Newspaper Page Text
i(arkoott Progress-Argus
Volume 104 Number 4
City of Jackson Reduces Its
Tax Levy From 10 to 5 Mills
There was good news for
City of Jackson taxpayers
last Thursday when the
announcement was made
that the City’s ad valorem
tax rate for 1976 had been set
at 5 mills.
The 1976 tax rate repre
sents a 50 percent decrease
from the 1975 levy of 10 mills.
In terms of revenue lost to
the City, however, the
reduced tax levy will amount
to more than a 50 percent
revenue reduction. In 1975,
when the levy was 10 mills,
the City’s tax digest was
$12,403,010 with an anticipat
ed tax revenue of $124,030. In
1976, the City’s digest was
reduced to $10,554,691 to
produce revenue of $52,770 at
the 5-mill tax rate.
To Race Or Not To Race The
Horses Is Legal Question
The lobby for legalizing
horse racing and pari-mutuel
betting in Georgia is in full
swing at this session of the
General Assembly, as wit
ness this letter received by
Rep. Bill Jones and this
newspaper:
“This letter is on behalf of
the thousands of citizens and
horsemen in Middle Georgia.
We ask you to represent our
feelings and those of the
majority of the people across
the State who want the
chance to vote for or against
horse racing once and for all.
Issues of moral feelings
should be determined by the
people. The Georgia citizens
should be allowed to make
their own decision on the
matter, regardless of how
well qualified you feel to do it
for them.”
Central Georgia EMC Wins
Top Honors At State Meet
The Central Georgia Elec
tric Membership Corpora
tion, of Jackson, won more
prestigious awards than any
other Georgia Electric
Cooperative at the recently
concluded 36th annual meet
ing of the Georgia Electric
Membership Corporation at
Savannah's DeSoto Hilton
Hotel.
In competition for the 1976
National Member Service
Awards, the Central Georgia
EMC won first place for its
woman’s programs.
The local Co-Op won third
place in competition for the
outstanding newsletter for
cooperatives serving more
than 10,000 customers. Mrs.
Elizabeth Watkins is editor of
the award-winning Central
Georgia EMC “Hi-Liter.”
Additional recognition was
given the local EMC for
attaining 100 percent mem
bership in the 1976 Action
Committee for Rural Electri
fication and for being one of
the three state cooperatives
to win a 1976 Safety
Accreditation Award.
Representatives from all
EMC systems throughout the
state attended the annual
meeting and heard addresses
by Senator Sam Nunn and
First District Representative
Bo Ginn. Several members of
the Georgia General As
sembly were present and
took part in an informative
panel discussion dealing with
issues uppermost in the
minds of EMC consumers
and employees.
A special address was
given by the Hon. Ben T.
Wiggins, chairman of the
Georgia Public Service Com
mission. In his remarks
Wiggins stressed the need for
conservation of all our
energy resources in order to
combat the spiraling cost ot
City officials explain that
they were able to absorb this
appproximate $72,000 loss of
tax revenue through reve
nues accruing to the City
from the County’s one cent
sales tax.
The City of Jackson’s share
of the optional sales tax has
been estimated at SIOO,OOO
annually. The local sales tax
became operational in April,
1976 and, although the
collection experience has
been limited, projections can
be made on the first few
month’s collections.
The City has no control
over its total tax digest, but
accepts the County’s tax
digest as approved by the
State Revenue Commission
er. The City’s tax digest for
The letter came from the
Middle Georgia Horsemen’s
Association, of Hawkinsville.
Advocates of legalized
horse racing point to the tax
revenue it would bring the
State, the added attraction
for tourists and the impetus it
would give the livestock
industry, particularly the
breeding and sale of race
horses.
Opponents cite the moral
issues involved in gambling,
legal or illegal, the gang
ster element often associated
with horse racing and the
costs of patrolling the
business to keep it as
legitimate as possible.
Those having strong con
victions. either pro or con,
should contact Representa
tive Bill Jones before the
issue comes to a vote in the
Georgia House, if it does.
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HI-LITER HIGHLIGHTED —Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins,
left, editor of the Central Georgia EMC Hi-Liter, is shown
accepting a plaque from Joan McNeal, managing editor of
the Rural Georgia magazine, at the Georgia EMC annual
meeting in Savannah. Mrs. Watkins' Hi-Liter won third
place in the newsletter competition for those cooperatives
serving 10,000 or more customers.
electrical power in the
United States.
In addition, representa
tives of the Georgia Ladies’
Task Force were treated to
an address by James B.
Polhill, director of legislative
affairs for the Georgia
Electric Membership Corp
oration. Polhill told the ladies
that they are valuable cogs in
the wheels of progress, and
they should make every
effort to let their feelings be
know n to those who represent
them politically at both the
local and national level.
During the business ses
sn.ii. officers to serve the
Georgia EMC for 1977 were
dor tod and include Ray
1976 is $1,948,319 less than the
1975 digest, reflecting the
reduced assessments at the
County level.
City residents will now be
able to purchase their auto
tags from the Butts County
Tax Agent in the Courthouse.
Previous to the City’s setting
its tux millage for 1976, auto
tags could be purchased only
by residents of the County
who lived outside the City
limits.
The Butts County Tax
Commissioner, who doubles
as the County’s tag agent,
collects ad valorem taxes on
automobiles, both City and
County, at the time tags are
purchased and rebates the
City for its share of the tax
revenue.
LOCAL FISHERMEN
REMAIN INDOORS
According to Ben Gunn,
fishing forecaster for the
Department of Natural Re
sources, Butts County fisher
men are hugging the fire
these cold days and he
reports no activity from
either of the two main County
lakes.
Gunn says that both High
Falls and Jackson Lake will
be normal and stained for
those wishing to try their
luck during the period of
January 23-29th.
CITY OF FLOVILLA
HAD WATER PROBLEMS
The City of Flovilla
experienced some difficulty
with its water system over
the weekend when a pump
failed during the extremely
cold weather.
Repairs were made Mon
day and normal service was
restored.
Watson, president; Russell
Lord, viefc president, and
Tom Weldon, secretary
treasdrer.
Watson, a dairy farmer,
lives in Juno, Georgia and
has served for many years as
President of the Amicalola
EMC (Jasper, Georgia)
Board of Directors. Lord is
from Dudley, is presently
Vice President of the Oconee
KMC in Dudley and operates
Lord’s Quality Meats in
Dexter. Weldon, re-elected to
the office of Secretary -
Treasurer, is Manager of the
l.amar EMC in Barnesvilie.
J£o on, Georgia 30233, Thursday, January 27, 1977
Gas Shortage Continues Critical
As Local Economy Feels Effects
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SNOW ’N MAGNOLIAS - This small magnolia tree had its leaves bent earthward by
the weight of the Tuesday morning snow in Jackson. Unaccustomed to such rough
treatment, the leaves seem to be enduring gracefully the cold white imposter. - Photo by-
Carole Lawrence.
A1 Cook Gets
Promotion
At Carter’s
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A1 Cook, of Jackson, has
been promoted to the position
of Production Scheduler at
the Barnesvilie Cutting &
Sewing Plant of the W’illiam
Carter Company.
The announcement was
made today by T. W.
Roberts, Jr., vice president
manufacturing, and the
effective date was given as
January 1. 1977.
Mr. Cook is a graduate of
West Georgia College and
began employment with
Carter's in July, 1976.
Mr. Cook and his wife,
Antoinette, reside on Route 5,
Jackson.
NAVY RECRUIT
ENDS TRAINING
Navy Fireman Recruit
John K. Short, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Max R. Short of Route 3,
Box 126, Jackson, Ga., has
completed recruit traning at
the Naval Training Center.
Orlando, Fla.
During the eight-week
training cycle, trainees
studied general military’
subjects designed to prepare
them for further academic
and on-the-job training in one
ot the Navy’s 85 basic
occupational fields.
Included in their studies
were seamanship, close
order drill. Naval history and
first aid.
He joined the Navy in
August 1976.
HELP ASKED ON
ENDANGERED SPECIES
Ron Odum of the Depart
ment of Natural Resources is
asking the public’s help in
spotting and reporting en
dangered or threatened
species of wildlife in Georgia.
So if you have seen any
manatees or pocket gophers
lately. please give Ron a call.
If you would like a copy of
the endangered species form,
get in touch with Ron Odum.
Department of Natural Re
sources, Route 2, Social
Circle. Georgia 30279, or
phone him at <4O-0 557-2706.
JIMMY KELLY WINS
SECOND PLACE IN
COCA-COLA CONTEST
Working with the theme
"Coke Adds Life,” Jimmy
Kelly of 225 Ball Street.
Jackson, has won second
place in the "Denimachine"
Promotion for Coca-Cola.
Ttie contest was sponsored
nationwide.
Jimmy's prize for the 40
entries he drew and complet
ed is a Levi's jean outfit.
Jimmy is the son of Mr.
and Mrs. J. H. Kelly of
Jackson.
CB Club Has
To Cancel
Benefit Stew
The benefit stew, sche
duled to be held Saturday.
January 29th. at the Jackson
Club House, for the Ralph
Eberhart family has been
cancelled due to the in
clement weather and the
natural gas shortage.
Officials of the local CB
Club, in making the cancel
lation announcement, said
that the benefit stew- would
be rescheduled as soon as
conditions permit.
PLANNING GROUP
TO MEET TODAY
The next regular meeting
of the Bord of Directors of the
Mclntosh Trail Area Plan
ning and Development Com
mission will be held Thurs
day. January 27th, at 2:30
p in. in the offices of the
Commission located in the
Childers Building in Griffin.
All interested parties are
invited to attend this meet
ing.
City’s Financial Institutions
Shorten Banking Hours
In an effort to conserve fuel
ami cooperate in the natural
gas emergency that has
reached critical proportions
m Georgia, the three Jackson
tmanciaj institutions have
(Miuounccd this week tempo
rary emergency banking
hours
The shortened banking
schedules went into effect
Monday for the two Jackson
banks and one savings and
loan association and will
remain in effect until further
Local Crime
Rate Rises In
Cold Weather
According to the Sheriff's
Department, a Butts County
man who was shot and
seriously wounded Saturday
morning. January 22. is in
fair condition at Griffin-
Spalding County Hospital.
Sheriff Billy Leverette said
Willie Tyson of Route 2.
Jackson, was allegedly shot
by Wendell Grier of McKib-
Ix-ii Street. Jackson, early
Saturday morning. Grier is
in the Butts County jail
charged with aggravated
assault.
Leverette also reported the
theft by taking of a bank
pouch at the Exxon Station at
the intersection of Interstate
75 and Georgia 16 during the
afternoon of January 22.
An undetermined amount
ol cash was taken by four
black males who entered the
station and took the pouch
trom an unlocked drawer.
The men were reportedly
driving a car described as
being a 1974 Malibu with a
black top and white body.
Denny O'Neal, investigat
ing officer of the Jackson
Police Department, also
reported a shooting incident
which occurred January 22
onFirst Street
Morris Shannon of 288 First
Street was allegedly shot in
the leg by Joe Edward Tyson
oi Route 2. Jackson. Shannon
was taken to Sylvan Grove
Hospital where he was
treated and released.
A warrant has been taken
out tor the arrest of Tyson
who is still at large,
according to O'Neal.
A hit-and-run incident
which occurred January 21
on Lyons Street was also
reported by the Jackson
notice
The temporary schedules,
as released by the three
banking concerns, are as
follows:
The Citizens and Southern
Bank ot Jackson will be open
on Monday, Tuesday and
Thursday front 8:JO to 2:00
p in on Wednesday from 8:30
to 12:80 p.m.,0n Friday from
;; to to 0:00 pin and closed
on Saturday
I'he Mclntosh State Bank
will be open Monday,
Last week was the week
that was in Butts County.
Weather wise, that is.
From Monday’s early
morning low of two degrees,
the temperature rose only
slightly before taking a
nosedive to one degree on
Wednesday morning. Other
days during the week, the
morning lows recorded
varied from 12 to 22 degrees,
with the thermometer rising
above freezing on only one
day. Saturday, when it flirted
with the 40 degree mark.
Tuesday brought snow,
about two inches locally, and
this Monday residents awoke
to an accumulation of one
inch of sleet, snow and frozen
rain.
Meterologists already
were calling the current
weather, "the winter of the
century." Bitterly cold wea
ther buried itself in the
nation's mid-section, freez
ing the Mississippi and Ohio
Rivers and stopping barge
transportation of vitally
needed fuel supplies for the
Eastern United States.
In Georgia, 50,000 workers
had to be furloughed because
of the natural gas shortage
and estimates were this
figure could rise to 150,000-to
-200.000 within the next few
wee ks.
Several Atlanta and area
industrial plants employing
many Butts Countians were
forced to close. The Doraville
assembly plant of General
Motors was shut down and
McDonough Power Equip
ment Company in Mc-
Donough. a large employer
of Butts County residents,
was closed until further
notice.
Local industries were
eiiher closed, or severly
handicapped, by the gas
Police Department. Otis
Darnell Jester of Route 3,
Jackson, was arrested in
connection with the incident.
No injuries resulted from the
accident.
O'Neal said that several
juveniles have been arrested
in connection with recent
burglaries in Jackson. One
juvenile was arrested Jan
uary 12 and charged with the
burglary of Harper's Texaco
and Benton's Gulf stations on
four different occasions
during December and Jan
uary .
According to O'Neal, two
other youths have been
arrested and charged with
the burglary of Williams
Grocery on South Mulberry
Street January 20. About $lO
in change and some cigar
ettes were taken.
O'Neal also reported an
increase in the number of
purses and other items being
stolen from unlocked cars
and he said he would like to
remind everyone to please
lock his car doors if valuable
items must be left in the car
Tuesday and Thursday from
8 :'0 to 2:00 p m... closed on
Wednesday, open on Friday
Iroin 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. and
open on Saturday from 8:30
to 12 (H) p.m.
The Griffin Federal Sav
ings and Loan Association.
.1 ekson Branch, will open
Monday. Tuesday, and
Thursday
pin.: on Wednesday and
Saturday from 8:30 to 12:30
p m.. and on Friday from
8:30 to 5 p.m.
15c Per Copy
shortage. Only Avondale
Mills, which has a stand-by
heating source of-fuel oil, was
able to operate in a normal
manner.
American Mills had to cut
back its bleachery opera
tions. while other Jackson
industries were playing it by
ear on a day-to-day basis,
either reducing operations,
closing temporarily, or try
ing to get by with electric or
oil heaters and warmly
clothed employees.
Local businesses, operat
ing on shorter hours and
cashing thinner and thinner
paychecks, were toughing it
out and hoping for better
days.
Butts County Schools
opened Monday, the only
system in the 15-county
Atlanta metro area to do so,
and announcement was
made Monday that local
schools will be open on
Tuesday as well.
Jackson Mayor C. B.
Brown. Jr. reported Monday
that the situation was just as
grim as previously an
nounced. The City’s gas
supplier, the Southern Natu
ral Gas Company, has cut off
all of its customers with the
exception of residencies and
small commerical users.
A spokesman for Southern
Natural said Monday that it
will probably be late Feb
ruary or early March before
the Company will be able to
supply its industrial users
once more.
Mayor Brown has asked
that all public meetings
scheduled for this week be
cancelled, that thermostats
be set at 55 degrees in
businesses and at night in
homes, in order that the
scant supply of natural gas
can be utilized as effectively
as possible.
Utility Bills
May Be Higher
In January
City of Jackson utility
customers are being warned
not to expect any reductions,
but more likely increases, in
their January bills which will
be in the mail soon.
Mayor C. B. Brown, Jr.
pointed out that the requests
for cutback in the natural
gas. and the lowered thermo
stats of the past two weeks,
will be reflected on the
February bill rather than the
January billing.
The current bill will
include the Christmas holi
days when parties and
entertainment are usually at
their peak.
The Mayor praised all
citizens for their efforts in
curtailing natural gas use but
pointed out once again that it
will be February before the
inconvenience of colder
homes will be reflected in
reduced utility bills.
JOE. THE HOBO, SEZ:
, m $
Human nature is what
makes a man swear at a
bicyclist when driving, and
at the driver when bicycling.