I really debated with myself over whether I should even address this morning's topic because it involves a lot of rumor and hearsay... however the scuttlebutt around Cartersville has intensified to the point that something has to be done.

Regardless of how much of this turns out to be 100% factual is really irrelevant, because of the damage these rumors and accusations are doing to various individuals in the community and to the Cartersville School System.

As a former elected official, I always admired the ability of the Cartersville Mayor and City Council and of the School Board and Superintendent over the years to circle the wagons and keep negative things from becoming public nightmares. When you're dealing with organizations involving large numbers of employees and in the case of the school system with 1000's of children and their families, it can be difficult.

Don't get me wrong, I fully believe in open government and don't like seeing things swept under the rug when the public should be made aware of them, but there are other issues that sometimes crop up... usually of a personal nature... that should be quietly handled to protect innocent family members and co-workers. The rumors and hearsay involving Cartersville High School and its athletics programs appear to involve both those private personal issues and a couple that should be public and it's time for the school board and the high school administration to take a cue from Barney Fife and nip this stuff in the bud.

Cartersville High has a storied tradition of producing championship quality sports teams, but more important than the number of trophies and banners is the opportunity of Cartersville High to use its sports programs to build decency and character in our young people... and here's where the problem lies.

Without mentioning names... because that is really not the issue, there are stories circulating of an athlete allegedly being caught having sex in a coach's office... another story of an alleged rape of a female student in a classroom that was supposed to have been monitored by a coach... stories of athletes allegedly being served alcohol at parties chaperoned by adults... and stories of one of those athletes allegedly being pulled over for DUI... there are attacks against coaches over alleged improprieties in their own personal lives... and there are countless accusations and counter claims pitting various factions within the school system against each other, plus there are numerous other rumors hanging on the Cartersville High grapevine.

Again, my point this morning is not whether all of these things are true or none of them are true, the issue is that these stories and others are wildly circulating throughout the community and personal reputations are being ruined... and Cartersville High is being dragged down... giving the community a black eye.

So to Superintendent Dr. Hinesley and to the men and women on the Cartersville Board of Education, this is the week to deal with this mess. If heads need to roll let's get it done now so things don't fester during the upcoming school year and if things aren't as bad as they appear from the outside, then get out front and address the public and put some fears at ease. If things are that bad, then acknowledge the problems and lay out a course of action to deal with them. This community needs closure now.

We welcome your opinions, thanks for listening and I'll see you next Monday... for a complete transcript of this morning's comments, go to NewsTalk1270.com (End of complete transcript of commentary that aired on NewsTalk AM 1270 - WYXC at 7:35 AM Monday, June 23, 2009)