It seems it would not be inappropriate to simply reserve a spot at least monthly in this good news editorial for Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful. The County Commission recently applauded KADB, as well as its director, Judy Bowles. The annual report highlighted new programs as well as statistics showing just how vibrant the volunteer services are in and around this community. Volunteers during the year, 24,375 of them, generated 113,561 hours of service. In total, 79,435 people throughout the area participated in some type of KADB program. If those hours were paid ... well, the monetary value is staggering. Take time to congratulate and thank Judy Bowles — but in not the first week of December. She will be in Washington, D.C., accepting the recognition for Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful as the third best association of its kind in the entire nation.

Lee County Commissioner Rick Muggridge asked the county’s Planning and Engineering Director Bob Alexander to hold a public meeting to answer questions and address concerns about plans for a much-needed Leesburg North Bypass. Letters were sent to residents living along the proposed route to make sure they knew about the gathering. About 50 people attended the meeting and the floor was open for discussion. Despite the fact that you won’t find many folks disagreeing about the need for the bypass and that the final decision as to where and when it is built will fall to state officials, the inclusion of those most affected was indeed a wise move. New roads are seldom built without displacing someone and the more open the process, the less likely there is to be discord and dispute. For the most part, people just want to know that what they say and how they feel matters to someone. Thanks, Lee County officials, for listening to your residents.

The Nov. 1 edition of The Albany Herald included a very important insert. Just in case you missed it among the sale circulars, coupons and TV section, it was a white envelope from the Food Bank of Southwest Georgia. The details on the envelope included the fact that the agency can serve four Thanksgiving meals for every dollar donated. An $11 donation will provide 44 meals. A $22 donation will provide 88 meals, and on it goes. For those who don’t have a lot to give, a little goes a long way with the food bank and it’s an ideal opportunity to teach children about giving and helping others. The need to feed families in the 20 counties served by the agency isn’t seasonal. It never stops.

Now that the weather has drooped below the 90-degree mark and the holiday season is rapidly approaching, it is a great time to do a little home maintenance. November has been declared Spruce Up Albany month and three area paint retailers are joining the effort. ICI Paints, Sherwin Williams and Porter Paints are offering discounts on painting supplies throughout the month. Simply visit one of these merchants and mention your participation in the program to get the discounts. Paint and most associated supplies are included in the special for either interior or exterior use on your home or business. What a deal!

Here is a Thumbs Up! to the residents of Ward 3 who took time to vote in the Albany City Commission race last Tuesday. The less than 12 percent turnout was disappointing but that is no reason to forget those that did make the effort. Thank you for utilizing your all-important right to vote and for caring about the ward in which you live.