18 MAR 08: BAKER RAZING?

Judging from the e-mails I read, Monday night's Muscogee County School Board meeting could have been a testy affair. An online campaign called for a big protest by all Baker High School alumni. That was really sneaky of Uptown Columbus - to distract so many of them away, by offering green beer.

The Muscogee County School Board voted to sell the old Baker High School building at Benning Road and Victory Drive. The new owner will be Place Properties of Atlanta - and some Baker alumni fear that means the building will be bulldozed. At least the machinery is waiting right next door, at what's left of the Baker Village Apartments....

While nothing is official yet, Place Properties is expected to turn the Baker High School site into apartments for the military. Some alums warned in e-mails this would result in the destruction of South Columbus's most "historically significant property." We may be reaching the point where that title gets passed to a Victory Drive strip motel.

An e-mail appeal in recent days made some serious accusations about the sale of the Baker High School property. One accused land broker Kennon Parker Duncan and Key of discrimination, for refusing to consider options preserving the building. Come to think of it, the sign outside never called it a "fixer-upper."

The e-mail campaign also claimed another bidder wanted to turn the Baker High School building into "assisted living" for older people. This seemed like an interesting idea - to put those people in a building almost as old as they are.

Baker High School graduate Terry Nunelly Todd appealed to the school board to at least postpone a vote on the sale for 30 days. She noted Baker alumni plan to hold a big reunion this October. As if they were going to hold the reunion in that rundown building?! Even Carver High graduates hold those things at the Trade Center.

Terry Nunelly Todd suggested the school board was interested only in the $1.3 million Place Properties was offering. In other words, she thought the district needed Baker's dough....

School board member and Columbus South backer Cathy Williams told Terry Nunelly Todd that in effect, she complained too late. Williams said Baker High School alumni should have objected to the building going on the district's "surplus list" in the first place. After all, we have too many school buildings now - and we certainly can't have that, with base realignment coming.

The final school board vote was 9-1 in favor of selling the Baker High School building to Place Properties. The lone vote against came from Patricia Hugley-Green. It's only fitting that a "Green" would make news on St. Patrick's Day....

A couple of things strike me as interesting about all this. For one thing, the Historic Columbus Foundation apparently has NOT intervened on behalf of preserving the Baker High School building. But this may say more about the foundation losing some clout in recent years - down to perhaps a few folding tables at Broadway Springfest in April.

It's also worth noting that Joseph Roberson voted for the sale of the Baker High School building. His South Columbus United Methodist Church is right down the street from there. So either he wants a revitalized neighborhood - or he'll be knocking on doors at those new apartments, seeking members.

Keep in mind that the Baker High School building's fate has been debated for years - ever since the new Baker Middle School opened. With Monday night's vote, the Muscogee County School Board finally has done something. Well, except the Columbus Fire Department will need a new place to do rescue training. How many vacant storefronts does Peachtree Mall have?

E-MAIL UPDATE: We still haven't received any scores from opening day of Pioneer Little League. But we HAVE heard again about something else....

Richard!!!

For all of those people that say that the uniforms at DCR are not "poor quality" and is worth the $75.00, I have a picture.

As you know, opening day was this past Saturday. We also had a game that day. My child played for 2 of the 5 innings we had and I washed his uniform that night.

GUESS WHAT!!!! The pants didn't last through the FIRST wash!!! The company logo fell off of the pocket. I was so amazed and honestly p.o.'d that I got my camera to take a picture. It is sooooo obvious that this is missing. AND AFTER ONE WASH!!

So there you go Pioneer board members! I paid $75.00 for a cheap uniform from the company that you "recommended".

This raises one big question right away - did you use water as hot as the Pioneer board has been facing?

If a logo tag falls off, does this mean an entire pair of pants is ruined? The picture we received doesn't show any other rip in the clothing. And if Alleson Athletic hasn't bought a sign on the outfield fence, the Pioneer Little League officials probably don't care.

We've also been meaning to get to this two-part e-mail, which has us scratching our head a bit:

I am thankful child is fine, I am normally a sane person.........take child to "doc in box" Major eye problem, 2 prescriptions "get him to opthamologist ASAP ......go to chain drug store..get 2 prescriptions..one of which is $78..try to ask about it and "the Pharmacist " has stepped out.........so go home use $6 antibiotic...don't open other till opthamologist visit next morning.. Opthamologist says he doesn't see same problem as Doc in the box...don't need $78 prescription..in fact..he could give free sample if it were needed. Try to return $78 unopened antimflammatory to drug store chain "can't take that back"........call to doc in the box...."we did what we thought you needed" $78 bottle of antimflammatory for eye unopened for problem Opthamologist did not even see. There is something wrong with this picture and I am sure there is a sweet kickback somewhere as well as a Pharmacist who better have a good answer for where he was when corporate gives him a call. bummed....

and I forgot to mention the 80$ in co pays to both facilities...............frustrated

So who has the kickback here? The ophthalmologist? The pharmacist? The insurance company, for those co-pays? Or do patients feel like kicking themselves in the backside, for not getting that "second opinion" the first doctor hinted at to begin with?

With thanks that the child really is fine, let's quickly review other Monday headlines:

+ WRBL showed a Phenix City police car parked on the North Bypass, displaying the speed of drivers through the Riverchase construction zone. Sometimes the car has a real officer in it - and when that happens, the speeder becomes the dummy.

+ Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced he'll seek a federal disaster declaration for Atlanta. Of course, some pockets of the city were a disaster even before the tornado struck....

(Did you see the video of rainwater pouring down stairs, inside the Georgia World Congress Center? I won't be surprised if some hotel makes a bid for that stairwell, and turns it into a memorial fountain.)

+ The third annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Phenix City brought out a small crowd. In this part of the country, the day doesn't seem to be that big a deal. Now if they scheduled a parade for Jefferson Davis's birthday in June....

+ Instant Message to the people who argue, "Everybody's Irish on Saint Patrick's Day": Oh please - are you also going to argue everyone's a Christian this coming Sunday, on Easter?

To offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation, advertise to our readers or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 674 (+ 22, 3.4%)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 16: 1.45 miles jogged, 0.75 walked. Total: 51.60 miles run, 7.90 walked

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

17 MAR 08: BURN MONEY TO SAVE MONEY

It's becoming one of those sure signs of spring. The swallows return to Capistrano. The flowers start blooming at Callaway Gardens. And someone starts a grass-roots campaign to bring down gas prices. You've noticed how well those "don't drive Sundays" have worked, haven't you?

A Manchester man is attempting this year's grass-roots campaign against high gas prices. Pete Burns is having people sign petitions, demanding the government do something. That's nice - but it's not clear exactly what Burns wants the government to do. After all, Congress could order everyone to ride bicycles.

Pete Burns has already contacted government officials about his gas price petitions. He told WRBL Senator Saxby Chambliss advised him to get 50,000 signatures, before submitting them to Governor Perdue. Are you sure the Senator didn't really suggest a donation of $50,000?

As of this past weekend, Pete Burns says he has about 4,000 names on petitions across West Georgia - and that's in only two weeks. All Burns has to do is use a little liquid paper, and he could run for Congress as an independent.

Pete Burns dreams of making this a nationwide petition drive against high gas prices, with 500,000 signatures or more. This could attract a following in many cities. Well, except perhaps New York - where subways have been around for decades, and people actually use them.

Pete Burns took his petitions to LaGrange over the weekend. About 200 people signed them at various businesses. He even walked into a car dealership - where someone should have told him about the proposal in Congress to require higher gas mileage standards.

At one stop in LaGrange, Pete Burns explained his gas price petitions this way: "It doesn't say 'we the government.' It says 'we the people.'" That's true, of course - but then the first three articles of the Constitution deal with the creation of governmental branches, not a public referendum.

Pete Burns seemed to drive all over LaGrange. He drove to drug stores. He drove to restaurants. He.... hey, wait a minute! Isn't this part of the problem? Burns is driving! Shouldn't he save fuel, and do his petition "driving" online?

At the risk of bursting Pete Burns's bubble, I fear this petition campaign is a bit misguided. First of all, he's driving around to get lower gas prices. The managers of his neighborhood gas station may be snickering behind his back - or at least at the bank.

For another thing, I have this funny feeling Congress already knows about the high price of gasoline. The cost of flying home to their districts keeps going up -- not to mention the limousine drivers in Washington demanding raises.

But perhaps Pete Burns can persuade Georgia's governor to take some kind of action against high gas prices. You may recall Sonny Perdue suspended state fuel taxes for a month in 2005. Of course, there might be complaints if he did it now - because the state budget is tight, and public school teachers would at least like to finish the year.

By the way, I filled my gas tank Sunday for $3.14 a gallon at Dolly Madison on Victory Drive. And signs on the windows apologized not for the high price of gas, but rising bread costs - up to $1.39 for a loaf of whole wheat bread. This is NOT my idea of a price war....

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION related to the Lauren Burk murder case ended Sunday night - and by an overwhelming margin, voters said news coverage was NOT overdone (1-6). But half the voters chose the "middle option," saying some news outlets have gone too far while others have not. Greta Van Susteren should stick to those sex scandals in the New York governor's mansion.

One voter commented during the poll that the real issue isn't too much coverage of the Lauren Burk killing -- it's a lack of coverage for other murder cases across the area. But wouldn't this make the evening news a morbid place? Why, there might not be time left over to watch Mayor Wetherington fly upside-down in an airplane.

BLOG UPDATE: How about them Dawgs! The Georgia men's basketball team finished the impossible weekend Sunday, by winning the Southeastern Conference championship. When the final buzzer sounded, Bulldog radio announcer Scott Howard still had a voice - but it sounded almost as raspy as Larry Munson's.

Georgia jumped out to a 26-9 lead, then held on for a 66-57 win over Arkansas. The Bulldogs wound up winning three games in 30 hours - and by doing it at Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Georgia Tech may never have a home-court advantage in their rivalry again.

Georgia Coach Dennis Felton explained to ESPN Radio Sunday night he wanted both semifinal games played on Sunday, to avoid the Bulldogs playing a Saturday doubleheader. The Southeastern Conference turned him down, which apparently inspired Felton to make his team play angrier. But how much angrier would Florida have been, to be bumped from a tournament spot on Monday?

Georgia goes to the NCAA tournament with a 17-16 record. Yet the selection committee made the Bulldogs a #14 seed, which is still better than at least nine conference champions. If I worked for 16^th-seeded Portland State, I'd be calling Athens today about setting up a showdown next December.

As for the other side of the river: how strange is it that South Alabama made the NCAA tournament, Alabama State and Alabama-Birmingham made the N.I.T. - while Alabama and Auburn both are staying home? Either bring in some better players, or start scheduling non-conference games against Troy and Jacksonville State.

BIG PREDICTION: Georgia's amazing run isn't finished yet - as I'm picking the Bulldogs to defeat Xavier in their opening tournament game on Thursday. After that, we'll see. Let's take it one game at a time - which is 50 percent less than Georgia did things on Saturday.

E-MAIL UPDATE: The debate over dissolving the city of Hurtsboro has taken an interesting turn. We've been passed this comment, which was left at the WRBL web site:

R.J. Schweiger you need to sit your racist behind down somewhere, you can't stand the fact that the mayor is black and the majority of the city council is black. People like you need to put the pass behind them and move on this is a new day and age and belive it or not black people stand for something and have many leadership positions, what makes Hurtsboro any different. So get off you wagon of do nothing and racisim, and do something that will help the city of Hurtsboro. P.S. You look like a fool on TV with those dark glasses on.

Now hold on a minute! I don't know the ethnic background of Hurtsboro's police chief. But I've talked to enough business owners there to know the Constable is NOT racist. He upsets people of all skin colors equally.

To offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation, advertise to our readers or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 652 (- 22, 3.3%)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 15: Racquetball practice, 45 minutes. Total: 50.15 miles run, 7.15 walked

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

16 MAR 08: DAWGS WITH NINE LIVES

It's one thing to play a day-night doubleheader in baseball. It's another thing to do that in basketball. And in the middle of a major college tournament? A tournament where the arena was damaged by a tornado, in the middle of a game? This isn't "March Madness" - it's Roundball Ridiculous.

Yet the Georgia men's basketball team did the seemingly impossible Saturday. The Bulldogs won two games in the same day, to advance to today's Southeastern Conference finals. This might actually get some Georgia football fans to get their minds off spring practice....

Georgia's quarterfinal game against Kentucky was supposed to be played late Friday night. But then an F-2 tornado hit downtown Atlanta, and ripped a hole in the roof of the Georgia Dome during the Alabama-Mississippi State game. I'm still not sure which player made the big shot, which blew the roof off that place.

This was NOT the first time the Georgia Dome's roof has been damaged. A less severe storm did the same thing on a Saturday night during the 1990's, at the end of a Falcons exhibition game. I noticed it the next morning as I walked into CNN Center, mentioned it to my newsroom co-workers - and no one seemed to care until it was the top story on WSB-TV's noon news.

But Friday night's storm was even worse, as insulation fell from the Georgia Dome roof onto fans. Now there's a one-of-a-kind souvenir -- although it might be hard to get Coach Dennis Felton to sign a piece of fiberglass.

The Southeastern Conference finished the Alabama-Mississippi State game, then decided to postpone the Georgia-Kentucky game. On top of that, the S.E.C. moved the tournament from the Georgia Dome to Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Couldn't the Columbus Civic Center have moved those monster trucks to the football stadium?

(The tournament couldn't be moved to Philips Arena, because it was booked for a Saturday night Christian music concert which was canceled. But who was the genius who scheduled an Atlanta Hawks home game Friday night, next door to the Georgia Dome? As if the Los Angeles Clippers really are a more interesting draw?)

So there were Georgia and Kentucky playing at midday Saturday, on Georgia Tech's home court. To their credit, there were no reports of either team stomping on the yellowjacket or the Atlantic Coast Conference logos in a protest....

The winner of Georgia-Kentucky had to return Saturday night for an 8:30 p.m. game - so they wound up with the one thing neither team probably wanted: overtime. Georgia won its second overtime nailbiter in a row 60-56. That's OK -- we wouldn't want those spoiled Kentucky players to be overworked before the NCAA tournament begins.

True confession: I usually turn off the TV on Friday nights, turn the radio to religious music and avoid all news for 24 hours of rest. So when people at church Saturday mentioned tornadoes in Atlanta, I didn't know what they were talking about. I never expected one would strike downtown - because I didn't think there would be room for one, amid all those tall buildings.

(My sympathies to former co-workers at CNN. The network's headquarters apparently had serious damage, including a computer blown out a window. I can't wait to see Anderson Cooper walking through ceiling tiles, demanding faster federal intervention.)

Since I was as much in the dark as thousands of Atlanta residents, I was surprised to turn on WRBL Saturday night and see the Southeastern Conference semifinals in progress. And when I saw the game being played at Georgia Tech, I realized something must have gone wrong at the Georgia Dome. At least that city has a "Thriller Dome" as a backup.

After my Saturday night run and a trip to dinner, I was further surprised -- as Georgia was playing Mississippi State in the second semifinal game, and the arena had large numbers of empty seats. I didn't realize admission was limited to players' families. I figured all the Kentucky fans had left town.

Most fans (including me) probably expected Georgia to run out of gas, playing two games in ten hours. Yet the Bulldogs received a break or two in the final minute to beat Mississippi State 64-60. When it was all over, the most tired Bulldog in the building seemed to be radio broadcaster Scott Howard. His voice was so worn, Larry Munson might have to be on stand-by today.

Georgia freshman Billy Humphrey didn't seem that surprised about the doubleheader sweep. He said in a post-game interview: "We've faced things worse than tornadoes this season." After being suspended from the team twice, he ought to know....

(Humphrey admitted his freshman season has included some "young decisions, bad decisions." Yet he was still on the team to score some big points in the final minutes - which I thought was a bad decision by his coach.)

Georgia Coach Dennis Felton expressed hope the Southeastern Conference will find a way to admit more fans, for today's final round against Arkansas. That probably won't be a problem. With Kentucky and Tennessee both eliminated, I'm not sure enough Bulldog fans can change their fishing plans to attend.

The Southeastern Conference did Georgia a favor, by delaying today's tipoff from 1:00 to 3:30 - but in the process, the game moved from CBS to ESPN-2. If I was a manager at WRBL, I'd be on the phone demanding permission to show today's game. Wellll - then again, I'd be asking ESPN for permission to show the Big 12 final between Kansas and Texas instead.

E-MAIL UPDATE: After an off-season of controversy, Pioneer Little League opened a new season Saturday. But amazingly, new information surfaced about problems with another local Little League program. It comes in an e-mail passed on to the blog....

Parents,



As you know, at the beginning of this year, 2008, I was suspended by Northern LL for one year for an incident that supposedly happened at the beach cookout last August in Ft Myers, FL. I accepted this suspension under the understanding that this was coming from the St Petersburg, FL office (Jen Colvin, Southern Region LL Director).



I was told by Allen McMullen, president of Northern LL, that one of the parents of my Jr all-star team had filed a complaint against me in writing to St Petersburg (Jen Colvin). I was told by Allen McMullen that St Pete conducted a formal investigation on this matter and wrote a recommendation to Northern LL to suspend my coaching privileges. Allen also told me that he personally conducted a formal investigation on this matter.



I asked Allen if I could see the "letter of complaint". I was denied. I asked Allen if I could see the results of the "formal investigations", I was again denied. I asked Allen if I could see the recommendation that came from St Pete (Jen Colvin). Needless to say, I was again denied.



On Tuesday, March 4th, 2008, I paid Bernard Ashley a visit. Bernard Ashley is the District 8 Administrator. He is over all of the little leagues in this area. I asked him what he knew of my situation/suspension. He said he had heard nothing about it. He also said that this was the first time he had heard anything about it. He told me that anytime St Pete gets involved in a situation, they will contact him first to see what's going on. No such contact was made.



I asked Bernard if he would call Jen Colvin (St Pete) and ask her if she knew anything about my suspension. Bernard called Jen while I was sitting there and asked her if she knew anything about an incident in Ft Myers, FL or anything about my suspension. She said, "No". She said that if Allen had called her, the only thing that she would have done was to point out to Allen what the rules say about this matter and that's it.



This means that St Pete did not see a "letter of complaint". There was not a "formal investigation" by St Pete. There was not a recommendation by St Pete to suspend my coaching privileges.



As you can see, we have a very serious problem here. We have a league president that has misled me, misled the board of directors at Northern, and misled the league as a whole.



Here is what I am proposing to you, Northern LL parents. Please let Jen Colvin and Bernard Ashley know how you feel about all of this. Whether it is good or bad, they need to know. Please don't delay in giving your opinion on this matter. It needs to be taken care of as soon as possible.



If you would, when you contact Jen Colvin, please copy Bernard Ashley in on the email. I want both of them to know how you feel about this matter....

I have attached the email that I sent to Jen Colvin and Bernard Ashley last week. I have not heard anything back from Jen as of yet.

I have also attached the letter that I wrote to the Northern LL board of directors back in January.

I am sorry to drop this all in your lap, but this is something that all of you, and the whole league, needs to know about. Bear in mind I am not politic-ing to get my two teams back. I just want the truth to come out and this is only the tip of the iceburg.



Thank you,



Gary [Miller]

Let's notice one difference right away between Pioneer and Northern Little Leagues. The Northern, the problems involving coaches happen out of state.

We admittedly have lacked time over the last couple of days to make any phone calls about this matter. So does anyone know what happened at this beach cookout in Fort Myers? Can a Little League coach get in trouble for undercooking burgers, and running the risk of e.coli infections?

Let's take one more e-mail, about a big weekend event in Columbus:

I find it funny that on the Columbus GA Event Calendar the poster for Monster Jam has Columbus spelled wrong...



Here is the link...

Sad to say, this error doesn't surprise me at all. I've spotted terrible spelling errors all over Columbus over the years. It took one accounting firm years to discover its sign along Wynnton Road was spelled "accountnig."

Now let's see what else is catching our attention this weekend....

+ Columbus Police reported someone robbed Dinglewood Pharmacy on Wynnton Road, stealing about $50,000 in prescription drugs. Well, that's a relief - he didn't touch any of the scrambled dogs.

+ Keep Columbus Beautiful staged its annual "Great Columbus Clean-Up." I'm pleased to report I did my part - and almost all the grunge is gone from my bathroom sink.

+ The annual "Thunder in the Valley" show began at the Columbus Airport. This year's event includes not only shows by pilots, but classic cars - and when you start some of those antiques from the 1960's, they're probably almost as noisy as the planes.

(Mayor Jim Wetherington went for a ride in an aerobatic plane Friday, and admitted the flips in the air had his stomach turning. Imagine how he'll feel in July, right before the sales tax vote.)

+ A Thomaston funeral home was fined $800 by a Georgia state board, because it had no adult caskets on hand when a state inspector showed up. State rules require all funeral homes to have an inventory of eight adult caskets. I think they got this number from the cast of "The Addams Family."

+ An Alexander City police officer was arrested, on charges of beating a spectator at Talladega Superspeedway with a baton. Why didn't this officer do what most of the Talladega fans do - and throw beer cans at the guy?

+ Randall Tharp won the FLW bass fishing tournament at Lake Eufaula. Phenix City's Ryan Ingram finished second, only 14 ounces behind. The only other sport I know where weight matters this much is weightlifting - and weightlifters don't tend to wear Kellogg's Sugar Frosted Flakes logos on their outfits.

(So with a second-place catch of 62 pounds five ounces, does this qualify Ryan Ingram to appear on "The Biggest Loser?")

+ The Associated Press reported the Atlanta Falcons plan to trade cornerback D'Angelo Hall to Oakland. If this deal goes through, the Falcons had better draft a high-profile quarterback in April - or else this team may have no ego at all.

+ Instant Message to the man who stopped me in a grocery store parking lot, and asked if I wanted to sell my car: No, seriously - I meant that. If I sell it to you then and there, I face a walk home of more than two miles. AND I'd have to clean out my trunk. And I don't carry a wheelbarrow, to cart all that stuff with me.

To offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation, advertise to our readers or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 674 (+ 29, 4.5%)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 14: 2.8 miles jogged, 1.35 miles walked. Total: 40.95 miles run, 7.15 walked

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

for 15 MAR 08: WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS?

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: You may find this item humorous, serious, or a little of both - but we offer these thoughts from time to time, as we keep a seventh-day Sabbath.)

As promised, today we return to an e-mail sent us earlier in the week by Daniel Jordan. We didn't note it at the time, but this is the man who was accused of locking up important computers at Cascade Hills Church. And who knows - he might have inspired the sermon series "The Emotion-Driven Life," with that message on anger management.

Daniel Jordan wrote a lengthy, thought-provoking letter to the Ledger-Enquirer in recent days, and he offered to share it with blog readers as well:

just so you know:

I was not bared from speaking about my story, only from contacting the church.

I did ask forgiveness from Bill Purvis as well as apologized for everything, including the things I said that although true, were hurtful. I offered to do whatever necessary to make things right.

It saddens me to know that during my employment at Cascade Hills I received excellent review scores and the maximum allowable, and in one case 35% (percent) more than the "maximum" raise at each review. In addition I did many things outside of my job description to help other departments and individuals. Now the very ones who offered praise and admonition; because of my willingness to "go the extra mile" during the time I was on staff, are now so eager to turn on me.

I by no means claim that I am blameless in any of this, but I do know that all of this arguing among Christians could not possibly help the cause of Christ, much less help the irreligious decide to set foot inside a church. It is time for this to end.

I have already asked forgiveness from Bill Purvis once, and if it is necessary I will ask again. I would have done it in person months ago

except I was told If I contacted or got near Bill I would be arrested again. However, I am sorry for anything I did to Bill, or anyone else and I do not have a problem telling him as many times as he needs to hear it.

I am sure of one thing, Christ is forgiving, and He proved that more than once as He walked among men.

In John Chapter 8 it reads, "The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.

Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.

Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her.

"Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?"

"No one, Master."

"Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."

(copied from THE MESSAGE)

Although we may never know what Jesus wrote in the dirt that day, it is fun to imagine what it might have been. Many speculate that he began to write out the sins of those standing around him. I would have to doubt that, it just doesn't seem like something Christ would have done, That would be to much like a modern day blog or comment section. Regardless of what he might have written, he forgave the women, encouraged her and sent her own her way warning her against sinning any further.

The Truth is, the people had every right by religious law and mans law to stone her. The Truth is, Jesus would have been well within his right to look around and pick up the biggest most jagged stone he could find and throw it as hard as he could. Even by his own statement, he was within his right to cast the first stone. He of course was the ONE among them without sin. I find comfort in knowing that, the one who could have by all counts cast the first stone, did not.

I understand there is a great deal of emotion and hurt involved on all sides and I can understand both sides wanting to get their point

across. It is human nature, and many of the points are valid. However, there is a time for healing and reconciliation, and I trust that this time has come, a time for an olive branch if you will.

I ask that everyone place your stones on the ground and walk away. Stop the hurting all of those involved and stop hurting the cause of Christ. Once again for anyone who has been hurt in this accept my apology and I ask your forgiveness. May Christ forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Thank You,

Dan Jordan

I can't really improve on anything Dan has written here. But it's interesting to me that hardly any of the rumbling involving Cascade Hills Church has involved what Bill Purvis is preaching. It's almost all about what's happening "Behind the Scenes" - and given all the speculation, I'm surprised those monthly tapes aren't immediate sellouts.

From my own experience, I know how hard it is to seek forgiveness from someone you've hurt. But at least I've done my part and sought it, based on the Bible. Several people have refused to reply to those offers, which is admittedly their choice. If Eliot Spitzer's wife wants to contact them with guidance, she can e-mail me.

Yet forgiveness is possible, even in difficult situations. Did you see Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton talking together at the U.S. Senate the other day? They didn't start pushing and shoving, or even pointing accusing fingers. That's all left, of course, to the campaign staffs....

SCHEDULED SUNDAY: A new Little League blow-up.... and it has nothing to do with Pioneer....

To offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation, advertise to our readers or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 645 (- 71, 9.0%, record low)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 12-13: 1.0 miles walked, racquetball practice. Total: 38.15 miles run, 5.8 walked

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

13 MAR 08: TRAILERS, TRAMPS AND TRASH

Robert Sawyer is free and clear! The Smiths Station City Council member was found NOT guilty of criminal tampering, in that Lee County Court trial. The way Sawyer explained it to me Wednesday night, the case rightly was assigned to Judge Russell Bush - because the accusation was downright bush-league.

Robert Sawyer told your blog two residents at his mobile home park "didn't pay their rent, so I shut off their power." And for that, he was arrested on criminal tampering charges?! There are times when "power to the people" is NOT a free right.

From the court records we reviewed online, this was the first time Robert Sawyer has been dragged into court by one of his mobile home park residents. But he says the threat of legal action is a problem for anyone with rental property. I suppose renters can fly off the handle, even when their toilet handles fly off.

Robert Sawyer said something is in the works in Alabama state government to protect rental property owners from frivolous legal action. When we asked for details, Sawyer said, "I don't want to let the cat of the bag just yet." At my apartment complex, the cat would stay in the bag until it's driven to the humane society.

We also found out where Robert Sawyer was Tuesday night, when we called him after his Lee County trial. It was a little thing called a Smiths Station City Council meeting - so his victory celebration depended on whether the meeting ended early, and any restaurants in town were still open.

At that meeting Tuesday night, Robert Sawyer says the city took action to regulate "junkyards" in Smiths Station. By that, he means residential yards with junk in them -- the people who seem to be waiting for East Alabama Motor Speedway to hold a demolition derby.

Robert Sawyer says Smiths Station officials don't want junky-looking yards next to nice expensive homes. "How would you like it if rundown cars were sitting next door to your house?" he asked. I didn't think to tell him about my next-door neighbor's orange Volkswagen Beetle. He fires up the engine about once a month, but I think you'd have to attach bicycle pedals to get it up some hills.

(Then there's the other neighbor, who has kept a car door propped against the side of the apartment building for months. A man actually drove by one morning, saw me outside and asked if the door was for sale. I wouldn't have minded much if he stole it.)

If a car can run and is under repair, Robert Sawyer can understand that. But he says Smiths Station wants to get rid of the ones which have been up on blocks for years. And let's face it - there's been no announcement that the "World's Longest Yard Sale" is expanding, to start south of Gadsden.

Russell County passed yard rules along these lines in the late 1990's. But Robert Sawyer made it sound like Smiths Station is more concerned about the expensive homes - that perhaps nearby junk cars hurt their value. But the way the housing market is going, the day may come when you can trade in a few old cars to make a nice down payment on a home.

BLOG SPECIAL EVENT: Today is Day 12 of the Walk Georgia challenge - and we have an interesting note from one member of our Blog of Columbus team:

I'm sorry Richard I did not do anything today! I was useless but I promise to get back on track tomorrow. And what in the world is housework doing on that list?!

that just seems wrong to me.



I was just reading an article on wtvm and at the end it said rburkard producer...is that you? If so I gotta say that was really funny the other day... Aurburm! Y'all fixed it quick though.



And I ask Vals son about him getting naked! OMG its true... that explains his son though



Samantha

It's OK if you take a day off in the pursuit. I did one night last week, because of work commitments and poker night. Maybe if I danced around the table like Humberto Brenes, instead of sitting still all evening....

Yes, people in the Walk Georgia are allowed to record "housework" as exercise. You may not know how strenuous it can be to pull your lounge chairs into the middle of the living room, so you can vacuum behind them.

I'm personally glad housework is a Walk Georgia option, because my annual Serious Spring Cleaning is about to start. It takes several weeks to clean everything up, from the bathtub to the kitchen. I'll climb up. I'll kneel down. And I'm hoping I don't find any hidden overdue bills, like school board members have.

Yes, I work at a local TV station when they need me. But I do NOT work in the nude, like Val McGuinness used to do on AM radio [14 Feb]. The official policy is to "dress professionally" - and it doesn't refer to one of those "professionals" on Victory Drive.

By the way, Samantha is turning into the star of the Blog of Columbus team. The Walk Georgia stat sheet shows as of Wednesday night, she's in the top 25 in miles traveled - and our four-person team has moved up to 10^th place, out of 25 teams. One team ahead of us is NeighborWorks Columbus. Of course, they have an unfair advantage of working on Habitat for Humanity homes right now.

Check our "Trudge Report" below for daily updates on this blogger's contribution. Now let's walk around the Wednesday news desk....

+ Circle K attracted long lines for a two-hour gasoline sale on Warm Springs Road, with regular unleaded marked down to $2.99 a gallon. You call this a sale?! I could have had that price in Opelika back in the good old days -- about two weeks ago.

(WVRK-FM was live at this alleged gas sale. So why wasn't the price marked down to a "Rock $1.03?" The difference between Davis Broadcasting and Clear Channel is growing every day....)

+ The Georgia Senate approved a bill to ban dogfighting, and make spectators subject to arrest. Sen. Chip Rogers explained the spectators are "the reason for the fight." Several Columbus Cottonmouth players knew that a long time ago.

+ WLTZ showed Valera O'Blenness bowling with a team at Peach Lanes - at age 98. Instant Message to self: Avoid this bowling center at all costs. Not only will this woman show me up, I'm not sure I can bowl her age.

+ The Atlanta Falcons re-signed quarterback Joey Harrington, one week after releasing him. Was this really a salary cap stunt with his contract? Or did the team fear he'd be confused with that other Harrington - the one the F.B.I. is after now?

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: Unless breaking news demands a change, Friday will be an off day for this blog. Our next scheduled post will be for Saturday.)

To offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation, advertise to our readers or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 716 (+ 34, 5.0%)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 11: 2.6 miles jogged, 1.2 miles walked. Total: 32.15 miles run, 4.8 walked

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

for 12 MAR 08: MCVAY OUT OF THE WAY

The first time we heard of her, our title was "McVay IN the Way" [8 Jan 07]. Today we come full circle, as the ethics case involving her has done the same thing. She was in, now she's out -- so Constable Robert Schweiger can celebrate, and shake it all about.

BLOG EXCLUSIVE: A Russell County prosecutor told your blog Tuesday afternoon that Mae Dell McVay has agreed to resign from the Hurtsboro City Council, and NOT run for public office there again. It's part of an agreement between McVay and the District Attorney's office - and to sum it up: Mae Dell may not.

Assistant District Attorney Joe Edwards told me his office filed a "nolle prosequi" motion in Russell County court Monday, on the day McVay was supposed to stand trial on ethics charges. Shame on those of you who think Russell County residents are uneducated! You've got to know some Latin to file something like this....

Joe Edwards calls this a "nol-pro" motion - which means the prosecution no longer is interested in pursuing charges against Mae Dell McVay. "It's not a dismissal, but it IS a dismissal," he told me. Someone should buy Edwards a plane ticket to Tallahassee, to settle that Florida Democratic primary mess.

Joe Edwards said in exchange for the nol-pro motion being filed in Russell County Court, Mae Dell McVay agreed to leave Hurtsboro city government. Edwards believes she filed the resignation papers Friday or Monday - which means they be discovered by someone at Hurtsboro City Hall sometime next week.

The Assistant District Attorney explained this nol-pro motion was "in the best interests of Hurtsboro." I suppose Constable Schweiger will be satisfied with Mae Dell McVay leaving the City Council. He should be -- considering he was found in contempt of court last October, and still has his job.

(We're not sure why, but we haven't heard from Robert Schweiger since he prevailed in our Big Blog Question last month. Perhaps he's busy with his campaign to have the city of Hurtsboro dissolved. Or perhaps he's doing what many reporters have struggled for months to do - get a picture of the mayor.

It sounds to my Perry Mason-era ears that the prosecutor reached a plea bargain with Mae Dell McVay - except the bargain had no plea. She made no admission of guilt. But if she tries to run for Hurtsboro city office again, the ethics charges could be restored. So she might actually take Bob Schweiger's side, and support dissolving the town.

So what about that Smiths Station City Council member, who went to trial Tuesday? We called Robert Sawyer Tuesday night to find out, but he had NOT returned our message, as of our deadline. We don't know if he was cleared of criminal tampering, and went out to celebrate - or if he was convicted, and hustled off to prison to join Don Siegelman.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Tuesday's 60-degree F. day made Saturday's snow seem like a distant memory, but one reader remembered something even bigger....

Nothing like shutting down CSG for a week, especially for us high school students! I measured exactly 14" on the top of my 1969 Mustang.

Take care,

Craig

Wow - what a storm this area had in 1973! Butler had more than 18 inches of snow. And the big "weather scam" after that probably was a tractor-trailer driver who rolled into town selling snowmobiles.

Now let's see what else is making news, in the here and now....

+ Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington explained to the evening news why the Zachary Allen police investigation is taking so long. He said more than 50 interviews have been conducted - and besides, police have been busy handling other cases. So trust the city for that one-percent sales tax, and we'll settle misconduct complaints in half the time.

+ Opelika Police showed off a new kind of patrol vehicle. It's a battery-powered one-person T-3, which looks a lot like a Segway. Thanks to this, no one will be able to call officers "flatfoots" again.

+ WRBL reported the Russell County Commission is asking the state of Alabama to open an unemployment center in the county. Some people have wondered why hiring fairs for Phenix City businesses take place in Columbus. But let's face it - has anyone seen delegates from the Columbus Chamber of Commerce at those fairs, trying to recruit job-seekers away?

(Russell County Commissioner Peggy Martin explained an unemployment office is needed there because "our people need jobs." For instance, an office in Phenix City would need at least six staff members right off the bat.)

+ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution listed the "most absent lawmakers" of the 2008 legislative session. Rep. Calvin Smyre made the top ten, with 52 missed votes. Smyre has been busy this year as President of a national Black Legislators' organization - but apparently they don't allow voting by laptop from Little Rock or Baton Rouge.

(Muscogee County Republicans sent out e-mails about this list, with the title "Where's Calvin?" Shame on me -- I saw this title, and wondered if WLTZ had hired a new host for "Rise N Shine.")

+ The Georgia Senate approved new rules for professional boxing, martial arts and wrestling events. Murmurs swept through the room when the Senate President declared pro wrestling is "not a real fight." [True/GPB] We'll never get Great Championship Wrestling back from Phenix City this way....

+ The Columbus State University softball team played its first home games of the season, after 23 in a row on the road. I thought C.S.U. had a strong softball program - but when you're not even in town for the Leadoff Classic?!

+ The Columbus Cottonmouths hosted Jacksonville on "Luau Night." The game was still in progress at our post time -- but I hope no one tried to stuff an apple in Boomer the mascot's mouth.

+ Instant Message to Anne Murray: I could have changed my schedule Tuesday night, and happily sung with you at the RiverCenter. But I never heard about any open tryouts asking, "Hey hey - what about you?"

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: Yup, another Blog Exclusive prompted us to post early again. We're still planning to post at around 8:30 a.m. ET Thursday and Friday -- news permitting, of course.)

To offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation, advertise to our readers or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 682 (+ 20, 3.0%)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 10: 3.3 miles jogged, 0.6 miles walked. Total: 29.55 miles run, 3.6 walked

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

UPDATE 1/9:10pm....

for 11 MAR 08: COUNCILORS NEEDING COUNSEL

What's going on around here? I mean, 2008 is an election year. You'd think politicians would be on their best behavior. Instead, we may have two east Alabama council members on trial today in different courtrooms -- and imagine if either of them dared to call someone a monster.

BLOG EXCLUSIVE: A Smiths Station City Council member is scheduled for a Lee County bench trial today [Tuesday]. Robert Sawyer was arrested less than two months ago - so this could be the speediest trial this side of a NASCAR tribunal.

Robert Sawyer was arrested in late January, on two counts of second-degree criminal tampering. He had to post a combined $1,500 bond. But the counts are misdemeanors, so I doubt Nancy Grace will be distracted from that other big court case in Lee County. Besides, Sawyer isn't a teenager -- he's 75.

Online court records didn't provide any details on this case. But the Alabama criminal code shows second-degree criminal tampering involves anyone who "intentionally tampers with property of another for the purpose of causing substantial inconvenience to that person or to another...." So you'd better not cover up your neighbor's Auburn bumper sticker on a game day.

Robert Sawyer owns a mobile home park on Lee Road 246, and lives on the grounds. So I suppose it's possible that a resident of "Sawyer's Mobile Home Estates" filed a complaint, because the manager tried to make some improvements. Painted concrete blocks for your mobile home do look a lot nicer....

Your blog called Robert Sawyer at his mobile home park Monday night for a comment. Sawyer told us he could NOT talk about the case until today's trial is over. As the late Johnnie Cochran might have said: He'll spill it all, once the gavel falls.

"I don't know what it's about," was the only detailed comment Robert Sawyer would give us about the two criminal tampering charges. Really?! You'd think law officers would have given at least a short explanation for those handcuffs in January....

Robert Sawyer said he's left the criminal tampering case in the hands of his attorney. There are advantages to this approach. If you're convicted of the charges and sentenced to jail, that's the real moment of discovery - when you discover your lawyer is incompetent, and thus you have grounds for appeal.

Meanwhile, the trial of a Hurtsboro City Council member on ethics charges apparently began Monday. Nothing in the online court records showed a further delay in the Mae Dell McVay case. Considering the Alabama Ethics Commission rebuked her 14 months ago, the only grounds for delay now might be the high price of driving from Hurtsboro to Phenix City.

And an e-mail to the blog Monday brought up political problems far from home....

CB& T must be rejoicing!



Spitzer Linked To Hooker Probe



Full story and documents can be found here:...

That's New York Governor Eliot Spitzer - and I won't be surprised if some hockey players also get connected to this investigation. After all, they're punished for hooking all the time.

(Assuming those charges are true, It looks like the Democrats running for President will need to find another candidate to serve as Attorney General. If Mrs. Clinton can make a comeback to the White House, why not Janet Reno?)

Why would Columbus Bank and Trust care about the governor of New York? Because when Eliot Spitzer was New York Attorney General, he went after Synovus Financial for offering credit cards with large hidden activation fees [5 Jul 06]. At least the prostitutes who charge politicians thousands of dollars a night quote the price up front.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Monday's stack of messages inspired a couple more. We were especially struck by one concerning possible censorship by the Ledger-Enquirer....

Hello Richard,

I did some investigation of my own concerning the Cascade Hills, Bill Purvis situation of not being able to use either of those phrases on the L-E Website. Seems as though there was a hold or filter placed on the word Purvis, Purvi$, and Cascade Hills as well as Dollar Bill Purvi$. It was not however requested in any way shape or form by Cascade Hills or Bill Purvis.

When I talked with Ben Holden from the L-E he seemed rather frustrated with the entire situation. He indicated that the filter of Purvis and other such filters was put in place in order to stop the "childish" slander and libel taking place in the comment section. Holden Indicated that he had already received telephone calls from Cascade Hills complaining about the situation as well and suggested that there would be some policy changes in the future.

He suggested that they were may be "taking the whole thing down", although I did not clarify what he meant by that statement, it was rather obvious he was upset at the moment. I thanked him and indicated my support of such an idea. As I said in my letter to the editor, it is time to let it go. If you did not have a chance to read the letter to the editor I will copy it bellow. Feel free to use it if you think it will help in the healing process.

Thanks,

Daniel Jordan

If Daniel does not object, I'm going to hold that letter until our Saturday religious discussion. But who started calling the pastor "Dollar Bill"?! I don't hear anyone nicknaming John McCain "Port-a."

The Ledger-Enquirer and other news web sites have started "comments" sections, to let readers give immediate feedback on the stories they read. Many of those comment sections have moderators, and that seems only logical to me. When I'm reading about the City Council, the last thing I want is an invitation to buy a 1982 Dodge Dart.

It sounds like Ledger-Enquirer Executive Editor Ben Holden may be in a mood to remove the comment section completely. Maybe then the readers will write something more mature and civilized - like what's in the "Sound Off" column.

Here's one more e-mail related to Monday's post....

In Monday's blog a comment was,"If you rent you don't pay property tax."...You don't think the land lord is going to pay it do you?..Your rent is increased as property taxes increase,so basically you are paying..

SSSSHHHH - don't tell anybody this, either. But some longtime residents of Columbus have a form of "rent control." They haven't seen an increase in years. And it's a wonder their landlords haven't tried to buy them some homes with sub-prime mortgages.

We still have a couple of other messages in the InBox, but they'll have to wait until another day. We'll wrap up, with some quick Monday headlines:

+ WRBL reported there's a new bidder for the old Baker High School property. It's Place Properties, which has a history of building apartments for the military. I assume the "special operations" soldiers would be offered the old science labs.

+ The Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery issued a "Year in Hate" report, which claims Columbus is the home of a hate group. It's called the "European-American Unity and Rights Organization." I may never dine in one of those German or "wiener schnitzel" restaurants again.

+ Instant Message to the staff of Arby's on Victory Drive: I'm sorry if I surprised you. But that "free curly fries" offer Monday was legitimate. You apparently didn't know Matt Kenseth drives the Arby's car on the NASCAR Nationwide circuit. But then, I'm not sure some members of your team could spell NASCAR.

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: We posted extra-early for Tuesday because of our Blog Exclusive story. For the next few days, we plan to post at around 8:30 a.m. ET.)

Today's main topic was the result of a blog reader's tip. To offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation, advertise to our readers or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 662 (+ 23, 3.6%)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 9: 2.05 miles jogged, 0.45 miles walked. Total: 26.25 miles run, 3.0 walked

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

10 MAR 08: E IS FOR EVERYTHING

We've received a big stack of e-mails on all sorts of topics in the last few days. We'll plow through them as best we can today -- but first let's take a moment to make all you "mouse potatoes" feel guilty....

BLOG SPECIAL EVENT: We now have a full "Blog of Columbus" team for the Walk Georgia campaign. Your blogger/captain is being joined by:

+ Samantha - whose workouts have included a recent steep walk to the top of a lighthouse. I'm not sure that quite qualifies for mountain climbing, but it's close.

+ Madison - a woman who hasn't told us yet how she's exercising. The list of options on the Walk Georgia web site ranges from "gardening" to "jump rope." But I wouldn't recommend both at the same time.

+ Matthew, whom Madison describes as "my partner." In exercise, at least. I won't dare assume they share a law office.

As of Sunday afternoon, 24 teams were entered in the Muscogee County Walk Georgia event -- and the Blog team was lagging in 18^th place. We're far behind the front-running first-place "Walking Divas." They've traveled the equivalent of 241 miles in eight days - which makes me wonder if they spend all day testing bicycle tires.

Maybe we can psych all the teams out by announcing a FREE FOOD ALERT! Arby's is offering free curly fries all day today, because Matt Kenseth won the Saturday NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. If only Arby's had a restaurant within walking distance of my home....

E-MAIL UPDATE: Now to your messages - and we begin with a news story that has been nothing to joke about:

Richard,

Thought you might find this interesting. I posted a comment to News Channel 3's website about why so much attention was given to a pretty, white, and, probably, wealthy Auburn student who was murdered this week. While the story is sad and I grieve for the family, I asked why so much attention.

After submitting my comment, a pop up showed telling me that my comment would be reviewed, then posted. That was one hour ago, and the comment has still not been posted. I didn't know media outlets were censoring logical and objective questions about their coverage.

Sign of the times, I'm sorry to say. Maybe you'll pose the question why the same attention isn't given to non-white and poor people who are killed EVERYDAY and in greater numbers. Money can't buy you love, but it can buy you the sympathy of a nation.

AR

A check of the comments at WRBL's web site Sunday showed nothing about the amount of coverage given to the Lauren Burk case. But I found one person who wrote it's "time to move from America." Hmmmm - you don't hear much about the murder rate in Cuba....

I don't claim to know why WRBL makes the decisions it does. Perhaps it considered a comment about its coverage "off-topic" -- that the real issue is the search for Lauren Burk's killer, not how much it was mentioned on TV. And if O.J. Simpson isn't the killer, you know the coverage eventually will fade.

Some people may be wondering why the "Levi's Call" alert involving three Columbus children isn't getting as much attention as the Lauren Burk case. I think that's because the child search is focused on Tennessee, while the Burk case had an entire university with thousands of students on edge in our area. Higher anxiety can mean higher attention - but I've never been married with children, to really know.

The attention on the Lauren Burk killing is likely to linger one more day - as the murder suspect could make his first court appearance today, while a memorial service for Burk is held at Beard-Eaves Coliseum in Auburn. Some people probably want the court case put in a big arena, too. But cable news channels will give you a much better view of that....

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION is asking if you think the news coverage of the Lauren Burk case is being overdone. But as for a lack of attention being given to "non-white and poor people who are killed everyday" - I wouldn't make that comment very close to the Muscogee County Sheriff. The memories of Kenneth Walker still linger.

Here's another e-mail about the Lauren Burk case -- apparently sent before an arrest was announced:

I talked to the mom of an AU freshman who lives on campus..She is concerned for her daughter's safety remembering the U of FL campus several years ago..She has been thankful for the increase of campus security. Nancy Grace has really given this national coverage the last few nights. However,these events can happen any where in the USA now..What is happening to our country?

What seems to be happening is that the high school students who thought about bloodshed are growing older. And they may have noticed many college campuses are much more wide open - if you don't mind parking blocks away, because you don't have the right sticker on your car.

We should note Lauren Burk was killed away from the Auburn University campus. But after hearing about the arrest in Phenix City, I'm wondering if security was increased at other east Alabama colleges. Could this suspect have threatened students at Southern Union, or Chattahoochee Valley Community College? Yet there wasn't even the usual round of bogus rumors at Smiths Station High School.

Let's move to something completely different, and what one e-mailer calls "downright comical." Two readers notified us about an apparent mix of the Columbus newspaper with a megachurch....

I thought you might find this fact interesting. As of Friday afternoon, you are no longer allowed to post the word "Purvis" on ANY Ledger-Enquirer message board.



It has been tested and even on comment sections that have nothing to do with Cascade Hills Church or Bill Purvis, the word Purvis now activates a filter that will not allow your post to appear. There are a number of four letter words that are treated the same way however, so maybe it is appropriate.



I understand that there have certainly been some interesting comments about Purvis, some true others not. However when Purvis chose to become a public figure and put himself before 394 Million people (according to his web site a months ago, the number has now changed to a still unrealistic figure of 200 Million), he opened himself up to public scrutiny and criticism. This is like Brittany Spears trying to keep TMZ from using her name.



I wonder if the others involved in this Purvis/Cascade Hills mess are going to get the same treatment from the LE, or will their names still be fair game on the message boards. I think that is a legitimate question don't you?



I am sorry but it appears to me that this guy has some serious control and personality issues.

We did our own test Sunday, to confirm this. We posted two anonymous comments at a Ledger-Enquirer web site article on the Midwestern blizzard. One comment naming Bill Purvis did NOT appear -- but another comment without his name was posted. To be fair, we should note the first comment also named Mayor Jim Wetherington.

We left a phone message with the Ledger-Enquirer newsroom Sunday afternoon - and there was no response by Sunday night. But c'mon now: why would a secular newspaper bow to the (alleged) demands of a local pastor, and have his name filtered from online comments? Especially when the pastor openly talks about how he does NOT advertise in the Saturday "Faith and Values" section?

Other e-mails in recent months have told us any Ledger-Enquirer web site article about Cascade Hills Church sparks dozens of comments there. But maybe this filtering isn't about the Pastor at all. It's sad to point this out, but you can't spell Purvis without P-U-R-V.

What else is on readers' minds? How about Muscogee County schools....

I only caught the end of Dr Pennick's statement about unused portable classrooms..How many did she say were being used now? She should ask James Walker about the portables..He said he questioned the principals and they said that no student gets wet walking in the rain to a portable..Go figure that statement out.. I saw where Mr Walker's local property tax was paid to keep the building out of the tax auction..So,why didn't he pay it years ago and continue to pay? We all pay out property taxes.

Muscogee County Deputy Superintendent Robin Pennock only gave a number about unused portables -- and there are about 40 of them. You won't mind, I'm sure, if she borrows one this summer for moving items out of her office....

This reader has been very concerned for a long time about school children getting wet, going to and from classes in portables. It's time some community group took a stand about this. Next summer, let's expand those "school supply drives" and add umbrellas.

SSSHHH - don't tell anybody, but not everybody pays property taxes. If you rent an apartment instead of owning a home, you don't. If you take the bus instead of owning a car, you don't. And if you live in public housing, Georgia's House Speaker really wanted you to pay up this year - and start paying a consumption on all those potato chips at the convenience store.

Our last e-mail today is tied to taxes....

Richard;

From what you have seen - has the city done any sort of study regarding how sales in town might increase if they allowed the current SPLOST to expire?

My logic being that if the tax were to expire - the sales tax would go down (obviously), possibly prompting more spending, which could more than make up for the money that might be generated through the additional 1% tax.

Since the net effect of renewing both taxes (school and city) is 0 - I'm not too concerned, but would like to know all avenues were explored. I'm also surprised that the extremely regressive nature of sales taxes has not been brought to the forefront.

While I'm generally not in favor of raising taxes (understanding that sometimes you have to raise taxes in order to cover the services demanded by the public), I would be more in favor of removing the property tax freeze but grandfathering all existing freezes in place (IE: if you lived in a house from now until eternity, your property tax would remain frozen, but if you move after the change takes effect - you would be subject to increases).

Thanks for the blogging;

-Joseph-

Perhaps you're not aware that Columbus already has tax advantages over Phenix City. The state gasoline tax is lower. The sales tax on groceries is much lower. And you'll notice there hasn't been a rush to build a Wal-Mart SuperCenter in Smiths Station.

You still have six more forums around the city, to express your views on the proposed one-percent "streets and safety" sales tax. The next one is Tuesday night at the Columbus State University Cunningham Center - which is a bit surprising, since C.S.U.'s Carmen Cavezza did so much to promote the TAD vote without success.

This blog has thousands of visits every month, from Columbus and around the world. To advertise to them, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 639 (- 48, 7.0%, record low)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 8: Racquetball practice, 30 minutes. (Another 30 minutes on 2 Mar also counts.) Total: 24.2 miles run, 2.55 walked

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

9 MAR 08: SNOW BIG DEAL

"You ought to get up and look! It's snowin'!" Who needs a weather radio early in the morning, when you have a loud next-door neighbor?

My next-door neighbor turned into a mix of Paul Revere and Paul Goodloe around 7:30 Saturday morning, alerting nearby apartments to snow flurries in the air. Yet for some reason, he didn't knock on my door. Perhaps he noticed my kitchen light was on, as I finished breakfast. Or perhaps he assumed the white guy next to him naturally would be drawn to white precipitation.

But to be honest, I'd forgotten the forecasters had hinted snow flurries were possible - so I hereby thank my next-door neighbor for prompting me to look out the window. The snow which most of Columbus missed in January came down Saturday. But it didn't stick around long enough for anyone to start a snowball fight.

Even with the flurries, I presumed the Saturday church service still would go on. After all, the Pastor spent years in Michigan - and as a visiting minister from Michigan told someone during the morning, people there use the first winter snowfall simply to practice avoiding crashes.

The snow was quite light as I drove through downtown Columbus. Then of all things, I saw people jogging on the Second Avenue bridge! It was a 5,000 meter run, complete with police escorts. The leader appeared to be a young woman wearing little more than a T-shirt and running shorts - a woman who knew that running quickly keeps you slightly warmer.

More people walked than jogged along Second Avenue, in the "5K Classic." It's an annual event to benefit the Open Door Community House. But it was a day when most people were likely to keep their doors closed, and their heat turned up.

As I expected, the church services went on as planned - and the snow increased to the point where it started sticking to the grass. So as people set up a DVD player, I walked to a window with the "blog camera" to take pictures. After all, the Pastor there wanders around all the time during meetings -- as if his deacons don't know how to adjust the thermostat.

In a Bible study class, the pastor admitted he thought for a moment that budding Bradford pear trees were swirling in the wind. But no, that was real snow - the first he'd seen in his five years in Georgia. And no, the pastor did NOT change the topic to talk about our sins being washed even whiter.

But it was a day with plenty of weather changes, and snow which stuck to the lawn at 10:00 a.m. was gone by 12:30. I'd say it was "gone with the wind" - except the sun had come out.

How strange is it that snow fell on Columbus during the morning - yet Columbus State University played a home baseball game during the afternoon? If I didn't know better, I would have thought we'd all moved to Denver....

CORRECTED WEEKDAY: The March snowfall really isn't that surprising to me. After all, Thursday will mark 15 years since the "Blizzard of '93" (also on a Saturday). I lived in suburban Atlanta at the time, and was NOT fazed by several inches of snow. I shoveled off the area around my tires at sunset, drove to then-Hartsfield Airport - and jogged through the transportation mall, almost all by myself.

But there's no good place to jog indoors in Columbus on a Saturday night, when it's cold or snowy outside. The track inside the St. Luke Ministry Center closes for the weekend at 1:00 p.m. And the security guards were NOT pleased years ago, when I jogged a few times inside the nearly-empty Columbus Square Mall -- so I don't even try Peachtree.

By the way, Columbus residents should look on the bright side - you could have been in the OTHER Columbus Saturday. The capital of Ohio had a 20-inch blizzard. If that ever happened here, the only people on the streets would be Fort Benning solders in Humvees.

BLOG UPDATE: Muscogee County high school students had a big TV spotlight Saturday night. Kendrick battled for a girls' state basketball title. Carver played for a boys' state title. And WLTZ picked the worst possible time to show the "Anna Mims Black Heritage Bowl."

We'll be old-fashioned, say "ladies first" and congratulate Kendrick for KO'ing Carrollton 79-67. Kendrick finally took the trophy in Georgia AAA girls' basketball, on its fifth consecutive trip to the "final four" -- which means these Cherokees must be from the same tribe as those baseball Braves.

Kendrick's ladies make up the only team in Georgia high school basketball to go undefeated this season. Well, let me correct that - I don't think any of the players wore make-up during games....

Kendrick claimed the crown thanks to some clutch fourth-quarter free throws by Ashlee Barley. The high school cafeteria crews could learn a lesson from this - and make barley their "bread and butter."

(And let's not forget the three-point shooting of Kendrick's Kymberli "First-Class" Stamps....)

Muscogee County had a chance for a AAA sweep Saturday night. But Carver lost to Glenn Hills 64-57. So there was no local basketball double, no Carver football-basketball double - and the high school most likely to get doubles next is the Columbus baseball team.

Carver can take some satisfaction in the fact that it upset top-ranked Dunwoody in Friday night's semifinals. Coach Warren Beaulah's team had a good year -- but you know Beulah High School will want to recruit him away.

Carver reached the final round thanks to several players who also were part of the AAA football championship. One of them was Jarvon Fortson, whose actions had fans on the edge of their seats - especially the football coaches at Florida State, who hoped he wouldn't get hurt.

I'm sad to report the worst local performances in Macon Saturday came from grownups. Did you hear Carver Athletic Director Yvette Harris at halftime? She said the AAA football title "put Columbus, Georgia back on the map." So when did it fall off -- after Northern won the Little League World Series in 2006? After Jordan won the boys' basketball title last March? Or after the Catfish won a pro baseball title in September?

During halftime of the first game, GPB interviewed Kendrick Principal Edward Barnwell - and he had some trouble coming up with positive things to say about the school. When the first thing out of your mouth is the 40^th anniversary and not the current student body, that's not a good sign....

Another disappointing moment from Saturday night came from the stands. What's with the "airball" chanting at a high school basketball game? Don't school principals teach good sportsmanship to students anymore? My high school won a state basketball sportsmanship award, during my junior year. Of course, I may be the only graduate who still remembers that....

And while I'm at it: where was WOKS-AM Saturday night? It did NOT broadcast the twin basketball finals, as it did Carver's drive to the football championship in December. I fear basketball is too fast a game for their play-by-play announcer to call, without cracking some jokes.

Oh yes: I did watch a little of the Anna Mims Black Heritage Bowl. A high school quiz modeled after the old "High-Q" came down to Columbus against the "AKA Teens." But why were there so many questions in the final round about the local Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority? Were they testing historical knowledge, or looking for recruits?

(Sorry, but we missed the crowning of the Black Heritage Bowl winner. Young ladies jumping around distracted us from young ladies answering questions at a desk - even if the jumping ladies aren't cheerleaders.)

We salute all the young men and women who showed their ability and talent - and now let's see what else is making news this weekend:

+ The old National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning closed to the public. It will take more than a year to archive all the items, and move them to the new location on South Lumpkin Road -- which makes me wonder if they're using old World War II convoy trucks to do it.

+ Comic superstar Jerry Seinfeld presented two shows at the RiverCenter. So if you went to this, please tell me -- was it the usual yada-yada-yada? Or was it really all about nothing?

+ Presidential candidate John McCain met with supporters at the suburban Atlanta headquarters of Chick-Fil-A. Considering how poorly the cows there spell, McCain must not consider education a big issue.

(Someone in the audience asked John McCain a question about immigration reform. He answered by joking, "This meeting is adjourned." McCain talks about securing the U.S. border -- yet if he loses in November, plenty of Republicans may be ready to deport him to Mexico.)

+ Pete Sampras topped Todd Martin 7-6 6-4, in an exhibition tennis match at the Columbus Civic Center. So why isn't there a tennis "seniors' tour," the way there is in golf? If the players have to wear padded headbands and serve from the service line, things might be even more interesting.

+ Instant Message to KFC at 9^th and Veterans Parkway: I can understand the sign on the wall, warning "team members" not to carry cell phones. But when the sign goes on to say, "You will be wrote up" - has anyone warned you about the perils of using bad grammar?

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Gas for $3.14 a gallon at Petro on South Lumpkin Road.... milk for $2.99 a gallon at Circle K.... and temperatures warming up today, thanks to the switch to daylight time....

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: Because of our top two big topics and daylight saving time, our scheduled items for today will be held until Monday. And for the next few days, our post time will change to around 8:30 a.m. ET.)

This blog has thousands of visits every month, from Columbus and around the world. To advertise to them, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 687 (+ 22, 3.3%)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 6: 1.5 miles walked. Total: 12.2 miles run, 2.55 walked

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

8 MAR 08: COOL OVER FIRE

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: You may find this item humorous, serious, or a little of both - but we offer these thoughts from time to time, as we keep a seventh-day Sabbath.)

When "Dateline NBC" promised to show the "ten scariest escapes from death" the other night, I knew what one of them would be. But I was a bit surprised to discover none of them involved David Blaine....

Dateline NBC put a 1999 rescue near downtown Atlanta at #6 on its list. An old cotton mill caught fire, and a construction worker was trapped atop a tall crane as the flames raged. Burger King may support grilling over an open flame, but I don't think they'd do a commercial with this.

The Atlanta Fire Department devised a way to rescue the man from atop the crane - by lowering a firefighter attached to a rope from a helicopter, and having the worker hold on to the firefighter. This was one time when two men openly hugged, and nobody was offended by the sight at all.

The worker held on for dear life - and as a result, he still has that life today. The helicopter carried both him and the firefighter to a safe grassy area. Both men escaped practically unharmed. But I can understand why neither would want to light fireplaces for a while.

I marveled at the sight of this rescue, which was shown on Atlanta television. But the next day, I was stunned to learn who the man was atop the crane. It was Ivers Sims, a man with whom I attended church in Atlanta years before. I'd lost touch with Sims, since he had moved to east Alabama. But suddenly he was a TV star - and this was a year before "Survivor" premiered.

My best memory of Ivers Sims was when we were together in a church speaking club, modeled after Toastmasters. I had the "Toastmaster" title one Tuesday night, and introduced Sims giving a fact-filled speech called "Finding Out About Mammals." Admittedly that's not the most thrilling title -- but Sims was a construction worker, not a headline writer for the New York Post.

Ivers Sims was a quiet man of few words back then - so perhaps it wasn't surprising that the Dateline NBC report focused much more on rescuing firefighter Matt Moseley. About all Sims said on camera was that he was "enjoying the ride" away from that crane, and "I was happy" when it ended. Simply happy?! In some congregations, there would be jumping and running up and down the aisles.

A Google search for "Ivers Sims" Friday revealed something I didn't know about that day in 1999 - that Sims said a quiet prayer, as he waited for help to come. I suppose anyone would say a prayer, in a situation like that. Even an atheist might think about that Bible story about three guys in the fiery furnace.

If you asked Ivers Sims, he probably would tell you his faith in God helped him through that real-life fiery trial. And that same sort of faith can help you, with even less dramatic trials of life. Ask God in prayer to give you wisdom in making important decisions -- as well as the peace of mind to handle whatever may come. Contestants on "The Price is Right" often show shaky emotions can lead to shaky decisions.

By the way, did you know God wants to rescue YOU from a fire? It's called "gehenna fire," where rebellious people are put in what's called the "second death." You can escape that to enjoy eternal life - but that involves looking up for help, as Ivers Sims did. Then cling to God's Son tightly, and follow His instructions. May the only "roasting" you face be a roast supper - the "marriage supper of the Lamb."

BURKARD'S BEST BETS: Third Day headlining a Christian concert tonight at the RiverCenter.... and unlike Jerry Seinfeld, the tickets actually might be affordable....

SCHEDULED SUNDAY: We clean out our e-mails, as we change our clocks.... and we introduce our blog's "WalkGeorgia" team....

This blog has thousands of visits every month, from Columbus and around the world. To advertise to them, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 665 (- 131, 16.5%, record low)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 5: 1.3 miles run, 0.1 walked. Total: 12.2 miles run, 1.05 walked

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.

7 MAR 08: ONLY A BLUFF

The federal government responded Thursday to a series of complaints, about a place in Russell County I'd never heard of before. That place is reopening, after being closed a week longer than expected. But before you get the wrong idea - no, I'm NOT talking about Hurtsboro City Hall....

The place is called Bluff Creek Park -- a spot along the Chattahoochee River and Alabama Highway 165 near Fort Mitchell. I don't recall reading about it in any tourist guides to the Columbus area. Is it so well hidden that the Convention and Visitors Bureau can't find it?

The web site promoting Bluff Creek Park has a map, showing it at the edge of Walter F. George Lake. That seems misleading, because the park is located well inside Russell County. But I guess that explains why Eufaula doesn't want its lake name attached to it.

(Please be careful, and don't confuse Bluff Creek Park with "Bluff Creek Falls." That campground northeast of Birmingham is described online as all-male, and "clothing optional." And any campground offering a hot tub and weekly "cocktail hours" in Alabama should immediately be considered suspicious.)

The Army Corps of Engineers has opened Bluff Creek Park for fishing and camping from spring until fall for years. But when the park didn't open last week at the end of February, some regular visitors became concerned. And a few did what they considered appropriate for that week - they started leaping to conclusions.

One woman told me the Army Corps of Engineers planned to close Bluff Creek Park completely, because it couldn't afford to operate it. "If the federal government can't afford to keep it open," the woman said, "let the state run it." As if the state of Alabama isn't required to have a balanced budget, either....

The woman said Bluff Creek Park is a place where retirees go to fish and camp. She made it sound like there's no other place in the area to do it - even though the Corps of Engineers lists three other pay-to-camp areas around Walter George Lake, along with spots where you can camp for free. The picnic tables at Bluff Creek must be the best ones in East Alabama.

The news media responded to the fans of Bluff Creek Park by paying it a visit Thursday. One person told me the campground supporters he met were "cursing, smoking cigarettes and complaining." He could have walked into most bars and veterans' halls in Columbus, and saved a long road trip.

An Army Corps of Engineers spokesman denied Bluff Creek Park is closing for good. Instead, he explained the opening this year was delayed because of an eight-percent funding cut by Congress. Look on the bright side -- it probably provided the Corps more money to fill West Point Lake with water.

The Army Corps of Engineers spokesman offered assurance that the budget questions with Bluff Creek Park now have been resolved. But it isn't clear HOW the money matter was resolved. Did Mike Huckabee give the government some unspent campaign donations?

So if all goes well, Bluff Creek Park could reopen for visitors this weekend. Long-time campers will be able to meet old friends, hook up their RV's for water and electricity, enjoy hot showers and a coin laundry - why, it's almost like a Columbus apartment complex on wheels.

Now a quick cruise around other Thursday news headlines:

+ Mayor Jim Wetherington told the Ledger-Enquirer the internal police investigation into the Zachary Allen controversy should end "soon." An important deadline in this case is approaching, you know. July 15 is the date for the public safety sales tax vote.

+ Blue Bell surprised the entire student body of Columbus High School with free ice cream, to celebrate Georgia Teacher of the Year finalist Charles Spraggins. The company pulled this surprise at 7:45 in the morning! Really now - I don't even see Bruster's ice cream stands open for breakfast.

+ The Georgia Legislature gave final approval to a bill requiring uninsured drivers to serve time in jail. As the late Johnnie Cochran might have put it: Get comprehensive, get some collision - or you'll be making a bad decision.

+ The Georgia Board of Regents voted to give University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt an $800,000 raise. That's a jump in his salary of 40 percent -- so those children he helps on mission trips in Latin America could enjoy the first steak dinners of their lives.

+ Instant Message to the Atlanta Falcons: OK, here's my idea. Advertise for a quarterbacks' coach. Give the job to Brett Favre. Then around the end of August, secretly send all the quarterbacks on the roster into exile in Venezuela - and watch that old backup come to the rescue again.

This blog has thousands of visits every month, from Columbus and around the world. To advertise to them, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 796 (+ 15, 1.9%)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 4: Fifth place in poker at.... no wait, that doesn't count....

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.