COLUMN: A Barrow wish list for 2009

It always seems to be that way. No matter how much we have been disappointed by the previous 12 months, the arrival of Jan. 1 means a sense of renewed enthusiasm, if only for a little while.

We all hope the turning of the page to a new year will bring better things, both personally and professionally.

For Barrow County, there are several items that would improve things in general during the next year.

With that in mind let’s hope before 2009 gives way to 2010, we see at least some improvements in the following areas:

•Traffic. Some significant improvements are desperately needed for the traffic situation in downtown Winder. A common sense approach would be a good place to start. When you have traffic congestion due to the fact vehicles are trying to travel down a path that was outdated 25 years ago, then you can’t help but have a problem. City officials cannot continue to allow more and more businesses into the downtown area with no regard for what it does to traffic. A new business does not have to placed on every available inch of space in the downtown Winder area. Hopefully, the current mayor and council can accomplish something in the area of traffic. It has not received much help in the past.

•Owner responsibility. Since I moved to Winder in 1997 I have looked at various buildings in the downtown area and wondered a simple question: “Why in the world are the owners of builders allowed to let their properties deteriorate to such deplorable conditions?” The old Winder motel is a prime example of this, along with the old Peskins building, which since its closing, has been decaying and is now on the verge of collapse. With property ownership comes responsibility, although some property owners in the downtown area apparently don’t realize it.

•Non-partisan politics. In Barrow County, we have become too consumed by labels when it comes to politics. In local elections, all it takes to get elected is to have an “R” by your name, as in Republican. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican has little to do with politics at the local level. When people go into a voting booth and make their decision based on whether an “R” or a “D” is by a candidate’s name, then it is lazy voting. I say make all local races non-partisan. This would make voters research what candidates really stand for. An informed voter is always the best kind. Besides, what does it matter if a sheriff or a probate judge or a coroner is a Republican or Democrat?

•Working together. With several new members on the Barrow County Board of Commissioners, it will be interesting to see just how well this group works together starting in the new year. Let’s hope the group remembers the main goal is to put the needs of Barrow County’s citizens first. That’s why each member has been elected. Discussion and debate are always needed and are even healthy, but they should never lose sight of the No. 1 goal which is to represent the county and its citizens’ interests.

•Solid-paying jobs. The arrival of some new businesses in Barrow County which offer wages which can support a family, not just new businesses that pay minimum wage. We already have more than enough minimum-wage-paying businesses that shuffle workers through like cattle. What we need is a solid company (or companies) that offer above pay scale and benefits for those who are loyal and hard-working.

Chris Bridges is editor of the Barrow Journal. He can be reached at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.