Dear Editor:

“Towns Lands Harley Event” reads an article in a local paper. Poor old Helen lost out to Hiawassee.

The biggest motorcycle event in the world has been taking place in Sturgis, S.D. for years. Now, perhaps a majority of the citizens wish to hell they would go away and stay.

Can anyone say hubris…. like in the extreme!!

What would Harley folks do if they had to use mufflers? Clarence Newton 9/1/2011

Dear Editor:

“Please press 2 for Spanish.”  “For Spanish, please say 1.”  “We speak Spanish for your convenience.”  Day in and day out, no matter where you go, whom you call, or what you read, Spanish appears to be taking over our communication. I am not a racist, nor am I concerned when people wish to speak their native language in their homes or with their families and friends.  However, when people who do not speak the language are subjected to it throughout the day, it is upsetting. My Grandparents emigrated to the U.S. from Poland at the turn of the 20^th Century.  When they arrived, they were unable to speak English, but they wanted to assimilate into “American” society and to do so required speaking English.  They were proud to learn and speak English.Granted, at home, among family and friends, Polish was spoken.  They read Polish language newspapers, but mostly to remain knowledgeable on the happenings in their home country.  They also read English language newspapers because that was “the American way.”People from other ethnic backgrounds, Polish, French, Japanese, Chinese, and others, are discriminated against when business uses only English and Spanish.  While I despise frivolous litigation, I am almost to the point of seeking legal representation for a class action suit against companies doing so.  Maybe if someone did sue, if the case were not thrown out of court for being “Politically Incorrect” the discrimination would end.  Maybe not.

Sincerely,

Chris Mazur

Dear Parents & Supporters of Upward Ministries,

We would like to thank you for your overwhelming support of Upward Sports Ministries to the youth in our area. We endeavor to offer a quality program of high integrity while teaching good athletic skills in a Christian environment. Because of this, we ask for your continued support as we work thru a difficult decision concerning this upcoming Basketball and Cheerleading season. The gym floor at our Family Life Center is being replaced and will be closed for the entire month of October, and possibly part of November. With this in mind, rather than trying to piece together a season which could potentially be chaotic, we have prayerfully decided NOT to host Basketball and Cheerleading this fall, but look forward to an exciting season in the fall of 2012 with a wonderful floor! This was a difficult decision, but our desire is to represent the Lord Jesus Christ well and to serve our community with a first-class program that creates opportunities for us to share Christ with the youth and their families in our area. We are still planning to have our regular Indoor Soccer season with evaluations being held on Tuesday, December 6^th, and Thursday, December 8^th, from 6 to 8PM. Please feel free to call our church offices with any questions you may have at 706-745-5925, or visit our website at www.hopb.org.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:21

Upward Sports Ministry

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.  Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research and promotion of brain health, and to enhance care and support for all individuals, their families and caregivers. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease.

Offices for the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter are located in seven regions across the state of Georgia.  The office in Dalton provides services to 21 counties throughout the North Georgia Region including Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Polk, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, Walker, White, and Whitfield.

Many people are unaware of our existence or that we are available 24/7 to families struggling to cope with the devastation of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.  We encourage caregivers to use our 24 Hour Helpline for information and referral as well as availability of services.

Research as well as programs and services are funded through grants and the generosity of donors whether it is through our Alois Society, memorials, tributes, various events, or our signature event; Walk to End Alzheimer’s hosted in Blue Ridge, Calhoun, Dalton and Rome.

Alzheimer’s is America’s sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only cause of death among the top 10 without a prevention or cure.  Someone new develops the disease every 69 seconds. Over the next 40 years, caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s will cost American society $20 trillion – including $15 trillion to Medicare and Medicaid.

The importance of coming forward when someone suspects they or their loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia is critical to awareness and funding to find a cure.  Telling others about the disease and letting them know the disease is in their community is vital.  Alzheimer’s and related dementia’s can no longer remain a secret.  Rather we need to let others know what we are dealing with.  It is time to get the funding to find a cure.  It is time to share our stories with our legislators and our policy makers.  It is time to ask our government to allocate more funding toward ending this disease.

If you have a question about Alzheimer’s disease; programs and services available to you, becoming an advocate, how to register for a Walk near you, how you can become a sustaining donor, how you can volunteer or to find out more about the Alzheimer’s Association, please call 1-800-272-3900 or visit our website at www.alz.org/georgia.

Thank you,

Freda Stephenson

Development Director, North Ga. Regional Office

1-800-272-3900

www.alz.org/georgia

freda.stephenson@alz.org

IS YOUR MEDICARE IN JEOPARDY?

We are very concerned that U.S. Representative Paul Broun voted with every other Republican in Congress last week to turn our guaranteed Medicare program into a voucher program.  Passing the Ryan Budget Plan will force our senior citizens to pay much more in out of pocket fees and may not have all their health costs covered.  Government needs to keep it’s promises to our seniors.  This is a very poor attempt to balance the budget on the backs of those who can least afford it.

Towns County Democratic Party

Laurie Main

Towns County Lions Club

Public Relations

Although economic times are tight for most all of us, the citizens of Towns County showed their generosity during the first weekend of April. With many Lions Club volunteers stationed at various locations around the county, you donated $3,077.77 in just two days. Just what are the funds used for?

During its sixty years of existence, the Lighthouse’s services have grown to include:

• full eye exams,
• eyeglasses,
• eye surgeries,
• digital hearing aids, and
• vision and hearing screenings.

The reach of the Lighthouse extends across the state; in 2010, services were provided in 158 out of 159 Georgia counties.  The Lighthouse facilitated over 300 eye surgeries last year, and provided over 5,400 eyeglasses or exams to 3,556 Georgians.  In addition, 986 people received 1,810 hearing aids through our new digital aid program. To be eligible for services, patients must

• be uninsured or underinsured and
• fall below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. The majority of Lighthouse patients, 66 percent, fall below 100% of the FPG

For information on these services, contact any Lions Club members, or visit www.lionslighthouse.org.

On Tuesday, March 17, and on most days from now until then, we Towns County voters have an opportunity to provide a wide array of needed resources for ourselves without having to pay the full price for any of these items. What kind os “sales” opportunity am I talking about?

The SPLOST vote, of course.

Our county and city government officials within Tons County have worked very hard to compile a priority list of equipment, infrastructure and other items that will enhance public safety, improve roads and transportation systems, improve library services, greatly enlarge  recreational opportunities, and update infrastructure systems for water and sewer services that will benefit almost everyone in the county. And by voting “YES” on the SPLOST measure, these needed improvements will be paid for not just by us, but by thousands of visitors who will pass through our beautiful region.

Please join me in voting “YES” during the current early-voting period or on Tuesday, March 17th, for a SPLOST that will enhance the quality of life for all of us -at a bargain price!

Sincerely Yours,

Cathy Cox

The law suit article in last week’s Sentinel reported the claims of the plaintiff as stated in the civil suit itself, nothing more. Obviously, if and when the suit comes to trial a judgment will be made as to the merit of those charges after consideration of the evidence presented, and one should not jump to the conclusion that all or any of the claims of the suit are in fact true until that judgment is rendered.

The Sentinel chose to report on this suit for the following reasons. It claims a violation of civil liberties by a law enforcement agency against individuals involving possible racial profiling and discrimination. It claims unlawful search of an individual and his vehicle without just cause. It alleges calling out a drug dog search without just cause. It involves a significant number of sheriff’s deputies. It alleges previous instances of racial profiling stoppages. It involves a case in which no charges were filed against the individual for breaking the law. It involves a case in which the counsel representing the plaintiff is a well respected attorney who served 17 years as lead counsel for Georgia’s  American Civil Liberties Union.

Like Mr. Barrett, our dealings with Sheriff Clinton have been cordial, and while limited, we have found him to be fair, professional and genuinely concerned with protecting Towns County residents. He has done much to restore confidence in the Towns County Sheriff’s Department. Still, no one is above the law including those chosen to enforce it. A respect for the individual rights of all American citizens is inherent in our constitution. We consider this case significant and we await  and will report on its results.

Sheriff’s Law suit article in Sentinel Newspaper

Fox News prides itself in being “Fair and Balanced”;however, it seems the recent article in the Towns County Sentinel regarding the YHC student suing the The Towns County sheriff and deputies is anything but so. Except for six words near the beginning of the article where Sheriff Clinton is quoted as saying that this is a frivolous lawsuit without merit, the next several hundred words are written implying the accusers claims as FACTS. Except for the one word “contends” in one paragraph, the other dozen or so large paragraphs omit clarifying words such as “allegedly” or “supposedly,” which would indicate these things are alleged by the YHC students and not been proven to be true. The article gives the impression that law enforcement officers are guilty as charged.

I personally know all these officers reportedly involved in this incident as well as Sheriff Clinton, and upon study, I find the training and professionalism of the Towns County Sheriff’s office second to none.  I would take the stand and testify to the well earned and documented character of Sheriff Clinton or any of these officers any day of the week; they continually reflect the strong values and character of our community.   Before assuming the events reported in the article are true, remember there most certainly is another side to this story.  Could it even be politics or a personal vendetta against our sheriff’s department?

Darrell Barrett ]]> http://georgiasentinel.com/2011/03/letter-to-the-editor-sheriffs-law-suit-article-in-sentinel-newspaper/feed/ 0 http://georgiasentinel.com/2011/03/letter-to-the-editor-life-scout/ http://georgiasentinel.com/2011/03/letter-to-the-editor-life-scout/#comments Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:25:42 +0000 Staff Report http://georgiasentinel.com/?p=8267 Dear Editor,

So far I have earned the rank of Life Scout in Troop 125 in Hiawassee. My troop is sponsored by the Hiawassee Methodist Church. I wanted to express my appreciation.

First of all, I want to give a big thanks to the Hiawassee Methodist Church for the scout hut they built five years ago. Both the Boy Scouts and the Cub Scouts meet in the scout hut. Many members gave their time and money to build the scout hut. My second thank you is to the Methodist Men’s Club. They work closely with the Boy Scouts. For example, they conduct the Advancement Board of Reviews and help to finance the troop. They have helped in many ways. The church has also helped Boy Scouts that couldn’t afford to go to summer camps.

I am working on earning my Eagle Award and I believe attaining this award will help me in the future a lot in the career part of life. Scouting has also taught me how to keep pressing on and never quitting.

If there are other boys interested in Scouting, we meet at the scout hut next to the Hiawassee Methodist Church, the church on the hill west of GA Mountain Fair, at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesdays.

Carsten Judd, Boy Scout Troop 125

Last week, my wife and I attended the Charlie Daniels concert at the Georgia Fairgrounds in Hiawassee.  We attended numerous concerts throughout the years.  Although Charlie was great, as expected, the sound system once again was a significant disappointment.

Each concert we attend, the music is too loud while the performer’s voice is too quite.  Many times, it is almost impossible to hear the performer.  This was true with Charlie Daniels, and earlier concerts.

It is hard to say if the acoustics of the hall are to blame, the sound system, or the individual(s) handling the system.  However, for the cost of the tickets, we should be able to HEAR THE PERFORMERS THROUGHOUT THE CONCERTS!

Although we thank the Georgia Fairgrounds for providing high quality performers, it is only fair to expect a high quality sound system so that we can hear the entertainers.  Please, whoever is responsible for managing the arena, please have this matter handled so that we can fully enjoy future concerts.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

__________________

Christopher D. Mazur

We are seeing democracy in action in Wisconsin.  And what an ugly sight it is.  $3/4M in restoration costs to the capital, so far, and now

mobsters breaking the windows to enter the building to stop the constitutionally mandated legislative process.  And legislators are hiding

out to avoid doing the duty they were elected to do.

This is a glaring example, on national TV, of the process of governance that was anathema to the Founders.  They warned against it and

specifically excluded it from the Constitution, giving us instead a Constitutional Republic with elected representatives to serve We the

People and conduct our business as We direct.

Folks have lost track of how our nation was founded and why.  We are a nation of laws and those laws come from our constitution, which

We created.   We are not Argentina nor are we Libya, yet.  The reason folks don’t know this history is that it is no longer taught in school.

The elementary school social studies textbook for Union County teaches that our nation is a Constitutional Democracy.  The constitution is

specifically devoid of any references to democracy; for reasons we are seeing in Wisconsin.

Maybe the educators in Wisconsin are using our textbooks?  Maybe that’s why they are behaving the way they are?  The shame of it all is

that they are exposing their students to this depravity.

Wisconsin went Red.  Its legislators were elected by a majority vote and sent off to do the bidding of the majority who elected them, which

they are trying to do.  Except their efforts are being subverted by “the democratic process”, identified in a 1928 Army training manual as

mob rule; the rule of the vocal minority with the loudest mouth and soon with the biggest ax handles and biggest rocks.

For the Republic

Zeb Blanchard

Ivy Log