Our thoughts: Pay freeze

We hate to see anybody who works hard not receive increases and bonuses. Most local entrepreneurs and big business located here in our county and city have had to tighten their belts as far as expenses are concerned during this economic crisis. As a result, many fine employees have not received increases for the past years. City officials made a tough decision this past week; they agreed to put a freeze on all increases and ...

Our thoughts: Graduation

Last week was an exciting time for our local graduates and their families. A few of our new graduates have definitive plans for their futures which they'll pursue immediately, while others have plans but are not quite ready to put them in action. For the latter, the reality of no school next week will motivate them soon enough. We live in a world that will require much more out of young people than any other generation that has preceded it.

Our thoughts: Heroes

After all these years, we were more than pleased when the President of the United States apologized for the lack of action our government took in welcoming home the heroes who fought and shed their blood in the Vietnam conflict during a speech at Arlington Cemetery - the nation's most hallowed of hallowed grounds - last Monday. This was a time when all of us with good sense allowed a group of radical left wingers to insult and even spit upon our returning Vietnam veterans.

Our thoughts: Bonus

We have no complaints with our county employees. We have no doubt that many of them work very hard and are very dedicated. We also have no doubt that there are many taxpayers of Rockdale County who own businesses or work for a company that have struggled very hard to pay their bills during this economic recession we have suffered through since 2008. In fact many have lost their job or home - and in some cases both.

Our thoughts: Teachers

What a teacher writes on the blackboard of life can never be erased. ~Author Unknown It was appropriate this past week that our own Paula Travis wrote a column about teachers since she herself is still known and loved by people of Newton County who learned under her tutelage as a high school language arts teacher for many years. If you are reading this editorial it is because a teacher or teachers had the patience ...

Our thoughts: Shocking

In these challenging financial times, this newspaper was surprised to see a recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting four of our state college presidents will receive substantial pay raises.

Our thoughts: Worth the price

As you may have read earlier, Baxter International is getting more than $200 million in local and state incentives, including sales and property tax breaks, job tax credits, free land and infrastructure and hiring assistance. While that's one of the largest incentive packages in Georgia's history, state and local leaders are banking on Baxter being a major economic driver by itself as well as making Georgia and Stanton Springs a major player in the highly sought after biotech field.

Our thoughts: Drug Take-back

We remember a time, not so many years ago, when people believed that drugs were taken only by the bad guys, and that our nice families were immune from such addictions. Today, we realize there is a drug for every age and background and even those drugs make for the best of purposes can be perverted for false pleasure. Part of the problem comes from legally prescribed drugs which are carelessly stored or discarded.

Our thoughts: Healthcare Overhaul

While the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates the constitutionality of portions of President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul, local residents got another take on public health care from visiting Australians. The Australian system is a private-public system, distinct from both the United States' and Canada's, and, based on the words and tone of one young pharmacist, the country is pretty darn proud of its system.

Our thoughts: Taste of Conyers

If you are looking for something fun and close by to do with your friends and family today, we have a suggestion for you: From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the annual Taste of Conyers and the Conyers Car Show will take place in Olde Town.

Our thoughts: Welfare

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed a bill this week that would require some people applying for welfare in Georgia to pass a drug test before they can receive benefits. We agree with this bill.

Our Thoughts: Petrino

There was a time in our country when honor was important, but as fans of the University of Arkansas continue to support Bobby Petrino in the wake of a recent scandal, we're questioning whether honor means much of anything anymore.

Our Thoughts: Hands Across Rockdale

Today if you're driving around Conyers/Rockdale you might see groups of your friends picking up trash, painting walls, or working in community gardens.

Our thoughts: Small business

It's not easy to operate any business in today's economic mess. Many good people have not been able to survive the crisis. That is why we think it is a good thing that our local chamber still takes the time for the local small business entrepreneur that has made the necessary adjustments to survive.

Our thoughts: Easter Sunday

And He departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here.

Our thoughts: Parental Consent

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, 1.3 million babies a year are aborted in the U.S. That is a staggering number. We don't know how many were partial-birth abortions.

Our thoughts: Southside Precinct

Last week, the Rockdale Sheriff's Department, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Levett, opened a new precinct in the southside of the county.

Our thoughts: Bravery

We are fortunate to have two excellent law enforcement agencies serving our needs here in Conyers and Rockdale County. This past week, one of those officers was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions in stopping a man who was stabbing his own mother. Conyers Police Department Cpl. Corey Hambrick, without thought to his own safety, in close quarters, stopped this man before he could do any more harm to others. All of our ...

Our Thoughts: Lunsford

We were pleased to see that the BOC voted unanimously to appoint Jackie Lunsford as director of the county's parks and maintenance department.

Our Thoughts: Exception to the Rule

The experts tell us that your 60s are really the new 40s, really.

Our Thoughts: Good News

We have had a good news week, thank goodness.

Our thoughts: Political Correctness

With all of the pressures of living in today's world - like not having a job, a possible war with Korea again, having the fear of not having proper medical insurance because of government rules and regulations - the one thing we shouldn't have to worry about is the abusive political correctness that is heaped upon us every day, mostly by a single-minded minority of unhappy people. The latest to feel this sting is President ...

Our thoughts: Parenting

In a recent MSNBC "Lean In" commercial, Tulane professor and network commentator Melissa Harris-Perry said this about traditional parenthood:

Our Thoughts: Cheating Scandal

This past week, the architect of the great Atlanta school cheating scandal and her gang of fellow alleged cheaters showed up at the Fulton County Jail to post bonds so they could remain free until a jury of their peers decides their fate.

Our Thoughts: Attacking our beliefs

November 1956

Our Thoughts: County contracts

Our Thoughts: Cherry Blossom Festival