School officials must carefully consider balance of safety and freedom
When something happens at our schools like the recent incident involving an Aiken County teen who senselessly brought a pistol onto the grounds of Lakeside High School, concerned parents are quick to...
View ArticlePawn shop law needs revision to protect constitutional rights
We’d guess Columbia County didn’t set out to violate anyone’s Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches by adopting an ordinance to combat the trafficking of stolen property.But if the...
View ArticleCharter school group's failures could lead to eventual success
Thomas Edison knew a little something about failure.The man whose inventions forever changed our world once remarked he was never discouraged when one of his ideas didn’t work – even after 10,000 tries...
View ArticleWall honors the sacrifices of a few for the good of many
In a perfect world, mankind would not have to wage war for freedom.In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need memorials to honor those who perished fighting tyranny and defending liberty.But our world is...
View ArticleSpot checks on builders can enhance county growth
As metro Augusta’s perennial leader in new housing starts, Columbia County has plenty of experience regulating its home-construction industry.But the death of an undocumented Mexican national at a job...
View ArticleTIA funding supports transportation projects close to home
One can’t drive too far in this county without seeing traffic cones and orange barrels.As much as it consternates our commutes, these construction zones are necessary to keep our already-congested...
View ArticleLaw enforcement officers always must meet a higher standard of behavior
In 2014, a deputy named David Arnold Sward Jr. was fired from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The firing stemmed from a heated argument he had with his girlfriend that April, during which he...
View ArticleVoters get then community they deserve
The only thing more encouraging than seeing so many people vying for elected positions in Columbia County’s two incorporated areas is knowing the candidates appear ready to face the tsunami of new...
View ArticleTime to light a fire under Marshall Square investigation
It’s OK if some things don’t have a timeline. Upgrading laminate countertops to granite? You can put that off. Cleaning out the closet? That can be done anytime. Digitizing old photo albums? No rush...
View ArticleChoose political leaders who show moral character
The true test of someone’s character is not how they act in the best of circumstances, but what they do when the pressure is on.Public officials don’t have to be perfect, but they do need to...
View ArticleNewcomers continue to challenge for a place in local politics
Columbia County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation, and far and away the fastest-growing county in the Augusta metro area.So it’s a given that many who now call it home “aren’t from...
View ArticleISIS is a monster that must be destroyed
How do you deal with monsters? You kill them, plain and simple.The horrors inflicted on the people of Paris this week is the work of such monsters — the barbaric terrorist organization, known as ISIS....
View ArticleTurning away refugees is against US creed
In our country’s 239 years of existence, the United States has served a beacon of freedom for the world.From inception, our reputation, our creed, our organizing principles have established freedoms...
View ArticleTrump's candidacy doing permanent damage to the GOP's future
For those who care about the future of the Republican Party, pay attention because you could be witnessing the beginning of its end.That’s because right now about 30 percent of Republican voters have...
View ArticleDisaster at Marshall Square could have been averted with a little foresight
There are certain kinds of thinking that are baffling for others to comprehend.To be sure, it is easy to criticize just about any situation after knowing the outcome, but some poor decisions are so...
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