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Board Members Must
Be Properly Prepared
It’s obvious after last week’s
meeting of the Forsyth County
Board of Education that mem
bers of the board must be better
prepared to handle discussions
during their meetings.
Not only could time have
been saved, but differences of
opinions might have been
avoided and professionalism
shown if board members had
only taken the time to prepared
themselves properly for action
that was to be discussed at the
meeting.
Board members are mailed
information packets prior to
each meeting in order for them
to be prepared. Each should
view the information carefully
in order to work efficiently dur
ing the meetings. We wonder if
this was done after seeing last
week’s meeting?
Twice during the meeting,
curriculum director Betty Ben
son was forced to leave the
room in order to gather infor
mation for the board about tea
cher requirements.
Because board members
were not properly prepared and
informed, it almost cost a tea
cher her position. Two mem
bers of the board voted against
a teacher, later to find out that
the school would have only two
teachers to instruct English to
npifP rORSYTH lIPUfC
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Do We Really Appreciate Work Of Our Farmers?
It’s hard to imagine an industry with
assets of almost a trillion dollars. A
million dollars would be enough to get
most of us by for the rest of our lives.
Consider, however, that just to reach
one billion dollars, you must multiply
that million by one thousand; and to
reach a trillion, you must multiply that
billion by another thousand. You could
literally spend your entire lifetime
counting that much money.
Have you attempted to guess what
industry I’m talking about? If you have,
you’ve probably guessed one of the
nation’s largest oil companies, or a
large insurance company. The subject
of this column, however, is agriculture,
and America’s attitude toward it.
This one trillion dollars we’re looking
at, is equal to about 88 percent of the
capital assets of all U.S. manufacturing
corporations. It’s quite obvious then,
that agriculture is a “big” business.
River Rafting Pretty, But Hard On The Body
The invitation was too appealing to
pass up. I visioned a leisurely float
down the river with little care, peaceful
surroundings, lots of relaxation and
abundance of fun.
As I write this, I can hardly strike the
keys to this typewriter. Please show a
little sympathy.
When Phil Smith asked if I’d like to
head up to the mountains for a rafting
trip down the river with he and Jim
Bearden, I thought it over and decided,
what the heck, it’ll be good for me to get
away for a couple of days.
Ripples of pain are piercing each
area of my body. I hurt in places I
didn’t know I had.
We arrived at the West Fork of the
Chattooga (an old Indian word that
means “stuck on rock”) Friday af
teroon and pitched camp. Bearden left
his car on the other side of the state,
and Smith and I picked him up late
Friday.
After a winding trip back to the
camp, we built a fire and settled in for
the night. Only the wild and probably
hungry creatures of the woods were the
more than 400 students.
Arguments between board
members over an issue of mi
crocomputers was weakened
because members apparently
were not aware of the process
and procedures involved in
buying equipment with federal
funds.
Had the board members
taken advantage of an invita
tion by Judy Thornton to come
to her office to discuss the pro
gram prior to the meeting,
some heavy discussions and
arguments might have been
avoided.
It’s time board members took
action to do everything they
can prior to the meeting to
gather all information possible
to make proper decisions.
Things also would run
smoother if board members,
the superintendent and the of
fice staff were not “quibbling”
all the time.
And, it’s also time the people
of Forsyth County took an ac
tive part in the education proc
ess. The first step can be taken
by attending the monthly board
meetings.
The next scheduled meeting
of the board will be held at 7
p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 21. We
encourage you to be there.
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You remember how hard the govern
ment fought to save Chrysler from
bankruptcy some years ago. The rea
son was, that had such a large industry
“gone under,” thousands of people
would have been unemployed, and a
major crisis would have resulted.
Everywhere you look, however,
farmers are going out of business, and
no one is there is save them.
only other ones crazy enough to be
anywhere around us.
Smith picked his guitar, sang a few
songs around the campfire and by mid
night I was ready for the sleeping bag.
Actually I was ready to go to bed, but
since there wasn’t one around I
didn’t have much choice.
We were up and ready to go by
daybreak, packing up our gear and
preparing for the trip down river. Sat
urday was a pain in the derriere...lite
rally.
There are probably a few rocks we
didn’t get stranded on in the upper
portions of the river. The water was too
shallow, but it didn’t deter the deter
mination of these rough and tough
rafters.
After carrying the raft four or five
miles down the shallows of the water,
we did manage to slip over a few
current-ridden rocks that kept our san
ity.
We stayed on the river for eight hours
Saturday, found a nice camp spot,
pitched our tents and prepared for the
night.
IWKWWWEIT.IWL'TESTIMONY FRDMAMAN WHO
ClAlttS ID HWE ftOWN BEFORE IHt WRI6HT BROTHERS...
Sometimes We Can Be The
Source Of Our Own Problems
We are truly the source of most of our
own problems. Our hangups, obsessions
and attitudes are self-inflicted. Our
ability to cope with difficulties; our
acceptance of situations as they are and
our own limitations, our determination
to overcome stress and pressures, are
within our power.
Jess Lair wrote: “For what I am
today shame, shame on my parents; for
what I am tomorrow shame, shame on
me.” We must eventually take the
responsibility for our actions and be
havior.
If we choose to live with fear we must
also learn to live with failure. If we
enjoy depression we must also become
accustomed to the feelings of lone
liness. If we believe that we are always
right we must also be prepared for
defeat.
If we want to make a difference with
our life we must be willing to share our
talents and energies with others. If we
want real meaning and fulfillment to be
a part of our existence we must choose
the meaningful and worthwhile aspects
of life and discard the hangups.
If we look for joy we will surely find
it. If we seek unhappiness we will
surely find that, too. If we search for
the truth it will eventually be ours. If we
only see what we want to see in our
selves and others we will go blindly
through life missing a great deal.
Many might feel that the loss of
several farmers here and there would
deal no large blow to an industry so
large; but the fact is, that farmers
make up only three percent of the U.S.
population. Each farmer supplies food
and fiber to an average of 68 other
people.
With so few people serving such a
large market, you might also believe
that farmers are making large profits
these days. The only individuals mak
ing decent profits on agricultural prod
ucts these days, however, are the
retailers. Farmers can’t even meet the
cost of production with the prices they
receive for their products.
As an example, a Forsyth County
farmer related a story he heard at a
recent state agricultural meeting. The
story concerned a south Georgia
farmer, who sold watermelons for 45
cents each. Less than 100 miles away,
Everything that Bearden had brought
along was soaking wet. We had packed
our belongings inside the raft in order
to make camp that night and somehow,
his stuff got wet. I think it’s because I
sat on it most of the way, and the fact
there was a couple of feet of water in
the raft probably had something to do
with it.
We were only about three-fourths
dead by the time we pitched camp, and
it was about 7:30 p.m. Just out of
curiosity, I asked how much further
we had to g0...n0t wanting to show any
remorse, I suggested it was merely out
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Jealousy and envy for the talents of
other people can cause us to ignore our
own. Looking at the accomplishments
of others can cause us to label ourselves
a failure when in reality we are suc
cessful, but we don’t know it. Measur
YOUR LETTERS ARE WELCOME
The Forsyth County News welcomes
letters to the editor concerning opinions
or columns on this page, or concerning
local, area, state, or national issues.
Writers should include their address
and telephone numbers must be added
for verification.
Letters that cannot be verified nor
carry a signature will not be used.
Letters should be addressed to The
Editor and mailed to: The Forsyth
County News, Post Office Box 210,
Cumming, Ga., 30130.
those same melons were resold for $3
each.
The good rains we’ve enjoyed this
year have also boosted farm produc
tion, and many farmers say this year’s
crop will be the best in years. You’ll
hear the same from two Oconee County
farmers, who also will tell you that they
will feel fortunate to break even this
year. Why? Because the prices they
receive for their products, are not great
enough to even meet the cost of produc
tion. While the prices of farm machin
ery, fertilizer, insurance and other
necessities have been going up, the
prices received by farmers have been
going down.
How long would you cut grass at S2O
per yard, when the cost of gasoline
needed to cut a yard was $25. You would
probably raise the cutting price to S3O.
The farmer is not so fortunate, and
must take what he is given •
of curiosity.
Oh, we’re about two-thirds of the
way, I was assured. We’ll be back to the
car by noon tomorrow. Earl’s Ford is
just around the next turn down here.
Since we decided to get a very early
start Sunday morning, and since I could
hardly move any part of my body
without hurting, I hit the sleeping bag
early. I think it was about 8 o’clock.
Sunday morning was great. Cool
mountain air, beautiful scenery, a few
good rapids, not too much dragging the
raft...it was as close to perfect as we
could get.
With the passing of each little stretch,
I would hint as to how much further we
had to go. Just around the next turn, I
was assured. By noon, I knew it wasn’t
going to be around the next turn.
By this time, we were getting into
pretty heavy rapids. I’m talking about
the kind that throw water high into the
area, drown you, get you soaking wet
and make you feel like you accom
plished something in the way of survi
val when you get through it.
A couple of times I was so scared I
PAGE 4A
ing ourselves by the yardstick of others
is a very poor way to determine our
worth.
Accepting situations as they come to
us is difficult at times. We try to climb
mountains when going around them
would be so much easier. We allow the
world to climb on our shoulders when
we could lighten the load by a different
attitude. We tend to worry about tomor
row more than today.
By being the source and reason for
most of our own problems we should
keep this quotation in mind: “Life by
the yard is hard. Life by the inch is a
cinch.” Try it, you may like it!
o
All letters must bear the writer’s
signature.
The names and addresses of your
elected representatives in Washington
are:
Senator Mack Mattingly, Senate Of
fice Building, Washington, D.C., 20510.
Senator Sam Nunn, Senate Office
Building, Washington, D.C., 20510.
Congressman Ed Jenkins, 217 Cannon
Building, Washington, D.C. 20515.
Also consider that Americans do de
pend on the farmer, whether they be
lieve it or not. I learned of two
individuals last week, who have said
they don’t care what becomes of the
farmer. Why don’t they care? The
reason, they say, is because they buy
all their food at the grocery store.
Are these individuals really that un
aware of what’s going on around them?
They must be planning to survive on
bok choy, bananas, mangoes and pas
sion fruit, in the event that American
agriculture collapses. Most everything
else at the grocery store is grown by
U.S. farmers.
It wouldn’t hurt if everyone tried to
learn more about farming. It’s no easy
living, and those who believe it is should
try it for just one week. If you won’t
stand for hard work, and exposure to
dirt, fertilizer and the elements, at least
appreciate someone who does.
figured I’d just pass out and they’d find
me wrapped around one of the logs on
the river bank like they did that poor
fellow in Deliverance.
I was overjoyed when we saw some
form of life on the banks of the river. I
figured we couldn’t be too far from
civilization if there were still human
beings walking around. I was wrong.
When we asked a canoiest how much
further it was to the bridge and he said
about two more hours, I almost cried
out loud. I restrained myself, and tried
to show Smith and Bearden how tough I
could be in a very testing time.
We were headed for Bull’s Sluce. You
know Bull’s Sluce don’t you? That’s the
part of the river that, if it hasn’t killed
half the people that have gone through
there, it’s mamed them up so bad you
can’t recognize them.
We were going to get out there. Or I
was at least. Just beyond that devil was
where Bearden had parked his car.
The hours passed and we were
doomed to be lost on the river for the
rest of our lives.
-THE FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS—WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 19S
On Your Payroll
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Not Much
Choice In
New Shows
Well, the time has come again for the
three major networks to battle it out in
the Nielson ratings, by coming up with
a winning ’B2-’B3 season.
Unfortuntley though, like Clemson
(remember 13-7), I think they’re off
to a bad start.
Last night, as I sat in the living room
of my apartment, I tried to decide how I
was going to (cheaply) entertain my
self over the next 12 months. Immediat
ley, my hand reached for the latest
copy of TV Guide...you know, the 95-
page special “FALL PREVIEW”
Well, I read the extra-thick edition
from cover to cover, only to discover
that the tube is not going to be a major
form of entertainment for me this year.
I started by reading “Editor’s
Choice”, so I would know what not to
watch. It seems that whatever they
like, I usually hate.
I then ventured on in my search for a
decent program, and I came across one
show in particular that I can’t wait to
see axed by the network executives.
(With my luck, it will probably stay on
the air for the next ten years.)
This show is about a 30-plus year-old
millionaire who likes Pac-Man, talks
like “Goofy”, and lives in a mansion
that was decorated by Santa Claus. The
man also lives with his 12-year-old
genius son, who has to save his daddy’s
business from ruin. TV Guide says the
other characters in the show are just
waiting for the man to grow up. I’m
waiting for the show to go off the air.
In the private-eye department, it’s
still the same ol’ story. The plots never
change. The detective is always very
good-looking, (look at Magnum...) and
they are almost always driving fancy
cars. For P.l.’s, things are always the
same. They have a friend in trouble,
and the P.I. always has to solve the big
mystery. Just once, I’d like to see “The
Fall Guy” fall flat on his face.
Private-eye’s will never change, they
will just become younger, better
looking, and drive fancier cars.
There’s another new show on the
screen this season that I can’t wait to
miss. It’s about some teenagers who
are trying to fit in at a new school. One
is waiting for her first kiss, and the
other is still waiting on cleavage. Get
the picture? For your sake, I hope it’s
(the picture) blurry.
I also noticed that this season is going
back (like always) to the actors who
have made other shows work. Patty
Duke Astin and Bob Newhart are re
turning this season with new shows.
Maybe they’ll help the networks out,
but I wouldn’t bet my life on it. I think
they should just re-run some of the old
shows like “Laugh-In”, and Ed Sulli
van.
The old shows that have made it so
far, are all being changed around so
much we probably won’t even know
them. “Little House on the Prairie” is
getting a new beginning, and just about
everyone is getting a baby. Some shows
are even getting cousins.
They’re going to try spin-offs again
this year. We all know how many of
them work. Look at “Flo”, and “The
Ropers”.
Personally, I think I’ll spend my
nights watching my old stand-by’s like
“Benson”, and “Dynasty”.
Maybe I’ll even start reading some
more, and I just might hit the tennis
courts a little more often.
If the TV seasons keep going like
they’re going, by 1985,1 figure parents
are going to start using TV as a form of
punishment for their children, as op
posed to a form of entertainment.
By about 5 p.m., we were wondering
whether or not we were going to make it
back before dark. Whether or not we
were going to have to make camp and
what we were going to do. We had no
food, nothing to drink, hadn’t taken a
bath in two days, felt like homemade
he- and didn’t know how much further
it was.
Oh, it’s just around the next turn
down here, I’m sure, I was assured for
the 75th time.
Sure enough, it was around the last
turn we made. We had been on the river
a total of 18 hours. By the time we
unloaded our soaking clothing and de
flated tbe raft and made it back to
Smith’s Van, it was nearing 7 o’clock.
I got home about 9:30 Sunday evening
and tried to clean myself up a little. I
figure at best it will be three, maybe
four days before my body makes the
adjustments to be normal again.
All in all, we had a great time. I
enjoyed it thoroughly. But, for the time
being, please show a little sympathy.