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PAGE 24, JULY 7, 2008, THE ISLANDER
ALK
Naivety and
learning curves
If I had to use one word to describe
the local candidate forums I think I’d
have to use ‘naive.’ Not so much for the
handful of incumbents, but it certainly
applies to most of the first timers.
I don’t mean this in a derogatory
manner. I’m sure that most first time
political candidates are a little naive
about the actual workings of govern
ment.
So, good, bad or indifferent, it’s only
an observation.
For example, when the Board of Edu
cation candidates were asked what they
would do about the low ratio of minority
teachers, most said the solution was to
actively recruit more minority college
graduates with teaching degrees.
Sounds logical.
Except that the Glynn County school
administration has been this very thing
for years.
They travel to numerous colleges to
recruit and even had a video profes
sionally made showcasing our area and
community to attract graduate teach
ers.
Remember the controversy a couple
of years ago involving the Jamaican
teachers? The ones who ended up not
having their contracts renewed?
Right or wrong they were hired due
to the lack of minority teachers.
Recently, the school board and
administration have been criticized for
being racist based on the low ratio of
minority teachers.
Considering that the former Assis
tant Superintendent for Human
Resources, who retired last year, was
African American and also had trouble
recruiting minority teachers, the racist
label is neither accurate nor fair.
In response to the minority teacher
question, one of the school board can
didates stated that they would need
to study why graduate teachers aren’t
coming here.
I know the answer to that, but a lot
of folks won’t like it.
The reason young adults who have
just graduated with teaching degrees
don’t want to come here is because
there is no social life here for them, no
night life.
Simply put, there’s not much to do
for people who don’t already have a
circle of friends.
So why, with minority teachers in
high demand, would they want to come
to small town Brunswick when they
can get a job in a real metropolitan area
like Atlanta?
People regularly say, “Everyone
wants to live here... we’ve got the beach
es!”
And when I hear it, I always wonder,
“When was the last time that guy went
to the beach?”
I lifeguarded for Glynn County on
St. Simons beach at Massengale and
the Coast Guard station two summers.
Trust me, the beach is not a great place
Matthew J. Permar
Publisher
EDITORIAL
to meet new people, even for those of us
who were there 8-10 horn’s a day, six
days a week.
Neither Brunswick nor St. Simons
has any good nightclubs where people
can go to dance and meet new people.
OK, there’s two bars on St. Simons
that have live music. One is the size
of a women’s size 2 shoebox and caters
to the barely legal crowd of obnoxious,
heavy drinking college age kids and the
other caters to the 40+ crowd.
Neither seems particularly suitable
for a single teacher who is looking to
meet people who are the same age,
similarly educated and with similar
interests.
Along with cliquish local residents,
St. Simons is essentially a combination
of a family tourist resort with a low key
nature and a retirement community,
not exactly a big draw for young people
fresh out of college who are looking to
live somewhere exciting.
And before I wrap up this editorial
within an editorial, I want to point out
that this area is not only politically con
servative, it’s also conservative when it
comes to, well, having fun.
For example, if there are any prob
lems at a local bar the county com
mission is ready threaten to suspend
their license whether the bar owner is
at fault or not. It’s happened to several
Mallery St. bars on St. Simons in recent
years.
And what this does is make bar
owners reluctant to call the police when
they do have problems because if they
do it will be held against them.
Another example is noise. St. Simons
is like a big “Keep Quiet” zone.
Some of my best friends are in a clas
sic rock band - Rolling Stones, Allman
Brothers, Springsteen, like that.
Last summer they were booked to
play an outdoor wedding reception on
St. Simons. Then, just days before the
wedding, the comity decided to reject
the application for the band to play
outdoors.
“Sorry about your wedding reception
honey. But hey, karaoke is fun too. Just
don’t sing too loud.”
I guess it was a noise ordinance
thing, which I’m not sure they can
actually enforce because I’ve been told
the police department does not have a
noise meter.
Anyway, after some last minute
negotiating the county granted the
application for the band to play as long
as they shut it down at 10:00 p.m.
Then, last December the same band
was planning their annual Christmas
party for all their friends and fans, an
event that has become very popular in
recent years.
Problem is, it’s becoming increas
ingly difficult to find a place to have it.
So last year the band made a deal
with a bar in an island shopping to set
up outside in a small offshoot of the
parking lot.
Turn to Page 19 - Back Talk
Reelect
Senator Jeff Chapman is known for his
commitment to the citizens of Georgia’s
3rd District, putting the good of the
people ahead of politics.
Jeff is unopposed by a Democratic Party candidate.
• The winner of this primary will be our State Senator.
• To vote for Jeff, ask for the Republican ballot.
• Your vote in this Primary will not affect your party affiliation
when you vote in the General Election in November.
JOIN CITIZENS FOR JEFF. VOTE JULY 15th.
www.j effchapman .us
Paid for by Jeff Chapman for State Senate, P.O. Box 3119, Brunswick, GA 31521
* * Jeff * *
Chapman
pOXRUJN
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