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After Heated Two-Hour Debate
Charges, Counter Charges
* Spur Spears Resignation
Warner Robins physician
Wentford Spears, in a surprise
move, Monday night offered
his resignation as a member
of the Houston County
Hospital Authority to the
county commission at a
special called meeting in
Warner Robins. Spears’ move
came after two hours of
charges and counter-charges
between Spears and the other
members of the Authority.
Five of the other eight
members had earlier handed
in their resignation to the
Houston
Fire Report
Houston County
Fire Dept.
923-1 144
CENTERVILLE
; No activity.
BONAIRE-KATHLEEN
No activity.
HAYNEVILLE
■ ; No activity.
HENDERSON
Assisted the Unadilla Fire
Dept. on (he 20th with a mobile
;(iome burning at a Unadilla
Jnobile home factory.
A call was received on Sepl
jju lo a double-wide • 'bile
on the Macon i -uKy
jane Complete loss
Ferry Eire Dept.
11X7-1212
No activity.
Sogadera Club Benefit
Time Draws Near For
: ‘Holiday Happenings 9
« The Sogadera Club will have
, annual benefit on October 8
at the Perry United Methodist
Church Fellowship Hall Mrs.
Gloria Brannen and Mrs, Ann
Matt, general chairman for
the annual benefit, have been
busy making final plans for
the appearance of the well
known flower artist Larry
Lucas.
The agenda for "Holiday
Happenings" will include
decoration for Halloween,
Thanksgiving and Christmas,
and gourmet food tips, Lucas
\vill bring from his shop in
Sandy Springs some
arrangements, ornaments.
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Mrs. Jennifer Ratliff and Mrs. Nancy Baggarly, Sogadera Club members,
discuss seating arrangements for the Larry Lucas “Holiday Happenings’’
show set for Tuesday, October 8, at 7:30 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall of Perry
United Methodist Church.
commission.
Spears’ resignation was
accepted by the county
commission in a 4-1 vote. For
the Charles Carter motion to
accept the resignation of
Spears were Carter, Steve
Byrd, Alton Tucker, and
Chairman Frank Rozar.
Strongly dissenting was V.W.
McEver, who had originally
spearheaded the move some
months ago to get Spears a
seat on the Authority. Tucker
did qualify his affirmative
vote by saying, “I vote yes if
that’s what he wants."
Charges floated around the
circular meeting room at
Warner Robins City Hall that
Spears, in some way had a
conflict of interest since he is a
member of the Robins Doc
tor’s Clinic and the Hospital
Authority. One charge alleged
against Spears was that he
somehow engineered the
clinic hiring several hospital
employees. The clinic is
located across the street from
the hospital, and is staffed
with many of the hospital’s
doctors. Among them are Dr.
McEver and Dr. Spears.
Hospital Authority Chair
man L A. McConnell, the
spokesman for the five who
tendered their resignations,
said. The appointment of
Dr. Spears immediately
began to divide the hospital
authority and medical staff.”
Resigning along with Mc-
Connell were Hugh Beatty of
Ferry, Vice-Chairman Louis
Harper ol Perry, Freeman
Colbert, Jr., of Warner Robins
and Paul Slalnaker of Warner
Robins.
tableware and flowers that
may be purchased at the
show. He will also have
decorating items and unusual
Christmas gifts for men and
women.
Lucas encourages his
audience lo ask questions and
lake notes. The Sogadera Club
will furnish pencil and paper
at the show.
During his 14 years in
flowers, Lucas has become
quite an outstanding lecturer
in the Southeast. For a
number of years he has been
noted as the largest fund
raiser in the Slate of Georgia.
Agreeing to the conditions
set forth in a letter read by
McConnell (see the complete
letter in another HHJ article),
but deciding to remain on the
Authority were Sherrill
Stafford and Billy Beckham.
New member Barry Jones
said it “would be totally
inappropriate for me to have
any comment at all,” and took
no further active part in the
proceedings.
One situation allegedly
promulgated by Spears
concerned the inhalation
therapy department at
Warner Robins Hospital.
Halloween
Carnival Set
At Tucker
The Tucker School
Halloween Carnival has been
set for Saturday, October 26,
with an added attraction this
year. Carolyn Jones, chair
man of the Carnival has an
nounced that the Tucker
lunchroom staff, headed by
Mrs. Bessie Lamberth will
prepare delicious southern
bar-be-que. It will be served
from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. on
Carnival Day, The lunch will
include BBQ, slaw, potato
chips, pickles and bread. Cost
will be $1.75 per plate. You will
be able to eat at the school or
take it out.
Tickets will soon be on sale
so mark your calendar,
Mother. Plan to eat BBQ
Saturday, October 26, at the
Tucker Halloween Carnival.
In 1973 Lucas was honored
with the W.S.B. Radio Award
and was a four time guest in
December on the Today in
Georgia Show. More recently
Lucas' shop has been
recognized as second in the
nation as a gift and accessory
shop. He has also received
Honorable Mention in House
Beautiful for his shop
displays.
Lucas is generously
donating a Christmas wreath
that was made in his shop to
be given away during the
show. Anyone wishing to
purchase a ticket may contact
any Sogadera Club member.
Some months ago a new
contract with the employees
was still purportedly in the
discussion stage when the
Hospital Authority found that
the inhalation therapists were
working for the Doctors’
Clinic, instead of the hospital.
The Authority members,
primarily McConnell, cer
tified that they knew nothing
of the situation until three
months after the therapists
had begun working for the
clinic.
Dr. Hay Ivey, sitting in the
audience, verified that he and
Dr, Lamar Pilcher had
walked into Beverly Chester’s
office (then Warner Robins
Hospital Administrator), and
told Chester the inhalation
therapists were working for
the clinic. “We asked Chester
what was going on,” he said.
Also at the meeting was
Authority Chairman Mc-
Connell who allegedly asked
Chester how the situation
came into being. Chester
reportedly replied, “I don’t
know,”
Spears indicated “utter
amazement at the charge.”
He said that at a Hospital
Authority meeting in Perry,
that Chester and Dr. Robert
Carter had been given per
mission to “negotiate a
contract with the therapists.”
But no other Authority
Newcomers
To Perry
Mr. and Mrs. Still
Rt, 1-Box 188
Kathleen
Mr. and Mrs. D. Hansen
Rt. 2-Box 532 H
Limerock Rd.
Perry
Mr. and Mrs. D. Dozier
Rt. 2, Limerock Rd.
Perry
Mr. and Mrs. L. Hoffman
1501 Kingston Rd.
Perry
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rice
1047 Morningside Drive
Perry
Robert Wilson
Box 5-A
Westwood Trailer Park
Perry
Herman Sherrell
512 Carroll Street
Perry
Robert Kintzel
Lot 9
Westwood Trailer Park
Perry
Robert J. Billings
Lot 18-A
Westwood Trailer Park
Perry
Gary Rucker
821 Oakridge Dr.
Perry
Grady Davis
1417 Baker St.
Perry
Leonard Coyle
1204 Swift
Perry
Weaver Joins
Stanley’s Os
Perry Staff
Stanley’s of Perry an
nounced this week that
Warner Robins resident
Carson Weaver has Joined the
Interior Design staff at the
Macon Street furniture store.
Weaver, a native of Chapel
Hill. North Carolina, has been
in the Middle Georgia area
since 1971.
He has been in professional
design for twelve years,
having received professional
training in New York. Weaver
joins Diane Keys on the
Stanley’s staff of interior
decorators. Stanley’s says,
"Carson has had extensive
training in all phases of in
terior design ”
member seemed to remember
such an agreement.
McConnell stated, “None of
us knew what you were
doing.”
Several minutes later Dr.
Beard said, "Dr. Spears and I
are probably the two most
controversial, obnoxious
personalities at the hospital, I
wonder if this couldn’t be
solved at a lower level than
here. This is a personality
problem. It’s already in the
press, as 1 can see. rather
quickly."
Alter further bitter
discussions, Spears said that
he would resign if the com
missioners formally adopted a
resolution asking for his
resignation. He said, “I will
not cut and run. But if my
presence is hindering, I’ll
resign. I'm amazed at the
power 1 possessed and the fact
that one man dominated a
nine-man board.”
Authority member Sherrill
Stafford offered a possible
solution to the dilemma. He
suggested, “I recommend that
you not accept the
resignations, and you con
sider, if legal, dissolving this
hospital authority, effective
one week from today. Then
you could take those nine
names, and let each of the nine
submit two names, for a total
of twenty-seven names. Then
select nine, and constitute a
new authority."
Stafford’s idea was not
implemented. After more
discussion went off “on a
tangent”, Dr. Beard spoke up
again. “It seems to me y’all
are skirting the issue. Let’s
face the issue. It is Dr. Spears.
Is Dr. Spears able to serve
without being prejudiced?”
Beard continued, “Dr.
Spears, why don’t you resign
and let the county commission
appoint someone else? ’ ’ Beard 4
alleged, "there is a little
hanky-panky going on among
the county commission, you
all swap votes.” This was
immediately denied.
Beard closed, “The
Authority is a political foot
ball. Isn’t it time you made it
something else?”
Then Spears shocked the
crowd by saying, “I ten
tatively offered my
resignation a little while ago. I
offer it unequivocably now.
You have it now. My day is too
full. I resign. But don’t think
your problems are solved by
my resignation.”
Hearing this, Commissioner
Carter said, “What has been
said tonight is cutting, hurting
deep. I want to compliment
Wimpy (Spears). I know it
hurt, and it took a lot of guts.”
He then moved to accept
Spears’ resignation. He was
seconded by Commissioner
Byrd and the motion passed 4-
1.
Mrs. Anna Marie Meens, Director of the Food
Services at Perry-Houston County Hospital, was
given an attache case Monday by Department
heads at the hospital to keep papers of her “high
office’’ as State President of HIEFFS, the state
food service association. Left to right are:
Hospital Administrator Max Poole (L) and Mrs.
Meens (R) with the department heads. Left to
111 k • f
The Perry Garden Club accepts custodianship of a road side park on U.S. 341
North, just outside the Perry City limits. The Garden Club will plant greenery
and floral scenery at the site, in addition to helping to “ police ” it. Left to right
are: Mrs. Margaret Bragg, Mrs. Helen Sasser. State Highway Engineer
Donnie McElmurray, Mrs. Tom Arledge, and her children.
September Meeting
Perry Lions Exceed
Lighthouse Drive Goal
Tuesday, September 17, the
Perry Lions enjoyed an ex
ceptional regular meeting.
The meeting place was the
New Perry Hotel and the
evening was different for
several reasons. First, all
active members of the club
were present (the first) and
second, the club was
privileged to hear an address
by Mrs. Martha Marsh,
Executive Director of the
Georgia Lighthouse Foun
dation, Atlanta. Following
Potpourri Club
II - "■ : ’ ■ 1
Plans For Fair
The Potpourri Club held
their first meeting of the club
year Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 10
AM. in the County
Agriculture Building. Mrs.
Lora Arledge, program
chairman, introduced Mrs.
Peggy Jerles who gave a very
informative and interesting
program on yoga. Mrs. Jerles
gave a brief history of the
practice and demonstrated
some exercises. The club
members were then led in
several exercises. Everyone
seemed to be in agreement
that this is a pleasant way to
look and feel better if prac
ticed regularly,
Delicious refreshments
were served by the hostesses,
Mrs, Claudeen Malstrom and
Mrs. Vi Fasse. The business
HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL THURS., SEPT. 24, 1»74,
this, (he Lions heard about the
“Fire Prevention Week”
program from Chief Sira
La whom of Perry.
Mrs. Marsh discussed such
things as the enucleation
course for the licensed em
balmers, the eye donor
program, and various
assistance programs offered
by the Lighthouse Foundation
for people who need sight
care. She emphasized the
effective and good work the
Lighthouse was doing for the
meeting was presided over by
Mrs. Martha Atkinson,
president. Yearbooks were
distributed lo members and
some programs and plans for
the year were discussed. The
president’s pointer for this
month was to use steam iron
cleaner to remove residue
marks left on vases or con
tainers holding water. A
report was given on the
County Homemakers
Achievement Day held on
Sept. 12. Plans were discussed
for the Homemakers display
at the Houston County Fair,
Sept. 30 thru Oct, 5.
The next meeting will be at
10 A.M. Oct. 15 at the County
Ag. Building with a program
on Batik. This is an art using
cloth, wax and dye. Visitors
are welcome.
right are: Poole, O.L. Mitchell (Supply), Mrs.
Marie Newcomb (Housekeeping), Mrs Sara
Rhoney (Medical Records), Mrs. Betty Howard
(Director of Nursing). Doug Ashbridge (Director
of Ambulance Services), Carol Belflowers (Acting
Business Office Manager), Mrs. Dixie Parker
(CSR Supervisor), George Storey (Hospital
Engineer), and Mrs. Meens.
PAGE 7-A
people of Georgia but was
quick to say much more work
is required by the Lions and
the people who support them
in order to reach the many,
many people in need of eye
care.
A check for $200.00 was
presented to Mrs. Marsh for
the Georgia Lighthouse cause.
This gift far exceeded the goal
assigned each club and the
i Perry Lions thank the people
lof Perry for making it
possible.
The Perry Lions voted to
participate in the “World
Lions Service Day” (do a good
deed) on October 8. Since this
date falls within the Fire
Prevention Week, the Perry
Lions chose to support the
Houston County Fire
Association in their project
“SAC” - Save-a-child. Perry
Fire Chief Lawhorn explained
this program to the members.
It consists basically in placing
a red decal on the bedroom
window of a child under 12
years old and on the front door
of a residence where an in
valid lives so that in case of an
emergency the firemen can
evacuate them without loss of
time. More information on the
program will be forthcoming
from the Houston County Fire
Association.
The next regular meeting
will be held October 1 at the
New Perry Hotel. Mr. Charles
Hoover from the American
Physical Fitness Institute will
be the guest speaker. His topic
will be, “Physical Fitness for
Busy People.”