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ifacksott JJrogr^ss-Argxts Volume 104 No. 11 Commission Defers Dec ion on Disputed Payment on tktlldozer At a meeting of the Butts County Board of Commis sioners Monday, representa tives from Road Machinery, Inc. met with the commis sioners concerning an SB,OOO lease payment on a bulldozer whidh Road Machinery claims is due. The bulldozer had been operated by the county last year. The commissioners, voic ing their doubts about the terms under which the tractor was contracted, de cided to let the County Attorney review the contract before a decision is reached. Rufus Adams, chairman of the Sylvan Grove Hospital Authority, reported to the Board that the balance due for operating the ambulance service during February was $2855.15. However, this figure did not include any collec tions because the majority of them are in the form of Jacksons Second Opera Was Warmly Received on Saturday A small but appreciative audience greeted Saturday night’s production by the Augusta Opera Company of “The Italian Girl in Algiers.” A severe Spring storm swept the area hours before the opening curtain and the opera’s dramatic scenes were heightened by the backdrop of rolling thunder. Telling the story of Mustafa, the Bey of Algeria, who desired to exchange a rather attractive wife for one of Italian vintage, the plot moved from one comic scene to another as Isabella, the chosen Italian wife, and Lindoro, her Italian fiancee, both found themselves in the Bey’s court and were constantly involved in plots to thwart his wishes. The 21-piece Atlanta Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Norman Johnson, conductor, per formed brilliantly and their musical accompaniment gave the entire performance an air of professionalism that Flovilla P. 0. To Be Ready By September The U. S. Postal Service has awarded a contract to build and lease anew post office building in Flovilla. The contract was awarded to Maxwell M. Sacks, P. O. Box 38, of Levittown, NY, .y# i * ~ HEART BEAT “77” Mrs. Charlotte Barber, left, representing the Heart Fund, receives check for $548.26 from Mrs. Doris Cardell, Activity Director at Westbury Medical Care Home in Jenkinsburg. Residents of the home wish to thank all who worked and contributed toward this project. A supper was given at Indian Springs for the residents who participated in the Rock-A-Thon and the young people whodid the soliciting (75-80 people). Georgia Ann Young received an award for turning in the most money and Mrs. Maude Mason, a resident, received honors for turning in the most to the Heart Fund. medicare and medicaid payments which are made at a time other than when the monthly statements for the ambulance service are pre pared. The report also showed that total charges during February for ambulance service was $1,416.00. Butts County Tax Assessor Ricky Beauchamp reported to the Board that about 60 percent of payments of county taxes have been received, and he reminded taxpayers that the deadline for buying automobile tags is April 1. He also said the names of those people with delinquent tax payments will be published according to Georgia Law. The Commissioners voted unanimously to reappoint Tobe Davis to the County Tax Appeals Board and an nounced that one of the would otherwise have been lacking. Sponsoring the opera, the second brought to Jackson in successive years by The Augusta Opera Association, was the Jackson Theatre Guild. Dr. Jo Ann Manley, president of the local Guild, welcomed the cast, the Atlanta orchestra and the audience to the auditorium and expressed appreciation to the many business firms and individuals who helped bring the opera to Jackson. Included in the 13-member cast were Michael Harrison and Joseph Amaya, pleasant ly remembered by the Jackson audience for their roles in last year’s “The Elixir of Love.” The Jackson Theatre Guild would especially like to express gratitude to the families who provided “Host Homes” for the opera company, including Mr. and Mrs. Tom O’Dell, Mrs. Elizabeth Robison, Mr. and 11756. The new post office building will have 1,067 sq. ft. of interior floor space and will be located on the corner of Head and Lee Streets. Construction costs will be paid with private funds and the building will be leased to the Postal Service for a basic period of ten years with renewal options of 20 additional years. Jackson, Georgia 30233, Thursday, March 17,1977 Appeals Board members will be moving from the county thereby creating a vacancy. In other action, the Board passed a motion requesting recommendations from the Mclntosh Trail Area Plan ning and Development Com mission (MTAPDC) concern ing whether certain land should be used for residential or commerical use under a land-use program for sedi ment and erosion control and which would pertain to any type of major excavating. In addition, Commission Chairman Mac Collins an nounced that the county fire truck is now ready for operation and the Board members decided they should contact the State Comptroller General to in quire how insurance rates would be affected if a full-time fireman were hired for the county. Mrs. Hugh Glidewell, Sr., Rev. and Mrs. David Beville, R. Scott Coleman, Harold Grant, Mrs. Winnie Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Potter, Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Wyatt, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Potts and Mr. and Mrs. Allan Brittain. Among those from out of town attending the per formance Saturday evening were George Bowen and Bob Jackson, of Atlanta; Corinne Anderson, GCFA&H, Atlan ta; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Leroy, Atlanta; David Potts, Jack son, Miss.; Mrs. Sam Smith, Monticello, and Mr. and Mrs. Radcliff, of Athens. The Jackson Theatre Guild, organized for the appreciation of and partici pation in the performing arts, is currently holding its annual membership drive. Those interested in promot ing the cultural enrichment of the community may join the Theatre Guild by paying the $2.00 annual membership fee. JACKSON RESIDENT CATCHES BIG BASS Probably the biggest fish ever caught in Jackson Lake, a 22-and-one-half pound striped bass, was the recent catch of Roger Kersey of Jackson and his two grand sons, Tim and Joe. Kersey said he caught the large fish on the type of hook used for dragging for drowned victims. He also reported catching a 10-and one-half and a six pound striped bass the same evening. Jackson Lake was stocked with striped bass in 1968. County's Retail Sales Top $37 Million During 1976 Butts County’s retail sales for the calendar year 1976 showed a whopping 17 per cent gain over 1975, on a total sales gain of $5,446,000, according to figures just released by the Georgia Department of Commerce. Sales in Butts County for 1976 totaled $37,508,000 as compared to $32,062,000 for 1975. Reflecting the same up ward trend, retail sales in the County for the last quarter of 1976 were $9,892,000 a healthy Bob Williamson Is Ordained In Savannah James Robert (Bob) Wil liamson was ordained to the Gospel Ministry on Sunday, March 6th, at 7:30p.m. at the Bull Street Baptist Church in Savannah. Bob was born on December 2, 1951 in Macon, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. Degree in Forest Resources and from Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky in 1976 with a Master’s Degree in Religious Education. Bob entered Bull Street Baptist Church as Minister of Youth on June 7, 1976. He had served in similar positions at Pinehurst Baptist Church in Pinehurst, at the Olive Springs Baptist Church in Marietta prior to entering the Seminary and while there was Minister of Youth at the Deer Park Church in Louisville. Mr. Williamson is married to the former Margie Freeman of Atlanta. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James B. Williamson of Macon and grandson of Mrs. Lillian Williamson of Jack son. The family has many friends in Butts County who are interested in Bob’s ordination and wish for him and Margie a bright future as they serve the Lord. Forged Check Is Attempted To Be Cashed According to Jackson Po lice Detective Denny O’Neal, a forged government tax refund check was attempted to be cashed at Mclntosh Bank Monday. O’Neal said the check had apparently been stolen out of a mail box in the Post Office. He said two suspects are being questioned in con nection with the incident and that one of the suspects, a juvenile, has been charged with forgery and theft of a government check. O’Neal added that the other suspect has not had a charge officially ' made, against him and that the incident is still under investigation. CHICKEN STEW AT STARK The Stark Friendship Club will sponsor a Chicken Stew, Friday night, March 18, at the Clubhouse. Serving will begin at 5:00 P.M. increase over the $8,988,000 recorded for the same period of 1975. Retail sales for the entire state were up 12.0 per cent on total volume of $19,725,000. 000 for 1976, as compared with $17,614,000,000 for 1975. Taxable sales in Georgia counties are estimated by calendar quarters of busi ness and are based on Georgia Department of Rev enue data for adjusted gross tax amounts. Adjoining counties also Jackson To Get Another Picture Show The City of Jackson, which has been without an indoor theatre for the past 15 years, is now going to get two. Neil Baker and Robert Whitaker, of Baker Enter prises, Inc., announced this week plans to open a 280-seat indoor theatre on Highway 42, across from Daniel Ford Sales. According to Baker, the theatre will open in June of this year and will “be an ultra-modern building with 280-rocking chair seats.” Work on the building has already begun, with the foundations being poured last week. The announcement follows one of two weeks ago when Harry Lewis and Dick O'Hara announced they planned to open an indoor theatre in the building formerly occupied by Carter Builders Supply Company. Jackson To Offer Small Engine C linic Farmers, how many small gasoline engines do you have? Do they give you any trouble ? Is the repair bill too high? If so, you may be interested in attending a Small Engine Clinic to be held in the Vocational Agriculture Department of Jackson High School, begin ning Monday, March 28, at 7:30. Classes will also be held on Tuesday. March 29, and concluding on Wednesday, March 30. The course will include the operation, maintenance, and repair of Small Engines. Those attending will be requested to bring to the first class one, 4-cycle small engine which should not be taken from the implement it is running. Mr. Willie Colvin and Mr. George Weldon, Vocational Agricultural Instructors, will be assisted by Dewey Turner Jr„ .Area Teacher, in conducting the classes. Since the number of class members will be limited please contact Mr. Colvin or Mr. Weldon before March 26. FISHING PROSPECTS ARE LOOKING I P Butts County fishermen should have better luck this week, if the forecast of Ben Gunn, of the Department of Natural Resources, is accu rate. Gunn says Jackson Lake will be normal and dingy, good for bass using deep running plugs, good for crappie and catfish, fair for striped bass. Fishing on the Ocmulgee, which is rising and muddy, will be slow for all species, Gunn savs. reported increases in retail sales, although few were as dramatic as that recorded locally. With 000’s omitted, retail sales for 1976. first, and 1975. second, of contiguous coun ties were as follows: Jasper. 12,332 and 11,988 Lamar, 25,085 and 21,371. Monroe, 41,033 and 35,225. Newton, 81,049 and 72,723. Spalding, 148,611 and 133,179. Henrv, 73,981 and 63,724. Awards Given to Outstanding Young Men in Butts County The Butts County Jaycees recently gave awards to three Butts County men for achievement and distinction in three different categories. David Bur ford, mayor of Flovilla, was named Young Man of the Year by the Jaycees. Burford is employ ed as a general supply assistant with the Georgia Army National Guard and was listed in the 1976 edition of Outstanding Young Ameri cans. A 1969 graduate of Jackson High School. Burford has also served as a city councilman and vice mayor of Flovilla. He is married to the former Gail Cochran and they have two daughters Carin. 3, and April, 10 Tax Collections, Tag Sales Are Moving Slowly in County Butts County Tax Commis sioner Ricky Beauchamp reported that through Mon day, with only one day to go before the March 15th deadline, only about 65 per cent of the tax bills for 1976 have been collected. Court contests and litiga tion over the 1976 tax digest delayed mailing of the tax notices until early January. At that time, taxpayers were given 60 days, or until March 15th, to settle their 1976 tax accounts. Failure to pay by the deadline will result in a nine Donations To Bloodmobile Fall Short of Quota For County The first visit in 1977 of the Red Cross Bloodmobile. March 7, fell short of its quota of 110 pints when only 64 pints of blood were collected and a total of 73 persons offered blood. The Red Cross Blood mobile which comes to the county four times a year is one of the programs financed by the United Appeal in Butts County. Mrs. Kathryn Haisten, a trustee of the United Appeal who works closely with the Red Cross in publicizing the visits of the bloodmobile, said she would like to remind the public that anyone who gives to the United Appeal is helping to finance programs such as the bloodmobile visits. Among those offering blood at the March 7th visit were: Douglas Brooks, Linda Johnson, James R. Cook, Thomas M. Glidewell. Hugh M Glidewell. Jr.. Bonnie C. Cook, Daftner Fincher, Lu cile J. Tyson, Mary Lou Hauser, Diane Waits, Mark Kapiloff. Mrs. Sarah S. O'Neal, Richard H Britton. Albert Dupree, Jr.. Ricky Long. David P. Ridgeway, Sr. Gordon A. Terrell. Geral dine P. Wright, Larry Lunsford, John B Long, W. months. Burford is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Burford of Jenkinsburg. ’ K i -SjjS&k \ Receiving the award as Young Farmer of the Year was Randy Barnes whose farm is located in Butts County. Barnes, a Vietnam War veteran who served two years with the U.S. Marine Corps, started farming in 1970. During off seasons, he drives a tractor-trailer truck over much of the United States for a trucking com pany. Born and raised on a farm in Henry County, Barnes attended Henry County schools until the last two years of high school w-hen he per cent penalty charge, with a minimum of SI.OO. the levying of a 50 cents fi fa charge and a collection charge of $2.50 if the tax bill is under SIOO or $5.00 on bills over SIOO.OO. Beauchamp said. Auto license sales have been even slower, the Commissioner said, with only about 30 per cent of the County's 8.000 auto plates sold to date. If 1977 tags are not purchased by Friday. April Ist. a penalty is added to the cost of the tag. with the J Horton. David P. Ridge way, Jr.. R. W Jenkins, Perry Ridgeway. Jackie Lee Cook. Bill Fears. Lewis Cawthon, Ryland Smith, Winona R. Cook, David M. Reems. Richard E. Mur phree, Carrie Lois Dupree. Donald L. Cook. Philip DeMore Richard L. James, Rudy Wyatt, Charles Elliott. Ken ny Smith. James T. Maddox. William E. Craig. George S. Weldon. George Barlow. Porter Cawthon, Leila P Smith. Virginia Wyatt, Bar bara B. Maddox, Frances I. Bowen. Carl Gregg, Joanne S. Oxenford, Tony P. Boyd. Doris Singlev. Stephens M. Williams. Melinda A. Cook, Pat R Polk. Charleen B Wise. Rev Don Folsom. Ozinnia Out land. Marion Todd. Harold E. Me Michael, Richard G. Brooks, Vicki W. Johnston, Dr. Jack R Newman. Robert Lee Fincher, G. Lawrence Morgan. Jr. Cheryl P Long, Martha Ann W Cochran, Ricky Beauchamp. Julia Ann Ridgeway. Donnie L. Gay. John B Barnes. Jackie L. Burford, Alva T Colbert, Sam M. Colwell Among those assisting at 15c Per Copy enrolled at Jackson High. He is married to the former Sandra Hice of Jacksonville, Florida. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Otis Barnes of Locust Grove. Menford Bellamy was selected by the Jaycees as Young Educator of the Year. Bellamy, who attended Camilla Georgia) Consoli dated High School and .Albany State College, has been a teacher at the Butts County Early Childhood Center for five years A native of Mitchell County. Georgia, Bellamy’s grandparents are John and Ola Mires of Baconton, Georgia. penalty being based on the price of the tag. Beauchamp reported. April Ist is also the deadline for the return of all real property owned in the County to the Butts County- Tax Assessors' office if one is to take advantage of the homestead exemption provi sion in the Georgia law Beauchamp requested all tag purchasers to act swiftly, if they are to avoid the long lines and confusion of the rush during the last week in March. the National Guard Amory were Mrs. Catherine Allen. Mrs. Belle Pettigrew. Mrs. Janet Marsh. Mrs. Jane Weaver. Mrs. Nora Ball, Mrs. Hannah Cook, Mrs. Clyde Hodges. Mrs. Mervyn Pope, Mrs. Laura Wright, Mrs. Helen Spencer, Mrs. Loretta Browning. Mrs. Frances Horton, Mrs. Cheryl Long. Harold Me Michael, Mack Davis. David Ridge way, Sr . David Ridgeway. Jr. and John Long. JOE. THE HOBO. SEZ: hKm > w Looking at some of the appointments President Car ter has made from former members of his "Peanut Brigade ", we are afraid he is likely to discover there were some real nuts in that bag.