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HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL VOTERS From page 1A council to approve. On the senior tax exemp tion issue, however, she left blanks for the council to fill in the amount that could be exempted for seniors. Councilman Sherod Wilson suggested that $25,000 be inserted in the blanks on the drafted referendums and the vote for both the refer endum and the suggested amount was unanimous by council. On the issue of Sunday alcohol sales by the drink, the only dissenting vote for the it to be put on a refer endum was Councilman Bob Smith. , “We’re voting to allow the citizens a right to choose,” said Edwards. “I can also promise you that I will not campaign for it, nor will I campaign against it. I will remain neu tral.” The mayor said he would answer questions about the topics, but would not try to sway voters one way or the other. He said the most important thing is that cit izens go to the polls and vote. In addition, several fire fighters asked questions about what council planned to do about getting a new fire chief. Eidson said that he plans to have a peer review of the fire department by outside fire chiefs. He said he hopes to have that done within the next 30 to 60 days. “We need to be diligent, take our time to find the right person for this job,” he said, adding that it will be painstakingly slow. “We’ll try to work toward having the right fit for this depart ment.” In other business: • City Administrator Patrick Eidson informed the council that the city’s “fair share contribution” to the 21st Century Partnership totaled $2,383. The mayor said it is a “worthwhile fair share” because “the battle to keep work at the air force base continues. The Partnership keeps a lobby that is pro- Robins Air Force Base.” • Council voted to pur chase 15 pagers for the fire department at $4lO each. According to Eidson, this was a budgeted item and the total of $6,150 “was coming in under budget.” He said these pagers were recommended by E-911 and Macon Communications as the best pagers to suit the department’s needs. • Officer Jeff Keenom was awarded Centerville’s Officer of the Quarter by Centerville Police Chief Ernie Pardo. Keenom was not able to personally accept the award at the meeting because he was attending advanced canine training in Savannah. DNA From page 1A and escape (1986 Jefferson County). “Mr. Neal had been out of prison three weeks at the time of this offense and had several prior burglary con victions. This time he will not be eligible for parole, the victim has justice at last,” Lumsden said. WANT NEWS? GO TO hhjnews.com Prime Rib Seasoned to Perfection VP' —Ti 1-75 Exit 136 - 987-6877 35615 HHC From page 1A was “an appellate review procedure hearing, not involved in this issue, (the change in management) but since we were meeting, the board also called in Dr. Alford.” in closed session. “It was an interview,” Alford said. Hospital Authority Attorney Mike Gray admit ted the meeting should have been announced to the legal organ (as required by law), but noted the meeting Was in executive (closed) session for personnel issues ahd the press would not have been allowed in any way. “It was the consensus of the Authority Wednesday (June 28) to make a change ill management,” Carter said. The Authority met in closed session at the end of its regular meeting for a personnel evaluation of nbw-former CEO Frank Aaron, and asked him to resign. Gray said Aaron tdld him Friday morning he would proceed by the contract. Then Authority called a special meeting that day. June 30, to fire Aaron without cause and hire Alford as CEO. “We went 48 hours without knowing if Aaron would resign,” Carter said. “We probably created some questions in the commu nity,” Carter said. He answered some of those: “There was no central event that led to the termi nation, no egregious mis conduct, no inappropriate misconduct and no misuse of funds,” Carter said. “Mr. Akron did a very good job, accomplishing the goals (set by the authority). We appreciate his leadership in these things.” Carter said the focus now is “more on patient care, tleatment outcome and patient safety. We’ve been concerned about recruit ment and retention, espe cially of nurses. Our goal is to be the employer of choice for healthcare providers.” Carter said Alford, “as medical director is involved in performance improve ments, developing cen ters of excellence, like the Women’s Center and Orthopedic Center.” Carte said Art Christie, the former administrator at Houston Medical Center, “Will assist Tony part-time until he can get all the lead ership in position. Christie is still on payroll as a con sultant.” Aaron was not the only one terminated in the change of direction. Marilu Crosby, executive director of human resources and Jeanne Hoag, director of nursing were also fired. Alford said he, not the authority made the deci sion to fire them. “The authority suggested it, I took the action. The direc tion the authority wants to go in was not consistent with the perceived direc tion they were going.” Can You Believe It, Carter-Wilkes Construction Inc., the! Builders of that great new subdivision called Sugarloaf have extended the special buyer bonus? No, What's the bonus? If you contract and close on one of I their completed homes within 30 days of the contract accep-1 tance you get $1,500.00 to use for anything you wish, and the builder will still pay up to $3,000.00 towards your closing cost. WOW, I have seen those homes and they are I ail brick on Ig. lots with such quality features like custom cabinets, security systems, sod & sprinklers. Well I heard that Karen had available a 100% loan program with no PMI! I think that we need to go Visit with Karen again before they are all gone. Located on the Perry Parkway right across from the new Court House. Open Mon, Thur, & Fri 12-6 Sat 11-5 & Sun 1-5 or give Karen Roulette a call at 954-HOME (4663). ■ Ipairdothßealty. me. (478) 971-2115 331 Margie Brin, Warner Robins. 6JL 31088 Disclaimer: Bonuses based on certain completed hornet only. Loan program based upon credit and may not apply to an purchasers “Our people are key to quality care, our goal is to work for the employees feeling really good about coming to work and mak ing a good impact.” He cited a Thomas Huxley quote: “It’s not who is right, but what is right that really matters.” When asked if Aaron was fired because he refused to fire Crosby and Hoag, Carter said. I’m not aware we ever gave that direction to Aaron, but some changes did not occur.” When asked did the medical staff push this (the change in leadership) forward, Alford said. The medical staff is key to the ultimate outcome.” Carter said, “everyone that works here is impor tant. I don’t think the doc tors fired Mr. Aaron. They were involved overall but it was not the deciding fac tor.” If Aaron resigned, the Authority would have given him six months salary in a lump sum, Gray said. Per his contract signed in 2005, if he is terminated with out cause, he receives 12 months of pay, continued medical and life insurance in monthly payments for the next 12 months, unless he finds other employment. Then the payments stop. According to the contract, for Aaron to resign, he has to give a minimum of 120 days notice in writing. And he would be not entitled to any severance. Alford has been with Houston Healthcare for five years as executive direc tor of medical affairs. He came here from Cigna of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Alford said his for mer position and that of Houston Medical Center executive director - vacant since the retirement of Art Christy - “would eventu ally be filled, but will prob ably remain vacant for a while,” with department heads filing the gaps. Alford said the assistant directors in human resourc es (Linda Watson) and nursing (Tommi Gill) have stepped up to the plate. Not one thing was dropped. We’re doing fine.” Watson was appointed director of human resourc es, Alford said, and Gill is serving in the interim in nursing, “Nothing is drop ping off the radar screen,” Alford said, “Everyone has pulled together. I have the full support of the entire staff.” Alford noted the “JCA surveyors expected us to be in disarray, but found just the opposite. Morale was up and everyone was will ing to participate.” The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) comes to hospitals every three years, unannounced to do the accreditation of the hospital,” explained Mary Jane kinas, executive director of marketing. “We were told in January they would be coming, but the date was otherwise unan nounced. Some morning they’ll be coming to Perry too.” LOCAL ™ siilf " r " ' * ' Hhhel HDJ/ Kristy Warren Chief Phyllis Tedders of the Perry Department of Driosr’s Services works at her desk on Tuesday, opening day. OPEN From page 1A years ago. According to Tedders and the handouts she provided, there are different require ments as far as documen tation needed to receive the various services of the department. In order to get a learner’s permit, bring your birth certificate, a certificate of attendance from school, your social security number CROWD From page 1A Raleigh, N.C. will be here with his wife, Naomi. He has written a history of the church. The book will be avail able at the meeting. The schedule of events for the week is as follows: • Morning Prayer Service - 7:30 a.m. • Morning Worship Service - 10:30 a.m. • Young People’s Service - 3 p.m. • Evening Song Service - 6:30 p.m. • Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m. B - -it ■ I I wpWZ MM N “ityaoie w Go Karts, w Scooters & pPirt Bikes Electric Guitar s s9°" Acoustic Guitar Adult $ 39 88 Child $ 24 88 Banjos $ 42 73 Shampoo - Lotion , nn Household Cleaners § 2 x Cell phone accessories: Cases, Auto & Home Chargers and much, much more @ $1 00 each. Kitchenware, Clothes, Cleaning Supplies. TONS OF ITEMS! 00035836 79 Green St. ■ Warner Robins, GA 923-0002 (One Block From Hwy. 247) HOURS: 10am - spm Mon-Sat (card is not necessary), and a parent must be present to sign if driver is under 18. Road tests are by appoint ment only. Out of state transferees will be required to bring proper identification - birth certificate, passport, or Resident Alien card, and proof of residency such as a utility bill or settle ment statement from clos ing. Documents needed for a name change are mar riage certificate or mar riage license if you wish to hyphenate your last name, certified court order, • Bible School for Ages 4- 12 - 10:30 a.m. until noon The cafeteria will be open for three meals a day during the camp meeting week. Visitors are encour aged at Church Home for the Aged. The memorial gardens are open from dawn to c, »eerful Cherubs Preschoo' • We offer a Half Day Pre-K Program for 6 months - 4 years • Hlghßeach And Zoo-Phonics Curriculum • We encourage each child to develop to his or her potential through new experiences including physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual. N 205 N. Davis Dr. • W.R., GA 31093 • 922-8448 f o }fC<zt&ie6<L iF.ulhSet - $ ll9 OO mmmm: iQ.ueen »S.et - $ 159 00 iKingfSet - $ 229 00 Hip m |||g iir- o^l THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2006 or another certified docu ment. To replace a lost license, you must bring one form of identification or two proofs of residency. Replacing a lost license, changing your address and obtaining a copy of you driving history can also be done by visiting www.dds. ga.gov. For more information, you may call the toll-free DDS customer service tele phone number at 866-754- 3687. Many transactions may now be done on-line. dusk. To learn more, visit www. cshc.org. Famous Homemade . Cinnamon Rolls areen derby 1-75 Exit 130* 987-8877 35619 ■zcfc 6A