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GRIFFIN
DAI NEWS
Daily Since 1872
More cold weather
due here tonight
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BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich.—Patricia Stempel, (1) wife of General Motors
executive Robert C. Stempel, smiles along with her son, Timothy, after he was released by
kidnapers after his father paid >150,000 ransom. Timothy was abducted while skateboarding
near his home. Police said they have no suspects and only a “very general” description of
the kidnaper. (UPI)
In Georgia
New constitution possible
during bicentennial year
ATLANTA (UPI) — State legislators hope to finish
revising Georgia’s Constitution during the upcoming
session of the General Assembly so the new document can
be put before the voters before the Bicentennial year is
out.
The House Judiciary Committee is now working on
“editorial revision,” of the 1945 state constitution — now
the longest in the nation with 831 amendments and more
than 500,000 words.
The committee hopes the revised document is approved
by a requisite two-thirds majority of both houses early in
the session, which begins in January. After approval by
both houses, the 1976 Georgia Constitution would become
law with the approval of a majority vote of the elecorate
at-large.
Committee Chairman Wayne Snow, D-Chickamauga,
said Thursday his committee hopes to make little
substantive revision in the law in the initial “editorial
revision” phase.
The “editorial revision” is the first step in a revision
plan that will enable the legislature to make substantive
changes in the document article-by-article, rather than in
toto. Substantive changes in particular articles passed by
future legislatures would have to be approved individually
by the voters.
6 So here we see that inflation
y CBITU.IM. is away the federal g° vern “
p 1 • -■ i 1 ment can raise more revenue
Rep. Mathis says tax reform realigns tax loopholes without ever voting an in
crease in your tax rate.’
By WILLIAM COTTERELL
ATLANTA (UPI) — U.S. Rep. Dawson Mathis, I>Ga.,
said today Congressional efforts at tax reform do nothing
but realign tax loopholes and that the federal government
profits from the inflation that plagues middle class
taxpayers.
Mathis, addressing about 500 businessmen at a Georgia
Chamber of Commerce breakfast, said a person currently
earning $25,000 will need $160,000 a year in 1995 to
maintain the same standard of living, with inflation
averaging 10 per cent annually. He said the federal tax
take on such an increase would jump from 24 to 53 per
cent.
“So here we see that inflation is away the federal
government can raise more revenue without ever voting
an increase in your tax rate,” said Mathis. “Inflation is
destructive enough, without increasing the tax rates of
persons who have experienced no real increase in
income.”
Mathis said the current “tax reform” bill before
Congress faces a tough fight in both chambers and a
probable veto by President Ford.
“Although it is called a ‘reform’ bill, it would be more
accurate to simply say this legislation makes changes in
the Internal Revenue Code,” said Mathis. “This proposed
legislation merely redistributes loopholes among favored
Griffin, Ga., 30223, Friday Afternoon, November 14,1975
Kidnap victim safe
The “editorial revision” is designed to eliminating
obsolescence, putting the articles into a more orderly
arrangement, updating language and filling in some voids
in the law.
For example, Georgia’s 1945 Constitution still has
language referring to “separate but equal” educational
facilities. The present constitution still calls probate
judges “ordinaries,” although the term has been changed
by amendment. The present constitution sets no
qualifications for the office of lieutenant governor, and the
committee will add language making age and residency
requirements for that office the same as for governor.
Rep. Peggy Childs, D-Decatur, chairman of a judiciary
subcommittee, said “the only area of possible
controversy” in the revision processs could stem from
conflicts between the constitution’s zoning and planning
provisions and state Supreme Court rulings.
Mrs. Childs said the high court rulings make it unclear
whether the General Assembly has the authority to
regulate statewide zoning. The comittee, she said, will
recommend that local zoning be left with local
governments but that the General Assembly retain the
right to pass general zoning legislation with statewide ap
plication.
groups.”
Gov. George Busbee, joining Mathis on the 15-city
Chamber of Commerce pre-legislative tour, focused on
Atlanta issues in his brief remarks at the breakfast.
Busbee said he favors adding four members to the
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority board —
one from DeKalb County, the other three at-large — and
that some reorganization of Atlanta’s city government
should get legislative attention next year.
Busbee took no personal position on various proposals
for annexation or other restructuring of the Capital City,
but said he does not think the issue is “so complex that no
action whatever will be taken in the foreseeable future.
“I don’t believe it is the rightful role of the executive
branch of the state government to prescribe changes in
local government structures,” said Busbee. “I also
recognize that a full-fledged consensus is probably
unrealistic; but, a proposal which holds any promise of
[Tactical and orderly implementation must represent at
least to some extent a reconciliation of the conflicting
views, hopes and aspirations of the people of this area.”
In Athens Thursday night, Busbee told the Chamber of
Commerce his budget next year will be written with the
smallest surplus ever.
The governor told the annual Georgia Chamber of
Commerce pre-legislative forum Thursday the surplus in
Some light sleet and snow fell
in the Griffin area early Thurs
day evening but the first freeze
warning of the season did not
occur as weathermen
predicted.
The forecast called for
temperatures in the upper 20s.
However, a cloud cover moved
over the area and kept the
temperature in the mid 30s.
Another freeze warning was
issued for tonight. The mercury
is expected to dip into the upper
20s.
The temperature climbed into
the mid 40s today and is ex
pected to reach the mid 50s
Saturday.
This morning’s low at the
Sunny Side weather station was
34 degrees.
The first cold spell of the
winter, accompanied by a few
snow flurries, gripped Georgia
today.
The National Weather Service
issued a freeze warning for
tonight with temperatures ex
pected to be in the 20s over
most of the state. During the
day, they were expected to
range from the low 40s to the
upper 50s.
The cold front swept in
Thursday and some snow flakes
Vol. 103 No. 271
were reported in Atlanta and at
Blairsville and Clayton in north
Georgia. None of the snow
stuck to the ground, however.
The coldest temperature was
reported at Cornelia where the
thermometer hit 27. Blairsville
recorded 28.
The Weather Service said a
warming trend would set in
over the weekend as northwest
erly winds diminish. Highs
Saturday are expected to range
from the low 50s into the 60s.
Stockbridge
‘speed trap’
investigated
ATLANTA (UPI) - Gov.
George Busbee has ordered an
investigation into charges that
the city of Stockbridge has been
operating a speed trap.
Busbee’s office said Thursday
that Col. Herman Cofer, com
missioner of public safety, is
conducting the probe and will
report to Busbee by Dec. 12.
The governor ordered the
investigation after receiving a
petition containing 1,259 sig
natures, including the names of
Stockbridge businessmen and
public officials.
Weather
COLDER
na
ESTIMATED HIGH TODAY
44, low today 34, high yesterday
46, low yesterday 36, high
tomorrow in mid 50s, low
tonight in upper 20s.
“Most valuable things in life
are inexpensive — only the
trivial ones are costly.”
the fiscal year 1977 budget will be “in the range of a paltry
$lO million,” as compared to past surpluses in the SIOO
million range.
Busbee, now drawing up the budget for submission to
the legislature next year, said many agencies will find
themselves with less money budgeted than they have this
year, and “outright elimination of some superfluous or
overlapping functions” will be necesssary.
“In fact, this budget will reflect the first decrease in
state personnel levels in history,” he said. “Excluding
university system personnel, whose ranks are dictated by
enrollment, I can announce today that my fiscal 1977
budget will decrease the state payroll by well over 1,000
individuals.
“Let me hasten to add that most of these reductions will
be accomplished by attrition,” said Busbee.
Earlier, the governor opened the forum on issues
confronting the 1976 state legislature with a pledge not to
yield to “pressure politics” for pay raises and budget
increases without increased productivity.
The governor was accompanied by Rep. Dawson
Mathis, D-Ga., on the traveling forum that went to
Toccoa, Athens and Gainesville. The 15-city forum runs
through the end of next week.
Speaking in Gainesville, Busbee said he would veto any
new taxes, particularly a penny-pergallon boost in
gasoline taxes. In Toccoa at the start of the tour, Busbee
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Cattle business
Dr. J. F. Andrews, state veterinarian for the Department of Agriculture, discusses cattle
business with directors of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association during a board meeting at
the Georgia Experiment Station. Seated next to him is Reid Wilcox, state treasurer of the
cattle organization. Dr. O. E. Sell of Milner who is president of the state organization
presided at the board meeting. The Mid-Georgia Cattlemen’s Association held its annual
banquet last night at the Moose Club with more than 400 people attending. L. E. Caton of
Griffin is president of that group.
Liquor statements
disputed in campaign
Billy Reeves, president of the
Griffin-Spalding County Retail
Package Stores, Inc., issued a
statement this morning in
which he said City Commission
Candidate Henry Miller told
him that if he, Miller, is elected
to the board of city commiss
ioners, he will vote to abolish
beer and wine from the city if a
motion is made.
Reeves said Miller also told
him that if a referendum were
called in the city to abolish
liquor, he (Miller) would work
to defeat liquor.
The conversation between
Reeves and Miller took place
Thursday morning, Nov. 6,
when Mr. Miller called on
Reeves at Reeves Cleaners,
Reeves said.
Miller has called Reeves’
statement about their conversa
tion and his position, “filled
with distortions, half-truths and
outright untruths.”
“The people of Griffin know
that I have already stated that I
will not try to vote out beer and
wine when I am elected city
commissioner.
“The people know that I will
represent all of the people of
this city with fairness and
without showing any partiality
to any one person or special
interest group,” Miller said.
Reeves said he asked Miller if
he knew he was in the alcoholic
beverage business and said
Miller replied that he did and
was surprised and disappointed
to learn that he (Reeves) had
lowered himself into that busi
ness.
Reeves said Miller told him
he was opposed to beer, wine
and liquor and that it had never
done any good for the City of
Griffin.
Reeves said he then question
ed Miller about what he would
do concerning abolishing
alcoholic beverages if he is
elected.
Reeves stated today:
“1.... asked Mr. Miller if he
is elected to the Board of City
Commissioners to serve the
people of the city, could he,
feeling like he does about
put state agencies, school teachers and public employes
on notice that he will expect dollar-for-dollar increases in
productivity for even minimal cost-of-living pay raises.
Busbee said he did not “enjoy confrontation with
interest groups,” but “my duty is to make sure the state of
Georgia lives within its means — and I’m not going to ask
the people of Georgia to pick up the price tag of pressure
politics.”
He also said belt-tightening will be demanded in other
areas of state government, including the social services
area.
“I’m going to tell the judges, lawyers and law
enforcement establishment that we need to start
modernizing our judicial system, and that may mean
giving up some cished ways of doing things, and changing
some old habits.” said Busbee.
Lt. Gov. Zell Miller applauded Busbee’s approach but
said teacher pay raises — already denied once in the
special session — must be granted now.
“We’ve got to pay the expense — either in the schools
now, or in the welfare programs and prisons later,” Miller
said in Atlanta. “But educational accountability and pay
raises go hand in hand. We’ve got to demand accoun
tability, but the salaries are an important part of quality
education.”
alcoholic beverages, serve the
people in the beer, wine and
liquor industry as well as other
people and his answer was that
he could not.”
The conversation resulted in
the Griffin Retail Package
Stores and the Griffin Whole
sale Distributors publishing
phamplets which are being
distributed concerning the
Tuesday’s run-off election and
the city’s income from taxes on
alcoholic beverages, Reeves
explained.
Reeves said he issued the
statement to clarify rumors
concerning his conversation
with Miller. Reeves also said he
had nothing to do with a letter
circulated this week addressed
to “Dear Chamber Members,”
backing Louis Goldstein.
Miller and Mayor Goldstein
are in a runoff election for a city
commission post. The issue will
be decided next Tuesday.