Newspaper Page Text
Page 6A
May 11, 2022
•Reporter
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Vote for me, I’m breaking the law?
To the Editor:
fter getting a few phone
calls about campaign signs
on roadsides and seeing
what is happening on the
right-of-way (ROW) now, I had to
write this open letter to all
candidates. I, along with
many others, have silently
worked to clean up trash on
the roadsides in South Mon
roe County for years. One of
the most egregious forms of
litter are those plastic signs
that advertise everything
from We Buy Junk Cars, to
pressure washing, landscap
ing, mosquito control, diabetic test
strips, and everything else under
the sun. When placed on the ROW,
which is public property, these are
illegal under state law (O.C.G.A.
32-6-51) and are treated the same as
a discarded beer bottle or cigarette
pack. Political signs are no different
than a commercial sign or condom
wrapper tossed out on the side of
New Forsyth Road.
Politicians that place their signs on
the ROW, allow supporters to place
their signs on the ROW or refuse to
instruct their supporters in obeying the
law are no better than the redneck that
throws his beer can out the window
and in some respects, they are worse.
Here’s why: If a politician breaks the
law, or condones (by commission or
omission) the breaking of
the law on their behalf to get
elected, that should be suf
ficient cause to disqualify that
candidate from being elected. I
have heard every whining and
pithy excuse under the sun, so
y all can save your breath when
you (hopefully) get offended
by this letter. First, the ROW
location is very easy to de
termine on each street. The interactive
maps are on the tax assessors website
and anyone with an IQ above room
temperature can easily navigate them.
Second, a property owner cannot give
you permission to put your sign on
the ROW, no matter how close to their
property it may be. Third, when a sup
porter illegally places your sign on the
ROW it is incumbent on you to request
that the supporter follow the law. Last
year, Kirby Smart said: “Either you’re
elite, or you’re not” and now, I am say
ing: “Either you’re ethical or you’re not”.
Getting the road department to re
move the signs (as they have been asked
to do by Code Enforcement) is not
going to happen because these people
work for the politicians and they would
rather eat a cockroach than remove
an illegal sign from the ROW To his
credit, Jeff Wilson at Code Enforce
ment sent letters to all candidates and
outlined the law before the campaign.
I reckon candidates cannot read,
suffer from a lack of ethics, consider
themselves above the law, or just enjoy
playing dumb.
Well, I’ve done my civic duty and
when some of those illegal commercial
advertisers (remember tbe junk car
buyers, pressure washers, landscapers,
old house buyers, and mosquito control
sprayers) start screaming about the
politicians not being held to the same
standard, I can point out that I tried. I
might even take a day off from work to
travel the south end of the county and
take pictures of every illegal campaign
sign. Maybe I can get a discount from
Will Davis that will let me post every
photo of an illegal sign (and its location)
in a half-page ad for all to see.
John Ricketson
South Monroe County
RICKETSON
Pregnancy Center stands ready to help
To the Editor:
L ast week the un
precedented leak of
the Supreme Court
document showing
the potential reversal of Roe
v. Wade took our nation by
storm.
The Pregnancy Center of
Monroe County has stood
as a voice for the voice
less and a protector of the
unborn for over 30 years. We
also understand facing an
unexpected pregnancy can
be a fearful and emotional
experience. We seek to offer
compassionate help to all
women and are here to help
women see a clear picture of
the facts and offer support
and assistance. We have
always been passionate about
LIFE - those of the women
we serve and the unborn
children we seek to protect.
It’s estimated that each
day, 2,363 children are killed
in the womb in America.
Women are told “My body,
my choice” and we agree that
a woman should be able to
make decisions regarding
her own health and bodily
autonomy. However, we be
lieve human rights begin in
the womb. When a woman
is pregnant she has another
human who is dependent
upon her for protection
and care. We want to help
women see this reality and
take steps forward to ensure
both of their well-being
and quality of life. We offer
resources about pregnancy,
parenting, adoption and
much more!
Finally, if you are a woman
facing an unplanned preg
nancy we would love to
meet you and offer our hope
and help. We understand
that facing the unknown is
scary and there are trained
staff ready to answer your
questions and help you
chart a path forward in this
unfamiliar territory. You are
not alone!
We will continue to build a
legacy for life in our commu
nity and invite you to j oin us.
We are currently in the pro
cess of becoming a medical
facility that will allow us to
provide FREE ultrasounds!
If you can help us reach our
goal with a donation, please
give using one of the three
ways below! Online giving
is secure, free and easy. Join
us as we care for women
and babies across Monroe
County!
Give by mail: 562 N. Lee
St. Forsyth, GA 31029; Give
in person: Mon, Tue, Thurs
10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Give online:
app.sharefaith.com/ pemon-
roecounty
Jess Stephens
Forsyth
Since 1898
Call your local Monroe County representative
Scott Harrell
478-256-3586
or toll free: 800-551-1102
3250 Vineville Ave., Macon, GA 31208 r
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