Rockdale Citizen

"I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I am 60 and growing up I only knew of two end-of-the-year holidays, Christmas and Hanukkah. I have respect for all faiths and beliefs and wish all well. When somebody steps in and tries to change my holidays for other names to be politically correct, that's too much. I do not celebrate happy holidays; I celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus. I don't do business with holiday places, nor do I respond to it. A major problem with this country is we are scared to defend our rights. Changing names of mascots, flags and kissing up to religious factions is getting out of hand. This is America, we were born of majority rights, and 'offending' one person should not change things. Lawsuits fly around for the most idiotic things. People have rights and others have their rights, too. I did not grow up in the South, but I do respect their heritage. The flag changing a few years ago was the most ridiculous thing I have ever witnessed and am ashamed of our state government for allowing it to happen. Why not put it to a vote and let the people decide? Oh yes, I do realize our last presidential election was that way too, but the people spoke, and hopefully they have learned."

----"To whomever deals with road issues in this county: please do something about the two northbound turn lanes on Iris Drive at West Avenue. For some reason, people in the left lane drift over into the right lane as turns are being made. This happens constantly. Is there a way to more clearly mark the lanes on that turn? Could a sign be put up by the traffic light, letting drivers know which lane to be in for east or westbound I-20? Most of the drivers running me off the road appear to be from DeKalb or Newton. It's bad enough dodging all of the McDonald's traffic, and just as nerve-wracking as the section of Flat Shoals that runs alongside the Kroger shopping center."

----"Dear Citizen. Please never stop the 'A Veterans Story' series. I love reading about what these true American heroes endured. Semper Fidelis!"

----"There's been a lot of fluff about teachers lately. What concerns me is that we don't hear enough from them, they don't seem to have a voice here in Rockdale. The ones I've spoken to seem afraid to express themselves. They, more than any other group, are on the hot seat in the education debates. Why would our teachers be afraid to express themselves? We need to listen to our teachers and try to understand their perspective, and help them to understand the community's. I would like to invite teachers, administrators, and parents, to write me a letter. Don't include your name or return address if you prefer to remain anonymous, but help us to understand what's happening at ground zero in our schools. You can write to: Rockdale Watchdogs, P.O. Box 1898, Conyers, GA 30012. Mark the envelope as 'teacher,' 'parent,' or 'administrator.' Some of these letters will be posted to BOCWATCH.org unless a request not to post is included. At one of the recent board meetings, member Darlene Hotchkiss stated that she thought the reason no one shows up at the meetings, forums, or other events hosted by the RCPS is because they are satisfied and have confidence in the leadership. I wonder if that's true?"

----"I frequent (a grocery store) on N. Ga. 20. Went to purchase some hard candy (the kind in a bin and you buy by weight), and was told the store had removed it due to FTA (Future Thugs of America) helping themselves to free candy. A stock clerk told me that he witnessed one thief loading candy in all his pockets. So, how does the store handle this? They remove the commodity which honest patrons pay for. I suggested to management that they return the candies for sale and place them in a secure place not freely available to the thieves. (The store) is in business to provide customers items wanted. I pray we have not reached the point where these folks who think everything in life is free and owed them can control what I can and cannot buy."

----"My apologies to the Rockdale Sheriff's dispatcher I talked to about a traffic light that was not working. I did not expect to be given the third degree, my call was to report the problem, not diagnose or provide a fix. When she asked for my name I asked, 'what for' and when she followed up with 'I'll need your contact phone number' I said, 'never mind' and hung up. Yes, it was rude on my part but with a work provided cell (i.e. not for personal) and spouse that works second and third shifts who would probably be awakened by the call about a traffic light he had absolutely no idea about, I went with my gut. I'm sorry I was rude. I'm also sorry that sheriff policy apparently requires contact information and diagnosis for reporting a malfunctioning traffic signal. Does the department have a problem with traffic light crank callers? Why can't they have one of the patrol cars constantly in that area with radar verify that the light is out instead of treating concerned citizens like third-graders?"

----"I wonder how Rockdale County Sheriff's Office believes their website is anything but a phone book? Every link takes you away from Rockdale County or simply lists a phone number. Maybe a large link on the main page for TIPS would assist local residents in reporting criminal activity. I was attempting to give law enforcement some valuable information about chronic criminal activity, but never mind. The little city of Conyers has a link!"

----"While this country self-destructs with political gridlock and economic morass, the rest of the world moves on. For example, as the ice in the arctic regions recedes, other countries make claim on valuable resources including natural gas. Our prolonged internal conflicts are not in the best interest of our country."

----"Does anyone know what our DA and police came up with regarding the Dequavious Mapp killing? Is anyone still working on this?"

----"Most fast-moving dump trucks have no way to identify them from the rear. Drivers who suffer cracked windshields have no recourse, for many trucks are so dirty, even the warning sign cannot be discerned. If a truck passes you and causes damage, staying behind is no preventive option. There should be some way to identify the trucks such as a well-placed license plate, number, company, etc. All other vehicles have identifying marks, so why not dump trucks which are the cause of many a damaged windshield?"

----"Before the Rockdale County schools were out for break, I watched as a school bus drove around a subdivision one evening and picked up Hispanic adults. I had no idea why this was happening, so I followed the school bus as it traveled through neighborhoods before ending up at Conyers Middle School. I got out of my car and asked the bus driver what event was taking place that offered adult bus rides at that hour. I was informed that these people were being transported to a class designed for Spanish-speaking adults to learn English. I decided to go one step further and I asked how much this cost the Spanish-speaking people. I closed my eyes and clinched my teeth. Did I really want to know the answer? I was told, and I quote, 'not a dime, it's free!" Really? Free? Is anything really free? Now, what I would like for someone from the Rockdale Citizen to do is investigate this, and write an article about this free bus service. Who pays for the gas, the driver, the insurance and maintenance for this county school bus? How many buses transport these people each week? Who pays for the power and electricity used to keep Conyers Middle School running during this time? Who pays for the ESOL educators? Is there a babysitting service for the children of the adult learners? If this money comes from a grant, where does the grant money come from? If this money is donated by a corporation, which one? How many of these adult learners are citizens of the United States? Who checks to find out their status, and with what funds are they being paid? Please report back to us U.S. citizens; you know the ones..The parents who have to pay booster dues for buses to transport their athletic and band children to events, the citizens who pay their taxes so that others can collect welfare checks after getting their hair and nails 'did.' Also, I would like to learn Italian. What time is that free class, and what is the school bus number that will come pick me up for free?"