George Rhynes (229-xxx) 2 December 2003
Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center
Mr. Marty Brown, Executive Director
Ms Beverly S. Pitzing, Director of Operations
Mr. Le McKile, Director of Sales
1 Meeting Place
Valdosta, Georgia 31601
Dear Mr. Marty Brown
On 1 December 2003, I asked the desk clerk to speak with the Conference Center Director. She called the Director, and I was told to take a seat and wait. After 37 minutes of waiting, the director never came. This letter addresses my concerns:
I received your letter dated 1 October 2003, informing me that you had selected another candidate for Operations Assistant for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center.
Thank you for notifying me that even-though I was not selected for the position that my application will be kept on file for 6 months. In addition, that I will be considered for other positions that may open during that time. However, I have submitted several applications for employment to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center before. In addition, I have never been called in for additional information or an interview.
It is becoming more apparent from others within Lowndes County---that there is something grossly wrong in the hiring process of minority employees at Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center. I am a retired veteran and feel obligated to question the hiring practices in this facility.
Therefore, I am requesting the following questions be answered in writing to ease my mind along with others who have applied for positions of employment at the center. If you are unable to answer these questions because of policies, procedures, local, or state law----please include this in your letter within 10 days. In addition, please answer each question. Thanks!
a. Was my job application and resume considered equally as all others received for this position?
b. How many jobs were available?
c. How many applications were submitted for the position of Operations Assistant?
d. What was the percentage of applicants interviewed?
e. Who reviews applications, resumes, and interviewed applicants for this position?
f. Was the selected applicant from the local area or outside of Lowndes County?
g. Was the individual selected, already on staff within the Conference Center? If so was it necessary to seek applications to fill this position? What made the selected applicant more qualified, physically, educationally, experience and skills, over my qualifications?
h. Does the State of Georgia or EEOC, requires that jobs be posted to the general-public, when someone has already been pre-selected?
i. What directive gives procedures on proper listing of jobs to the public in a fair and proper manner in Lowndes County, and the State of Georgia?
j. Was the selection process in filling the position of Lowndes County Conference Center Operations Assistant followed fairly, and correctly? Was the information received on job application, resume, and interview the major reason for selecting the applicant hired?
k. Are you sure that the best-qualified person for this position was selected based upon the information received into your office to fill this position?
l. Can you provide the necessary documentation to support your decision to hire the applicant above the other applicants?
m. What criteria was used to qualify an applicant for a second interview?
n. Has any employee ever been hired at the center because of favoritism, relative, or city employee in positions of authority---instead of the process used to fill this vacancy?
I believe that if you were a minority seeking gainful employment in this area----you would also want the above questions answered. In addition, I thank you in advance!
GEORGE B. RHYNES
Applicant, (Retired Veteran, U.S. Air Force)
cc: Valdosta City Council/Mayor
Lowndes County Board of Commissioners
Valdosta Chamber of Commerce
Valdosta - Lowndes County Branch/NAACP (President)
George B. Rhynes (229-xxx-xxx) 25 January 2004
Valdosta, Georgia
“GUEST COLUMN,” WHERE APPLICABLE, THIS IS A REAL WORLD PROBLEM IN THIS SOUTH GEORGIA TOWN.
The New South may not be so new after all! Here in Valdosta, Georgia approximately 240 miles south of Atlanta, Rev. Floyd Rose, President of the People’s Tribunal a local Civil Rights organization addressed the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center and Tourism Authority on behalf of concerned citizens on 20 Jan 2004:
“Of the more than thirty (30) employees only one full time positions is held by an African American all other blacks compose the “Clean-up,” crew. None of them have health or retirement benefits---this is unacceptable to all people of good will,”
The attorney for the authority stated that, “they are following the law, and cannot discriminate against anyone. Moreover, that they will continue hiring the best qualified, and experienced applicants.”
Rev. Rose’s main objective seemed to be one of diversity, and fairness. “We are not asking you to terminate or remove Whites who are currently employed to make room for Blacks. However, we are suggesting that as vacancies appear they be filled with qualified blacks until such time they reflect the racial make-up of your clientele.”
The Center reemphasized its position that they were following the law and could not discriminate against anyone.
Rev. Rose said, “Our concerns are both morale and legitimate. We are prepared to (1), conduct public demonstrations (informational picketing), (2) pursue legal actions, and (3), lead a boycott, until African American are equally respected at every level of your employ.”
As an applicant I reminded the Board that Blacks were well qualified a few decades ago, to use the restaurants, bathrooms, motels, and other public facilities but was denied---by those following the law.
However, people of good will stood up on Christian, Jewish, and Islamic principles and changed America’s laws for the better---in the eyes of the world.
However in South Georgia, the question remains---has the Old South really changed? Peace!
GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
George Rhynes (229-xxx2xxx-xxxx) 28 February 2004
Valdosta, Georgia
Dear Editor/Message Boards & Internet Blogs
Recently on C-Span the question was asked---is Freedom of Speech being curtailed in America since President Bush took office?
After writing many opinion columns and being published in several newspapers across the country including U.S. Today---I say Yes!
For Example: Here in Valdosta, Georgia on the second floor of Valdosta City Hall leading into the Valdosta Municipal Courtroom of Judge Edwards. There is a copy of a framed Valdosta City Charter of 1860, displayed on the wall approved by the Georgia General Assembly of 1860. Valdosta (No. 108), which reads Par., 100, Section XI, “THE MAYOR, AND COUNCIL SHALL PASS ALL PROPER AND NECESSARY LAWS AND ORDINANCES FOR THE CONTROL OF SLAVES, AND FREE PERSONS OF COLOR IN SAID TOWN AND SUPPRESS AND ABATE ALL NUISANCES ARRIVING FROM HOGS, DOGS, HORSE, OR OTHER STRAYING AT LARGE IN SAID TOWN, OR FROM OTHER CAUSES."
It seems that our local News Media and Elected Officials see nothing wrong or offensive in displaying this document in the 21st Century. Nevertheless, it offends people of conscience and has been discussed on Valdosta State University Campus by students and professors.
It was on 19 February 2004, when I noticed this charter and immediately wrote our Mayor, City Council, Valdosta Daily Times, WCTV, Channel 6, WALB Channel 10, Valdosta-NAACP, other local news media outlets, and organizations.
However, no media coverage has been given to this issue. It appears that some would like to see this issue disappear like the death of Mr. Willie James Williams, who died under strange circumstances while in the custody of Law enforcement.
It appears that local citizens are not informed by the media when it comes to alleged gang activity, elections discrepancies at the polls---even after being informed in writing, elderly citizens are afraid to come out of their homes because of alleged gang activity.
Protests against war with Iraq, eleven incarcerated inmates requested help in the Lowndes County Jail and believed their Constitutional Rights were being denied, an alleged incident involving a weapon at the jail was being swept under the rug.
However, after inmates concerns were presented to the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners on 26 Aug 2003, with news media present nothing was reported to the citizens of Valdosta and Lowndes County concerning their request.
In addition, Lowndes County Commissioners have yet to respond to their requests for help. Moreover, Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center has only one Black person in a management position. But all members of the work crews are black with no job benefits.
Then applicants and present employees complain of unfair hiring practices but little if any investigative reporting is done in Lowndes County. Local citizens are (NOW) turning to Message Boards, Blogs, Internet, and outside agencies for help to resolve the problems within this South Georgia Town.
Yes! It appears that Freedom of Speech in America, Valdosta, Lowndes County and the State of Georgia seems to be in jeopardy---at the expense of the people. Peace!
GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
George Rhynes (229-xxx--xxx) 1 March 2004
Valdosta, Georgia
Dear Editor – Message Boards, and American Patriots of Free Speech!
Recently on C-Span the question was asked if our freedoms had been curtailed under the present administration?
After submitting many opinion columns, and being published in the Chicago Sun times, Albany Herald, Tallahassee Democrat, USA-Today and other papers. I believe our rights are fading---even here in Valdosta, where a framed copy of an 1860, City Charter is displayed near the Municipal Courtroom of Judge Edwards.
This charter reads (Par 100, Section XI), “The Mayor and Council shall pass all proper and necessary laws or ordinances for the control of slaves, and free persons of color in said town and suppress, and abate all nuisances arising from hogs, dogs, horses, or other stock straying at large in said town, or from other causes.”
Apparently, our elected officials and local news media see nothing wrong or offensive in displaying this charter. However, many people of conscious are very much offended and want it removed to the City Museum.
When I observed this document I wrote the Mayor, City Council, Valdosta Daily Times, WCTV Channel 6, WALB TV Channel 10, Valdosta NAACP, Peoples Tribunal, and other local news media outlets.
As of 2 Mar 2004, nothing has been published by any Local News Media in South Georgia concerning this matter. Although, several web-sites have published it on the Internet with a copy of the 1860 Valdosta City Charter.
This lack of local coverage is nothing new in this area: For example, the complete circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Willie James Williams, and how eye witnesses of his arrest was never called as witnesses, eleven incarcerated inmates in the county jail requesting help from an outside agencies have been ignored by local media, and our County Commissioners since 26 Aug 03.
Moreover, an alleged incident at the jail involving a deputy and a weapon has been sweep under the rug----says eleven inmates, and that they often have problems filing complaints and getting them notarized.
In addition, candidates running for City Council was not equally represented at a news conference, valid election problems in the last City Mayoral and Council race went unreported in the news, elderly citizens are afraid to come out of their homes because of alleged gang activity, protests and marches against war with Iraq, local school allegedly being built on an unsafe land site.
Also, individual complaints are seldom reported from City and County monthly meetings--unless they are in groups or represented by an organization, hazardous railroad tracks in the black community, an International exhibit of African American History on Wheels were brought in by Valdosta State University---but never made front page coverage in our local paper newspaper, the Valdosta Lowndes County Conference Center has only one Black employee in a management position, while 100% of work-crews are black---with no job benefits, applicants and people on staff speaks of unfair hiring practices. However, there is little if any investigative reporting to try to rectify these community problems.
Therefore, many citizens have turned to Message Boards, Blogs, Internet, congress, senate, and other means to ensure local citizens are informed. Therefore, it appears that local citizens have no alternative but to begin a newsletter in this South Georgia Town.
Yes! Freedom of Speech seems to have been curtailed in America at the expense of the American people. Peace!
George Boston Rhynes
Retired United States Armed Forces Veteran
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
George B. Rhynes 11 March 2004
Valdosta, Georgia
10 March 2004
Valdosta city council & Mayor
SUBJECT: LETTER RECEIVED FROM MAYOR – TO MY LETTER
Thank you for your response to my letter requesting that the 1860 City of Valdosta charter be retired to a location away from the Municipal Courtroom. Away from where all citizens come in the hope of receiving equal justice under the law, and be respected as a full American Citizens under the Law in the State of Georgia----in the 21st Century.
In your letter par 1, you said that the 1860 charter allowed for the creation of our city, as it was developed by Georgia State Officials, and our local forefathers---of that time.
Mr. Mayor and Council:
a. Webster’s-Dictionary Third Edition defines {forefathers} as a male ancestor. What ancestor male or female---would want to control, suppress, enslave, and abate a fellow human being…
b. Webster defines “ABATE” as beat down, reduce, moderate, diminish, and lessen. In addition, in Section XI, of this 1860 Charter, we find the word Nuisances. Webster defines this word as annoying or obnoxious person or thing.
Which brings us back to: Section XI of the Charter: QUOTE! “The Mayor, and Council shall pass all proper and necessary laws, and ordinances for the control of SLAVES, and FREE PERSONS OF COLOR, in said town (Valdosta), and suppress and abate all nuisances arriving from hogs, dogs, horses, or other stock straying at large in said town (Valdosta), or from other causes.”
You agreed with me that we should not hide the facts of history or deny that which has come before us. Moreover, that the same logic should be applied to the items displayed in City Hall for over 20 years. Also that the 1860 charter is the City’s first Charter, remains a permanent record both in Valdosta, as well as in the “State Records Archives,” and cannot be ignored.
Twenty years Mr. Mayor and Council---is not a long period of time----to want for your neighbor, that which you want and have for yourself---and your children.
It is recorded in the Library of Congress---that some of our ancestors first came to these shores aboard a slave ship called Jesus. It was captained by one Sir John Hawkins, in the year of 1555 that’s 449 years ago. According to American History, they were treated worst than live stock, called 3/5th of a human being. As the charter stipulates, they were controlled, chained, suppressed, and totally humiliated before the world. If this 1860 charter were addressing my “Jewish brothers and sisters”, there would be no ripples in the water!
Mr. Mayor and Council----Speaking of Archives: In the Black Archives, at FAMU, and many other institutions, museums, and libraries, around the world. There are millions of artifacts, pictures of pain, of strange fruits---that trees did not bare. We do not want them displayed along these walls---to inflict pain and shame on another human being.
We are called to the Moral High Ground of love, justice, and equality for all of Gods Children. Whether it is today, tomorrow or the next century, this issue will be resolved by men, and women of conscious, love, compassion, and understanding.
Our world is moving towards the union of the one God, for the one universal people. Therefore, I take my seat by saying, “LUKE 4:18,” should be read and fully understood!
You see when truth comes, insensitivity, injustice, separation and falsehood must vanish. Because falsehood is forever a vanishing thing!
When I look at my Retirement Certificate, after placing my life on the line for over 20 years. Then look up at this 1860, document that tells all Black People---that they are still 2nd class citizens, and referred to in the same paragraph as---dogs, hogs, horses, and beasts of the field.
However, our God has instructed us---to treat our neighbors, as we ourselves want to be treated! These words probably will not change your conscience. Nevertheless, there is a plumb line of justice, by which we must all align ourselves up beside! To prepare for the last Council Meeting!
George B. Rhynes
A concerned citizens and brother of humanity!
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members!
I addressed you because a serious incident occurred at Jaycee Shack Road Polling Place on 20 July 2004, during our Local Primary Election that should be of major concern to every Lowndes County Citizens.
1). That a local candidate running for public office was threatened, and told not to go to the Poll because he was the subject of threats and racial slurs---by the Superintendent of Elections. (Deb Cox)
QUESTION: Should Local Elected Officials, be concerned about the safety, and Constitutional Rights of voters in Valdosta/Lowndes County Georgia? It not, why not? Or, what is being done to prevent such ill behaviors in the future?
2). since Jaycee Shack Road Polling Place was closed temporarily for Voters Safety.
QUSTION: Does the possibility of disenfranchisement of voters concern Members of the Valdosta, City Council?
3). only after Local citizens complain to The Superintendent of Elections, Deb Cox, Valdosta Daily Times, and Local Law Enforcement. It was only after Minister Rose, and I went to the Sheriffs Department on 26 July 2004, did they publish. Two, watered down, shallow articles in the Valdosta Daily times. That was misleading, incomplete, and served little purpose in educating the citizens in this community.
QUESTION: As a minimum, should Local Elected Officials confront the Editor. Ask questions as to why local citizens-----are being given incorrect information?
4. The individual arrested returned to the Polling place in TOTAL contrast to what was reported in the Valdosta Daily Times. This was in the Superintendent of Elections Problem Form.
QUESTION: While this may or may not be your responsibility. However, it may be a good idea to review the various reports from concerned agencies. This will ensure that citizen’s interest is addressed.
5. When citizens are NOT properly informed of what is going on---in their community.
QUESTION: Should this be of concern------to Local Elected Officials, and the well being of our community?
When ever a Municipality, or news media outlet, with hold information from the public. Then that community cannot be all that it can be. If, this does not concern local elected OFFICIALS. Then I trust and hope that someone from the State level will adequately address this serious matter and prevent it from happening in the future. Thank you for your time.
GEORGE RHYNES
A concerned citizens and brother of humanity!
George Rhynes (229-xxx-xxx-xxxx) 4 August 2004
Valdosta, Georgia
Dear Editors, Concerned Citizens, and Organizations of America, & The Outside World!
SUBJECT: Keeping Citizens Ignorant Should Not Be the Job of The Newspapers!
Freedom of the press seems non-existent in Valdosta, Georgia. Students and professors at Valdosta State University made this clear a few years ago in a two-hour documentary video entitled “A Chorus of Fear.” This video revealed how wide spread the infection of fear, alleged censorship, and the good OLE boy network is here---in Lowndes County Georgia.
Here in Lowndes County it appears that newspapers and local media outlets controls---both the day and night. While the citizens suffer because news events are ignored. However, local organizations continue to add omissions to their forever growing organizational archives.
Historically, local newspapers, and the media seldom if ever informs the public when citizens addresses the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners Meetings on serious Jail Problems, Mayor and City Council Meetings, Board of Education Meetings, and other issues of a controversial nature.
We watched them ignore marches and speeches against the war in Iraq, on the Court House steps, inmates being abused in the jail and alleged cover-ups, inhumane, unsanitary and abusive conditions identified as far back as 1989 in Civil Action #89-54-VAL, U.S. District Courts of the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division, a deputy at the jail who earned the name “Black Jesus,” because of how harsh he treated Black inmates, a deputy allegedly pulling out a gun in July 2003, because inmate asked for a complaint form to fill out against a Sheriff’s Deputy, thirteen guards were fired and they sought the local NAACP for help and relief, elderly citizens afraid to come out of their homes because of alleged gang activity, problems in the last Mayoral and City Council Race in district one, school bus accident on Clay Road witnessed by Reverend White in front of his home that cause much conversation in the community, editorials in favor of President Clinton and against the War with Iraq went unpublished.
Blacks and Whites in unified organizations complained because their opinions were not being published fairly, Lowndes County Commissioners ignoring eleven jailed inmates with signed letters and notarized statements outlining abuses, inhumane, unsanitary conditions, and pleading for an outside agency to come into the jail and investigate, 52 complaints from inmates in 2003, that was addressed to the Lowndes County Commissioner’s Meeting on two separate occasions, inmates constitutional rights being denied at the jail, U.S. Civil Action 89-54-VAL, Judge Hugh A. Lawson Court Order and Consent Decree identifying 105 violations and recommendations with a two year period to come in compliance, originally filed in 1989, Hazardous Railroad Tracks in Black Community, Local Merchants problems with panhandlers, International Exhibit SANKOFA---given little to no media coverage though it is traveled Internationally, a school being build on a possible toxic site (REF: The Post).
They even ignored or failed to report the issue concerning an 1860 City Charter that was displayed near the entrance of Valdosta Municipal Court Room. It referred to Blacks as livestock and that Blacks were to be controlled and suppressed by laws passed by the Mayor and Council.
Our Honorable Mayor and Council removed the disgraceful 1860 Charter from the Municipal Courtroom entrance. However, our editor never notified the public of the Mayor, and Council’s action. It seems that there is a continued or renewed effort to control and suppress the total population in Lowndes County.
Moreover, when a city keep its citizen ignorant, controlled, and suppressed they cannot expect them to have hope, dignity, equality, justice, direction and self worth. Therefore, Valdosta should terminate her 1860 Mentality of suppress, and control. Then take her rightful place in the State of Georgia beside other Metropolitan Cites of the 21st Century. Peace!
GEORGE RHYNES
A concerned citizens and brother of humanity!
Cc: Closed
VALDOSTA, CITY COUNCIL MEETING 19 AUGUST 2004
Mr. MAYOR AND COUNCIL! I take it, that you all are aware of the threats and racial slurs that occurred at Jaycee Shack Polling Place on 20 July 20004, during the Primary Election. When threats, and racial slurs were directed towards a local candidate-----running for public office.
It was serious enough for the Poll---to be temporarily closed—for voter safety! However, nothing was published in the Valdosta Daily times. So, local citizens, directed questions to the Valdosta Daily times, Superintendent of Election Deb Cox, and Local Law Enforcement as to—why citizens were not notified?
Twelve-days following the threats and racial slurs---the Times published two limited articles. But as Paul Harvey would say—I want to tell the rest of the story!
The name of the person threatened was not given! But I will today.
a. or that HE, was a BLACK Candidate running for public office.
b. Or that he was told by the Superintendent of Elections---not to go to the poll, because the threats were directed toward him.
c. Or that the individual arrested, left and returned to the scene.
d. Or that this person, was Minister Floyd Rose, a local property owner here---in Lowndes County Georgia.
Mr. Mayor and Council, We have lost nearly a thousand American troops in Iraq----defending freedom of the press, and freedom of speech for others. Are we, not entitled to be equally informed---here in Valdosta Georgia!
I hope that the State of Georgia will help us, insure that candidates running for public office are safe. And that no local voter, is disenfranchised in Lowndes County.
My presents reflect the love----I have for this country, and my willingness to help make it better! Thank You!
GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
George Rhynes August 2004
Valdosta, Georgia
The Honorable Mayor & Each Council Member (Respectively)
I addressed the Council on 22 July 2004 concerning the death of a 49-year-old white male inmate who died in the Lowndes County Jail on 21 June 2004.
His death was reported in the Valdosta Daily times on 22 June 2004. However, after thirty-one days neither his name nor the cause of death was ever reported to the public.
Therefore, I asked if you or if any member of City Council knew his name or the cause of his death. And if not? Why not?
As usual, you refused to answer, as it is your policy to do. However, every death that occurs in the Lowndes County Jail should be of concern to every citizen.
As long as elected officials and concerned citizens refuse to ask questions the cycle of pain and death will continue. We must never forget that over six (6) inmates have already died in or surrounding the Lowndes County Jail. Therefore, we cannot allow the local media, citizens; and elected officials to continue to bury their head in the sand like the legend concerning the Ostrich. While mothers and fathers continue to loose their children without pertinent questions being asked.
As a Vietnam era retired military veteran. I was lead to believe that the media, elected officials and governmental agencies had a responsibility to keep us informed. This practice was to create, trust, pride, respect, outreach, and a sense of equality and justice among us. So every American citizen would gladly take part in the electoral process of his or her government.
Moreover, it was to eliminate the perception that only the rich, and politically connected had a voice in their government. However, today, it seems that fear rules the day and night in Lowndes County Georgia. This was made known in a two-hour documentary video put together by professors and a class at Valdosta State University entitled “A Chorus of Fear.”
However, if it were your son or daughter that died in the jail. I hope that some good citizen would be concerned enough to ask questions. Perhaps, the best citizens in this Republic are those who ask questions and refuse to go along to get along.
Each of us----elected or not, have a civic duty and responsibility to find out who this 49 year old white male inmate was and the reasons surrounding his death. We must seek to keep MAN in humanity. Peace!
GEORGE RHYNES
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity!
Valdosta News Media Keep Citizens Ignorant.
--- Eleven inmates in the Lowndes County Jail requesting help from an outside source to investigate the denial of their individual Constitutional Rights, incidents being swept under the rug involving an alleged weapon, problems filing state complaint forms and getting them notarized.
--- Lowndes County Board of Commissioners failure to respond to inmates request of 23 Aug 2003, eyewitnesses in the arrest and death of a Black male motorist was never called as witnesses.
--- candidates running for public office are not treated the same at news conferences.
--- Manner in which candidates are indorsed by local news media.
---Valid registered election problems never published during a recent Mayoral, and City Council race.
--- Alleged gang activity has senior citizens afraid to come out of their homes.
--- Marches and protests against the war with Iraq goes unreported.
--- Local School being built on a controversial site (hazardous).
--- Controversial opinion columns and editorials excluded from the public, citizens to be heard at public meetings are seldom published—unless they are a group, or organization.
--- Hazardous railroad tracks in the Black community not published.
--- Several Merchants problems with panhandlers in Valdosta ignored.
---Conference Center has only one Black full time employee, while all employees of the work crews are black---with no job benefits, white applicants with medical problems being hired over blacks, present and former employees complaining of unfair hiring practices and promotions at public establishment.
--- Little investigative reporting is done to gather the facts surrounding these items of interests.
--- Therefore, local citizens have been forced to use Message Boards, Blogs, Internet, and other news outlets to keep Free Speech, and Press alive. Unquestionably, citizens must start their own newsletter, or newspaper in this South Georgia Town. Peace!
--- 15 Feb 2003 peace rally on the Court House steps, in Valdosta, Georgia, consisting of students from Valdosta State University.
--- Letters to the editors, and guest columns of a controversial nature are overly scrutinized---changed, watered down, or totally ignored, by mass media nation wide.
--- In your “Thumbs up, thumbs down” you said the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. helped to change lives for African-Americans.”
--- Opinions on war with Iraq, Senator Trent Lott, Affirmative Action, the biases in America media, and many others.
--- But not one of a controversial nature was published. However, some were published in Chicago, and other cities, the Lake Park Post published three, two in one paper, and others have been accepted for publication.
--- Only covered one side of the story after court judge verdict. The Williams family concerns were totally excluded from the article (no surprise.
--- The vanishing videotape at the intake, and the Medical Examiners Autopsy Report, and other facts of the case.
--- Former inmates, deputies, parents, attorneys, and pastors went before organizations on behalf of those that were behind bars, and could not speak for themselves.
--- Totally excluded was a 1998 Civil Action #89-54-VAL filed against the jail in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta District concerning discrepancies at the jail.
--- Alleged torturing of inmates on a bench (the Horse), throwing people into the hole until their scars and wounds had healed.
--- They spoke of a deputy nick named “BLACK JESUS,” because of how he beat up inmates,
--- leeches coming up through the drain and showerhead,
--- 100-degree temperatures in the jail.
--- Windows sealed shut, water running all over the floor,
--- Personal mail being opened, not allowed to receive news papers,
--- Not allowed to receive newspapers, religious materials.
--- Cells with no ventilation, and no place to dispose of sanitary supplies.
--- Many guards presented their case before the NAACP, and filed EEOC complaints. Some of which have been settled,
--- An incident on the morning of 23 July 2003 at 8:30am was swept under the rug.
--- Several inmates who witnessed an officer drawing a weapon on an inmate taunting and agitating inmates. This is routine practice in the Lowndes County Jail.
--- Guards turns off fan and TV in the cell block without ventilation.
--- No air conditioning, because cell was locked because of malfunction in an inmate cell.
--- That Lowndes County Commissioners refused to respond to inmate’s complaints brought before them on 26 Aug 2003. Requesting an outside agency come into the jail and investigate the ill conditions and mistreatment of inmates.
--- That a request for answers was addressed to the Grand Jury, and District Attorney for help and relief.
--- A vanishing booking tape. (Mr. Hernage)
--- Other articles were “will new school be in harms way (near Sterling Pulp Chemicals, which manufactures sodium chlorate),
--- Sheriff admits that the jail is inhumane, former jail employee says he took 12-15 tapes from the Lowndes County Jail,
--- Valdosta City Manager denies wrongdoing in Bosch payments,
--- U.S. Supreme Court childes 11th Dist Court of Appeals, six letters to the editor with substance, Lowndes County Commission admits it knows little of water problem in the county (cadmium, and nickel contaminated (Q4) of sediment in Mud Creek),
--- a disturbing letter from South Georgia Medical Center, Bell South sues web site owner, article by Charles Moore (editor).
--- Failed to report a complete story of SANKOFA. The Celebration of African American History Month at Valdosta State University Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Multicultural Affairs presented SANKOFA. This African American Cultural Museum on Wheels with Angela Jennings, Curator/Director of Denmark, South Carolina, was an educational experience for all that attended.
--- On 21 October 1997, he issued a Court Order and Consent Decree that inmates 1st, 6th, 8th, and 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States had been violated. He gave two (2), years for Lowndes County to comply.
--- After standing before you on behalf of (over) eleven (11) inmates, their parents, and former employees---for relief... You ignored our request. All I could give them was the 35TH Psalm of David, as a symbol of hope!
--- Several Professors from Valdosta State University put together a two-hour documentary video. This video was entitled "A Chorus of Fear" documenting the horror stories and the conditions that has festered in this South Georgia town---for decades.
--- Each member of the City Councilman and each Lowndes County Commissioner were given a copy of the Video "A Chorus of Fear." However, it seems that fear reigns supreme in Lowndes County Georgia.
--- The Honorable Jack Kingston, Rep Sandfort Bishop, Lt Governor…
--- Questions addressing pertinent questions were never reported to the public.
1. In the State of Georgia is there a requirement for County Law Enforcement Policy and Procedures Manual to be kept up to date in County Jails? If so, is this manual available for citizens to checkout and review?
2. Does Georgia require a Staffing Analysis of Jails by the Department of Community Affairs or the Georgia Sheriffs Association? If so, where can citizens obtain results of such reviews?
3. When it is determined by a U.S. District Court Judge in the State of Georgia that Jailed Inmates Constitutional Rights have been violated:
a. Who ensures that corrections are made? Who is held responsible for complying with a U.S. District Court Order and Consent Decree?
b. Is there a requirement for the Federal, State, County, and City government to inspect jails within the State of Georgia?
c. Does the Federal, State, or County Governments provide a checklist to Georgia Grand Juries on requirements of Jails in the State of Georgia?
4. When complaints of abuse and mistreatment of Jailed Inmates in a Georgia County Jail have been identified by the courts. Is it permitted to send surveys within a jailed to pool the jail population? (To insure inmates Constitutional and State Rights are not being violated).
5. If you are notified of an abusive jail situation who would you recommend citizens contact to resolve inmates alleged problems of abuse? (When local citizens cannot get a response from their elected officials).
6. Is the Foreman of the Grand Jury and each member properly educated/trained on proper guidelines for reviewing Georgia Jails? If not, why are they permitted to tour the jail and give a report---on jail conditions?
7. In the State of Georgia who performs oversight review of County Sheriffs Departments? And who insures that inmate complaints are adequately investigated IAW Federal, State, and Local policies if applicable?
8. Who insures, that those who use the complaint system are not retaliated against for using the Georgia Inmate Complaint System?
9. Are inmate’s personal/Official U.S. Mail within the State of Georgia allowed to be opened outside the inmates (view), presents? If so, under what conditions? Moreover, do the State of Georgia band newspapers, and other religious literature from certain religious persuasions?
10. Is Medical Staff at a County Jail inspected on their competence and professionalism? If so, by whom? How often? Where can documentation be found?
11. In the case of a U.S. District Court Order. Who insures that all discrepancies are fixed and complied with within a County Jail in the State of Georgia?
12. What Federal, State or County Manual governs Georgia County Jail Standards? In addition, who has authority/Jurisdiction over a County Sheriff within the State of Georgia? If anyone?
On 22 June 2004, our local news paper the Valdosta Daily Times reported that Capt Yeager of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department said: That a 49 year old white male died of unknown causes at about 4:30 p.m. in his cell at the jail.
The name of the inmate is being with held until the family is notified. To date, to my knowledge this information has not been released to the general public.
On 15 April 2004, Vol. 17 NO. 2. The Post, a weekly newspaper reported
the following deaths: Rosemary King age 40, died, on 20 June 2001,
Ronzie “Sonny” Graham, age 48, died, on 13 July 2000, Willie James
Williams age 49, died, on 2 Sept 1998, Willie Lee Gay age 39, died, on
23 Oct 1995, and years earlier Willie McFarland also died to mention a
few without the complete record. (Al Parson owner and editor, The Post,
229-242-7179, FAX 229-242-7143).
This prolonged lack of attention can only be compared to a week of terror in Brooks and Lowndes County in 1918---wherein over ten Black American citizens were killed:
They were Hayes Turner, Mary Turner, Will Head, Will Thompson, Sidney Johnson, an eight month old fetus, Willie Schuman, and three other black individuals whose name were with held but included in the Governors investigation report.
It was a white Georgia Governor Hugh M. Dorsey that took a strong stand for law, order, and justice---instead of chaos.
20 June 2004 threats were made on a local candidates’ freedom and well being. These threats and racial epitaphs were made at a polling place in Lowndes County. Moreover, 911 was called but the again the local population knows nothing about this incident.
It appears that this too will be pushed under the table and not reported to the public by local news media networks.
GEORGE BOSOTN RHYNES
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
