Barrow Journal

The recent success enjoyed by this paper from the Georgia Press Association is the result of a combination of things.

First, it takes a lot of hard work and long hours on behalf of everyone at the paper. A newspaper is not recognized as a “General Excellence” publication without a strong team effort and that’s what we have here each week. [Full Story »] 

The most recent death sentence for the Granite Hotel is simply another in a long line of obstacles the old structure has had to endure.

So many times the building has been written off, its death sentence signed, only to have a last minute reprieve. Many are hoping that will be the case this time although there’s no denying some wish the building, or what’s left of it, would simply leave the downtown Winder landscape.

You have to admire the group of dedicated people who have fought to preserve this location. Their passion is admirable. They believe in the storied past of the Granite Hotel and contend, rightfully so, that if it goes, so goes a piece of local history. Their efforts, quite frankly, are the only thing which still have the building upright. [Full Story »] 

With American Idol complete for another season (how long is this going to go on for goodness sake?), perhaps now Americans can start paying attend to something a little more important in the grand scheme of things.

In case in you hadn’t noticed, and judging from the amount of buzz surrounding things you haven’t, there is a presidential election next year. In fact, Georgia’s primary is less than a year away.

While we all know who will be the Democratic nominee, how many of you even know who the declared Republican candidates are at this point? I’m not talking about those who are “thinking about running” or who have “formed an exploratory committee,” but those who are officially in the race. [Full Story »] 

While I’m not so optimistic to pretend the ongoing recession is over (nationally or locally), there are signs in Barrow County we may be starting to climb upward on the ladder rather than in the opposite direction.

New businesses continue to open and talk of even more arriving can only mean good news in terms for our local economy. Bojangles is rapidly approaching its opening giving residents a fast-food choice on that side of town. [Full Story »] 

Stress is a part of our lives. It always has been, always will be.

The only question is how much do we allow stress to run our lives? While I have never had a 100 percent carefree attitude, I don’t think I’m at the other end of the spectrum either where I worry 24 hours a day, seven days a week. [Full Story »] 

High school graduation ceremonies are approaching us once again and, as is the case each spring, my mind drifts back to a time when I took part in my own event and how much things have changed since that year.

As a member of the Class of 1989 (the best class in history), I was probably among a small group of high school seniors who actually did not want to graduate. Perhaps it was the one area I was actually smart in so many years ago. You see, I knew how good things were and how good I had it at the time. Despite teenage problems which we all thought were the end of the world at the time, when you are a high school senior (or student for that matter) you really have no worries. It was nothing to worry about on the level of being on your own in the real world anyway. [Full Story »] 

The Barrow County School System is facing another budget crisis as officials look to determine how to makes ends meet for the upcoming fiscal year.

In the past, the type of penny pinching now needed would have been unheard of. However, it has literally become an “every penny counts scenario.” [Full Story »] 

Potential disaster was avoided late Friday night when the two-headed political machine in our country finally came to its senses and worked out some level of compromise to keep government operating.

While many Americans (myself included) long for a government with smaller arms with which to wrap around our necks and reach into our wallets, make no mistake we do need an operating government at some level. The mere fact that the two-headed monster of Republicans and Democrats were willing to threaten this because of the old “I’m right, you’re wrong” scenario was maddening. It was similar to that of a five-year-old who couldn’t get his or her way and then stormed off after stomping the floor in a fit of rage. [Full Story »] 

The recent publicity of a new effort to “clean up” Winder can be nothing but good on all levels.

One doesn’t have to drive within the Winder City Limits long to see numerous properties in need of repair or outright demolition. Poor upkeep of property leads to crime and that is something which affects anyone who owns property within the city, or anyone who simply resides here.

New police chief Dennis Dorsey is on board with the effort, which is certainly a positive. Chief Dorsey and several of his officers conducted an old-fashioned “town hall meeting” in order to receive input from Winder residents concerning crime. [Full Story »]