Jim Wilcox Archive

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Cheating found on CRCT

– December 28, 2011Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

 

 

Well the report is in and we all now know there was not only cheating on Dougherty County CRCT tests…there was wide-spread cheating.

Long before the governor appointed special investigators to set up shop in town to get to the bottom of the test cheating scandal, there were questions about the accuracy of Dougherty Co. test scores.

When this was raised in the news media, leadership within the education system was quick to dismiss any potential wrong doing by staff or faculty.

Former superintendent Sally Whatley, under whose command the cheating happened, said she neither knew nor suspected any cheating.

 

Whatley presser PKG, 8/10/11

 

04:06:30  Whatley  “Could there be isolated cases absolutely, but do I believe there was widespread cheating we there conspiracies to cheat in schools, no I do not.

 

Her successor, Dr. Joshua Murfree, dismissed the notion.

 

CRCT Invest. Latest PKG 7/8/11
5:21:40 “I don’t know if there is some kind of witch hunt, but I can look right then and see that there was no cheating based on that.”

 

CRCT Invest. 9/30/10

 

12:34:36  “I can’t find anything that would suggest, based upon standard deviation, based upon that difference, based upon any other regression that we have done anything wrong.”

 

Everywhere we turned, we were assured this was looked into and there was nothing to be found…

 

8/3/10      CRCT invest. Update

 

“The Atlanta School system received a terrible report today and we’d hate to see this happen in Dougherty County. Our report shows we have no evidence of systemic cheating in our school system.”

 

Finally, the people who are elected to oversee public education are seeing the light as to what needs to be done. And that is to clear the air, become transparent, and clean house of cheaters in the system.

 

 

 

Tags: CRCT, crct scandal, DCSS, Jim Wilcox, joshua murfree, Sally Whatley
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T-SPLOST

– December 18, 2011Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

 

 

You have heard a lot lately, about the new T-SPLOST.

A one-percent sales tax which will deliver infrastructure and economic development benefits for our Southwest Georgia region South Georgia has supported local SPLOST efforts many times in the past, so the concept should not be new to you, and the only difference here, is this is being collected and spent on a regional basis.

The state’s planning director, Todd Long, told local officials, the estimated $530 million collected over the next 10 years, will provide tremendous assistance to our region. Projects like improvements at the Southwest Regional Airport, and the widening of State Highway 133 top the list. 75% of the funds will be used for regional projects, and the remaining 25% distributed to local governments for their individual transportation projects.

Jeff Sinyard, chair for the DARTS policy committee said they have worked hard to make sure the T-SPLOST projects list, presented to the 14 Counties in Southwest Georgia, benefit the entire region.

This will go to the voters July 31st.

Between now and then, we will help you understand more details about the T-SPLOST. We encourage you to vote yes, and support this very important effort.

 

 

 

 

Tags: Jim Wilcox, T-SPLOST
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SCHOOL LUNCH INVESTIGATION

– December 18, 2011Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

SCHOOL LUNCH INVESTIGATION

Monday night, Dougherty County School Board members voted to hire an independent expert to help them figure out how widespread fraud in the free lunch program is. We hope they’re serious, and we hope they follow through with a complete audit to root out cheaters.
A principal and a school board member have already been arrested, accused of falsifying documents to get free school lunches for their kids. Unfortunately, there are likely other teachers and school officials who have done the same thing.
One of the charges against board member Velvet Riggins is a felony. Georgia law allows the governor to suspend elected officials indicted for a felony, if he believes the charge affects their ability to do their job. Some may argue the case against Riggins isn’t serious enough to force her from office. We disagree.
She potentially used her status as a school board member to gain a benefit she was not entitled to, and she showed a lack of respect for taxpayers. If she thinks it’s okay to waste tax money on free lunches for families who can clearly afford to pay, how can we trust her to spend the school system’s money wisely?
This case does affect her ability to serve her constituents well. If Riggins is indicted on a felony, we urge Governor Deal to appoint an ethics panel which we hope will recommend suspending Riggins until the outcome of her case.

Tags: DCSS, Jim Wilcox, SCHOOL LUNCH INVESTIGATION
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ASU Homecoming 2011

– November 14, 2011Posted in: Jim Wilcox


The Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau spend a great deal of time and money drawing visitors to the Good Life City. Their goal was accomplished last weekend, with a minimum effort. Reports show that Albany State University’s 2011 Homecoming may have been the biggest and most successful ever.

Albany State leaders think they exceeded the estimated economic impact of four to five million dollars. And with 25,000 to 27,000 visitors in town, the attendance was at least five thousand greater than last year.

We commend the leadership, organizers, and alumni of ASU for pumping a huge shot of money into the Albany economy, and for a great time of reunion that was enjoyable and peaceful. We all know the Rams are “GOLDEN,” but it seems that every October, “GREEN” is part of the color scheme as well.


 

 

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University Gardens

– November 9, 2011Posted in: Jim Wilcox

If Albany leaders can’t find a use for a failed development in East Albany… they may have to repay 500-thousand dollars to the federal government.

Brush and trees still stand on this land off Frank Postell Sr. Street that by now, was supposed to be home to low to moderate income housing.

That hasn’t happened… And now the bank is foreclosing on the property.

Other than acquiring the land… nothing’s been done with the 8.7 acres of land, near the sand dunes.

What happened to the $500,000, Liberty Partners Albany Land LLC, was awarded by the city to do the development?

10:23:32 (Latoya Cutts, Director of DCED) It was their idea to use those tax credits to help fund the development, they were not successful or their application for tax credits was not asuccessful application.

09:53:19 (Nathan Davis, City Attorney) They’re probably what is politely referred to as under-capitalized meaning they wouldn’t have the assets to pay.

There you have it in a nutshell…We awarded a half-million dollars to an underfunded group, who could only proceed, if the group successfully secured even more federal money to complete the development.

Now, a developer would have to overcome the two liens on the land, as well as have funding for a viable project. City leaders will meet in November to craft some sort of plan to send to HUD by their deadline November 21.

This is just not the way we should be doing business.

Tags: East Albany, Housing, Jim Wilcox, Univeristy Gardens
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SCHOOL RAPE

– November 9, 2011Posted in: Jim Wilcox


An Albany teenager suspected of raping a girl on school property not only remains in class, but is staring on his school’s football team.

Last week, a grand jury indicted Westover High School student, 16-year old Shannon Saunders for rape. He’s accused of assaulting a 15-year old girl in the school’s auditorium last May at a time when school was not in session. The girl suffered injuries and reported the attack immediately and Saunders was arrested.

He was suspended at the beginning of this school year pending a tribunal hearing, and the principal tells us Saunders was held out of the first four football games as he waited for that hearing. But the tribunal, made up of retired administrators, decided they should take no action against Saunders until his criminal case was settled. He was allowed back in school and back on the football team.

We should point out that Saunders says he is innocent, and in criminal court he is innocent until proven guilty. The school system does not have to rely on level of proof. Students who proclaim their innocence are routinely treated much more harshly for much less serious offenses. Prosecutors believe they can convict him as an adult of a horrible crime. Even if they can’t, there’s certainly plenty of evidence that Saunders seriously violated school rules that should result in harsh school punishment.

Plain and simple, a student indicted for rape has no business walking the halls with other students or representing his school in athletic competition. The tribunal shirked their responsibility by not taking action to protect other students. It’s not too late to act now before a jury does their job for them.

Tags: DCSS, Jim Wilcox, Rape, school
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Child Death Team Serves Vital Role

– October 21, 2011Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox, Outlook

Every death of a child is tragic and every parent who goes through that tragedy deserves answers about what happened. In Dougherty County, they get those answers from the Child Death Investigation Team.

Two weeks ago, a baby didn’t wake up from a nap at daycare at Byne Memorial Child Development Center. The next day, a 14-year old boy was shot and killed in a home in southeast Albany. In each case, that team that works out of the District Attorney’s office immediately stepped in.

In the baby’s case, they quickly determined the child had not been abused and there were no problems at the daycare. A terribly unfortunate medical problem likely is to blame.

In the shooting death, the team worked with Albany police and quickly helped apprehend a suspect who is now charged with murder.

When a child dies, everything that can be done should be done to understand the circumstances, to determine if a crime was committed, and to hold anyone responsible accountable. We’re lucky that we have specially trained, dedicated professionals who make sure that happens.

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Sunday Alcohol Sales Should Be Permitted

– October 21, 2011Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox, Outlook

 

Back in 2002, Albany leaders told voters that Sunday alcohol sales would help boost the economy. This was only for restaurants with at least 50 percent of their business coming from food, or hotels with 50 percent of their business in lodging. The majority of voters said yes to the Sunday sales, and it has been a tremendous boost to local economic development.

This year, Georgia lawmakers passed a Sunday alcohol sales bill allowing Sunday sales in other stores, but only if it’s approved locally. Now It’s up our community to vote on this in this coming November’s election. Why are our elected officials, not helping to educate the public on this very important issue? We have only heard one public comment from one liquor store who, of course, wants to maintain their advantage, and not allow Sunday sales in grocery and convenience stores.

Many people drive into Albany, or through Albany, so the taxes from Sunday alcohol sales would have the same positive effect we receive from the SPLOST sales tax.

Stores tell us they get numerous out-of-town visitors who are shocked they can’t buy alcohol on Sunday.

We say to our City and County leaders, show some leadership, and let voters know the facts on this. We need to continue to improve our local economic development by voting yes to Sunday sales this November.

 

Tags: Alcohol sales, Blue Laws
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Sherwood’s Hit Movie

– October 14, 2011Posted in: Jim Wilcox

Sherwood Baptist Church’s latest movie had an incredible opening weekend. There are a lot of reasons why we should be proud.

“Courageous” was the top new movie in the country. It was the fourth highest-grossing movie overall and No. 1 based on per-screen ticket sales. It raked in more than $9 million over the weekend. And remember, this is a movie produced right here in Albany using volunteers to do most of the work.

We’re proud that Sherwood is making movies with a positive message. Some critics may say the movies are a little too “preachy,” but that’s not something the filmmakers will ever apologize for, and they shouldn’t.

We’re proud that Sherwood uses the proceeds from the movies to help the community. They expanded Legacy Park, the church’s recreation facility that’s open to the public. And they’ve hosted outreach events in a south Albany neighborhood where they filmed some scenes from “Courageous,” even giving away Christmas gifts to kids there.

We’re also proud that Sherwood’s movies portray Albany in a positive light. People all around the world know about Albany because of our movie-making church. Visitors come to town from all over the country just to visit the church, meet the movie makers, and see places where the films have been shot. It’s a mini-tourist industry, and that’s good for Albany.

Tags: movies, Sherwood Church
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Truancy and Incarceration

– October 14, 2011Posted in: Jim Wilcox


We heard recently about 14-year-old James Anderson, who was fatally shot when he should have been in school. This reminded us of the recent project S.H.E.L.D. study of 100 Dougherty County jail inmates.
 
The group interviewed 73 men and 27 women, showing a direct link between truancy and a stay in jail. The anti-truancy group’s CEO, Prince Edwards, presented their results to county commissioners that 82 percent of inmates had skipped school.

I’m sure you assumed this was true, but as Edwards said, “To manage something you have to measure it”. His point was, the numbers show if your control truancy, you can reduce crime and jail overcrowding.
 
Here are some sobering numbers … The study found: 45 percent lacked a high school education, 54 percent never married, and 40 percent were under 30. 65 percent admitted using drugs and 90 percent had been in jail before. In addition, 83 of the 100 inmates had kids at home, totaling 192 children.
 
Edwards made the point that there are now over 900 inmates in the Dougherty County Jail. They just talked to 100, so those numbers would multiply nine times.
 
This should be a wake-up call to the community that with the lack of a role model, and supervision at home, this cycle will just repeat itself.
 
Immediate steps should be taken by community leaders to reverse this trend.

 

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