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They get it! (Publisher's note: The following editoral, titled Think regional or dissappear, appeared in Monday's Valdosta Daily Times. They understand the uphill battle "the other Georgia" is facing.) The General Assembly's Joint Study Committee on Transportation Funding held a recent meeting in Valdosta followed this week by more of the same in Atlanta to discuss the future of how the Department of Transportation's funds should be spent. There was no reason to have the pretense of holding meetings around the state, as the one here was timed to coincide with a pleasure trip for the committee's chairs, Sen. Jeff Mullis and Rep. Vance Smith, and it was evident in a private meeting with the Times editorial board that the conclusion has already been reached - spend all the department's money on Atlanta. The time worn ""what's good for Atlanta is good for the rest of the state" will soon dry up our water resources, drive away our transportation funds and if the new sales tax vs. property tax initiative passes, will drain money from our schools as well. It's clear that our state leadership is all about Atlanta, and the rest of Georgia is considered too rural, uneducated and uninformed to put up much of a fight when these decisions pass in the next General Assembly. The only way South Georgia will have a chance to keep our money and resources is by grouping together. Why doesn't Lowndes take the initiative and invite the leadership from the surrounding counties - which made us metro in the first place - to group together to improve our clout and bargaining on the state level. Put aside local politics and realize that this is a lopsided fight for our resources that we're not going to win if we can't present a united front to Atlanta.
It's tiresome to consistently hear about Atlanta's issues. Atlanta is too big, can't support itself, and maybe, just maybe, it's a good thing that industries and people are looking to leave. We know a great place with a great quality of life and few real traffic issues where they would be welcome. It's called Valdosta. But, if area leadership doesn't step up to the plate soon to protect this area, in a few years it'll be known as suburban Atlanta.
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