ 2012-08-04

Roy Copeland, President of 100 Black Men of Valdosta, Inc., explained today's annual BBQ.

Here's Part 1 of 2:

17th Annual 100 Black Men BBQ Part 1 of 2:
Video by John S. Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE), Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 4 August 2012.

Here's some more video of the food, music, and community at the historic Lowndes County Courthouse today. You've still got about half an hour to get down there.

Here's Part 2 of 2:

What kind of investigation can you do in a minute and a half? --Chris Gay for Coroner of Lowndes County @ Baseball 2012-07-14

Chris Gay is running for Coroner of Lowndes County. He spoke at a baseball reunion in Naylor, 14 July 2012.

I have no videos of his opponent, the incumbent Bill Watson, because I have never seen Watson at a public event.

Here's the video:

What kind of investigation can you do in a minute and a half? --Chris Gay for Coroner of Lowndes County
1st Annual Reunion, South Georgia Semi-Pro Baseball & Softball League (Baseball),
Video by John S. Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE), Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 14 July 2012.

-jsq

When you cry, I'm gonna cry; when you laugh, I laugh —Allen Lane for Lowndes County Commission District 4 @ Baseball 2012-07-14

Allen Lane is one of the two Democrats running for the new County Commission District 4 for the east half of Lowndes County. He spoke at a baseball reunion in Naylor, 14 July 2012.

Here's the video:

When you cry, I'm gonna cry; when you laugh, I laugh —Allen Lane for Lowndes County Commission District 4
1st Annual Reunion, South Georgia Semi-Pro Baseball & Softball League (Baseball),
Video by John S. Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE), Naylor, Lowndes County, Georgia, 14 July 2012.

-jsq

Invest in our future now or watch our kids leave —Demarcus Marshall for Lowndes County Commission District 4 @ Baseball 2012-07-14

Demarcus Marshall is one of two Democrats running for the new County Commission District 4 that covers the eastern half of Lowndes County. He spoke at a baseball reunion in Naylor, 14 July 2012.

Here's the video:

Invest in our future now or watch our kids leave —Demarcus Marshall for Lowndes County Commission District 4
1st Annual Reunion, South Georgia Semi-Pro Baseball & Softball League (Baseball),
Video by John S. Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE), Naylor, Lowndes County, Georgia, 14 July 2012.

-jsq

Mayor starts walking back gay pride comments on WALB

Valdosta Mayor John Gayle starts practicing the non-apology apology by saying he's sorry people aren't happy while complimenting the content of the anti-bullying proclamation he wouldn't sign. He continues to provide earned media for the South Georgia Pride Festival.

Lydia Jennings reported for WALB yesterday, Valdosta Mayor denies Gay Pride event proclamation,

"I'm not asking him to proclaim that he's for gay marriage, I'm not asking any of that. It's just simply stating that we're here and we're apart of the community," said Williams.

"Too many times we give up our strong beliefs to make people happy, and I'm sorry that my decision didn't make a lot of people happy," said Gayle.

The Mayor says he compliments the organization for bringing awareness and education to bullying and hate crimes against the gay community. The event will be September 15 at the John W. Saunders Park in Valdosta.

Well, he looks apologetic, and he said he's sorry, but he for sure ain't signin' that proclamation, which was against bullying and hate crimes not just for the gay community, but "for all sexual orientations, races and religions." Is he not against bullying other races and religions?

Those rainbow flags seem quite festive, as do those Valdosta banners.

-jsq

Valdosta Mayor provides more earned media for group he doesn't like

Valdosta Mayor Gayle continues to provide earned media to a group he doesn't agree with, South Georgia Pride. He says people support him ten to 1 in refusing to issue a proclamation against bullying. Yet a local TV online poll is running 2 to 1 against his position. In addition to the obvious cultural issues, there are also economic issues involved.

Dean Poling wrote for the VDT today, Pride denied: Valdosta mayor denies LGBT event proclamation,

Gayle said responses are running 10-1 in agreement with his decision.

WTXL.tv (ABC 27) asks in a poll attached to a story by Jade Bulecza yesterday, Mayor turns down proclamation request from gay community,

Do you agree with Mayor Gayle's decision not to sign the P.R.I.D.E. Proclamation?
Yes (32.4%)
No (67.6%)

That looks to me like 2 to 1 against the mayor's position. Bulecza's story included:

"Most of them (proclamations) are for the cancer society, the heart fund, you know things like this or either a pastor at a church for so many years and everything and this is the first one I get like this where my beliefs interfere with it," said Mayor Gayle.

The mayor says he recognizes all the group does for the community. He says he welcomes everyone to Valdosta.

Since Mayor Gayle took office in January this is the only proclamation he turned down. The south Georgia group says they had a proclamation signed last year.

In less than a year in office the mayor has already found difficulty separating his personal beliefs from his office as mayor.

What was he asked to sign, anyway? The VDT story has the details:

The requested proclamation does not include an endorsement of gay marriage nor does it officially endorse the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender lifestyle.

“The proclamation opposes bullying and hate crimes based on sexual orientation,” Williams said. “It says the city recognizes we're here and we're part of the community.”

In essence, the submitted proclamation would have noted that the South Georgia Pride Committee:

Valdosta Mayor Refuses to Endorse LGBT Pride Festival

Proclaim your festival? Not if the mayor disagrees with it. Apparently he will inadvertently give you free TV coverage, though.

Greg Gullberg reported for WCTV yesterday, Valdosta Mayor Refuses to Endorse LGBT Pride Festival,

One of the top members of "South Georgia Pride" called Eyewitness News reporter Greg Gullberg shortly after leaving the mayor's office Wednesday morning. She had requested a proclamation for their upcoming festival. But as she says in this Exclusive Interview, the mayor denied their request.

"It made me feel like I did not matter to the City of Valdosta. That I was not a part of anything," said Raynae Williams, Assistant Executive Director of South Georgia Pride.

They are planning their annual Festival this September. She wanted a mayoral proclamation to recognize the event.

"Our organization is working to educate people on tolerance and against bullying and hate crimes," Williams said.

But Valdosta Mayor John Gayle stands against homosexuality.

"I just don't approve of that life style. It goes against what I believe in and if I sign that proclamation then I'm endorsing that. And I can't do that," said Mayor Gayle.

There's more in the report, including this:

"I was kind of shocked when I asked how many proclamations have been denied. We are the only one," said Williams.

And this:

Below is the link to a petition. Their goal is to reach 100 signatures.

http://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-of-valdosta-ga-sign-the-proclamation-against-discrimination-and-hate

Maybe we should ask him to proclaim a No T-SPLOST day....

-jsq

Cancelled! Hahira Third Thursday 19 July 2012

Hahira Third Thursday has been cancelled for today! Hahira City Manager Jonathan Sumner tells me rain is coming, and they have cancelled the whole thing: movie, farmers' market, etc.

Here's the contact web page for Hahira. City Hall is 229-794-2330.

-jsq

Hahira Third Thursday 5-8PM 19 July 2012

Tomorrow is Third Thursday in Hahira, the monthly outside get-together with food and fun. According to the signs they hang up on the streets, it starts at 5PM and ends at 8PM. According to the Hahira Happenings facebook page:

July 19th 3rd Thursday.. Movie night ( Mirror, Mirror) really cute and funny movie!!

That facebook page also says:

Any framers or anyone who has veggies, fruits can set up in front of the red caboose on saturdays or third thursday.

Also:

If you know anyone who would be intrested in market days please have them call 229-794-2567!

I plan to be there with okra and other vegetables for sale. Looking forward to getting a call-back from that number....

See you at the red caboose. That picture is from last year's Hahira Honeybee Festival, 11 October 2011.

-jsq