Jim Wilcox Archive

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SCHOOL SYSTEM BOND

– May 24, 2012Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox


 

There’s yet another instance of poor judgment by top administrators in the Dougherty County School System.

Superintendent  Joshua Murfree and Assistant Superintendent Kenneth Goseer reimbursed parents for bond money after they complained about their daughter’s arrest at school. The school board attorney says that may be an unlawful expenditure of school system money, and the District Attorney is now investigating.

Goseer said he believed the arrest was improper, and Murfree said he was trying to avoid a potential lawsuit, but school police insist the arrest was warranted after the student cursed at a teacher and disrupted class.

Goseer also sent the school police chief an email ordering him not to make any arrests without the approval of the Superintendent.  The chief refused to follow that directive because it’s not legal.

Murfree now says he only wanted to be kept in the loop on arrests, and he agreed to make sure school money is not used again to pay bond for students.  But these issues should never have come up in the first place.

The school system needs strong leaders who aren’t afraid to make tough decisions, but those tough decisions need to be smart and well-thought out.  In this case, Murfree and Goseer failed on both accounts.

 

Sumter County Commissioner

 

A Sumter County Commissioner stands accused of the ultimate in political corruption……offering up his vote in exchange for cash.

Commissioner Al Hurley was indicted by a federal grand jury Monday and charged with asking for, and receiving more than 20-thousand dollars from an out-of-state contractor.

Prosecutors say Hurley promised a Michigan contractor that he’d get work in Sumter County in exchange for the cash.

What a disgrace. If these charges are true, Al Hurley has not only broken the law, but he’s embarrassed himself, his family, and his community and made a mockery of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners.

While acknowledging that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, we believe Hurley’s continued presence at the commission table will be a distraction and we call on him to remove himself from office until this case is resolved.

 

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

 

 

Tags: Assistant superintendent Kenneth Goseer, Commissioner Al Hurley, DCSS, District Attorney, Dougherty County School System, federal grand jury, indicted, investigating, jail bond money, Jim Wilcox, police chief, political corruption, poor judgment, school board attorney, school police, student arrested, Sumter County Board of Commissioners, Sumter County Commissioner, Superintendent Joshua Murfree, unlawful expenditure, WALB
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Voters should decide Consolidation

– May 21, 2012Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox


 

We hope Commissioners will finally allow voters to decide the City / County Consolidation, issue, as one obvious answer to our budget shortfall.

The City now struggles with financial problems, which may mean a 1.33 mil tax increase for property owners.  City Manager James Taylor says he can balance the budget without a tax increase, but they must find $2 million somewhere else to do that.

Even city leaders, including our new Mayor, agree with us, they should not be subsidizing our budget with  MEAG dollars. Those dollars expire in 2018, creating a $3 million annual shortfall.

Ward 4 commissioner Roger Marietta suggests a task force to consider eliminating duplication of services. This study has been completed for years!

Beginning in 2003, two study commissions spent years and thousands of dollars looking into the savings of combining Albany and Dougherty County governments and services and decided it should go to the voters.

Duplications were clearly identified in: finance, information technology, procurement, human resources, fleet maintenance, and police departments.

Again in 2008,  the Dougherty County Grand Jury was unanimous among the 23 community representatives, in public presentments, saying:

“The citizens of Dougherty County have the right and are qualified to determine the form of government that will represent them now and in the future”.

Also, the Chamber of Commerce, representing all our local businesses, voted to support our right to vote on this issue.

But then the vote of a few arrogant Commissioners’ , completely dismissed all  these efforts. Commissioners attempted to give an explanation for their vote to the media. One even said that: you the voters, are not bright enough to understand the complexities of the charter issue.   Don’t you believe that for a minute.

Let’s remind them, that in recent years, one City Commissioner went to prison and one County Commissioner pled guilty to theft by taking.

If the voters are wise enough to keep themselves out of prison, they are wise enough to vote on consolidation.

 

Prom Dress Code

 

Lee County High made national news recently, with its prom dress code.

The school enacted and enforced rules that prevented teen girls from wearing plunging necklines and super-short dresses.

While some disagree with the policy, we think it’s appropriate.

But the burden shouldn’t be on the school to make sure teen girls aren’t “showing it all.”

Where are the parents?

Mothers, fathers, any adult guardian should make sure a teen is appropriately dressed, before he or she leaves the house.

And this doesn’t just apply to proms!

Come on, adults.

Set a good example, and reinforce in your child that she doesn’t have to dress trashy to have a good time, make friends, or be accepted.

Class trumps trash any day!

 

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

Tags: Albany City Commission, chamber of commerce, City Manager James Taylor, consolidation, Dougherty County Commission, Dougherty County government, Dress Code, Jim Wilcox, MEAG Funding, Prom, roger marietta, WALB
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Claire Hillard Rehired?

– April 7, 2012Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox


 

The decision to return Claire Fox Hilliard as Music Director for the Albany Symphony Orchestra sends a terrible message to community, especially our black community and to our youth.

The Albany Symphony board has said to African Americans, we have no respect or sensitivity for you, and to our young people, they have said it is ok to do wrong, as long as you know the right people.

I’m sure that is the reason several board members and employees did the right thing, and resigned, after this very poor decision.

This quick re-hiring makes many question, was his firing just a hoax?

Was it all just for show? Was this deal in the works all the time?

Local businesses know it sometimes takes months, to find the right employee for a particular job.

It is clear there was another agenda at work here.

What is the purpose of having a board of directors, when major Symphony donors can pressure the board to bend to their will.

When personal friendships overrides integrity, there is no creditability in their actions.

It is this kind of thinking and actions, that keeps Albany at the level of, that City with great potential…

 

School Budget Cuts

 

A couple of weeks ago, Dougherty County School Board Members put some potentially unpopular money-saving proposals on the table, as they try to prevent a budget shortfall.

But we say more power to them!

The taxpayers who fund their one-hundred fourteen million dollar budget are tightening their belts! Why shouldn’t the school system?

And we won’t even talk about $4.00 a gallon gas we are buying to get to our jobs– so we can pay some of the highest property taxes in Georgia.

School board members talked about re-zoning and possibly combining schools.

And they need to, when you consider that school occupancy data shows many schools operating far under capacity.

Built to hold 2,000 students, Albany High School now is a Double-A school. It sits over half-empty, and maybe it’s time to close it.

The Dougherty County School System has over twelve hundred administrators, faculty, and staff, to serve about sixteen thousand students. Maybe it’s time to reduce that payroll.

Budget cuts won’t be popular with folks who work in the system, but the DCSS is not in the business of full employment. It’s in the business of educating children, and it needs to do so in the most efficient way possible.

We encourage board members to take heart in the fact that the taxpayer is behind you and your budget axe. Don’t be afraid to use it.

 

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

Tags: Albany Symphony Orchestra, Claire Hillard, Dougherty County School Board, Jim Wilcox, Music Director, School Budget Cuts
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CHARTER SCHOOLS

– April 1, 2012Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox


You’ll get a chance to decide whether to change the state Constitution to make it easier to start charter schools.  Both the state House and Senate passed a Constitutional amendment referendum that will go on the ballot in November.  It would clarify state law after the state Supreme Court ruled the Georgia Charter Schools Commission was illegally creating charter schools.

You should educate yourself on the issue and decide for yourself whether to support it, but we’re just pleased members of both parties at the state capitol worked together on an issue for a change.

The initial version of the bill did not get the two-thirds majority needed to pass because Democrats were concerned it would take too much money away from already struggling local schools.

Republican and Democratic leaders worked together to make changes to the bill that satisfied most of the opponents.  That’s the way government is supposed to work… lawmakers working together to come up with a compromise.  It’s sad that has become the exception rather than the rule, but we’re glad to see it can still happen when politicians put their minds to it.

 

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

 

 

Tags: CHARTER SCHOOLS, Georgia Charter Schools Commission, Jim Wilcox, WALB
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Gordy Gruhl 1,000 Wins Tribute

– March 26, 2012Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox


 

Any time a coach reaches a win total that ends with two zeroes is a significant accomplishment. However, there are not many coaches who have three zeroes in the last three digits of their career win total.

Deerfield-Windsor basketball coach Gordy Gruhl become one of the few high school coaches in Georgia history to reach the one thousand win mark recently.

It is a well deserved honor for one of the hardest working coaches in the nation.

At Deerfield-Windsor, Gordy Gruhl has won four boys state championships and two girls state championships.

It is more than just wins that define the character Gordy Gruhl has shown at Deerfield-Windsor for almost three decades.

He has not only taught the game of basketball to boys and girls.

He also gotten every player to give his or her best on the court and in the classroom.

Besides coaching basketball, Gordy Gruhl also serves as athletic director and head golf coach.

Under his watch, Deerfield-Windsor has seen its athletic program grow into region and state championship contenders in every sport in which they participate.

It is a tradition that can simply be called the Deerfield way.

While coaching the children of former players may make coach Gruhl realize how many years he has been on the sideline.

It also shows what his former players thank of their high school coach.

 

Chambliss Co-Sponsors ‘No Budget, No Pay’ Act

 

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, co-sponsored legislation, which would prohibit members of Congress from receiving pay, if the congressional budget and appropriations process is not completed by the start of the fiscal year on Oct.1.

Finally some legislation that makes sense!

We totally agree, It is unacceptable that it has been more than 1,000 days since Congress passed a budget.

We can’t expect Americans to set household budgets, if we are not doing the same for the federal government.

It is no wonder that our national deficit is over $15 trillion.” said Chambliss.

It is also unacceptable that members of Congress continue to receive paychecks for a job they aren’t doing.

This bill is a step in the right direction towards holding Congress accountable and balancing the federal budget.

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

Tags: basketball coach, deerfield-windsor, Gordy Gruhl, Jim Wilcox, No Pay’ Act, U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, WALB, ‘No Budget
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Gun Sales and Carry Permits Skyrocket

– March 18, 2012Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox



South Georgia firearm dealers say they are having a hard time keeping guns in stock, because of skyrocketing sales. Probate Judges in the area say they’re seeing increased numbers of people applying for gun carry permits.

State legislators raised the price for carry permits from $50 to $70 last year,

but that has not slowed permit applications.

Gun Dealers and judges say Georgians are concerned about crime and want to be armed to protect themselves.

This year those numbers are shooting off the charts.

Gun sales usually increase in February in South Georgia, as people receive their tax refunds, but they say it’s bigger than ever this year.

The Dougherty County Probate Court office clerks, have nearly a hundred permits waiting to be processed, working overtime to get them filed quickly.

In Dougherty County in 2011… 1,400 gun carry permits were granted.

So far this year 231, That’s on track for 2000 this year. The permits are good for five years, and Dougherty County Probate Judge Nancy Stephenson says that now, 8,000 people in this county, will be permitted to carry a concealed weapon.

“Let me just use this as an opportunity to tell criminals, that the next time you attack someone while they are emptying their garbage, or loading their groceries in the car, probably they are going to be armed, and you are going to be hurt,” Stephenson said.

Judge Stephenson said the people she sees at her office have an increased level of anger and fear about crime.

Criminals risk much more than jail time…more and more South Georgians, carrying a concealed gun, will defend themselves.

 

 

 

Dominique Wilkins  and Diabetes

With the recent disclosure of Paula Deen’s diagnosis with Diabetes, the disease has once again come into the spotlight.  Many others deal with the disease, including celebrities Patty LaBelle, Brett Michaels, Halle Berry, Larry King, and B.B. King.

In your own families, I am willing to bet there’s someone affected by the disease.  Now, many of us are learning that former NBA player and current Hawks’ Vice President of Basketball, Dominique Wilkins, has been a diabetic since 2000.

Some are born with it and or/ inherit a predisposition to the disease,  and for others, it’s the result of a poor diet and lack of exercise.  Dominique Wilkins, will be in Albany this week, in partnership with the Dougherty County School System, Phoebe Putney’s Diabetes Care Center, and NovoNordisk Pharmacy Co.  Mr. Wilkins, ambassador for Noco Nordisk, hopes  to bring awareness and help the public understand how diabetes can impact a young person.  He also wants to let people know that diabetics can appear to be physically fit.

The number of children being diagnosed with diabetes is alarming.  The term, “epidemic” is certainly not an overstatement!  According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million children and adults in the United States – that’s 8.3% of the population – have diabetes.   So on Thursday, March 8th,  join Dominque Wilkins at Phoebe’s Health Works Lunch and Learn.  The event is free and open to the public.  Get a jump on diabetes!

 

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

Tags: Carry permits, diabetes, firearm dealers, Gun Dealers, Gun Sales, Jim Wilcox, Paula Deen, WALB
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Federal Gas Tax Proposal

– March 9, 2012Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox


 

Ninth District Republican Congressman Tom Graves did an editorial in the AJC recently that caught our attention, and it’s a good example of government out of control.

Graves said that the three cents per gallon gas tax that started in 1956 to build the Interstate road system was supposed to go to a penny and a half a gallon in 1972.

And after the roads were built, the tax should have ended.

But neither one happened.

Now, the federal gas tax is over 18 cents a gallon, and some say it isn’t enough.

Adding insult to injury, Graves says that our state puts in more money to the Highway Trust Fund than it receives from the federal government.

He says that from 2005 through 2009, Georgians lost $839 million in gas revenue to the federal government, and some of your hard-earned money went to things that have nothing to do keeping up the interstates — things such as bike paths and walking trails.

Nothing against bike paths and walking trails, but this is money we have to save for our gas tanks, so we can get to work!

Graves has offered legislation that would let the states keep the highway money they collect, so they can spend the money on highway projects as they see fit.

We support this plan. Let the tax money that we spend on gas, which we all must have, stay in Georgia– to support Georgia roads.

 

 

MARDI GRAS

 

Have you ever heard anyone say there’s nothing to do in Albany?  Maybe you’ve said it yourself.  But it’s certainly not true this weekend.

The annual Mardi Gras celebration has become one of the biggest weekends of the year, and this year there are more activities than ever.  From the Harlem Globetrotters on Thursday to the WWE Smackdown on Saturday.  From pro bike races to the Albany Marathon and the Mardi Gras Street Festival, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

It takes a lot of work and hundreds of volunteers to put on the Marathon and the other activities.  We salute all of you who plan to help.  For the rest of you, we encourage you to enjoy the fun.  Line the streets to cheer on the racers.  Head downtown to listen to the music and support the vendors.  Welcome the thousands of out of town visitors who will be here for the weekend.

The more you support these activities, the more activities we’ll have.  And maybe you won’t hear folks say “there’s nothing to do here” anymore.

 

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

Tags: Federal Gas Tax, Highway Trust Fund, Jim Wilcox, Mardi Gras
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GOOD SURVEILLANCE

– February 27, 2012Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox

 

Hardly a week, or even a day, goes by on our news that we don’t show you surveillance video of criminals in action.  Often, when we show you the video, it leads directly to an arrest.

But this kind of video serves an even more important purpose.  It can prevent crime.  Recently, Dougherty District Attorney Greg Edwards told us he believes the crime rate would go down if more businesses had good security systems.  Police tell us they know burglars and robbers often target places that do not have cameras.

In Albany, only stores that sell alcohol are required to have surveillance cameras.  We think it’s time for city leaders to update the ordinance.  Certainly, all financial institutions and loan businesses should be required to have systems.  Perhaps, they should be mandated in other businesses as well, such as fast food restaurants.

Quality surveillance systems aren’t terribly expensive anymore.  Most businesses could afford them, and for the safety of our community, it’s time for the city to study the best way to expand the law.

 

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

 

Tags: Jim Wilcox, police, security cameras, video surveillance, WALB
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MAYOR’S PRAYER BREAKFAST:

– February 16, 2012Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox



Coming up next week, The ALDON (Albany-Dougherty National) prayer committee will sponsor the 39th annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.

This year’s speaker will be Dr. Mel Blackaby, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Jonesboro.

The breakfast will be held Thursday, February 16, 2012 at Hilton Garden Inn, on Front Street in Albany. The event will begin at 6:30 a.m.

The purpose of the breakfast is to join in prayer with others for our city, nation, and world. The committee believes that prayer is the key to bringing about positive change that will ensure a productive and safe future.

As a result of this program and others the committee hopes to keep this community united with its local, state and national leaders.

The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast was begun in 1973 by the Albany Chapter of the Christian Business Men’s Committee”. This organization was chartered in 1967 as a part of a national committee, whose purpose was to bring together the business and professional leaders of Albany, into unity with the elected officials of the community.

We hope you will support this very successful annual event.

The motivational program will present a vision for the future, which promotes open and honest communication for both groups.

For Tickets Contact: Wanda Mitchell Ph: 435-7930 wanda8253@juno.com

 

 

 

Non-Violent Youth


State lawmakers are debating a bill that will keep nonviolent juvenile offenders out of youth detention centers, like the one located here in Albany.

Nearly 1,400 juveniles who committed nonviolent offenses were locked up in Georgia last year, at a cost in the millions.

If we can keep kids out of these facilities if they don’t really need to be separated from society, the financial savings could be tremendous.

There is also the matter of preventing youngsters who are not yet hardened criminals, or who committed less serious infractions, from be kept with those who may victimize them.

The proposed bill will also make sure that a juvenile offender who turns 18 while serving their time won’t go to prison– with an adult population of hardened criminals.

If the bill becomes law, it will create a new process called Child in Need of Services, to oversee juveniles who are considered low or no risk.

We say this is a step in the right direction, and we’d like to see serious debate on the issue.

Unless there’s an unforeseen downside, it sounds like a great idea…

 

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

 

Tags: Child in Need of Services, Jim Wilcox, Mayor's Prayer Breakfast
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Dog Responsibility

– February 9, 2012Posted in: Columns, Jim Wilcox


 

Rarely a week goes by that we don’t hear about a dog attacking a human or another animal.

While occasionally the aggressive dogs are strays, more often, they are someone’s pet.

In one of the more recent attacks, a chow mauled a tiny Yorkie mix, while its owner stood nearby.

Now, the owner of the dog that was attacked is left with more than a thousand dollars worth of vet bills.

Not only should the Chow owner pay those vet bills, the owner of any aggressive dog that causes harm to people or other animals should be held responsible for damage they cause.

It’s time for dog owners to assume control of and responsibility for their dogs, especially if the dog is a breed that’s known to have aggressive tendencies.

If you own a dog that can be aggressive, take precautions to protect people and other animals.

Keep your animals in your control, don’t let them roam free.

Know if there is a leash law in your county. If you have an invisible fence, make sure the shock collar is on, and in working order.

Make sure their shots are up to date, and be prepared to assume the cost of damage they cause.

 

 

College Mergers

 

In an unprecedented move, the state Board of Regents recently approved the merger of eight colleges to reduce costs.

The result….the university system of Georgia  will shrink from 35 to 31 institutions.

Not far from Albany, the colleges in Waycross and Douglas will merge, as will others in near Augusta.

The immediate Albany area got no such merger order.  That means Albany State University and Darton College will remain independent institutions.

It would appear the Albany State and Darton continue to show their independent value in the University system of Georgia.

But both ASU and Darton should not assume they may not be reviewed for merger in the future.

We call on the leaders of both schools and the community to look for new and better ways to educate.  Consider new programs.  Streamline where necessary. Make sure you show that these two institutions are so valuable to this area, that there is no need to even consider consolidation of the two schools.

 

 

Jim Wilcox1Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.

 

 

Tags: Jim Wilcox
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