Dear Terry,

This will be a bifurcated letter, so, hopefully, none of your readers are offended by letter bifurcation.

The first issue on which I'd like to express an opinion is the use of seat belts, especially by our youth. Since I moved back to Colquitt some sixteen years ago, we have lost 20-or-so of our young people in vehicle accidents. In just about every case, the young folks were not wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal accidents. Most, if not all, of the now-deceased young folks would be alive today, had they only made the decision to use their seat belts.

So, where's the blame for this seemingly-systemic South Georgia phenomenon? Could the fact that our state legislators, who even now refuse to make the use of seat belts in pickup trucks mandatory, bear some responsibility? As you pointed out in the front page article about the horrible loss of Blake Lusk, Georgia is the last state in the United States to not require seat belt use in pickup trucks. The message conveyed to our young people by our legislators couldn't be clearer: "Pickup trucks are safer than other vehicles, so it's all right not to use seat belts in pickup trucks." The reality is that pickup trucks are four-times more likely to roll over in traffic accidents than are automobiles.

So, what's our responsibility as parents? I have a pretty strong opinion about that. As parents, there's not much that we can do about the ignorance and bad judgment of our state legislators. However, if you're a parent who thinks that he or she might just be a little smarter than a Georgia legislator... let me put that a different way...smarter than, say, an unborn rhinoceros, then take it upon yourself to raise your children to use their seat belts, whether they're driving cars, trucks, or Abrams battle tanks.

My second subject is related to a couple of recent posts in the anonymous comments column, regarding the display of political signs on private property. One genius last week allowed that he/ she certainly wouldn't vote for a candidate with a lot of signs in yards. Yeah, lots of logical reasoning skills in that thought...better to back a loser than a winner.

Now comes a comment obviously of Einsteinian proportions... that there should be a local ordinance controlling the number of yard signs that a candidate could distribute to his or her supporters. This will probably come as a shock to the aforementioned paragon of intellect, but, believe-it-ornot, the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America actually applies even to us citizens of Miller County, Georgia.

Cordially,

Wig Geer

Dear Terry,

To The Board of Education:

How does it feel for you to have the livelihood of teachers in the palms of your hands? I do so hope that your decision making this past Monday night that dealt with replacing Pre-K teachers was focused on the children rather than the all mighty dollar. I know that I have taught my daughter to be a leader, look for honesty in everyone, no matter what, but always be true to thyself, and I think those qualities are definitely instilled in her. However, I will say, everyone that had a part in these decisions will have to live with themselves. Melissa has been one of the best Pre-K teachers that I have ever witnessed teaching because she genuinely cared about children in general! It was heart-breaking to watch her Tuesday morning arrive at school and to be told that she no longer would be a Pre-K teacher. It did take her about four hours to compose herself from crying and having regrets of leaving Pre-K, but she is a survivor and she will still give her 100% and more! I do want to thank all of you, but only one thought I will leave you with, why can you not as a group include these leaders in your plans and ask their opinions in a closed session first and let them know your thoughts and plans, rather than the manner that you have been doing? Realize that the children should be put as first priority, and it is not a game that you are playing, but it is their lives, and these children are our future! An adult can survive, but can the children?

Thanks for listening and have a nice week-end.

Sincerely,

Nell C. Kimbrell, mother of Melissa K. Whitley (former Pre-K teacher, but promoted to third grade teacher for the new year)