Doug,

I agree with what you propose, although I hope we can keep many of those who have already come here and established restaurants and other commercial operations. I think the Clarke-Oconee area has been elevated because of this immigration. I think a lot of properties, residential and commercial, would begin to look shabby if people returned to Mexico. And just like there weren't many natives who were anxious for employment picking Vidalia onions and other produce, I don't think we will find many locals who will be pleased to do yardwork.

Georgia coroners should be required to accurately report suicides. Most who commit suicide use a gun. Mental health professionals report that if the guns were not available, the suicide numbers would decline, because most other methods are more difficult and allow the individuals some time to rethink their decisions.

I like the story (fiction or nonfiction, I can't say) that was circulating on Facebook about a pushy man in an airport who said this to the flight attendant who was trying to reroute lots of people due to some delay. He apparently shoved in front of others and she politely told him he would have to get in the line. When he shouted "do you know who I am?" she got on the public address system and said to the crowd, "Ladies and Gentleman, it appears we have a man here who doesn't know who he is." "Can anyone identify him?"

The part of this story that is missing is a statement of "why" these renovations were undertaken? Was there structural damage to the place which called for fixing things. Much of what is described in this article reflects luxury and greed. Did this man live in mansions in his previous positions? Wouldn't it be wiser to spend these dollars on student financial aid for medical students. We have a shortage of doctors in Georgia.

I think a read of Thomas Friedman's opinion piece in the Friday Atlanta Journal would be instructive to thinking about designing curricula now:
Brave new world means you make your success
Thomas Friedman My Opinion

Need to hear more about Kingston. I heard him speak a few years ago to the Roosevelt Fellows on campus and his remarks were inane. Although these very bright students had briefed him on their organization and their scholarship, he made comments that had nothing to do with the reason he was asked to speak. I'd like to know more about his record as well, and of course I will look into his activity on public policies as he has entered the race. He was not impressive in this speech, however.

I absolutely agree with you. A willingness to accept all of this with a shrug of the shoulders means our civilization has deteriorated. Thank you for so boldly illuminating the status of this wicked problem in our society.

Perhaps this newspaper could host a forum on "effectiveness of schooling."
Contributors could be parents, employers, community representatives, teachers, school alumni, university teachers/administrators and a range of others who have a stake in the outcomes of school attendance and graduation. What do we want someone who attends and graduates from a school to know and be able to do? What educational curricula have served people well, that is, prepared them for their lives post school? Not much if any time is spent on follow-up studies of graduates to be able to adequately assess results of schooling over time. What can people in our society who consider themselves to have good lives tell us about schooling they believe contributed to these outcomes?

Thank you for this. Conspiracy theorists make me weary. When I find myself unfortunately in their company, their fears and sense of losing control of everything is wearing. They most often seem to be persons who assume no personal responsibility for their own lives but wallow in talking about "them."

Wedding limo services, garages. He doesn't get it, does he? Why does he need garage space for five vehicles? Does he collect cars?

Leon, I think you have nailed the greater "problem behind the problem" - that is people in our society, more than in the past, are running on fear and feeling enormously out of control of events in their lives. When this happens too many grab at what looks like solutions, in other words, the "solution wars" fester. David Mathews, years ago asked this important question, "Is there a public for public education?" He was Secretary of HEW during the Ford Administration. I personally agree with you regarding all the seemingly quick or not so quick fixes - they won't solve the problems. We need to uplift and support our existing schools.

Says it all. Makes you worry about doctors. Ron Paul's father and Paul Broun and the dismissal of science. Actually very frightening.

An excellent book for people interested in this period of history is Michael Thurmond's book Freedom.

Grateful not to live in the same house with these people; sad to live in the same county.

Congratulations to the Commissioners for speaking up on this issue. Also, I think the faculty and staff on the campuses should have a voice on this issue.
Commissioners and others are part of the citizenry that make up the State, so they are well within their rights to have a say, especially in a society that supports freedom of speech.

Too many associate Deans, assistant Deans, Associate Provosts, Assistant Provosts,Associate VPs, Assistant VPs Associate this and Assistant That. The deal is to buy your time out of teaching with administrative assignments. Pride is taken in teaching less and less, also your salary goes up, and you retire with more change.

Oconee County ranks high in these social determinants of health because it has access to good jobs (mostly in Clarke), proximity to outstanding health care services, parks and recreation that afford its citizens nice places to walk and relax, low crime rate (however that is picking up with the new businesses/malls- thus the sheriff's office is asking for more funding for policing especially on Epps Bridge), well-funded schools which afford students many privileges of technology and extra-curricular advantages. That said, many people who work in Oconee cannot afford or find it hard to afford living here. My suggestion would be that Oconee show a great interest in its neighbors and find ways to collaborate and partner that elevates the social determinants of health for those who are our neighbors.

Dick, I do hope you will keep your floodlights on these activities, and we the citizens who are so disgusted with this inaction must help you.

Never planned to visit the Marble Museum anyhow. Certainly not a place on my bucket list.

I was having a birthday party for a group of 4 year olds. Fortunately the duplex had a basement. A frightening day in Athens, Georgia. All the children were unharmed, but we were near the Navy School and there was lots of destruction around us.

A dilemma for the Republican Party appears to be there is not a Republican Party, but there are Republican Parties. For example, Paul Broun's Republican Party is not the same as Rove's Party or Romney's Party. If the Party can build a tent they will all enter that will be some tent!

Pathetic. Legislators are not representing the people; they are representing their interests.

If this passes, it is our responsibility to recommend to potential faculty not to come here to teach and potential students not to come here to study. Hopefully the Chronicle of Higher Education and other news outlets in higher education will pick up the story.

The only thing that Durst failed to mention was the early onset of rigor mortis in the South.

He is a tremendous citizen of our community as well. He and his wife support so many organizations, such as the Jeannette Rankin Foundation. He was incredibly entertaining when he danced in Dancing with the Stars. When I was still teaching I invited him to speak to my class on the topic of dealing with difficult topics in the classroom, and I think it was one of the best experiences for the learners. In addition to being a highly recognized scholar, he is truly a stellar human being.