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Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

This is Viewpoints for Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Continue the ESPLOST

In just a few days, we have an opportunity to continue the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) by going to the polls and voting “yes.” This is the only item on the ballot, and it’s a “no-brainer.” More than 71 percent of ESPLOST revenue is collected from people who don’t live in the county. Mercer University has conducted a local economic impact study that shows the ESPLOST adds about $213 million to the regional economy.

Blanket negativity about Bibb County public schools is grossly counterproductive. I’m the parent of four children who have thrived in these schools. I now have one at Sonny Carter, two at Howard Middle and one at Howard High. Our last ESPLOST funded the construction of Howard High School, which has achieved 90 percent or higher on four out of five sections on the Georgia High School Graduation Tests, with scores exceeding the state averages in three out of five sections. These scores reflect the implementation of the more rigorous Georgia Performance Standards, and they show that often in improved learning environments and well-built buildings with comfortable classrooms, students can thrive and can achieve at higher levels.

This is what the ESPLOST is all about. It’s not an increase in taxes. It’s a continuation of the same tax we’ve had that has funded the renovation and construction of so many of our schools in Bibb County, and has made a significant difference in the lives of countless children already. Better schools mean improved property values, too. It’s a win-win situation.

— Lisa Mayfield

Macon

Central celebrates legacy

This Sunday, Nov. 1, the Central High School family will mark a new chapter in our 96-year history as we dedicate our new building on the corner of Napier and Holt avenues in Macon. Since 1971, Central has forged a reputation of excellence including a 1975 football state championship, the 1985 designation as a Georgia School of Excellence, and as the host of award-winning fine arts and International Baccalaueate magnet programs accessible to students county-wide since the mid-1990s.

However, our story dates back even further to 1913, when Lanier High School opened its doors on Forsyth Street in downtown Macon. Later, the Sidney Lanier Senior High School for Boys and the A.L. Miller Senior High School for Girls were created and enjoyed stellar academic and athletic reputations from their inception in 1924 and 1932, respectively.

In 1971, Miller and Lanier became Central, and to this day the “We Lead, It Can Be Done” legacy of all three schools is carried on in Central’s students. On average, more than 85 percent of Central graduates will attend college, 75 percent at four-year institutions. Perennially, these include top public and private schools, Ivy League universities and U.S. service academies. An additional 5 percent of graduates join our nation’s armed forces. Many of these were trained in Central’s Army JROTC unit. Among the oldest in the nation, Central’s JROTC program began at Lanier in 1917 and has been a mainstay of the school ever since.

In 2007, Central became the first Bibb County public school to have its own endowment fund. In partnership with the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, the Miller-Lanier-Central Foundation Fund was founded in 2007 and presented to the public in August 2009. Its first project will be generating college scholarships for Central’s seniors. Please visit www.cfcga.org/MLC to make a contribution.

At Central, we are committed to educating every child — in both our intown neighborhood district and our dynamic magnet programs. We are thrilled with Central’s new $38.6 million, LEED-Certified facility, which includes a performing arts auditorium, band, chorus and strings rooms, breakout music practice rooms, and facilities for dance, visual arts, broadcast and video production.

A new gymnasium, track and baseball field reinforce the Chargers’ comprehensive athletic programs.

Whether you are a current or former student, teacher or parent, a Bibb County taxpayer or a curious Maconite, we invite you to join us at Central on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. as we celebrate this momentous dedication ceremony together.

— Laura Bechtel

president, Central High School PTA

— Jonathan Lee

Miller-Lanier-Central Foundation

Crucial election

The 2009 Warner Robins city election is critical to our future. The past decade has been one of progress for our city and county. Robins Air Force Base has been a huge stabilizer for our economy, and the Houston County School System has been a magnet for tremendous growth. Warner Robins has been very progressive, and we have capitalized on both of these strong assets.

We have had strong leadership in our elected officials in the past, and it’s crucial that we continue that trend. I have had the privilege of serving on the Warner Robins City Council for the past 16 years, and I am very aware of the issues that will face our new mayor and council. Our new mayor will need special skill sets as he leads our government and our city.

He will need to be a man of integrity and one who knows the heart beat of Warner Robins. He should possess extraordinary people skills and have a servant’s heart. That person should be able to relate to people at every level, local, state and national, and should have a proven history of service in our community.

I believe we have such a candidate for mayor, and he is Chuck Shaheen. My wife, Barbara, and I have known Shaheen for many years, and we have watched him mature into a man that posseses all the qualities mentioned plus some.

Please keep Warner Robins progressive. Vote for Chuck Shaheen on Nov. 3.

— Terry B. Horton

Warner Robins

Chuck Chalk for mayor

In today’s world filled with people campaigning on the Internet, TV and radio, candidates dropping thousands, and in some cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising, very rarely do we, the American people, see a candidate going door to door anymore, until a few weeks ago. Saturday morning with a slight drizzle in the sky, up walks mayoral candidate Chuck Chalk. He was passing out fliers on what his primary focus was going to be if elected.

I have to say even I was impressed. I am a firm believer that every politician, regardless of party affiliation, should have at some point served our nation in the Armed Forces. Chalk is a candidate who has fulfilled that obligation. He served for 20 years in our nation’s Air Force.

A mayor’s job is never easy. I am sure of that. I am sure everyone worries about budgets and public safety, education and business development. What better person to have navigating than a man who has proven that what he starts, he finishes?

How do I know this? Because Chalk and I have taken the same oath, “To defend freedom and democracy around the world.” Chalk covered the world portion, and did so honorably. Now he has the chance to prove his devotion to this great nation.

Chalk will ensure that not only my family, but all families in Warner Robins will be safe. He answered the call for every American. Let him answer the call for Warner Robins.

— Michael P. McKenna

Warner Robins

Radical zealots

Our prayers are with the family of Albert Feagin Jr. and his family. He died at a local spa apparently from natural causes. Unfortunately, some will exploit this death for their anti-liberty agenda. People die from natural causes at concerts, sporting events, construction sites, banks and other establishments. I don’t hear the zealots calling for these buinesses to be banned by government.

The radical zealots are reeling from the fact they haven’t found any evidence of slavery or trafficking at Macon spas despite numerous local and federal investigations costing taxpayers money. To exploit this death which could have happened anywhere at anytime for political purposes is despicable.

— David Corr

Macon

Read both phrases

To Jeanine Frey, who asked us to note the phrase, “well regulated militia” when she quoted the Second Amendment, I ask her to also note, “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

In World War II the Japanese could have invaded the United States, but records showed they were reluctant to do that because they knew the people were armed and ready to repel any enemy on our soil. An unarmed citizen is vulnerable to attack whether from within or without.

— Art Cape

East Jacksonville, Fla.

True story

A father and son were standing in line behind a father, mother and several children. The children were really excited, laughing and just so happy about going to their first fair. When the family got to the pay window, the person quoted the price and the father’s shoulder dropped, a tear ran down his cheek. (He didn’t have enough money). The father with his son behind them tapped the man on the shoulder and handed him a $20 bill, simply saving “I believe you dropped this.” The father in front grasped his hand with all his might. With more tears the two parted. As the son of the second father said, we didn’t go the fair that night, but we didn’t do without.

Alton Harvey

Gray

Prayer for today

Gracious and merciful God, make our eyes see when we look and our ears hear when we listen. Give us the courage and strength to restore to freedom those enslaved through force, coersion or fraud. If one among us is held in bondage give us fortitude and perseverence until we are all free. Amen.

— Sr. Elizabeth Greim, DC

Macon

Readers — ministers, priests, rabbis, imams and laypersons alike — are invited to contribute prayers for this daily feature.

Send them to “Prayer,” The Macon Telegraph, P.O. Box 4167, Macon, GA 31213; or by facsimile to 744-4663; or online to letters@macon.com.