I thought it might be a good time to defrag my mind of politics for a moment and talk a little about this, that and the other.

For those of my generation, defragging has something to do with a computer, I think.

I have a lot of people asking me what about Thomasville and its future.

Thomasville is a survivor in this economy and it will be one of the first communities to jump-start its economic engine when things turn up.

We have already shed most of the low-paying jobs that are subject to moving off shore.

Due to Archbold’s medical preeminence in this region and Flowers Foods’ recent expansions in downtown Thomasville, and all those two employers bring with them, I foresee a very bright future for Thomasville and the surrounding area.

Cleaver-Brooks’ announcement of its headquarters move from Milwaukee, Wisc., to Thomasville and Senior Life Insurance Company’s new headquarters presently under construction on West Jackson Street give one the idea that a new economic base is being created for future growth and development.

Thomasville is fortunate to have a great YMCA program with more than 8,000 members, a growing technical college that serves the area industry very well and a small, four-year university that is finally making its mark on the community with consistent growth and expanded mission.

All this, including Thomas County having the highest per capita personal income in southwest Georgia, bodes well for national franchise companies as they evaluate this community for expansion.

Thomasville city and county leaders need to get their collective heads together and work on highway development, especially as it relates to the bypass system.

Truck traffic on Thomasville’s new “main street,” the East Bypass, is overwhelming to those who work in the immediate area and have to cross the various intersections several times during the day.

Speed is becoming a serious problem. Trucks roll through the intersections as fast as 60 mph while regular auto commuters are trying to figure out where to turn for a restaurant or a route into town.

The intersections at Office Depot, Days Inn and the North Bypass all need double collection turn lanes to reduce the down time for traffic lights and blockage of through lanes.

These double collection lanes were authorized by the Georgia DOT in 2004 but as yet have not been improved.

One of the big bottle necks for the future as well as the present is the overpass at the Valdosta Exit at U.S. 19 and Smith Avenue.

Poor planning allowed development right up into the intersection and it is too late to make proper improvements at that location.

My suggestion would be to move south on U.S .19 and cut in a new traffic exchange to Valdosta between that intersection and Flowers Foods.

Of course high-mast lighting on all of the intersections on the entire bypass system would be a great safety measure.

Our intersections are dark and when it is raining it pays to say a prayer as you enter onto the roadway.

I still believe Remington Avenue needs reworking and improved with the addition of sidewalks and street lamps like those on Warren Avenue.

And what about the beautiful entrance signs to Thomasville? Where did that project go?

And while we are at it, let’s spend some of our tourism rax on the beautification of U.S. 19 and make a mini-park out of that magnificent oak tree on the corner of U.S. 19 and Remington Avenue.

I think I like talking about politics better than this Chamber of Commerce business that I did for 42 years.

Don’t forget to vote.