By Cameron Whitlock
Last weekend, the unthinkable happened.
After a series of mishaps and unfortunate events, I found myself without a line of communication to the outside world and in a strange way, I found peace.
It began last Thursday night, when I traveled to Marietta to celebrate my best friend’s birthday. Even though I had a meeting to attend in Lula the next morning at 8:00, I rarely get the opportunity to see all of my friends together at one time, so I decided to make the trip down. After dinner, conversation led to drinking, and drinking led to more drinking. Before I knew it, I was lying down to go to bed around 2 a.m. on a couch, which rivaled the softness of a concrete slab.
Needless to say, I slept as comfortably as Tyrion Lannister in a sky cell at the Eyrie.
[Full Story »]
Entries by Cameron Whitlock
Maysville buys land for park
The Maysville City Council spent half an hour behind closed doors Monday before reconvening to announce the purchase of 46.423 acres to be used for a city park.
The council adopted a resolution approving the purchase of the property at 48 Homer Street from sisters Daune Turner Davis and Katherine Turner Rushton, at a cost of $170,000.
[Full Story »]
The council adopted a resolution approving the purchase of the property at 48 Homer Street from sisters Daune Turner Davis and Katherine Turner Rushton, at a cost of $170,000.
[Full Story »]
City schools near decision on 'charter' status
Commerce superintendent of schools James “Mac” McCoy indicated that the Commerce-City school system is leaning towards becoming a “system of charter schools” at the regular Commerce Board of Education meeting last Monday.
For the past several years, the Georgia Department of Education has worked to evaluate educational programs and funding in state schools.
The Georgia DOE now requires all state funded schools to declare charter school system status — Investing in Educational Excellence (IE2) contract status, or to declare status quo – in which they would continue to follow the rules outlined under the state’s Quality Basic Education Act – by June, 2015.
[Full Story »]
For the past several years, the Georgia Department of Education has worked to evaluate educational programs and funding in state schools.
The Georgia DOE now requires all state funded schools to declare charter school system status — Investing in Educational Excellence (IE2) contract status, or to declare status quo – in which they would continue to follow the rules outlined under the state’s Quality Basic Education Act – by June, 2015.
[Full Story »]
OPINION: Always have a backup plan
By Cameron Whitlock
As I sat watching the NCAA men’s basketball tournament last weekend, I saw one of the most horrific injuries I’ve ever witnessed on live television.
In the first half of the east regional championship between Duke and Louisville, Cardinal guard Kevin Ware went up for a block and came down awkwardly on his right leg. The stadium went silent as his leg hit the floor rippling like Jello and bending in ways that should not be humanly impossible.
Players, coaches and fans alike were visibly disturbed as a medical unit rolled Ware out of the arena on a stretcher. As I watched the emotional exchange, I could only muster one thought — that kid might never play the game again. I hope he has a backup plan.
[Full Story »]
As I sat watching the NCAA men’s basketball tournament last weekend, I saw one of the most horrific injuries I’ve ever witnessed on live television.
In the first half of the east regional championship between Duke and Louisville, Cardinal guard Kevin Ware went up for a block and came down awkwardly on his right leg. The stadium went silent as his leg hit the floor rippling like Jello and bending in ways that should not be humanly impossible.
Players, coaches and fans alike were visibly disturbed as a medical unit rolled Ware out of the arena on a stretcher. As I watched the emotional exchange, I could only muster one thought — that kid might never play the game again. I hope he has a backup plan.
[Full Story »]
OPINION: A glimpse of the future
By Cameron Whitlock
In the not so distant future, the year 2020, The United States of America is a very different place. It has become a barren, desolate land, stripped of all beauty and personal freedom.
Millions of Americans are subjected to the complete tyrannical rule of Supreme Leader Obama and his Communist administration.
After the ruthless dictator’s unprecedented power grab in 2016, things began to fall apart very quickly for the once shining beacon of democracy. The former president used his extensive knowledge of law to find loopholes and fallacies in the U.S. Constitution, which allowed him to retain power after his second term. [Full Story »]
In the not so distant future, the year 2020, The United States of America is a very different place. It has become a barren, desolate land, stripped of all beauty and personal freedom.
Millions of Americans are subjected to the complete tyrannical rule of Supreme Leader Obama and his Communist administration.
After the ruthless dictator’s unprecedented power grab in 2016, things began to fall apart very quickly for the once shining beacon of democracy. The former president used his extensive knowledge of law to find loopholes and fallacies in the U.S. Constitution, which allowed him to retain power after his second term. [Full Story »]
OPINION: Time to end 'slave' labor
By Cameron Whitlock
In 1865, Congress ratified the 13th amendment, effectively abolishing slavery in the United States of America. Yet in the 21st century, there are more than 500,000 unpaid interns nationwide, trading free labor for a hypothetical “foot in the door.”
Maybe, an unpaid internship isn’t quite the equivalent of slavery, but it isn’t too unrealistic to compare it with indentured servitude.
After all, these interns generate an estimated $2 billion annually in free labor, to corporations and small businesses alike. And in a shaky economy, things are only getting worse. [Full Story »]
In 1865, Congress ratified the 13th amendment, effectively abolishing slavery in the United States of America. Yet in the 21st century, there are more than 500,000 unpaid interns nationwide, trading free labor for a hypothetical “foot in the door.”
Maybe, an unpaid internship isn’t quite the equivalent of slavery, but it isn’t too unrealistic to compare it with indentured servitude.
After all, these interns generate an estimated $2 billion annually in free labor, to corporations and small businesses alike. And in a shaky economy, things are only getting worse. [Full Story »]
City school board pays off its loan
Thanks to a seasonal influx of property tax revenue, the Commerce Board of Education paid off its bank loan and is operating in the black.
The board reported a positive net fund equity balance Monday, Jan. 14.
The current equity of 369,846 is in sharp contrast to the minus-$1,459,217 posted at the end of November.
The school system has received $5,869,401 in revenue (54.01 percent of that projected on the 2012-13 budget), which was a vast increase from the 28.54 percent ($3,101,299) collected at the end of November when property taxes were just trickling in.
Thus far, the school system has received $2,385,260 in taxes. The board also saw an increase in revenue from state sources.
“Tax collections have been very good for us,” said superintendent James “Mac” McCoy. “We are far from being out of the woods, but we are in the positive right now.”
The board reported a positive net fund equity balance Monday, Jan. 14.
The current equity of 369,846 is in sharp contrast to the minus-$1,459,217 posted at the end of November.
The school system has received $5,869,401 in revenue (54.01 percent of that projected on the 2012-13 budget), which was a vast increase from the 28.54 percent ($3,101,299) collected at the end of November when property taxes were just trickling in.
Thus far, the school system has received $2,385,260 in taxes. The board also saw an increase in revenue from state sources.
“Tax collections have been very good for us,” said superintendent James “Mac” McCoy. “We are far from being out of the woods, but we are in the positive right now.”
OPINION: If only it were so simple
By Cameron Whitlock
Often it is difficult to recall how I viewed the world when I was a child. Life was dominated by simple pleasures and a rash naivety. Rudimentary concepts like time and money meant little to nothing, and I only had to travel as far as my own back yard to partake in the most epic of adventures. Imagination triumphed over reality and responsibility and stress went inexperienced.
I began thinking of my own childhood experiences after recently speaking with my 6-year-old nephew. He asked me to come visit him at his house, which is about 60 miles from my own. I informed him that money was tight and that it would be foolish for me to drive that far to only be able to see him for a couple hours.
He simply replied, “You don’t have to buy anything, just drive up to my house.” [Full Story »]
Often it is difficult to recall how I viewed the world when I was a child. Life was dominated by simple pleasures and a rash naivety. Rudimentary concepts like time and money meant little to nothing, and I only had to travel as far as my own back yard to partake in the most epic of adventures. Imagination triumphed over reality and responsibility and stress went inexperienced.
I began thinking of my own childhood experiences after recently speaking with my 6-year-old nephew. He asked me to come visit him at his house, which is about 60 miles from my own. I informed him that money was tight and that it would be foolish for me to drive that far to only be able to see him for a couple hours.
He simply replied, “You don’t have to buy anything, just drive up to my house.” [Full Story »]
Maysville annexation request spawns debate
The Maysville city council held the first of two public hearings Monday night concerning the annexation and rezoning of 118 West Freeman Drive.
The property, which is owned by Maysville resident Gary Adams, is currently only partially in the Maysville city limits.
While Adams wants his entire property annexed into Maysville, part of his terms include rezoning 18.19 of the 44.89 acres from AG to C2 (agricultural to commercial land). Because Adams does not currently have specific plans for commercial development of the land, the Maysville zoning board voted 4-1 that Adams did not meet the requirements for rezoning. [Full Story »]
The property, which is owned by Maysville resident Gary Adams, is currently only partially in the Maysville city limits.
While Adams wants his entire property annexed into Maysville, part of his terms include rezoning 18.19 of the 44.89 acres from AG to C2 (agricultural to commercial land). Because Adams does not currently have specific plans for commercial development of the land, the Maysville zoning board voted 4-1 that Adams did not meet the requirements for rezoning. [Full Story »]
OPINION: The perks of being a gamer
By Cameron Whitlock
Over the years, video games seem to have gotten a fairly ill repute in the media, on Capitol Hill and even in the home.
Numerous politicians, activists groups and parents tried time and time again, to force legislation through to heavily regulate the sale of video games, but these attempts have generally failed.
Most recently in 2011, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association, citing video games as protected speech under the First Amendment. The California law, which sought to restrict the sale of violent games to minors, was struck down, concluding that studies were too vague and that video games had no more of an influence on children than television and pictures.
[Full Story »]
Over the years, video games seem to have gotten a fairly ill repute in the media, on Capitol Hill and even in the home.
Numerous politicians, activists groups and parents tried time and time again, to force legislation through to heavily regulate the sale of video games, but these attempts have generally failed.
Most recently in 2011, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association, citing video games as protected speech under the First Amendment. The California law, which sought to restrict the sale of violent games to minors, was struck down, concluding that studies were too vague and that video games had no more of an influence on children than television and pictures.
[Full Story »]
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