May 5, 2011
SUBJECT: Disrespecting the COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, the Office of the President, and All Active Duty Members that served our beloved nation in both time of peace and war. http://vdtmayorradio.blogspot.com/
Once again a Valdosta Council Member David Carroll represented the Valdosta City Mayor, and its members on a local conservative radio talk show host that daily condemns the COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF of our sons and daughters when our nation is at war on three different fronts.
Yet our local elected officials sit and give the appearance that they condone this pattern and practice of disrespecting the members of our Armed Forces COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF that sent them into war as the other 43 All White Male Presidents without the hatred we see today! http://vldlowndesjail.blogspot.com/2010/06/showing-respect-for-president-by-local.html
As usual, Councilman Carroll discussed all pre-agenda items prior to council meeting and actions taken following the council meeting on May 5, 2011. However, only a special select few of citizens were informed of these actions in our community; while the majority of citizens were denied equal access to the information provided to the few.
Councilman Carroll and the Radio Hosts also discussed changes that that they believed should be made to the Valdosta City Policies giving the appearance that they were influencing what should or should not be in the council policies. They also discussed moving the “citizens to be heard” portion of the meeting to the end of the meetings as it has been often done by the radio hosts.
In addition, some citizens were criticized during their discussion and this should not be done since citizens cannot defend themselves on the program. They were speaking as if citizen’s does not have rights to address their elected officials except at the end of the meeting. Apparently, some citizens and radio talk show hosts have more influence over what should or should not be included in the Valdosta City Policies and codes than others.
This unequal access to public information to the majority citizens has existed for over eight years in this Metro City. No particular radio station should be elevated by Mayor John Fretti and Council Members without the voter’s approval or input since they are paid by the tax paying public.
As a Historic Archival Record I often record these programs and burn them to disks for future reference and to help voters to decide who can best meet their needs. Or if the wish they can continue to elect council persons that does not belief in everybody being treated equally.
It was in 2004, that the Old Valdosta 1860 Valdosta City Charter was reluctantly removed from the Wall in Valdosta City Hall. This was done because I addressed the mayor and council and stated that it was derogative, disgraceful, and unpatriotic and did not reflect the views of the majority of citizens now living in Valdosta. Moreover, it showed disrespect to both Black and White Right members of the United States Armed Forces including our Airmen stationed at Moody Air Force Base.
It was with much reluctance that our city council voted to remove the disgraceful charter to unknown locations. But it is becoming crystal clear that the 1860 Charter Mentality is alive today and has now expanded and apparently applicable to all citizens----not just Blacks.
This 1860 charter read, Article 100, Section XI, “THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL SHALL PASS ALL PROPER AND NECESSARY LAWS AND ORDINANCES FOR THE CONTROL OF SLAVES AND FREE PERSONS OF COLOR IN SAID TOWN AND SUPPRESS AND ABATE ALL NUISANCES ARRIVING FROM HOGS, DOGS, HORSES, OR OTHER STOCK STRAYING AT LARGE IN SAID TOWN, OR FROM OTHER CAUSES.”
So when we see Dr. Michael Noll, NAACP Leigh Tochton, Pastor Manning and others stand up on behalf of the “Economically Oppressed” in our community. Therefore, they should NOT be condemned on public radio; but complimented for showing the best form of love, respect, and patriotism under our form of government. Even some of our elected officials could learn something from citizens that stand up for people and causes outside of themselves and their own families.
No citizens should be left deaf; dumb, and blind to information at public meetings in 2011. If our Mayor and Council can inform a special select few. Then in a Metro City they should never give even the appearance that some citizens are being overlooked.
As a retired United States Military Veteran I am 100% sure that this old 1860 Charter Mentality will be removed in the very near future. If or elected officials reflect back I told them that the 1860 Charter would be removed and that I was 100% sure that the name of Barber Park would be changed before they happened. It is because there are powers both seen and unseen and in the end right always WIN! God bless everybody equally and we know he or she will.
GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
Valdosta, Georgia
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