Newspaper Page Text
re. ym
HiHHHKhotkl
Hh> , wt& -i
t
ke Storm Abates In County
With little more th?m two weeks having
passed since the first icy fingers of snow
and sleet had hit our area, a second
freezing downpour of the "white stuff"
almost put the damper on all travel in
the county of Forsyth. Following quickly
with less damaging breakage to trees and
shrubs, the storm of last week on Friday
nevertheless broveht traffic to a mere
trickle and closed all the schools of the
county.
Some of the businesses remained closed
for the most part, and those daring to
be different found many of their employes
stranded on the roadside, or fearful of
venturing out in the improbable weather.
The rains of Friday nignt~tended to
soften the icy surfaces and Saturday
morning the normal traffic flow was re
sumed once more and the City ofCummlng
practiced business as usual in the familiar
pattern.
While were being fenced-in, our
First Week Of 1971 Tax Collections
Exceeds One Hundred Thousand
payment of taxes is becoming the order
of the day in Forsyth County. Taxpayers
by the hundreds are swinging wide the
doors to the Tax Collector’s Office in
Cumming, and if the first week’s collec
tions are any Indication of what’s cooking
on the local scene, we may yet set a
record before the Yuletlde Season has
invaded the pocketbook to such an extent
as to defer payment of taxes until just
before the penalty goes on next year.
Mr. Pilcher’s office had hardly gotten
the Tax Notices in the mall until he
was being given the sad-eye by a few
patrons who paid cheerfully—though grud
gingly, perhaps. Some reciplents of the
yellow or pink notices were voicing a bit
of unofficial displeasure because of the
"uppance" in assessments as reflected
in the contents of the long envelops with
the Tax Collector’s office, city and zip
code number on the upper left hand corner.
Whatever the miseries of taxpaying
entails, one may be sure that only one
thing is more certain. And that, Mr.
and Mrs. Taxpayer, is death, itself.
It must be remembered, however, that
the newer increase contains the new
mlllage, which was increased from 29.75
to 38.25 or, more specifically, by
8 1/2 - mills. If figures are correct, as
well as predictions, the county should
realize an additional $400,000 in revenue
frotn the hike in the 1971 assessments.
More than half of the county’s revenue
goes for the operation of our schools,
or 52.85 percent of the total assessment.
Two and one-half mills is reserved for
retirement of school bonds which were
approved earlier. The remainder of your
tax dollars provide for the county’s general
operating expenses; such as road main
tenance, salaries of officials, building
Forsyth Co. Savings Bond Sales
Mr. R.P. Otwell, Sr., Chair
man of the Forsyth County U.S.
Savings Bonds Committee re
ports that the citizens of For
syth County placed $10,312.00
in Savings Bonds during October
and a total of $108,018.00 for
the ten month period.
Tom R. May, Volunteer State
Chairman, announced that Ge
orgians placed $6,124,796 in S
avings Bonds (luring October for
THE FLASH OF CRIMSON PRESENTS "A TIME FOR CHRISTMAS"
FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 17, IN THE F.C.H.S. GYM.
neighboring counties to the north and
northeast were experiencing six to ten
inches of snow. From Gainesville toSouth
Carolina the Intensity of the snowstorm
was still, much in evidence, as late as
last Sunday. Eight Inches of snow was
common from Toccoa, Georgia to Easley,
South Carolina.
Oldtime prognosticators are warning the
younger generation that old man winter
may indeed be a severe one. Already they
are comparing this year with some of the
more memorable ones of the past decade
.winterwlse.
If the past two weeks are a preview
of things to come, it is well to prepare
for any eventuality—including the probable
loss of electricity for a time, no lights
and insufficient heat. This indeed could
be a winter to make the bachelor envy
his married brethren who are blest with
a perfect bed warmer—namely, the wife.
repairs, equipment, and many other costly
services. One-fourth of a mill is paid to
the State of Georgia as required by law.
The Forsyth County Tax Collector
informs us that 16,000 or more Auto
License Plates and Transfers of owner
ship sales were processed through his
office this year.
It is predicted by some citizens that
Forsyth County's potential growth within
the next two years may see 10,000 new
residents invading the premises, and that
property values may increase by twenty
five to thirty percent, overall. Thus it can
be seen that vigorous planning and a
revision of our tax structure is imminent.
Therefore it should behoove the financial
genulses of this county to prepare for
the challenge that lies ahead.
With the completion of The 400 Appa
lachian Developmental Highway, this
county stands to be the Gateway To The
Smokies and The Southeast's Axis around
which wUI revolve the most exciting and
economic blessings ever experienced in
this area’s proud history.
Alreadv . there is one billion dollars
of new construction being contemplated
for the im mediate present and future. Many
new facilities, homes and recreational
ventures are in the planning stages. A
casual look around the county will vouch
for the fact that numerous new and res
pected families are daring to take a chance
and be a vital part in the future progress
and well-being of Forsyth County and the
City of Cummfiig. Among our newcomers
are men and women of worth and vision—
well-educated in the professional and
technical sciences and who can be
and will be a deciding factor in the
economic and cultural expansion destined
for our county and its people.
a total of $58,714,516 for the
first ten months. October sales
reflect an Increase of 8.3%
compared with those of a year
ago. Nationally, sales of E & H
Bonds (at issue price) amounted
to $407 million during October.
During the ten months (January-
October 1971) citizens have pl
aced $4,581 million (at issue
price) in Savings Bonds a
17% Increase over same period
for 1970.
County Chairman R.P. Ot
well, Sr., reminds the citizens
that Savings Bonds can help
solve all their Christmas gift
problems. He suggested that
each of us give U.S. Savings
Bonds this Christmas the
GIFT that grows. They are av
ailable at all banks, togethei
with a free gift envelope.
mivti r—ith MPMC
mil <#iffiTY mins
Dedicated to the Progrerngk Camming and Forryih County
CUMMING, GEORGIA VOLUMN NUMBER LXIV Issue 49
Lambert Reviews School Activities In Forsyth
County At Endiig Of 1971 Sessions
Census Bureau To Make
Survey Here Next Week
A sample of households in this area will be included in a
nationwide survey of employmnt to be conducted the week
of December 12-18 by the Bureau of the Census, U.S. De
partment of Commerce.
Thomas W. McWhirter, Director of the Bureau’s Data Coll
ection Center in Atlanta, in announcing the survey, said that re
sults will be used to calculate the number of persons in the U.S.
who have jobs, the number looking for work, and the percent
age unemployed this month, an important measure of the Nat
ion’s well being. The survey is conducted monthly by the Bureau
for the U.S. Department of Labor.
The October survey showed that the total number of employed
persons increased by 320,000 (seasonally adjusted) to a record
level of 79.8 million, and the number of unemployed dropped to
5.8 percent of the labor force from 6.0 percent in September.
The December survey will also ask questions about any
farm work done for wages or salary in 1971 and will provide
up-to-date statistics on the number of persons doing farm work.
Census Bureau interviewers who will visit households in this
area are: Mrs. Edith Gwen Jones, Mrs. Betty B. Parks, Mrs.
Rosa Lee McMahan.
WF "1 Ig4 '
Jennings Upper Chattahoochee
Winner As Farmer Of Year
Mr. Mather E. Jennings of Route 3, Cumming has been des
ignated as Farmer of The Year for the Upper Chattahoochee
River Soil and Water Conservation District. At the annual
banquet to be held at Dixie Hunt Hotel Ballroom Thursday
evening of this week at 7:30, Mr. Jennings is to be presented
his award for the outstanding performance by John Foster.
Forsyth County is likewise honored in having the presentation
go to one of its most worthy and highly proficient farmers.
Standing beside Mr. Jennings is his wife who, by all standards,
is deserving of much credit as well and will share personal
satisfaction and interest in the presentation of the coveted
award to her husband. Forsyth County is Indeed proud for
the Jennings’ contribution to the farming industry.
Dawson County Airport
Lockheed-Georgia Co. officials Tuesday wer e studying a
counter-offer by the City of Atlanta on the proposed purchase
of 10,130 Lockheed-owned acres in« Dawson County.
Atlanta’s aldermen authorized the purchase of the tract
Monday for nearly $5.1 million.
More than a year ago the city took an option to buy the
property, about 50 miles north of downtown Atlanta, saying it
could serve as the site for a second metro airport.
Bogged down in extended debate on whether by exercising
the option the city would be committing Itself to the construction
of a multi-million dollar airport in Dawson County, the aider
men inserted the following wording in a resolution authorizing
the purchase of the land:
"It is the sense of this board that the City of Atlanta should
not bind itself to use said property as an airport.”
The city can get the land for SSOO an acre-the appraised
value as of October 1970-although it is believed the property
is worth considerably more now.
The purchase of the land would be financed by airport
extension and Improvement revenue bonds, supported by existing
airport user fees paid by the airlines.
The SSJ million would be part of the sls million in air
port revenue bonds which the aldermen authorized Monday
for sale early next year.
The leases provide that the city will receive 85 per cent of
the gross revenues from the open lot operation and 15 per
cent from the valet parking operation.
THE FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS, THURSDAY DEC. 9. 19*1 - PAGE 1
C.N. Lambert, Forsyth County Super
intendent of Schools, has graciously con
sented to give us the following resume
of the progress made during 1971 as it
affects the schools within the local sys
tem. Realizing that such statements would
be of vital interest to all citizens and
patrons of the various schools, your News
Editor requested a firsthand accounting
from Mr. Lambert. Needless to say, the
editor is proud of the following report
and expresses his sincere gratitude to
The Superintendent for his courtesy, time
and effort in preparing this statement
of facts. In the near future Mr. Lambert
will make some interesting predictions
relating to the future of the schools as
he believes it will be. Below is given
the story of this year’s activities in his
own words:
The number one school item in 1971
was the successful passage of a local
school bond issue for $925,000 on July
14, 1971. Additions and improvements will
be made at Big Creek Elementary, Ch
estatee Elementary, Cumming Elemen
tary, Midway Elementary and Sawnee
Elementary. A new middle grade school
for all the seventh and eighth grade stu
dents in the county will be constructed
behind the Forsyth County High School
football field.
Construction has already begun on the
Midway Elementary addition and the bids
for the Cumming Elementary and Sawnee
Elementary additions will be opened Dec
ember 14,1971. Bid opening for Big Creek
Elementary and Chestatee Elementary
additions will be in January, and the
middle grade school in February or March
of 1972.
The saddest thing for the Forsyth County
School System was the deaths of about
twelve students from accidents.
One of the biggest problems of the
year has been the operation and the
transportation of double session students
in the first three grades at Cumming
Elementary, Midway Elementary and
Sawnee Elementary schools.
The greatest growth in the history of
Forsyth County was seen in school en
rollment of four hundred students. Thir
teen classroom teachers and two certified
professional teachers were added at mid
term due to the Increased enrollment.
A Comprehensive Survey Committee
from the State Department of Educa
tion visited the Forsyth County Schools
March 29, 30 and 31, 1971, in order to
be able to make recommendations to the
local Board of Education. The study is a
prerequisite to qualifying for Capital
Outlay Money.
The Forsyth County Board of Educa
tion received two new board members in
January 1971, Mr. Richard Neville and
Mr. Dowe Vaughan. Later in the year,
Mr. Neville was appointed to the Georgia
State School Board by Governor Jimmy
Carter.
Mrs. Ellen Venable, Visiting Teacher
for Forsyth County Schools, was elected
Vice-President of the State Visiting Tea
cher Association and she will become
State President in 1972.
Twenty-three aides were employed in
August and trained to help classroom
teachers with reading in the first three
grades. The reading aides and the total
reading program is directed by Mrs.
Judy Thornton. Four and one half (4 1/2)
aides are paid by the State Department
of Education and the other aides are funded
by Title I.
Superintendent Clarence N. Lambert
was elected Chairman of the Ninth Dis
trict School Superintendents and Chair
man of the Executive Committee of the
Ninth District Educational Services Center
in Cleveland, Georgia.
The Forsyth County Band Boosters Club
members sponsored a trip to Nassau for
the Forsyth County High School Band.
Miss Laura Ann Fowler was the Star-
Student for Forsyth County. Her Star-
Teacher was Mr. Lon Turner, Director
of the Flash of Crimson Band at the For
syth County High School.
Bobby Dwight Bennett, Janet Karen
Thomas and Joy Samples from the For
syth County High School were enrolled
in the Governor’s Honor Program for
eight weeks last summer.
The "Teacher of the Year” was Mrs.
Ruth Wallace of Sawnee Elementary
School. The contest was sponsored by the
Future Teachers Association at the high
school.
Three double classroom units were
purchased to help with double sessions
at Cumming Elementary, Midway Elemen
tary and Sawnee Elementary schools.
Mr. Curtis Kingsley resigned as the
Director of the Forsyth County Voca
tional High School. Mr. James Harris,
who was the Vocational Agriculture Ins
tructor at the Forsyth County High School
for sixteen years, was elected to Replace
Mr. Kingsley as Director.
Five teachers retired June 1,19711 Mrs.
Laura Cantrell and Mrs. Agnes Nix re
tired from Chestatee Elementary School;
Mrs. De Ette Bagwell retired fiom Mid
way Elementary School; Mrs. Mae Carroll
and Miss Elizabeth Barron retired from
the Forsyth County High School
The "Red Peppers” entertained' the
National School Board Association at Stone
Mountain. The Forsyth County High School
Band gave a concert for nineteen Sou
thern Governors at the Regency Hotel in
Atlanta and also played at Undergro’md
Atlanta.
Future Farmer Dennis Anderson won a
trip to the National FFA Convention in
Kansas City, Missouri, as the best Chap
ter Secretary in Georgia.
Miss Sheila Thomas, Twirler for the
Forsyth County High School Band, toured
Europe with thirty-three twirlers from
other parts of the United States.
The new Community and Resource De
velopement Commission called for the
passage of the County-Wide bond issue
July 14,1971.
A federal grant was received for $38,000
to teach the disadvantaged and handicapped
at the Upper Elementary School. The
eighth grade students are taught Indus
trial Art by Mr. Richard Runge and Home
Economics by Mrs. Becky Jo Torbett.
The building construction department of
the Forsyth County Vocational Higi School
received national recognition in the house
building project at the Forsyth County High
School under the direction of Mr. Paul
Martin.
The Forsyth County Board of Educa
tion purchased three new buses and four
private owned buses were purchased.
Debbie Lee, a Senior and Cheerleader
at Forsyth County High School, was chosen
Homecoming Queen.
Local School Bonds sold to Johnson,
Lane, Space, Smith and Company of At
lanta for an average of 6.205% over the
next twenty years.
The Summer Humanities Program op
erated for the third year under the dir
ection of Mr. William Reid and Miss
Rhenida Bennett. The high school students
toured the Great Smokey Mountains, South
Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Many trips
were made to Atlanta for shows, plays
and exhibits.
Mr. Bert T. Millard and Associates of
6065 Roswell Road, Atlanta, were selected
to be the architects and engineers for the
more than two million dollar building
program for Forsyth County.
Deborah Lummus and John Barron were
selected the female and male athletes of
the year.
Students in the eighth grade from Big
Creek, Chestatee, Midway and Sawnee
spend one day each week at the Vocational
High School in the P.E.C.E. Program. This
is the Program of Education and Career
Exploration directed by Mr. Johnie Day.
“The Forsyth County Plan” has now
become State Wide in operation and the
name has been changed to the Coordinated
Vocational Academic Education (C.V .A.E.)
Program. Mr. Garland Shoemake, the
principal of the Upper Elementary School
was the first instructor in the Forsyth
County Plan in Georgia when he was at
the Forsyth County High School. Mr. Alvin
Oakes is the local director of the program
now.
Janice Willard, a Senior and Cheer
leader at the Forsyth County High School,
was chosen Miss Bulldog.
Tony Reid and Harold McCord attended
the Natural Resource Conservation Work
shop at Abraham Baldwin Agriculture
College at Tlfton, Georgia. They were
sponsored by the Bank of Cummlrg and
the Forsyth County Bank.
The first summer school for high school
students at the Vocational High School
was held this summer. Automobile Me
chanics, Radio and TV Repair, Drafting,
Metal Fabrication and Building Construc
tion were the courses offered. It was the
second year that Cosmetology was off
ered.
Phyllis Day, a Senior and Twirler tor
the Forsyth County High School Band, won
first place in the Dixie Twlrl-A-Rama
at Woodward Academy. Miss Day com
peted with more than 300 twirlers.
The Forsyth County Board of Educa
tion budget grew to more than three
million dollars in 1971.
CONTINUED ON PAGE NINE