Telegraph endorsements

Mayor of Macon: Robert Reichert

Macon City Council: Ward 1, Post 3: Christopher Michael Horne

Macon City Council: Ward 2, Post 2: James Michael Cranford

Macon City Council: Ward 3, Post 1: Laurence Schlesinger

Macon City Council: Ward 3, Post 3: Danny Glover

Macon City Council: Ward 3, Post 2: Ronald Edward Lemon

Macon City Council: Ward 4, Post 2: Rev. Charles Jones

Macon City Council: Ward 5, Post 1: Lauren Benedict

Georgia Senate: District 26: David Lucas

Georgia Legislature: District 139: James Beverly

Anissa Jones

Wildlife threatened

The House Interior Appropriation Committee has passed a spending bill that would mean fewer protections for species at risk of extinction, more pesticides in our waters and less funding for our national wildlife refuges and other crucial conservation priorities. This bill is an all-out attack on our environment and the natural treasures that are our youths’ inheritance. Sacrificing our wildlife and environment in the name of fiscal austerity is unacceptable.

-- Dr. Lori Ugolik

Macon

Theatre Macon

Last evening my daughter and myself enjoyed a most delightful experience at Theatre Macon’s production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The entire cast was exceptionally talented, and Brian Barnett gave a stellar performance as Frank, displaying not only a great voice, but also his great legs in fishnet stockings, garter and platform boots. The orchestra was also exceptional and the lead guitarist, Brian Olson, looked like a character in the cast, and did he ever make that guitar sing. For those not familiar with this story line, go rent the movie or Google it. You’ll find this movie has a cult following. Also, kudos to the audience. The age ranged from folks in their 20s to those in their 70s and everyone seemed to have a great time. This validates the point that theater transcends all ages and backgrounds. I have decided to add becoming a patron of Theatre Macon to my bucket list and enjoying future productions. Great job.

-- Debra Martin

Centerville

Fair trial

I certainly agree with Robert Blackshear, whose letter appeared in Viewpoints on July 10. He wrote about CNN Headline News and its commentary on the Casey Anthony trial. Nancy Grace is the worst commentator on HLN, she calls herself a lawyer but does not seem to know the U.S. Constitution. To her, anyone indicted of a crime is automatically guilty and should be immediately hanged from the nearest tree. She is very negative and mean-spirited.

I certainly don’t pretend to be a lawyer, but I know enough to know that each one of us has a right to a fair trial under our Constitution. This is America, and thank God for that. In my opinion, the jury rendered the correct verdict on Anthony. The prosecution did not prove its case. There were many unanswered questions. We may never know what happened to this precious little baby girl. I’m sure she is in a safe place surrounded by angels.

-- Ellen Endres

Warner Robins

Shaheen’s car

I read a letter from a Macon resident in the newspaper and would like to inform the writer that the foreign vehicle the Warner Robins Police Department has was donated by Lowe Toyota. The BMW motorcycles we purchased because they are much safer to ride, faster and more reliable.

Warner Robins also owns Harley Davidsons, which are slower, heavier and stay in the shop a lot. The mayor’s car was purchased at lowest bid is a Toyota Avalon, is hardly a limo. It is from a local dealer and comes with a great warranty and local service.

-- Councilman John Williams

Warner Robins

Buying American?

I routinely see commentary urging us to “Buy American.” The most recent is from Alfred J. Graham complaining about the city of Warner Robins purchasing a Japanese car. Each time I see one of these articles, I have two recurring questions. If you purchase a Chevy that contains parts made in Taiwan, China, India, Bangladesh and other foreign countries, have you bought a foreign car? And, if you or I purchase a Toyota that was produced by Americans at the Toyota plant in Austin, Texas, are we buying American?

-- Skip Johnson

Macon

Toyota has six U.S. manufacturing plants.

-- Editors

Warner Robins annexation

As one of the homeowners who recently received the annexation letter from the city of Warner Robins, I would like to state that this letter was written in such a way that I felt almost as if I lived in a socialist society. There was no reference to any type of referendum, but just that our homes were being annexed and there was nothing we could do about it.

I have attended both the planning committee meeting the July 12 and the City Council meeting July 14. During both meetings it was apparent that nobody on either committee was listening. None of the requirements for annexation have been met according to Georgia state law. Nowhere in the law am I able to find where it states that the developer has the right to commit the future homeowner/landowner to annexation. If the city intends on using the 100 percent method as stated at both meetings, then it needs 100 percent agreement from all the landowners it plans on annexing.

At no time, either when I first purchased my house nor when I recently refinance, was there any mention by either closing attorney that my home could be annexed by the city. If there had, I wouldn’t have purchased my home.

Mayor Chuck Shaheen’s statement about how much we would be saving on homeowners insurance was laughable. After contacting my insurance agent, I was told I would save about $60 a year, basically a nice dinner for two. Hardly comparable to the amount of increased taxes by the city.

-- James Ressman

Bonaire

Cheating

Cheating? Just remember, “all” public education teachers affiliated with any “teachers union” always states were “doing it for the students” My, oh my.

-- Michael Snipes

Kathleen

Georgia teachers are not represented by a union.

-- Editors

Prayer for today

Father in heaven, help us to establish a continuing, abiding faith. Help us to depend on you in good times as well as bad times. Father, help us to make choices in life that you would have us make. Strengthen us so that we might not be easily led astray, even by well-meaning friends. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

-- Submitted by Johnnie Mae Holland

Macon

Readers -- ministers, rabbis, priests and laypersons alike are invited to contribute prayers to this weekly feature. Mail them to “Prayer,” The Telegraph, P.O. Box 4167, Macon, GA 31213; or fax to (478) 744-4385; or e-mail letters@macon.com.