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BAPTISM IN JORDAN RIVER—-
Forsyth Couple Visits Holy Land
By: John Reynolds
ABOVE IS SEEN A BAPTISMAL SCENE
In the Jordan River where Mr. and Mrs.
Dewey Echols visited recently and ob
•erved the ceremony being performed
here. The Echols' made a tour of many
revered places spoken of in the Bible and
walked in the invisible tracks of Jesus
an. The Jericho Road where blind Barti
maeus was made to see.
Dewey and Wynett Echols’ journey to
The Holy Land began October 18th. Their
plane set down first at Tel Aviv airport
and they were met there by a bus which
motored them to The Rock of Sharon
and to hotel at Tiberias, on the Sea of
Galilee. They soon realized that the ele
vation was the lowest on earth, and that
Jesus there rebuked the winds of Matthew
8:26 and said to his disciples, “Why are
jre fearful, O ye of little faith?”
1 The tour continued to Caesarea Phillipi,
where Jesus contemplated his return to
Jerusalem and his eventual crucifixion,
Matthew 16:21.
Continuing to Capernaum, the tour party
viewed the City That Cannot Be Hid;
thence to Turkey and Athens, Greece.
From Athens they motored to Corinth
where The Apostle Paul preached for
ooe and on-half years. When in Athens,
the Echols’ were privileged to view the
Temple of Zeus, built on the highest
spot of The Acropolis. Also, they saw
the ruins of The Parthenon, built in the
Flash Of Crimson Concert
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Friday night, December 17th,
at 8:00 p.m. the fifth annual
Christmas concert of the Flash
of Crimson Band will be pre
sented in the high-school gym.
This year’s presentation, titled
“A Time For Christmas” will
feature special arrangements,
narration, and both new and old
music of the season. For the
past four years, families in
Russell Memorial Library Drive Is On
“Many years ago, when I
was a student of Latin, I was
taught that the Romans had no
words for 'he has died.' In
stead, if they wanted to say
someone had reached the end
of his life, they would say
‘he has lived.’ So it is with
Dick Russell. He has lived.”
These words were spoken
after the death of one of the
greatest United States Senators
of all time Richard Brevard
Russell.
Richard Russell was, above
all else, a Georgian. And now,
many other Georgians have jo
ined together to insure that his
memory will live forever.
Underway at the University
of Georgia is the Richard B.
Russell Memorial Library.
This project will insure the
preservation of the Richard
Russell legend and guarantee
that the history he made and
was a part of is never
forgotten.
sth century B.C.andwhich was bombarded
by the Morozini in 1687.
One of the most sacred areas visited
was The Garden of Gethsemane, where
Jesus prayed until his sweat became as
drops of blood. This visit was quickly
followed by a trek to Mary’s Well.
On the fourth day, the group left Galilee
and climbed to Mount Tabor. From there
they journeyed to Samaria.
It was their good fortune to see Beth
lehem and travel down The Jericho Road
on their trip to The Dead Sea and the
place where Moses was given a glimpse
of The Promised Land. At the River
Jordan, several tour party members were
baptized, as was Jesus by John the Baptist.
Following on the 6th day, a visit was
made to the Garden Tomb and a further
return to The Garden of Gethsemane for
preaching and communion. On the 7th
day, a boat trip across the Sea of Galilee
and breakfast at Tiberias (consisting of
chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, sliced
onions and hard-boiled eggs.)
Mr. and Mrs. Echols concluded their
remarks about the tour in these words:
“There are many things we will always
remember. We know more surely than
ever that Jesus had a real rough time in
His short life on earth, and we thank
Him so much for having let us walk where
He once walked. It was an experience
we shall never forget.”
the Forsyth County area, as
well as many out-of-town guests
have enjoyed the Flash of Crim
son’s Christmas offerings, and
the concert has become a local
tradition.
In the past, the concerts have
been held in the school’s cafe
teria, but due to the increase
in attendance, and the growth
of the Band, this year’s loca
The Russell L,iorary is a
GEORGIA project. Its success
is dependent upon the generosity
of GEORGIANS who wish to
show their love and respect for
Richard Russell.
Our goal cannot be reached
without your help. Richard
Russell did not die . . . he
lived. And, with the help of
Georgians from all walks of
life he will continue to live
forever.
Richard Russell was a Geor
gian who lived and worked for
Georgia. The help of all Ge
orgians "is needed to insure
that his memory and legend will
continue to live forever.
Plan your contribution today
for the Richard B. Russell
Memorial Library at the Uni
versity of Georgia.
One hundred or perhaps even
one thousand years from now,
scholars and historians will
search through the papers of
Richard Russell. Their conclu
tion will be the gym.
Director Lon Turner and the
members of the Flash of Crim
son hope to bring the spirit of
Christmas in music through "A
Time For Christmas” this Fri
day night, and issue a most cor
dial invitation to everyone to
jqjn them as the curtain opens
at 8:00 p.m.
sion will uv mat this humble
statesman from Winder was a
Senator's Senator a man who
lived for and served Georgia and
his nation.
His memory and legend is
being preserved at the Richard
Russell Memorial Library at
the University of Georgia. This
important project is dependent
upon the generosity of all Ge
orgians.
You can show your love and
respect for Dick Russell, and
become a part of the Library
by preparing your contribution
today.
Roy P. Otwell and Marion Cr
ain of Cummlng have been app
ointed Forsyth County Co
chairmen of the Memorial Lib
rary Fund Appeal of the Ri
chard B. Russell Foundation.
This announcement was made by
Congressman Phil Landrum of
Jasper, Ninth District Chair
man of the appeal.
Cont d Page 3
THE 18; NEWS
Dedicated to the ProgreWldg Camming and Forsyth County
CUMMING, GA.
Legislative Delegation Hears Complaints Of
Tax Burdened Constituents In Forsyth County
Another Viewpoint
GUEST EDITORIAL BY LANIER BANNISTER
Several people throughout the
county have requested that we
offer another viewpoint re
garding our county and state
that is not now being offered.
We have agreed to do so and
will give this viewpoint from
time to time.
At the Public Meeting this
past Saturday, called by our
Legislators, any interested ci
tizen was given the opportunity
to express his or her opinion
on any subject that they cared
to. The response was good from
the group that was present.
The most disappointing feature
of the meeting was the poor
attendance of our own local
elected officials. Only three
showed up. The attendance of
our other citizens could have
been much better. What the av
erage taxpayer and voter of this
county is overlooking is the im
portance of these Public Meet
ings with these Legislators.
They are the only ones who
are in position to help us in
many cases. They are looking
to interested citizens of this
county to give their opinions
regarding local issues in which
the Legislators' are the only
ones that can resolve them.
Many of you taxpayers don't
understand the importance of
giving your viewpoints and op
inions to these Legislators. At
present, the only thing that
is keeping these Legislators
from introducing more and
more expensive local leg
islation, further increasing our
property taxes, is a small group
of vocal and outspoken taxpay
ers of Forsyth County who are
working to show these Legis
lators that our people are get
ting fed up with these incre
asing taxes. We are in direct
opposition to our own neighbors
serving on the Grand Juries
and who are always recommen
ding more and more spending
with no suggestions as to other
—As I See It
By: John Reynolds
This late evening I sit at my typewriter and view the scene
outside. Looking beyond the window, I see twinkling lights
of every color and a beautiful Christmas Tree inside the various
homes about me. Beside me as I write are the prettily wrapped
packages somebody will open in a few days and exclaim
“Look what I got!”
Just a short distance away are the blue-blue waters of the
greatest man-made lake east of The Mississippi River. Here,
at the impounding reservoir, it appears that nary a ripple is
to be seen except when a lively bass leaps to snare a floating
Insect on the surface.
There are times when white-face herefords are seen grazing
on the verdant grass of sumptuous pasturelands at the water’s
edge. The Georgia Hills provide a giant backdrop of pines,
oaks and poplars weaving their magic spell in the cooling breezes
of approaching winter.
Tucked away here in the northeastern corner of The State,
one gets the urge to explore the secrets of an expanding empire.
For, soon, we are to witness the greatest Invasion of friendly
armies this county has ever known armies of men, women
and children. As our “land o’ legend” becomes an even more
inviting land of promise to many; we, in truth and verity,
will be amazed at the Impending holocaust of blessings.
We should not forget our legendary and historic background
which is steeped in untold, and yet unsung, treasures of a
bygone era. For, it was here that the Cherokees roamed at
will, and the rugged White Men built forts to keep us in rem
embrance of the 1700’s and the awakening of a new freedom which
was yet to be achieved. Settendown Creek and old Pool’s Mill
Bridge punctures the local scene to add beauty and luster to
that remarkable period behind us. They stand today as the last
vestige of hope to transcend he intervening years and give
us a glimpse into a glorious past. Shamed though we are
because of some tainted pages in our history we are, by
nature, a proud but compassionate people. The rustic old
bridge has spanned the waters of Settendown Creek and the
decades to taunt the modern spans of concrete and steel.
Drifting around in memory but more in reality, we are made
to recall what was visible yesterday is only a memory today
except for those things destined to be eternal. However, we must
keep a true perspective and not dwell along in tradition and
recollections of things long past. We have too many wonderful
and exciting adventures ahead of us.
Continued On Page 12
VOLUMN NUMBER LXIV ISSUE 50
methods of paying for all this
increased spending. We have
asked the Legislators, in Pub
lic, to ignore any recommen
dation from any of our Grand
Juries that failed to specify the
cost of the recommendation to
us as taxpayers.
We have requested that our
Legislative Delegation call a
meeting at least once each year
with the Local elected officials
and the Past Grand Jurymen
being given a special invitation
to attend the meeting. Many of us
believe that in a free Democ
ratic country, nothing could be
more important than open public
meetings in which the local and
state elected officials could
meet and discuss important
issues.
If any interested citizen of
this county wishes to contact
either of our three State Re
presentatives or the State Sen
ator by either letter or phone,
please let me know. They have
invited you to do so and have
so stated in public. From my
experience in the past, they will
at least listen to your views
and, then on occasion, will act
on them. As the time draws
nearer for them to offer again,
you can be assured that they will
listen and act faster on any
suggestion you might give
to them.
At a later date we wish to
explore the condition of this
county, in regards to financing,
and to give you some factual
information that will be of much
interest to you taxpayers. We
do have this information and we
are sending copies of it to the
Legislators, at their request.
We hope that our viewpoints
will prove to be of some in
terest to you as interested ci
tizens of this county. We hope
that you will let us know if
there is any subject that you
would be interested in. Let us
know.
FIFTEEN CENTS PER COPY
BY: JOHN REYNOLDS'
The called meeting by members of the
legislative delegation met at the Court
House last Saturday afternoon and drew an
attendance of about one hundred citizens
from the City of Cumming and communities
of the outlying areas within the county.
Several matters of concern were discussed
in orderly fashion, with county officials
and taxpayers making known their res
pective wishes and suggestions concerning
vital questions to be resolved at the next
session of The General Assembly in Jan
uary.
Senator Howard T. Overby presided at,
the conference, along with Representatives
Joe T. Wood and Doug Williams. Repre
sentative Williams was not able to attend
the meeting due to recent surgery from
which he is now recuperating.
The Saturday afternoon session was pre
faced by some pertinent remarks as
related by Senator Overby. Invocation was
made by Superintendent of Education,
Clarence N. Lambert.
The first person to gain recognition was
Lanier Bannister of Concerned Taxpayers
of Forsyth County, who asked that the
gathering express their opinions about
the five-man county commission system
under a County Management Plan as pro
posed by Grand Jury in two earlier pre
sentments. Before the meeting began, it
seemed that agreement on this plan might
have received the blessings of the
assembled group, but such was not the
case. A vote on the proposal saw the
people voting against it by a fraction of
four votes.
Another proposal met its demise, as
well. As to whether the County School
Superintendent should be elected or app
ointed by the Boardof Education, the over
whelming majority favored election by the
people. Earlier, Mr. Lambert had stated
no objection to the appointment feature,
although he did not elaborate on the subject.
Another Grand Jury recommendation
bit the dust of defeat when the upgrading
of Deputy Sheriff's salaries and expansion
of the Sheriff’s personnel was proposed.
The opposition to such a move was unan
imous in its disapproval.
A further expression of disapproval
was evidenced when the 6-man jury panel
in misdemeanor cases met resounding
defeat. The people wanted nothing to do with
less than a jury of twelve tried and true
peers to sit in judgment regardless
of the degree of severity attached to any
cases being heard by a jury. Many citizens
gave voice in support of the 12 - juror
system.
Discussed at length was the question as
to whether a man should be required to
testify in his own defense under
oath, or be allowed to make a statement
in his own behalf without being questioned
or cross-examined. The majority believed
that a defendant should be sworn under
oath. Three people dissented by a standing
vote.
It was brought out that recent provi
sions have been made for a second Court
Reporter and is already in effect.
At least three-fourths of the people
showed displeasure for the "fee system”
now exercised in the Tax Collector’s
Office. There was no uncertainty as to how
the taxpayers felt on that question. They
overwhelmingly approved the setting of a
salary for the office, similar to that of
the Sheriff. It was noted, however, that
the status of the fee system would not
be altered until the present term of The
I*':.S ff 1
SENATOR HOWARD T. OVERBY is shown herewitha Forsyth County citizen after the courthouse
meeting in Cumming last Saturday. Taxes and more taxes were the prime considerations being
discussed at the afternoon session, and perhaps this gentleman is giving the Senator his opinion
about the favorite subject of the day. On right is seen Representatives Joe T. Wood and Doug
Whitmire being given a dose of the same medicine, perhaps. Whatever the topic of discussion
might have been, it appears that our delegation to The General Assembly are listening attentively.
And - that’s good!
THE FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1971
Tax Collector has expired and anew elec
tion held. This is according to law which
states that no change can be made during
the term of the incumbent who was elected
under the present fee system.
The assembled audience was asked to
give the delegation members their thoughts
regarding an increase of one cent in
State’s Sales Tax. The response of the
majority was that they favored the move,
provided some relief could be had in ad
valorem taxes. Both Mr. Lambert and
Mr. Beeler Munda, along with the Senator
and House members said that they doubted
any such relief could be guaranteed by
The Legislature and suggested that the
people allow their share of the increase
to be set by an act of The General
Assembly. This thought prevailed and the
greater majority approved it by a standing
vote.
Relief from excessive taxation for the
elderly people on Social Security was made
an issue and some interesting facts and
figures were given by a citizen who is
felling the bind created by higher taxation
and only $130.00 from Social Security
check each month. He stated that drug
bill for himself and wife exceeded seventy
dollars per month, and said it was a matter
of selling off his cattle or his home and
moving into an apartment if something
was not done to alleviate the situation.
One man stood up and wanted to know
“what can be done to assure honesty and
good management in government.” The
answer was not readily available, however.
Another gentleman suggested that more tax
be put on soft drinks.
Mr. Munda, Chairman of Forsyth County
Commissioners, brought out the fact that
many mobile home tenants were being
excused from paying their just share of
revenue to the county through inefficient
methods of keeping up with the tenants
as they move from place to place. He
interjected the opinion that low - cost
housing complexes provided another
avenue of escape in some instances. De
claring that the above stated residents
bring more and more children into the
county who must be schooled until it is a
definite problem unless the said people
pay their proportionate share of taxes to
offset the increased expenses for more
teachers and more classrooms. Munda
stated that such a predicament, if not
remedied, “could break the county.”
With reference to the one cent sales
tax increase, Supt. Lambert suggested that
the people let the legislature determine
how best to help the towns, cities and
counties. He said “the schools don’t
want it all.”
One man said, “We need good roads
and good schools, but we need the schools
more.” Another sidelight of interest was
interposed when a good citizen, in re
ferring to excessive taxation, said, “I
don’t want charity. I want MERCY!”
One fellow looked as if he wanted to jump
to his feet and shout "Hallelujah” after
the remark was made. But he didn’t.
Joe T. Wood said, “Ad valorem taxes
must not and cannot go higher.” Doug
Williams and Senator Overby seemed to be
in full agreement on that count.
The sad news coming out of the session,
was that we may face a hike in income
tax after this year. It was generally agreed
that such a probability is imminent and
the 1-cent sales tax increase is all but
an immediate reality.
Joe T. Wood amply summed up the
situation, when he said, "We might as
well face the sales and Income tax rap.”
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