opinions
Lack of zoning, building codes keeps our county behind times
Fifty years is a long time. That’s how long I’ve waited, in vain, for the Jeff Davis County Commission to implement county-wide planning, county-wide building codes, county-wide visions for Jeff Davis County. Fifty years ago, when I first moved here, I was surprised that this county wasn’t up to date with 20th century governing norms.…
Read MoreThe Pendulum Swings — By John Reed
The Pendulum Swings Last week I attended a function at the Big House intended to raise awareness and funds to make repairs. Live music was provided by vocalist Kelly (Seebeck) Efstathiou and her husband. More than two decades ago, another push was made for the mansion, and music was provided by Mike Edwards, Greg Waters,…
Read More“Perimeter” vs. “Parameter” — By Tommy Purser
It started in October, 2021. That’s when the March Term 2021 Jeff Davis County Grand Jury returned its presentments as required by law. Whoever wrote those presentments, and I have no idea who it was, wrote that the Grand Jury members received orientation from the District Attorney “as to its civil and criminal responsibilities, as…
Read MoreThe Pendulum Swings — By John Reed
The Pendulum Swings Last week I attended a function at the Big House intended to raise awareness and funds to make repairs. Live music was provided by vocalist Kelly (Seebeck) Efstathiou and her husband. More than two decades ago, another push was made for the mansion, and music was provided by Mike Edwards, Greg Waters,…
Read MoreBird Feeder — By Tommy Purser
Did I tell y’all about the Christmas present my oldest offspring gave me? Well, if I did, listen up (or read up) I’m fixin’ to tell you again (“fixin’ ”, now there’s a Southern word that makes absolutley no sense to those unfamiliar with Southern dialect. To say I’m fixin’ to do something means I’m…
Read MoreThe Big House — By Tommy Purser
Some volunteers have gotten together to stage a Dinner at The Big House to raise funds to repair the eyesore deterioration of The Big House. I’ve already bought my tickets and I hope a lot of other people will purchase tickets as well — especially members of the Jeff Davis County Commission. The Big House,…
Read MoreOld Dog & New Tricks — By Tommy Purser
Buying a new computer should be easy. Shouldn’t it? Not in the least. I had been hanging on to my old iMac, despite its shortcomings, slowness, and incompatibility with many of the newer programs I want to use. Finally, my old computer just became too incompatible with too many things. I loathe upgrading because doing…
Read More‘Widespread Public Oppositon?’ — By Tommy Purser
That’s the phrase Joint Development Authority Chair Bo Reese used to describe the opposition to the proposed Brooker Field solar farm the Gainer family and NextEra Energy hope to build in the Brooker community north of Denton. In fact, he used that phrase twice in what appeared to be an attempt to fight the project.…
Read MoreProtests — By Tommy Purser
I briefly mentioned last week about a few instances of overwhelming public opposition to issues that have arisen here during my 50-plus years of covering the news Jeff Davis County. This week, I happened upon a folder that has been on my computer desktop for a number of years. It is entitled “Protests.” When I…
Read MoreDebbie — By Tommy Purser
When I first moved to Hazlehurst in 1973, a beautiful, accomplished young girl caught my eye. She was Kathy Fales, daughter of Bill and Weta Fales of Fales Furniture Store on Hinson Street. She was 17 years old, deeply involved in the Georgia 4-H program and, in fact, was the state president of Georgia 4-H.…
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