The Jackson progress-argus. (Jackson, Ga.) 1915-current, September 29, 1977, Image 2

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3axksfln Vrßsrzss~£rgus J. D. Jones Publisher ..!'!■)}{ - i*>;,.)) Doyle Jones Jr. Editor and Publisher (1955-1975) MRS. MARTHA G. JONES PUBLISHER VTNCENT JONES EDITOR OFFICIAL ORGAN BUTTS COUNTY AND CITY OF JACKSON Published every Thursday at 129 South Mulberry Street, Jackson, Georgia 30233 by The Progress-Argus Printing Cos., Inc. Second Class Postage paid at Jackson, Georgia 30233. Address notice of undeliverable copies and other correspondence to The Jackson Progress-Argus, P.O. Box 249, Jackson, Georgia 30233. Advance Subscription Rates, Tax Included: One Year, in Georgia $6.24 ' <)ne Vear - Out-of-State * 7 - 8 Six Months, in Georgia $3.91 M° n ths. Out-of-State $4.16 TELEPHONE 775-3107 Editorials To Be Or Not To Be With no races developing in the City Primary of October 4th, local political attention for the next six weeks will be focused on the school bond referendum of November Bth. The report of a Citizens Committee of lay leaders appoint ed to study the physical needs of the Butts County School System has been delivered and it calls for a package of new and renovated facilities to cost slightly under $4,000,000. State funds will be available for some of the proposed projects, however, and Butts County voters are being asked to support a bond issue totaling $3,300,000. It is a large sum, but no larger than the needs of a school system whose physical plant has been allowed to deteriorate to a pathetic state. In the weeks to come, there should be lively debate on the issue, with a full explanation of the costs involved to individual taxpayers, in order that the electorate may make a decision based on facts and not fiction. The amount of millage requir ed to retire such an indebtedness, and a reasonable estimate of the amortization cost, based on present property valuations of each taxpayer should be quickly arrived at and widely publicized so that the sunlight of truth will illuminate the It's Only A Billion Congress has passed, and presumably the president will sign, a budget of $458.3 billion for fiscal year 1978. The projected budget will show a deficit, that is, expenditures greater than reve nues, of $61.3 billion. For fiscal year 1978, Congress sweetened the kitty to the extent of 49.1 billion, that being the amount of the increase over the 1977 fiscal year’s budget. The economists, government and private, like to talk about the built-in escalation costs of govern ment, how certain costs are fixed, how certain programs are inflex ible and that there is precious little pruning that can be done on a budget of over $450 billion. To which we say phooey. How long will the taxpayers sit idly by while the federal government spends itself, and the nation, into A Freshman Leads the Way Illuminating the shadowy Washington sky like a beacon light of honesty is freshman Senator Edward Zorinsky, of Nebraska, who returned this year $313,016 in unspent office funds to the U.S. Treasury. His philosophy is that one drop in a bucket might help stop the' trend towards fiscal irresponsi A Prize-Winning Newspaper 1977 letter Newspaper whole issue. For years, our people have cast their eyes to the south and expressed jealously of the beautiful school plants found throughout south Georgia. There is no doubt that they have it all over us in middle Georgia when it comes to building, and maintaining, hand some and useful school facilities. But, for the most part, they did it with their own money, out of pride in their community and out of the realization that their youth was there most precious, and least expandable, resource. So now it is our turn to come to bat. Will we continue cussing our outmoded, antiquated school facil ities or will we collectively hitch up our pants and show our children that we feel they are first class citizens entitled to the best? When the facts are all in, along about first frost, the battle lines will begin to be joined. Good, honorable, honest and true citizens will be in the trenches on both sides of the issue. Let’s keep the fight clean and without any rancor or bitterness. But let’s not be timid. After finding out what the battle for better schools will cost, enroll in the ranks of the pros or cons but don’t be a draft dodger and a sideline sitter. To be or not to be. We’ll know on November Bth. financial ruin? How many tax payers have allowed their personal debts to escalate at the same rate as that of the federal government? One disadvantage the average taxpayer has is that he has no earthly idea how much money a billion dollars is. Perhaps these figures will help his understand ing: One billion seconds ago, the first atomic bomb had not been exploded. One billion minutes ago, Christ was still on earth. One billion hours ago, men were still living in caves. Yet, one billion dollars ago (in terms of government spending) was yesterday. And if that isn’t setting a record for spending something you don’t have then mares don’t eat oats. bility that seems to have infected every member of Congress and most federal bureaucrats. How fortunate Nebraska, and the nation, is to have such a man in Washington. If the nation is eventually wrecked on the shoals of profligate spending, at least here is one man whose record and conscience will be clear. THE JACKSON PROGRESS-ARGUS. JACKSON. GEORGIA THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29. 1971 The Last Straw BY VINCENT JONES One of the hallowed pastimes of yesteryear that has been sacrificed to the mad mania for television viewing and other effortless living room pleasures is the possum hunt. Today’s teen agers are more interested in viewing the wonders of the world through a 21-inch screen than they are in discovering the wonders of nature at night as illuminated by a kerosene lamp. The teen agers themselves can't be blamed for their lack ot interest in the grand old sport of possum hunting, however. Prosperity is the real culprit that has robbed them of this rich adventure. For in the depression-ridden ■3o's, most folks went possum hunting to put meat on the table. Now that a better balanced economy has put meat, or meats, on every table, the true zest for the hunt--to capture a family meal--has been lost. Prosperity and television together have put possum hunts into the limbo of the lost arts. But those who have listened to the mournful cry of the hounds resounding from the hills as they steadfastly chased the furry ball will remember and wish again for the thrill of the hunt. Early fall when the leaves were turning, and the first frosts had sweetened the persimmons, was the best time for the chase. Armed with a crocus sack or two for transporting the captured quarry, an axe, small bore rifle, matches, and with pockets crammed full of goobers, pecans and apples, the hunters stalked silently into the dark forests. Kerosene lamps to aid in walking and flashlights to spot the treed possums were necessary items of equip-, ment. After viewing the headless horseman-Ichabod Crane types of thrillers on televi sion, many young readers will probably feel that just going on the hunt took a great deal of courage. But, curiously enough, it didn’t. Kids then, and adults, too, knew there were no dangers in the woods except those few they were aware of. Today, some of them might not be quite so sure. On the good nights, the dogs struck a trail early and would have a possum treed before the first apple was eaten. Then, the best tree climber in the crowd would step forward and, his way lighted by the kerosene lamps and flashlights, shim my up the tree. The possum, blinded by the lights, was helpless as the climber either caught him or shook him from his perch to the dogs waiting below and raising holy halleluiahs with their yelps. Then the hunters would have a race to beat the dogs to the possum and protect him from bodily harm. Occasionally, the dogs would lose the scent and back track for hours and it was then that the hunters would build a small fire and warm themselves as the hounds barked themselves out of their confusion. We recall once when a young black friend who had been entrusted with the possum sack went to sleep at such a fire and the rest of the party, banking the fire and moving on, left him alone in the darkness without a light of any kind. Mercifully, when his ab sence was discovered, we were led by the sounds of the scuffling possums to his resting place, thus saving the County one Negro citizen and six fat possums. To be sure there were times when the sacks were empty at midnight and tired legs called it quits with nothing but mud, cockleburrs and beggar lice to show for the evening’s effort. But, success or failure, possum hunting was more I 'I 'Tv I twf A Stroll’Down | Memory Lane NEWS OF 10YEARS AGO Three incumbent council men, Dawson Bryant, John L. Coleman and John Robert Pulliam will be nominated without opposition in the City Primary of October 13th. Richard Johnson won first prize of SIO.OO in the football guessing contest last week, with Mrs. Zodie Cash claiming the second prize of $5.00. Members of the Butts County Veterans Club are offering a SIOO.OO reward for information about the break in of their clubhouse Thurs day night. The club is located in an isolated area, off the road connecting Brownlee Road to the Watkins Park and Pool Road. Jackson’s Tommy Carmi chael contributed a field goal, two extra points and booming kick-offs to Tech’s 17-0 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday. Telfair Hardy has been presented the U.S. Army’s Safety Award for his 25 years of service with the Atlanta Army Depot. Messrs. Don Montgomery and Stanley Maddox attend ed the insurance institute sponsored by the Georgia Department of Independent Insurance Agents in Macon last week. Deaths during the week: Willie Gus Wise, 72. NEWS OF 20 YEARS AGO Miss Peggy McClure, a 15-year-old sophomore at Newton County High School, was crowned Miss Industrial Day of 1958 at Butts County’s fourth celebration of that day. At a speech before the Jackson Kiwanis Club, Supt. D. V. Spencer advocated the election of both local and state boards of education. In observance of, the birthdays of Mr. R. L. Glaze and Mr. E. L. Reese, an annual barbecue was held Sunday at the home of the Robert N. Reeses. At its September meeting, The Mimosa Garden Club had as guest speaker Dr. Raymond E. Fox, professor at Cornell University, who spoke on “Flower Arrange ments for the Home.” A poll of county officials throughout the state reveals that Lt. Gov. Ernest Van diver should win the govern or’s race easily, to be trailed by Roger Lawson and Ivan Allen, Jr. Eugene Winfrey, of Rt. 2, Locust Grove, has accepted a position with Carter Motor Company in their service department. Deaths during the week: Dewey Dewitt Moore, 59. NEWS OF 30 YEARS AGO The Jackson Exchange Club is pushing further development of Indian Springs State Park and a committee composed of J.B. White, R. F. Armstrong and Spencer Johnson will handle this special objective. Elected to serve the Jackson Kiwanis Club in 1948 were Vincent Jones, presi dent; Tom Collins, vice president; Mike Allen, secre tary and treasurer. Named to the Board of Directors were Jimmy Cornell, B. B. Garland, R. P. Harrison, C. E. McMichael, J. W. O’Neal, W. M. Redman and P. H. Weaver. Sheriff J. D. Pope will head than just a sport. It was a nighttime adventure in woods lore that every boy, or girl, should have the thrill of experiencing. the local drive to raise funds for a statue honoring the late Gov. Eugene Talmadge. $87,000 is being raised throughout the state, with S3OO sought from Butts countains. The Assembly of God denomination has acquired the old Jenkinsburg school building and five acres of land and plans to convert the property into a camp ground. Walter Paschall, young executive of radio station WSB, will be the guest speaker for the October PTA meeting. Mrs. Kate Glaze and Mrs. Mae Day were co-hostesses at a surprise birthday party for Lawrence Wise on his 28th birthday. Deaths during the week: Willis Berlin Powell, 79; Dr. Elam Franklin Dempsey, 68. NEWS OF 40 YEARS AGO The Central Georgia Elec tric Membership Corporation has begun work on its rural electrification project that will serve 852 farm families in Butts, Spalding, Lamar, Monroe and Jasper Counties. Paul Tyler has purchased 70 acres of the O’Kelley lands on McDonough Road and J.O. Cole has acquired 90 acres of the same land across the creek on Hwy. 42. Rosyln Redman, a senior at Jackson High School, will represent Butts County at the spelling bee to be held at the Southeastern Fair. Thomas Boone was chosen as the alternate. Prior to September 16th, Butts County had ginned 887 bales of cotton, 10 less than at the same date last year. A marker was unveiled Sunday at the grave of Matthew Gaston, a soldier of the War of 1812, in the Macedonia Cemetery. Col. J. C. Woodward, president of GMA at College Park, delivered the dedicatory address. The Jenkinsburg P.T.A. held its first meeting of the fall in the school auditorium with forty present. Mrs. J. B. Childs presided and Miss Lucile Akin gave the pro gram outline for the year. Deaths during the week: James Eramus King, 78; William Elmo Washington, 61; J. M. Duke, 72. NEWS OF 50 YEARS AGO Prior to September 16th, Butts County had ginned 3,042 bales of cotton, as compared to only 162 bales at the same time in 1926. The Jackson Kiwanis Club will hold its October 4th meeting at the Towaliga Consolidated school. T. H. Nolen, of Jackson, has purchased 76 acres of land in the Iron Springs District fronting State Hwy. 16 for $3,000, or about $40.00 an acre. Dr. A. F. White, of Flovilla, has been appointed to the State Board of Medical Examiners by Gov. L. G. Hardman. The Iron Springs Consoli dated School will open for the fall term on October Ist. The faculty includes Prof. S. H. Cunard, principal; Mrs. Lewis Dodson, Miss Lorane Dodson, Miss LaVert O’Neal, with Miss Elsie Curry heading the music depart ment. Mrs. George Head and Mrs. Maurice Moore enter tained the ladies of the Young Matron’s Group of the Methodist Missionary So ciety Monday at the home of Mrs. Head on McDonough Road. F^IFQIRRI ’ Ry Mrs. Cindy Brown GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS I have written about several different folks in my column: children, fathers, mothers, mothers-in-law. Yet I have never written about some of the dearest souls around-the grandfa thers and grandmothers of this world. When I was growing up, I would excitedly look forward to trips to my grandma’s house; my grandma or “Mannie” as she was called, always had time to talk with me, no matter how many other folks were around. And the food, the food. Every meal at Grandma’s house was just like Sunday dinner, even breakfast! Such an abundance of food seemed almost sinful. I can remember still the stories my Mannie told me about her girl hood days. I recall, too, the things told me of her husband, my Grand father, whom I never had the pleasure of knowing; he was “called home” before I could know him. I highly valued the remembrances which were shared with me of that fellow. I was blessed in that my OtitM/ Mr. Lewis Freeman, Administrator Mayor C. B. Brown, Jr. City Councilmen City of Jackson Gentlemen: Again, you have proven to the constituents of Jackson and Butts County, your concern and commitment toward “helping others help themselves.” The Piedmont Area Com munity Action Agency and the citizens it serves are grateful to you for your good will gesture in the donation of a truck to be used to transport men and materials in the agency’s weatheriza tion program for homes of the elderly and the low income. The Piedmont Area Com munity Action Agency owes much of its continued success in Butts County to the cooperation and encourage ment that has been generat ed by a responsive city council. May you continue to exemplify positive com munity leadership. Wish best wishes, I am Respectfully yours, EdluieD. Walker Executive Director MAYOR OF JACKSON COUNCIL OF JACKSON CITY EMPLOYEES On behalf of the Jackson Garden Club, we want to thank all of you who helped beautify the downtown area in Jackson. It is a beautiful sight, and I’m sure when people pass through our town they say what pride we have, which was through your efforts. Also we want to thank all of those who keep our cemetery so neat and clean. Respectfully, Jackson Garden Club Mrs. Wm. F. Hindley, President ruth at random By Ruth Bryant Ode to a Rainy Day Because of sidewalks slick with mud I cannot walk to school today, Because of sheets of pouring rain I cannot sweep my usual way, Because of rhythm in my soul I cannot keep from being gay! Because of love for everyone I never can forget to pray! father’s parents both lived long enough for me to truly know and love them. They are gone now, but I have such lovely memories to hold. My Grandmother Smith was a pianist and an organist; she was a talented lady. Lady is an important word here, because my Grandmother, the musician, was a true Southern lady. I remember her best when I envision her seated at a piano. Grand mother Smith was not big in stature, but her talent was tremendous. Now Grand dady Smith was a twinkly eyed man who inevitably gave me silver dollars after a visit and before I went home. He was a Judge, you see, yet as a child I saw none of the stern juge in him, just the remarkable wit I loved. Forgive a little reminis cing, dear readers. Yet if I can impress upon any of you who have grandparents left living to simply appreciate them and visit them more, then I shall really feel good. The grandmas and grandpas of this old world are so very precious. Each and every one of them needs a little attention. Sometimes we forget that. A lot of congratulations are due the people of Jackson, GA. On Monday, September 12, 1977, you contributed 185 pints toward the 700 regional daily need. With 225 people presenting, we had 53 first-time donors. It is because of people like you, we are able to supply 116 hospitals in Georgia with their blood needs. Those of you that donated on September 12 may have noticed a slight backup of donors. The cause of this was the inauguration of anew history card. Our staff, the nurses, were just becoming familiar with the new form, therefore, there was a slight delay. However, now that the nurses have become familiar with the form, things are much faster. The new history card is just another part of the progress that is taking place in the Red Cross Blood Program. Using the new history card, we are able to perform a better survey of health guidelines for blood donors, allowing for safer blood in transfusions. Now that the card has been used for awhile, we are finding that the bloodmobile is moving a lot faster. With more efficiency in the new history card we can supply a better quality blood to the community. Through people like you in Jackson, we can supply the community with the blood they need. Again, thank you for the 185 pints of blood on September 12. We look forward to seeing you again on December 19, 1977. Sincerely, R. C. (Bob) Batcher, Jr. Atlanta Regional Red Cross Blood Program