Thursday, September 09, 2010
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Please feel free to submit a comment about any story appearing in our newspaper or anything happening in our community. Your name is not required, and we recommend creating a Username. If you do give your name, it will not be posted unless it can be verified, and E-mail addresses will not be posted.  We reserve the right to delete any comment from the forum. No malicious, slanderous or libelous comments will be posted. Please limit your comments to 100 words. Longer comments may be submitted as a Letter-to-the-Editor to P.O. Box 40, Fitzgerald GA 31750

Visitor Comments
 
Submitted By: Worried Submitted: 9/8/2010
Talk about cancer rate in BenHill county wonder why the old Delphi building was torn down hauled off earth removed and new soil brought in.We have already been sold a bad apple that will haunt us for many years.

Submitted By: Earthman Submitted: 9/2/2010
Just Me is right about the toxic chemicals in food, but they are in the water as well. The deaths in Ben Hill County seem to be air, water, and food related because cancer, heart disease, and more have contributed to many deaths over the last decade. Cancer deaths in Ben Hill County are now a Priority 1 rising and above the U. S. Rate. So why would anyone want a deadly Coal Plant built in Ben Hill County? WEN is quite right about the dangers, but more chemicals may wipe out Ben Hill County completely, you can bet on it. Are 50 to 75 jobs so important to the Ben Hill County Commissioners? All they have to do is say NO, but will they?

Submitted By: JUST ME Submitted: 9/2/2010
Almost everyone is scared or the coal burning plant not being safe for the enviroment. The pollution it will cause, in the water we drind, the air we breath, in the food we eat, and who knows what else. Has anyone who is against all these things thought about all the chemicals that we consume in our food. Everyone is concerned about our obesity status, but no one hollers about growth harmone in our meat. This is not washed out, cooked out or filtered out in any way. We as citizens consume it everytime we eat any kind of meat and guess what, we get bigger and bigger and our children are doing the same thing and running up blood pressure, the rate of diabetes, cholestrol, cancer rate and numerous other disease. Why not campaign against things that have been done to us for years. This can be corrected easily, but no one cares enough because it is our farmers and cattlemen that are doing it to us. And that is a no-no in this farm belt.

Submitted By: Gant Kangas Submitted: 9/1/2010
On the front page of the September 1st. edition the police claim they confiscated 5000 dollars worth of drugs in a raid on the Southern Exposre club consisting of 47 grams of pot, 8.5 grams of cocaine and 9 vicadin pills. How did the police come up with this amount. 47 grams of marijuana has a street value of maybe 470 dollars if sold at 10 dollars a gram and the 8.5 gramsof cocaine has a value of 425-450 dollars at 50 bucks a gram. The pills at the high end might have a street value of 90 dollars which adds up to 1010 dollars. Was there a mistake made in the reporting of the confiscated material or are the police just exagerating the amount to make themselveslook better in the public eye. This is not the first time that I have noticed a discrepancy in the reported value of police confiscations. If the police are overstating the value of seizures, what else are they overstating? Above all else we ,the people, should know the the information given to us by the goverment is accurate and truthful.

Submitted By: Worried Parent Submitted: 8/26/2010
What do you concered parents feel about recess schedules? One of our own school systems adminstrations, Irwin Elementary, feels as if there is no need. Do you care if there are over 100 kids on the playground at one time? If you attend IRWIN COUNTY, contact your local school and tell Donna Barker your views!! Our community educators are there for our children when we cannot be, and your child should feel like they are in a safe enviornment. As a parent if you are not able to home school, you are forced to send your babies out in the world. You have the right to feel good about the enviornment you are forcing them into. You would not think to ask this question, but it is very relevent. Especially when you choose Irwin County School, you think you are getting that small town enviroment you cherished as a young student. As a parent that is what I was looking foward to, more connection b/c you have few people. That isn't always the case. Without extensive research, I have discovered that the number one reason administrations implement schedules is to cut down on fights/violence. The lunchroom and recess seem to be the number one areas, so they must be monitored closely. Look it up; Google it! I'm only speaking out b/c I'm concered for those little ones starting school. These first few years determine what kind of people we are preparing for world. As a parent take your lunch break, sick days, or any time off you can get and get to the school at recess time just to observe YOUR CHILD'S class at recess. Have a safe and productive school year.

Submitted By: Woody Submitted: 8/24/2010
There is one aspect of the proposed power plant that has been totaly overlooked. It should be a bio fuel fired plant. About 6 months ago everyone was excited about using wood waste to make pellets to be shipped to Europe. What a great boom for the wood industry. The truth of the matter is that wood by products should be used to fire the power plant here and not coal. It is totaly absurd that our wood is being shipped to Europe and not used here. Now why would they ship our wood 3,500 miles to run a power plant. It is because they are over polluted with coal plants. Wood fired plants are pollution free compared to coal. And the ash and residue can be used agriculturaly rather than sit in large ponds or pits. And what has happened to the small (50MW) power plant that was to be built next to Gilman and So. Veneer?

Submitted By: LEGAL Submitted: 8/24/2010
I think that with a little help we can patch the holes in our city streets with something that will stay fixed.The hole at the red light coming into town from 319 at the red rooster is out again.How many times does it take to fix a little hole in the road?

Submitted By: fitzgerald Submitted: 8/24/2010
Thanks WEN for your response to my latest post. If all coal plants were shut down immediately, what is your proposed alternate energy source that would immediately take the place of the coal plants? Thank you.

Submitted By: Earthman Submitted: 8/24/2010
When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion -- when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing -- when you see money flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors -- when you see that men get richer by graft and pull than by work, and your laws don’t protect you against them, but protect them against you -- when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice -- you may know that your society is doomed. How would this apply to the public servants of Ben Hill County and Fitzgerald? All political representatives? Philip C. Jay, III, has a thing with untruths and attempts to discredit others with his attacks to discredit others with his untruths and fanatasies. The trouble is that only a few fight back against publc officials and public servants for their dishonor and disrespect. Unless the people come together, it won't matter about the things you don't want done.

Submitted By: WEN member Submitted: 8/18/2010
Dear fitzgerald, Thanks for your kind words about WEN. Also on the subject of WEN's not offering energy alternatives for Georgia's coal plants, you're touching on a point you should be skeptical about with the representatives who want to build Plant Ben Hill. They make it sound as though Georgia is in desperate need of electricity, but that's not so. Much of Georgia's electricity currently goes onto the grid and powers Florida. Florida has resolved not to build anymore coal plants because they're so unhealthy. That's good for Florida but bad for Georgia if Georgia keeps building those unhealthy coal plants up here to keep Florida in electricity. The demand for electricity in Georgia has actually gone down for a number of reasons. But when Georgia's demand rises, we have plenty of cushion because we could start using the electricity we're currently sending to Florida. We're living in a time when there are incredible advances being made in alternative energy, and we shouldn't build Plant Ben Hill that will last for 50 years causing all its problems just at the time when healthier energy sources are coming into their own. Thanks for your interest!

Submitted By: A Sodbuster Submitted: 8/16/2010
On the 21st of July Gina Wiggins said, "A Ben Hill County commissioner explained that the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Development Authority worked very hard to help Power4Georgians (the group hoping to build Plant Ben Hill) buy more than 3,000 acres in Ben Hill."  The commissioner explained the Development Authority worked with local land owners to arrange for them to agree verbally not to raise their asking prices for their land to a level that would drive away Power4Georgians. And she said more, but Philip Jay rebutted it all by using let's say borderline rhetoric, isn't it?  The record if far from clear, Philip.

Submitted By: fitzgerald Submitted: 8/12/2010
I commend the WEN folks for their noble opposition effort to the proposed Ben Hill county coal plant. However, WEN does not offer any alternate fuel sources that would immediately start if coal plants were eliminated. Based on the ad in the 8/11 edition of the Herald, the coal plant representative must be coming to Fitzgerald soon.

Submitted By: curious cat Submitted: 8/9/2010
Herald Leader, Just an idea... It would be interesting to see a quick poll on your website about the issue of the coal plant since voters have become more informed. Let's see where the majority stands.

Submitted By: Wondering Submitted: 8/8/2010
How much of local taxpayers' money has gone to prepare for the coal plant already? They are working on the roads and looks like they have already spent alot...

Submitted By: fitzgerald Submitted: 8/2/2010
Hey ya'll.........it looks like the EPA wants to regulate farm dust. Nothing like adding this problem with the coal plant thing. All of you dust busters better get ready.

Submitted By: WEN member Submitted: 7/21/2010
fitzgerald, Probably not much about cap and trade will fit into 100 words. Until something shakes the fossil fuel industry's hold on our Congress I'm not sure any meaningful cap and trade will pass. There may be other things in the energy bill that will affect coal plants.But that would be a beginning for getting at the true cost of using coal. Other interesting possibilities: renewable energy standard to require more energy to come from renewable; greatly increased subsidies for renewable energy. Since fossil fuels now get more than 2x what renewable get that would change the equation.

Submitted By: WEN member Submitted: 7/21/2010
tlw, You’re not a "nobody." As a tax payer and voter your government is supposed to work for you. Talk to your commissioner (City/ County), anyone you can think of about the plant, why it's a bad idea, what can be done to stop it. If they don't know ask them to find out and get back to you. The County Commission will have an important role in rezoning. WEN doesn't have paid people to get out our views like P4G so we do rely on Facebook but try to do other things. Your help and ideas would be appreciated.

Submitted By: WEN member Submitted: 7/19/2010
To "fitzgerald": I assume you're talking about the energy bill. The version that passed the house did have a significant cap and trade portion but it's not at all clear the senate version will. I guess if it does it will likely focus on coal plant pollution but my understanding is that significant concessions and exemptions have been discussed just to the cap and trade part. Until something shakes the fossil fuel industry's hold on our Congress I'm not sure any meaningful cap and trade will pass. From what I understand cap and trade will likely increase the costs for coal plants to do business. It's an approach to figuring into the cost of coal the costs to our health and quality of life which the coal industry has gotten a pass on for too long. It may not be the best approach but it is the one most discussed. Building and operating coal plants is getting more and more expensive for several reasons. There's the cost of coal alone. Increasingly meaningful regulations on toxic pollutants will also make it more expensive. Of course the operators will attempt to pass those costs on before cutting profits for as long as they can. Possibly a more interesting part of the energy bill is the renewable energy standard: requiring an increased portion of our energy to come from somewhere other than fossil fuels. I understand there are also versions of the bill with greatly increased subsidies for renewable energy. Fossil fuels now get more than twice what renewables get and that includes corn based ethanol. Changing the balance of government subsidies so that renewables have more of a level playing field will do a lot over time to make coal much less attractive even to folks like the Southern Company. But again the fossil fuel industry has quite on hold on our government so coal plants aren't going away any time soon. A true cap and trade bill might help stop Plant Ben Hill but we all need to make our wishes on this known to our elected officials.

Submitted By: fitzgerald Submitted: 7/18/2010
Is it possible that the cap and trade bill being proposed in congress will be the dagger that eliminates all coal plants, particularly new ones? Ironically, the cap and trade bill will help stop the one being proposed for Ben Hill County. Comments from Wiregrass Energy Network are appreciated.

Submitted By: tlw Submitted: 7/15/2010
I am already sure that the proposed coal-burning plant is a bad idea, I don't need more convincing. But what can "a nobody" do about it? How will it help if I join a Facebook site? Shouldn't everyone in the county, even those without internet access know about this? Everyone will be effected sooner or later.

Submitted By: Lene Harris Submitted: 7/15/2010
In some large dairy farms, “factory farms,” newborn calves are immediately chained into crates so small that they cannot turn around. A few weeks later, they are often too weak to walk to the transportation truck for slaughter. Please call or write Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20259, (202) 720-2791. Ask him to amend the regulations to ban slaughter of downed veal calves, and enforce the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act which requires no animal should be slaughtered while conscious.

Submitted By: Wiregrass Energy Network Submitted: 7/10/2010
To tlw: We are a grassroots group of concerned citizens who are fighting the coal plant. We would love to have you join us. We have a Facebook page entitled "No Coal Plant in Ben Hill County!" and you can contact us at 229-423-8630.

Submitted By: tlw Submitted: 7/7/2010
I'm against putting a coal-burning plant in Ben Hill County, but what can I do about it?

Submitted By: very concerned Submitted: 7/6/2010
I'm sure that each of you have seen the hole in the highway at the Red Roster stop light .It has been there and getting bigger for Months, This is just one of the many holes that need attention. Take a ride in the county, some people have a very hard time getting in and out, it takes 4 wheel drive. My point is, our elected county Goverment is letting us down, then talking about spending over a million dollars on a swimming pool. A lot of people need help in our county before a swimming pool or anything else. Maybe we need to vote a little different next time, ride around and look at some of the work that our county is doing on our dirt roads it's terrible. We have the equipment and the money we are being taxed more and more and getting less and less for our money and accepting it. It is time for change.

Submitted By: Carlos C. Canada Submitted: 7/3/2010
Dear Editor, For too long, organ and tissue donation has been misunderstood because of the myths surrounding donation. One donor has the potential to save or enhance the lives of 50 to 60 people. My life has been touched twice by donation. My wife Karen died in 1995. Through donation she was able to help more than 50 people. With her eyes she was able to give the gift of sight. Her heart valves helped someone live. Her skin helped burn patients, her bones helped cancer patients, while her tendons and ligaments helped sport injuries. In 2002 I was diagnosed with fatty liver (NASH), which eventually progressed into End Stage Liver Disease (ESLD). In 2009, I received a liver transplant, and am now able to make a positive difference every day. LifeLink of Georgia provides facts about organ and tissue donation, and encourages people to register to be a life-saving organ and tissue donor. You can help save lives by designating your decision on the Georgia donor registry at www.donatelifegeorgia.org, or when obtaining or renewing your driver license. Donation can, and does save lives. Carlos C. Canada Liver Transplant Recipient 1035 Timberwale Ln. Kennesaw, GA 30152 770 713-7354

Submitted By: Gina Wiggins Submitted: 6/30/2010
I believe that the coal plant in Crisp County was 12 megawatts. This one will be 850 megawatts. That is quite a difference-- on the environment and would require the use of much more water. We are continuously searching for info about the impact of PBH on the environment and on alternative sources of energy. I'd love to see windmills instead of smoke stacks!

Submitted By: fitzgerald Submitted: 6/30/2010
Dear WEN.......thanks for your response. I am skeptical of the power company that wants to buid a coal fired plant in Ben Hill County. I am as equally skeptical of what information that WEN has made public in opposition to the plant. There is a coal fired plant in Crisp County. Has anyone gathered information about this plant as to its impact on the environment? What is WEN's position on alternative energy rather than coal? Perhaps wind is the answer with hundreds of windmills dotting the Ben Hill County landscape. Please do have a great meeting tonight.

Submitted By: Gina Wiggins Submitted: 6/29/2010
We hope this to be the first of a series of informational meetings to educate the people of our community. These women will present information related to their areas of expertise (financial aspects of fossil fuel industries and pollution monitoring of rivers). They were free to come at this time and P4G was not as it is under litigation. P4G will have supporters there and everyone is free to ask questions. P4G will come the third week in September for a group presentation and Q & A's at that time. In the meantime, learn all that you can!

Submitted By: Mac Marine Submitted: 6/29/2010
To WEN, why would you not let reps from Power4Georgians address your meeting, I have not made up my mind about the issue, but I would question anyone that only wants one side to be heard. Where is your expertise. I fill that the citizens of Ben Hill County should have an opportunity to hear from both sides, I realize that they have their own agenda and so do you at WEN. I have done a little research and your stated facts aren't always correct facts.. Lets do this civil and hear both sides and be open minded about what is being said.

Submitted By: Wiregrass Energy Network Submitted: 6/29/2010
Dear “fitzgerald,” thanks for asking about our group of local concerned citizens who oppose Ben Hill’s proposed coal-fired plant and who call ourselves the Wiregrass Energy Network (WEN). Don’t you think you ought to be skeptical of what you’re told by someone trying to sell you something? Well, that’s what’s been going on for a long time in Ben Hill County. The only information about the coal plant has been put out by the company with deep pockets that would get a lot richer if they get the go-ahead to build the coal plant. That company is Power4Georgians. But WEN isn’t trying to get rich. We’re just trying to protect the health of our families from pollution and the huge amounts of toxic coal ash the plant would produce. And we want to protect our area’s water from being sucked up by the plant. We’re trying to put out the most reliable information we can, and we hope you’ll come judge about that for yourself at the information session you mentioned that WEN will present tomorrow night (Wed, 6/30 at 6:30 p.m. at the library). We’re bringing in two experts with super experience and solid credentials to talk about the serious economic risks the coal plant could pose for Ben Hill and the serious problem of mercury contamination the plant would pose. As far as presenting the Power4Georgians side at the information session, the answer is no we won’t! WEN is a group of everyday local folks volunteering our time for free and chipping together our own money for all the expenses involved with what WEN does. Power4Georgians is a company with huge amounts of money at its disposal and its own well-paid public relations department that’s had a big headstart at convincing Ben Hill County to give them the go-head to get even richer by building the coal plant. So we at WEN think Power4Georgians is doing just fine and doesn’t need our help! We hope you’ll join us at the library because we know these speakers are going to be super! And if you’re a computer person, join our Facebook page called “NO COAL PLANT IN BEN HILL COUNTY!”

Submitted By: fitzgerald Submitted: 6/25/2010
Will there be someone from the coal plant company at the 6/30 wiregrass meeting to give their views about the proposed coal plant in eastern ben hill county? Hopefully so, because those in attendance need to hear both sides of the issue.

Submitted By: Ed Submitted: 6/11/2010
The oil spill is certainly a tragedy without a doubt. I liken it to the time a bunch of wild chickens turned my back yard into their out house.I waited for the Mayor to come out and clean up the mess.The Governor also ignored me. Well,I went out and cleaned up the mess myself, after all it was in my back yard. I then decided to fence a small area for the chickens so that I could easily clean up the mess since I did need them for their supply of manure. Yes some environmentalist didn't like it because they could see the chickens but I was able to easily clean up the mess before it got out of hand. That taught me not to rely on any one else to be responsible for what goes on in my back yard.

Submitted By: Farmer Supporter Submitted: 5/27/2010
How do you think the farmer feels as he has to be around the chicken manure all day? If you were a farmer I think you would realize the cost of spreading other fertilizer is way more expensive than the manure. Wouldn't you want to save any way that you could if you were a farmer? Next time you criticize the farmer, think about what you’re going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and supper. Without the farmer you wouldn't be able to eat. Just take it in to consideration. I am sure that the smell will pass, but what the farmer has I the ground is more important than the “stinky” smell isn’t it? Would you rather eat, or for everything to smell good? Don't bite the hand that feeds you, literally.

Submitted By: stinky too Submitted: 5/26/2010
Agreed, but at least the chicken manure smell is only occasional. Wait until they are burning coal 24/7. Then sulfur will be added to the air on a constant basis. Add pollen to that and we will all be looking for somewhere else to live so we can breathe. Saw on the news last night that jobs are coming to Fitzgerald--so we don't need a coal plant for that reason.

Submitted By: Stinky? Submitted: 5/23/2010
I am writing to address a problem here in Fitzgerald/Ben Hill county. It is the smell of chicken manure that is spread on the farmland. When the wind blows the smell is horrible and it even comes into your home even with the windows and doors closed. It makes us gag. There should be some city and/or county ordinance against this practice. If a farmer spreads the manure, it should be covered up, so that no odor is present.

Submitted By: Gina Wiggins Submitted: 5/21/2010
Many thanks to people like Greg Childre and Gerald Pryor for bringing in industries that use existing buildings and local workers NOW!! The coal plant will be years in the planning and building and then still will not use many local people.

Submitted By: No Coal Submitted: 5/20/2010
First I thought a coal plant in Ben Hill was probably a good idea but have been doubting it more and more. The page in the Herald-Leader this week says it all. Yes, it would be good to have some more jobs in Ben Hill. But not with the problems the coal plant would bring. Definitely not. I'm going to get one of those NO COAL PLANT signs to put in my yard.

Submitted By: Ed Submitted: 5/16/2010
The Black Citizens that have to put up with that insanity from that "club" on Monitor are asking for help from the city to provide some semblance of peace and safety and what does the Great Chief Smallwood say ...." most clubs have fights and this is no exception and the poor Police can't get to the problem because of the parked cars ....." YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FOOLING !! How about having the cars towed that are blocking the road and preventing an ambulance from responding to the citizens cry for help. If the wonderful police can't get through then I have to assume that medical can't get through either. By the way Honorable Chief, I don't recall any shootings, drug dealing openly, prostitution, and blocked roads in regards to Bill's Place -- Colony Lounge -- White Horse Saloon. Sorry Black folks, ya lose again.

Submitted By: Joan Lardin Submitted: 5/12/2010
How low can someone go? My 73 year old cousin, Nellie Swearingen Sparrow, and her husband Ernest went to visit her parents’ (Hannah and Otis Swearingen‘s) gravesite at Evergreen Cemetery on Mother’s day and found that the bluebird box they had placed there had been stolen and the post pulled out thrown on the ground. They were dumbstruck that anyone could be so low as to take a birdhouse off a gravesite. Could it have been taken because it had a decorative copper roof? How much could someone make selling a little bit of copper to a recycler? A couple of dollars? What is this world coming to that people would steal a birdhouse from a cemetery?

Submitted By: reader45 Submitted: 5/12/2010
Anyone else wish local law enforcement would stop focusing so much on seatbelts or sitting in a parking lot trying to clock someone speeding and start patrolling neighborhoods. You can't leave so much as a rake in your yard overnight without it walking off and you can't drive down most side streets for all the hoodlums hanging out in the streets. Not to mention the home and car break ins? Why don't they start giving tickets to hoodlums that block traffic and start protecting property owner’s rights?

Submitted By: Long Time Subscriber Submitted: 5/10/2010
It's been said that you can judge a person's character by their choice to do the right thing when no one is watching. Tim, thanks for doing the right thing. It's good to know that our newspaper doesn't cooperate with those who would try to use their influence to do otherwise.

Submitted By: reader Submitted: 5/8/2010
Kudos to Tim--I have to admit that I often wondered why some people made the police report and some didn't. Thanks for your honesty and integrity, Tim.

Submitted By: Angela Booth Submitted: 4/27/2010
I think an aquatic center would be a great addition to the community of Fitzgerald. Our current pool was constructed before World War II, and because of its condition, needs to be replaced. An aquatic center could be used by people of all ages, from senior water aerobics classes to baby water safety classes and everyone in between. As far as serving a large cross section of the community, an aquatics center is a logical choice and a good use of tax payer money.

Submitted By: Honeybear Submitted: 4/26/2010
The Aquatic Center will benefit all of Ben Hill Cty who care to partake in it. Yes, we have a community pool, but this is not accessible year round. We need a year round facility where you can excercise, have use for people who need this for therapy, DLS swim team, possibly FHS swim team. The pool would be heated and ready year round and not just through the few months of summer.

Submitted By: Dru Hannon Submitted: 4/25/2010
Dear voter, the pool issue on the table for DLS would not be self serving for anyone. It would a public pool for everyone. The issue was that we have enough gyms throughout the area and the current pool is the oldest in the state. For Economic Development purposes, a newer facility would generate the possibility for additional income and a feature which could attract business propsects (maybe?) By the way, I am a voter also, my name is listed.

Submitted By: voter Submitted: 4/25/2010
So the same people who threw tantrums about the football stadium are now asking for a swimming pool? Does this seem a little self serving? Don't we already have a community pool?

Submitted By: Gina Wiggins Submitted: 4/23/2010
To all those who have requested, these links are where I got my info from for the letter to the editor this week. I recommend as many Ben Hill residents as possible go to these links to learn more about this disturbing situation. http://www.allbusiness.com/legal/torts-punitive-damages/12057181-1.html http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/08/26/cobb_emc_judge.html http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cobb/stories/2009/04/22/cobb_emc_energy_search.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab http://www.cobbemctruth.com/ http://flagpole.com/Weekly/Features/PlantWashington-14Oct09

Submitted By: fitzgerald Submitted: 4/19/2010
I always thought the train noise was part of the sermon at Central Methodist Church. No wonder the sermons last so long.

Submitted By: Herald reader Submitted: 4/19/2010
"Very Concerned" - Your logic is not sound, as the choice is certainly not between yard signs and a coal plant. I have a hunch that little signs in everybody's yard will not have a major impact on whether or not a coal plant is established here, and they do make the town look rather trashy. That being said, I have not actually seen any of the coal plant signs and was not referring to them in the first place. Thou doth protest too much!!

Submitted By: Methodist train lover Submitted: 4/19/2010
If the Methodist Church couldn't get through a sermon without noisy train interruptions, we'd have moved years ago. Sounds like home to us!

Submitted By: Voice against Coal Submitted: 4/19/2010
In response to nolenutt's comment that we "already have tons of dirty, nasty coal" railcars running through Fitzgerald, I checked with a CSX employee and was told that there are very few, if any coal cars coming through Fitzgerald now. The coal-fired plant in Jax, FL (the only one on the Fitz. line), has its coal delivered by ocean barge. But, due to salt-water contamination of the coal barges, the Jax plant is expected to switch back to railcar delivery. That means that in addition to the hundreds (perhaps thousands) of coal railcars per day that Plant Ben Hill will require, we would also have coal railcars going to and from Jax via Fitzgerald. That's an enormous amount of railcars, coming in full, and leaving empty, every day, 24/7, for the next fifty years. This is not good news for our town that is dissected by a train track. Our Library and Museum, places where quiet is important, are right on the tracks. The Methodist Church may have to relocate to get through a sermon without noisy train interruption! This coal plant is not worth the costs to our community. I think it would actually harm the chances that other, more advantageous businesses and industries would choose to locate here.

Submitted By: Worried Submitted: 4/19/2010
Tim, it's going to be impossible for you to post a quick poll about the coal plant that will produce reliable results. I want to let you know your quick poll definitely isn't going to be an accurate indicater this week. It seems clear some pro coal plant peson voted repeatedly Sunday afternoon. The pro coal plant response, after an initial big increase right after you posted the quick poll, had been hovering around 33 percent all week. On Sunday/yesterday when I voted "no" on the quick poll, the "yes" response was still at about that level. Then just a couple of hours later, I checked to see the status of the poll and discovered suddenly in, that couple of hours, large numbers of "yes" votes suddenly had driven up the "yes" responses to 50 percent. As my wife joked: so did all these people wait to vote "yes" after returning from the same Sunday evening church services? No, I don't think so! It was clear there had been some "sleight of hand." To check out how the quick poll worked, I tried voting again and realized I could vote as many times as I wanted to, which I think is clearly how the "yes" numbers jumped from the low 30 percent level to the 50 percent level in such a short time. At any rate, I refused to let that person make the poll appear so pro coal with our side left to call foul and appear like we were doing so out of sour grapes. So I voted repeatedly until the poll registered that the "yes" votes were down to 34 percent. During the two hours it took me to do that, not a single "yes" vote appeared, indicating to me that the one person who had been so furiously voting had gotten tired and gone to bed. Now I'm writing this to let you know what was going on with the poll this week because I think it would be clear to you or anyone else following the numbers that weird things were going on with the voting. Thanks for offering the poll in what I know was your sincere attempt to help everyone know where the community stands on this very serious issue, but I think you're going to have to redesign how your software collects votes before the poll will have any accuracy. I also have to say that Power for Georgians has thousands of employees throughout its partnering EMCs, and, in the past, there are examples of big businesses instructing employees to vote on local polls to falsely make it appear local sentiment is on their side of the business deal being voted on. So with as much money at stake for Power for Georgians, I really wonder if it will be possible for you to be able to offer a coal plant quick poll that will yield reliable results. I hope you keep all these points in mind for any future polls. I want our side to win on this, but any side should win as long as it does so honestly with the community having been fully and honestly informed of the issues at stake.
EDITOR'S NOTE: We realized the poll wasn't functioning properly. It should have allowed only one vote per 24 hour period per user. That was not the case. That will be corrected on future polls.

Submitted By: Very concerned Submitted: 4/18/2010
"Herald Reader," you say you're tired of yard signs "cluttering up our town." If you're talking about the "NO COAL PLANT IN BEN HILL" signs, you should think twice about what would be worse for Ben Hill, signs protesting the coal plant's pollution and health concerns, or the actual pollution and health concerns. What will really hurt Ben Hill for the next 50 years is the coal plant.

Submitted By: nolenutt Submitted: 4/15/2010
We already have tons fo dirty, nasty coal running through Fitzgerald every week. Those loaded coal trains are just going to fuel some other towns and fuel other economies. I am all in favor of a coal plant coming(if there is actually one on the way). It means jobs and we desperately need jobs. It is time to get our heads out of the sand.

Submitted By: Herald reader Submitted: 4/15/2010
Is anybody else tired of all those yard signs cluttering up our town?

Submitted By: Worried Submitted: 4/14/2010
Regarding the proposed coal-fired plant, I'm concerned about how they plan to get the coal TO the plant site. If by train, that would require the construction of new railroad tracks and other infrastructure, and who will pay for that, us taxpayers? Will the county use eminent domain to run tracks on privately owned land? Also, can anyone imagine how awful it will be to have over 2000 railcars loaded with dirty, dusty coal running through Fitzgerald every day for the next 50 years?

Submitted By: Nearly Broke Submitted: 4/14/2010
You have to wonder what is really going on, when utilities in Fitzgerald cost three and four times what they do in other places around Georgia. Let's see that audit!! It could reveal error, fraud, waste, theft, or who knows what. Or it could reveal nothing. Get the audit done and let's see.

Submitted By: Another WLB Victim Submitted: 4/12/2010
Fitzgerald Utilities' outrageously high charges have nothing to do with whether they use coal or not. They seem to be accountable to no one and charge whatever they feel like charging. They will continue until someone forces them to stop. Why don't our community leaders investigate? Who are they scared of? There was a letter to the editor a couple of weeks ago requesting that the WLB Commission have an outside audit done. Well?

Submitted By: curious Submitted: 4/9/2010
I wonder why Fitzgerald Utilities are so much higher than Irwin EMC? Do they buy their electricity from coal plants? I have read that coal generated electricity is the most expensive.

Submitted By: Citizen Submitted: 4/8/2010
Before you agree for a coal plant ,think about your citizens who have lung disease.We can hardly breathe the air here now. Check out the cost of medication for lung disease. Do as much as you can for your people who are already sick and keep the air as clean as you can .

Submitted By: dru hannon Submitted: 4/5/2010
I would like to thank the Mayor of Fitzgerald and his administration, the Chairman and the County Board of Commissioners, and the Fitzgerald City Council Members for allowing the public to voice their opinion on the recent 2011 SPLOST proposal. My greatest appreciation is the fact that you honestly listened. Regrettably, things were said, or implied which were hurtful. However, these are things felt by the people within this community, taxpayers and voting citizens. This leads me to believe there is a break down within the system which seriously needs addressing from both sides. I feel, as painful as it may have been, we, as a community have begun this process. Mayor Thompson, I apologize to you for the abruptness of my recent letter. I was only stating the concerns of a good percentage of citizens. Rather it is just or not, it is perceived. People feel that they cannot come to you and talk about a problem without there being an intimidation factor. People feel that their interests are not taken into account. I heard of this as I grew up, while I was away in the service and now as I have returned to raise my children here. I would like to be a part of the solution to help with this problem. I feel that it is a simple fix and that it is twofold. On the other hand, I hear people in the community constantly complaining about the city/county doing or not doing. But have they become proactive in resolving the issue? Have they talked with council members or commissioners? Better yet, did they vote? “The Citizens against Turf” just proved that public opinion makes a difference and that elected officials will listen. Richard Silva posted a letter to the editor last week stating that on March 7, millions of Iraq citizens went to the polls in National Elections. They have new rights which they are taking advantage of regardless of death threats. Believe me. They are being killed, daily, for even talking about voting or worshiping God. One thing I have always loved and admired about Fitzgerald is that when times get tough, the community and people always come together and work it out. This time has been no different. “The Citizens against Turf” Blog will be changed to ”Fitzgerald & BHC Town Hall”. This will be a site used as a tool for the public to communicate with city and county officials on local topics. We plan on being a liaison between the public and city/county officials. We also plan on being more proactive by attending council/commissioner meetings. The lessons learned, during this first debate has taught us a lot. We must communicate with respect and dignity. Human emotions are normal when we are upset, however, this site will be kept civil. We have been assured that if we have questions that they will be answered. My friends, we have all but lost our battle in Washington DC. It is becoming harder and harder to stand up for what is morally right without ridicule. But we must continue to stand firm. The times are changing: However, this is our home. This is our legacy for our children and grandchildren and we have a direct impact on the community’s outcome. Mayor Thompson, I hope you can accept my apology but understand how I can be upset initially. The community just wants to be informed rather than blindsided. Citizens, stop taking your rights for granted and become involved. Be a part of the solution. Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: Jesus Christ and the American Veteran. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. Let’s keep that thought out there for all to remember… .just in case they forget. I dedicate this to my friend, Marine Cpl. Randy Rosacker, who was killed in action (KIA) on March 23, 2003 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He and 13 of his comrades lost their lives during the “Battle of the Bridges” near Nasiriyah, Iraq.

Submitted By: Farmers Wife Submitted: 4/5/2010
In regards to the "checmicals being fed through irrigation pipes and its in your water". Total bull! All you can feed through irrigatin pipes is fertilizer, nothing that will hurt a human more than anything else in your food or water. If one is really wanting to bite the hand that feeds America then go ahead and make it harder on the farmer. People do not realize that the farmer might not be producing what is on your plate, but without the farmer you wont have anything on your plate. Be careful to make comments about something before one thinks about all that the farmer does for one and his/her family. Trust me, checmicals in irrigation is the least of your worries. Plus, if no one has looked around at how high fertilizer/chemicals are to produce a crop, I doubt that anyone is putting that through their irrigation systems since they cannot afford it!

Submitted By: ed Submitted: 4/1/2010
Fly on the wall overheard ........ "We have some real educational problems we have to address. Teachers pay, new books, new equipment, the list goes on." "What can we do? we have no funds!" " Hold on, we just received 1.3 million dollars for school improvements." " Hot Dang !! What should we spend it on 'Bubba'?" " Don't be silly 'JR'. You know what we really need is FAKE FOOTBALL GRASS so we can provide the best for our up and coming young citizens" Just dreaming,,, that surely can't be true.

Submitted By: Hopeful Submitted: 4/1/2010
Kudos to Mayor Thompson for listening to the people and removing the turfgrass funding from the SPLOST. Now, let's hope that our County leaders will follow his example and vote against the proposed Coal-Fired plant. The vast majority of Ben Hill County residents are against this project, once they learn of the horrendous effect it will have on our health and water supply. To our County Commissioners, this is the single most important decision you will ever make for Ben Hill County. You can vote for the plant and leave a legacy of pollution and contamination, OR you can stand up and be a hero to our children and save them from fifty years of living in a county ruined by dirty coal.

Submitted By: appreciative voter Submitted: 3/31/2010
Thanks Mayor Thompson!!!!! Also, thanks to the citizens of this town who care enough to speak out. Now let's join together and get SPLOST renewed for the betterment of this great community.

Submitted By: N. Anthony Submitted: 3/30/2010
Against turfgrass. I have a huge problem when sports are more important than safe roads and public safety. I love football and soccer, but not at the expense of public safety. Some of our county roads are almost non-accessable when it rains a little, and if it rains a lot, forget it, you must have 4 wheel drive. We ask our county law inforcement officers to use older vehicles and pay higher and higher health insurance deductables, and the city and county want to put boatloads of money into astroturf. My how strange the priorities are after an election. Before the elections it was all for the citizens of Fitzgerald and Ben Hill county. Now it seems that a football field and turfgrass are more important. Wake up Fitzgerald and Ben Hill County. If we want to grow we have to have public safety and good roads. Lets spend our money where it should be. On Public Safety and Education. NOT on Turfgrass that has to be reinstalled on a regular basis. Oh, there is also the increase in player injuries on turfgrass.

Submitted By: Citizens Against Turf Submitted: 3/28/2010
The Meeting: I made a statement indicating that contrary to popular belief, I was not the leader of this group. I had and will continue to help organize things. However, this is a group effort with several hard workers who are dedicated to the best outcome for Fitzgerald taxpayers. Also, I am, and many others, are not against the SPLOST, we want it, we need it. However, if the "turf clause" stays: I will vote NO on SPLOST, I will talk against it and I feel the majority of the voters feel this way. 1. It was a calm and very productive meeting in my opinion. I felt like we made progress. Cam Jordon, the Community Developer and Philip Jay, Chairman- County Board of Commissioners were present. 2. We had about 20 people attend. Holley Lee took notes of the meeting. 3. Cam explained that the turf became an idea about 2-3 years ago when the drainage problem was being looked at. Because the field was going to be tore up, he (as Community Developer) felt that turf would help promote a better Fitzgerald to prospective businesses. He compared this to the upgrades of the street light, signs, The Grand, etc. He stated that several fields throughout the state were looked at and studied. He also stated that the football staff were consulted but did not directly request the turf. The idea was that as people came into Fitz for a game, even one person, they would not leave here with a bad impression of the town overall based on the shabbiness of the stadium. 4. He was asked if this was being worked on this far back, "Why the community had not been informed?" He explained that usually after plan was budgeted as a project the community was notified of it. 5. We asked why the turf issue vote was "rushed" though the City Council and if the vote was majority or unanimous. He and Philip stated that they were present and that the vote was unanimous. He stated that everyone of the councilman voted "yes". We asked, "Did any of the council members ask for more time to study or evaluate the turf idea due to being surprised by it. He stated, "No, every one of them knew about this prior to that City Council meeting." They both stated that Councilman Rick Jones was quite upset over the issue. The reason for rushing it through was timing. Get it through council, then to the county for joint (inter-governmental) vote. At that point it would be released to the public by way of newspaper for approval prior to July ballot. He stated we would have time then, to do what we are doing now before time to ballot. 6. We explained that the turf was the whole issue due to the current economic crisis and unemployment at 18%. He and Philip stated that they agreed that the timing was probably not right. Cam did state that he still felt that the "Turf" idea overall was a good idea though. We added, at this time that we felt that the taxpayers had no problems updating portions of the stadium such as the visitor’s stands, bathrooms, concessions, and parking. 7. We asked if they could do the renovations, the drainage repairs and instead of "turf" replace it with sod how much money would we save? Cam stated out of the $400,000 for the turf, estimate $100,000 sod would leave estimated $300,000 that could be allocated to other projects. I made the statement that I felt the people would accept that better than the turf. Cam and Phillip both stated that we were in the position to make an offer to the city council and mayor. They felt that this would be a fair proposal for both and would be received favorably. Cam, felt the meeting went well and he was here to assist us as long as we all could keep it civil and at a respectable level. He offered a city meeting area the next time we wanted to meet. Also, if we wanted copies of any reports or meetings to get hold of his office or he would point us in the right direction. I think we are moving in the right direction. I feel we need to meet again before the County Commissioners Meeting. We all need to show up in numbers. We still need to continue signing the petition. This needs to still go to the City with a counter proposal. My friends we are doing a good. However, we are not done. July is not here yet. Stand Firm. Stay Strong. Stay Calm. Cam and Philip thank you for opening the door for communication. Amanda and John thank you for the use of the Harris House.

Submitted By: interested Submitted: 3/26/2010
Sure wish somebody would let us know what happened at the meeting last night. Has the wind gone out of the protesters' sails?

Submitted By: Citizens against turf Submitted: 3/23/2010
Thursday 7 pm Harris House Also, please add: The Board of Directors/Business Owner of the Harris House does not publicly endorce a certain poltical view point, but agreed to allow this meeting at their facility so that the public could get information when other places were not available. Thanks

Submitted By: Interested Submitted: 3/23/2010
To the Citizens Against Turf group - you did not specify which day the meeting at the Harris House is.

Submitted By: Ed Submitted: 3/23/2010
This was e-mailed to me but I found it to be much too true... Wal-Mart for President 1 . Americans spend $36,000,000 at Wal-Mart Every hour of every day. 2.. This works out to $20,928 profit every minute! 3. Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day (March... See More 17th) than Target sells all year. 4. Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot + Kroger + Target + Sears + Costco + K-Mart combined. 5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people and is the largest private Employer, and most speak English. 6. Wal-Mart is the largest company in the history of the World. 7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger & Safeway combined, and keep in mind they did this in only 15 years. 8. During this same period, 31 supermarket chains sought bankruptcy. 9. Wal-Mart now sells more food than any other store in the world. 10. Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores in the USA of which 1,906 are Super Centers; this is 1,000 more than it had 5 Years ago. 11. This year 7.2 billion different purchasing experiences will occur At a Wal-Mart store. (Earth's population is approximately 6.5 Billion.) 12. 90% of all Americans live within 15 miles of a Wal-Mart. MAYBE we should hire the guys who run Wal-Mart to Fix the economy. This should be read and understood by all Americans, Democrats, Republicans, EVERYONE!! To President Obama and all 535 voting members of the Legislature, It is now official you are ALL corrupt morons: * The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775. You have had 234 years to get it right and it is broke. * Social Security was established in 1935. You have had 74 years to get it right and it is broke. * Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 71 years to get it right and it is broke. * War on Poverty started in 1964. You have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor" and they only want more. * Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 44 years to get it right and they are broke. * Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 39 years to get it right and it is broke. * The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before. You've had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure. You have FAILED in every "government service" you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM??

Submitted By: Citizens against"Turf" Submitted: 3/23/2010
There will be a meeting of all Fitzgerald & Ben Hill County citizens who have had enough and wish to be heard. It will be at 7 pm at the Harris House on Lee St. Topic of discussion will be signing of petition and counter proposal to be presented to the mayor and city council in response to our concern and disapproval of spending $600,000 of SPLOST funds for artificial turf. If you cannot make this meeting, there will be others up through July. You can sign the petition on Facebook Group Page "Fitzgerald Does Not Need Turf". STAND FIRM AND BE HEARD.

Submitted By: Tired of rattling Submitted: 3/22/2010
Would someone at City Hall give some thought, while they're figuring out ways to spend our money needlessly - to doing something about city streets? Riding on Central Avenue or, heaven forbid, Pine Street is like jolting over a rock pile - and Central is one of the most important streets in town, being a main artery bringing folks into Fitzgerald. Maybe we can put astroturf over it.

Submitted By: Food for thought Submitted: 3/22/2010
The last SPLOST Proposal included $500K for Carnegie, $1,550,000 for City Hall, and $300K for Depot Renovation. Now, $100K MORE for Carnigie, $1,500,000 AGAIN for City Hall and the Depot still has not been done. But let's throw in some turf. WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?????

Submitted By: Ralph Flatt Submitted: 3/21/2010
Does everyone realize that our farmers now can feed chemicals through their irrigation system,only one little check valve and it's in our water supply.Go check it for yourself.This to me is scary real scary ,since check valves fail very often.

Submitted By: Outraged voter Submitted: 3/17/2010
Let's look at the origin of this SPLOST appropriation: It was first handed off to the County Commission, where Kathy Davis and Richard Goodman were the only members to oppose this tomfoolery. In fact, they were encouraged by other members of the council to not even bring it to the agenda. How useless! Now that it's back in the city's hands, where it should have been to start with, let's just remind the council members what an OUTRAGEOUS idea it is. Why should we appease Robbie Pruitt, who left Fitzgerald for bigger money a few years ago, only to return after he wasn't well-received in Houston County? He is the HIGHEST PAID member of Ben Hill County Schools' faculty other than adminstrators, and rest assured, his supplement more than buttresses his losses due to the furloughs that hurt other faculty members. The Christian thing to do would be to forgo the money for the stadium and share it with his fellow employees, who make nowhere near the $100,000+ he makes every year. His reasoning must be that since the championship games are played on artificial turf that that's why we can't win a state championship. WE'VE YET TO WIN A SINGLE STATE TITLE UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP. And if it's about the coaching, that shouldn't even matter. But the bigger picture remains, why is football important enough to even warrant this discussion. Just reread Sherry Butler's headline a few weeks ago detailing the low test scores, high teen pregnancy rates, and the like, to understand giving this money to sports is IDIOTIC, to say the least. If the council supports this, every member who votes for it should be THROWN OUT OF OFFICE. And as to the reader who says this "new kind" of turf is environmentally sound, why not use that SPLOST money for a recycling program or something of REAL BENEFIT to the community. At the end of the day, a championship football team will do absolutely NOTHING to improve the lives of the local citizenry.

Submitted By: SPLOST voter Submitted: 3/15/2010
Have the "powers that be" on the board of education considered a performing arts center for our schools using the education sales tax? Have they seen the one at Irwin County High School? Seems like that would be a much greater benefit to more of our children than artificial turf on the football field like the City is proposing with its sales tax.

Submitted By: herald-leder reader Submitted: 3/14/2010
What they are talking about putting on the football field is called sport turf (Sprinturf is a name brand for sport turf). It's way better than astroturf and saves the environment about a million gallons of water per year per football field, plus no chemicals, fertilizers, paint, lawn mower fumes, etc. Also, loved Tom Crawford's editorial this week--he is right on about those high salaries to the university people. Everyone needs to be outraged about that!

Submitted By: tlw Submitted: 3/12/2010
I wonder if Govenor Purdue has taken a paycut? Any unpaid furlough days for our highest state officials? Also, it has irked me all my adult life that high school football seems more important than providing a decent education.

Submitted By: SPLOST voter Submitted: 3/12/2010
Do the people of Fitzgerald feel like it is a good time for us to be taxed to pay for a half million dollar astroturf surface for the high school football team? Sounds to me like some of that "pork" our Congress packs their bills with. Do all of our city councilmen REALLY feel that this is a good use of our SPLOST money? Seems like at least one would have had the guts to question it. If any of them care to explain their decision here, I'd be interested to read it.

Submitted By: Education supporter Submitted: 3/11/2010
I do not know where Herald Reader and Whynot are getting thier information. They need to understand that it is wrong information! Administrators, just as teachers, work very hard to educate our Children. Most of the time with out any Parental help at all! Administrators have been cut and furloughed just as the rest of the Staff has. I know that if the Employees talked about the Administration as much as the Ben Hill County Schools Staff does about thier leaders, if it were a private company, they would find themselves unemployed quickly! I think it is time that everyone starts working together to help on another to educate our Children. Yes, these are our Children, stop complaining about them and work the best you know how with them. The Parents are sending the only ones they have to send, they are not keeping the good ones at home! So, lets get with it and start working in unity and harmony to educate our Children. No, I am not an Educator, I am a parent of two school age Children that can only say that they have gotten a great education thus far in the Ben Hill County School System!

Submitted By: Herald reader Submitted: 3/11/2010
Central office administrative supplements total around $200,000 and they don't work nearly as hard as teachers. The entire school calendar was changed to save $80,000. The Ben Hill County School System is way too top heavy.

Submitted By: Whynot Submitted: 3/10/2010
Teachers have had their pay cut, why not the administrative staff? They are the ones who make the big bucks.

Submitted By: neighbor Submitted: 3/8/2010
A coal plant puts a shadow on a town. It is not only a metaphorical shadow, but a real one, a pall of particulates and ash. This ash is breathed daily by the residents of the town, and by all their neighbors for miles around. When a town invites a coal plant to set up shop, it is accepting a kind of devil to come in. This devil causes lung cancer, emphysema, asthma, and all kinds of health problems. This is a very serious decision that we have to make here. Do we want to pay for a few jobs with a town that people will not want to visit, or move to, and do we want to pay for this plant with our health? Coal is a dirty enemy of human health. Coal causes cancer. Coal causes crazy things to happen with the climate, like tornadoes in March. Breathing coal particulates is like deciding to go stand inside your chimney day after day. Living with a coal plant is like living in a chimney. We do not want this in South Georgia. We have to figure out better ways to bring jobs to Ben Hill and Irwin counties, and better ways to power our nation. Coal is not the answer. It is deadly. Why doesn't Fitzgerald lead the way in manufacturing solar panels that are inexpensive and that we can sell all over the country. Or wind turbines. Coal is old-world. Coal is not God's energy. Coal is bad news. Coal is death. Coal is a shadow like a thundercloud over Fitzgerald.

Submitted By: Organic Gardener Submitted: 3/6/2010
Has anyone considered the fact that if you live anywhere near a coal-fired plant, you will not be able to get organic certification for your farm? Organic farming and organic foods are the fastest growing market in our agricultural economy, and could provide a bright future for our area farmers and ranchers. A friend has plans to open our area's first Organic/Local Food Restaurant, which could bring in visitors from all over south Georgia. This coal plant could be the end of a dream for a lot of us who like to grow our own helathy food. Also, with the amount of water required to operate the plant, our farmers will be forced to dig deeper and deeper wells to irrigate their crops, and in a year of drought, all our wells could run dry. I do hope our county leaders will consider this nightmare scenario.

Submitted By: Very concerned Submitted: 3/6/2010
I'm very concerned about the coal-fired plant proposed for Ben Hill County. Fitzgerald is a beautiful town, which I think is why its economy will benefit in the coming years as baby boomers retire and look for a town like Fitzgerald to settle in. Every time I drive through Jesup and smell the stink of its pulp plant, I wonder why anyone would buy property and live there. That's how Fitzgerald will become very unattractive to people after the coal-fired plant is spewing unhealthy contamination everyday.

Submitted By: Dee Submitted: 3/5/2010
As a visitor to your lovely town, when I heard about this poll, I immediately put in my vote. Since yesterday, I spent a few hours on the computer, doing some research about coal-fired power. It's absolutely unthinkable this would be considered. My grandparents lived during the depression. The only jobs they had were coal mines. Black lung is not a pretty health issue!

Submitted By: dee Submitted: 3/4/2010
Why would anyone want to look up into the beautiful sky & air here to see smoke & ash, almost like the smog the hovers over LA freeways? Aside from the fact that these plants do not seem to have a good plan for keeping the coal sludge out of the water system. Rat poison is a biproduct--how does that sound? Please not here where it is so beautful.

Submitted By: Dan Submitted: 3/4/2010
The EMC consortium is trying to build a coal plant in Fitzgerald because they think rural we Southernere are too backward to understand we should oppose such a dirty, unhealthy project. I believe most of the jobs to construct the plant will come from outside Ben Hill, and, once the plant is operating, it will provide very few jobs. Unless you like the idea of mercury and arsenic contamination, you should be upset and oppose Plant Ben Hill!

Submitted By: Submitted: 3/4/2010
The idea of a coal-fired power plant is ludicrous. First of all, it was only brought out at election time to prop up Gerald Thompson's chances for re-election. And he still only squeaked by on a razor thin margin. It brings to mind much more of the problem with the local economy. Quick fixes won't work. Besides the obvious environmental dangers, which are myriad (just check with all the other counties who have kept such facilities away), who profits from this? The employment figures are nothing more than hot air. Most jobs are construction related and therefore short term. Why doesn't the Herald-Leader divulge who owns the land? Nothing but questions... The mayor PROMISED lots of jobs and tech-based companies with Millenium Technology Pointe, but considering the local school drop-out rate, the lack of a qualified local population must have scared off any potential investors. Of course, we heard absolutely nothing from our leadership on this failure. Another case in point is the pet bedding plant on Peachtree Road...less than 30 people are working there, and much higher numbers were promised. I'm glad you have this forum online, as people in this town have no desire to speak up, but continue to suffer at the hands and whims of self-serving politians. Like the bumper sticker on one local truck says: Don't Re-elect Nobody, Not Even Your Momma! Perhaps some new heads would do better, perhaps not, but we're in a sorry state of affairs as it stands.

Submitted By: County resident Submitted: 3/4/2010
Why would anyone want a coal-fired power plant in Ben Hill County? Are a few jobs worth polluting our air and water? Our Ocmulgee River could dry up . . . wells could go dry . . . farmers unable to irrigate . . . thousands of railcars full of dirty coal hauled through Fitzgerald daily . . . higher rates of cancer and asthma . . smokestacks spewing toxic smoke . . . coal ash holding ponds that could break . . . It is NOT worth it.

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