LETTERS

To the Editor:
I was deeply offended by the column written by Paul Stanley last
week. I certainly hope that his views do not reflect the Republican
Party or the Republican Party members in the Ninth District. To suggest
that God is a Republican, and by extension that Democrats are
Godless, is party assassination at its worst and I can't believe his smug
and arrogant statements were meant to be anything but inflammatory.
If his article was meant to be a recruitment poster for the Republican
Party, as he implies, then I can't image the type of person who would
find those outlandish and hostile statements appealing.
Paul, show me one Democrat in the Ninth District that believes
in bypassing democracy (Bush certainly has), that wants to be paid for
not working (Bill Clinton signed legislation to end the welfare state),
or that wants to take all your money (the Iraq war, seven years of
wasteful, excessive Republican spending, and the plummeting dollar
have already done that). I think its time we stop the attacks and character
assassinations and work together to find some practical solutions
to the problems that face this nation. The hostile environment
whipped up by just such belligerent statements made by Paul keeps
us from working together to find solutions that actually work to keep
this nation great. Personally, I would be more interested in seeing both
columns lay out actual detailed positions on specific issues rather than
take swipes at each other. Such sniping goes against my Christian
beliefs and, besides, I would rather have honest, civil dialogue
between both parties. Does this nation deserve any less?
James S Fitzgerald

To the Editor:
In response to Mr. H. Boyd Pettit, III's past letter in your paper,
what Mr. Pettit didn't tell the readers was that in a statement quoted
in the North Georgia News in the Oct. 17, 2007 issue,
Commissioner Paris admitted that he set up the Union County
Government Finance Corporation to borrow funds for county
expansion without having to have it voted on by a bond referendum.
The Commissioner obviously knew, from his statement, that in
order to follow the requirements of the laws of Georgia, i.e., The
Georgia Constitution, Article IX, s5-5 paragraph 1 and O.C.G.A.
Title 36, Chapter 80, Section 10 (36-80-10) through (36-80-14), he
would have to present to the voters, in a referendum, the purpose
and cost to taxpayers in purchasing this property.
With the creation of the Union County Governmental Finance
Corporation, the Commissioner deprived citizens their rights,
duties, and responsibilities of having a say in the operation of local
government and the financial burdens the County assumes as long
as this Corporation exists. In the letter of Corporation, the corporation
will exist in perpetuity, which means forever, and the County
would never have to present to the voters, for their approval in a referendum,
whenever the County may decide to go in debt.
The Corporation can buy, sell, lease, finance, take mortgages,
go in debt, etc., and the county is financially responsible. You can
go to the weblink below and click on the Adobe acrobat file under
the word "Image" and it will open the Letter of Corporation.
http://corp.sos.state.ga.us/corp/soskb/Filings.asp?84936
With the creation of this Corporation, our rights as citizens to
vote in a referendum have been taken away from us and placed into
the hands of 3 unelected Directors appointed by the Commissioner
and will continue to be denied us until this Corporation is dissolved.
While this Corporation may be legal and meets the requirements as
claimed by Mr. Pettit, it's not right or moral. You, the voter, can
decide if this circumvents the law. Perhaps Mr. Pettit or the
Commissioner can provide another word to describe the reason for
creating this Corporation. Why would anyone want to prevent citizens
the right to vote on the affairs of the County? I ask the
Commissioner to dissolve this Corporation, will he do it?
Sincerely,
Mike Sims
(Edited)

To the Editor:
I deliver Meals on Wheels once a week, and I am always so
moved by how much people thank me, and how much it means to
them to get this help. Meals on Wheels is a great program, providing
low cost, nutritious, hot meals for the elderly and disabled who would
have difficulty preparing a balanced diet for themselves. Another wonderful
aspect to the delivery of meals is that people get a bit of company
every day - if only for few moments. And for those living alone
with no family nearby, the volunteer delivering the meal provides a
kind of safety net for problems that might otherwise have gone unnoticed..

Meals on Wheels is one of the services provided by the Union
County Senior Center. They also serve hot lunches to Seniors at the
center. This year, state budget cuts meant our local meals program lost
$9000 for the fiscal year ending in June, 2008. Because of the shortage,
Meals on Wheels now has 11 people on a waiting list. Last month,
the staff put in a lot of extra hours and effort and, with the help of volunteers,
held a 3 day yard sale to raise additional funds. Although the
money brought in will be helpful, it won't begin to touch the shortfall.
I think a lot of people are unaware of this program, and unaware
of what a lifeline it is for many of our senior citizens. I'm writing to
urge people and organizations to consider making a donation to the
Union County Senior Center and Meals on Wheels. Maybe a family
member or teacher or friend would enjoy knowing you had purchased
meals in their honor. Any money donated will be used only in Union
County to feed our Seniors. And I can tell you from my own experiences,
it will be much appreciated.
Sheila Wofsy, Meals on Wheels volunteer, 307 Skeenah Gap
Branch Rd, Suches, GA 30572, 706-838-4540
email: sheilareggie@tds.net
Sheila Wofsy