County feeling money crunch? I wonder why? Could it be that they purchased all that property on Main Street when they could have saved millions by building the new justice center on the old hospital site? Could it be that instead of having their annual “retreat” right there in Hinesville at one of our fine hotels, they choose to have it at the most expensive hotel in the state of Georgia, the King and Prince on St. Simons Island? Could it be because they waited until this year to purchase a piece of property at Cattle Hammock for $1.54 million instead of buying it last year for about $500,000? Can’t wait to see how much the new marina — which only a select few will use — is going to cost us. There is a word in Webster’s dictionary that describes this board of commissioners and it is “profligate:” extremely wasteful and recklessly extravagant.

Report price gouging: Normally, Wal-Mart has the cheapest gas around, but that was not the case last Saturday. Their sign advertised $3.93 a gallon while a BP station right down the road was selling it for $3.79. Right now, with oil down below $100 a barrel, we should be able to get gas for a little more than $3 a gallon. Call 800-869-1123 or 800-282-5852 to report stations that are charging 20 to 30 cents higher than their competitors.

Beware of Chinese products: Every month when I pull up “recalled” items on the computer, more than half of the products come from China. We can no longer donate toys to Goodwill because of recalled toys made in China. In 2007, animals were dying and the FDA found it was because of chemicals Chinese suppliers were putting in dog food. More than 15,000 people have ended up in hospitals because of tainted milk in China. Eighty percent of our seafood is imported and now the FDA has decided to stop inspecting seafood from China. Our United States government needs to start sticking with American-made products. Anything that must be imported should come from somewhere other than China.

2008 Coastfest: Plan to take your entire family to this fun festival, held each year on the first Saturday of October. Drive down Highway 17 to the foot of the Sidney Lanier Bridge to the DNR headquarters. There will be signs directing you to the parking area and shuttles will take you across the bridge to the festival site. I will be assisting Nan Page, director of Sanctuary on the Sapelo wildlife rehabilitation organization, by showing and taking donations for native and non-native plants and seeds. I will have gardening magazines to give away as long as they last. This is an annual event to promote the environment, healthy living and family oriented fun.

Can you pass the test? When people immigrate to the United States and want to become U.S. citizens, they must pass a test on American history and government. Here are some of the questions they are asked:
1. What color are the stars on the flag?
2. What are the three branches of our government?
3. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?
4. What is one benefit of being a citizen of the U.S.?
5. What are the two major political parties of the U.S.?
6. What is the executive branch of our government?
7. What are the 49th and 50th states of the Union?
8. What holiday was celebrated for the first time by the American colonists?
9. Where does Congress meet?
10. How many times may a Senator be re-elected?
11. What are the colors of the flag?
12. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?
13. What is the Bill of Rights?
14. Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court today?
15. Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
Aren’t we glad we were born here and don’t have to pass this test?