Rockdale Citizen

The Rockdale Citizen Poll is a compilation of opinions submitted by readers. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Citizen newspapers. If you agree or disagree with something you read here, you may respond by e-mailing poll@rockdalecitizen.com.

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"Business licenses declining: I wasn't speaking on the business license -- that's common sense. Petty is rules like signs, banners, flyers, flashing open signs, etc. Those are things that business owners do to attract customers, but the county frowns on. The happy median is to revisit those rules and guidelines that restrict business owners and their creativity in their attempt to increase their customer flow. Why bring a business here to Rockdale when you constantly getting harassed by Code Enforcement because the 'on sign' is flashing. Bring people in like business owners who have the formula to generate revenue and tell the shirt and tie folks of local government who spend money to listen. Most of the people who are running local government haven't owned a business and/or ran one. It sounds like common sense to me."

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"In response to the comments on kids being dropped off early, many were unfair to teachers. I've never seen a young kid left standing in the cold. Someone always takes care of them. The point is that we shouldn't have to. What type of parent would leave a kid anywhere before the doors open? I am disgusted by the comments about teachers not doing their job because the teacher doesn't want the responsibility of someone else's child before their school day begins. The comments are typical of those who feel they are entitled to whatever they want at the expense of someone else. I've watched for years as parents sneak into the teacher parking area, and have their children run to the front door as the parent escapes before anyone can stop them. It is so sad. The parents are not only putting the child in danger, they are teaching the child to break the rules. Our schools can't function if the procedures and rules aren't followed. Teaching gets less effective every year because so many children and parents think they are above following the rules. To the writer who was appalled because a teacher said that he/she was not a babysitter, well, we aren't. Do you want a babysitter teaching your child science and math? And as your child's teacher is babysitting, who is teaching? As a teacher and parent, I know that the academic success of my own children falls on my shoulders. Ultimately, they are my responsibility. The teachers are to present the Georgia curriculum. That's all. It is my responsibility as their mother to make sure that they are at school at the right time, have the right materials, are following the rules, are happy, have lunch money, and are doing whatever they can to be an asset to the learning environment instead of a burden. Anything short of that, as a parent, is a failure."

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"$3,800 for a new RCPS logo! Who would ever approve that knowing teachers are not being paid for days that were part of a contract signed at the beginning of the year? Who would ever approve that knowing that most teachers have to pay for their copies after December because they're only allotted enough for half a year? Very few parents send in Kleenex anymore, so we all buy Kleenex for our students. We go through about a box every two days. Add that up. Someone at the county office, please take the time to understand what it's like in the classroom these days. My students need to blow and wipe their noses every day. $3,800 could buy a lot of Kleenex, and pay for our Office Depot copy bill. With the dedication of so many teachers in this county to the overall welfare of the children in our care, and in light of the fact that we all were surprised with a cut in our pay, it is an outrage that the county office would choose to spend $3,800 on a logo. What standard does that help master?"

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"The Rockdale County school art programs are phenomenal. A lot of money was spent setting up these classrooms and the best instructors were hired. Why weren't the students of Rockdale County given the chance to design the new logo? Would have been a lot cheaper."

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"Leaving your trash can by the street 24/7 is not respecting your neighbor. It's no different than someone not keeping their grass cut, etc. It is an eyesore and if there is some physical reason why it can't be moved somewhere else then I'm sure your neighbor would be happy to move it for you twice a week."

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"I hope this message reaches the three little punks that sneaked into my parents' yard early Sunday morning and destroyed their Christmas decorations. They have been collecting those decorations and playing Santa for the kids in Rockdale for over 15 years while trying to spread a little Christmas joy. I'd even bet that at some point in your life your parents have even brought you to visit Santa there. I would like you guys to know that you have crushed their spirit. See my parents are 'old school,' which means they believe in the good nature of people, but you have shown them exactly what kind of element this county has attracted. I feel sorry for you guys that your parents didn't teach you the value of hard work and how to appreciate other people's belongings as well as good deeds for the very community you live in. Here is what I ask of everyone reading the poll today, if you know of three young males that ride around in a white Honda or Toyota and are always up to no good have them stop by the very house that they destroyed and apologize for ruining Christmas. If they do not want to turn them into the police. It's just that simple. The last time a couple of teens decided to have fun and steal a couple of things they were man enough to return them. I hope as a community we can help to restore a little cheer in their lives. If you are out there and you are reading this, we will be there Christmas Eve it would be nice if someone showed up with an apology."

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"We used to have Clinton, Johnny Cash, and Bob Hope. Now we have Obama, no cash, and no hope."

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"Recently Rockdale Citizen has had some positive area news on the front page headlines -- for this I thank you. Although coverage is necessary the crime stories are so depressing day after day and I often wonder if criminal intent is to "make the news,' -- which you fulfill when you headline them. Thank you."

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"Quote: 'It is actually pretty funny that the president is calling in a bunch of bankers and is calling in a bunch of fat cats and bringing them to task for the way they are running their banks. And this was the same administration through Barney Frank, Christopher Dodd ... that insisted that banks make subprime loans to people who couldn't afford houses and therefore caused the housing slump. Talk about audacity. Blaming it on the banks who were coerced into making the subprime loans was absolutely ridiculous. Let's wake up America, your president is running this country into the ground.' Um ... That was Bush baby. Not Obama."

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"ISP, tower, modem, HD, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and many others, I am afraid that technology has passed me by."