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. Please remember that the Citizen Poll is not a forum for comments about candidates seeking elected office.

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"Parents that are complaining about the way teachers are dressed at school need to remember that everyone learns from their own parents. It's all in the upbringing. So next time you volunteer at your child's school, try to keep yourself in the dress code. Children don't need to see your cleavage (front and back), your underwear, your tattoos or your hats at school. Remember, someone is always looking, and kids are taking in everything they see."

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"Rockdale Water should be put out of business completely! Their billing department is so screwed up that our bill is never right and we always have to call and get somebody to do their job correctly."

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"Have you watched Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance? It is on the Internet. It is wonderful and you should have your children watch this. In 1969 he explains the meaning of the pledge and said that two words had been added -- 'under God.' He ends the video with these words ... wouldn't it be a pity if 'under God' was eliminated from our pledge and our schools?"

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"Please be aware when coming into Sugar Hill subdivision from Highway 138, there is a basketball goal that sits on the side of the road. At night you cannot see this. Someone has almost already ran into it. Code Enforcement has already been called and talked with these people. Guess they are above the law. Hope no one runs into it."

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"Congratulations, you did a wonderful job with the article on Roy Varner. It was a great tribute to him."

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"Chairman Richard Oden needs to read the article about Mr. Roy Varner, the former chairman of the Newton County Commission -- he was a great asset to Newton County and a fine Christian man."

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"My great grandfather watched as his friends died in the Civil War, my father watched as his friends died in WWII, and I watched as my friends died in Vietnam. None of them died for the Mexican flag. Everyone died for the U.S. flag. Texas is erroneous in letting students raise the Mexican flag and nothing could be said enough about the stupidity of Californians with their school board ruling that their teachers use the classroom to use what amounts to propaganda against Arizona."

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"I'm not against immigration -- they must come here legally. Get a sponsor, a place to live and get a job. Live by our rules, pay your taxes and learn the language like immigrants have in the past. Most most of all, don't demand that we hand over our savings of Social Security funds to you."

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"Recently in Texas, a student raised a Mexican flag on a school flag pole, another student took it down. Guess who was expelled -- the kid who took it down. Students in high school in California were sent home ... on Cinco De Mayo because they wore T-shirts with the American flag printed on them. Enough is enough! This is our country! If you don't like it go home."

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"I am a media clerk for the RCPS. After the media specialist and the teachers leave for the summer I have a lot of work to get done to finish up the school year. Accounts to be finalized and receipt books to turn into the bookkeeper. Complete requests by the administration. Check and repair equipment used. There are a variety of class sets to be ready for use next year. Complete inventories. Plus set up bulletin boards for the coming year. Excel sheets to be updated. There are many, many more duties that need to be completed before the next school year. I do not sit around in those few days after the students/teachers leave or before they return in July and gossip, talk with anyone. I am usually alone in the media center working hard. Do not make statements when you do not know the facts."

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"To the person in the black Pathfinder with a Georgia Bulldog sticker in the rear window that ran the stop sign, almost causing an accident because you were trying to beat traffic coming across the track on West Avenue: I hope your parents are proud they raised such a great kid. If someone brought it to your attention that you ran a stop sign, I don't think it was appropriate to call the driver of the other vehicle an 'n' because of your ... ignorance, that is why this county is divided now."

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"Through a sequence of events, the Vietnam War has become prevalent in my daily thoughts recently. I am German born and immigrated to the U.S. 46 years ago. On my first Fourth of July (2006) as an American citizen, I had the honor and privilege of helping to display an American flag in the outfield of Turner Field. Today, I had the honor of visiting the county's best-kept secret; the Georgia Veteran's Memorial at Black Shoals Lake! In the midst of an extremely emotional visit, I was disturbed by the banner that has broken loose and by the grass that needs to be cut. There are many men that laid down their lives for our country and county. It just seems logical that our county could spend a dollar to cut the grass and fix or remove the banner that has broken loose. The Web site needs some work and surely there is someone that is willing to honor our heroes by fixing the broken links as a no-charge service to them."

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"This is a comment from my daughter that has spent most of her life in Rockdale: 'That's in Rockdale -- I had no idea.' Memorial Day has come and gone, but let's all take a minute out of each and every day and honor those men like my stepfather (Vietnam 67-68) that fought in one of those wars that are briefly described on that wonderful walkway, by not only cutting the grass and fixing the banner, but by our attendance to that park with our children to teach them that our freedom has a cost; a cost that many have made a payment upon by dying on some foreign battlefield."

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"I was delighted to see that there are other people in the county who are upset with the decisions of principals that were selected for the upcoming school year. The obvious candidates were not chosen. All of them were capable of being an assistant principal at a Rockdale school but not good enough to be the principal. That does not even make good sense. Who do you think runs the school when the principal is away -- the assistant principal steps up to the plate and shows their leadership skills. Don't you think the parents and staff should have some say in who is going to take over the school? Don't you think they know better how the school is run than the board of our great superintendent? My lord, they never even step foot in the schools. They don't know how things really are. Ask Dr. King and his board members how many times they were in each school during the year. Most people say they saw Dr. King one time at best. Too much politics in the schools. Too many people just trying to take care of each other and exchange favors."

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"As a citizen and an educator I would like to know when the Board of Education is going to adopt specific policies and rules and put them into writing. Rules that will be for everyone at every school, every level and county office. There seems to be no policies for anything and one person will tell you one thing and then go ask another and they tell you something else. Then, call the retirement or state and they give you still another answer. It is quite sad. One teacher at a school was told she could not return next year because she was retired and then came back. Yet, another teacher at the same school is being allowed to continue to teach? Where is the fairness in that? Then, go across to Sims and there is a teacher there who retired, came back and still has a contract for next year. If you ask the opinion of most people you will find that No. No. No. Retired people should be rehired to come back half or full time. This is for any position at any school including our fine county office. ... "

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"Rockdale County BOE: Please, please, make the following mandatory viewing for students in our high schools from 10th grade on. The population of the county would also greatly benefit from what this has to say. It brings us all together ... really. 'Faces of America,' PBS's four-part TV special. Scholar Henry Louis Gates set out to answer 'where do our famous people come from,' but at the same time, answers where do we come from. The series traces the genealogy of famous Americans... but, at the same time shows us how we are all truly connected."

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"I don't know who is supposed to be reviewing comments before they are printed in the poll but they certainly are broad-minded in their review. I guess they thought the last two printed comments for 06/05/2010 meant something to someone. I personally don't care about someone's bodily functions being discussed in print nor do I care to read comments by some idiot who speaks in an unknown language just to see his comments in print. Come on people! Lets make our thoughts count. Forget your foolishness."

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"Don't blame King Richard Oden or Prince Oz Nesbitt for destroying Rockdale County. They're doing the job the great people of Rockdale voted them in office to do. If you want to place blame, blame the people who voted them in office. Join your local party and encourage people to get out and vote."

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"Whatever happened to 'summer vacation' for students? My child has to read three books and complete essays for each of these books for the first day of the next school year. I also had to buy these books! ($40) The point of 'summer vacation' is to give these kids a break from school. I just don't agree with them having to do school work when school is out! It is totally unfair to not allow them to have the break that they need. Something should be done about this, Mr. King!"

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"Why does the Rockdale Citizen continue to litter driveways with papers every Saturday and Monday? I'm referring to properties where there is obviously no one there to pick up your unwanted trash. I have complained time and again and pleaded for you to stop throwing your unsolicited trash in my driveway and you ignore my request. I hope Georgia passes a law to stop your unlawful littering. If I were doing this to your personal property, I would be prosecuted. Do you think your above the law?"

Editor's note: If you have complained to us in the past, you are complaining to the wrong company. The Rockdale Citizen does not distribute any free papers on Saturday. All of our papers are home-delivered to subscribers. In addition, we do not publish a paper on Mondays.

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"I cant get anyone at Rockdale Water Resources to answer the phone. I was just on hold forever and these guys sent me a bill for over 150 bucks! I have stayed up to date on my bills but they say they have a previous balance. These people are the most rude, unfriendly people I have worked with in the past and now they add 'inept' to the long list of how unqualified they are at dealing with people. Besides the so-called previous balance, my normal bill has gone from around 30 to 40 per month to 70! Bunch of jerks if you ask me."

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"Here is an original thought ... As BP is struggling to cap the oil leak, President Obama is said to be furious. Well, if the federal government is all things to all people, why hasn't our Super Hero president come up with the solution to fix the problem? Surely his crack staff of highly intellectual, liberal-minded cabinet and special advisors can come up with the correct fix? They know everything and certainly what is best for the American people. Oh, wait a minute; I forgot ... no one on his staff has any practical private business experience or engineering experience, or any concept of the physical sciences ... how dumb of me to think he could actually do something constructive. Second thought ... he will probably add new taxes on oil to punish BP and the other producers of oil that will solve the problem of dependence on terrorist nations. Sounds like a win win situation for Obama ... he can get more tax money, make the budget deficit look less, put more of his friends in high places, and further his go green campaign. Hey, that will be great! We can all start riding bicycles like they do in communist China. ... "

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"If anyone saw the accident on Highway 278 and Turner Hill Road on Sunday June 6 around 10 p.m. between a brown car and a white explorer, please e-mail me at ReneeWright123@yahoo.com. We would appreciate any and all help, thank you."

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"As the election season begins, remember these lessons from 2008: (1) every vote counts (2) you can't count on anyone but yourself to vote your conscience and (3) Yes, it can always get worse. We are all in this together, and we all need to beware of politicians who try to divide us on race, creed, nationality or whatever. Their job is to represent the people, not themselves or their close circle of friends. We need to focus on what we have in common, and what we stand to lose by bad or unwise government, and make these people who want to run things take a stand, and kick them out if they lie to us. The good people of this country have got to take it back from those who, in whatever fashion, threaten to destroy it. Finally, nothing from government is free -- somebody pays for it. The power to make the laws and tax the people is also the power to destroy, and the government owes it to all of us to use our taxes to the greatest benefit of all, not to votes through unwise programs. We get the government we ask for in this county, and until we demand a better government and stop tolerating ineptness, we're going to keep getting what we've been getting."

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"I agree with a previous commenter. The county has the resources to provide mulch that homeowners (Hello -- taxpayers) would be willing to pay a small fee for. Your county Extension agent knows exactly what is required -- at no cost to anyone! It is an environmentally correct thing to do! Plus it could be economically feasible. If the CEO wants this county to be 'globally positioned,' he needs to 'understand' green. So that, the county may become progressively and environmentally sustainable. If it is too much to comprehend, go visit Clayton County Water Authority and Carroll County's sustainable growth and development agenda! It's no wonder business isn't interested in moving here!"

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"I for one will vote against the Rockdale County SPLOST, because the water department will receive $15 million. They have doubled the cost of water in the last year and have billed an extra billing in May. The department is poorly run and is a disgrace to Rockdale government."

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"The people complaining about JHH must not know what kind of principle they are getting from Pine Street. Mrs. Smith is a great person and leader! You are getting one of the best, so don't treat this as a bad thing. Give her the school year and see what good things happen at your school."

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"This is for the ... uninformed person that wrote in we need to worry about domestic abuse instead of animal abuse. I am an animal rescuer. I rescue dogs that have been used for 'Bait Digs' in dog fighting. Some are animals that are given away free in the classified ads. Also stolen from people's yards. These dogs have their mouths taped shut with masking tape while their Pits tear them to pieces. Some of these dogs never even after years, ever get over this treatment -- if they survive it all. The thing that this person does not understand is animal abuse, child abuse and domestic violence go hand in hand. Many times when we have rescued an abused animal we find out there is domestic abuse and child abuse. The dog is the low man on the totem pole and has no choice or voice. Many serial killers started out with animal abuse. They got by with it and went on to people. Please read up on this. Educate yourself about animal abuse and what it can lead to. We need to worry about both as they usually co-exist in the same home. I just hope you don't own any pets. I am for the tennis courts. Whatever will get the people to exercise instead of eating is fantastic. This is getting to be one of the most obese counties."

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"Highway 278 in Covington reminds me of Evans Mill Road in Lithonia. Both are depressing. I hope we can keep 138 from turning into that."

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"To the concerned citizen who feels it is OK to speak for the teachers at JHH, you are wrong! We are excited to have Tammy Smith as our principal. We look forward to welcoming her into our family! She is not only wanted but also needed by the students, teachers and staff!"

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"Just wondering when the water department is going to get the billing worked out? I just paid my bill on the 9th and got another bill on the 10th showing a previous balance that I paid the day before! And this current bill is due on the 23rd? Which gives me 13 days till due date! Come on get it right RWR!

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"As I just received my second water bill this month, I attempted to contact the customer service department at Water Resources. I was promptly placed on hold where I waited for over 45 minutes before becoming frustrated enough to hang up. I decided to try to answer my question myself to try and understand what was going on and to see if they are trying to collect an additional meter base charge. What I have found is that I received no bill for December of '09 and that the service dates (the time between meter readings) is not very consistent. The bottom line is that this payment is due. Then I got to thinking about what this looks like from an accounting standpoint based on the bills that I received. There were no billings (or collections) by the water department for December 2009 leaving 2009 short a month of revenue. Then we make up the water rate in 01/10 and make up the meter base fee in 06/10. This causes an extra month of collections in 2010. I bet we will soon see an article about what a great job water resources is doing. It is an accounting shell game. Water Resources is apparently still struggling to get their act together. If it is incompetence that is the cause, there should be many unemployed to pick from with which to improve the quality of service."

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"I was a customer in the Tax Commissioner's Office on Friday June 4. It was obvious that the employees were allowed to 'dress down' that day as they were all wearing blue jeans (which I personally have no problem with.) I would recommend that the employees be required to wear socks and shoes, however. There was one female employee that was not wearing socks or shoes! I knew this because when a customer is standing at the window, one can see the full body of each employee as they walk about behind the counter. On a positive note, I would like to compliment the staff members that were working that day. The line moved very quickly and all employees were pleasant!"

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"Dear President Obama: You should put BP in temporary receivership and clean up their mess w/their $$ and fairly compensate the people of the Gulf Region! BP won't do it unless you make them! I have to say that I am very disappointed in you. I voted for you, but will not in the next presidential primary. I am so upset that you are pursuing the policy of more nuclear power plants and promoted more off-shore drilling before this BP disaster. Why would you not have research done as to the potential environmental disasters like we are now facing in the Gulf because of BP before you announced your policy for more off-shore drilling? My son was born the year of Three Mile Island, 1979. I was terrified. And then there was Chernobyl. And what about the hazardous radioactive waste? Your response to this disaster is almost as feeble as Bush's to Katrina. I hope Rep. Denise Kucinich runs for president again in 2012. I hope that the media will allow him to be very visible in the debates. He is smart, brave and cares about ordinary Americans like me. Mr. President, you need to temporarily cease BP assets and have the Army Corps of Engineers and every scientist and engineer you can think of to resolve this problem. You need to have the Army Corps of Engineers build miles and miles of berms to protect the coastline. There is a slew of products and technology available to clean up BP's mess -- like a product that freezes the oil to a solid so that it can be rolled up like a carpet and removed and many many more, but BP does not want to pay for anything and everything that would fix this (as well as it can be fixed). You need to send thousands of people down there to save the wildlife. I am so depressed over your inaction. What happened to 'Yes We Can?' So far you have shown No We Won't. My heart bleeds for the people and the wildlife of the Gulf region. Get off the dime and do something now! You are only looking inadequate to the world as it stands now. It's time to put all resources into renewable energy. The technology is there. The big lie is that not enough renewable technology IS there. Oil is a dirty word."