Newspaper Page Text
ilarkaoh progress- Armts
Volume 100 Number 24
County, City Give SIO,OOO Each
To Butts Recreation Commission
The Butts County Recreation
Commission received a tre
mendous boost last week from
the Butts County Commis
sioners and the Jackson Mayor
and Council when each
governing body appropriated
SIO,OOO to the Recreation
Commission. This funding will
allow the Commission to
initiate some of its projects.
Denny O’Neal, Chairman of
the Butts County Recreation
Commission, was extremely
appreciative of the funds made
available from the two govern
ments. Mr. O’Neal told the
Progress-Argus in an inter
view, “I realize the difficult job
in tailoring the needs and
requests of the public into
recreational facilities, but the
commission will certainly try
to do the best it can to upgrade
recreational facilities in Butts
County.”
Members of the Butts County
Commission, in addition to Mr.
O’Neal as chairman, include:
Joe Davis, Herman Waits,
Ernest Biles, Bailey Crock
arell, Max Perdue, Ernest
Battle, Claude Maddox, and
Freddie Dodson.
Mr. O’Neal is waiting to hear
from the Department of
Natural Resources about pos
sible matching funds. He said
Natural Resources did an
‘ln depth” study of Butts
County, and although it is not a
master plan, it does give
proposals. He added, “Anyone
Chris Holloway
Makes G. State
Miss Chris Holloway, daugh
ter of Dr. and Mrs. E. W.
Holloway, Jr. of Commerce,
has been selected to attend the
28th annual Girls State being
held on the University of
Georgia campus. The sessions
began Sunday, June 10th, and
will continue through June
16th.
Miss Holloway is the grand
daughter of Mrs. Ora L.
Strickland of Route 2, Jackson
and the late Mr. Ezekiel L.
Strickland of Jackson. Her
mother is remembered as Miss
Virginia Strickland, formerly
of Jackson.
Civil Defense Gets Shot In
Arm With $5,000 Appropriation
Last week according to
Mayor Robert F. Mackey the
City Council and the Butts
County Commissioners con
tributed $2,500.00 each to the
Butts County Civil Defense,
thus enabling the local unit to
proceed with the purchase of
much needed equipment.
The Butts County Civil
Defense has been revived with
John A. Chiappetta taking over
the post of director on
February 27,1973. He informed
the Progress-Argus in an
interview, that the Civil,
Defense unit will be a totally
separate body from the Police,
Fire, and Sheriff’s Depart
ments, but he hopes to aid them
immensely.
The Civil Defense Unit met
their set membership re
quirement quota of six men for
four teams. Mr. Chiappetta
said the volunteers are very
concerned men, “who must be
willing to work hard.”
The planned membership
training has not been com
pleted yet and though it will
take quite some time to
complete, the men are working
is welcome to come and review
the report.”
Though the Recreation Com
mission has no definite plans at
this time, they will try to add
quite a few ball fields to Butts
County along with a stadium. A
gymnasium is badly needed for
the county, but Mr. O’Neal said
it will be almost impossible to
even plan one. The Department
of Natural Resources will not
back any project that is closed
in from the out of doors.
Mr. O’Neal believes that
eventually a tax will have to be
levied according to the growth
of Butts County to support
future projects of this sort. He
said the Recreation Commis
sion will be sure to keep the
public informed of exactly
what is happening with their
money. He also said, “Mr.
Frank Hearn will be the
temporary director until the
latter part of July, then we are
required to hire a permanent
certified director for the
Recreation Commission.”
Mr. O’Neal concluded that
the Van Deventer Foundation
can’t do much more for Butts
County. He hopes the new
projects for the commission
and the programs of the Van
Deventer Foundation will
compliment each other. He
added, “the Commission would
also like to work in conjunction
with The Indian Springs State
Park.”
‘ M
-* v JStev'
CHRIS HOLLOWAY
vigorously. Mr. Chiappetta is
sending the men in pairs for
training. This seems to make it
easier to retain all the
important information, be
cause it puts the trainees in a
more relaxed atmosphere
when they know someone in
their class to practice with.
Many of the subjects they will
be studying are extremely
important to a rescue squad
and require a good bit of extra
time spent on practice.
Advanced First Aid along with
Basic Rescue, Map and
Compass Reading, Heart Mas
sage, Emergency Medical
Technology and other courses
make up the corps basic
curriculum.
Initial hopes of the unit were
to interest other groups enough
to inquire and enter into the
training programs when com
pleted. Members of the Fire
and Sheriff’s Departments
have expressed their interest,
and men like Tommy Raney
and Buster Duke are new
volunteers on the Civil Defense
Squad.
Mr. Chiappetta said that
of
I '‘-"Hh t- a
mkb-. * IJL A
The Progress-Argus salutes as its Citizens of Tomorrow,
left, Samantha, 2, left, and Ginger Plymel, 3, daughters of Mr. and
Mrs. Tommy Ray Plymel of Route 2, Jackson, and Nedra G. Ball,
five weeks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie E. Ball of 599 North
Oak Street, Jackson.
Kenny Smith Chosen As
Exchange "Man of Month"
SI
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"dm BWnTC H *
rffi
m if
Hie Jackson Exchange Club
honored Kenny L. Smith, 17, as
recipient of the Young Man of
the Month Award for June. It
was presented June sth at
Tomlin’s Restaurant by Wil
mer Greer, Exchange Club
president.
The award consisted of a $25
U. S. Savings Bond.
Kenny is the son of Mr. and
Mrs. Raymond Smith of
Flovilla and was a 1973
graduate of Jackson High
School. Active and prominent
in school affairs, Kenny was a
member of the Student Council
many of the Jackson Mer
chants will hopefully donate
necessary equipment like axes
and blankets to help the unit
save funds for more expensive
equipment, like oxygen and
stretchers. He added that if
they are able to save enough,
they may possibly be able to
purchase another truck.
The members of the unit will
be wearing red cover-alls and
white hats; their equipment
will also be white with Civil
Defense decals in view. This
will make them easily recog
nizable and when an emer
gency occurs, they will
hopefully be able to act
immediately without the hassle
of explaining and showing
identification.
Now that the Civil Defense
has the local governments
behind them, the state and
federal governments will
match funds. Mr. Chiappetta
has the program well planned
and he said, “Now the people
are going to get the chance to
see how Civil Defense, on a
volunteer basis, can improve
and aid Butts County.”
Jackson, Georgia 30233, Thursday, June 14, 1973
Bp- ’s.
for five years, serving as
president his senior year. A
signal honor that befell him
this year was being selected to
attend the Washington, D. C.
Congressional Seminar Work
shop. Kenny served as secre
tary of the JHS Key Club his
junior and senior years, was a
four year member of the
Fellowship of Christian Ath
letes, serving as chaplain his
senior year and in 1973 was a
recipient of the Christian
Athlete of the Year Award. He
also received an award for his
outstanding contributions to
Jackson High School and to its
athletic programs.
Kenny was a three year
letter man in football, was
sports editor of the Hi-Liter
and winner of the Student
Council Talent Contest his
Junior year. He was a member
of the JHS Drama Club for two
years and a member of the
Co-Ed Y Club in 73.
Kenny is a member of the
Sandy Creek Primitive Baptist
Church, a member of the First
Baptist Youth Choir and of the
Jett-Set Ensemble.
Present plans see Kenny
attending Clayton Junior Col
lege for two years and then
transferring to the University
of Georgia where he will major
in professional recreation.
MRS. STAPLES INDUCTED
INTO HONOR SOCIETY
MILLEDGEVILLE - Eleven
coeds were recently initiated
into the Alpha Eta Chapter of
Phi Upsilon Omicron at
Georgia College.
/Phi Upsilon Omicron is a
Home Economics Honorary
Fraternity founded at the
University of Minnesota in 1909
with 64 national chapters.
Membership is based on high
scholastic standards, pro
ficient attitudes and potential
leadership.
Among those initiated was
Mrs. Martha Staples of
Jackson.
Dan Fears Resigns
Commissioner Post
Col. Alfred D. Fears,
prominent Jackson attorney
and member of the Butts
County Board of Commis
sioners, tendered his resigna
tion, effective immediately, to
Luther J. Washington, Butts
County Ordinary, on Monday,
June 11th. In his letter of
resignation Mr. Fears stated
that “my resignation at this
time as a county commissioner
is primarily because my work
load as a member of this board
during the past 12 months has
steadily increased; and at the
same time my work load as a
practicing attorney has stead
ily increased to the extent that
I am not physically able to
fulfill these demands and
obligations.” Mr. Fears said he
would continue to serve until a
successor is named.
The commissioners appoint
ed Richard W. Watkins,
Jackson attorney, to represent
them in consultation with
Ordinary Washington to map
plans for the special election to
fill the vacancy of Mr. Fears’
unexpired term. Mr. Fears was
elected last fall for a four year
term on the Butts County
Board of Roads and Revenues,
more familiarly known as the
Butts County Commissioners.
Judge Washington an
nounced Tuesday morning that
the special election will be held
on Wednesday, July 11th, and
that candidates will have until
four o’clock Tuesday after
noon, June 26th, to qualify for
Post No. I. The Georgia Code
stipulates that a vacancy on a
Board of Commissioners will
be filled by a special election to
be called not less than 21 days
nor more than 30 days from the
date the vacancy occurred.
The Georgia Code also
provides that the commis
sioners will set the qualifying
fee and they met Tuesday to
attend to this matter with the
fee expected to be five percent
of the salary or $l2O.
The office will be filled under
the vote of majority rule so that
if no candidate receives a
majority vote in the special
election of July 11th, the
Georgia Code provides for a
run-off 21 days after the
election.
The news of Mr. Fears’
resignation caught Butts citi
zens by surprise. During his
tenure as commissioner Mr.
Fears has been primarily
responsible for re-establishing
a sound fiscal policy for the
county and has led in
remodeling and renovating,
particularly the interior of the
Butts County Courthouse.
Major improvements under his
leadership include new office
furnishings, air conditioning,
carpeting, new doors, con
struction of new offices in the
basement, modernization of
plumbing and great improve
ments in sanitation facilities at
the court house. Upon recom
Electric Rates Be Increased,
Supt. Rooks Tells Customers
City electric users dis
covered this week that their
July light bills will show an
increase, made necessary by a
recent 26 percent rate increase
in the city’s wholesale rates
from Georgia Power Cos.,
according to J. H. Rooks,
Electric Superintendent for the
City of Jackson.
In a statement issued this
week, Mr. Rooks said that in
the summer of 1971, Jackson’s
wholesale rates were increased
mendation of Grand Juries the
courtroom has been re
arranged so that witnesses
face the jurors plus the
installation of a signal system
to the Grand Jury Room.
One courthouse employee,
who wishes to remain anony
mous, said Monday upon
learning of Col. Fears’ resigna
tion said “when I began
working here we had two old
battered, half useable chairs
and a desk almost as old, and
that’s about it. Now I’m proud
of our office and believe that it
compares most favorably with
those in any courthouse in the
state.”
During Mr. Fears’ 4years
as commissioner, county-wide
zoning has been put into effect,
county-wide water system is
nearing a reality and county
wide fire protection has been
provided for and lacks only
implementation.
The letter of resignation to
Judge Washington is reprinted
in its entirety:
Dear Judge Washington:
Please consider this letter as
my resignation from the Board
of Commissioners of Butts
County.
This resignation is effective
immediately.
I will continue to serve on
this Board until such time as
my successor has been elected
and qualified by law in such
instances.
My resignation at this time
as a County Commissioner is
primarily because my work
load as a Member of this Board
during the past twelve (12)
months has steadily increased;
and, at the same time my work
load as a practicing attorney
has steadily increased to the
extent that I am not physically
able to fulfill these demands
and obligations.
I have thoroughly enjoyed
my work as a member of the
Butts County Board of Com
missioners. I am very grateful
to the people of Butts County
for having afforded me this
honor and privilege during the
past four and one half
years.
I have enjoyed my associa
tion with, and working with,
Mr. Bailey and Mr. Taylor on
your Board of Commissioners.
I have never been associated
with any one in any given
assignment whom I considered
more dedicated than these two
dedicated Public Officials.
I w’ant to express to all the
people of Butts County my
sincere appreciation for having
permitted me the opportunity
and privilege of rendering
service to the people of Butts
County and of this community.
Sneerely yours,
Alfred D. Fears
by Georgia Power Cos. 37
percent. At this time he pointed
out, “we passed on to our
customers about 20 percent of
this increase, the balance
being absorbed by the City
Light Department.”
Continuing, Mr. Rooks
stated, “now we are faced with
another 26 percent increase in
our wholesale rates, effective
July 1, 1973, making it
necessary for the City Light
Department to again raise its
$5.00 Per Year In Advance
- ' •/ v .
TORNADO DAMAGE
Georgia Power lineman Dwight Hancock uses a bucket
truck to repair power lines downed by a tornado which struck
Athens. Recent tornados and windstorms have caused an
estimated sl-million damage to the utility’s emission and
distribution systems and construction equip;? . t
Milner Boy Drew w In
Futile Rescue Attempt
A 13-year-old Milner boy.
Robert Milton Bass, drowned
late Thursday afternoon, June
7th, in a heroic but futile
attempt to save the life of
younger brother who had
stepped into a hole while
swimming in Duke’s Pond near
the Pike-Lamar County line
just off the Griffin By-Pass
four-lane highway.
The tragedy occurred when
Robert, w'ading and swimming
with two brothers, Chris and
Glen, went to the aid of Glen
who stepped into the hole and
went under the water, but
managed to get out. Robert
drowned in his vain attempt to
rescue him.
Funeral services were held
at Haisten's Chapel in Griffin
Saturday afternoon at 3:30
o'clock with the Rev. Eugene
Maddox officiating. Burial was
in New Hope Cemetery in Pike
County.
Robert is survived by his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Timmy
F. Bass, of Route 1, Milner;
two brothers; grandparents,
Mrs. Vivian Smith McLean of
Milner, Dorsey Bass of Griffin,
Mrs. Corrine Harper of Locust
Grove, and Hartford E.
McLean of Griffin.
rates to the customers.”
Supt. Rooks explained that
the new rates will be effective
on the July bills and despite
this latest increase, “we will
continue to have the lowest
rates in Middle Georgia.”
According to Mr. Rooks, 100
KWH will cost 50 cents more at
12 percent increase.
Two hundred and fifty KWII
will cost 75 cents more at 10
percent increase.
On the new rates, Supt.
Larry Morgan
Is With
ro Q 1
L&o i?ank
L ■ >*■ riian. son of Mr.
atv rence Morgan,
of Jackson, began work with
the of iackson on
Mores; Ju 4th. J. Frank
B? announced
this week.
L. r . atti. ... and West Georgia
Colt eg-- ; e graduated
w. ■ BS do.-.;- in business
ad”? >:;■■■ Be attended
of Georgia
*d his master’s
degree in business administra
tion.
> with the C&S
nee June 1972
a it trainee. The
young raking executive is
marr ed to Kathryn Mohr and
they are living in their new
home at Flovilla.
In announcing his affiliation
with the C&S Bank. President
Barnes said. we are very
pleased to have Larry join our
staff and lo vrtain that hb
will be a re; 1 ■ both to the
bank and . community.”
Rooks revealed, all over 600
KWll will be increased from 1
cent to IV4 cents per KWH. All
these figures are net, before
the 3 percent state sales tax.
In closing, Mr. Rooks said,
“the City of Jackson Light
Department is very sorry to
have to raise your electric
rates and we will do all in our
power to help keep your
electricity your biggest bar
gain.”
