Being part of something larger

In the fall of 2012, I was invited to participate in a strategic leadership visit. A sizable group of Fayette County leaders representing multiple constituencies (business, civic, government, education, social service and — yes — religious interests) traveled to Williamson County, Tenn., just outside of Nashville.

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Week 1 report from the General Assembly

On Monday, Jan. 13, the state legislature convened for day one of the 2014 session.

As always occurs the first week of the session, Georgia’s representatives, senators, state constitutional officers and members of the Georgia Court of Appeals and Georgia Supreme Court gathered in the House Chamber to hear Governor Deal deliver the State of the State Address.

Gov. Deal delivered a very positive and forward-looking speech and took the opportunity to underline many of the positive things happening right now in our state.

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Fact-free liberalism

Someone summarized Barack Obama in three words — “educated,” “smart” and “ignorant.” Unfortunately, those same three words would describe all too many of the people who come out of our most prestigious colleges and universities today.

President Obama seems completely unaware of how many of the policies he is trying to impose have been tried before, in many times and places around the world, and have failed time and again.

Economic equality? That was tried in the 19th century, in communities set up by Robert Owen, the man who coined the term “socialism.” Those communities all collapsed.

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Little girl with red dirt feet

Most husbands, if they carry a photo of their wives, like for it to be one of glamour and beauty. That would not be my husband.

On his iPhone as his screen saver, the image that comes up every time he turns on or opens his phone, is a photo he found tucked away one day.

It is a little red-headed, freckle-faced 3-year-old with laughing eyes, chubby cheeks and a big smile. I am seated, bare-footed, on the front porch of our little brick house with a stubby arm thrown around my bushy-haired collie mutt who weighed more than I.

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Too many federal rules? Local regulations just as bad

I am sick and tired of being told what to do by bureaucrats who have no business or right to stick their nose into my business. I am sure many others have the same issue with government.

Everyone talks about Obamacare and all the bad federal attacks on our basic freedom. Freedom to do what we want as long as we don’t hurt others is the basis of our country. But have you considered our local regulatory environment?

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Can’t get ‘boil water’ notices, but water bills arrive on time

My sincere thanks go to John Munford for his recent article about the boil water advisory in The Coventry subdivision.

Sadly, I had to read about this advisory in The Citizen several hours (and multiple glasses of water) after my neighbors received the hand-delivered bright orange notice from Fayette County Water System.

I contacted Mr. Lee Pope directly to discuss the circumstances under which my house was missed while other residents received timely notification.

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In real world, pay raise comes after you show you deserve it

I am stunned to read at the top of the front page of today’s Citizen, “New Mayor, New Council = Pay Raise?”

The article says that the newly installed mayor and council of Peachtree City are seriously considering voting for an immediate 100 percent pay raise for themselves.

To these “public servants,” most of whom are newly elected to their offices, I can only ask, “This is a joke, right?” I mean, it’d better be, because, if it isn’t, it can only mean that all of you have gone completely out of your minds!

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Some facts for Mr. Parker . . .

[Editor’s note: This is in response to Timothy Parker’s letter of Jan. 15.]

Thank you, Mr. Parker, for your commentary on my article, “Ms. Willis’ socialism column nonfactual.” However, you are mistaken when you qualify my article as “nonfactual” on a couple of fronts.

1. The most glaring mistake you make is failing to recognize that my account is from the perspective of someone who was actually there in Vietnam during the post-Vietnam War period.

Any historian will tell you that first-hand accounts are the most valued sources of research when seeking to understand an event.

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Ask Father Paul

Answers to your questions about life, religion and the Bible

Body, soul and spirit

Dear Father Paul:  I am a Christian. The Bible talks about our body, soul and spirit. I understand the “body.”  But what is the “soul” and the “spirit?”  They seem like the same thing.  Is there a difference? And if there is, what is it? — C.N.?

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