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Letters To The Editor DEAR EDITOR: During a recent twoweek visit to Emanuel County, my wife and I drove around Swainsboro, Twin City and other communities so that I might show her some of the things that have changed over the years. I must first say that I grew up in Swainsboro where I graduated from Swainsboro High School in 1979 and it has been several years since I have been back to a place I always called "home." Although there were many specific areas that have changed considerably the new school complexes, South Main Street and the Emanuel County Courthouse Square--the most noticeable change was "overall," throughout the County. I especially noticed the changes along the Lambs Bridge Road and US 80 between Swainsboro and Twin City. I was simply appalled and ashamed at the amount of trash, garbage and household refuse that can be seen strewn along the roadsides. My wife and I have lived in five states and overseas during my military career. I can tell you first-hand that the litter problem in Emanuel County closely resembles that of some Third- World countries we have visited. Something needs to be done and it needs to be done immediately. Whether it be a coalition of citizens or a civic club, someone needs to step up and take charge. There are littering signs posted throughout the County warning the imposition of up to $1,000 fines for littering; there needs to be some enforcement. I'm not saying the law enforcement officers at the city, county or state levels should direct their efforts to this problem, we all know they already have their hands full. In my opinion, the citizens of the County should take on this responsibility with the devoted support from the local law enforcement and government officials. The people responsible for trashing public areas need to be held accountable for their lack of pride and concern for our environment. I hope this letter hits "home" with those other people concerned with the appearance and condition of the communities and County. CRAIG GRINER Bristol, VT DEAR EDITOR: It is Exceptional Children's Week and in celebration I have been asked to share my thoughts and experiences about educating children with disabilities. It has prompted much introspection and contemplation about the profession I have been a part of for fourteen years. I did not initially pursue education as a career choice in college. As a former child who disliked school, I did not wish to be attached to a place I sought to avoid my entire childhood. However, I did enjoy studying science and human behavior. After pursuing various other jobs for six years or so, I believe that in spite of my best efforts to ignore the direction, God led me into education. I also felt it could possibly be reparation for my negative feelings toward school. Now, after years of observing and interacting with children, I realize that this teaching was the path I was meant to take. When people learn that I "teach special education", their next remark is usually, "oh, you must be so patient", or "you are an angel", or "I don't know how you do it, I couldn't." I always smile and see the remarks for the compliments they are intended to be. However, I have never truly understood such comments. I am, by nature, not especially angelical or patient. I have taught only children in special education programs because the field interested me. Now, I choose it because I am, not only able, but required to see the unique qualities and characteristics in each child. It is a privilege and also a joy to interact with and get to know each of my student's strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, humor, and charm. To be quite honest, I have learned much, if not more, from them as they have from me. I have learned: Each of us is unique and one-of-a-kind; everyone can learn and will learn in their own time; each of us wants to feel loved, respected, and useful; it is inappropriate to compare any one person with anyone else; each of us has a purpose for being in this world; pity is not love; one must accept and contend with the consequences of one's behavior; life has never been nor will ever be fair- it just is; there are always things for which to be grateful; never stops learning new things. What more can I say? Children with socalled disabilities are the same as children who are so-called normal or typical. Each of us has our own path to follow in our own way. ELIZABETH H. WALKER Pre-K Special Services DEAR EDITOR: I am Deborah Martin, the co-chair of the 2007 American Cancer Society's Relay For Life for Emanuel County. Recently, there has been much debate about the ACS and "where the money goes." I have contemplated and then researched this question for quite sometime now. I have waited until now to respond so that I would have only the facts. I hope that this clears up any questions anyone may have concerns. As an avid volunteer for the ACS and RFL, and as a survivor myself, I feel a responsibility to defend an organization that has done so much for so many people. The American Cancer Society is a national organization, but everything we do is to improve the lives of cancer patients and their caregivers, provide breakthroughs in research and treatment that will save more lives and advance the mission to find a cure for cancer. One of the great things about being a national organization like ACS is that the resources are available to everyone in every community, regardless how much is raised or contributed in that community. If a community doesn't raise a dime for ACS, ACS programs and services are still available to everyone. It means that if a community has no research facilities for funding for cancer research, its residents will still benefit from research, new discoveries and life-saving drugs. The ACS' fight against cancer is a national priority and everything provided is available to everyone, statewide and nationwide. The money raised in communities like ours goes to that national effort as well as to local prevention, early detection and support programs and services. Our research program is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. During that time, ACS has put $3 billion+ into cancer research- - more than any organization other than the federal government - and funded the research of 40 Nobel-prize winning scientists who have discovered such cancer fighting drugs as Herceptin, Gleevec and Tamoxifen. It's probably safe to say that every cancer survivor in Emanuel County was saved by a drug discovered by an ACS-funded researcher or an early detection or treatment option funded by ACS. When the research program was started six decades ago, a cancer diagnosis was virtually a death sentence. Now there are more than 10 million cancer survivors in the U.S. alone. Money raised in our community not only goes to cancer research - it goes to support the American Cancer Society's communitybased services and programs, like Look Good...Feel Better, Reach to Recovery, Road to Recovery, Man to Man, and many others- as well as the 24-hour resources available to everyone including the 1- 800 number, the www.cancer. org website and the Cancer Survivors Network. The American Cancer Society far exceeds Better Business Bureau standards in our fundraising, expenditures and reporting practices, and we encourage anyone who wants to know more to visit the local BBB office. In the South Atlantic Division, of which Georgia is a part, administrative costs are only 3.8 percent of all fund allocations. All activities related to fundraising are less than 20 percent, which is very low for charitable organizations. I hope that this has cleared up any questions or concerns anyone may have had about the American Cancer Society. If anyone has any questions, concerns, ideas or suggestions please feel free to contact me at 478/469-3330 or Amanda Brown, Emanuel County's ACS Community Manager, at 912-764-7410. DEBORAH MARTIN Emanuel County's Relay for Life Co-Chair DEAR EDITOR: On March 11, I lost a very good friend. (I'm withholding his name for privacy.) He was very caring, giving and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for you. He had a great personality and was a hard worker. I'm not questioning God why He took this young person at such an early age. I am asking why people don't realize they have problems. Whether you're on drugs, alcohol or are depressed, if you fit one of these categories, please seek help. Or, if you know someone with these problems, try to get them to rehab, counseling or talk with their pastor. My friend realized he had problems and six months ago he started rehab, counseling and going to church. It might have been too late for help, but it wasn't too late to find God. I talked to him two or three times a week to see how he was doing. He would point to the sky and say the Lord was looking out for him. If he thought he was losing control, he would talk to the Lord and read his Bible. So, the thing was he found Jesus and how he's in a better place. I'll miss my buddy, but I won't forget him. JOHN TAPLEY Swainsboro
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