I would like to inform the leadership of your county and your subscribers of an event taking place in Thomasville that I feel should be the concern of all citizens. On Mother’s Day, May 12th, the City of Thomasville will be permitting a balloon release. An individual is taking donations from those who want to “sponsor a balloon” to be released. This event will be harmful to our wildlife and should be considered littering and be subject to the laws and ordinances concerning littering, just as you and I are held accountable for littering.

I called the City of Thomasville with my concerns and they have expressed that they are unwilling to address the issue. I asked them why it was ok to litter in such a manner, while I would be charged a fine if I were to be caught throwing something from my car window. They had no justification for my question.

Again, this is an issue that will impact all of our surrounding communities. The balloons will harm our wildlife when they fall back to the ground. Birds, squirrels, and other animals will eat the balloons, become entangled in the trash, starve, suffocate and die. Clearly, the City of Thomasville does not care about the concerns of any one citizen. Please, I urge everyone to call the City of Thomasville at 229-227-7010 and voice your concerns. Tell them that we value our Georgia wildlife and our beautiful and rich natural landscape that we are known for nationally! Tell them that our natural environment is not a trash can!

Dain Mallard

Moultrie