State Senator Freddie Powell Sims has a lot on her plate. I understand that life under the Gold Dome can be hectic, but time is running short. Sims has just under 14 working days to let Consolidation go through, and less than 6 if she decides she doesn’t like State Rep Ed Rynder’s version and introduces her own. I’d like to remind Senator Sims that she is on the record saying she believes that the people of Albany and Dougherty County have the right to decide on Consolidation.
Obviously, Consolidation is a tough issue that requires thoughtful debate and contemplation. But that’s not what Rep. Rynder’s bill is about. No, it’s about giving the people the right to vote. Nothing more, nothing less. Somehow, this got twisted and turned into a debate about consolidation itself when now’s not really the time for that.
Of course, Jack Stone would be delighted to see consolidation die at the state level, but it’s not about him. He gets the same vote that I do, and it’s one that I want to make. Will it be in favor of consolidation? Who knows?
However, Sims said she believes we have the right to vote. I want to remind her of that, and remind her that the bill is holding up in the Senate until she decides to do something. If she does nothing, then it shows her comments about the voters of Albany and Dougherty County having the right to decide was nothing more than political posturing, a straight out lie. If she does something, and puts a bill through, then she will have shown she’s good for her word. That’s something rare for politicians today and could help her not only win reelection, but also move on to bigger and better things if that’s what she wants.
Self determination is a basic American ideal. It’s long past time for us to decide, as the residents of this area, whether we want two governments, or just one. Let the people decide. Why is that so hard for some elected officials to do?
