Give us a sign – For several years we have editorialized about (and business leaders have asked for) some type of attractive intersection at Highway 515 and Highway 53. Maybe an improved median with plants, trees, an arrow pointing to downtown and other features to let people know they’re in Jasper when they hit that spot on the fourlane. Both Ellijay and Blue Ridge have these types of medians and they do well for tourism.
Don’t Facebook, Be Happy – Several studies have shown that people who are heavy social media users are less likely to report being happy. One recent study from the Happiness Research Institute found that Facebook users may be up to 39 percent less happy than non- FB’ers. Apparently the never-ending cascade of photos of other people enjoying themselves make people feel their lives don’t measure up, according to a Psychology Today study. Of course, the cause and effect could be backwards – people who are already unhappy tend to use FB more. Either way, this year try more face-to-face time or read a book.
Cut it out -– Commissioner Rob Jones and Pickens County government, we are saying it loud and clear and early – we don’t want another massive tax hike this year. In fact, we want cuts. Every year at budget setting time the county trots out some lame excuse as to why they sure would like to cut spending, but just can’t – much like the captain of the Titanic with that iceberg. Start early this year and make cuts.
Fewer legend deaths – We’re not celebrity crazy, but 2016 took the lives of some of the most iconic, influential performers of our generation – Prince, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Gene Wilder, Glen Frey, Greg Lake AND Keith Emerson, Merle Haggard, George Michael, Carrie Fisher and many others – we’d like 2017 to be kinder to our living legends.
Fill the buildings – According to some regional real estate professionals, Pickens is not only falling behind Cherokee and Forsyth attracting new growth, but Dawson is quickly advancing while we spin our wheels. We need a renewed focus on economic development, particularly looking at what the other counties offer in terms of incentives, tax abatements and perks. What we are currently doing in Jasper and Pickens County is not working – too many empty spaces sitting around Jasper’s main street.
Rain – While things have been damp lately, we are still in the midst of a serious drought and only regular rainy days will do the trick – and we’re talking several days of deep, drenching rain. According to the United States Drought Monitor, we remain in an “exceptional drought” and the La Nina weather pattern we are experiencing this year doesn’t look good for bringing us rain, but we can always hope.
Marble Fest revamp – After he was hired as the Chamber of Commerce Executive Director this year, Gerry Nechvatal said the Georgia Marble Festival is stale and he wants to see changes made to the annual event. We couldn’t agree more and can’t wait to see what Nechvatal and other organizers do to make the Marble Festival more exciting and a draw for people who don’t live in the county. We know all the changes might not happen in one year but we applaud them for getting the ball rolling.
Trump to succeed – Not everyone supports President-elect Donald Trump, but everyone should want him and his team to do well next year for the good of the country. We are all counting on it, quite literally.
We’d also like 2017 to be a year of more kindness; and for us to have more concern for the work we need to do close to home to make our world a better place.
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