Rockdale Citizen

The Citizen Poll is a weekly compilation of reader comments on subjects of local interest. The Citizen publishes as many comments as space allows. Comments, which may be edited for space or content, are published anonymously on Sunday. To submit a comment, call 770-483-7108, ext. 402, email: poll@rockdalecitizen.com or complete the online form.

"I rarely hear anything I like from the DeKalb Public School System but I like the recent story where they are cutting jobs in administration. That system has over 300 administrators too many. I wonder how Rockdale would do on a study like that. Maybe if the school board hired a decent superintendent, they would do a study like this and reorganize into a more efficient, effective staff to do a better job and cost us less money. It's time. Here is the link to the DeKalb story. http://www.wsbradio.com/ap/ap/georgia/report-school-system-has-too-many-administrators/nGTcB/"

"There are many high school students under the age of 18 getting tattoos in this county. I just read in another article that a mother in Cobb County was arrested for letting her 10-year-old son get a tattoo. That article quoted a Georgia law that said: 'A 2010 law states: "It shall be unlawful for any person to tattoo the body of any person under the age of 18, except a physician or osteopath.' If this is true, someone needs to put together a sting operation at the Conyers tattoo parlors. I see students at school all the time with tats. They are mostly under 18."

"With regard to the Oprah/Conyers myth, I too could find no evidence that Oprah ever said anything about moving here. But I have heard the following from people who moved here -- Oprah said all black people should move here, Oprah has property or owns a home in Lithonia and/or makes frequent trips to Lithonia, there are tons of high-paying jobs in this area, it is really cheap to live in this area, it is really easy to get cheap housing and a high-paying job in this area, Oprah owns/operates businesses in this area and says it is easy to start a successful business and make lots of money in this area. -- Now I don't know who started these rumors or how they became so prevalent, but I can't tell you the number of people I have personally spoken to who believed it was true and who in fact packed up and moved here with no savings, no job lined up, no idea of where they were going to live, and no more information other than the fact that they heard from someone somewhere (and in some cases, claim they heard it themselves) that Oprah said this is the place to be."

"Today's article regarding the school board's request for 'feedback' on the 2013 proposed calendar is somewhat disingenuous. The focus here should be the budget, which impacts the calendar. Remember last year? Rather than cut days from the calendar they opted for raising the millage rate? They want approval for their calendar before they give you information on the budget. More manipulation from RCPS. I would like to hear feedback from the teachers on the calendar and the budget before I offer an opinion on the calendar. This school board should call for an open forum for the teachers and public who can freely ask questions, express concerns, and the school board answer without the shield of Dr. King and his cabinet of administrators. A teachers panel should be selected by the teachers, not the administration to address the board. This is ridiculous. I'm tired of being the marketing hype that all is well, when there are true and serious problems in our schools as well as schools across the country. I challenge this board to prove their good intentions, which I honestly believe they have, to the community, and open the discussion about our schools to the public."

"Good comment about car colors. I hate silver cars. They are everywhere and it's time to bring back some colors. Maybe some new kind of stripes too."

"Online there have been discussions about the recent event with the math problem that used slaves as the topic. I was amazed on how quickly people got angry on this topic. I have noticed while being in education a reverse racism that has been occurring. Instead of getting some political figure or a special group, most of it is ignored or taken quietly. I say this asking if the teachers were black would the same have resulted? White teachers have to walk on eggshells in order to not get racial attacks. I agree with the issue at hand that it was inappropriate, but I have witnessed co-workers, that are black, would pull kids' ears to get them in the room, wrestle kids, bop them on the head, and yell at them to shut up with nothing being done. If I did any of those things I would probably be pulled in for being racist and my certificate would be in jeopardy. As we approach Black History Month I hope for people to step back and see that maybe our society is going backwards back to segregation. Instead of being equal there are students that prefer to not have white teachers, scholarships asking for certain skin colors, groups for certain colors, television channels based on one race, and so forth. Growing up I wasn't able to get several scholarships I qualified for because I was white and not black. I was only able to get the Hope scholarship. I'll admit that I am coward and presenting this issue through this medium instead of revealing myself due to the fact of the hate that probably will occur. I pray this year that peace will occur and an end to all segregation. Last tidbit, some may wonder why I say black instead of 'African American.' It is more respectful to say black as a lot of my friends are from Jamaica or the Caribbean and they have asked me to use that term instead. Besides, I never see the checkbox for Irish-American for me. Technically there should just be a check box that says 'American' for all of us to use. Be together. No Jim Crow laws here."

"I see the article that Dr. King is being considered for another school superintendent position; wake up school board. Dr. King wants to leave. How many times does he have to tell you? He has the right to better himself and I'm proud of the job he has done for RCPS. But the school board needs to start the process to have someone ready to step in, Rockdale County is in a position of either being just another county or being a great county. Since our business leaders have not brought any real new business to the county (not counting the check cashing and tattoo businesses), the county has to sell its school system to prospective businesses, such manufacturing companies, fabricators and the like. I have heard about one of our own in the system, Mr. Autry, who has grown professionally within the Rockdale School System. He has worked effectively with staff, principals, and teachers. Moreover, he is known to the community as a person who cares about the success of the students. I am not sure but he may have been the actor in the Heat of the Night when he was a younger man. So Rockdale School Board wake up. Dr. King is not here for long; be prepared for the students' future."

"For the past few weeks it seems I have been on the road more than usual enjoying the beauty of Rockdale County and proud to be a citizen of this little piece of God's Earth. Then reading on a daily basis in the Rockdale Citizen of some group that is having to cut personnel or the scare of cutting services, schools so poor they cannot afford to purchase the latest reading series or the newest math program, it reminded me of all of my travels on the county roads (potholes and all). We have a gold mine all around us in Rockdale County and it was so clear it was overlooked. Rockdale County has so many traffic violations that all that has to be done is that both of our law enforcement agencies have to do is write out the citations, just enforce the law or in plain language crack down on the offenders. Yes some cases will burden the court system but surely the good will outweigh the burden."----

"Would the Citizen please consider including articles from black conservatives? Thomas Sowell is my favorite and Walter Williams is a great read too."

Editor's note: We will look into it. Thanks.

"RCPS performed yet another climate survey at Conyers Middle School this week -- the second one at the school this school year alone. Stop wasting the teachers' time if you are not going to do something with the results! At least make the results public in the Rockdale Citizen for the community to scrutinize."

"In the Rockdale Citizen Poll Jan. 22 ... that is what's wrong with America. That person hit the nail right on the head. That is exactly the majority of the people of America feel. Thank you."