November 10, 2009
TO: Editors, Internet, Blog, and Beyond
Why does the
Valdosta City School Board continue to have meetings in a facility that is inadequate (Only 32 seats) and Violate City Fire Codes (7.2.1.5)? One hundred and forty people attended Monday nights meeting, and 473 people attended the previous meeting with only thirty-two seats available for the general public and the press.
Moreover why was two letters ignored asking that the meeting be moved to a larger facility to accommodate the tax paying public? It is a disgrace and unacceptable to endanger people lives by having a front door locked, chairs aligned along isle, all hall ways filled with people, lobby filled with people, and people sitting on the floor creating a safety hazard in case of emergency.
Amazingly, our news paper and
television stations failed to report the
unsafe condition to the general public or that last night’s meeting seemed to follow the Old 1860 Valdosta City Charter mentality---to control and suppress members of the general public.
In addition, the board was asked questions but provided no answers to: Should the general public and news media be notified of all board meetings? Is it required by the Georgia School Board Association to evaluate all superintendents? If so, had he (Superintendent Cason) been evaluated? If not, had Valdosta School Board Members violated their
oath of office by not
complying with standards? Why just blame the superintendent instead of the entire board for denying students to watch the president’s speech?
I ask that these questions be answered in writing to insure the public safety before an emergency situation occur. Then there are no microphones, difficult getting on the agenda to speak, only thirty minutes allowed for citizens to be heard. God bless!
GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
Retired United States Armed Forces Veteran
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
Two heads may be better than one but never forget which one belongs to you. {GBR}
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November 9, 2009
Address to: Valdosta City School Board of Education
By: George Boston Rhynes
1. Apparently my TWO letters, requesting a larger facility----were trashed. Therefore Georgia Tax Paying Citizens were denied the right to attend this Public Meeting---held in the State of Georgia.
a. 473 people showed up HERE---previously: But only 32 seats were available then, and NOW! This Board REMINDS me of THE old Valdosta City Charter of 1860 that was removed from City Hall in 2004. But NOT, WITHOUT A FIGHT from our elected officials.
It read, in Article 100, Section XI, “THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL, SHALL PASS ALL PROPER, AND NECESSARY LAWS, AND ORDINANCES, FOR THE CONTROL OF SLAVES, AND FREE PERSONS OF COLOR, IN SAID TOWN, AND SUPPRESS, AND ABATE ALL NUISANCES, ARRIVING FROM HOGS, DOGS, HORSES, OR OTHER STOCK, STRAYING AT LARGE IN SAID TOWN, OR FROM OTHER CAUSES.”
2. Superintendent and Board Members, thirty-two (32) seats are UNACCEPTABLE in 2009. Local Tax Paying Citizens refuses to be CONTROL and SUPPRESS without Civil Litigation if need be-----for the good of our community.
3. Should Board Meetings be conducted without notifying news media, and the general public? In April 2009, was such a meeting conducted, and called a RETREAT? If so, where was this meeting located? What was the purpose this meeting? What was the outcome? And does the public have a right to know?
4. The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners, Valdosta City Council, and County School Board of Education has meetings, and RETREATS. They published their MEETINGS. What makes the Valdosta City School Board Meetings so DIFFERRENT?
5. If there is a requirement for School Superintendents to be evaluated annually. Why have this School Board failed to EVALUATE Dr. Cason? And are Board members following their OATH of OFFICE by not complying with Georgia School Board Association------if this is a requirement?
6. Superintendent Cason! Should not all board members be blamed for denying intercity school children to watch the PRESIDENT’S speech on live television----instead of just YOU?
7. Lastly: Valdosta is NOW a Metropolitan City and cannot be SEEN as operating under an OLD 1860 Valdosta City Charter. The days of controlling and suppressing are long gone, never to return. The operation of public Schools cannot CONTINUE to operate from those in and among the clicks, slicks and the special picks.
8. I request a response in writing to my questions and I am providing each of you with a copy for that purpose. I thank you!
GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
Retired United States Armed Forces Veteran
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
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October 26, 2009----(1st Request)
November 6, 2009 (2nd Request)
George Boston Rhynes
TO: All Valdosta City School Board of Education Members (Respectively)
Request Valdosta City School Board of Education Meeting schedule for November 9, 2009 be held at a facility large enough to accommodate more than 32 people as is presently the case. Valdosta is NOW a Metropolitan Metropolis and no longer just a little South Georgia Town.
All Board Members are aware that the 32 seats were NOT adequate for the 473 people that attended the School Board of Education Meeting when Superintendent Cason was asked to resign for refusing to allow Valdosta City School Children to watch the President live speech that was televised around the world.
In addition to citizens having proper seating it is imperative that (All) members of the press have adequate space for their equipment. Moreover, this will insure that Valdosta City School Board of Education is in compliance with all fire codes as they relates to public safety.
Thanks for this most urgent need on behalf of all citizens attending this public meeting in the State of Georgia.
GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
Retired United States Armed Forces Military Veteran
Former President of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Branch (NAACP)
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
Cc: Georgia State President Edward Dubose (NAACP)
Georgia State President Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
Valdosta-Lowndes County Branch, (NAACP)
Valdosta-Lowndes County Branch, (SCLC)
Valdosta-Lowndes County Brothers United, (BU)
Valdosta-Lowndes County Issues Concerning Us, (ICU)
Local Churches and Pastors Various Denominations
Valdosta Daily Times and Other News Media Outlets…
