"Celebrating Henry County"

07.02.08

 Hey Henry, I hope everyone read “My Father' Hands.” It was really a great thing to remember about your father. We still get your paper on the computer and I read it all. It sure makes me homesick. Thanks for all the news even though it isn't always good. We all like to complain once in a while. So, good-bye for now and I miss McDonough.

Hey Henry, if you are building a high-end, nice home, don’t use chicken wire for your fence. Money sure doesn't buy class!

Hey Henry, let's try to lower the car wrecks. If you see a car coming, you wait, and then you pull out. Don't pull out, right in front of me so I have to slam on my brakes. Especially if there's no one behind me. Think safe, not stupid. My life, and my families life are very important to me.

Hey Henry, when someone wants to report some wrongdoing at a City Council meeting in "Hey Henry,” it would help if they told us which City Council they were talking about. There is more than one city in Henry County!

Hey Henry, the Henry Players production of "Les Miserables" was probably the best musical I've seen in the last 10 years of HP productions. Amazing, all the performers were students! Such talent -- I hope we see more of them in years to come.

Hey Henry, I want to make my personal webpage, can you help me? (Ed. - I want to have a million dollars...can you help me?)

Hey Henry, I agree with the people who are tired of the trash in the square, but unfortunately it is all over. A while back my husband and I were going down Airline Road and watched a young woman open her door at the four-way stop and place her fast food bag and large drink on the road and drive off. We got her tag number, but then got busy with life and didn't really know who to call to report things like this. I couldn't believe she did it and then expected someone else to clean it up for her.

Hey Henry, has anyone in the Kelleytown area noticed that they keep patching Ford Drive near Pleasant Grove school and the dirt road was a lot smoother before they started patching? Seems like a lot of wasted taxpayer money to me.

Hey Henry, on 3/5/08 there was a post made about a student at an “elite High School.” I would like to get in touch with you. (Editor’s note: if you both want to send your email addresses to editor@henrycountytimes.com, we’ll put you in contact.)

Hey Henry, if you don't like your stimulus check, make more money next time. It's based on the taxes you paid in the first place, not some magical pro-senior conspiracy. Try actually reading the document the IRS goes to great expense to send in advance of the check next time.

Hey Henry, congratulations to the 11-12 Ola Allstars for finishing runner-up in district. Coach Steve and all the coaches were wonderful with the kids. Congratulations on a job well done.

Hey Henry, if the policeman lives within the community he serves, then by all means let him drive the cruiser home. However, if he's driving out to Butts county or something, that seems like a pretty ridiculous expense for us to shoulder. Also, the shamefully low pay these officers receive shouldn't justify some perk involving misuse of county property. Let's just raise their wages to respectable levels and trim the fat from elsewhere in the county.
 

06.25.08

 Hey Henry, Bravo! Bravo! The Henry Players have done it again. "Les Miserables" was the best show ever done by the Henry Players. The young people were absolutely fantastic!

Hey Henry, a big thank you to the Henry County Board of Education Facilities and Maintenance Department for quickly acting to remove a dead 50' Southern Pine tree at Flippen Elementary that abutted our property. Within two days of calling, they sent a crew out and removed the entire tree without leaving a branch or disturbing our property. Many, many thanks!

Hey Henry, I went to WachoviaLied.com and it is about a Henry resident. You should check it out, too!

Hey Henry, The complaints about cops driving their cruisers home after work makes me wonder if citizens realize what we ask of these folks. For $35 to $40,000 annually we want them to stand between us and the terror we see every day on TV, require them to make split second decisions where wrong ones leave them dead or in jail, and seek second jobs to support their families. I have no problem with patrolmen driving their cruisers home with good reason. If it attracts good quality cops it would be tax money well spent.

Hey Henry, will someone please tell the Henry County Tax Assessors office that homes are not selling in Henry County and "land value" and "building value" have been increased annually every year since we moved here in 1998!

Hey Henry, I don't believe I could vote for a politician who thinks three young beauties in short shorts and high heels is the way to campaign.

Hey Henry, thanks government for my stimulus check. I can now afford three tanks of gas. How does a single guy who works and paid his taxes only get back $145, when senior couples get back $1,200? What’s the math?

Hey Henry, I’m a senior citizen who has to live in low-income housing and am being constantly harassed by drug dealers. I can’t afford to live anywhere else, but am afraid to live where I do. Can someone address this issue someday for all of us who can’t afford to live better?

Hey Henry, when will our Mayor, city council and the D.O.T. realize the importance of a traffic light at the intersection of Conyers Rd., McGarity Rd., Fairview Dr. and Lawrenceville St.? Accidents occur there on a regular basis. School buses galore use this intersection. Is it going to take a fatality to open their eyes?

Hey Henry, to the person complaining of police officers driving their vehicles home. Police officers are never off duty. I would think that the residents of Henry County would welcome a police officer living in their community and having a police presence. I hope that you do not need police assistance, but, if you do, would you rather an off duty police officer respond to you because he is on his way to or from work/home and has the necessary equipment in his patrol car to assist you at that very moment, or would you rather wait a longer response time, because the officer had to drive to the police station, park his personal car, get into the police car and then respond to your call.
 

06.18.08

 Hey Henry, you are correct that you do not have to be a mortician to be a coroner; but at least morticians have a working knowledge of death related studies. i.e. anatomy, microbiology, diseases etc. What exactly does a middle school Geography teacher know about death, dying and caring for families? Maybe he spent the night at a Holiday Inn express.

Hey Henry, a big thank you to Food Depot for carrying apple juice made from American apples instead of concentrate from China!

Hey Henry, to all you folks going south on Griffin Street coming into the square. You know how you always block the intersection because you can't wait for the next light? Well, not only do you stop traffic at that intersection, you also stop everyone driving west on Macon Street coming into the square trying to turn left on John Frank Ward Blvd. You are not the most important person trying to get through the square. Try waiting for the next light like the rest of us.

Hey Henry, it is our own responsibility to care for and protect ourselves. Making complaints about someone carrying a weapon is not appropriate. It is our right and heritage to be able to say enough is enough. So, don't ask the government of Henry County to protect you. Protect yourself!

Hey Henry, gee, I hope none of the candidates for commissioner are taking down other candidate's signs, or telling their supporters to do so. That would be in such poor taste, don't you think?

Hey Henry, all the new football coaches at Union Grove High School are truly making a difference in a lot of boy’s lives. Thank you is just not enough for these men!

Hey Henry, does anyone else think quality growth is an oxymoron in Henry County?

Hey Henry, as a person who went through the HC School System in McDonough and a child of a parent that taught in the school system, I give greatest kudos to the retired teachers this year. I distinctly remember three of them that taught me so much; Mrs. Reese, Mrs. Werner, and Ms. Childs. I don’t think they will ever know what an impact they made on my life. Students may not appreciate them now, but I promise 15-20 years later, they will mean so much to them.

Hey Henry, shame on you for such a poor turnout at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. As a biker who rode in both parades, I'm extremely disappointed that there were less than fifty motorcycles on both days. Where were you Vietnam Vets M/C, Patriot Guard Riders, Rolling Thunder and Abate? I guess Vietnam still is "the forgotten war."

Hey Henry, I want to share with you the most recent egregious behavior by a council member we witnessed during a recent city council meeting. A citizen made a public statement that apparently the member disagreed with. During a 5 minute break, the council member pointed at the citizen, summoned them to the front and started to scream - "Cheap Shot, Cheap Shot" and proceeded to argue, ridicule and demand a response. This behavior was not only rude, unbecoming and least of all unprofessional but it was especially alarming coming from an elected official. It is one thing to have a bad moment - but this seems to be the norm from this council member.

06.11.08

Hey Henry, a big thank you to everyone involved with the Master Gardeners’ Tour of Gardens. Everyone was welcoming, polite, and able to provide any and all information about each location. Class act all the way!

Hey Henry, I sure am proud that our town is bringing the Vietnam Traveling Wall to town. Way to go McDonough! A positive event in the midst of all the woes that fill the news every day.

Hey Henry, we all have those few pennies laying around that we think aren't really worth much. Lately when I receive my change back from a purchase, I ask the cashier to keep the penny and read the inscription. (In God We Trust). Not only am I putting a little back in the economy, I am also reminding myself as well as others of whom we belong too. If everyone would give back just a penny a day, we just might help the economy AND remind us of where our trust should really be.

Hey Henry, what's a city the size of 16,000 doing with a $10 million budget? McDonough needs to trim down and cut back (that includes personnel expenses that some City Council members even refuse to consider.) Rising expenses have forced the taxpayers who foot the bills to cut back across the board. City officials should do the same (without raising taxes) or be replaced!

Hey Henry, congratulations to HCHS Valedictorian Jennifer Berger! You go girl!

Why is the principal at Woodland Middle School intending to remove the arts from his school next year, but keep Latin?

Hey Henry, how many more car break-ins, car thefts, home invasions, burglaries are we going to have before something is done? The Crumbley Road and Kelleytown area have had hundreds in the last few months, not to mention Lakehaven, where cars are being broken into in people’s garages. I guess when enough criminals get their heads blown off by residents, something may be done. How about the idea of a mandatory gun license, like in Kennesaw? Sounds like a great idea to me. That's what will happen if I catch someone breaking in my house or car. Maybe the county politicians should make this a priority and stop focusing so much on this nonsense of building and land business.

Hey Henry, why do some people think a dirt road is a trash can?

Hey Henry, while traveling through Pleasant Grove Road to Stonecrest Mall the other day, it was interesting to note how many congratulations to Union Grove graduates that were posted in yards located on the Rockdale side of the Henry-Rockdale County line.

Hey Henry, do you know there is a rumor spreading that you have to be a mortician to be able to be a Coronor in Henry County. This is not true.

Hey Henry, please spay and neuter your pets! It is kitten season and already over 300 cats and kittens have been euthanized in Henry County for the month of May. This could be prevented easily by spaying and neutering. There are many low cost options just check online or call your shelter. Did you also know that if you take care of a stray that it is legally yours after three days? That means that stray is your responsibilty so take care of it.

Hey Henry, if the guy from the pawn shop wants to carry a loaded firearm while walking down the sidewalk, it's his Constitutional right. In fact, anyone can carry a loaded firearm in plain site while walking down the side walk all day, everyday.

06.04.08

Hey Henry, happy birthday to my wife! You little cutie-pie, you're no bigger than the hammer on a twenty-two, but you sure are pretty! Remember Gina Lolabrigida, that gorgeous Italian film star from the 50's and 60's? You favor her a lot, if the light's kinda dim and I squint real hard.

Hey Henry, Thank you Brenda Nail DeLauder for your uplifting and spiritual column. I enjoy looking for it each week. Just like you, I enjoy getting to sit down and take a quick break if we are lucky enough to get rain also. Your columns always make me realize how grateful I am for so many things.

Hey Henry, so, does the guy at the Pawn Shop have to actually kill someone before we figure out that he should not be holstering a loaded firearm walking down our sidewalks? A mother screams, “Watch out!” in an attempt to save her child from the speeding car as he errantly crosses the street. Just as the car misses the child, the bullet coming from the gun in the hands of someone who has already shot an innocent man hits the child and brings to an end an innocent life. Is this what it is going to take?

Hey Henry, why didn't Henry County Police make a case against the farmer with the lake full of stolen water? Somebody is asleep at the wheel.

Hey Henry, there are some people that blame George Bush for the horrific conditions our country is in. And there are some people that are delusional.

Hey Henry, if we do not get professional and fair health inspectors soon, Henry County will be an empty county for restaurants.

Hey Henry, dress codes are created to present a professional image of a company, business, or city. How hard is that to understand?

Hey Henry, thank you Henry County Police Department. I was robbed a few days ago and you guys were wonderful to me and my family. I appreciate all you do to keep us safe!

Hey Henry, does anyone else living in historic McDonough see "colt 45 man" having his beer as he walks around town and leaving his empty cans in your trash cans? It is illegal to have open containers of beer out in public, correct? Please report this man to the police if you see him.

Hey Henry, if you are going to order pizza and you don't pay for gas to go get it, give the driver at least a buck. Cheap skates!

Hey Henry, to the off duty fireman that I had an altercation with in the Kroger parking lot off Jonesboro Rd that occurred on Thursday night 5/29... I’m sorry! I was speeding and I thank you for addressing the issue. I apologize to you and your kids.

Hey Henry, oh poor, poor city of McDonough staff. Instead of letting anyone go so money can be saved, why not do like so many of us airline employees have done. Take a humongous pay cut, but do it voluntarily. We didn't ask to lose our incomes, homes, cars, and living the life style we were accustomed to; but we're managing. It's amazing how you start talking about all these money hogs and how fast they start pointing fingers and acting like pit bulls, because they don't want to let go of their high incomes.

Hey Henry, finally, a restaurant in McDonough where the food is consistently good, the wait staff is consistently friendly and informed, and the price is right - Waffle House.
 

05.28.08

 Hey Henry, we the McDonough city staff are willing to sacrifice for a balanced budget! We will gladly sacrifice the City Manager and all the people that he may have hired and/or promoted - including the building official, the plan review coordinator, one of the code enforcement officers, and the media relations specialist. And, oh without a doubt we will on bended knees let go of the Contract Community Development Director so that he can concentrate his complete days on his erosion control business and his quality growth council. Then and only then will the City be cleansed of those who would seek to kill the life of this community!

 Hey Henry, happy Memorial Day to all our veterans! And a special thanks to Mayor Copeland for recognizing them!

 Hey Henry, to the one who isn't at the top of the pay scale and has a family. I am not supporting your family. I am a single mother driving 37 miles one way to a better paying hospital than HMC, and I bring home a whopping $35,000 a year, I am raising two teenage children that I don't get child support on any regular basis for but I sure don't expect my employer to give me car to get to work quicker just so taxpayers can save money. Have your wife or husband get a job, this is a two paycheck world - get used to it.

 Hey Henry, I want to congratulate the Elite '99, eight and under girls travel softball team, which is based out of McDonough. The girls took first place in our last tournament which was played in Douglasville. The girls did an awesome job and worked hard. Congrats and good luck on the rest of your season! GO ELITE!

 Hey Henry, maybe I'm not up to the times, but when you are off duty, you are off the clock. Why would you need to drive a county vehicle home? Including police officers! If you are off duty, do like every other taxpayer who has a family to support and drive your own vehicle home. Why should we have to provide your transportation to and from work? The county doesn't provide my transportation because I'm a county worker. I can't ride the bus to school to cut down on my transportation expense. Put our tax dollars to use where they are suppose to be used.

 Hey Henry, I'd like to commend the choral director at Woodland High School for doing a wonderful job this year. He has gone out of his way to make the choral program outstanding. The kids have a great respect for him. He is one in a million.

 Hey Henry, lets talk fairness. A local high school needs to learn the meaning of the word. The high school had their annual cheerleading tryouts a few weeks ago. They allowed one girl to tryout after she had missed the first day of the clinic when it clearly states in the rules that you must be present for every clinic in order to try out. Then one of the judges for the tryouts was friends with some of the girls through an All Star Team. Some of the girls that did not make the team were seniors that have been cheering since Middle School and others girls that had cheered for Varsity Competition for the past 2 years that clearly should have made the team. Our schools should be making more opportunities for our children and stop being so political!

 Hey Henry, I was so disappointed to hear about the behavior Mickie Jackson has witnessed on the square. I sure do hope that when she saw the girl from the restaurant on the square empty her cigarette ashtray in the parking lot she went over and let her boss know about it. There is absolutely no excuse for trashing out our public places. I’m sure she wouldn’t dump it in her own driveway. I’m sick of people littering our streets and roads. Report them!

05.21.08

 Hey Henry, when someone talks or says hello to you, then the polite thing to do is to say hello back, even if you are talking on a cell phone. Grow up!

Hey Henry, to all the young men and women from McDonough First United Methodist Church that are graduating from the different high schools in the Henry County area. Congratulations and best wishes on your future. We have the best of the best, so go forth, reach out, and be all you can be.

Hey Henry, if you look greedy and act greedy, then you are probably greedy!

Hey Henry, when are the schools in Henry County going to start getting tougher on students going to school out-of-district. I know of several students that are going to my son’s school right now that are out-of-district. We can stop the overcrowding if the school system would start cracking down on all of these parents that know they are doing wrong.

Hey Henry! Being a woman myself, I want to tell all these women out there that your car is not meant to be used as a powder room. You should do your makeup at home. If you say you don't have time then wake your lazy self up earlier so you can get it done. I can get myself ready and my kids ready and still be on time. You are going to kill someone one day because you need to get that mascara on just right. Cars are for transportation, not for your beautification.

Hey Henry, there is a farmer in McDonough that thinks he can do anything he wants. On a Sunday night in March he filled his lake from a fire hydrant!

Hey Henry, Salem Baptist Church would like to congratulate its high school and college graduates on a job well done. Best of luck in the future!

Hey Henry, thank you Kevin Oliveira for your article "A new generation." I could not agree more! Having moved here from Europe a few years back (and please let me point out, I'm happy to be here), I'm sad to see the change in attitude towards this country in Europe. Ten years back a lot of people would do anything to be able to come here to work and live. Today a lot of the same people rage when they hear the name the United States. It saddens me because this country is full of hard working, good, everyday people.

Hey Henry, what happened to the garden guy?

Hey Henry, congratulations to the Henry County Celtics! The 13 and under team took second place in a crowded field of 34 teams at the YBOA Georgia State Tournament this weekend. Kudos to Coach Wortham, Coach Derek and all the players. You guys were simply awesome and made us all very proud!

Hey Henry, many thanks to the Police Officers and Medics who
helped me when I fell leaving the Geraninum Festival on Saturday. I did go to the Emergency Room at Henry Medical as you asked and I am fine. You responded so quickly and were so very nice. Thanks again.

Thanks so much to the expeditious and courteous Henry County policeman that stopped and changed my tire for me on Friday, May 16. Please drivers - move over one lane when someone is having car trouble and a police car is there trying to assist. There are way too many people that get hit by cars on the interstate.

 

05.14.08

 Hey Henry, the McDonough City staff has learned a valuable lesson from the current city council: rules don't matter, who you know is more important; laziness is to be rewarded; the City will approve anything; conflicts of interest are not recognized - they are encouraged; the city manager will never be fired; and sit on your butt because no matter how hard you work in the public interest nothing is gonna change!

Hey Henry, I would like to congratulate all those that are a part of the current Eagle's Landing High School yearbook and newspaper staff for their 14 awards presented at the GSPA, which allows the ELHS Journalism program to exceed all others in the region. All of the hard work and dedication that has gone into the yearbook as well as the newspaper has paid off. Congratulations!

Hey Henry, with all the governments raising taxes, gas prices rising higher and higher, and politicians giving themselves pay raises because they "think" they’re worth it, well maybe we should all just quit work. We’ll stop paying on our houses and any other loans we have, go on welfare and food stamps, and stop worrying about everything. Then we can just let the government pay for everything. Sounds like a plan to me (don't worry be happy).

Hey Henry, Now is the time to replace all those energy-wasting incandescent bulbs in your home with efficient flourescent bulbs. They don't produce heat and it's going to be a hot summer!

Hey Henry, congratulations to the 2008 inaugural graduating class of Ola High School, especially my granddaughter, Sarah, and her friend Jaren. May God bless your future with every success. Love, Nan.

Hey Henry, to Mayor Copeland and McDonough City Council, thank you for thinking of our veterans!

Hey Henry, I heard that the Belgian Waffleman is going to be at the Geranium Festival. Don't miss him. I hope he has chocolate dipped waffles on a stick!!!

Hey Henry, thank you to Mitzi at Pizaz for the fun Veteran's Day doggie event. Our dog loves wearing her new Pizaz collar.

Hey Henry, does anyone know why we have to drive through the parking lots of three different businesses to get to the Waffle House parking lot next to Precision Tune-up at Jonesboro Road and McDonough Parkway? When you enter from McDonough Parkway, the Waffle House driveway has been blocked by permanent curbs. Who did that?

Hey Henry, many thanks to an anonymous, very thoughtful gentleman who picked up the tab at a Stockbridge restaurant for our birthday luncheon! We all enjoyed the food, and we had a great time topped off by this nice surprise! God bless you, sir. With gratitude, six little ole' ladies ranging from ages 67 - 94.

Hey Henry, please tell the people that matter that they need to check out the Whispering Willow Subdivision. The homes are single resident homes and you have some homes with at least five families living in them.

Hey Henry, Maybe the person(s) who suggested "reducing or eliminating take home vehicles" for McDonough employees should remember their suggestion the next time they need a police officer to respond quickly to their house. Folks don’t realize that having a take home vehicle benefits the community by quicker responses. Keep in mind most of us are not at the top of the pay scale and we have families to take care of, too.
 

05.07.08

 Hey Henry, Art in the park was pretty cool this weekend. The band was really good and it was a beautiful day. Good food too - especially CJ's Hotdogs had a great New Orleans Dog. I want to thank the McDonough Art Council for having an enjoyable event.

Hey Henry, maybe the McDonough city council should consider reducing or eliminating take home vehicles to address their budget shortfalls. Taxpayers should not pay for city employees to drive to and from work and cavort around town on the weekends. No matter what the cost of gas, this is just pure waste!

Hey Henry, yes, teachers should remove badges when they drink. Let's give them the benefit of doubt after a long hard day with our children, they simply forgot. Just think about all the things your kids tell teachers that you do or say, and boy, do kids talk! I don't think seeing a teacher out in public actually smiling and laughing is as bad as the stories they tell about their parents! In fact, many parents would get a failing grade in their own modeling skills. Let's make sure the teaching of morals and values actually begins at home before we judge our exhausted and underpaid teachers.

Hey Henry, the taste of Henry was fun. I really enjoyed the music near the end of the night. It looked like everyone had a good time. The kids had a lot of places to play, also. I do wish the trash cans were emptied more often but other than that it was nice.

Hey Henry, if the city of Atlanta is laying off employees to try and get the budget into balance, why is McDonough not considering the same thing instead of this unreasonable property tax increase. I could live with a 10 or 15 percent increase, but never 64%. There will be more and more foreclosures and empty neighborhoods if this tax increase happens.

Hey Henry, to the Civil War "Expert" stating, "Confederate soldiers are not American Veterans, they were Confederate Veterans" - CSA = Confederate States of AMERICA.

Hey Henry, way to go Luella High School Fine Arts Department. Congratulations on a job well done! "All Shook Up" was wonderful!!

Hey Henry, For the fire/police department and commissioners/managers, I am curious of what the raise slash cost of living adjustment will be. We always hear how we are now a metro department. If that is true, we need to be paid as such. Gas, homes, and groceries have gone up tremendously and I'm tired of having to work a second job just to make ends meet!

Hey Henry, I would like to give a shout out to my mama. Happy Mother’s Day! Love, Tammy.

Hey Henry, thanks to all the pencil pushers at the fire department for wanting to take yet another thing away (kelly days) from the hard workers. They keep taking and taking but don't give. Even if they say "good job", which is seldom, that does not put food on our plate. (Ed. question...would you like to enlighten us on what a “kelly day” is?)

Hey Henry, to Sheriff Chafin - why don't you do what all the Superior Court Clerks have done forever in this county, retire and appoint Keith McBrayer your replacement and he will automatically become an incumbent and be assured of winning the election.
 

04.30.08

Hey Henry, does anyone else think there needs to be a left turn signal going into the post office in McDonough? It is sometimes difficult to turn there with all of the traffic coming into town on Highway 155.

Hey Henry, if you have five dollars and Chuck Norris has five dollars, Chuck Norris has more money than you.

Hey Henry, Isn't it common sense not to cut Title I teachers in the elementary schools when the test scores are already low. Wake up Michael Surma ! Teachers make the difference, not literacy and math coaches. Talk to your teachers.

Hey Henry, do you think the developers will stop building in a few years when Henry resembles Clayton county? Will anyone want to move here?

Hey Henry, is there a statue to recognize Patrick Henry as the one for whom our county is named?

Hey Henry, the McDonough Square is just beautiful with the flowers and green grass, the walkways and the confederate memorial statue. Let's just keep it that way. That's ALL it needs to speak of the beauty of the South.

Hey Henry, Koffee Klutch has been doing a great job with the booksigning program. Thanks for being so interested in our community!

Hey Henry, why do we park in a driveway and drive on a parkway?

Hey Henry, where did the vent go? Where are we going to get all our gossip?

Hey Henry, why can’t someone get the traffic lights around the square to synchronize better. They all seem to be pretty random when changing and traffic is backing up all the way to Chattanooga.

Hey Henry, the flower boxes around the square were purchased with money donated by the merchants. I constantly see litter in them and along the sidewalks. Why doesn't the City purchase more trash cans to go along the streets bordering the Square. That might help to stop some of the trash that has to picked up. Or here's a unique concept - just stop littering.

Hey Henry, many thanks to Main Street and all the others who helped put together the Car Show in McDonough. We came and had a great time looking at the cars and enjoying the music. Hope this is a yearly thing!

Hey Henry, to the one talking about the Kilpatricks Charge. They are not American Veterans, They are Confederates. The Confederate soldiers are not American Veterans. I think you need to learn some of your history.

Hey Henry, there is no 'ctrl' button on Chuck Norris's computer. Chuck Norris is always in control.

Hey Henry, the Confederate Memorial Day observance on the square was very well done. I just moved to the south and was impressed by the reverence of the program and the observance of the memories of the men who fought.

Hey Henry, looking forward to your tax rebate? How will you spend it? Feed your family, or fill up your car?
 

04.23.08

 Hey Henry, wow! I can't believe all the restaurants that are participating in Taste of Henry this year! I look forward to this event every year, and it looks like this will be the best yet! Way to go Henry County restaurants!

Hey Henry, to those who pass judgment on teachers drinking in public and having fun, don’t be jealous. Your precious children probably drove them to drink. It is not your children’s teachers’ responsibility to teach moral values, that is their parents duty. If a teacher tried to impress their moral values on your child you would probably be first in line to complain and want them fired, so get off it!

Hey, Henry, just how little do we think of our public library system? So little that we pay our library staff less than every other county in the area! In fact, the managers don't even earn as much as the brawny folks who stock the grocery shelves. I guess Henry County just doesn't think it's important for school children and community residents to have access to reliable information and help finding it. If you disagree, please make the effort to pick up the phone or e-mail your County Commissioner and the County Manager today!

Hey Henry, I just finished reading the "to the point" opinion and views of Jimmy Cochran, Editor. He, like those who vent, is exercising his right to freedom of speech. It is one of the principles that this wonderful county is built upon. Everyone should be able to speak up and stand for what they believe in and march to their own beat.

Hey Henry, to all Henry County residents, please remember that 911 means just that, emergency. If you tie up the police officers with ridiculous calls like you can't figure out how to turn off the light in your car, then maybe you shouldn't be driving a motor vehicle. Get a mechanic. The next time someone complains about the response time of law enforcement to a true emergency, just remember that police officers are being tied up with ridiculous calls like above.

Hey Henry, it appears instead of only learning Spanish we will now be required to learn Chinese! Instead of incentives to help Georgia folks to start businesses to help heal the economy, our illustrious Governor is bringing in the Chinese. Any other thoughts on this subject?

Hey Henry, only a heart of stone could be unmoved by the strength, valor and determination displayed in Kilpatrick’s Charge on August 20, 1864 at Nash Farm. What a sad, empty, narcissistic, ungrateful, unthinking lot Mr. Stanley must think of all American Veterans. We are listening to the junk that is being spoken by Mr. Stanley and yes, we who love our history also vote.

Hey Henry, is “primate” the act of removing your spouse from in front of the TV?

Hey Henry, don't you hate it when you go to all the trouble of suing a tenant that owes you $3,200 for back rent and trusting that he can pay the rent because he has worked for a local company for 25 years, and then he files a Chapter 13 on you and you can't get but 1% or $32? I hate when that happens. And then come to find out...he's done this to everyone. What a scum-bum!

Hey Henry, not to single out a particular commissioner, but please read your emails - and respond to them.
 

04.16.08

 Hey Henry, why build a rodeo when a pool or two can be built for the citizens. Pools can be used for athletic purposes as well. Swim teams can made from the high schools. Not to mention swim teams can be developed in the summer. Importantly, swimming lessons for the young children can be given. This would be a more valuable asset than a bull ring. Anyone agree?

Hey Henry, why do people move here and try to take over? It ain't broke! Don't mess with it. Leave the square alone.

Hey Henry, kudos to McDonough Tourism. We like the energy and activity. Keep those buses coming.

Hey Henry, all parents need to be aware. Some delinquents are causing damage to county property in Hidden Valley Park. So, parents, don’t let your children be the ones they catch.

Hey Henry, what are the Wachovia Lied signs all about?

Hey Henry, to the person who thanked the bus driver who saved the dog that was being tortured. Why didn't you and your neighborhood do something about it, instead of waiting for weeks for it to be saved?

Hey Henry, a million thanks to Martha at the McDonough library. She was a tremendous help to me on the computer. Martha is definitely an asset to the library and the people that come in.

Hey Henry, to the person who wrote, "McDonough is not a "confederate city." You are right, education is very important and you proved your lack thereof with a mindless statement. All the cities past and present were and are "confederate cities." The word confederate is an anglo-saxon word which means "united people." The original thirteen colonies were known as the "confederate Colonies" changed to confederate states, then to the United States.

Hey Henry, to Kibbee Road - have heart and give room for our vehicles to comfortably meet and pass each other on your street! Won't you please set your mailboxes back just a little bit for safety’s sake! Especially, the brick ones and those extremely close to your very beautifu, but narrow street.

Hey Henry, the teachers that go out to eat on 81 East on Fridays, should really take their teachers badges off before getting intoxicated. You aren't setting a good example for our kids, that now know teachers, who teach them not to drink, actually drink themselves.

Hey Henry, saying the oath of allegiance to this land of liberty, has been a moment of pride for me. So was the day that Henry County preserved the Nash Farm Battlefield where my ancestor honorably served in the 7th PA Cavalry. My family honors (ALL) American veterans.

Hey Henry, to the family in the first part of Wynbrook Subdivision with the dog that barks all night, please show some respect and keep the dog indoors.

Hey Henry, to the person or group of persons who vandalized the city cemetery, flipping and breaking of headstones, stealing all the confederate and american flags, and degrading everything that is America, we will be watching.

04.09.08

 Hey Henry, open your eyes. Somebody keeps trashing the square. Keep the signs, information box, wreath and magnolias from around the monument. It looks down right tacky!

Hey Henry, thanks to the Henry County policeman who stopped and pushed a stalled car out of harm's way at the Race Track Road/Hwy 42 intersection. Our law officers really do believe in those words 'to protect and to serve'!

Hey Henry, I noticed that the HCWSA have given their customers limited outdoor watering privileges as approved by the EPD. Great! My question is City of Stockbridge, when are you going to follow suit? Why are we that live inside city limits not given those same privileges? After all, it does say State of Georgia; not “just customers of the HCWSA.” They are doing the odd/even number like before. Why can't we? I would like to see your answer posted in "Hey Henry" next week!!

Hey Henry, contrary to what some people may believe, McDonough is not a "confederate city." It hasn't been one since 1865. People who are living in the 19th century ought to focus on the issues we face today - poverty, global warming, education, transportation, etc.

Hey Henry, I keep hearing about gangs forming in Henry County. Am I the only one who doesn't understand what kids living in Henry County have to be so angry about? Seriously, you need a reality check if you think any part of living in a suburban town like McDonough justifies you acting like some ignorant thug. You ain't street. You're just another punk wannabe living in a suburb!

Hey Henry, please don't talk about me.

Hey Henry, we just would like for our bus driver to know how much we appreciate her. Ms. Jane is a really superb bus driver. She is always on time, we can always depend on her, we know our kids are safe, and love her, but most of all she loves our kids. Undoubtedly, the best in Henry.

Hey Henry, this if for the residents who are always complaining about real estate signs on the road. The people that put these signs out are able to put food on the table for their family. Can a decent person not make a living in peace?

Hey Henry, concerning the kids in Virginia Meadows, for nearly four years we put up with this "band of brothers' harassing us. We put up with the "ding dong ditching", having BBs shot at our house, eggs busted on our roof, etc. On several occasions, we caught them. When we finally had enough and contacted the HCPD, we were labeled by the parents of one of the kids as being intolerant of a "kid friendly" neighborhood of kids "just having fun" to actually being called "the problem" and "bad neighbors" in a previous Hey Henry. Contact HCPD, they will know who to speak with as they have a very detailed description of the pranks of this group. Thank goodness we have been able to get out. I feel sorry for all of you left to deal with this group of kids whose parents are oblivious of their behavior.

Hey Henry, can E.T. phone home!

Hey Henry, it appears instead of only learning Spanish we will now be required to learn Chinese! Instead of incentives to help Georgia folks to start businesses to help heal the economy, our illustrious Governor is bringing in the Chinese. Any other thoughts on this subject?

04.02.08

 Hey Henry, that was not an Easter Egg Hunt at Nash Farm as seen on page ten of the March 26, 2008 edition. That was an Easter Egg Pick-Up. A HUNT is where you have to LOOK or SEARCH for the eggs.

Hey Henry, who is the brave person, that placed the bird house in the tall tree on the square of McDonough? (Ed. note - that is actually an owl house.)

Hey Henry, recently in my neighborhood, someone released a very large dog. The dog roamed the neighborhood of Kaleb Ct. for several weeks. Some of the boys in the neighborhood abused the dog, he was a target used for training other dogs to fight, he was tazored, beaten and left starving. I would like to thank a Henry County School Bus Driver who rescued the dog. She gave him a good home in a large fenced yard. It's wonderful to know that someone in this cruel world has a heart. Nothing or no one deserves this kind if abuse. Thank you so much from the residents of Kaleb Court.

Hey Henry, I don't know if the comment directed at "those people" was a racist comment or a negative comment against women, but I can tell you this. I have seen plenty of good ole’ white boys and men in their good ole’ pick-up trucks on their cell phones chatting away as well as any woman. Not only that, I’ve seen plenty of good ole ‘white boys and men in their pick-up trucks cruise right on through a stop sign like it was meant for someone else.

Het Henry, the flower boxes around the square are just that, flower boxes, not trash cans. Someone should talk to the city about putting out some trash cans around the square to help with this littering problem. Lets keep McDonough beautiful!!

Hey Henry, that was a great Town Hall meeting about the Historic District and my concerns were answered so I am now in favor. However, I was ashamed of our city council (except for Mrs. Riffey) who were noticeably absent. Thank you Mayor Copeland and Gina Riffey for caring about our city enough to show up and support the citizens.

Hey Henry, to the person who responded to my Hey Henry about New Birth Missionary South and told me I needed to "get the plank out of my eye," this is what I have to say. I agree with you 100%. I think people who work for the Lord should have nice things. But to me, nice doesn't have to be $1,000 pair of shoes or a million dollar home. That isn't nice, it is extravagant.

Hey Henry, Tim Coley promised speed bumps at Warren Holder Park, because people were acting as if this was a freeway and going top speed. With the speed bumps down now maybe when a ball rolls out into the parking lot, the children will not get run over. Thanks again, Tim!

Hey Henry, to the kids in Virginia Meadows and other subdivisions off of Kelleytown Road doing the "Ding Dong Ditching" between 9:00 p.m. and midnight. We adults do not find this cute or funny and if you're not careful, you're going to find yourselves at the wrong end of a meeting with Henry County PD one of these nights during your little escapades. Stop It Now!

Hey Henry, please don't forget Cindi McCarthy this April. This month will be hard for her after losing her husband and two twin boys one year ago from the plane that went down over Pine Mountain. I can't imagine what it's like for her. Please pray for her and her family too. We love you Cindi!

03.26.08

 Hey Henry, this is to the person who thinks the Pet of the Week should be used for the Humane Society. I just wanted to let you know that everyone at Henry County Humane Society thanks you! We have many adoptable pets which you can see on our website at www.henryhumane.com. (Editor note - we have used the Humane Society for POTW in the past and will continue to do so when possible.)

Hey Henry, maybe they should take the Estates off the end of Lake Dow so that people who are moving into the area won’t think that it is an overpriced trailer park with a fake lake that you can't even water ski on.

Hey Henry, the music played during the Easter egg hunt at Nash farms this year was very inappropriate for children's ears!

Hey Henry, this is Judge Studdard at State Court. Thanks to the nice person who wrote in about their good experience on jury duty. We try hard to make jury service a positive experience, while also doing justice to folks in court. (Speaking of justice, how come nobody told me they were serving cookies?)

Hey Henry, just a reminder to all those people out there who refuse to turn their headlights on during fog and rain; when you are driving a dark or gray car you blend right into the scenery. Turn your lights on so we can see you. And to all those people who don’t stop at the stop sign at North Mt. Carmel and Mt. Carmel Rd., please stop! With those kids in your car on the way to school, don’t you understand the importance of stopping at the stop sign? Rolling stops don’t count!

Hey Henry, and now the church wants to use Mt. Carmel Elementary School's ball fields for play. More traffic, more often. Let them build ball fields on some of their green space, or are they saving it for building phase II.

Hey Henry, thank you Tim Coley for getting done what you said you would do! You really will save a child’s life... (Editor question - what was done? Perhaps our readers would like to know.)

Hey Henry, my family and I went to the Saturday grand opening of the Nash Farm. It was a great place and the county is lucky to have it. I only wish the weather had been better so more people could have enjoyed being outside in all the lovely green space. Thanks HCPRD for a good job!

Hey Henry, what does a crook see with? Burglarize!

Hey Henry, to all the bicycle riders on Mt. Carmel Road and Mill Road - please wear reflective clothes and ride in the daylight hours. Yesterday morning at 7:30 in the morning (during rush hour traffic) and dark, you were out there and I didn’t see you till it was almost too late. I am so afraid one of you will get it hit and am surprised it hasn’t happened yet.

Hey Henry, did you know that school violence increases at almost the same rate as overcrowding does? Did you know that kids have to eat lunch at 10:30 a.m. in some schools in Henry County? They are being crowded and herded like animals! Half of their class time is spent taking bathroom breaks! You can't keep adding trailers while the lunch rooms and bathrooms stay the same!

Hey Henry, is it the cell phone or the female gene that disables the driving skills of “those” people.

03.19.08

 Hey Henry, A bus driver and teachers from several high schools in Henry County are my heroes. I don't know their names, but they got a group of students from Ola High School and others, who were attending the Hawks game at Phillips Arena on Friday night during the tornado, home safely! They have my gratitude because my grandson was among the students. Thanks to you all.

Hey Henry, I recently served on jury duty at the State Court. It was a wonderful experience…really. The court staff were very pleasant and they served hot coffee and raisin oatmeal cookies every morning. Thanks State Court Staff.

Hey Henry, what ever happened to kids raising money by holding car washes and selling doughnuts? I cannot believe the number of kids panhandling for "donations" to support their world series trip. Teach your kids the lesson of honest work to get what they want and to stop looking for free handouts.

Hey Henry, they want a 64% increase in McDonough city property taxes to cover a fantasy budget. Homeowners within the city limits, please tell the council to wake up!

Hey Henry, a patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government. Thank you Rich & Beth for being patriots in regards to your letter.

Hey Henry, has anyone notice the increase of violence in our county schools. The assaults amoung students in Henry County Middle School is out of control and no one seems to care.

Hey Henry, to the person inquiring about Airline Road, I moved to McDonough in '71 and remember quite vividly as small aircraft did indeed fly out of that area. If I'm not mistaken, even Zack and Zip Hinton flew small planes from there.

Hey Henry, thank you to Jimmy and the Henry County Times for the eye-opening information in the March 5 edition. Please continue to keep us informed. (Ed. note - we appreciate the thanks, but we can’t do it all...call your city council representative and give them your thoughts.)

Hey Henry, did the out-of-town race fans spend enough money in our county this past weekend to improve our roads? (besides the ones on the way to the race track?) This traffic is unbearable.

Hey Henry, to add on to the resident comment - not only are the real estate signs that litter our roads trashy, the stakes that are left behind are also tacky. Can we jerk these up and use them for our own purposes?

Hey Henry, how come the city of Atlanta is in a budget crisis and is cutting all departments (except police and fire) by 25%. They aren’t even talking about a tax increase, just cutting down on unnecessary personnel and expenses. Get the idea, city council?

Hey Henry, I think the "Pet of the Week" is as cute as can be, but could you please feature the animals at The Humane Society? I am sure there are many in need of homes.

Hey Henry, regarding the three hour traffic jam on Mt. Carmel Road. The county Planning and Zoning did not think of those of us who pay taxes, live on that road and have to put up with the traffic. It was all political and there was nothing that was going to stop the church from being built there, knowing that Mt. Carmel Road could not handle that amount of traffic. They just did not care about the tax paying citizens who have lived on there for 27 years.

03.12.08

 Hey Henry, thank you Henry County Times!!! For standing up and telling the public what they should know regarding the running of their city.

Hey Henry, in the February 20 ‘Hey Henry,’ someone made a comment about driving a car with two hands. I was almost hit once in McDonough and once in Stockbridge because of the same reason. I thought the whole front of my car had been torn off. The person had one of those things in her ear and was still using both hands to do various things. One of them wasn’t to turn on a turn signal. Why can’t there be a law about pulling off to the side of the road when you are talking on the phone?

Hey Henry, due to the construction going on at the library that is taking up part of the parking lot, the patrons now seem to think it is ok to park in the staff parking lot on the side of the building. Please be courteous to the staff and let them have their spaces back. There are enough spaces out front to accommodate you.

Hey Henry, know what I'm really tired of? All those signs advertising subdivisions. I live right off of Hwy. 81 and Jackson Road. There's an area through there that would be beautiful if it weren't for all those trashy signs. A beautiful pasture with a whole herd of horses . . . beautiful horses. But, all along the road are those endless signs. Isn't there some sort of "littering" law about those things? (Ed. note - Right on!)

Hey Henry, I was reading about the signs for the little boy’s daddy and I think it is sad that the code enforcement officers won't do anything about issues that break ordinances that directly affect a person's safety in their own home. but, can break a child's heart that is trying to show his love for his daddy. To the little boy, I think your daddy knows how much you love him just with the thought of taking the time to make those signs.

Hey Henry, is McDonough really increasing taxes to pay for a butterfly park?

Hey Henry, I recently attended a high school baseball game at Luella High School. I was ashamed of the language used. No, not by the players, by the coach! The boys lost the game, he was angry and cursed them after the game. Calling them every foul name in the book. Is this a fine example for our youth? No, I do not think so. Get your act together, coach! If all you want is to win, maybe you should make better choices as to whom you put on the field.

Hey Henry, Airline Road was named such because it was one of a few roads that runs straight north-south. In the "old" days, pilots used it to guide their travels from the air it was a north-south line (submitted from a 7th generation Henry Countian). Thank God for grandfathers who listened to their grandfathers and passed the history on to us.

Hey Henry, what do you call a short, ugly inmate? Control!

Hey Henry, congratulations to the Henry County High School Wrestlers! State champions Anthony Fretwell and Evan Warrington; runner up - Tyler Austin and state placers - Jordan Turpin, Kavon Saddler, and Benson Gyang. Excellent job, Coaches Hutsell and Fretwell!

Hey Henry, you should know about those wonderful, kind strangers who went to my 17-year-old granddaughter's aid after her wreck on 155 just south of 138 on Wednesday, March 5, around 5:00 p.m. Our whole family would like for this to be a thank you note to all of them. They are all great Americans; especially the lady who called my daughter to let her know of the accident.

03.05.08

 Hey Henry, this is a good ole’ town that has been around for many years. It is a great place to live. I love spending my time in Henry County. We used to not have all these fun activities, but we are getting there.

Hey Henry, I heard that a student at the "most elite" HS in the county received two DUI's in one week, only to have his slate wiped clean because of a $10,000 donation to some charity that his father made. Please tell me that stuff like this doesn't really happen.

Hey Henry, please share with everyone you know, including businesses who give out goody bags, that uninflated balloons are a choking hazard and should never be given to any child. Per the Consumer Product Safety Commission: more children have suffocated on uninflated balloons and pieces of broken balloons than on any other type of toy.

Hey Henry, to the person that comes from where the word "Estates" for a neighborhood means it’s a trailer park instead of a nice neighborhood; those of us in Lake Dow Estates can guarantee you that we haven’t had any trailers for the 20+ years we've been in McDonough.

Hey Henry, thank you District 3 Commissioner for getting the drainage problem fixed in the Lake Dow area. We appreciate your attention and you following up on this situation. We hope to see you run for re-election.

Hey Henry, what is the deal with the Veterans Wall of Honor? How long are they going to draw this project out? Several large donations and services have been made but yet the job is nowhere near finished. It is funny, other projects that were started way after this one are already finished. Seems as if this project is not as important as Nash Farm. I purchased a brick for my Father-in-law when this project first started thinking it was an awesome gift for a Vietnam Vet who received a Purple Heart. Well, he never got to see his brick. He died. Thanks a lot Henry County.

Hey Henry, is a clumsy opthamologist an eyedropper?

Hey Henry, New Birth Missionary South? I see nowhere in the Bible that a pastor is not allowed to have nice things. You and I have a lot of very nice things and nobody says a word. It is not a pastors responsibility to fund all the missionaries or buy all the Bibles, it is yours and mine! He guides and shepherds us to do it. The pastors I know are Godly men and devote much more of their energies to Christ than you and I. Remove the plank from your eye before examining the splinter in someone elses.

Hey Henry, what would you rather have when you've been burglarized, a policeman or a butterfly?

Hey Henry, just want to say how much I love going to the Publix store on Hwy 81. The parking lot will be packed and I can get in there and out in no time! It's very well managed, everybody is very friendly, and I always leave feeling good. Kroger on Jonesboro road is just the opposite. Everytime I go in there, I come out mad. There are never enough registers open and it takes forever. So thank you Publix for being the greatest grocery store!

Hey Henry! What parent in their right mind is allowing their child to stand in the middle of Jonesboro Rd, or run in between cars during a red light in the Square just to sell some fundraising donuts? My child will not be the first to be hit and killed by an errant car in a freak accident. Whose will? I'd like to think there are better and safer ways to raise a buck for the kids programs in the county.

02.27.08

 Hey Henry, my husband's birthday was today, and my little boy was so excited. He wanted to make "Happy Birthday Daddy" signs and have them posted in various spots on my husband's way home from work. Thanks to code enforcement my little boy's heart was broken because they took the signs down. They couldn't even stay up for two hours until my husband got off work.

Hey Henry, congratulations to the 99 Girls Thunder taking second place in the Presidents Day Soccer Tournament. They did a great job! Way to go Coach Fabian!

Hey Henry, what ever happened to people being considerate of their neighbors? One of my neighbors left their German Shepherd in a pen for five days so it could bark all day and all night. In fact, so many dogs bark at all hours in this neighborhood I feel as if I live in a kennel. I'm wondering why I thought I'd get any peace when I moved to Locust Grove. I have two dogs and I somehow manage to take care of them without it annoying everyone around me. There are ordinances against noise/barking in this county. You would think my neighbor would know that since he works for LG PD.

Hey Henry, what does an English barber do for a living? Eclipse.

Hey Henry, can anyone tell us why Airline Road is named such? There doesn't seem to be an airline anywhere in sight?

Hey Henry, attention to the Henry County Planning Committee. Thanks for the three and a half hour traffic jam on Sundays on Mt. Carmel Rd. Now, those of us that would like to attend our churches as we have for years can't get out of our driveways. Maybe a two mile turn lane would have been a good idea. Did anyone stop to think how thousands of members would get into the church on a two lane road?

Hey Henry, is anyone coming to the McDonough Public Hearing Thursday, Feb. 28? I hear Lee is trying to raise property taxes on us. Come voice your “NO” to the city council and mayor.

Hey Henry, so is Larry Stanley the official Charles Mobley spokesperson, investigator and hell raiser?

Hey Henry, we live in McDonough on 81. It’s a growing town but what isn't growing these days? We worry about the loose dogs that we see. I walk my little dogs on a leash - just in case a big dog or a fox or any animal might try to get at them. We love our dogs, but wonder why people say they love their dogs and let them run free on a highway. We have seen many dead dogs on 81. If you love your dog walk him on a leash and watch him carefully. They can't take care of themselves and its not like the 1940s any more.

Hey Henry, when you decide to bring a big group out to dinner at 7:00 p.m. on a Saturday night, don’t get an attitude with me when I tell you it is a thirty to forty minute wait. You should have planned ahead.

Hey Henry, New Birth South, pay attention to your neighbors and learn how to drive. Mt. Carmel is a road, not a parking lot. You people need to get it together. It is just sad!

Hey Henry, congratulation to the girl's basketball team from Henry County High, who qualified for the State Tournament for the first time in 20 years. What was sad was there was not one administrator present, nor were any teachers present at the game other than the coaches and the athletic director. You say you support the students, but in this case your actions spoke louder than your words.

02.20.08

 Hey Henry, congratulations to Coach Collins, the new Union Grove High School football coach, it is nice to finally have a football coach that cares about our boys!

Hey Henry, Obama jokes about being a cousin of Dick Cheney's. This is no joking matter, America cannot afford a relative of Cheney's. There must be something in the blood line.

Hey Henry, are the drivers of today not aware that automobiles are equipped with turn signals? Oh excuse me, I forgot that it's impossible to keep one hand on the steering wheel, one on your cell phone and have one to turn the signal on when turning or changing lanes.

Hey Henry, we need to give Smead Manufacturing some recognition. It has been in Henry County for 30 years and has provided a lot of us with jobs, (good jobs) close to home. Thanks Smead, from one who thanks you for just being in Henry County. I don't like driving into Atlanta!

Hey Henry, please slow down at the intersection of Highway 138 and Hemphill Road. The speed limit through there is 45 not 70. Also the so called "speed bumps" that were put on Hemphill, what are those supposed to do? They need to be on Highway 138.

Hey Henry, I was driving down McGarity Road heading into town when on my right I noticed a sign for a new subdivision going in. The name on the sign was Arnold’s Estates. Where I come from anything with Estates at the end of the title is a trailer park. Lets hope that this is not the case with this subdivision.

Hey Henry, what is it called when you bring suit against a government official? Sudafed!

Hey Henry, several years ago I found a baby photo album at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Griffin. Since then I have tried several ways to find the people it belongs to. It is full of a baby and family pictures. The parents are listed as Anne and Carl Norman. Pictures are of Baby Elizabeth (born in 1977), parents and grandparents. If you know any of these people please email
editor@henrycountytimes.com or call the Henry County Times office and they will forward the information to me.

Hey Henry, here's an idea. Henry County Parks and Recreation should fix the condemned bridge that sits at the Spring Street Ballpark behind the Post 55 building before some kid gets hurt badly enough for someone to file a lawsuit against the county. Unless you think that chain is going to keep all the children off of it. And, oh yeah, spend a few bucks and remove the stump that remains dead and jagged right next to the playground.

Hey Henry, please tell me someone is going to run for commissioner in District 3. My commissioner has been seen and not heard for some time now. I want a real commissioner who represents my needs, District 3 taxpayer needs and not someone who lives for himself and feeding his big ego.

Hey Henry, welcome to New Birth Missionary South! Just wanted to let you know that if your pastor sold that phat watch and ring he was wearing the other day when I saw him, he could probably buy about 5,000 more bibles or send 200 more missionaries into the mission field to win people for Christ. If they were gifts from the congregation or anyone else, in the name of the Lord he could have rejected the gift of bling and donated the money to others rather than his appearance. Jesus was a plain man from what I understand...what is wrong with a man of the Lord being the same?

02.13.08

 Hey Henry, I set up at the Peachtree Peddlers Flea Market hoping to make a little, and I mean little, extra cash on the side. Please! I have an item for a $1.00 and the cheapskates want it for a quarter. I have an item for $5.00 and they offer me a dollar. Come on, stop insulting me. You have a wad in your pocket and I'm not stupid. If you can't afford the stuff, go back home and don't waste my time or intelligence. It costs you money for gas as well as me, and we all know how expensive gas is.

Hey Henry, congratulations to Pam Paulk, the owner of the McDonough Curves For Women. She is going to be featured on the Tyra Banks Show in New York City this March. She will be presenting a Locust Grove lady she is training that will be competing in a national contest. You go, girls!

Hey Henry, please pave Simpson Mill Road as was promised so long ago.

Hey Henry, the problem at Walker and 155 is not the teenagers. I realize they are inexperienced, but that's not the problem. The speed limit is 55. It would be nice if everyone would just follow the rules of driving and remember who has the right of way.

Hey Henry, to those writers who seem to be so concerned about the houses being built in a subdivision on Racetrack Road, perhaps this is a private development where the developer and builder can do whatever they see fit with their own funds pursuant to county zoning guidelines. Why would you worry about how close together the homes are built unless you live there yourself and if that is the case, why did you buy there in the first place?

Hey Henry, what do you to relax your wife? Rubberneck.

Hey Henry, since the first day they opened the drivers license building in Locust Grove, the lights that power their signs and streetlights have been running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I asked the people about it inside and they said that it has always been done that way and they don't have a switch to turn them off. In our time of conservation I think something needs to be done about this.

Hey Henry. I would like to say a special thanks and recognition to our EMT's! I was in pain but not severe pain, and I apologized to John Heirs for calling them out because they had been busy with calls all over town from the bad storm. He comforted me in the ride, assured me I was more than welcome to call them anytime and monitored my spells. He held my hand when I was scared, and talked to me. Come to find out, I had had a heart attack per Emory Cardiology team. He encouraged me, tried to keep me calm, and I truly appreciate all he does, and all of our EMT's. I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, John!

Hey Henry, I just found out Mike's Garage is now closed. Congratulations on retiring Mike, but we are sure going to miss you. This loyal customer thanks you for your help and honesty over the years! Go fishing!

Hey Henry, to the person complaining about Ellistown Road being a dirt road, it was dirt when you moved there. Why did you move there if you didn't like the road. You should have thought about your car getting worn out before you moved. I wish there were more dirt roads in Henry county like there used to be.

Hey Henry, the Eagle's Landing Middle School eighth grade basketball team won the championship game Friday night! Way to go eighth graders and Coach Booth!

02.06.08

 Hey Henry, congratulations to McDonough students Amanda Huggins, Nathaniel Maddox and Kimberly Shoemaker for all making the Dean’s List at Samford University.

Hey Henry, to the person telling everyone about all the backroads..shut up. Now the secret is out. Geez.

Hey Henry, to the unhappy neighbor in Virginia Meadows, it is so nice to see your house for sale. Everyone else in the neighborhood is not the bad neighbor - you are!

Hey Henry, what do penguins see with? Polarize!

Hey Henry, be a hero and go bald on St. Baldrick’s Day to help support childhood cancer research.

Hey Henry, in answer to the person who questioned why they were more houses being built in the subdivision on Racetrack Road and why they are so close together. It's called builder's greed.

Hey Henry, so who is behind it all in wanting to play dirty politics instead of running a clean campaign? They only wish to throw mud and talk trash. Most tax payers are sick of the dirty campaign tactics, so stop wasting our time by forcing us to hear your garbage and dirty laundry on all of your opponents. You live in a glass house, too. Talk about real issues and leave the mud slinging at home.

Hey Henry, the Letter to the Editor in the January 30 issue is wrong! There is no personal attack on Commissioner Mathis. The issues at hand concern only official decision-making, huge sums of taxpayer dollars and documented historical facts. The $8 million came from the general fund, not Impact Fees. Today’s tax assessment is $3.5 million. Of nine Confederate campsites, five are in Clayton County and two are south of the property. A 1919 soil survey map shows no dwelling at the site of the “1855 Nash farmhouse.” The “deserted plantation” was on Dorsey property in Clayton County.

Hey Henry, I'll be at the exit ramp at Jonesboro Road, holding a sign that reads "Plumber looking for work." Do you think I'll be asked to leave?

Hey Henry, What parking lot in Henry county can a legal citizen stand in to find work?

Hey Henry, what a great time we had at the booksigning by Mrs. Moss last weekend. It’s nice to live in a county where such creative people live and are supported!

Hey Henry, to the person who hit my car in the parking lot hard enough to knock the bumper off, then drove off, why don't you come back and finish the job!

Hey Henry, attention to SPLOST, where are all my pennies? I live off Ellistown Road and my child goes to New Hope Elem. The only way to get there is to navigate around all of the washed out holes. And they are huge holes. How 'bout yall get a crew down here and pave this raod along with the rest of Leguin Mill. There are lots of tax paying people that live down these roads that are getting their cars trashed, not to mention their houses!

01.30.08

 Hey Henry, thanks so very much to Brenda Nail DeLauder for her article on January 23. We have all been guilty of making a mess of things. God bless her for her good works.

Hey Henry, I like Mike! And so does Chuck Norris!

Hey Henry, in case some of you don't know and to those of you who obviously don't care - The speed limit is 35 mph on Iris Lake Road in McDonough. As a resident of this road, it really disturbs me at the volume of traffic and the attitude of the drivers who travel this road. Let's slow down and obey the posted speed limit.

Hey Henry, why are more homes being built on Race Track Road in a subdivision full of vacant homes? And why are they built so close together so if one burns, they all burn?

Hey Henry, has anyone heard an explanation of why oil prices dropped over ten dollars a barrel after President Bush visited the Middle East?

Hey Henry, we just got another penny sales tax passed to help the police and fire departments. When will be the next project to come along and require more taxpayer money? When are the taxpayers going to stand up and tell these politicians and county commissioners that enough is enough and we are paying enough taxes as it is? Why do they keep coming up with more programs that require more tax dollars?

Hey Henry, those who have recently moved here complain about the traffic and those of us that have lived here forever know how to get around it by going back roads.

Hey Henry, to the person talking about Walker Road and Highway 155; those are most likely young and inexperienced drivers turning there because there are two schools off that road. Just slow down and be aware because there have been deaths already. We have tried to get something done about the speed limit, but it is a state road and the county can't change the speed limit. Hopefully, they will see the problem before more people are hurt or killed.

Hey Henry, to the person who complained about the McDonough library. Where have you been? The building is only four years old. Can’t you find something worthwhile to gripe about?

Hey Henry, congratulations to Kelsey Spinks of Eagle’s Landing High School for being selected as one of the High School Scholar Athletes Of The Year presented by Georgia Power. She also won third place in the First Amendment Rights essay sponsored by the Georgia Scholastic Press Assn. and the Cox Institute for Newpaper Management Studies.

Hey Henry, what do you call someone who leaves Arby’s to go work at McDonalds? An arbitrator.

01.23.08

Hey Henry, I caught the tail end of a news report. It was wonderful and I wish I had seen the whole report. It was about how a developer was choosing to go green. which meant the he was going to leave the trees up and no longer clear cut. This is fabulous news... It is so important to leave the very things up that sustain our lives, cleaning the air, giving us the very oxygen that we breathe everyday of our lives and cooling the earth, which as we can see and feel is already having a tremendous impact on the temperatures. Because of all the clear cutting and uncontrolled development all over the world. I am so proud of this company. Kudos to you.

Hey Henry, okay. everyone says "Hey Henry,” so here I go. As a resident of Lake Dow North, I am very puzzled. You sit here and fine us over the strangest things "grass is too tall" or "We have the wrong type car in our driveway" (yeah, that is true). What about the people that burn in their back yards. We live on the lake and our next door neighbor burns on the property. He even burns when burning is not allowed (state law). Hey one of his fires was out of control and came onto our property. What do you do? Nothing! Lake Dow North get your stuff together and start putting our money to some good use. Not the flowers at the entrance that will die in a week.

Hey Henry, to whoever stole the brand new, bright yellow cones from (a local school's) parking lot Friday night; shame on you! They are trying to keep children safe in the parking lot during morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal times. When the cones aren't there, people just drive right through. Please take the cones back, they are clearly marked as the school’s property, not yours!

Hey Henry, it seems like certain teachers in the Henry County schools have a selective way of enforcing the dress code. While some students are written up after one warning, others are repeatedly told each day to “tuck in their shirt, go get a belt, pull up your saggy pants” without any write ups. Being selective, biased and discriminating is not the way to enforce a dress code. Either enforce it for all students or throw out this dress code. By now all the students and parents should know the new dress code. First time offense from this day forward should be a write up for all students.

Hey Henry, to everyone complaining about sitting at Peeksville for the railroad crossing. Passing there is illegal, and if you have lived in Locust Grove, or you come through there everyday, you should be used to the train. If you don't want to sit there, plan on leaving a few minutes early, or go a different route. Why is it that we complain about the little stuff in our life that makes us so mad? Why can't we all be a little bit more appreciative. Trains, railroad crossings, pollcemen, redlights, stop signs, etc, they are all part of life. Don't rush your life away, be patient.

Hey Henry, I am with the person who talked about the traffic in McDonough. I am with you. I have grown up in McDonough and the people you hear complaining the most about it are the people who are moving here.

Hey Henry, last Friday, two medium sized white dogs came into our yard on Old Jackson and brutally killed our 6 year old Ragdoll cat. Both of these dogs had collars and tags on so they weren't strays. Letting them run loose was not only illegal, it was immoral. Come on Henry, do what is right and keep your animals on your property and maybe save your neighbors a lot of heartache.

01.16.08

 Hey Henry, it's weird when the person next to you starts talking, you look up to answer them and they've got that little thing stuck in their ear.

Hey Henry, I worked for a company which closed its call center doors a few days after Thanksgiving, saying that the call center was not supporting itself financially. This same company's Headquarters is about to move into a multi-million dollar facility. If the call center wasn't doing its job, how is this possible? Anyone?

Hey Henry, please keep in mind Mr. Gafford, as he passed on earlier this month. He has taught many of us along with many of your children. He put in 25-plus years as an English and Literature teacher at Henry County High School and was highly respected. Henry County has lost a great man. He loved his career and his students. There will never be a teacher quite like him. RIP Mr. Gafford.

Hey Henry, I was reading your section in today’s paper and I can not get over all the complaining about the traffic. You know, I have been here my entire life and when I was growing up this was such a wonderful place to live and still is. This is why all you people have decided to move here. It is all you people that have caused this traffic problem that you love to complain about. It would thrill me to no end if you all would just move because you don’t like the traffic. I would then have the nice town I grew up in back.

Hey Henry, Walker Road should be one way, meaning cars should not be able to turn on to Walker from 155. The speed limit is too fast on 155 for all idiots who decide to slam on their breaks with no blinker to turn onto Walker Dr. Better idea, why not put a light up, but then that would cost too much money for the county.

Hey Henry, God bless our troops and veterans. If it were not for these brave heroes many of you could not run your nasty big mouths the way you do and try to ruin peoples lives with your constant and malicious gossip and negativity.

Hey Henry, what do we do about these builders building all these homes so close together. The fire during the Christmas holidays burnt down five homes instead of just a couple, because they were so close.

Hey Henry, In response to "Whatever happened to good ole southern hospitality." The hospitality is still here, but with us overridden with a multiple melting pot of New Yorkers, Floridians and Californians, you wouldn't know the difference if it hit you.

Hey Henry, my question is why can’t they pave Simpson Mill Road connecting Hwy 20 and Hampton-Locust Grove Road. All the schools are along there and it is a very dangerous road with potholes and mud and has to be scraped every week. Oak Ridge Parkway was paved in a hurry and Westridge Park was thrown up in jiffy. Why do our kids have to continue to breathe dust and dirt running up and down Simpson Mill road?

Hey Henry, the present McDonough Library is in an old antiquated building, not to mention that is is not centrally located to most McDonough residents. The other Henry County cities have built new libraries and it is time for McDonough to do the same. We all contribute that same amount of tax dollars!

01.09.08

Hey Henry, while parked at one of the local parking lots to ride a carpool van into Atlanta for work, someone removed the catalytic converter from my car. It isn’t the fault of the store providing the parking lot, but everyone should just be aware of leaving your car in an isolated area all day.

Hey Henry, attention Bus 305 from Ola Elementary. When you come into my subdivision, slow down! The limit is 25 not 55. How dare you pass a car on the street that is going the correct speed. You are going to hit a child. I know you can do it because when the principal is on the bus with you, you obey the speed limit. I want my child to get to and from school safe first, on time second. What is wrong with you?

Hey Henry, I know this is an old issue but how did the new traffic pattern help with the traffic in the square? When you need to turn, please turn into your own lane, then merge over if you need to. I know it’s not you, it's everyone else, right? I think the city has to send out an instructional video on how to navigate the McDonough Square. Driving down here is worse than New York City. What ever happened to good ole' southern hospitality?

Hey Henry, a hawk came out of the sky over the holidays, grabbed my seven month old kitten, Porkchop, and killed it. He was a good cat and will be greatly mourned by his father and other caregivers. R.I.P. Porkchop, we will miss you.

Hey Henry, I must be invisible. I'm in a mini-van and it's pretty large, but some people cannot seem to see me when I'm driving down the road. They are pulling out in front of me and I’m not even a car length from them. Either they are truly stupid or blind and if they’re blind they shouldn't be behind the wheel. So, yes, I am here and if I end up hitting you, I hope you have a good insurance plan because I will go after you with my attorney.

Hey Henry, it's nice to know that Ola High School had four plasma screen televisions placed in the cafeteria for "educational purposes." I have not yet seen anything besides TV Land or ESPN play on them during lunch. And people wonder why Ola gets such a bad reputation?

Hey Henry, I appreciate that it feels good to break traffic laws to help people trying to turn left from a minor street to a major one, but realize that your brief stop is multiplied many times over miles down that road, causing longer and longer delays as the wave moves back. So you might help those people, but you hurt countless others behind you. Those people should get frustrated and take an alternate, less populated route. That's the way traffic is meant to work.

Hey Henry, if the people who are missing their beloved dogs had put them on leashes and taken the time to take them outside to do their business instead of just opening the door to let them run and mess, they would still have their dogs. There is a leash law. so get off your lazy butts and walk them and then they can grow old with you. This is a tough lesson to learn. Learn it.

Hey Henry, as an observer only, I would like to thank the two ladies at the McDonough unit of the Salvation Army who made it possible for numerous families in the local area to have a brighter Christmas. These two ladies worked hard and selflessly to make sure everything was taken care of behind the scenes so that the end result would be a great one. So thanks again, Miss S. and Miss L. Thanks also goes to all of you that gave to the Salvation Army angel trees and kettles.

01.02.08

 Hey Henry, my Red/Brown Miniature Pinscher is missing. I live in the Luella area off Hwy 155. My neighbor said he saw him on the side of the road and he wasn’t when we got there. If anyone has any information it would be greatly appreciated. His name is Bullet and if you have any questions please call Eagles Landing Vet and his information is on the computer (under the name of Yates) and they can let us know. Thanks, Henry neighbors.

Hey Henry, My wife and I saw Babylove with her husband and she is not doing well. She had to medically retire. Hey county commissioners, you lost one of the best. She always called everybody by their first name, but she also knew everyone's last name. She treated each and everyone with love and respect and made each of us feel special. Babylove, we love you and miss you. We hope to see you sitting behind the desk at Heritage Senior Center real soon.

Hey Henry, a special "thank you" to all those wonderful people who found the time and patience to give blood last Friday at McDonough Presbyterian Church. And to all who've given the gift of life this past year. You have truly made a difference in many people's lives. Happy New Year and may God bless you all!

Hey Henry, can someone in the sheriff's department explain why with the "Dunn House parking lot" behind the bank finished, that the deputies need to park on the Lawrenceville Street sidewalks. Too lazy or out of shape to walk the distance?

Hey Henry, if the police want to make extra money, all they have to do is sit and wait at the County high schools until the 3:35 dismissal time. Most of the speed limit zones are 25 with double yellow lines. I have witnessed several students at one particular school speeding out of the parking lot. I have even witnessed one student pass a car in the double yellow lines. I called the police non-emergency number to complain but they told me to call the school to complain to the SRO. I told the lady, the SRO stands outside the school with the principal watching all this go on. Nothing has been done. What will it take? Someone to get hurt or killed?

Hey Henry, the traffic light at N. Henry/138 and Flippen also needs to be fixed. In the mornings, ten cars can be on both sides of Flippen waiting three minutes for the light to change while there aren't any cars on N. Henry/138. Smart lights, anyone?

Hey Henry, regarding the new four way stop sign at Mt. Carmel Rd and Chambers. I travel Mt. Carmel Rd every day and I’ve seen numerous accidents there because people fail to come to a complete stop. A rolling stop does not count at a stop sign; you need to stop and look both ways. I’m glad we have it to slow people down and save lives. Did you know the speed limit on Mt. Carmel is 45 miles per hour? Also, you need to get off your cell phones and stay in your lane. Everyday I have cars cross the center line and come right at me. They are almost always on their cell phones. Im afraid I’m going to have a head- on collision one day. Come on, slow down and pay attention to the road.

Hey Henry, I would like to thank everyone that made Christmas so wonderful for everyone at Grier Senior Manor. The area church choirs, McDonough Police Dept, Chief Dorsey and Staff, Heritage Senior Center, J C Penney, Mike Hall and Staff, Angela Tomlinson and Family, Girl Scouts of McDonough, Sharon Francois, Jenny Polk and the Spiritual Dancers. You all have touched many hearts with your kindness in giving.