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Karksor Progress-Argus Volume 103 Number 23 Butts County /s■■■' * A V/AH ]hß||4B I A n||i■■|■■■ I JR Wr AVONDALE GIFT —In the photo, Bob Betts, Superintendent of Avondale Mills, Indian Springs Plant, is shown presenting a deed for an eight acre tract of land in the name of Avondale Mills to Dave Bailey, chairman of the Butts County Commission (center). The land will be used for the construction of a training center for the mentally handicapped of Butts County. Standing with them are, from left to right: Dean Kelly, Director of the Butts County Day Care and Training Center; Mrs. Kathleen Pinckney, Treasurer of BARC; Mrs. Walter Bennett, Butts County Commissioner; Arthur Lawson, president of BARC; Mrs. Kathryn Haisten, chairman of the Training Center Advisory Board; C. B. Brown, Jr., Mayor of Jackson and William A. Duke, Butts County Commissioner. Mentally Handicapped Get Avondale Land A dream of many years came a huge step nearer fruition last week with the presentation by Avondale Mills of an eight acre tract of land on which to construct a training center for the mentally handicapped of Butts County. As Bob Betts, superintendent of the Jack son unit of Avondale, turned over the deed to Dave Bailey, chairman of the Butts County Commissioners, he explained the interest of Avondale in all persons in Butts County and their intent for this area to be used for and by the mentally handicapped. The 8-acre tract is located adjacent to the already developed area of the Jackson-Butts County Recreation Park off Ala bama Boulevard. Now the big step is financing a building. In the early 1960’s Mrs. Bessie Collins gave leader ship to the organization of a Butts County Chapter for Retarded Children. As long as health permitted she was actively involved in money raising projects and recruit ing members for the Associa tion. The two goals at that time were to get classes in the public schools and to develop some type of workshop center for adults. As soon as state monies were available for special education, Lee Roy O’Neal, then superintendent of schools, hired a teacher and began the first class in the then Jackson Elementary School under J. M. L. Comer. As more state monies became available more teachers were hired until now there is a continuous program from first grade through twelfth, including a unit for the profoundly handicapped designated the trainable mentally handi capped. The Butts County Associa tion for Retarded Citizens has remained active through the years, not with meetings but with getting a job done. Some of the people actively involved include Mrs. Jan Grant, Reverend James Brown, Henry Asbury, J. M. L. Comer, Miss Vivian Street, Mrs. Carolyn Thax ton, Mrs. Nancy McGinnis, Mrs. Beth Hearn, Mrs. Kathryn Haisten and Mrs. Kathleen Pinckney. The Association has supported the school program with scholarships for teachers to reach certification, and with budgets for each teacher to use for additional teaching materials or special activi ties for the students. The long range goal has remained the center * and workshop for the profoundly retarded. The Association is now supported through the United Fund. In 1972 monies became available through the Health Department, now the Depart ment of Human Resources, to establish such centers. An application was submitted in April 1972 and later ap proved. Then began the long search for a place —a house suitable. Finally the mem bership of the Jackson Presbyterian Church took the problem into their hands and offered the use of the old church manse on Mulberry Street. All they asked was that the Association spend the $125.00 monthly rent on improvements to the house and all insurance. The Butts County Day Care and Training Center opened in March 1973 under the direction of Mrs. Beth Hearn. Its value to students and families cannot be measured in dollars and cents. The program, the waiting list, the need for a larger center has grown with each month. The late 1974 discussion for a center adequate for all needs pre-school, school age and adult began to develop. A group of county and city officials, school personnel, agency personnel, interested individuals began meeting for lunch together to discuss possibilities. John Hall of the Department of Family and Children Ser vices filed a grant applica tion for a multi-purpose center including the handi capped center. Reports were encouraging but in the end the grant was denied. Doug Durrett of Mclntosh State Bank accepted chair manship of a building fund committee. Civic groups have cooperated. The money now on hand toward a building is in excess of $6,000. It is estimated that a building with a minimum of 6,000 square feet adequate for 60 students is needed. Conservative estimates are that such a building will cost SIOO,OOO. The DHR has just in creased enrollment at the Center of Mulberry Street to 33. This means the planned Infant Stimulation program can be emphasized during the next year. Through this program children recom mended by the health department and doctors can be given the rich stimulation in their early months necessary to overcome their developmental lag and grow into self-sufficient adults. With the donation from Avondale as a stimulus it is hoped that the community will join hands and make the Center for Handicapped a reality. Present officers of the Butts County Association for Retarded Citizens, Executive Board include: President, Arthur Lawson; Vice-presi dent, Carolyn Thaxton; Secretary, Nancy McGinnis; Treasurer, Kathleen Pinck ney; and Program Chair man, Gail Bagby. Other members include Marcha Royal and Doris Lummus. Kitchens Is Candidate For Justice Peace Terry Kitchens has quali fied as a candidate to succeed himself as Justice of the Peace, Jackson militia district, in the Democratic primary of August 10, 1976. Kitchens was elected Dec. 4, 1975 to fill the unexpired term of Don Montgomery, who resigned. The unexpired term to which he was elected will expire on Dec. 31, 1976. Kitchens was an outstand ing athlete during his high school career at Jackson High School. SPECIAL NOTICE The Bicentennial issue of this paper will be printed on July Ist. The special issue will be incorporated into the regular issue of that week and will be mailed free to all PAID subscribers. Due to its bulk, it will NOT be mailed to delinquent subscribers. Single copies of the Bicentennial issue will be available at this office at 75 cents each. Copies will be mailed as requested for $1.25 each. The regular July Ist issue will be available singly, at the regular price of 15 cents each. Jackson, Georgia 30233, Thursday, June 3, 1976 J. R. Smith To Seek Ga. House Seat State Rep. J. R. Smith of Barnesville has formally qualified to seek reelection to the Georgia House of Representatives from Dis trict 78. Smith, a 16-year veteran of the House of Representa tives, was accompanied to the state capitol to qualify by supporters from throughout the house district which is made up of Lamar County and portions of Butts and Pike counties. Smith, a retired Lamar County businessman, is chairman of the House Committee on motor vehicles and is considered an authori ty on motor vehicle laws both in Georgia and nationally. He is a member of the < Transportation and Com munity Affairs Committee of the Intergovernmental Rela tions Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures, an organiza tion that deals in the areas of county development, housing, disaster assistance, aviation, highways and mass transportation, railroads and no fault insurance. In the Georgia House of Representatives, Smith is also a member of the powerful appropriations committee and the House Committee on Insurance. In announcing his candi dacy to seek reelection, Smith said: “I appreciate the confidence the people of the 78th District have shown in me. And I solicit their support, guidance and in fluence in the August 10 primary.” Mrs. Bennett Runs For Tax Commissioner Mrs. Walter J. Bennett, age 51, of Indian Springs has qualified as a candidate for the Office of Tax Commis sioner in the upcoming August 10 Democratic Party. Mrs. Bennett and her husband, Joe, moved to Butts County in 1963 from Macon. Mr. Bennett has been employed by Gateway Trans portation Company for the past 25 years. They have three children - Rita, 23, a Biologist with Richard Rus sell Research Center, Uni versity of Georgia, Athens; Steven, 22, employed by Fashion Pillows; and Lee, 19, works for Delta Tank Corporation. Mrs. Bennett, the former Geneva (Jinx) Smith, was born in Miami, Florida, but her parents moved to Wilcox County, when she was a child. She is a graduate of Abbeville High School, West Georgia College, Carrollton, and Georgia-Alabama Busi ness College, Macon. She worked eight years as private secretary to the District Manager of Inter state Life and Accident Insurance Company, Macon, Georgia, for the late John M. Hutcheson as Tax Account ant, bookkeeper for Hodges Hardware and Furniture Company and has operated Bennett Tax and Bookkeep ing Service in Indian Springs for the past ten years. She was recently elected to fill the unexpired term. Post No. 3, Board of Commission ers, becoming the first woman in the history of this county to assume this position. Mrs. Bennett stated in announcing she would not be a candidate for re-election to this post-even though she enjoys the challenge of being a Commissioner-with her knowledge of bookkeeping and taxes, she thought she could best serve the needs of the citizens of Butts County in the office of Tax Commissioner. John Sherrell Is Candidate For Coroner John Sherrell has qualified for a third term as Butts County Coroner in the Democratic primary of August 10, 1976. He was first elected to the post in 1968 and has served continuously to date. Sherrell. a native Butts countian, graduated from Jackson High School and from the Cincinnati College of Embalming. He is the successful owner and opera tor of Sherrell Funeral Home and Ambulance Service. He is married to the former Margaret Rawls Rooks and they have two sons, two daughters and seven grand children. The Coroner candidate, a licensed funeral director and embalmer, is a member of the Second Baptist Church, a member and former past master of St. John’s Lodge 45, F&AM, American Legion and Jackson Exchange Club. He saw foreign service with the U.S. Army in Europe and is a graduate of the Provost Marshall General Center for Military Police at Fort Gordon, Ga. DOBBINS AF BASE HOLDS OPEN HOUSE JUNE 12 An armed Forces-Com munity Bicentennial Open House will be held at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta on Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is cordially invited to attend. Commencement Fills Stadium; Outstanding Students Honored Parents, relatives, and friends filled the Jackson High School football stadium to capacity Monday evening to see the Class of 1976 graduate. Supt. W. B. Jones present ed diplomas to 135 seniors May 31, while various companies, colleges, and local clubs presented awards and scholarships to many of the graduates. Recipient of the Atlanta Journal Cup, given to the student judged best all-round in academics, extra-curri cula activities, and com munity affairs, was Julia Ann Ridgeway. George Tate, principal of JHS, presented the coveted award. The awards were made in alphabetical order and went as follows. Avondale scholar ship, presented by Bob Betts went to Mark Cawthon. Fashion Pillows award was made by Jack Little and went to Judy Thompson. Anita Latham was the winner of the Georgia Pacific scholarship which is valued Commission Seats Begging As Candidate Rush Slows After the customary first day rush to qualify for county political offices subsided, qualifying came to an abrupt stop and candidates for Butts County political office have been as scarce as the proverbial hen's teeth the past few days. Through noon Tuesday, only 12 candidates have officially qualified for the 10 offices to be filled in the Democratic primary of August 10, 1976. Candidates have until 12:00 noon. Wednesday, June 9. to qualify with Roy Goff, secretary of the Butts County Democratic Executive Com mittee. Qualifying fees are Ridgeway Has Qualified For Clerk of Court David P. Ridgeway, Sr. has qualifed for an endorse ment term as Clerk of the Butts Superior Court in the Democratic primary of August 10. 1976. The popular court official is qualifying for his fifth successive term, having first been elected to the office in 1960 and serving continuous ly since that time. A native Butts countian. he attended both the Towaliga and Jackson High Schools, graduating from the latter. Married to the former Saralyn Churchwell, the couple has five children, the youngest of which-Julia Ann-is valedictorian of the 1976 Jackson High School class. Long active in civic and religious work, he was named Kiwanis Man of the Year in 1974 and Young Man of the Year in 1957 by the Butts County Jaycees. The candidate is a former member of the Butts County Jaycees, member and form er president of Butts County Lions Club and is a member of the Butts County Hospital Authority. He and his family are members of the Towaliga Baptist Church, where he is a deacon. Men’s Bible Class teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and BTU director. He is a member of the exclusive Eight-Gallon Club, $6.24 Per Year In Advance at $2,000. Dr. Jerry Williamson, president of Gordon Junior College, presented three awards to JHS seniors: Robert Merrit, Beth Patter son, and Jeff Patterson. All three Honor Graduates plan to attend Gordon in the fall. Anne Barnes was the recipient of the Jackson Business and Professional Women’s award which was presented by out-going presi dent, Mrs. Mary Will Hearn. Perry Ridgeway presented the Jackson Booster Club Awards to Julia Ann Ridge way and Robert Merritt, the valedictorian and saluta torian respectively. The Kiwanis Key Club award was made by Jack Little and went to Jeff Patterson; while The Kym Company awards, presented by Mrs. Sara Babcock, went to Reba Kelly and Dale White. Virgia Mangham was honored by receiving the award from the National Honor Society. The presenta tion was made by Mrs. Tyler set by the County Commis sion and usually equal three percent of the salary for the office being sought. Never in the history of the county has the office of County Commissioner been so avidly avoided by the candidates. Normally one of the most hotly contested offices in the county, the three seats to be filled on Jan. l. 1977 are going begging, with neither incum bents, nor newcomers, havng qulified to date. The complete list of candidates having qualified with Roy Goff at noon Tuesday is as follows: Mrs. Hearn To Offer For Tax Commissioner Mrs. Mary Will Hearn has qualified to succeed herself as Tax Commissioner of Butts County in the Demo cratic primary of August 10th. She w-as first elected to the office in 1956. A native Butts countian, she is the daughter of the late W. W. Jinks and Mrs. Dovie Jinks Evett. She has two children. Mrs. Mary Zane Sw earingen and Mrs. Norma Dean Walton, of Jackson. A graduate of Jackson High School and Georgia College in Milledgeville she has taken a yearly refresher course in the field of tax work at the Center for Continuing Education at the University of Georgia. Mrs. Hearn is a member of the Jackson United Metho dist Church where she has been treasurer for 12 years and a Sunday School teacher for the same period of time. She is a charter member of the Jackson Business and Professional Women’s Club, where she was president for two years and treasurer for two years, the Magnolia Garden Club, Jeptha Chapter No. 252, Order of the Eastern Star, and secretary-treas urer for 15 years of The County Officers Association of Georgia. whose membership is limited to those who have contri buted eight gallons of blood to the Red Cross Blood program. Garland. The W. L. Miller award went to Vanessa Benton and was made by Curtis Gaye. Jan Thaxton and Julia Ann Ridgeway received the Sylvan Grove Hospital Awards which were given by Mrs. Kathleen Knight. The Danny Thomason award was presented to Shirley Carson by Mrs. Sandra Butterworth. The Invocation was offered by Rev. Lannie Smith, pastor of Towaliga Baptist Church; while the Benediction was given by Rev. James Bohannon, pastor of Flovilla Baptist Church. Saluatorian Robert Merritt gave his address immediate ly after Rev. Smith, and Valedictorian Julia Ann Ridgeway spoke after the presentation of awards by visitors as well as academic departmental awards by Mr. Tate. Mrs. Sandra Par tain was the pianist for both Baccal aureate and Commence ment. Clerk of Superior Court - David Ridgeway. County Commissioner - None. Tax Commissioner - Mrs. Walter J. Bennett and Mrs. Mary Will Hearn. Coroner - John Sherrell Justice of Peace - Terry Kitchens County Surveyor - Thomas A. Carmichael, Jr. Probate Judge - W. E. (Gene) Blue Treasurer - None School Superintendent - J. M. L Comer and Lee Roy O’Neal. Sheriff - Billy Leverette, Hugh C. Polk and Barney Wilder. T. Carmichael Is To Run For Cos. Surveyor Thomas A. Carmichael, Jr., Butts County surveyor and athletic director at Jackson High School, has qualified to succeed himself in the Democratic primary of August 10th. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Carmichael, Sr., of Jackson, a graduate of Jackson High School and of Georgia Tech, where he received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in industrial management. He graduated from the U.S. Army Signal Officer School in 1971 and served overseas in Europe. Active in religious affairs, he is superintendent of the Jackson Presbyterian Sun day School. He is married to the former Janie Ridgeway, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ridge way, and the couple has two daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Michelle Lee. GRIFFIN TECH IS NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS Griffin Tech’s Summer Quarter will begin July 7, 1976. Applications are being accepted for most programs. Anyone interested in enroll ing for the Summer Quarter should contact the Admis sions Office, P.O. Box 131, Griffin, Georgia 30223 or telephone 227-1322. All programs are approved for veterans benefits.