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HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL Muuatim fUtily .IJuuriuii Perry Office 1210 Washington St. P.O. Box 1910 Perry, GA 31069 (478) 987-1823 See us online at www.hhjnews.com Reader IMP® Classified Advertising: Call (478) 987-1823 between the hours of 8 a m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can fax an ad 24 hours a day to (478) 988-9194. Display Advertising: Call Nicole Crofutt at ext. 224. Delivery by mail: Delivery by mail is available for $62 in-county and SB2 elsewhere per year paid in advance. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 1910, Perry, GA31069 The Houston Home Journal, A peri odical, mailed (ISSN 1526-7393) at Perry, Ga., is published Tuesday through Saturday for $62 per year by Evans Newspapers Inc., 1210 Washington St., Perry, GA31069; (478) 987-1823 Fax (478) 988-1181. Not published Thanksgiving and Christmas. Office Hours: The office in Perry is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. NEWS TIPS: Call (478) 987-1823 ext. 231 Newsroom Fax: (478) 988-1181 Presentation editor: Contact James Tidwell at jtidwell @ evansnewspapers.com Corrections: The HDJ strives for fairness and accuracy, and will print a correction or clarification when one is in order. Call ext. 231. Advertising errors and omissions: The advertiser agrees that the pub lisher shall not be liable for damages arising from errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. There shall be no liability for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. This newspaper is a member of The Georgia Press Association, The National Newspaper Association and The Associated Press State Briefs Perdue pledges to end tax for seniors ATLANTA (AP) - Gov. Sonny Perdue on Wednesday night made the first cam paign pledge of his re-elec tion bid, promising to elimi nate the income tax for Georgia’s senior citizens. “If given the honor of a second term, this is my first promise to the people of Georgia. We will completely eliminate the state income tax on retirement income for seniors 65 and older,” Perdue told 600 party loyal ists who paid SSOO apiece to attend the Georgia Republican Party’s “2006 Victory Dinner” in Atlanta. “By eliminating taxes on their retirement income, seniors will have more money in their pockets to cover the costs of prescription drugs and health care or to spend more time with their grand children,” Perdue added. The measure, which would need to pass the Legislature, would cost an estimated $142 million a year. Perdue administration officials said the tax cut would affect between 250,000 and 400,000 Georgians. Perdue has said for some time that he would like to eventually eliminate all state income tax on Georgia’s seniors age 65 and up in an effort to make the state more attractive to retirees, many of whom flock to neighbor ing Florida where there is no income tax. Seniors also make up a politically power ful voting bloc. A spokesman for Perdue’s Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, said Perdue has failed to cut taxes in his four years in office. “When Mark Taylor is gov ernor, he will not only cut taxes for seniors, but every Georgian,” Taylor spokes man Rick Dent said. Perdue used the speech before party faithful to take YOUR WEATHER TEAM! TODAY’S Today's Weather Local 5-Day Forecast Sat 9/16 X,.. ' 90/64 Abundant sunshine. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the mid 60s. Sunrise Sunset 7:20 AM 7:40 PM Sranfr'#’ I . XU..: . Georgia At A Glance \ Atlanta V \ 86/61 0 ,Nv. Augusta \ " y\ 88/66 \ : 4a X V Warner Robins \ \A A v \ \ Savannah ) pX \ 91/66 I Wj 91/64- > ( / Valdosta A w W - 92/66 X Area Cities Lo Cond. rw Albany 92 65 sunny Athens 87 62 sunny Atlanta 86 61 sunny Augusta 88 66 sunny Bainbridge 93 67 sunny Brunswick 88 73 sunny Cartersville 87 60 sunny Chattanooga.TN 84 59 sunny Columbus 90 66 sunny Cordele 92 66 sunny National Cities Hi Lo Cond. | City Atlanta 86 61 sunny Boston 71 62 rain Chicago 80 64 mst sunny Dallas 95 80 mst sunny Denver 64 42 mst sunny ©2005 American Profile Hometown Content Service a a few pointed jabs at his opponent. “It’s an election year and I have an opponent that will promise just about anything to anyone hoping to win votes,” Perdue said. He accused Taylor of remaining “stone, cold silent” during the debate over the state’s tough immi gration law earlier this year. Perdue has already taken steps to lighten the tax bur den on seniors. In 2005 he signed into law a measure that allows the state’s seniors to exclude $25,000 of their income from state taxes. And Georgians this November will vote on a homestead exemption measure approved earlier this year that would exempt those age 65 and older from the state portion of the prop erty tax. Perdue’s first two years in office were marked by deep budget cuts as the state’s economy struggled. But Georgia’s economy had shown signs of rebound ing since then. Tax reve nues have been soaring and Perdue announced in July that the state had surpassed the expectations of money managers and posted a SSBO million surplus. Ga. Democrats to put on convention ATLANTA (MNS) - The state’s Democratic leaders will gather here Saturday for a new-type of convention for them, one in the minor ity. They’re hoping it won’t become a pattern. Mark Taylor will formally accept the party’s nomina tion for governor, and the other statewide candidates will each take to the stage to accept theirs and to rally the troops. About 1,000 delegates and guests are expected at the state-owned convention center near the Atlanta airport. Like most political con- Sun 9/17 89/68 Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 80s and lows in the upper 60s. Sunrise Sunset 7:21 AM 7:38 PM 91/65 Abundant sunshine. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the mid 60s. Sunrise Sunset 7:20 AM 7:39 PM ~ r r We Celeb rate Hometown Life wj IW Dalton 88 60 sunny Dillard 82 55 sunny Dublin 91 63 sunny Duluth 85 59 sunny Gainesville 86 63 sunny Helen 84 58 sunny Lagrange 88 60 sunny Macon 90 64 sunny Marietta 85 59 sunny Milledgeville 90 66 sunny [City Houston 89 75 t-storm Los Angeles 76 59 mst sunny Miami 88 77 t-storm Minneapolis 77 55 rain New York 75 65 rain ventions, Saturday’s gath ering will adopt a legisla tive platform that will be promptly ignored after the debates over its various pro visions have died down that morning. Unlike past years, the chairman of the state party won’t be selected. Traditionally, the election was a formality since the governor or gubernatorial nominee made the actual selection. Things are different now that the Democrats no lon ger control the governor’s office. Several weeks ago, the party’s executive com mittee quietly changed the bylaws to postpone the elec tion of the chairman until after year’s end rather than installing a new team in the midst of a general election. Besides no new chairman, the convention will also be noted by another absence. Cathy Cox won’t be there. Cox, the secretary of state who won 44 percent of the vote against Taylor for the party’s gubernatorial nomi nation, will be vacationing in Canada with her sister, according to her spokesman, Chris Riggall. Man pleads guilty for role in shooting JONESBORO (AP) - A man has pleaded guilty to hindering the arrests of sus pects who were wanted in a shooting in which a 2-year old boy was killed over an income tax refund check. Freddie Lamar Floyd, 39, pleaded guilty Wednesday to hindering the apprehension of a criminal. Floyd, who was initially charged with a number of other charges including murder, burglary and aggra vated assault, was sentenced to two years in prison. But he was given credit for one year and five months already served. Xavier Miranda was fatal ly shot Feb. 10, 2005, when STATE AND REGION Meteorologist Jerry Mathewson Turns Nmt Mews" Mon 9/18 85/62 Isolated thunder storms. Highs in the mid 80s and lows in the low 60s. Sunrise Sunset 7:22 AM 7:36 PM HMl^Tcond. Hi Lo Cond. -40 “A? ni Wed 9/20 Tue 9/19 -L-ji id. 83/60 Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the low 60s. Sunrise Sunset 7:22 AM 7:35 PM Moon Phases o e New Sep 22 Last Sep 14 © © Full Oct 7 First Sep 30 UV Index Sat 9/16 |Ji| Very High Sun 9/17 [fj Very High Mon 9/18 pfj Very High Tue 9/19 |B| Very High Wed 9/20 Very High The UV Index is measured on a 0-11 number scale, with a higher UV Index showing the need for greater skin pro tection. 0 MMW Hi Lo Cond. Peachtree City 86 57 sunny Perry 91 64 sunny Rome 89 60 sunny Savannah 91 66 sunny St. Simons Islandßß 73 sunny Statesboro 94 69 sunny Thomasville 92 67 sunny Valdosta 92 66 sunny Warner Robins 90 64 sunny Waycross 92 65 sunny Hi Lo Cond. | City Phoenix 95 71 sunny San Francisco 73 52 windy Seattle 65 48 rain St. Louis 86 70 sunny Washington, DC 78 63 rain an intruder burst into his family’s apartment and demanded a $1,717 income tax refund check. Clayton County police say the alleged shooter was carrying out a plot masterminded by the woman who prepared the Miranda family’s taxes. Authorities said Floyd’s live-in girlfriend is the mother of Kearndric David Smith, 21. Police say Smith drove accused shooter Torrin Demon Reese to the Forest Park apartment where William Miranda and Chimere Rita Calloway lived with their children. Reese told police he ear lier met at a restaurant with Shakeila Danuaralle Hampton, 34, and Michael Anthony Hendrix, 33, to plan the robbery of the couple’s check. Hampton had helped Calloway prepare her taxes so she knew the amount of her refund and when she would get it, police said. "Trust me, there's no such thing as good vibrations" Come in for a Midas Touch™ Courtesy Check. fpyi iKjH 5 29 95 Midas Touch™ Maintenance Package Expires 12/31/06. Warner Robins 478-922-4251 1 860 Watson Boulevard (across from McDonald’s) Obituaries AVEI- C. BRADDY CENTERVILLE - Avel C. Braddy, 83, passed away Tuesday. Services will be held at 2 p.m. today in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with interment following in Magnolia Park Cemetery. Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. BISHOP JOSEPH M. HOWELL WARNER ROBINS - Bishop Joseph M. Howell, 73, passed away Wednesday. Visitation will be today from 6-8 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with interment following in Magnolia Park Cemetery. ELINOR L. HARDEN WARNER ROBINS - Elinor L. Harden, 80, passed away Tuesday. Harden was bom in Silas, Ala., to the late William and Etta Vee Beard Polk. Survivors include her husband Clyde Harden Jr. of Warner Robins. Sons: Harvey Lamar Lee of Mobile, Ala., William Ronald Lee of Milledgeville and Kenneth Lowell Lee of Jacksonville, Fla. LYNN “TONY" JOHNS WARNER ROBINS - Lynn “Tony” Johns, 54, passed away Monday. Johns was born in Eastman to the late Austin and Lila Holder Johns. Survivors include his brothers Kenneth E. Johns of Warner Robins and Austin Johns Jr. of Perry. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. Friday at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home. September proclaimed 'College Savings Month' Special to the Journal ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue today announced September as “College Savings Month” in Georgia, encouraging Georgia parents to save for their children’s college edu cation. The Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan (GHESP), Georgia’s 529 college savings plan, allows for tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expens es such as tuition, room and board, books, fees and required equipment. “A college education is one of the most important things we can help provide our chil dren to prepare them for suc cess in life,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “By starting to save and plan for col lege today with the Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan, families can make col lege more affordable tomor row.” Since being launched in April 2002, Georgia’s college savings plan has been widely recognized as one of the best college savings plans in the country. Money magazine recommended Georgia’s col lege savings plan for state residents, and the 529 plan website, www.savingforcol lege.com <http://www.sav ingforcollege.com/> , contin ues to give the Georgia pro gram high marks. Consumer advocate Clark Howard lists the Georgia program on his “Honor Roll” of 529 college savings plans. Assets in the GHESP have grown significantly in the last year from $299 million rner j ' framing • <jWonoflrammiruj • Oil Uhinlings • £;i/f s (Sustom STtaminff 918 Carroll Street • Perry, GA 478-987-4079 Lifetime Guaranteed Brake Pads or Shoes installed Many tars, light trucks and SUVs 'there moy be substantial extro cost for additional parts and labor. Ceramic pads available at extra tost, "lifetime guarantee valid for as long as you own your rar. See manager lor limited guarantee terms and details. Not good with any other oiler. At participating shops only. • Change Oil and Filter (up to S quest-, of 5W30 or lOW3G o 4) • Rotate and Inspect 4 Tires • Visual Brake Check • Courtesy Check Botter/ fluid Befo ird Homs - Ait filtw - Cootont Sm manager far datail*. Otar grates *4 u-Aite urwi-cccw white eilw. (outer •ft» 1* rrydrtl teiwk wtiu. k visual ortv W pod »ilh try . 3the-Mod its ft rortv.ipctmq (tifTWHS steosaniv fodiiccswdoid VL *•■»* piofdbrtd try iff* rrw* t*r mum tone* FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2006 ♦ in September 2005 to S4OB million today - a 36 per cent increase. In the same period, the total number of GHESP accounts increased by 18 percent, from 59,000 last September to a current total of almost 70,000. In August, Congress made permanent the tax-free treatment of withdraw als from 529 plans. The tax treatment for 529 plans allows tax-free withdraw als for qualified education expenses such as tuition, room and board, books, fees and required equipment. This tax treatment was set to expire sifter 2010, but was made permanent in the recently passed Pension Protection Act. Georgia’s Congressional delegation led the nation by sponsoring the tax permanency legislation. Both senators and a major ity of Georgia’s representa tives co-sponsored bills call ing for permanency of the current tax treatment for 529 plans. “I want to recognize the contributions of Senators Chambliss and Isakson and Georgia’s Congressional del egation for achieving this long-sought legislative goal,” said Governor Perdue. The GHESP provides sig nificant tax advantages in addition to tax-free with drawals as an incentive to save for college. An account in the program can grow on a tax-deferred basis, and Georgia taxpayers may qual ify for a state income tax deduction of up to $2,000 per year, per account ben eficiary. (Mi DAS Trust the Midas touch; 5 29 95 Midas Economizer Plus® Muffler 1 Year Guarantee Expires 12/31/06. 3A * NAO organic pads * Top off brake fluid * FREE 45-point brake inspection » Road test * labor included • Money-saving universal design • Aluminized shell offers good corrosion resistance Me*/ *fccte. (let owfct* xel agjfcrirtßnt mxkf fa teitef psfK :*ms *d took ‘‘wpon so? be piwred 4 ten of jutees* M tool . ory efte A»por*«*n£ (mIoAS step ctef fcte i: fupal V »:tfobhrud by ipK. itn« the mMch tOMCti ummittm