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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. W ‘ 11 ir if ■ ■PH*' ' ***** f.’. Jp-'ll y * pir Ipjj p 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 . 1 -Nf** * <***•** * - >' o z, % - - 1 ■< &r * 4 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 ■ V V I \ ~b > 'W>' w : ] ' / If', I I ' • 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.