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Voters At Southern End Os County Taking A Long Look At Races Political Rumors Focus On County Commission Political talk and rumors continue to be a strong topic of conservation among local politicans as Houston County creeps into the biggest political year since 1968. Voters in Perry and the southern end of the County are taking a long look at the races developing on the Board of Commissioners. Serving out the last months of their four year terms as Commissioners are Alton Tucker of Centerville, Edward Bryant of Warner Robins and Frank Rozar of Perry. Rozar is the only member on the board from Perry and the southern portion of the County. Voters from this area of the County feel they should have representation on the board and many are already at work to help insure that Perry keeps a board member. Commissioners now run “at large” in the County, since a bill was passed in the General VOL. 102 NO. 13 Perry Police Nab Robbery Suspect Here Perry Police officers arrested Horace Clarington, colored male, of Route 3, Box 68, Fort Valley, on the grounds of the Robert Thompson Warehouse last Thursday night at 11:10 p.m. and confiscated a large number of stolen items from his car and residence. Patrolman Gene Langston made the arrest, assisted by Cpl. Eddie Findley and Patrolmen Kermit, Beasley, Willie Coats, and Roy Mathis. Police Chief B. E. Dennard said that when Clarington was arrested he had a loaded .22 caliber pistol in his pocket. He also had burglary T ini g Larry Walker, partner in the law firm of Walker and Richardson in Perry, was named Boss of the Year by the Houston County Legal Secretaries at their annual award banquet last week. He was nominated by his secretary, Lois Athon, shown presenting him with a placque. The Houston Home Journal The Perry Area’s Favorite Newspaper For The Past 100 Years tools in his possession, in cluding a flashlight , screwdriver, and hammer. When Clarington was taken to City Hall after his arrest, officers found that he had in his automobile ar ticles stolen in Warner Robins the same day, in cluding two tape decks, four speakers, and clothing burglarized from Star Cleaning and Laundry. Also in his possession were a clock taken from Thomp son’s Warehouse in an earlier burglary, one $lO bills, and $9.85 in silver. A search warrant was obtained for his residence, and a number of other stolen items were recovered there. Assembly more than two years ago wiping out the old “Mossy Creek Line” that once served as dividing line in the County for political offices. The voting power lies in Warner Robins, with all county officers having to be elected on a county wide basis. Rumors are that Frank Rozar will seek re election and he seems to be a strong candidate with his popularity good in both Perry and Warner Robins. Some political observers say that Warner Robins voters also feel that Perry should have representation on the board and it is not expected that Rozar will have any strong opposition for his post. Long time Commissioner Alton Tucker has not said whether or not he will seek re-election to the board but he has been a strong rumored candidate for Sheriff. His name has also been mentioned as a candidate for one of the State Representative posts from the northern end of the county. Tucker, PAGE 1-A Included were saws, a large car buffer, automobile “mag” wheels, tires, tape recorders, tape players, guns, one camera, an assortment of tools and a tool box, .22 caliber ammunition, gas cans with siphon hose, and a clock stolen from Lee’s gift shop Tuesday night, March 21. Chief Dennard said that Clarington has been charged here with theft by taking, carrying a concealed weapon, and carrying a weapon without a permit. Warrants were also being issued in Warner Robins. Clarington posted bond and was released from custody until his trial on the charges. PERRY, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1972 ||J - ;. 'RAittHfcri t. ■ #•, ' -.: - BB . I I ■TW &. A *d^K ; . BB hHR ' W 4 - M. '" 1 ■ M ;; H Hk> * - .£■ v : I ,*- V R I Perry Police Look Over Confiscated Stolen Goods Perry Police officers are shown with some of the stolen items confiscated after the arrest of Horace Clarington. Some items were in his automobile, and others were found at his home after a search warrant was obtained. Shown are * Downtown Study Pushed * The downtown develop ment committee of the Perry Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday afternoon and adopted a resolution to be submitted to the City Council calling for joint effort and study to be made on the downtown parking problem. The resolution called for Carroll St. to be made one way to create angle instead of parallel parking in the downtown with his county-wide popularity, could very well seek any of the political races. But he has not yet told his plans. Commissioner Edward Bryant, who is also serving out his term, has already announced his plans to try and unseat Mayor Homer J. Walker of Warner Robins. That puts Bryant out of the county political picture, at least for the time being. Commissioner Henry Cullen Talton, who has two more years to serve on his term of office, has also been a strongly rumored candidate for Sheriff. He has not told any plans as yet but many observers believe he will run against Sheriff Albert Hudson in an attempt to unseat him. However, it is not expected that both Alton Tucker and Talton would seek to run for the Sheriff’s office. It seems to be a strong possibility, at any rate, that Sheriff Hudson will have opposition from one of the two men now on the Board of business section. Louis (Smokey) Harper, chairman of the committee, pointed Out that the solution to the downtown parking problem should be the number one priority and the committee agreed. The group also discussed the possibility of improving the looks of downtown by redesigning the store fronts in a central theme and ad ding specialty shops in the Patrolman Kermit Beasley, kneeling; standing from left are Ptl. Arthur Buckles, Cpl. Eddie Findley, Sgt. Pat Padgett, radio operator Bennie Redmond, Chief B. E. Dennard, and arresting officer, Patrolman Gene Langston. area. Barbara Jones noted that many of the stores already have a colonial type architecture and that such a theme may be worth con sidering. Chamber president Joe Poole suggested that the chamber sponsor a bus tour of some of the towns in Georgia that have rebuilt their downtown areas. He said the tour should be made up of downtown merchants Commissioners. Former Board member Stewart Bloodworth of Perry, has also been rumored as a possibility to run once again for Commissioner. Bloodworth was beaten by Commissioner Robert Byrd two years ago but he has kept in close contact with local politics and may very well be a candidate. He has not made any public statements but The Home Journal has learned that Bloodworth is “interested' 1 in making a political race this year. Warner Robins Recreation Director Claude Lewis has also been a rumored candidate for the County Board. Lewis has been silent on his plans but there are many voters in Warner Robins that believe his popularity would make him a strong candidate in the race for County Commissioner, no matter which candidate he ran against So, the Houston County political pot is beginning to warm up and it looks like it is going to be a very, very hot summer. and property owners and other interested persons. The committee is com prised of chairman Louis (Smokey) Harper, Calvin Mclyendon, Bill Overton, Ed Beckham, Barbara Jones, A. C. Pritchett Sr., Lewis Meeks, Jimmy Stubbs, Malcolm Reese and Coun cilman James McKinley. Joe Poole said the purpose of the committee is to in vestigate and motivate 32 PAGES business property owners into undertaking a new look at themselves with the idea of improving shopping in the business district. He also said the idea of forming a downtown business im provement association should be explored. The committee will meet again next week to further discuss plans of a schedule of city-wide promotions during the coming year.