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: lpoll@rockdalecitizen.com or complete the online form. Please remember that the Citizen Poll is not a forum for comments either for or in opposition to candidates seeking elective office.

"We recently bought our son his first vehicle and after noticing a leak coming from the transmission, took it to Aamco. Bobby Abercrombie and Dane Brown have been great. The problem has proved a little tricky to fix, but their persistence has been awesome. The customer service is above and beyond any business I have seen. They genuinely care about their customers and getting the job done. I would highly recommend the Conyers Aamco. Thanks guys!"

"It looks like our Georgia Legislature has shot itself in the foot again with it's new driver license renewal process law."

"Was reading about the new system for choosing people for the jury pool. It is a sad comment on the "dumbing down" of what used to be our great country. Used to be, 'most intelligent,most experienced, most upright citizens.' That has to change now to 'reflect the realities of modern society.' Are those realities that there are not enough of such people left to make up a jury pool? I certainly would rather be judged by an intelligent, upright citizen rather than by a welfare junkie or a pothead or someone who doesn't even know who the vice president is. Nikita said we would be destroyed from within, he knew what he was talking about. The law of the land now says everyone must prove they have insurance, but not that they are a legal citizen. What kind of sense does that make? Something is rotten, and this time it is not in Denmark!"

"T-SPLOST is a loser for Rockdale. They say there will be projects but after it is passed, they will funnel funds to the City of Atlanta, Clayton County, and DeKalb County. The reason will be because they have higher populations and have heavier traffic patterns so your money will go somewhere else and they will tell you next time Rockdale will get more. Right. Have you heard that old saying about getting fooled twice, shame on you. They will tell you anything to get your money then use it for what they want to. For instance, the $1 for every new tire to clean up tire dumps and disposal, the fund is empty, zero, nadda. What about the money collected that was supposed to fund high school drivers education, again the money was diverted. The bill was passed under the name of a teenager who was killed in a car accident. Don't do it! Remember the toll on 400 that was going to end once the road was paid for? It was paid for years ago and they are still collecting it. Sucker!"

"New state law expands jury pool ... It's a great idea, but I find it's very unfair to those, who have been permanently excused to be thrown in the new list, to again have to be subject, to what one has to go through to be excused, can't something be done to exclude those permanently excused? Please help!"

"I would like to know why Julie Wells Religion column has gone? I know that I enjoy reading it every week. I am sure there are many other people who enjoy it as well. Please put it back in the paper."

"I have noticed big changes in the voting volunteers in the last few elections. The ladies that have been doing that forever are gone. I wonder where they went? Almost everyone in there is new. They are nice and everything but it just feels weird to have a big turnover like that. I would like to go vote early but I just don't know if I trust it. Something just feels suspicious. With the big Marta SPLOST push and the New Rock Legal Society coming in with a bunch of candidates backed by who knows what, it just feels weird. Maybe it's just me, but I don't like it."

"Pit Bull owners who care, know that training must begin the day they get the dog ... Many people have a pit only because they want to have a certain image and care nothing for the dog and keep it chained in the yard (no dog should live like that!) ... but hey, it's in their culture right??! Pits are good and sweet dogs. The reputation perpetuated by ignorance gives these dogs a bad name. There are no bad dogs, only bad owners! Do not get a dog unless you love it. Love includes training. Do not make dogs pay for their owners ignorance!"

"I get frustrated when I read this paper many times. To the praying folks that are concerned about Conyers, I just want to issue a request. Every time you get frustrated at the crime or the political stuff in here, just bow your head and ask God to save this town. Don't be bitter, be faithful. As a child of God you have a choice of what you will do with the info in this paper. Will you get angry and rant, or will you bow your head to your Father and ask for his help. Please claim this verse when you pray: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

"I teach in this county and I am in favor of school vouchers. I think vouchers would be catastrophic for the public school system in its current form and that is OK. Could I lose my job? Yes, but I'm in my job to do what's best for the kids and our public schools are not what is best. I know the Man Upstairs will provide for me and I will always find work teaching. He has made me good at it. But the people at the top are in it for the money. They would rather continue this way and let kids turn out bad rather than lose their salary. Something extreme must be done. None of the administrators I have ever worked for would let their own kids get away with the terrible behavior they allow at school. They have given up the ideals they had in the beginning. It is time for a change. I would rather my tax dollars go to George Walton Academy than Memorial Middle. Isn't that a no brainer? If you had to choose a grass cutting service, wouldn't you go with the one who did a better job over one who didn't? I would and I think children are more important than grass."

"Why does the Rockdale Animal Control allow their employees to drive their trucks home at night? I live in Newton County and someone in my subdivision drives their official Rockdale County vehicle home on a regular basis. With fuel costs as high as they are, I think the county would look at all "home garaging" employees, making a mindful decision if it is absolutely necessary."

"Hello. I was wondering if there was any contact information or a web site for Timothy D. Williams running for the school board. I think I met him when he subbed for me and I want to make sure I am right when I vote for him. He was very concerned about behavior and communication in the schools and seemed like a great guy but I don't remember his name. if anyone knows of how I can contact him or if there is a web page with a picture I would appreciate it."

"This is just a reminder, the T-SPLOST if voted in, would end after 10 years, or after revenue projections are met, which could be before the 10 years, and it could only be extended in another referendum, not arbitrarily like the GA-400 toll."