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3ntk&tnt Progress-Argus Volume 104 Number 2 Income From County's Social Tax Levies Makes Decline^ Butts County’s revenue from two tax sources that were tapped in 1976 made an appreciable dip in October, according to a spokesman for the Butts County Commis sion. The County realized $13,304.03 from the one-cent sales tax in October, a decline of $1,793.04 from the $15,097.07 the tax generated during the month of Septem ber. As the optional one-cent Debt Is Paid After Lapse Of 25 Years A. F. White, of Flovilla, has brought in a copy of the Progress-Argus issue of September 10, 1925 which contained a story about his late father, Dr. A. F. White, of Flovilla, and the payment of a deferred debt. The story is as follows: “It has been said that the happiest words of tongue or pen is, ‘Enclosed find check.’ Dr. A. F. White, well known Flovilla physician, recently received a check in settlement of an account that had been forgotten. Some 25 years ago he was called to treat illness in a family residing at Lamars Mill. In the fall the family informed Dr. White they were unable to settle the bill, but if they ever got the money the amount would be paid. He dismissed the matter from his mind. The name of the family was Odom. The Odoms are said to have had a cottage at the camp ground. Probably they will be recalled by some of the older citizens. Last week Dr. White received the following letter from Orlando, Fla: Dear Dr. White: Enclosed is my check for $60.44. This pays a bill for Miss Berta Odom, of long standing, as I remember it, together with interest. Thank you, (Signed) Mrs. G. R. Stephens. Judge Rules Tax Refund Applications May Be Made In an order signed Monday, Superior Court Judge Hugh D. Sosebee has ruled that applications for refund on overpayment of 1975 taxes may be made to the Butts County Commissioners. In making his ruling, Judge Sosebee cited a 1975 Georgia law which provides that “each county and municipal corporation of this State is hereby authorized to refund to taxpayers any and all taxes and license fees which may be determined to have been erroneously or illegally assessed and col lected from such taxpayers under the law of Georgia or under the resolutions or ordinances of any county or municipality or overpaid by such taxpayers, whether paid voluntarily or involun tarily.” The judge’s order was in answer to a petition for injunction brought by Johnny Colwell, Robert Williams, Grover McKibben, Robert Lane and John B. Bystricky, as plaintiffs, against D. W. Bailey, W. A. Duke, Mrs. Walter J. Bennett and Mary Will Hearn, defendants. The injunction petition sought to enjoin the Commissioners from making a refund to a levy is applicable to all retail sales, the revenue decline is probably indicative of a general slackening of sales at the retail level. Funds derived* from the local sales tax are divided on a pro rata basis among the County and its municipali ties, with Butts County receiving 57.8 percent of the revenue; Jackson, 35.7 per cent; Jenkinsburg, 3.6 per cent, and Flovilla, 2.7 percent. Nat’l. Quality Award Given To J. E. Jones J. E. Jones, CLU, Special Representative for Jefferson Standard, in Warner Robins, has been awarded the coveted National Quality Award for 1976, according to announcement received this week. Mr. Jones has received special recognition for hav ing qualified for this designa tion for seven years. The highly esteemed Na tional Quality . Award is granted annually to qualify ing representatives in recog nition of the superior quality of life insurance service they have rendered to the public. The award, in the form of a certificate, is made by the National Association of Life Underwriters and the Life Insurance Agency Manage ment Association. Mr. Jones, a retired Colonel, is cousin of Vincent S. Jones and the late Doyle Jones, Jr. of Jackson. The receipt of this check has made Dr. White believe in the inherent goodness of human nature. It has also called to mind the old adage that “An Honest Man is the Noblest Work of God.” He probably appreciates the loyalty and kindness that prompted the remittance more than the material value of the check itself.” certain class of individual taxpayers. The lengthy legal hassle over the 1975 Butts County tax digest began in the fall of that year when approximate ly 250 taxpayers formed the Butts County Taxpayers Protective Association to seek relief from what they believed were excessively high evaluations of their properties on the 1975 digest. Arbitration was eventually agreed upon as the most effective, and least costly, method of resolving the dispute and the average percent reduction granted TPA members of their 1975 property assessments was 38.4 percent. In December, 1976, the County Commissioners and the Tax Assessors solicited claims for refunds from those parties not previously granted relief from the 1975 digest. Asa result, over 1,000 taxpayers applied for a refund of taxes paid on the 1975 digest. At a December hearing on the injunction petition, evi dence was introduced that the County Commissioners proposed a 30 per cent across-the-board reduction in the 1975 real property ackson, Georgia 30233, Thursday, January 13, 1977 Revenues from the beer and wine tax also declined in November, with the County realizing $2,236.02 from this source. This represents a drop of $320.78 from the $2,556.80 the tax brought in for the month of October. The total tax decline of $2,113.82 in one month could not have come at a worse time, with the County officials struggling against mounting debts until reve nues from the 1976 tax levy can be received. BCABC Film Be Viewed By PTA Groups Thursday, January 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Henderson Cafeteria a joint meeting of the Henderson Elementary and Jr. High PTA is planned. Mrs. Carol Weaver and Mr. Tom Woods will show the film presentation of the Butts County Beautification Com mittee. The PTA is fortunate to be able to have this program and urge all members and visitors to take advantage of this oppor tunity. Parents desiring to bring school aged children may do so as this will be educational for them. A nursery will be provided for the small children. HERBERT SHAPARD, JR. IS TOP SCHOLAR Sewanee, Tenn. Herbert Shapard, Jr., son of Herbert F. Shapard of 615 Joy Street, Jackson, is on the Head master’s List, the first honor roll, at Sewanee Academy for the third grading period and the first semester. The ■ Academy is the preparatory unit of the Episcopal-owned University of the South and shares its mountaintop campus, cul tural events, and honor code. Founded in 1868, the AcaSe my now enrolls about 160 boarding and day students. assessments with refunds going to those parties who had paid an amount over and above the assessment. In his order of Monday, Judge Sosebee ruled that the Commissioners may receive applications for refunds, but that the Commissioners cannot adopt a fixed percent age of reduction and apply it across the board, without regard to whether such applicant’s assessment might have been too high or too low for the year 1975. Judge Sosebee said specif ically in his order: “It is the conclusion of this Court that under the law, the County Commissioners for Butts County, Georgia, may receive applications for refund, and if found meritor ious in accordance with the cited provisions of law, make refund, but in carrying out this procedure, the Commis sioners cannot adopt a fixed percentage and apply it across the board, nor can they exclude any particular class of citizens in Butts County who may wish to apply for a refund; that is, those whose claim was arbitrated would have a right to file a claim and have their claim considered on its 1976 Tax Bills Be Mailed This Week; Commissioners Request Local Legislation With the 1976 Butts County tax digest approved as submitted by the State Revenue Department, and with the millage set at 24.367 mills, Butts Countians should begin receiving their 1976 tax bills this w'eek, according to Mac Collins, chairman of the County Commission. The law provides for payment of. county ad valorem taxes at anytime within 60 days from receipt of the tax bill. At a meeting Friday afternoon of the Commission, Tax Commissioner Ricky Beauchamp reported that $106,549.45 had been received through December 31st on prepayment of 1976 taxes. These funds are being held in escrow until released by the former Tax Commissioner, Mrs. Mary Will Hearn, and-or until an audit of the office is completed. The Commissioners voted to delay until Monday a decision on county-wide garbage pick-up, a service Smith Home In City Goes Commercial Announcement is made this week of the purchase by Larry Deraney and Dr. William Mitchell of the frame house at the corner of College and Mulberry Streets from Miss Ethel Smith. The house, formerly utiliz ed as a residence, will be renovated and remodeled to suit the needs of prospective renters, Deraney said. The location is considered a prime commercial one, being adjacent to property owned by Southern Bell and situated across College Street from the A&P and Polk Tire Company property. merits by the Board of Commisioners. Under the cited provisions of law, the Board of County Commis sioners would be required to consider each claim for refund individually and separately in determining whether or not the property of the taxpayers was er roneously or illegally assess ed, or whether or not any taxes were received that were erroneously paid by the taxpayer or illegally collect ed by the taxing authorities. Under this order, the Commissioners for Butts County, Georgia, are hereby authorized to process the applications for a refund and to consider such application for a refund on its merits and to make a determination as whether a refund is in order or is not in order. In making this determination, a finding of fact shoud be entered explaining why the claim is denied, or if a refund is granted, to state specifically why the refund is allowed or granted. In entering this order, the Court is not making a ruling nor expressing an opinion as to the validity of the 1975 property tax assessments. That is not an issue in this ease," presently costing the County about $49,000 a year. The Commissioners voted unanimously to request Bill Jones, Representative-elect, to introduce several local bills at the next session of the General Assembly. Among the requests were: A bill that would authorize semi-annual payments of County taxes, on June 20th and December 20th, which would be optional in 1977 but mandatory thereafter. A bill that would designate Post No. 1 as chairman of the County Commissioners in both the primary and general elections. A bill that would place all of Butts County in the 78th Representative District. At present, about 600 voters in the Worthville area are eligible to vote in the 73rd Representative District. A bill that would require taxpayers to make their tax returns to the Tax Assessors, rather than to the Tax Commissioner. Electronic Lab Dedicated At Ga. J-School Dedication ceremonies for the new James M. Cox Electronic News Laboratory were held January 6 at the University of Georgia’s School of Journalism. Anne Cox Chambers, chairman of the board of Atlanta Newspapers, made the formal dedication saying that despite the tremendous technological and compu terized progress that has been made in news gathering and editing, “the machine must be filled with creative and accurate words. That is the important part you (the students) will play.” Mrs. Chambers was wel comed by the Dean of the Journalism School Scott Cutlip. Following the dedica tion, H. L. Stevenson, Vice President and Editor in Chief of United Press Interna tional. spoke to a large group of students, faculty and press on “The Exploding World of Electronic News.” The new equipment was made possible by a $67,000 grant from the Cox Founda tion. Included are two high-speed printers which print 1200 words per minute. The printers feed the copy into a New York computer and issue computer printouts of the copy. These printouts may be used by instructors to make copies of a student’s work for grading. In addition, the equipment directly links the Journalism School with UPI computer files. The school is the first in the nation to have direct access to full UPI wire reports. The Progress-Argus was represented at the dedication by Vincent Jones and Dale Whiten, both graduates of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism, FISHING ACTIVITY IS AT LOW EBB According to Ben Gunn, chief fishing forecaster for the Department of Natural Resources, there has been little fishing in Butts County lakes for the past week. In his prediction for fishing conditions for the week of January 9-15th, Gunn says that Jackson Lake will be low and clear and that High Falls will be normal and muddy. An amendment to the present law which would put Butts County on a cash basis and eliminate the past policy of deficit financing. Dr. William Mitchell was appointed as the Commis sion's representative to the Butts County Board of Health. As an economy measure, effective Sunday, January i6th. the County land-fill dump on Brownlee Road will be closed each Sunday and a dumpster will be placed at the entrance for the con venience of all citizens. The Commissioners have initiated a maintenance program on all vehicles owned by the Sheriff's Department and this facility will be expanded in the future. The complete breakdown of the 1976 tax levy is reproduced elsewhere in this issue. At the meeting Monday, the Commission voted un- Walter Finley Home Burned On Monday The home of the Walter Finleys on the Keys Ferry’ Road, about 200 yards from the Henry County line, was destroyed by fire early Monday morning. The loss was described as total for both the dwelling and all possessions. Settle & Robison, of Jackson, owner of consider able property in that area, was listed as owner of the home occupied by the Finleys. Both the Butts and Henry’ County fire departments responded to the call but were unable to save the dwelling. Those wishing to make donations of clothing to the Finley family, who lost all of their possessions in the fire, may leave them with Butts County Sheriff Billy Lever et te. or one of his deputies. Proper sizes for the adults are dress size 18. shoe size 7' 2. and trouser size 38. shirt 15' 2 and shoe size 10. For the six-year-old girl, dress size 6-to-7 and shoe size 10. and for the eight-year-old boy, clothes sizes 8-to-10 and size 1 shoes. COUNTY DUMP BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS At their meeting Friday, January 7th, members of the Butts County Board of Commissioners voted to close the County land-fill dump on Brownlee Road on Sundays as an economy measure. For the convenience of those who have been using the dump on Sundays, a dumpster will be placed outside the gates. The effective date of the Sunday closing will be January 16th. BAND BOOSTERS Wil l. MEET JANUARY ITTII The Butts County Band Boosters Club will meet Monday. January 17th. at 7:30 o'clock in the Jackson High School Library. The public is invited to attend this meeting. animously not to accept a $60,000 bid by John Sherrell to provide ambulance ser vice for the county. Sherrell, whose ambulance service the county is presently contract ed with, said he would terminate service as of January 23. The Commission later met with the Hospital Authority and the members were asked if they were interested in contracting for ambulance service. The Authority said it would consider the proposal and give an answer after its meeting Thursday night. The Commissioners will also meet with state officials this week to determine if any state assistance can be obtained in getting new ambulance service and equipment. The Commission voted to renew the contract with Solid Wastes. Inc. for continued county-wide garbage pick up. However, the new con tract. which is for 31 months. Southern Railway To Train Hundreds at McDonough Center A $970,631.00 contract with the Washington. D. C..-based Southern Railway Company to help train and provide jobs for 1,164 persons during 1977 was announced today by the Employment and Training Administration of the U. S. Department of Labor. The one-year agreement continues a similar program conducted by Southern in 1976. which resulted in the training of 1,230 persons and their subsequent placement in various mechanical, cleri cal. informational, and train service jobs throughout Southern's 10.500-mile sys tem in 13 southeastern states. As in last year's program, the emphasis in 1977 will be on the training and employ ment of minorities, including veterans and those who are disadvantaged, or unemploy ed. or underemployed. Individuals selected for training will be recruited from the areas in which they will be offered jobs. The selection will be made in cooperation with U. S. Employment offices, and Gas Shortage Affects Schools, Industries As Cold Continues Jackson Mayor C. B. Brown. Jr,, faced Tuesday with a drastic reduction in the City's natural gas supplies from the Southern Natural Gas Company, ordered all public and private schools in the County closed for Wednesday and until the severe winter weather abates. Mayor Brown said the school closing, which applied to both public and private schools, w ill be handled on a day-to-day basis and school will resume when the weather moderates and the City's gas supplies return to normal. Gas supplies to the City's industries have also been cut back and industrial users are cooperating by shutting down parts of their operations, the Mayor said. Mayor Brow n asked for the cooperation of all citizens during the emergency and requested homeowners to turn their thermostats down as low as possible upon retiring. Butts County on Monday 15c Per Copy is $41,520 a year com Dared with the $47,888 previous contract and represents an annual savings of $6,360. In other action, the Commission discussed work ing out a system whereby city fire department person nel would also answer county calls with a volunteer manning the department while the regular employe was away. City Councilman John Coleman, who heads the city fire department committee, reported to the Commission that the city-county fire truck which was wrecked about a year ago, should be repaired and ready for service this week. The Commissioners voted to make the owner of a tractor which is already in use at the Road Department, an offer of $40,000 for the tractor. This price is to include the SB,OOO owed on the past-due lease. The Commission desig nated E. H. Roberts as temporary zoning admini strator. other federal and state agencies. Individuals selected for mechanical crafts will be trained at Southern's new Technical Training Center at McDonough. Ga.. for assign ment in their home areas. Those chosen for train service jobs will be trained in the area to which they will be assigned. The contract with Southern was negotiated under pro visions of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA), which became public law on December 28, 1973. The stated purpose of that Act is: “To provide job training and employment opportunities for economical ly disadvantaged, unemploy ed and underemployed per sons. and to assure that training and other services lead to maximum employ ment opportunities and en hance self-sufficiency by establishing a flexible and decentralized system of federal, state and local programs." night had its coldest weather of the year, with tempera tures locally registering as low as eight degrees. SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED A representative of the Griffin Social Security office will be in Jackson every Thursday in the Butts County courthouse between the hours of 10 a m. and 1 p.m. JOE. THE HOBO. SEZ: r f A rolling stone nowadays is a bachelor who has gathered no boss.