Voters in District 1 deserve representation

There has been a vacant seat at Hart County Board of Commissioners meetings since this past November, and it is time to fill it.

First Amendment sparks justice, change

By Lisa Cupid/Georgia First Amendment Foundation Georgia’s new hate crimes law is welcome and long overdue. But as the headlines marked this historic moment last week, I kept thinking about what finally forced change in Georgia.

Remember how great America truly is

We don’t need to remind you that this year has been unlike any other. We are distancing ourselves socially and on high alert for an invisible enemy that continues to sicken people statewide and nationally as we all push on with measures to fight it.

Nicknames are as Southern as sweet tea

As sure as a South Georgia boy shows up for the second grade snaggle-toothed, he’s going to have a nickname. I didn’t have to wait that long. Before Big Dink ever saw that I had his blue eyes, too, I was destined to be Little Dink. Monikers are as Southern as sweet tea.

Mind guidelines while celebrating

This weekend was supposed to be one of the biggest annual events for the community. It was supposed to be the Pre-Fourth celebration and was going to include a huge arts and crafts festival in downtown Hartwell, a triathlon and a fireworks show over the lake.

State election reporting was too slow

Georgia made national news again on election day because of what have been described as melt downs in the voting process during the primary on June 9.  Mail-in ballots weren’t counted, lines in some places were hours long and many people complained that the entire election was poorly managed.

2005 incident a picture of racial problem

I grew up in a pretty white-bred place.  Cherokee County Georgia in the 1980s and 90s was much less developed than it is now, so I’m sure the demographic makeup has changed drastically, but when I was in high school, Sequoyah High was something like 95 percent white.

Peaceful protest showed Hart's heart

Hartwell showed last week that protests can have an impact, make a point and remain peaceful.  Peace has not been a given in recent weeks as the world has watched America in turmoil following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis under the knee of a police officer.

Horace the mule sank a hopeful sheriff

As the sun was setting over the back side of Long County, a distressed Mrs. George Woods called her veterinarian, Dr. Marvin Satterfield. “Oh, Dr. Satterfield,” she shouted, “you must come quickly to my farm!”

Don't let emotions derail Hartwell Lakeside project

It would be a shame to see years of effort on the Hartwell Lakeside project slip away because emotions and political posturing, but it appears that is a possibility.