12.26.07

Hey Henry, have you tried the Saratoga Chips at Season's Bistro in McDonough? Wow, they are tasty! Lynn gave us a sample before our meal recently, and I hope they will be adding them to their full menu soon.

Hey Henry, what's up with the McDonough Post Office and carriers? They lost everything I mailed one day (including my car payment), and delivered the mail for everyone on my street to the wrong house on another. It's not that hard to read an address!

Hey Henry, I don't mean to be ugly, but it should be "find out what you're" missing." Not find out what your missing. You know how picky people can be and I don't want them to pick on you. Sent with love. (Thanks, we need all the love we can get - Editor)

Hey Henry, oh my gosh! I was over at Tuesday Morning and was trying to go to the store when I was put through an obstacle course. There was some unfinished construction in front of the store. I was not able to just walk across because of the river in front of the store, I had to jump over a concrete moat. The sad part was I did not make it over and fell in the water. I cannot believe the city is not doing any thing about it. That is a big hazard to everyone especially the customers.

Hey Henry, could our citizens please turn down their "boom boxes" while they are at the square of McDonough on Saturday evenings? The local historians are giving their AKA "History Tour" around the square and every time the music is very loud they have to stop and wait until all the lights turn green for the people who are blaring their radios in their cars to leave the area. It's disturbing the locals.

Hey Henry, to the person griping about the McDonough library; A: you know nothing about grants, because it is illegal to divert a construction grant to buy books. B: in the same amount of time it took you to submit your "Hey Henry" you could have picked up the phone and asked your commissioner to increase book funds for the libraries.

Hey Henry, why must someone always invoke the "remember to honor the troops" card whenever they hear someone say something they dislike? Just argue your point, rather than distract everyone from the original argument with finger-wagging and pious statements about an unrelated issue.

Hey Henry, to all the people that were backed up onto Lake Dow waiting to turn left onto Upchurch Rd. this morning - you are so welcome. I saw each and everyone of your smiling faces as I stopped traffic with my car to let you all go and it made my day! And to all of those scrooges that were behind me honking - get over it. It only took about 20 seconds to let all those people out. You should try it sometime it feels so good.

Hey Henry, in response to the writer in the Hey Henry question of the good samaritan giving away bicycles at the Locust Grove Library, they have requested to remain anonymous. But to our donor a great thank you from the Locust Grove Library staff and the young people that won. You are a wonderful contributor to our community. As a part of random acts of kindness you have made a great impact on our patrons at HCLS-LG. We know the young people will pass on the kindness to others.

Hey Henry, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

12.19.07
Hey Henry, happy birthday to Nick on December 20 from
the boss, anchorman and clownboy!

Hey Henry, lets wish the following teams the best of luck as they get ready for Nationals in Chattanooga in January. Stallion Division-Henry County Bulldogs and the Locust Grove Hurricanes; Blazer Division- Henry County Bulldogs; Competition Cheerleaders- The Falcons. Good luck girls.

Hey Henry, the lights on the square of McDonough are great. At least out tax money is being used to please the children of the town even if they don't please the adults of the town. I love to ride by and see all the lights on my way home every night. They are so gorgeous. My children especially love the tall tree on the square and Santa in his sleigh. Love the decorations, too. How do you get the lights on the tree branches to stay in one straight line? I'd like to know that so I can do the trees in my front yard that way! So pretty in town. Love it. Thanks.

Hey Henry, I just want everyone who doesn't know that our police in Henry County are catching criminals left and right. There has been more than one bank robbery up and down Hwy. 20/81 and an armed robbery at one of the new department stores. Our police have arrested these criminals and taken them out of our communities. Way to go.

Hey Henry, maybe if your Yule log doesn’t burn, it’s wet.

Hey Henry, my highest compliments to Mrs. Kelley and Mrs. Shaw for putting together such wonderful Christmas decorations on the McDonough Square. I have lived here for over 30 years, and have never seen the downtown area look more festive. My grandchildren love the reindeer flying in the air, and those huge ornaments are so whimsical. Just great.

Hey Henry, Beverly Wittler's article "I Haven't Got A Clue" was right on. Kudos to you, Beverly.

Hey Henry, please help me to convince the person or persons who keep removing my grave site marker stones at Locust Grove cemetery that they are in the wrong. These stones were put there approximately eight years ago to mark my grave plot; and, suddenly someone thinks they shouldn't be there. I have been taught that churches and cemeteries are sacred ground. God is watching you.

Hey Henry, I would like to see Beverly Whittler run for President. I like her ideas better than what I'm hearing on TV.

Hey Henry, I also live in a ... managed community and those are the most unprofessional and rude people I have ever encountered.

Hey Henry, what happened to Baby Love (Glenda Stroud) who worked the desk at Heritage Senior Center? We (Seniors of Henry county) would like to see her smiling beautiful face. She always made everyone feel special. We love you, Baby Love. No one can ever take her place.

Hey Henry, when is the city going to fix the pothole on Jonesboro St. as you are leaving the square before you get to Lowe Street. It has been patched many times, but it is bad again now and I am tired of driving through it.

12.12.07
Hey Henry, I challenge anyone in the county to tell me where there is a more beautiful town square other than the one in McDonough. The Christmas decorations are absolutely gorgeous.

Hey Henry, wish I could thank the drivers that stopped to help me when I was hit on my motorcycle Tuesday morning before Thanksgiving at Hwy. 42 in Locust Grove, but I can't since nobody stopped. Guess we are too much in a hurry. And to the driver in the gray car that hit me and drove off - Merry Christmas.

Hey Henry, congrats to the MYA Blazer and Stallion Bulldogs on the cyclone competition. Blazer and Stallion Coaches, I love y’all dearly. You are the best.

Hey Henry, to whoever it was that commented about the Blazer Bulldog coach. The routine was completely original and took first place twice. And it's coaches like the Blazer Bulldog Coach that make the numbers go up and the team number one.

Hey Henry, to a certain Commissioner who never returns his phone calls or answers his emails from taxpayers; we will remember you at voting time. Commissioners and the Chairman are responsible and must answer to the taxpayers and any commissioner who thinks they can ignore a taxpayer's phone calls or emails will not be commissioner for long. If you forgot, the taxpayers are your boss, you must answer to us or you will be fired from your job. Does anyone know who is running for the District 3 Commissioner’s seat?

Hey Henry, anybody know about the two unsupervised prison Trustees unloading furniture from a house into a U-Haul on Deertrace last week? Then one of the trustees got into a red mustang with a lady who was not dressed as a prison guard and the other trustee took off with the U-Haul for parts unknown. What kind of prisoner security does this county have? Children live in that neighborhood.

Hey Henry, kudos to CVS Pharmacy from the citizens of McDonough! During and after the Christmas parade on Saturday, CVS opened its restroom doors to the public. While their competition across the street closed its restrooms to the citizens, CVS welcomed us with spotless restrooms. We even saw a manager replenishing the tissue! Thanks CVS!

Hey Henry, instead of renovating the McDonough library, could the grant be used to actually put some more books in it? The children's section is pathetic.

Hey Henry, to those folks in Virginia Meadows, have you ever thought about starting a Homeowners Association, or can that be done after the fact? I live in the Kelleytown area also and I would certainly hate to see the value of this neighborhood go down. That is one of the reasons we keep fighting builders who want to build one-sided or even three-sided brick homes. Have you checked to see if these people are capable of taking care of their yards, or are they working two jobs to make ends meet? Are they single parent families?

Hey Henry, it would really be nice if whoever threw their Hardee's bag in my yard, which incidentally went into two other yards, would have waited until they got home and put the bag into their own trash. Where is your pride?

Hey Henry, who is the good Samaritan giving away bicycles at the Locust Grove Library?

12.05.07

Hey Henry, am I the only person in the world who puts the lights and all the decoration on my tree and the whole time I'm doing the lights I have them plugged in. Then I do my bulbs and what not, only to find after unplugging my lights before I go to bed that night that the next morning when I wake up my fully decorated tree that took hours to do, won’t light up. Argh!

Hey Henry, the "school zone" signs do not say everyone except Henry County Police have to obey. So, patrol cars please obey the laws you are paid to enforce!

Hey Henry, wasn't the fall color beautiful this year. so intense in McDonough? If we leave it to our government, the developers and excavation companies will make sure we never see it again, and this goes all through Georgia. I love those trees.

Hey Henry, give me a break. You’re going to bash a coach of MYA, someone who dedicates their time and money to the kids of McDonough? I've never seen a coach work so hard for those girls...and it shows...just look at the 1st place wins! Maybe it's the unappreciative parents that are making the numbers go down. Try that!

Hey Henry, you want another SPLOST funded park on Jodeco? Don't you know the strip mall with condos will bring in mucho tax dollars? Economic development is what SPLOST is really about.

Hey Henry, MYA has some of the best coaches around. The Blazer Bulldog coach cares 110% about those girls and it would be such a shame to lose someone that cares so much and actually knows what they are doing simply because others can't just get along and be nice.

We have been on squads many times where the coach just doesn't have a clue. I have never bashed a coach of any sport, because I myself would not be able to do it and I commend them for their efforts. At least this coach knows exactly what she is doing and leads her girls to success.

Hey Henry, thanks to the sacrifices of our troops and veterans, the many loud mouths of the county are allowed to continue ranting, screaming, moaning and pointing fingers at everyone under the sun who they think has done wrong. Without our troops making sacrifices, many making the ultimate sacrifice, these loud mouths would not be able to open their mouths and complain about anything, investigate anything or criticize or crucify anyone in government. Remember and honor those who have made you free and allowed you to run your mouth.

Hey Henry, attention Henry County Parks and Recreation. Henry County needs a park on or near the Jodeco Road area.

Hey Henry, do we really have nothing better to do except to complain about a few yard sale signs being up too long. Wake up! We live in a beautiful part of the country, stop looking for things to complain about and try to enjoy yourself.

Hey Henry, Whose bright idea was it to do construction work on Highway 155 on a Thursday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. when people are getting off of work and out of school. Traffic was backed up on both sides.

Hey Henry, the Square looks the best it has ever looked. Hats off to the people responsible! Outstanding job. Thanks for bringing our square to a higher standard. When considering our budget next year, the lights around the buildings would be an extra special touch.

11.28.07
Hey Henry, I agree, yard sale signs need to come down when the sale is over, but what about the SPLOST III signs that are still up? Aren't political signs supposed to be down within so many days following an election?

Hey Henry, anyone who missed the Henry Players production of "A Christmas Carol" missed a rare treat! It is the most professional production the Players have put on. As a flight attendant, I have seen many Broadway plays and John Gilbert's portrayal of Scrooge was top notch! Who knew we had such a talent in Henry County. I think I'll head up his fan club! Thank you to the Players for putting me in the Christmas spirit.

Hey Henry, remember that especially during the holidays we have a lot of visitors here. These people may be unfamiliar with our street patterns, especially the one-ways around the McDonough Square & environs. So let's be extra vigilant and watch out for the other guy. Have a safe holiday season.

Hey Henry, what is going on with the building of the YMCA. We have the money, we have the plans drawn up, and the location. It seems the only hold up is your signatures. We need the Y to help keep our kids healthy and active. Keep kids off the streets by giving them an alternative.

Hey Henry, am I the only person who thinks those new xenon headlights are hurtful & distracting for oncoming drivers?

Hey Henry, some schools are reportedly installing waterless urinals. Families had those back in the 30's, they were known as 'slop jars. Isn't technology wonderful?

Hey Henry, all the reservoirs seem to be full in this county! Why are we under a water ban?

Hey Henry, we have a new traffic light at Salem Baptist Church and the Fire Dept. on 155 N. We desperately need one at Fairview & 155 and also at 138 & 155. Some people do not know about taking turns and it is very dangerous.

Hey Henry, MYA Blazer Bulldog coach, you have got to be kidding. Why do you always say that other cheerleading teams can’t make up their own routines? MYA wake up, this a big reason your numbers are going down each year.

Hey Henry, two earlier posts about traffic lights at Tanger and N. Bethany tell the story. Development before infrastructure. You gotta ask Warren why traffic is not a higher priority.

Hey Henry, everyone complains about the traffic around the McDonough Square, but nobody does anything about it. The law states, unless otherwise posted like the Left turn East on Jonesboro Street “NO TURNS”, that you can turn left onto a one-way street after stopping. Maybe if the City of McDonough or the DOT would post signs like to remind people of that law. Then maybe the traffic might flow more smoothly around the Square.

Hey, Henry, speaking of helpful pharmacists at our homegrown Moye's Pharmacy, we would like to express our appreciation to Woody Hunt ... we have always been impressed with his friendliness, kindness, and caring attitude. So, thanks to Woody, our "Mr. Congeniality," and kudos to Moye's Pharmacy, for providing us with a true class act.


11.21.07
Hey Henry, an expansion and renovation is in the works for the McDonough library. FYI, it will be paid for by a state grant and money that was set aside from the sale of the old library on Sims Street. No SPLOST or other county funds are involved.

Hey Henry, how about those ELCA Varsity Softball players, 3-time Region 5A Champs and two time State Division A Champs! Go Chargers.

Hey Henry, thank you Henry County for your support in the haunted house. The turnout was more than we had expected for the first haunted house in the county. Thanks also to the cast and crew and the local merchants who helped make this a success. We were able to save the house. Thank you all.

Hey Henry, I shower with each foot in a bucket so I can water my plants. But, if I'm on the McDonough city council I can have new sod put in my yard and water the grass. Government has it's own rewards.

Hey Henry, with all this "superbug" staph infection going around, it might be wise to check with the county to make sure the restaurants near the schools that have reported students with staph infection have a health permit. You'd be surprised what restaurants are not supposed to be serving food right now.

Hey Henry, everybody, take notice of the beautiful lights on top of the Henry County Courthouse clock tower. It's like a welcoming beacon on the square. I hope it's not just for the Christmas season!

Hey Henry, thought we are in a water ban? I live in the S/D behind where new schools are being built. First there was one water truck every hour on the hour filling up... after complaining to HCWSA, there are now two. My son was a grader for many years and never used that much water. If we were not in such crisis that would be different, but they are using thousands of gallons a day.

Hey Henry, I just want to say thanks to the administration at Ola Middle School for not letting my nephew go home with his book bag. His house key was in there so he had to wait out on his front porch for two hours. What if it were the dead of winter, or if someone with bad intentions approached him? No excuse for this.

Hey Henry, great play, great acting, and neat how the Henry Players made me think of Monty Python with their tight English Accents. A Christmas Carol received a well-deserved standing ovation. And I loved the way it ended, “God Bless Us, Everyone.”

Hey Henry, the Board of Education is not a good steward of tax payers’ money. The high schools leave the stadium lights on all night in some cases. At games ... lights to burn on all athletic fields when there is only one game being played on one field.

Hey Henry, want to have a yard sale? Fine by me. But, please, when your yard sale is over, go pick up all the signs you litter the road with. Nobody wants to look at your yard sale sign for 2 or 3 weeks until they get knocked down.

Hey Henry, I'm impressed that the venter from last week at Oakland Elementary can smell the mold and mildew for the horrendous smell of methane gas that permeates the building. Are we to believe it is harmless as the maintenance workers from the county office tells us?

11.14.07
Hey Henry, when is Locust Grove going to get the light fixed at Tanger Blvd. and Locust Grove/Griffin Road. It's ridiculous. I sat there for three minutes at 11:00 the other night, waiting for the light to change with no traffic coming in either direction. Come on people, get with the program!

Hey Henry, when in the world is the DOT going to realize that the intersection at N. Bethany and Highway 81 is a death warrant. Come on guys, get us a red light before some innocent victim is killed. The new construction at Old Jackson, which consists of a doctor's office and who knows whatever else, is just going to make the traffic even worse and even harder to get across Highway 81.

Hey Henry, it’s a sad day in McDonough when out of nearly 8,000 registered voters only 800 showed up to vote. I don’t want to hear any complaining about the "crooks" running our city council. If you want change, YOU HAVE TO VOTE. As few as fifty more votes could have changed our city for the better. Instead we are now stuck with four more years of poor leadership. I have a challange for these "Re-Elected" Councilmembers....Stay off the television for once.

Hey Henry, in a prior Vent someone stated: "Jason Pye moved 5 minutes over the Newton line. His heart is in Henry County! Larry Stanley posts there, too. Why not attack him?" Beacuse Larry Stanley lives in Henry County, Jason Pye lives in Newton County. Pye has no business stirring up things in Henry. If Henry County is really in Jason Pye's heart, then WHY is he paying taxes in Newton County?

Hey Henry, been in McDonough a long time, since 1968. Have met a lot of wonderful friends for life. Some of the best years of my life were spent riding around the square in McDonough, Butlers Bridge and the Nite Owl parking lot. Placing soap in the water fountain at the bank was awesome! I had good clean fun and these are memories I will never forget. To all my friends that were on the square on Friday and Saturday nights, rock on! My little town will never be the same, thanks for the good times, Ms. 1968.

Hey Henry; there's another fun place to take the kids and you don't even have to leave the county. We checked out farm animals, a hay ride, corn maze, fired the corn cannon and had some nachos and cheese at Southern Belle Farms. Can't wait to see what they come up with for Christmas!

Hey Henry, I was delighted to learn from Hey Henry that the county has a community meeting room in the newly-bought old Save Rite complex. Could the person who submitted this information write back and tell us how to get a copy of the guidelines for use? Or could they reply back in this column and give the guidelines in the paper?

Hey Henry, McDonough needs a new library, more in line with the ones in Fairview and Stockbridge. This library needs to be more centrally located than the present one.

Hey Henry, what does it take to get someone's HEY HENRY POSTED? Is it picked by the editor or is it just a subject you don't want to discuss? Carriage Rides with Santa. I have a very upset customer that forwarded me a copy of her hey henry when she found there would be no carriage rides this year.... it never got posted. I guess we need to take our story to the competition paper!

Hey Henry, there are no Henry County rec parks in the Jodeco Road Area. A new strip mall is being built at Jodeco and Peach Roads. This space could have been better utilized for a recreational park. There is still lots of room left - Come on SPLOST!

11.07.07
Hey Henry, this is in response to the October 31 comments about John Quinn and the train wreck of 1900. According to Mrs. Rainer’s “Mother of Counties” book pages 328-329, there were two funeral homes in McDonough, Carmichaels and Bunns. Also, Mr. George C. Alexander said he’d never forget the coffins around the Square. The person who sent that Oct. 31 Hey Henry has insulted the integrity of two of the finest Henry Countians of the past. Whomever wrote those statements did not know their history of McDonough and this is from a true life-time resident of Henry County.

Hey Henry, I love ya'lls town in McDonough, it is such a beautiful place. And ya'll do a fantastic job. The only thing I hate is seeing young men walk around in baggy pants. I think its time for parents to take a stand and put a stop to all this.

Hey Henry, Why do city councilmembers get more than 5 minutes to rattle on about issues that they are addressing from a personal perspective? Should they not be held to the same standards as the residents of McDonough? Residents get a 5 minute limit.

Hey Henry, visit the Auto Quick Castrol GTX on Keys Ferry in McDonough. As a female, it is nice to go into an auto place and not feel like someone's trying to pull a fast one on you. They're honest, don't treat me like I don't know anything about cars, don't try to sell me things I don't need, the waiting room is clean with a working TV and stocked current magazines of a variety of interests. I always see the same faces too. They're super nice!

Hey Henry, thanks Oakpark Subdivision! To all of you who passed out candy on Wednesday, October 31; It was greatly appreaciated! The kids really enjoyed ringing the doorbells and receiving the candy. You might have only had a few kids, but they loved it! Thanks bunches for particapating on that night!

Hey Henry, has anyone realized that six high school volleyball teams from Henry County advanced to the state sectional competition this year, including first year school Woodland High? Congratulations to those young ladies, their coaches, and their schools.

Hey Henry, thanks to the great security at Double D's Night Club. Those guys are awesome, I felt very safe out there! Keep up the good work!

Hey Henry, please continue to remember those families who lost their young boys in October. Trent Pyles and Chad Walker. As the holidays are approaching, keep their families in your constant prayer! This is going to be a very difficult remainder of the year for them. Also, continue to remember their close friends. Many of which have never faced death before and do not know how to handle it. If you know any of them, reach out to them, so they are not reaching to a bottle to comfort them. Trent Pyles and Chad Walker--RIP! You are both greatly missed!

Hey Henry, with the high taxes we pay in the city of McDonough, why does the Big Springs Park and walking trail go so unkept? It looks terrible. I would think this area is the oldest, most historic, and certainly the closest to the square of all the parks in the county. Why build more parks and recreation areas if we fail to keep up the ones we already have? It is sad.

10.31.07
Hey Henry, Alert. Need a 4-way stop or light @Bethany Rd and Hwy. 81,,,,Please.

Hey Henry, All the reservoirs seem to be full in this county! Why are we under a water ban?

Hey Henry, I would like to thank the Hands of Hope Clinic for referring me to Dr. Dellinger, DDS of McDonough. Dr. Dellinger, I thank YOU for excellent work and you and your staff for making my visit a good one, as well as making me confident to smile again without worrying what people will say about my teeth. You saved my mouth's life!

Hey Henry, exactly how bad must the mold and mildew get in the ceiling at Oakland Elementary School to have the water leak fixed? The smell is becoming a real problem, not to mention a potential health hazard. Here's a solution for your consideration - fix the leak and stop patching it everyday.

Hey Henry, How many lives have to be lost before you install a light on King Mill Road and 42Hwy. That area right there is a death trap. Look at the accident that happened on October 3 - wasn't that horrible enough to install a light? Either that or put the light coming out of Industrial Parkway. Something to slow traffic down in that area. ...Wake Up McDonough, let's use our money for useful things. Like Lights or maybe even a 4 way stop sign right there. Anything would help slow down that traffic! Thanks for letting me vent. Lives are being lost for no reason, and ... whoever is involved in red lights or more stop signs needs to wake up ...

Hey Henry, when did John Quinn replace Gene Morris as the local historian? In my opinion as a life long resident of this county, as well as a member of a long standing family of the county, is that Quinn's self-proclaimed title is misleading as well as damaging. What are his credentials to prove he knows what he's talking about? He has given misinformation on this county's history, such as his claim that bodies of the 1900 train wreck victims were laid out in the Square. He also has made claims that different buildings on the square were funeral homes or used for other purposes that weren't true. I should know he made the claims, I went on the first ever "ghost tour" Quinn offered last October. Biggest laugh I had in a long time.

Hey Henry, wake up, how long will we continue to let profane and suggestive lyrics be played at school sponsored "skate nights?" Our K-5th graders grow up fast enough without this. There is plenty of music across all genres that have decent lyrics.

Hey Henry, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the McD Middle School Gators play football this fall. They are a great team and full of drive and determination. Congratulations players and coaches for a great season so far - 6 and 0! You guys are awesome!

Hey Henry, Jason Pye moved 5 minutes over the Newton line. This guy's heart is in Henry! His blog gets ... hits from across the state - and has a lot of Henry news. Post your opinions, but leave the personal stuff in the drawer. Larry Stanley posts there, too. Why not attack him?

Hey Henry, The Best Kept Secret in McDonough is at Season's Bistro. Chef Jeffrey Bell is back across the square. Stop in and have him prepare you a meal that will keep you coming back for more. If you're lucky you may even catch Tony, the Piano Man.

10.24.07
Hey Henry, why did the county pay for additional parking for the courthouses? When court is in session, couldn't the officers in the parking lots direct people to park in the lots and not on Lawrenceville St. If we don't use them then it is a waste of taxpayer money.

Hey Henry, love the new Pennys and Kohls. had a great time shopping there and getting all those great buys, but at the 81 entrance into Penneys there needs to be a light or a 4 way stop. That mess is a definite accident waiting to happen, many times over. Don't even try to make a left turn there. Somebody needed to think about this in the planning stages.

Hey Henry, I don't know what is going on at Tuesday Mornings. My elderly aunt and I tried to go shopping there but the handicap ramp was blocked by this cement wall. Something needs to be done. Who would be so inconsiderate to block a handicap ramp. I asked the workers at Tuesday Mornings and they said the manager of the building next door said the parking lot was theirs so they can do whatever they want to it. I don't care who it belongs to but that ramp needs to be unblocked. Don't know why the cops aren't doing anything.

Hey Henry, just wanted to say thank you to the city workers who keep the square looking so great. You are the ones that keep this city beautiful!

Hey Henry, what is it going to take to get speed bumps at Warren Holder Park? One of our children getting run down by the idiots that use this as a cut through? They are so concerned that their music is up loud enough that the spectators can hear their tunes that they are not paying attention to the children running around. Come on HCPR do something!

Hey Henry, the new dentist in Locust Grove, Dr Bruno, is wonderful!

Hey Henry, yes, we DO influence the Henry County Commissioner votes and we are glad that they stood with us in prohibiting beer and wine sales at the Heritage Park Arena. We also need to get alcohol out of our supermarkets and restaurants. If you want to drink, go to somewhere like Atlanta to watch a concert or sports event! What if a child were to take a sip? Beer and wine are Satan's vice!

Hey Henry, the County did purchase the old Sav-Rite shopping center, but it was to house Public Safety, Code Enforcement and SPLOST – not transportation and vehicle maintenance as a previous quip suggested. SPLOST and Code Enforcement are both functioning out of the facility currently, while the space to be used by the Police and Fire Departments is still being renovated with an anticipated completion date in early '08. The Community Room is indeed being used regularly by a number of different community organizations as well as by County staff for additional meeting/classroom space. Anyone can make reservations as long as certain guidelines are met.

Hey Henry, I would like to praise Kim Delk at Moye's on Jonesboro Road. I actually met her at the McDonough location and she was wonderful, therefore I followed her to Jonesboro Rd. She is an excellent pharmacist and is so caring and thorough with all customers. She is kind and courteous and explains everything, with the meds in a wonderful manner. She is an example of a great pharmacist! Thanks, Kim!

10.17.07
Hey Henry, kudos to Chuck Kimbel for his Letter to the Editor in the 10/3/07 edition. Well written and well said. .... and yes, Miz Martha did have eyes in the back of her head!

Hey Henry, isn't bringing in a consultant team that the CFO has personally known for more than 10 years, a conflict of interest?

HeyHenry, Jason Pye...everyone knows you moved away to another county, so stop pretending you still live in Henry County on your website.

Hey Henry, I think that Racetrack road in Mcdonough is very scary to drive down at night. I think they should put down reflectors on the street cause when you driving down it at night and another car is coming toward you, you can barely see the road. I'm sure I'm not the only one it scares!

Hey Henry, I just want to express my gratitude to the women who found my wallet at Wal-Mart gas pumps and turned it in to the police. I would like to tell the world that there are still honest people. It restores your faith in your fellowman, or should I say fellowwomen. Thanks again.

Hey Henry, please take your paper to the next level and become a daily paper, We the people of the county certainly don’t get the type of service we deserve from the other daily papers in our area.

Hey Henry, why doesn’t the City of McDonough go ahead and buy the Georgia Power property and turn it into a public street. It seems that the public is ignoring the “No Thru Traffic” signs. If not, why not station a patrol car there and turn it into a revenue source by giving tickets to the violators.

Hey Henry, so the county bought up the old Sav-Rite shopping center property in McDonough in order to house their transportation & vehicle maintenance. Is anyone doing anything there, really? Or are we waiting for SPLOST III to pass? No wait, they did do something there; they made some very nice offices for SPLOST management. And, oh yes there's a so-called community room that is not open for community use. What gives?

Hey Henry, does anyone else miss the old First State Bank display showing only the date and time? If you are watching the road, you do not have time to read all the other information while driving.

Hey Henry, you better start attending your Henry County Board of Commissioner's meetings unless you want your County run by a vocal minority. Our elected officials are letting religious and personal beliefs determine what's good for the greater number of people. I even saw representatives from ELCA trying to influence the Board on the beer and wine ordinance at the Heritage Park Arena. And look what happened!

Hey Henry, how can we cut out all the car wrecks where Sloan crosses Hwy. 42 North? Hwy 42 is a very dangerous place Two of my cars have been totaled out. One by a drunk driver hitting my parked car outside my work and he was going about 70 during rush hour. Wow! What are our cops doing? Then the second I was crossing over Hwy. 42 by passing the square, someone was speeding again. I have seen a dozen wrecks there but it never changes. We as the city need to fix this problem!

Hey Henry, welcome to the neighborhood Penney's, but you're going to need a traffic light and if I were you, I'd turn the music down too.

10.10.07
 Hey Henry, I just want to compliment the Ola Middle School Administration, espically the counselors. My son could have easily been a statistic, but they actually cared and went above and beyond their jobs for him. We need more people like them! I want to send them a very heart felt thank you.

Hey Henry, in response to the Junior in high school commenting on my poor spelling, I in fact was educated in a second-rate government school and that is the exact reason why I am sending my child to a private school. The really sad part is that my school was a "National School of Excellence" and I still spell poorly. I am sure most of the other poor spelling and grammar that you see on here came as a product of the government school system too. Thanks for the well wishes!

Hey Henry, what is up with the new 4 way stop at Mt Carmel Rd and Chambers. Oh I see, since the County Planning and Zoning approved the "New Birth Church 10,000 members" to be built, knowing that Mt Carmel Rd can't handle the traffic when they open. Decides now to stop traffic all along Mt Carmel so the traffic will be even worse. Nice Job.

Hey Henry, we just returned to Garland, Texas from a visit to McDonough. I have never been in such traffic as you have there on 75 and Airline Road coming into town. I can’t believe the changes that have taken place since we left 44 years ago. No matter what, we still love that town and hope to visit our family and friends again next year. Mary Ann Barnette

Hey Henry, my father is 67 years old and has worked all his life. He has worked hard, not just worked. He retired from driving 10 years ago and has been working for a small company since. He has recently started looking for another job, but people look at his age and turn him away. I know that my father could out-work anyone~ I am willing to put money on it! He has never missed a day of work for as long as I can remember. I just don’t understand how law states you can not discriminate against age yet everyone in Henry County does! Want to give him a job - email me at ljohnson1011@yahoo.com. Make a difference and prove me wrong.

Hey Henry, the pet of the week, Coco, is a doll! We visit McDonough frequently and have a male piebald dachshund named Romeo. Maybe we will meet Coco and Oscar Meyer on the Square!

Hey Henry, I was born in McDonough in 1964. I moved a short distance away, but long for the peace, serenity and neighborly qualities that I held so dear. Change and progress are good and inevitable, but I pray that those in government who control Henry's infrastructure will remember the true value of our county, and not surrender to the siren's call of growth without heeding the wisdom of control.

Hey Henry, is it just a coincidence that Gail Notti's house just missed the "mark" of the sign that proclaims the area as the "Great Historic District". It must be really nice that she is able to make changes to the one truly historic house on that road without anyone saying anything to her. But wait a minute, didn't she vote NO to the houses being torn down up the road from her? Makes you go hmmmmmm, huh?

Hey Henry, Aren't you sick of being the "goyim" of the "elites" running this Country? If you don't know what I'm talking about...Look it up on the internet. Wake up

10.03.07
Hey Henry, I support the complete watering ban and I will totally support it. Seeing the pictures of Lake Alatoona is very upsetting. I just have one question, during the times that Henry County was on odd/even watering days, why was it okay for the businesses in the industrial parks in and around McDonough to continually water their lawns every day of the week? Are they exempt or special? I especially believe that those large businesses would have to abide by the ban more so than the residents!

Hey Henry, why don't you care about your mentally handicapped children? My son is autistic and had five lead teachers last year. On his second month of school this year his teacher is quitting. The school board is failing these kids, HIRE REAL TEACHERS! - A Ticked Off Voter.

Hey Henry, did you know our politicians in D.C. are personally making MILLIONS of dollars from the blood and deaths of our soldiers in this war?! WAKE UP !

Hey Henry, shame on you HC BOE and Ola High School for making your ninth grade football team play their games without uniforms when all the other ninth grade teams in the county seem to have them. Could it be that their coaches care more about their teams? Ola is a second year school, not a first. Will the ninth grade ever have uniforms? Why are parents paying $250 each?

Hey Henry, I would like to thank the man who stopped and change a tire for my pregnant daughter and grandson on Old Jackson Rd. Tuesday around lunch time. It's nice to know that men like you are still out there. (Too bad my son-in-law isn't one of them! ) Thanks for your kindness.

Hey Henry, please help save the internet and don't let big business tell us what we can and can't do.

Hey Henry, looks like Mayor Copeland is trying to WHITEN up McDonough again. I thought diversity was one of his campaign platform issues!

Hey Henry, I have a real concern with animals running in the neighborhood. My subdivision along with Henry County encourages all to keep their pets fenced. I've been bitten by the neighbor’s dog that broke from the child that was walking the dog. I entered my yard, the dog saw me and made the attack when the owner was yelling at the animal. Thereafter, the neighbor was angered with me when I reminded him again of the laws. I do enjoy my dog. There is a place for everything, including our animals. Thanks you.

Hey Henry, to all you bored teenagers out there who enjoy drinking smoothies, try this: Get a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream (3 or 4), about 3/4 cup of orange juice, around 4 or 5 sliced strawberries and pop it all in a blender, mix it all up and take you a swig. It's so good I'm about to make me one right now.

Hey Henry, I attend a "government school" and there is nothing wrong with my spelling or grammar. So while you're saving money for your child to attend a private school, I'm sure they'll be teaching us at government schools the difference between the homonyms "sea" and "see."

Hey Henry, we don't like being lied to! Don't tell us we're finally going to get a mall down here and get us all excited only to find out it's just going to be another strip mall! A mall is enclosed - you know - so you don’t have to go out in the hot, cold, rain, whatever to get from store to store! Southpoint is not going to be a mall and is not what we wanted or needed! I'll still be going to Southlake, Stonecrest, or Macon - real malls!

09.26.07
Hey Henry, Peeksville & South Ola - Does anyone know if they plan to put a light here before the new schools are done? We live about 1000 yards away and have seen mulitple accidents since the county took away the 4 - way, and now only one direction of traffic has to stop...very very dangerous intersection, should have been left a 4 way to begin with.

Hey Henry, the "children" that hung the manaquin from the I-75 Bridge should get a more harsh punishment. That is a hate crime and does nothing but cause conflict.

Hey Henry, Ummm, I hate to break it to you, but sports bras are made to be worn in public situations. There is nothing obscene about the bodies we are born in. Get over it.

Hey Henry, this is in response to the ... complaining about people not proofreading their statements before they submit them: I must say as a Junior in high school that, if I'm not mistaken, the principles of English (not principals) are something everyone can learn in a "government school." If your (and other people's) poor spelling and grammar skills are due to attending a second-rate public school, then good luck saving up to send your child to a private school.

Hey Henry, what happened to Aspen Brook S/D? It looks abandoned.

Hey Henry, to a previous "Hey Henry!" quip, the GMAC sign is not advertising their business....they are advertising the fact that they have a CLASS going on at the Merle Manders Center for GMAC employees. Saw it for myself.

Hey Henry, if tall grass freaks you out, how about a dump truck, trailers, bobcats, junk cars, a dirt yard where grass used to grow, oil spill trailing up the street along with other property destroying factors? The residents of Virginia Meadows would like to invite you to drive down into our S/D and check out the really big issue that we have been dealing with for some time now. It is ... bringing our Kelleytown community down not just for us but for all Kelleytown residences. Code enforcement has done all that they can do, which doesn’t eliminate the eye sore. The residents are searching for any answers that will help us keep the value of our homes and community up. If Virginia Meadows loses property value, the entire community will start to lose. We welcome everyone’s ideas on this issue including the concerned neighbor that asked about the tall grass.

Hey Henry, you always hear about the shortage of GA state troopers patrolling our rural highways. Turn on a football game and see why? Why on earth do GA troopers accompany college football coaches out of state?

Hey Henry, don't confuse Fred Thompson with his TV character. In a recent interview, Fred wouldn't comment on his opponents' political positions - said he hadn't studied them enough. He also wouldn't comment on the Terry Schiavo situation - said he wasn't familiar enough. Either Fred is very uninformed or he is not willing to take a position.

Hey Henry, instead of everyone fussing about what 'everybody else's kids are doing' why not go back to good, Christian morals and standards. If you will raise your children and yourself to follow God's standards--what a difference there will be.

Hey Henry, nice article about the North Ola Road completion. Only thing you forgot to mention is that the completion was a year late.

09.19.07
Hey Henry, I just want to say thank you to the young couple on Sloan Street. I have no idea who they are but everytime my husband and I walk by they say hello and we love seeing thier beauitful front porch and all the plants. Thanks for keeping downtown McDonough a nice place to live!

Hey Henry, the time a lot of us have been waiting for has finally come. Sen. Fred Thompson has officially entered the Presidential race. As good American citizens and as Georgians we need to stand up and support Sen. Thomspon's candidacy. He is a principled man who says what he means and means what he says. It is up to us to protect our nation and help Sen. Thompson win! The alternative would be devastating.

Hey Henry, to the woman at Woodland High School that thinks our girls are behaving badly, have you not heard of Hoover High in Alabama? They are so good and have so much spirit that they have a TV show about the team and school, and that's where the painted stomachs came from. Also, have you ever been to the beach or public pool? What do you think the girls wear, that's right bikinis, so maybe you need to get out of the house a little more. We here at Ola have the best test scores in the county, no gangs, kids with their pants hanging down so low their boxers show ... and I think you’re just jealous. So why don't you move to the Ola district, if you can afford it, and get your kid a great education and maybe some spirit.

Hey Henry, is the Merle Manders Center in Stockbridge for sale or is GMAC real estate getting free advertising? I thought we had an ordinance against signs like that.

Hey Henry, thank you to the City of McDonough for making the two minute moment of silence on September 11 around the square what it was. That was a first class act for everyone involved. From the church bell ringing to the fire truck lifting the flags. It made me feel very patriotic.

Hey Henry, I would like to invite everyone to ride through Rainer Park (just off the square) and see the beautiful homes that certain members of the city have slowed down for over a year while new apartments and strip malls come up everyday after a strong rain. These homes and the ones on Bryan street should be models for what we want in our county.

Hey Henry, to the venter a while back who complained about the exterior renovation of the Courthouse not being historically accurate. Look on page 73 of A Pictorial History of McDonough by Gene Morris. You will see that what has been done nearly matches how the building looked in 1905.

I attended the Dutchtown High School Football game [last night] against Luella High School and as a concerned father and parent it was very offensive and embarrassing to look into the crowd and see students (young ladies) that were allowed to come into the gate with SPORTS BRAS on.

Hey Henry, I think Richard Jewell deserves a memorial of some sort in Centennial Park. He saved lives, yet suffered & sacrificed for it. The last decade of his life was spent defending his reputation.

Hey Henry, raise flat rate garbage rates and give discounts for the amount of goods recycled. To charge for the amount of trash collected will encourage illegal dumping.

Hey Henry, why can't we, the people of McDonough, have advanced life support engines like Henry county fire department?


09.12.07
Hey Henry, next year Henry High hits Woodland and others. Enjoy your dress code while you can.

Hey Henry, the Historical Preservation Committee should have to either purchase your property or pay your yearly fees if they can control what you can do with your own property. I thought we lived in the Land of the Free.

Hey Henry, I agree on cheerleaders and dance teams outfits... too much skin. But do know booster moms help pick out outfits. Yes, the same rule should go for them as dress code. And change after class. They don't need to have them on in class.

Hey Henry, wonder what side of the fence Mayor Billy and Councilman Wayne will be on when First Baptist Church wants to start construction on the new church and requests moving or tearing down one or more of the houses the church has purchased on Brown Ave.

Hey Henry, to Virginia Meadows Residents. How tall are you going to let the weeds and grass grow in the front of your neighborhood before you decide to cut them? That is such an eyesore and hurts the value of your homes. Take pride in your neighborhood and take some initiative and cut the grass.

Hey Henry! Why do not you people proof read you post befor you submitt them, for all to sea.... I find it hard to even read these post when commas are in the wrong place, words are misspelled, and just the basic principals of the English language are ignored. I am assuming you all must have gone to government schools? I am going to start saving my money right now to send my 2 year old to Strong Rock!

Hey Henry, to the guy who thinks police officers should be able to smoke in their cars because their job is stressful: I guess that means everyone with a stressful job should be able to smoke during it? ... if the county thinks it can tell a restaurant it can't even allow smokers on its outdoor patio, it shouldn't let policemen willfully destroy their county-owned cruisers either.

This is in response to the person who had such a horrible time at the Ola H.S. football game against Woodland. We are very proud of our school and our students. I would love to know what happened for you to think that our parents are rude. I have been to every school in the county and have seen girls with their mid sections painted. They got this idea from a show on MTV. They are teenagers supporting their school.

Hey Henry, my son plays football for Ola High. We have a great group of player, coaches, parents and administrators. I think it’s great that the students are proud of their school and show school spirit. I don’t know if Ola is “The School” or not, but I do know my son is receiving a great education at this facility. I don’t understand where this writer gets the idea that Ola parents are rude...all we saw was very polite, well-mannered interaction between parents from both schools.

Hey Henry, after many months Fred Thompson has decided that he would like to be president. We have had seven years of the 'decider', we cannot stand four years of the 'undecider'.

Hey Henry, I am now convinced that I did the right thing by putting my child in private school last year. The 9/5 edition contained a complaint from a Henry County teacher who claimed that a 3% pay raise vs. a 10% increase in his/her medical insurance premium resulted in a net 7% pay loss. DUH. . .do the math.

09.05.07
Hey Henry, what makes overweight people, young people with grandma’s blue handicapped window card and just about anybody else think they can park in a handicapped parking place. Yesterday just as I was about to pull into a place at the Hudson Bridge Kroger a young girl very capable of walking pulled into the only place left, so my handicapped husband and I (he has to ride a scooter) had to park elsewhere. If you can walk you should feel blessed because someday you might not be able to, and someone who can will be parked in your handicapped parking place! If you don't have the handicapped person with you don't park in a handicapped place.

Hey Henry, I agree with Mr. Brittner. We do need a children only or a non-children section for eating out. It's bad when you have to pay $30 to $40 for a meal and you can't enjoy it. It's not the kid’s fault, its the parent's, for not making them behave.

Hey Henry, the volunteer ladies on Wednesday at Henry Medical Center really miss Josh. We're all really sad. But we appreciate the lady that's coming on Wednesday and we'll grow to love her too. Josh, we miss you. We love you.

Hey Henry, as a Henry County school teacher and proud of it. I want to thank Rep. Davis, Senator Emmanuel Jones and John Douglas for my 3% raise this year. And on the other hand I also want to thank them for allowing our medical premiums to rise by 10%, thus giving us a negative 7% raise. A headline in the AJC last week read "State Employees Insurance Goes up by 10%" The very next day and I quote Allowing our officials to build up a record 1.2 billion reserve fund for the state because of the good economy and tax collections. It seems like school teachers are only liked by politicians during election years. Thanks again for the increase in my insurance rates.

Hey Henry, how come people can't pass on the right at Peeksville Rd. in Locust Grove. What genius figured that one out? And of course if you get frustrated some cop is sitting there waiting to give you a ticket, so traffic is backed up all the way down Bill Gardner past I-75. Wouldn't it be a lot smarter to let people pass on the right so traffic wouldn't back up. But then again, there would be less money in the public coffers.

Hey Henry, I was at the Ola - Woodland Scrimmage game on Friday Night, and I was appalled at something I saw. I saw several teenage girls with, short shorts and skimpy white tank tops rolled up, with their middle painted green and gold. It is one thing to have school spirit, but please, this is unacceptable. Ola High is suppose to be "the school", but I beg to differ. Moms please pay closer attention to your teenage daughters leaving your house, before they get into trouble. And administrators at Ola, please don't allow this at your football games, it is not attractive at all. And Ola parents, you all are not better than other school parents , so please stop being so rude, and wake up and realize we are all equal, and want the same for our children.

Hey Henry, I read a quip this week on Police Officers smoking in patrol cars. First, Police cars are not taxi cabs so if the stench bothers you try not and get arrested. Second, I pay taxes as everyone does so part of my money will allow them to smoke if they so choose. Why, Well, lets just say that I have an emergency and the little time that the officer uses to quit his/her smokebreak and get the Patrol Car into action to assist myself or whoever. I wouldn't mind the stench. Plus, What officers go through I feel I would need a smoke also. "Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved through understanding"

08.29.07

Hey Henry, congrats to Mayor Copeland, Gail Notti, Gina Riffey and Sandra Vincent for doing what is right for the McDonough historic district and not backing down because of a "threat" of a possible lawsuit over the requested demolition of homes on Jonesboro Street. Thanks for listening to the citizens who live in the area around the square and all McDonough citizens interested in preserving what's left of our beautiful city. It breaks my heart to see how the original character of downtown has been dismantled bit by bit over the last several years. It's great you've taken a step to stop it. Kudos also to the Historic Preservation Commission for their votes and standing firm. "Profit over Preservation" developers need to go elsewhere!

Hey Henry, when are you going to realize that your libraries need help. Would you say the library shelves are half-full, or half-empty? Either way, all that you care about are sports and weekends at the races. Don't blame the schools when your kids fall behind. Counties that aren't in the Pines, and have their own library systems, such as Gwinnet and Dekalb, get books in as soon as they are published. It takes weeks in Henry just to get enough books through the Pines to work on kids projects for school. Get your priorities straight, so the library doesn't have to wait a year after a book is released, to get copies. Navigate the library websites of these other counties, and you will realize just how much our kids are missing out.

Hey Henry, the alleged physical and mental abuse of those children on Macon Street in McDonough should make us all want to be a little more perceptive of what our neighbors are doing. What a shame that no one noticed what was going on in that backyard...

Hey Henry, What in the world has happened to Henry County's mowers? Where Harris Drive connects to 42 Highway, the grass is higher than the stop sign! This is a dangerous highway and the grass makes it hard to see oncoming traffic. Has Snapper gone out of business?

Hey Henry, why are McDonough police officers allowed to smoke in their patrol cars? Those cars are city property, paid for by taxpayers, and that stench will never come out. Are officers allowed to smoke inside other city facilities? Are they allowed to intentionally destroy other city property? They shouldn't be allowed to smoke in patrol cars, either! Not to mention the terrible example it sets.

Hey Henry, to all the people taking their dogs to the park at Pates Creek Elementary. Not everyone enjoys having to dodge your dogs as they run loose while they are trying to walk or run. Anyway, aren't all dogs supposed to be on a leash? Take your animals to the dog park located on Mount Carmel. Going to the park at Pates Creek is becoming a very unpleasant experience.

Hey Henry, to the person writing in about 155 and Walker Rd. Just slow down, please. You have teenagers also driving thru there. My son and I were nearly killed ... along with some teenagers coming from the other direction and a semi with transformers was barreling up behind him. I complained to the school commissioner, the dot and the state then and nothing has been done... It’s up to us to do our part. Just slow down when approaching it and be mindful, please.

Hey Henry, since the McDonough Historical Preservation Committee supposedly has a say about what I can or cannot do to MY house, can I charge them rent OR will they be willing to make my next mortage payment???

08.22.07
Hey Henry, thanks Publix for reaching out to the confused lady who wandered into your store. It was nice to watch the employees hovering around, and then locating a family member to come to the rescue, plus staying by her side the whole time. What a store!

Hey Henry, I've been driving by Heritage Park and have been watching as they've built that new covered arena and parking lot. I see a problem in the parking lot as being all too tight to bring in large rigs......large trucks with large trailers. These rigs are going to take out any curbs and shrubbery and probably clip a few cars along the way. Also I don't see any parking space for these rigs. They need a whole lot of space! Even the small trucks and trailers are going to have a hard time maneuvering around there. I know, because I used to go to show horses at open shows and also registered shows... and 81 is an absolute nightmare. I hope you build better ins and outs to the place. A traffic light will make things somewhat safer. Good luck!

Hey Henry, saw the plans on display at McDonough City Hall for the Christmas decorations on the Square this year. Looks absolutely marvelous and I can't wait to see them in all their glory come December!

Hey Henry, it happened again, three times today in fact! I became invisible, was able to get checked out finally, but in silence. A drugstore, a grocery store and a convenience store in McDonough need to teach their clerks to have eye contact, stop reading their book and say 'thank you'.

Hey Henry, this is to the parent that wants to be notified about their kid owing lunch money to the school. It is pretty obvious that your kid needs lunch money every day, I don't think you need to be notified that lunch is being served everyday. If you know your kid is eating lunch without paying for it (and I don't see how you can't know that) then get off your lazy you know what and find out for yourself how much your kid owes. Chances are you have been notified by a note home, however you probably never read that either since you didn't realize that lunch was being served everyday. Duh, get a clue!!!

Hey Henry. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but, was not the old courthouse suppose to be renovated to its original exterior condition? If so, what is with addition to the roof line of the clock tower?

Hey Henry, I would like to thank Most of the Salvation Army staff and volunteers for making my community service there a good experience. Most of you have become friends and will remain so for life. I will miss being with you all on a daily basis, but WILL be back to help out when time allows. THANK YOU MY NEW DEAR FRIENDS.

Hey Henry, to the woman who thinks the bus should pick her kids up from their doorstep... You know, YOU could always walk them to the stop, or heck, maybe you could even drive their precious little bodies to school. I'm only 28, but I walked
to school everyday. The world hasn't changed so much that your kids can't walk to their bus stop! Also, just how is a bus supposed to get through those gates?

Hey Henry, Stockbridge Middle School has the best teachers in the county. Why want they come in and give the school a face lift. Or is that asking to much?

Hey Henry, is Stockbridge Florist staying where they are on the corner of E Atlanta and N Henry?

08.15.07
Hey Henry, Kudos to Kaye West for her article on Restaurant Manners for children in the Aug. 1 issue of Welcome to the World. I would like to see a copy of that posted at every restaurant in Henry County. Not only is behavior a problem when you go out to eat, but also at the Grocery Stores and Department Stores. Parents, please teach your children manners.

Hey Henry, to schools county buses and their routes. I find it very selfish of you to not go on to apartment grounds and make children WALK very long distances to the bus stop outside of the apartment grounds. Consider the weather too, cold, raining, and other forms of inclement weather. And what if one of the children were to get hit by a car while going to/or from the bus stop. Thanks Henry County for protecting our children!

Hey Henry, who let a trustee prisoner select those way-too-big orange pants? Aren't we supposed to be leading them away from the gang-inspired dress code?

Hey Henry, I just wanted to thank all the people who stopped to help me after I had passed out while walking with my children the other day in Locust Grove. Also thanks to all the first responders who were so nice! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Hey Henry, to all of you who stop at Hwy 155 and Walker Rd solely to let people turn from Walker to 155, you are causing accidents. No one expects you to just stop and let people out. Instead, let's tell the county that a light is needed there. With all the school traffic there, you would think they would do something.

Hey Henry, why is Representative Steve Davis using GA House of Representatives email to send out information on his real estate affiliations?

Hey Henry, if Henry County schools could come up with a better system of notifying parents that their kids need lunch money then maybe you wouldn't have kids eating sandwiches either. How about an Edline, e-mail, note home, or carrier pigeon message?

Hey Henry...School starting, fall clothes in stores. I started thinking fall was coming but the Aug. heat had just got to me.

Hey Henry, Barry Bonds has NOTHING on Hank Aaron! Hank hit 756 WITHOUT Steroids! Now THAT was doing something!

Hey Henry, is he really gone, or is it possible that you are just joshing us! What about the dog with a degree, is he gone too, or maybe he's just laying out under the moon.

Hey Henry, Woodland is cleaner than Union Grove, the administration is kinder, and the teachers are wonderful. Union Grove students, you really shouldn't refer to our school as Hoodland, just because we ended up with the better school. What if we called you Bumpkin Grove. We also can't help but notice all the kids that ride the bus to Woodland in the mornings, but are then shuttled to Union Grove. You are really missing out on a superior school, and the traffic on 155 can't be very much fun either. We shouldn't have to get on our buses earlier than last year, just to make sure that you get shuttled in on time. I thought they did away with busing, or did they just change the name to shuttling.

08.08.07
Hey Henry, a submitter says that, “Nothing of real importance happened at Nash Farm.” That begs the question, has anything of real importance happened in Henry County? That sounds like a local blogger who is steeped in “politically correct” history, hates Nash Farm, and to listen to him, nothing of importance has ever happened in Henry County. I mean if our local heritage and the July 4th heritage of our county mean nothing to this guy, he’s not only in the wrong county, he’s in the wrong country.

Hey Henry, Lets hope we get some new faces that will run for Chairman of this County. I know many taxpayers will not want to see the same good old boy's running for political office. Can't some of these old timers just go off somewhere and retire and give us a break?

Hey Henry, this is for the hungry developers and excavation people. For those of you who call yourselves men and women of God. Check out Revelations 11:18, the last line. (And for destroying those who destroy the earth.) This comes from the New International Version. I'd be scared if I were you. Remember what Matthew 19:24 says. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Lets save God’s pride and joy, the planet earth, and all his people, and all his animals. Let’s put a stop to extinction and find better ways.

Hey Henry, I thought green lights meant go, and red lights meant stop, and also I thought stop signs meant to stop; I did not know they meant to cruise right on through. I'm confused. And also, why is it that when I'm going down a one way street that has two lanes going in the same direction, that if you were going to make a left turn you would be in the left lane to make that turn. It only makes sense to me. But why, oh why, are there so many out there that think you make a left turn from the far RIGHT lane. Kaboom! Oh my, what happened. Go figure. Lets get smart around here, OK.

Hey Henry, what is with our teenager girls who are Cheerleaders walking around with their back sides showing. School sprit has nothing to do with showing skin. The uniforms should have to meet the same dress code as average students. It's pretty bad when my 5th grade daughter has to tell them no she cant cheer "because I can’t wear that outfit." Come on parents, stand up and protect our girls. If you refuse for your child to dress that way to participate I bet things will change.

Hey Henry, great job to Woodland Middle School. The principal spoke eloquently, the cheerleaders were adorable, and the spirit was great. Looking forward to making this the BEST school in Henry County.

Hey Henry, let’s see if Stockbridge High School adheres to its own dress code requirements. Open house on Thursday had girls with exposed bellies and lots of cleavage and boys with the crotch of their pants down to their knees. Where are the parents of these teenagers anyhow?

Hey Henry, let's do the 287-G thing; it's working in Cobb Co, why not Henry Co? Henry Co needs to reduce criminals and criminal activities.

Hey Henry, I have been walking my dog at Heritage Park for the past two weeks and I noticed that the sewer line coming from the bathroom is overflowing next to the playground. No one has done anything about it. When is the county going to fix this? It is a health issue!

08.01.07
Hey Henry, the MCC serves at the pleasure of the people and they are our servants. The people are supreme.

Hey Henry, it’s too bad that after the money was donated to have those windowbox planters purchased and installed at some of the McDonough Square buildings that the owners/renters couldn't even keep them watered or maintained. Many of them make the storefronts look worse now than if they had never been put there to start with. Despite good intentions, that’s just money wasted that could have gone to a legitimate charitable organization that would have appreciated it.

Hey Henry, the McDonough city council ruled that no videotaping would be allowed at council meetings. What about the Open Meetings law O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1 that says: Visual, sound, and visual and sound recording during open meetings shall be permitted? What are they hiding?

Hey Henry, if anyone is looking for old cemeteries in Henry County they only need to visit the Genealogical Society and the Henry County offices. They've all been found and documented; there are no "lost" cemeteries to be found in Henry County.

Hey Henry, may the new school year be safe for all schools and students.

Hey Henry, get involved, save a kid. McDonough and Henry County have some kind of sports going on year round to keep kids off the streets.

Hey Henry, President Bush tells us he is a Texas cowboy, but he was born in Kennybunckport, Maine. Wouldn't that make him a maniac instead?

Hey Henry, This is my first quip! Don't drive to Atlanta and take the risk. We have 2 wonderful dining establishments on our square. Redz Restaurant and Seasons Bistro. With the cost of gas, we can afford it, but more important here's what I over heard a couple from Atl.. say about Redz. "... nothing compares to the food or the atmosphere. We come here all the time." A first time native of Henry Co. said to me"Wow, I never expected this." He went back and said the bone-in rib eye was the best ever. Seasons offers the "Cheers" of Henry Co. a great place for food and hospitality. They both have their own "WOW" factor. ...With all the growth in this county let's stop the rumor that I have heard for 30 years - We aren't a bunch of red necks and we DO have something to offer here.

Hey Henry, leave Nash Farms as it is. We need the open space. You want music outdoors, go to Music on the Square, or Lakewood. You knew it when you moved here, if you didn't I wouldn't admit it.

Hey Henry, students served a sandwich at school are ones who bring no lunch money and after giving them credit so many times and parents don't pay the amount owed. They then give them a sandwich. They are not on free lunch program, just don't bring money for lunch like all children do. Since the lunch bill is not paid by parent they only give a sandwich; they could give them nothing. Parents send lunch money to school. There is no free ride.

Hey Henry, I wonder when Al Sharpton will come to the rescue of the Black Mafia Family and play the race card? Its about time we are getting these violent, thug and gangster like criminals off the street no matter what skin color they are; they are low life thugs and criminals that need to be put behind bars.

07.25.07
Hey Henry, ... It is sunny. It is breezy. It is time to drive down to Jackson, order a deluxe plate at Fresh Air BBQ, sit at the tables out front, wiggle your toes in the sawdust and enjoy waving hello to everyone passing by as you savor the delectable aromas and flavors of bbq-done-right. Ahhh.. the rites of summer.

Hey Henry, it appears that the City of Morrow is more interested in preserving Historical McDonough than the McDonough Hysterical Preservation Council is. Now that the city of Morrow has purchased that beautiful old house that was on Griffin St. and moved it to THEIR historical park at Southlake Mall, we can go to Morrow to see how McDonough USED TO look!!

Hey Henry, many older folks are passing their land to their children who just wish to make money and sell to ones building homes. This is sad for if your parents had not sold the land you should not either. Keep open land. We do not need it taken away for more houses or strip malls. Think about it.

Hey Henry, to the person who is looking for good customer service- Come on over to Moye's Pharmacy in Hampton. We'll show you great customer service! We know what it takes to make a small business thrive.

Hey Henry, to the person who left two little starving kittens on the sidewalk in front of Subway on Fairview Rd. Thursday, they got out of the box during the lunch rush. You will get your due. To the young man employed at Subway who saved the kittens as he was leaving work, you are my hero. Thank you.

Hey Henry, we need an outdoor amphitheater-like venue for performance and artists. As nothing of real importance happened at the Nash Farm, and it is ideally located, lets level the fields and build something that will truly be enjoyed by everyone, not just a few nostalgic costume wearers.

Hey Henry, McDonough First United Methodist Church has outdone themselves this year with a wonderful Vacation Bible School. All of the volunteers and youth did an outstanding job making this a hit for our children. As a parent I cannot expresss my appreciation enough. My child had a wonderful time and looks forward to next year.

Hey Henry, Having a great homecoming is important to the students of our local high schools. This task, however, has become increasingly difficult due to the fact that the schools aren't getting ANY support from the citizens. As a new senior of Henry County High School I am asking that the local citizens at least come out for the homecoming parade of their local high school. We are the adults of tomorrow (scary) so please help us make Henry County a place to be proud of. Make the 2007 homecoming the best homecoming anyone has ever seen.

I just called Charter Communications, of course, I was answered by their charming voice mail. The captivating lady's voice offered me several options including this one, "If you are having trouble getting a dial tone press #2." IF I COLDN'T GET A DIAL TONE HOW COULD I BE TALKING TO YOU??? Morons! In the words of Bill Engvall, "Here's your sign"

Do you think any official from the Board of Education will get a set... and do something about the disgusting and ghetto clothing that some students wear as well as the filthy dirty, racist and sexist music that is blasted so loudly on school property?

07.18.07
Hey Henry, I would like to sell my 1.75 acres to the city of McDonough so they could build five or six houses on it. Or maybe rezone it and build another ugly office building or yet ANOTHER bank!

Hey Henry, thanks to BCs for giving fast service; I meant to stay loyal to Pizza Hut but dinner never arrived and when I called to check, the order-taker left me on hold over 5 minutes. When service takes a plunge, customers will go elsewhere.

Hey Henry, I am a concerned "Granny." I had lunch with my grandson at an elementary school awhile back. The vegetables were out of date. We want our children to attend school, yet they could be eating something to make them sick. Also I would like to comment on the children that have not paid for their lunch for some reason or other and get served a sandwich. As much as we pay in taxes, these children should get a free lunch. The lunches couldn't cost that much. We stress children eating right and doing good on the test scores yet give them a sandwich. What do we really want? It looks like the county wants to look good.

Hey Henry, I just couldn't stop laughing at the person who wrote real Americans vote Republican. Well, I am a real American and vote Democrat. Guess the so-called real Americans are the ones to thank for the mess the Bush Administration has gotten us into. It’s so funny to hear people complain about the direction our country is going. My standard question is who did you vote for president and 9 out of 10 say Bush. You get what you paid for or vote for.

Has anyone lost a Siamese Cat around Brannan Road? If so, call 678-614-0970!

Hey Henry, next 4th of July someone should do a little planning about the traffic routing situation. Me and hundreds of other cars were stuck in the parking lot for an hour at Nash Farm after the fireworks. Other than that it was a great event.

Hey Henry, since my City Council person Monta Brown, ignored me I will certainly return the favor on his next run for public office.

Hey Henry, I really enjoyed the cover story for July 4, 2007 issue. Ichabod Slateworthy's story of the Declaration of Independence being signed was as if I were there to hear him speak back in the days of old. Thank you for an inspiring story!

Hey Henry, You know "progress" is getting out of hand when the photo submitted to the "Henry As It Was" feature was taken LAST WEEK!

Hey Henry, if you don't want to leave the square, you can also pick up a copy of the Henry County Times at Ward Drug, the original Sudden Pharmacy Service.

Hey Henry, so how come whenever I'm on Rock Quarry on the left sided right turning lane, and the light is red, do I always get honked at when I'm obeying the signal? There are two right hand turning lanes. The one on the right has to yield to traffic, but the one on the left is to obey the traffic light in the lane. Come on, Henry...re-read your driving manuals and quit honking at me!!

Hey Henry, we do have nice young men living in our county. A very dedicated employee lost her server book which contained cash during the Geranium Festival. A young male returned the pieces that he found near the railroad tracks to her place of employment. To this young man, the restaurant would love to treat you to a meal on us. Thank you so very much for being honest and upstanding. It will come back to you many fold.

07.11.07
Hey Henry! With all the "progress"(translation: destroying small towns to build bigger, newer ones.) in McDonough, we had all better start taking pictures NOW to submit to the "Henry As It Was" feature.

Hey Henry! Fairtax.org is a great idea for Democrats and Rape-ublicans. You are brainwashed if you believe Republicans can save our country. I'm tired of hypocrites telling me how to be patriotic. You want a change for the better? Check out the Green Party and tell your friends! Just think for yourself people!

Hey Henry, as someone who can appreciate the ultimate goal of the McDonough Historical Preservation Committee, I would advise them to choose their representatives a little more carefully. The lady (with the curly blond hair) that spoke at the last two Council meetings did more harm than good with her over-the-top grandstanding.

Hey McDonough! Since when did Mayor Copeland's assistant become a part of zoning and code enforcement?

Hey Henry, I am referring to the jerk that mentioned he would clip a person riding a bicycle in your 6/27/07 issue. Sounds like he is a person with road rage and might consider having someone drive him before he commits murder.

Hey Henry! Is good customer service a thing of the past? I’m fed up with dealing with salespeople with surly attitudes, no respect and a lack of manners. We as consumers have a right to be accorded a certain modicum of respect. If you don’t like your job as a salesperson, find another! Another where your contact with the public is minimal! I will pay a higher price and drive a little further to get good customer service, as opposed to the nonchalance that is prevalent today. The small business owners seem to know that in order to thrive, it’s not only the product or service you sell, but it’s how you regard your customers. I for one avoid the “Big Box” stores whenever possible because I’m tired of being treated as if I’m an inconvenience!

Hey Henry, the two, one-way pairs for traffic flow through the McDonough Square have been proposed since about 1992. It is now 2007 (15 years later!), and we still do not have these improvements in our roads. I understand the current Mayor of McDonough is not interested in implementing this design, and doesn't even have it in the budget until 2009 at the earliest. And people wonder why the traffic is so bad?! Perhaps our elected officials need to be contacted and asked some hard questions.

Hey Henry, it's summer once again. Picnics in the park, sunny days and air conditioning. This is for those of you who sit in your vehicles with the engine running so that you can stay cool in the summer heat. Do you realize the damage that your V8 is doing to the ozone layer as you sit in cool comfort? The ozone layer that protects all of us from the harmful UV rays from the sun. At the same time we enact a law that prohibits smoking in public parks because of the dangers of "secondhand smoke." I think it's time to "reprioritize." You can avoid the smoke but you can't avoid the sun. Do your part to minimize the damage to the ozone layer!

Hey Henry/McDonough PD!! Why did you kill the Snapping Shoals deer? My kids loved her. So did many others. Really CAN AN OFFICER speak up about the details of the shooting? How did it pose a danger except to the ignorant, misinformed or hungry?

Hey Henry, to the guy who's scared of the filmmaker/ghosthunter using Ouija boards in his documentary. I have one word: Boo.

07.04.07
Hey Henry, obviously the "Hysterical Preservation Council" poster is not informed enough to know that the HPC has not ruled on the Jonesboro Street demolition request and has no control over rezoning of properties.

Hey Henry, I drove by the Square on Friday night, so nice to see so many people come out and enjoy the events. Keep up the GOOD JOB!!!

Hey Henry, the "Ladies With Science" cancelled their afternoon performance at McDonough Library at the last minute, but Miss Debbie and her crew didn't bat an eye. They quickly assembled a room full of crafts, Miss Debbie led the kids in song and acting, and her assistants then helped 42 kids build insects to take home. Way to go library ladies and gents!

Hey Henry, most of us bicyclists do follow the laws of the road to include red lights and stop signs. But just like everything else in the world there are those few idiots that give us a bad name. I apologize for the idiot that you saw.

Hey Henry, every time I go into the Henry County Tax Commissioners office in McDonough, I am greeted cordially, treated courteously, and deal with ladies who are both extremely competent and willing to assist me. These folks need to be recognized for the outstanding work they do. This is one taxpayer who appreciates their job performance.

Hey Henry! Tired of working hard just to have your money taken and given to lazy people who won't work or working illegals who don't report income, in the form of food stamps, welfare and medicaid? Don’t vote Democrat and got to FairTax.org. Real Americans vote Republican! Duncan Hunter is our best hope to get things back on the right track in this country. P.S. did anyone else know Georgia has the fastest rising population of illegals in the U.S.?

Hey Henry! Please realize that gangs come in ALL shapes, sizes, household incomes, and colors. Henry County gangs are also interracial. Yes, that's right folks, interracial. Everyone, please get involved to make Henry County a better place to live, work, and play. Law enforcement needs our help to accomplish this.

Hey Henry, with all the construction, trucks and traffic on Hwy 155, why don't they widen the road?

Hey Henry! We need to stop all of this changing. Roads are getting too crowded, there are too many neighborhoods being built. It's growing up way too fast. All the head people are not worried about us, only the benefits the will have. It needs to stop! The people in charge need to ask us what we want, not what they want.We need to decide as a county! We can still grow, but not so fast. We still want to enjoy the country in some places. All we're asking is to stop growing so fast before we have nothing left then neighborhoods, shopping centers, and buildings! (Even though shopping is good - ha ha.)

Hey Henry, congratulations to Monica. Monica is the City of McDonough's first black female city planner.

Hey Henry, you people ought to start using your blinkers, especially at 4-way stops. There’s going to be an accident and it will be your fault.

Hey Henry, is it only on Sunday mornings at church that some 'Christians' behave, speak and act like true Christians should? I have met more mean spirited so called Christians who speak with such hatred and do nothing but gossip maliciously about other people. What a bunch of hypocrites.

06.27.07
Hey Henry, why didn't McDonough City Council members Monta Brown and Gail Notti recuse themselves from the vote regarding the Jonesboro Road properties? Monta Brown owned a restaurant with the folks who own the Jonesboro Road properties, and Gail Notti's nephew Andrew is the attorney representing the folks who own the property on Jonesboro Road. There is a clear appearance of a conflict of interest here, and this time, someone is noticing.

Hey Henry, I think “Share The Road” is meant to go both ways. If bicycles are considered vehicles on the road, then that also means red lights apply to them as well. I watched a biker run a succession of lights on Jonesboro Rd. the other morning and it irked me. If you cyclists aren’t going to follow the rules of the road, then you’re pretty much just pedestrians on wheels and we’re allowed to clip you with our cars. Look out!

Hey Henry, it really makes me sick that the Board of Ed is taking away all of the fine arts programs. Sure, science and math are nice and all, but a student can only do so much. Programs like band, chorus, and drama provide a creative outlet for children to positively affect their schools. I'm so glad I'm graduating in one year and I won't have to deal with any future ideas the Board comes up with.

Hey Henry! Why is it that our community and our school boards have failed to realize that our children are at risk in these schools due to gang activity that our school board is aware of, but do nothing about. Our children should be able to go to school and not be pressured by their peers. It's enough just being a teen today. What are our schools going to do? Probably nothing, as usual.

Hey Henry, it's a little to LATE too be trying to do something about the GANGS NOW! They are already here. Y’all should have done something about it before it got too dang far. It's a crying shame kids had to get killed before the county wanted to get off there butts and do something.

Hey Henry, on Tara Blvd. near the racetrack on 6-20-07 (5:05 p.m.) I saw one of our finest shooting radar within 100 yards (within sight) of a lady that was broke down on the same side of the road with her hood up. "To Protect and To Serve"? More like "Revenue Enhancement and Nothing Else." It sure is a shame. Only 2 days prior, a friend and I were helping two ladies who ran out of gas. An officer pulled up and asked, "Hey, are they tryin' to run the flim-flam on you?" Obviously he wouldn't have helped either. Keep up the good work officers.

Hey Henry! We McDonough residents should now realize that "our" city council and the Hysterical Preservation Council DO NOT work for our city.With the passing of the rezoning request on Jonesboro Rd for a new bank, it is obvious that respected bodies are nothing more than rubber stamp yes-men for big-buck developers.

Hey Henry, just what we need in McDonough - another bank.

06.20.07

HEY HENRY! WAKE UP! As you enter the Square on Jonesboro Rd., I’m sure you have noticed the historic old homes with the large yellow posters that say that all these houses are to be torn down so a new bank can be built! How many banks does McDonough need? [The developer] and his smarmy lawyer claim, as a life-long McDonough resident, he wants what's best for McDonough too. It’s obvious he thinks of our town only as his own private cash-cow.

Hey Henry, there aren't enough homes for them all. Spay or neuter your pet.

Hey Henry, RE: Walk the halls of the schools. I’ve been doing it for 15 years in Henry and it's worse than ever. If schools would stand up to parents this would stop. Schools are not doing their jobs most don't even follow handbook rules. The county by letting this happen you have earned bad reviews. I would think a county would want to be known for being a safe leaning place for children. Kids have to follow the rules how about the county and schools following the rules. Also stop putting so many in special ed. to avoid problems. Most of these children just need to follow the rules and get set straight. Stop in-house, schools send kids home wake up parents. In-house is a joke no punishment. Time to step up or get bad reviews and children who don't learn.

Hey Henry, happy birthday to my wife, the most pampered woman in Henry County. ("Let me fix you a big breakfast." "Here's a fistful of cash-- Go shopping!") Then, last night, as I was rubbing your smelly little feet, you had the nerve to say, "Gee - that Paris Hilton sure is spoiled!"

Hey Henry, I work for Henry County and so do my friends. We are Public Safety Officers. We drive our county vehicles home. You DO NOT want us to drive our county vehicle home? What if something bad happens to your children on our way to work? Do we go get our vehicles, and then go save your children? There have been many times, when Police, Fire, EMTs, and Animal Control have all helped people on their way to work.

Hey Henry, good laugh for the month: this town hall meeting about gangs. So you actually think that the real issues, the true reality of it all, will be discussed OR will the majority remain “politically correct’ and not say it like it is? The reason why we are in this mess, with thugs taking over our community is because of the 'politically correct officials' who are scared to say or do anything for fear of 'offending someone' or putting a parent on the spot about their hoodlum kid.

Hey Henry - Can someone tell me why, if the City of Hampton has the largest percentage of senior citizens than anywhere in Henry County, don’t we even have a senior center or senior housing like Grier Manor? Someone needs to wake up and smell the liniment. The opportunities are ripe over here!

Hey Henry, maybe we're having a drought because we're acting like the modern-day Egyptians and the Lord is not pleased with our national and state behavior. HMMM? Now that's a thought!

Hey Henry, the intersection of Colvin and Harris Drives has to be the only place in the country where a dirt road (Harris) has the right of way across a $3 million paved road (Colvin). What say SPLOST throw in another couple of dollars and add 2 more stop signs and make it a 4 way! Although it is fun watching cars coming out of a cloud of dust zooming across this paved east-west connector!

Hey Henry, why do so many [not nice] people hide behind the word Christian? I try to be a good Christian, I try to do the Christian thing, yet they live not by those terms.

06.13.07

Hey Henry! How sad it is it that on June 5, the Board of Commissioners did not pass a resolution for a moratorium on residential construction in Henry County for a period of 1 year? Just 1 year! Jason Harper was the only one considerate enough to even answer e-mails to concerned citizens. Apparently most of the Board is happy with the fact that our fine new schools have trailers parked around them before they're even finished and that our traffic now looks like Gwinnett County’s. Perhaps their own interests in real estate made it too difficult for them to look out for anyone's interests but their own. Foreclosures in the county are at an all time high! Oh, yeah, let's build some more!

Hey Henry, actually I like those digital flashing signs; kind of a small-scale laser show without having to drive to Stone Mountain, and I know what the temp and the bank rates are. But you should only read them while you're waiting for the light to turn green.

Hey Henry, can you picture our high schools without art, band, chorus, or drama? The Department of Ed. is proposing new graduation rules that require more science classes, meaning less room in students' schedules for the arts. The new rules do not even mention fine arts. Dutchtown High is already eliminating drama next year because too few students could fit it into their schedules with all the state-required courses. The Department of Ed. is asking for public input now. Speak up by e-mailing policy@doe.k12.ga.us.

Hey Henry, Please tell "church lady" that wearing a cross from her neck does make her a good person.

Hey Henry, I agree that the McDonough HPC has a lot of problems. I live in one of the so-called "Historic Districts," and received a document in the mail last week (presumably from Mr. Robinson). It was a copy of an ordinance with misspellings and grammatical errors. There wasn't a note even explaining why I received it! Did I do something in violation? Are they just making sure I am familiar with the ordinance? Who knows why? Just more confusion from the MHPC!

Hey Henry, does anyone know who may be running for chairman as well as any other seats open for grabs next year? Will we get some new faces in here or just the old recycled good ole boys who continue to reappear not only for commission and chairman seats but also on every darn committee out there, you keep seeing the same old names and faces.

Hey Henry, it's time for the citizens of Henry County to wake up. Attend those rezoning hearings, pay attention to what is going on in the county. The county commissioners are elected to serve the citizens in their districts, NOT THE BUILDERS. So citizens, let the commissioners know that you support them. If your commissioner is selling out to the builders then replace him/her when the next election comes around. Uncontrolled growth will totally ruin our county. The rural way of life is why we moved here some thirty years ago.

Hey Henry, kudos to Spivey Community Church for throwing some awesome youth activities over the month of May! Y’all have done some great stuff. The Suds Bowl last week was awesome! Keep up the FANTASTIC work, guys! It's great to have a place to go hang out and have some good clean Christian fun!

Hey Henry - I just wanted to let everyone know what wonderful people are running Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors. I recently lost my precious preemie daughter, and they donated their services to us. It was a large weight off our shoulders. They were very caring and supportive of all we wanted to do. It was wonderful to know that there are still generous people in the world who care about what they do.

06.06.07

Hey Henry, does anyone else besides me find all these digital billboards distracting? And shouldn't we be paying attention to traffic, not flashy signs?

Hey Henry, Fred Thompson is thinking about running for president, is his new wife old enough to be first lady?

Hey Henry, what are we going to do? Stockbridge is no longer safe. Our schools are full of trouble makers who bully other kids and have the mentality of a criminal where they feel that shooting or stabbing someone is the answer to solving their problems or in resolving a disagreement. Have any of you walked the halls of some of our schools? If not, do so because it is a real eye opener.

Hey Henry, has anyone noticed that the McDonough Historic District stops at the railroad tracks on Jonesboro Road, just a stone’s throw away from the Gail Notti Welch Talmadge Mansion/ Butterfly Park?

To the nicely dressed, middle aged woman who refused to let me onto highway 42 from Peeksville Road last Saturday afternoon, BOO on you. To the 30 something father with his children in his car who refused to let me out also, BOO on you. To the young teenager wearing a sock cap and trying to grow a goatee who did let me out, thanks a bunch. I'm gradually learning not to stereotype people.

Hey Henry! Why is it so hard to find a decent guy in this county? I'm a 23 year old woman, attractive, nice, smart and have a great sense of humor, and yet I've never had a guy! Is dating really that hard? Are there any bigger guys out there not over the age of 30 who is interested in giving a nice girl a chance? If so, email me at lookinginmcdonough@yahoo.com.

Hey Henry, who is the person making $84,000 per year in the City of McDonough government for soil erosion duties? This is insane. Who is this person, and the venter who stated there is another person being paid $54,000 per year who cannot even pass a soil erosion test, who is this person and WHY are they still employed at that pay and in that position if they can not pass the State required tests?

Hey Henry, the good ole boy 'clique' boys’ club are nothing but a bunch of cranky old men. They sit around and gossip about people not in their 'clique' while at the same time they run their hypocritical old butts to Church each Sunday trying to 'act' like good Christian boys after their tongues have spewed filth all week long.

Hey Henry, the Henry Players’ 07-08 season is going to be AMAZING! You made some wonderful choices this year! I am looking forward to seeing every one of these shows!

Hey Henry, people with a foul mouth are immature, usually uneducated, embarrassing to family members and a poor example to children. Please give some serious thought to cleaning up your act.

To the person in Hey Henry that wanted to know where to find Huckabee's BBQ Sauce. Call 503-554-1250. $3.95 a pint. Go to: Huckabeesbbq.com.

Hey Henry, I was all for cutting Mr. Lee's salary. But as a fiscal conservative I question the wisdom of granting the highest end of the range at $115,000. And then hiring a new HR person at $65,000. The City is now $35,000 poorer than before. Sorry to be so cynical, but it sounds like they have a poorly educated accountant - or fiscal responsibility is simply not in their philosophy.

05.30.07

Hey Henry, I agree that Henry County employees should not be driving home county owned (tax payer owned vehicles). My tax dollars should only be paying for employees to drive to and from job sites etc and not going towards these employees driving tax payer owned vehicles to and from their homes. With the price of gas I am not happy with our Commissioners allowing this to continue.

Hey Henry, what happened around the square? Suddenly all the lights are synchronized and traffic is moving rapidly through McDonough. I love it!

Hey Henry, did anyone else think that "Our Yearning for Collective Suicide" was a missed attempt at Chuck Palahniuk-style writing, and kind of creepy to be in a local hometown newspaper?

Hey Henry, don’t do any good to submit a vent! I submitted one a long time ago and other have too and they never get printed.

Hey Henry, why doesn't the Henry County Board of Education consider building multi-level schools instead of rezoning every year! They spend more money putting trailers out in the back of schools and rezoning kids to other schools than they do on the kids Education.

[To last week’s poster] I know Randy Stamey. Randy is my friend as well as my district commissioner. Sir, I AM NOT Randy Stamey. Larry Stanley, 17-year resident of District 3, constituent of Randy Stamey, “smart” enough to serve, SPLOST Oversight Committee appointee.

Hey Henry, what's up with the garbage pickup companies? Do they have to take a class to learn how to leave the trash containers they empty in the streets and roads? Our roads are just barely wide enough for traffic without having to dodge the green and/or black hazards they leave in the way. Does anyone besides me have a problem with this? Also, why do they block the roads with their trucks? You couldn't pay one of them to move over to let the mile long line of cars by.

Hey Henry, why wouldn't someone want to go to Woodland? We are excited! A chance to be the first graduating class from any high school doesn't come along that often. Let alone a chance to get away from Stockbridge High, the gangs and the racial tensions there are out of control. Ahhh, if only everyone could get a fresh start once in awhile. By the way, why are there so many kids still waiting to be picked up at Stockbridge around 5? Hard to get a ride home from another county?

Dear Kid Activity Mom Looking for Help, I encourage you take your children to the local public library. From June 1 through July 31, children will embark on the “Reading Takes You Everywhere” summer reading program. All programs offered through the library are at no charge. For your teenager, there is the young adult reading program called “Lost in Time”. The children’s and young adult librarians have worked hard to create a fun filled package for kids of all ages. Please go to the Henry County Library System website at www.henry.public.lib.ga.us to view the calendars for all the branches within the county. There are also programs for toddlers at some of the libraries, so there should be plenty for you and your children to do and enjoy. If you have any questions, please call your local library system or you can call me, Tracy Ralston (children’s coordinator for the Henry County Library System) at 770-954-2812. Have a great summer!

Hey Henry, a big thank you to all the caring teachers at SMS. You do your job well, proud of you!

05.23.07

Hey Henry!!! If you want a copy of the Henry County Times just come to Eagles Landing Pharmacy in McDonough, and while you’re there get your prescriptions filled fast!!

To Jack Parish, Henry County School Superintendent. I challenge you to eat lunch at one of your elementary schools when "veggie sticks" are on the menu. I wouldn't feed those things to my pigs. One in ten students might eat one of them, but they are thrown away by the thousands. Just how much money are we throwing away each day in poorly selected food choices? And is there no accountability for the person who prepares the menus? Does no one review them to see that they are being eaten? Please, ditch the veggie sticks next year. Thousands of students in the county will love you.

Hey Henry, why is the McDonough Welcome Center promoting a filmmaker and ghost hunter who uses Ouija boards? This is very dangerous, Ouija boards are used to conjure up spirits and entities that are often demonic and extremely hostile in nature. Sometimes one does not have to try to conjure these dark entities, they find an opening and just come right in, even though the intention was at first good. Once these spirits are here they are not easy to return. I am sure the Mayor would not like this going on in the city. I believe the Welcome Center needs new management or be shut down and let the McDonough Main Street people promote the City. McDonough and Henry County has a rich ghost history and it needs to be explored and documented but not at such a danger this filmmaker will be doing it.

 Hey Henry speaking of County Commissioner Randy Stamey, why didn’t he appoint one of his constituents to serve on the SPLOST III committee rather than appointing himself. How do you spell “SELF INTEREST” or does he think he is the only person in District III “SMART” enough to serve?

Hey Henry, I am so glad school is ending, but I'm looking for something fun for the kids to do during the summer. If anyone knows of any fun activities this year, please send in a vent to Hey Henry. I have a two year old and a seven year old, and a thirteen year old. Thanks. - Kid Activity mom looking for fun!!! :)

Hey Henry, why, if the 13 parking spaces beside the courthouse annex on Hwy. 42 are reserved exclusively for law enforcement vehicles, have there been only one or two cop cars parked there in the past six months? Why not give them back to the tax payers that footed the bill?

Hey Henry, why is it that small businesses join the Chamber of Commerce? The Chamber courts big businesses to come into town. Those big businesses run the small businesses out of business. Are the small businesses paying for their own destruction? Maybe we need a small business council in Henry County.

Hey Henry! For all the negativity and junk that goes on in the world some of this crap is just redundant! How about some joy and peace! Hey Henry! I love my husband Steve and I can get through or over anything with him! How about that Henry, something positive!

Hey Henry, help! If there is anyone out there that knows where you can buy "Hucklebee's BBQ Sauce" please post it. We have searched everywhere! It use to be sold at the hardware store on the corner. Thanks.

Hey Henry! Many thanks to the hard working city employees who had our beautiful square back normal (free of trash) on Sunday morning. Thank you.


05.16.07

Hey Henry, I agree - schools should not allow some music. Kids don't have to have it. They will enjoy most music if it's loud and fast. Schools set the bar; and don't lower it - you set the rules.

Hey Henry, is it necessary for the train to stop and unload at Stringer Lumber at 4:00 in the afternoon? And for 20 minutes? Hey Norfolk Southern and Stringer Lumber: McDonough has enough traffic problems without your poor timing. I'm sure you both could come up with a better time for this deliver without a complete gridlock of McDonough

Hey Henry, if it works for a 17 year old, would it work for a 52 year old. I’m looking for the same type of work? Anyone out there willing to give me a job too? I know I’d be more reliable than a 17 year old. I’ve been looking and sending resumes out, with no response. If I were a 17 year old, looking for a job I would not have an e-mail address start out with dramadork.

Hey Henry, in a few more weeks, we will be half-way through the year and into summer. We purchased our home in the Henry County area for its beauty. I’m sure that is why you bought here also. Maybe it’s time certain people took down their Christmas lights. Time to keep it looking beautiful. Get the lights down.

Hey Henry, yes, isn’t it amazing how the school system will allow vulgar music to be played at a dance? Yet, they do not allow a prayer in the school and want to take ‘under God” out of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Hey Henry, PLEASE, enough with this white/black junk! Can't we all just get along?

Hey Henry if you want a copy of the Henry County Times at the Publix at Lake Dow, you have to ask for it.

Hey Henry, those of us who supported the winners of Stockbridge Middle School's 2007 Mr. and Ms. SMS Pageant can't understand why the winners were left out of your school yearbook. Mr. SMS 2007 Scotty Cashon and Ms. SMS 2007 Anna White, we are very proud of you fine students. Hope the yearbook next year is dedicated in forgotten honor.

Hey Henry, I am not responsible for the way people treat me. I am only responsible for the way I treat people. Excuses will not be my motto. God is the ultimate decider. Americans spend their time hating each other (black, white) while foreigners are getting ahead quietly. Do you know that Asian kids are the smartest kids in American schools? Go figure......

Let's get rid of every councilmember and start over....next local election just might see that happen. Gail, you need to pay attention to raising money for your butterfly park....and forget about politics. The rest of you need to remember you were elected by the people you are snubbing with your foolishness.

Hey Henry, you can disallow me to vote, and even keep me from holding any public office, but please, oh please, don't take away my right to vent.

Hey Henry, at first I heard that the UGHS football players didn't have to go to Woodland, now it’s the cheerleaders that have already paid for their uniforms. Well my child has a UGHS academic letter, and is in the Beta Club. What’s more important sports or academics? As for the doctors’ excuses claiming your children are traumatized by Woodland, they haven't even attended the new school yet. I hope that you realize those excuses stay on your child's file through college.

05.09.07

Hey Henry, I need a job, but I don't know where to look. I'm only 17 and I really don't wanna work in a food place! Anyone have any ideas for a gal who wants to be a receptionist/secretary? THANKS! dramadork1018@yahoo.com.

Hey Henry, be aware of zoning changes. Going through one now, builder wants to put 350 homes on approximately 140 acres. This nets down to 2.55 homes per acre. R3 zoning. - Campground Resident

Hey Henry, I feel that some of the music that is allowed to play at school dances and on school property should not be tolerated. Some of the music playing at these dances use every single nasty word that many people complain about yet this trash is played on school property, at school dances where the 'unacceptable' is now being 'accepted' even though these songs are vulgar, degrading, sexist and racist.

Hey Henry, manners were taught at home and school but not anymore. It might be against someone rights. My child is well mannered and teachers thank me but he's picked on for being odd. How many children do you know today that know the Golden Rule? It's not even posted in classrooms anymore. Sad.

Hey Henry, WOW! Congratulations to The Luella High School Drama Department for the wonderful production of "The Wiz." It was very entertaining! This is, by far, one of the best high school musicals or any musical we have ever seen!

Hey Henry, where did the idea come from that women are oppressed? You print my vents on a regular basis, but it takes my husband weeks at a time, or even months to get anything in print.

Hey Henry, if we all come up with excuses to keep our kids out of the Woodland school district, our community will just fall, because it will make Woodland more diverse for the ones that are really doing the right thing by attending. You are bringing on a repeat of the DeKalb and Clayton problems. White flight will hit Kelleytown fast if we don't all work together to keep it strong. Who wants to keep moving, and never remain loyal to a community? Our community is more important than worrying about diversity in our schools, or whether another child’s family is as economically advantaged as our own. You do not appreciate what you have, until its gone.

Hey Henry, I get so tired of people thinking all African-American people know each other and can in some way control their behavior. Believe it or not we want the same things whites want. We want nice homes in safe neighborhoods. We want good teachers in accredited schools. We want our children to have the same opportunities as others. It amazes me how we can sit in our churches and proclaim the word of the Lord, yet in 2007 we are still intolerant of others who don't look like us. My words to those who feel it is necessary to move every time a black family moves into the neighborhood...Pack your bags again because we are everywhere, there's no escaping us.

Hey Henry, "White" insight is meaningless, unless you know what it's like to be a minority. You live in a great community, and I hope you don't choose to give it up. Before I moved here, I was the last man standing in DeKalb, the tail end of white flight. So believe me, I know what a fabulous community this is.

Hey Henry! So women should still not be able to vote. Look out, all those crazy menopausal women are looking for you..and some that are not.


05.02.07

Hey Henry, in response to "Cultural diversity vs. white flight," I would like to give some "white" insight to the author of that article. As a white, life long resident of Henry County, I admit I am one of the covert racists. I haven't always been this way. It wasn't until I saw how this "diversity" affects the community I grew up in that my thoughts changed. It is hard not to be that way when you see your community changing (not for the better in most cases) and what a burden that this "diversity" puts on our society! From government housing going up, value of our homes going down, to worsened behavior of students in the school syste