pinions
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PAGE 4A HOGANSVILLE HERALD - THURSDAY, JAN. 21, 2016
THE HOGANSVILLE HERALD
USPS 620-040
airmen nah (Emmett Ty @rib iguhliratiuna, 31m:
ROBERT E. TRIBBLE, President
JOHN KUYKENDALL
PUBLISHER/EDITOR
ANDY KOBER
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
ROB RICHARDSON
LAYOUT EDITOR
KIM MITCHELL
BUSINESS MANAGER
Phone (706) 846-3188
Fax: (706) 846-2206
news@star-merwry.com
P. O. Box 426
Manchester, GA 31816
Official Legal for the City quagansville
Community Newspapers
Still Have Their Place
Last week Trib
Publications held it’s annual
advertising seminar for sales
representatives. For the sem-
inar I was given the challenge
of speaking about why adver-
tisers should choose commu-
nity newspapers. Ironically,
I also found out why commu—
nity newspapers will always
have their place for the com—
munity and advertisers.
With the Internet so
prevalent today, and people .
using the Internet, some may
think community newspa-
pers are not as strong as they
once were. I found out that is
not true and wanted to share
this information with our
readers and of course our
advertisers.
The newspapers we pub—
lish here at Trib, cover five
counties and all the newspa-
pers are different, but in a
way pretty much the same.
All five newspapers are
paid circulation and believe
it or not, all have over 70%
penetration into the areas
they cover. Some are even
higher, but that the average.
What that means is that 70
out of every 100 people sub-
scribe or purchase the news-
paper at a rack or a location
where they are sold. So com-
munity newspapers are still
read by the largest portion of
a community. “ -“
That is because a com—
munity newspaper only
prints community news. It
contains news that is relevant
to the community it serves.
It contains stories that affect
your day—to-day life, sports
stories about your children
and grandchildren, and sto-
ries about people in the com-
munity.
Community newspapers
still remain the number one
choice, or it should, for adver-
tisers and here are just a few
reasons why.
According to a survey by
How American Shops and
Spends, 76% of people sur—
veyed said they find newspa-
pers to be more trustworthy
and believable and use it to
make purchasing decisions.
That 76% compares to only
12.5% for radio, 8% for tele-
‘vision and 14.5% for Internet.
So, that shows that peo—
ple use newspapers more to
make purchasing decision
than radio, television or the
Internet combined.
About 76% said they still
, subscribe to a newspaper and
read it.
" Nowaccording toarecent
survey done by Pew
Research Center released
early this month that includ-
ed 1,500 people over the age
of 18, they said they make
their voting decisions from
newspapers 93% of the time.
As for those 18 and over, 53%
Said they use newspapers to
make their voting decisions
as well. Simply put, that takes
I
I
I
us back to the first survey we
talked about that 76% of the
people believe newspapers
are more trustworthy and
believable than any other
news source.
Newspapers are still the
oldest form of mass media,
and they continue to be one
of the largest, as measured
by volume of advertising dol-
lars. That is because adver-
tisers surveyed, including
some of the industry giants
like Walmart and Sears, says
that newspapers continue to
give more return on the dol—
lars spent that any other
advertising source.
So, with this information
we’ve learned that almost
every home in the United
States receives a newspaper
and that is done either by mail
or by rack sales.
We’ve learned that retail
industry giants still believe
newspapers are the best
“advertising investment.
We havéatsdléarnedthat‘ '
contrary to popular belief, "
newspapers are still the num-
ber once choice for receiv-
ing news, trusting that news
and believing that news.
Having said all that, the
bottom line is community
newspapers still have their
place in the communities
they serve.
As long as community
newspapers do what they
have done for well over 100
years, and write the news that
affects the community, good
feature stories about people
in the community, covers the
local high school sports, and
do the things expected, they
will always have a place in
the community.
I’m extremely proud to
work for community news-
papers. It is a profession that
gives me an opportunity to
be a part of the community,
to help mold and form the
community, to help move the
community in the right direc-
tion, to make the government
responsible to the people it
serves and above all, to have
an opportunity to editorialize
about the things that may
help our community or may
have a negative impact and
let the people decide.
I’m proud to be in a pro-
fession where the people
trust me, believe in me and
know that I’m going to what
is right.
I hope you are as proud
of your community newspa-
per and we are to provide it
for you each and every week.
THE HOGANSVlLLE HERALD is published weekly by Trib Publications,
_ Inc. at 3051 Roosevelt Highway, Manchester, Georgia 31816. The
Hogansville Herald is published proudly for the citizens of Hogansville
and its goal is to produce quality, profitable, community oriented newspa-
pers that you, our readers, are proud of. We will reach that goal through
f hard work, teamwork, loyalty, and a strong dedication toward printing the
truth
USPS 642-040. Subscription rates by mail: $25 in Troup, Harris or
Meriwether Counties; $32.50 a year in state; $40 out of state. Prices
include
all sales taxes. Periodical postage paid at Hogansville, Georgia
30230.Single
copy 50¢.
FOR sunscmons call (706) 846-3188 or write to Circulation
Manager, TIib Publications, P. O. Box 426, Manchester, Georgia 31816.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to P. O. Box 426, Manchester,
, GA 31816.
The High Cost of Getting Even;
We have heard some peo-
ple say “I am going to get even
with that so and so if it is the
last thing that I ever do” after
they have been hurt or
wronged in some way. You
may have made this state-
ment in the past yourself
because it has gone through
my mind before and I could
see what it was doing to me.
Sometimes we all make
statements like this in a flash
of anger but do not really
mean them. In most cases the
situation passes and we are
able to recover emotionally
without too much damage.
However, there are some sit-
uations where the people
involved really do mean it and
their emotions begin to “fes-
ter” and over a period Of time
it takes a heavy toll.
Some doctors have done
a great deal of research about
the attitude of “getting even”
and have concluded that
ulcers, high blood pressure,
strokes and many other phys-
ical maladies are connected
to harboring resentment,
hatred and ill will toward oth-
ers. They say that it could be
truthfully written on many
death certificates that the vic-
tim died from “grudgetitis.”
The doctors make a good
case to show how hatred
enslaves the one who hates
by employing the following,
“The moment I started hat-
ing a man I became his slave.
I cannot enjoy my work any-
more because he even con-
trols my thoughts. My resent-
ments produce too many
stresses to my body and I
become fatigued after a few
hours of work.”
Hatred like many of our
other emotions comes in
degrees.
The range can be all the
way from a mild dislike to a
deep burning desire to see the
other person completely done
in. But in some cases hatred
will result in violence which
means running afoul of the
law.
When this happens, and a
person is convicted of a crim-
inal offense, it means that he
has lost the opportunity to
have complete control over
his life.
In this interest of helping
ourselves be happier and
more successful we need to
be honest with ourselves and
determine in our hearts
whether or not we really hate
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an me:
another person. If we do then
we should know what the long
range consequences couldbe.
There is only one solution
to this universal problem and
it is found in these words that
were spoken by Jesus. He
said, “You have heard that it
was said that you shall love
your neighbor and hate your
enemy, but I say unto you,
love your enemy and pray for
them that despitefully use
you.”
Whether we like it or not
the only thing that will free
us of hatred is complete and
total forgiveness. The biggest“
problem in this area that most
of us face can be found in the
answer to this question, “Who
is our neighbor?”
Hating people is I like
burning down the barn inz
order to get rid of the rats. ‘
It is a case of the solution
being much worse than the‘
problem. ‘
Be Glad You Don’t Live in Michigan
Quite frankly my dear,
I’m glad to live here.
Just recently I overheard
a conversation in which a res-
ident of a small city in our
readership area was com-
plaining about her city and
the area in general.
I like this area— the entire
area. .
I have lived in the area
for nearly 40 years, most of
my adult life, and in my com-
munity nearly 24 years. I
grew up in what was then a
fairly rural area, just like
much of our readership area.
A large city — Savannah — was
about 20 miles distant. We did
have Savannah Beach, or
Tybee Island, a little further
away. '
But I have so enjoyed this
.arteaaad madeitmy home- 7. r
’ It does, botherme a bit
When people complain but
have no basis for comparison,
or worse, do nothing to make
things better.
Take my word for it; there
are much worse places to live.
Consider the recent CNN
report on Michigan.
The State of Michigan,
once noted for its industrial
output, is now known for
closed and rusting factories,
high welfare and crime rates.
Michigan ranks seventh
highest in tax rates among
er than the national average.
One would think that with
tax rates that high, services
would be very good, but they
are not and the high tax rates
are contributing to business-
es and people leaving the
state.
THE CNN report high-
lighted water problems in
Flint, and they are serious.
The city had been pulling
drinking water from Lake
Huron, but in an effort to save
money, began drawing water
from the Flint River. That is
the Flint River in Michigan
and not the Flint River in our
backyards.
The Flint River in
Michigan has been described
as “notoriously filthy” and
“highly corrosive.”
‘ It has now been learned
that anti-corrosive agents
required by Michigan state
law has not been added to the
water. That has resulted in
the water eroding iron water
mains and lead pipes. This
can lead to lead poisoning,
which while dangerous to an
adult, can result in negative-
ly impacting a child’s IQ level.
So those currently living
in Flint, Michigan, not only
have to worry about health
problems being created
today, they are creating prob-
beyond.
The water situation in
Flint is now so bad, the Mayor
of Flint and Governor of
Michigan have declared a
state of emergency and has
the National Guard deliver—
ing clean water to residents.
If you thinkthatisthe only
problem found in Michigan,
you would be very wrong.
Not reported by CNN but
based on information avail-
able to anyone, the public
school system in DetrOit is in ,
deplorable condition. ‘
An inspection of schools
found cold classrooms in the
winter, and hot classrooms in
the summer. Back in the 605,
many of us had schools like
that but in Detroit, inspectors
found black mold in the
school buildings along with
collapsing c‘ ilings and rats
in the hallw ys. 7‘
Conditiots have gotten so
bad, that te_ chers aré stag-
ing “sickout$” rather than be
in the clasSroom. Sog'many
that in one school eighth
grade students were kept in.
a gym and taken to class-;
rooms for only an hour each
day to study core subjects.
It was reported that
Monday of last week, two-i
thirds of the public schools
in Detroit were closed
because there were no teach:
ers. 15
Where are the funds for:
maintenance and repairs?
According to the public,
reports, a state-funded,
appointed emergency man-j
ager used 30 percent or more
of the school system’s staté
funding to pay Off city debt. '1
Take about government
out of control, and not being
responsible to the people.
2. .. ,<SO.nQ§§ timeyouaresiti
“2.”; v u.
«tingon the perch
, ., ,, ., ,....Tiiipbidia;ury
or oOdlandfstrollingalong
the sidewalk in Hamilton on;
Hogansville, or complaining
to your neighbors in Geneva
or Greenville, ask yourself
two questions.
1) Do I really have a legit-
imate beef? 'V
2) Am I doing anything to
make it better?
If the answer to the first
question is yes, then the
answerto the second needs
to be yes as well.
the states - 22 percent high- lems for tomorrow and teaCheI‘S 31'}!
miSSing fChOOL That’s my Opinion. ‘ i
i . . i . ,
Honoring Dr. King and ‘Local Foot Soldiers’
On January 17, the city
of Hogansville officially took
time to honor the legacy of a
Civil Rights Leader — Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
This well deserved under-
taking was necessary as the
nation found it fitting to rec-
ognize him as a symbol of civil'
and human rights. In fact, he
forced America to live up to
its own creed “that all men
are created equal”.
Overtheyears,Ihave par-
ticipated in a number of com-
memorative civil right activ-
ities, and met many interest—
ing people alone my way. For
example, back in 1997, I par-
ticipated in activities related
to the 40th anniversary Of the
desegregation of Central
High School in Little Rock
Arkansas.
'1 attended Observances in
2010 for the 50th anniversary
'of the Atlanta Student
Movement inAtlanta. In 2015,
I traveled to Alabama for the
50th anniversary of 'Bloody
Sunday' March in Sehna.
As a college professor, I
even taught a student, who
was present that fatal morn-
ing at the historic 16th Street
Baptist Church Birmingham
in 1963, when four little girls
we killed by a terrorist
bomber.
From these, and so many
other experiences, I recog-
nize that there is still critical
unfinished civil rights busi-
ness, like criminal justice
reforms, income
Inequalities, wealth dispari-
ties, and voter suppression,
to name a few.
Within the civil rights
community, however, there is
also a concern about the
movement’s forgotten foot
soldiers. What is a foot sol-
dier?
From a social movement
prospective, a foot soldier is
define as that person who car-
ries out the important work,
but does not have a role in an
organization’s leadership.
All too Often, mainstream
media focuses attention on
the actions of leadership,
while forgetting the impor-
tant work ofgthe foot soldier.
But had it not been for the
foot soldiers, where would we
today? Had it not been for
those folks willing to do the
“important work”--- like
speak out, protest, file formal
complaints, file law suits, and
step-up and go first, where
would we be? '
SO, I submit to you that
had it not been for the foot
soldiers of the Civil Rights
movement, who were willing
to the do the “important
work” -—— we would not have
progressed as far as we have
today.
I appreciate that many of
the civil rights exhibits and
museums, and the growing
body of scholarship are incor-
porated the nameless “foot
soldiers”, who marched,
protested, and took risk in
their own communities.
In fact, Dr. King’s great-
est qualities may have been
his ability to inspire and
mobilize millions of foot sol-
diers --- black and white, old
and young, rich and poor, the
powerful and the powerless,
those near and afar.
In our community,
activists like the late Coleman
Cameron, George Jackson,
Luscious Glenn, Sr., Jimmy
Jackson, and Harold Smith,
among others, began to speak
out and organize.
IN 1966, 50 years ago, the
county and city schools start-
ed the process of voluntary
school integration, after wait-
ing 12 years. During that fall,
six courageous African
American students enrolled
in the previously, all white
Hogansville elementary and
high school system, to move
the city forward.
SO, just like Central High
School in Arkansas had its
“Little Rock Nine” — We had
our “Hogansville Six”.
Tragically, their names are
almost lost in our local histo-
ry; so, I choose to usher them
back into existence:
Raymond Sewell, Jacqueline
Allison, Carolyn Cameron,
Gale Green, Anthony Phillips,
and Lucy Johnson. SO from
these six students, the next
year, a line of new students
made their mark, thereby
moving our city forward.
Let me tell you about one
of them --— the Rev. Carolyn
Cameron. She talked about
how her father, the late
Coleman Cameron, influence
her life. You see, he had also
been strong community advoé
cate forblack voter particii
pation and pushed others to
get involved. I
When the time came for
parents to sign the voluntary
participation formal for stu-
dent to integrate the all-white
school, Carolyn explained
that she signed her own
Carolyn knew her parents
and brothers desired for she
and her younger brother —-;
better Opportunities and an
equal chance.
While serving as a soldier
in Vietnam, her brother,
Thomas Cameron, would be
killed before the start of
school that year. He was
killed life serving our nation
-— protecting all of our free-
doms.
Given that this year is the
50thanniversaryof the deseg-
regation of the local school,
I hope the city of Hogansville
don’t miss an Opportunity to
recognize these courageous
foot soldiers, who were doing
the “important work” in our
city.
Today’s honoree, Mr.
Alfred Jenkins, was one of
those students, who followed
that next year. He could be
called the 7th line. So, we take
this moment to remember Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. ---
But, had it not been for those
foot soldiers, where would we
be?
