Could be worse

“As challenging as our economic times are currently, things could be much worse. FYI — some schools in other states have much higher property taxes (two to four times higher) than Tift County's plus they collect a book rental fee ranging from $100 to $150 per school child. As much as I don't like an increase in any taxes, I'm still grateful to live in Tifton / Tift County.”

Other cuts

“Obviously ‘Thoughts to ponder’ doesn't know anyone else that works for the fine state of Georgia. When the state economy is bad and teachers are getting their raises, other state employees are working with no raise and huge cuts into their budgets, budgets that serve your children and elderly family members. Direct services are being cut! As a parent of a child in school I'm concerned for the budget shortfall our schools are experiencing but as a state employee I'm happy to have a job despite the fact that out of 15 years of service I have only received a raise about half of that time! I was glad to hear Mr. Atwater say he would give up his raise; however, the rest of us just have our money taken away with no option to give it back.”

Local meetings

“I worked for the school system not in Tift County but a nearby county for 13 years. Four of those years I was responsible for callng substitutes in when teachers were absent... Year after year I saw teachers and other faculty members leave for two or three days at a time for some type of meeting, especially counselors. Now these were not local meetings. These meetings seem to always be out of town. Therefore, the school systems had to pay for the gas of all cars that were used to go to these meetings. Also, the school system paid for all meals that were eaten, no matter where or what the employees ate. Oh yeah, and do not forget the hotel rooms. I'm talking NICE hotels. I'm sure that if these individuals had to pay their own way, the meeting would be canceled. Now I know all these things because I handled and saw receipts myself. Maybe some of those types of things should be stopped due to school money being so short. Can't these meetings be in a location that could be driven to and back in one day, or better yet in our own local schools...”

Thanks, but...

“This is a Rave to "What's wrong" in the Aug.17 Rant and Rave. Thank you very much for thinking about the disabled and being willing to take care of them as you said you would the elderly. Now (having said) that, please do not take what I am about to say the wrong way. I had to file for disability in 2000. However, I would personally like people to know that the disability check I receive each month is Social Security that I paid in during the years that I worked for 37 years. I also have to pay $95 out of my monthly check to pay for Medicare. So thank you, some of us disabled people appreciate your caring.”

It’s political

“You know, with all these budget problems here is a giant solution. I HAVE a child playing football, BUT with all this negative feedback on the skatepark ponder this if you will. As ABAC cut out some of their sports, why can't the schools do the same. It would save TONS! Let the parents of the players do fundraisers as was asked of the skatepark folks. Fair is fair, and if the football clique thinks they are more important than other sports, then you have your answer...politics...PERIOD! My child enjoys football but he is no more special than any other child just because of the sport he chose. Just as it was when I was in school, the TIFTONITE ELITE run everything. Argue all you want, I DO know what I'm saying. This is only the truth, no matter how deep it cuts you. Go Devils!!