Opinions
Your Opinion: Dec. 1, 2009
Critical shortage of backbones in Americus
If you are worried about the new flu virus out there, you better take a look around Americus for even a greater threat. I'm speaking of the lack of backbones! Most of that lack seems to be isolated to our City’s leaders including Mayor Blount, Charlotte Cotton, plus state officials such as Mike Cheokas, Senator Hooks and the rest. You know who you are.
I speak of this "backbone" shortage as it applies to the efforts to save the Georgia Southwestern State University greenspace/walking trail, located on the GSW campus. For the last two and one-half years, there has been an effort to save this precious and non-replaceable community resource. Hundreds and hundreds of Americus residents and GSW students have raised their voices, signed petitions, sent postcards all saying the same thing: "We do not want the GSW greenspace touched.”
All of their voices have fallen on deaf ears and "spineless" backs. As I was on my daily walk this Thanksgiving day to the greenspace, it occurred to me that the "lack of backbones” was the problem.
Our city and state leaders are so used to bending over backwards for GSW officials, that they have forgotten that their job is to represent the voters and citizens of this city and county. When GSW officials say "bend over, " the city and state officials say "how far?” I have pleaded with our city to listen to its citizens and the pat answer is "we can't do anything about it.” On Thanksgiving Day 2009, while on my walk around the greenspace, I think I found the solution.
This is what I came up with. GSW just completed the new dorms which added a new strain on our wastewater plant. With the addition of the new building on the greenspace, it will put even more strain. Add the new hospital, Perry Brothers and the rest of the new development and guess what? OVERLOAD! This overload will cost Americus citizens money as upgrades to our wastewater plant will be needed. If you have been screaming about the new millage rates and taxes, hold on. It will cost you more of your hard earned money.
So here is the plan I came up with. The City of Americus’ officials do actually have some power over GSW that can save our greenspace. Our City has the power to refuse to allow GSW to “hook up” the proposed building to our sewer system. It sounds pretty simple, doesn't it? Our City officials can make this offer to GSW. You can not build a building on the greenspace because we will not let you hook it up to our sewer system. The City’s compromise can be this. Build the building on one of the alternative sites and we will hook you up! At least in this scenario, the citizens of Americus will have a say in the saving of the greenspace. We will still have to pay higher taxes for a new wastewater plant, but at least we will still have the greenspace. I do not know about you fellow citizens, but I'd rather get something out of this deal with GSW, instead of the finger. So I am praying that all you good citizens join together to save the greenspace/walking trail. Tell Mayor Blount and Charlotte Cotton, Mike Cheokas, Senator Hooks, Governor Perdue that there is a way to "regrow " their spines. All it takes is a simple word that must have been forgotten by them: COURAGE! They should stand up for what’s right. If they do not, its the citizens of Americus that will lose their greenspace/walking trail and pay more taxes. If our city and state officials are not listening to us, I can recommend a good yoga class to them so when they do "bend over " for GSW, they will be more flexible.
Visit www.saveGSWgreenspace.com. This is my opinion only and not that of my wife Nancy Spice. Also, if you feel the need to answer this letter, please do not waste time saying the tired old blah blah blah that the university puts out there about saving trees, etc. In my dealings with the university over the last two and one-half years, they will look you in the eye and lie. They can because they are used to dealing with "spineless " city officials and state officials. Thanks and good luck.
Jeff Branum
Americus
