Opinion vs. News

It has come to my attention that there is some confusion about what is news and what is opinion. For our print edition readers, it should be somewhat more clear because opinions are expressed on the Viewpoints page. Viewpoints = opinion.

For our Online readers, the blogs segment of our site allows the editorial staff of The Times an opportunity to voice their opinions on certain topics. As you see there is a blog for news and each editorial staff member has his or her personal blog as well. In general the news blog is used for story tips, briefs on the happenings in the news, etc. Our personal blogs are used for our own personal views, not the views of The Times. The blogs are a forum to give our opinions on just about anything and everything.

The blogs give us the opportunity that we do not have in our news writing, which is to show an opinion on an issue. When writing news articles, we must show an unbiased opinion and let the facts tell the story.

I hope this clears up any confusion out there.

Thought for the day

I have decided when I have something hit me that makes me go hmmm. I am going to share it with you all and get your take on it. I shall warn you most of these “thoughts” will probably be somewhat off the wall, but to those that know me this will be nothing new.

Thought for the day: Why is it that at Mexican restaurants the chips and salsa comes free, like breadsticks do at Italian restaurants, yet you have to buy fried rice at Chinese restaurants? Shouldn’t a staple to a meal, like fried rice is to Chinese food be a given.

MTV addict

I am a MTV addict. There. I said it. I admit it.  But I am not quitting it.

Yes, I know how old I am and all that blah, blah. But watching MTV is my opportunity to unwind and not think.

If I want to think while I watch t.v. I watch CSI or something along those lines. But for tonight, I will be watching my soap opera, only it is somewhat of a edited reality t.v. show, The Hills.

You see, I originally was a die-hard Laguna Beach fan. I got hooked and when The Hills debuted, I wasn’t that much older than Lauren, the main character of the show. I am young enough to remember the days when I was young and stupid and partook in the wild, crazy college scene. So, I could relate.

Now that I have followed Lauren’s life for a few years, I am hooked. I have been anticipating the season premiere for weeks now and can’t wait to see what this season holds.

Forgive me for my addiction, but I can’t help myself.

Dear Councilman Collins

Dear Councilman Collins,

As a constituent of your district I would like to express concern over your recent vote to hire Ronnie Few. I do not know Mr. Few personally, although I have spent half my day trying to speak with him. I have however, researched his past and am very alarmed due to the material found about Mr. Few. I understand the allegations surrounding the controversies he has been involved in have not been proved to be fact and as our mayor said, “he has not been indicted” on any of those charges. But it is my concern that where Mr. Few goes trouble seems to follow.

I have enjoyed living in Demopolis for the past nine months and find it to be a peaceful place to live. Although there has been some trying issues for the city since I have been here, for the most part, the council has made decisions I feel were in good reason and were to the best interest of the city for the most part. However, I do not feel the decision to hire Mr. Few falls into that category.

I also understand certain information about Mr. Few was not reported to you and some of your fellow councilmen, which also is a great concern to me. Communication is the key to any partnership and there seems to have been a grave lack of communication between your fellow councilmen and the mayor.

It is my hope and request as a councilman who is serving with the best interest of the City of Demopolis in mind that you motion for the removal of Mr. Few from the position of fire chief and place a man with upstanding character in the position to lead the firemen the city.

Sincerely,

Gennie Phillips

District 4 constituent

So much to do, too little time

Earlier today an old coworker of mine asked me how the plans were coming for my wedding. I almost laughed – what plans I thought. I am having a difficult time figuring things out and sorting things in my head. My mom would always tell me when I was growing up that things will be taken care of. As I got older, I often wondered where that faith came from. Yes, I am a Christian and believe God will take care of me, but I also am a realist and realize that I must take care of myself as well. That is what God would want. And planning my wedding isn’t just going to be “taken care of.”

I have been lucky thus far and have gotten a dress, my wedding parties dresses and think I have a minister lined up. But, there are still a lot of things to do, food, decorations, photos, etc. Where to begin?

My strategy thus far is to take it one step at a time and to rely on faith that I will find time to take care of the details and the ones I don’t get to, hopefully won’t matter. I know I have a great family and friends to help me with anything I ask of them, which is a great relief.

With that said, I am open to any and all suggestions, tips, things to be aware of. Please let send any advice you have my way. It will be greatly appreciated. And say a little pray that this special day will somehow be “taken care of.”

Fly By Radio

This past weekend I actually lived a little. I went to a concert…at a bar. WHOA! Can you believe it? Yep, I lived it up at a bar in Jackson, Miss. and watched my cousin, Pacey Calhoun the lead singer of Fly By Radio sing her tail off. This was the second time I have got to see Pacey in concert, the first being in Hattiesburg, Miss. to a packed house of rowdy college students. This performance was even better. I was expecting her to crowd dive any minute during the show. She did a great job and I had a great time. I visited with friends and family and enjoyed exciting entertainment all in one night. Who could ask for much more?

Going out for a night on the town, relinquished some fond memories I have of life during college. I have always been blessed with great friends and have always tried to enjoy life to the fullest. I got that opportunity this past weekend. It was a task off my to do list, of doing something for myself, which I have learned is pertinent to our needs in life.

A little late…

Yep, I am a little late blogging. Sorry, I am working to do better.

For this blog, I just wanted to post an update on what’s going on in my life lately. And a few thoughts that come to my mind.

First of all, it is too hot. The air in our one working vehicle, bit the dust Sunday on our way to Meridian to dog swap with my mom and dad. When we left Demopolis at 5 that evening, the temp. at the bank said 103. TOO HOT FOR ME. So imagine how enjoyable that ride with no air to Meridian was. Thankfully, we have the air going again.

I have been working to get things in order. It is great having a new staff writer. We are just working to get the air just right in the tires so our wheel can roll smoothly.

In my spare time, I browse wedding magazines, online planners and such, to get started planning my “big day.” Now don’t ask me when are where. But I am open to suggestions.

I was hoping to drop a line in the water and spend an hour or so fishing. But, it has just been way too hot for me to bare it. Maybe next weekend I will make it around to that.

Normal life?

The staff welcome our long-awaited new staff writer this week and I was expecting life to begin to return to some sort of normal. Unfortunately, my mom, who is terminally ill – I hate describing it that way, but technically is the truth – was put into the hospital Tuesday. Even somewhat ironically, juggling work and home life, which includes my mom’s illness, is somewhat normal for me. Not that it is the “normal” I have chosen, but more or less, the “normal” I have been dealt. My mom likes to tell me the saying, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Well, I assure you at my house there would be lots of lemonade . But with the lemons of life, I have also been handed many blessings. I am fortunate to have very supportive friends, who are like my sisters and brothers to me. I also am blessed with a supportive staff and a compassionate boss.

So, although lemons are thrown my way and times seem difficult from time to time. With the support of others, I am mixing lemonade.

RUN TO THE PUMP

My guess is that gas prices are going to sky rocket between today and tomorrow. So I think I am going to run to the gas pump today and fill up for this weekend.

As some of you may know, I spend most of my weekends traveling to Mississippi. My mother and father are both living there and are not in good health, so I spend my weekends fulfilling their needs at their house. Thankfully we have lots of help, through my mom’s home health care and other government agencies that assist with her care and part of the needs around the house.

But, since my dad got injured at work last year, his back has not allowed him to do everything that needs to be done at the house.  Just last weekend, Allen and I got to town and before the weekend was up, we had mowed, cleaned the house somewhat, hung blinds and I am pretty sure we will be hanging curtains this weekend.

Either way, there is a need for me to be on the road, therefore I have to buy a lot of gas. And the gas prices are more than hurting my budget.

I know there isn’t much that can be done to prevent the inflation in gas prices, but I sure would like for someone to figure something out. Maybe I should go hybrid….

I’m engaged

No, there was no typo. I am engaged!!!! My boyfriend, oops fiance Allen Odom proposed to me last night on Mother’s Day. Allen and I have known each other for over 6 years and have been dating for almost a year. He moved with me to begin our life together in Demopolis. As far as the wedding, we are still discussing dates and what-not, I will keep you posted. Just wanted to share my good and happy news with everyone.