Newspaper Page Text
f The Houston Home *
I Journal
Perry, Georgia's Hometown Newspaper & Houston County's Legal Organ Since 1870-A Park Newspaper _ _ . _
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7,1989--119th YEAR, NO. 45,4 SECTIONS, 30 PAGES, PLUS SALES CIRCULARS MIDWEEK E DITION"-250
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HHJ Stall Photograph By Eric Zellars
Hospital expansion moves ahead
Construction crews have been busy the
past couple of months pouring the con
crete floors and walls for the Perry Hos
pital's major expansion of Its emergency
room and intensive care unit. Here, Dell
Reed aboard the tractor receives guid
ance from foreman Doug White and
Bobby Barge as work continues at the
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PHS seniors remain standing until all have walked to their seats in the gym
...It was a special night for the 138 graduates
Rain drops, tear drops bring end to class of 'B9
By MELODY BACAS
Staff Writer
There were a few drop of rain outside and a few drops of tears inside as
the Perry High School Class of 1989 accepted their diplomas and moved
their tassels.
This graduation had a special meaning to the class because it is cele
brated during the 100th anniversary year of public schools in Perry,
valedictorian Chris Cosby said in his speech to the class and to guests.
Cosby said there arc other special characteristics of this class. They
were the first class to go four years at Perry High and the First class under
four years of Principal Phil Smith's direction.
"The students is what make this class special. Each has unique abilities
and talents," Cosby said.
After issuing a "thank you" from the class to teachers, parents and
community supporters, the valedictorian told his fellow class members not
to quit. He said their talents can be used to keep America great.
Perry's Northrop plant to reach
full employment of 750 by 1994
By MELISSA CRADDOCK
Staff Writer
In 1994 when the plant will be
in full production, the Northrop
Corp. expects to employ 750 peo
ple in Perry, said Art Grady, vice
president and manager of the Gcor
gia Production Center.
But up until that date, employ
ment will rise slowly at the SI3I
million facility.
Grady updated Perry Kiwanis
Club members Tuesday on the
progress on the company's 2200
acres now under construction.
Grady presented anticipated cm
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construction site. At present, 60 per
cent of the of concrete portion of the
expansion is complete, and masonry
workers are ready to start putting up the
outside brick walls. The expansion
project Is expected to be finished by
late October or early November.
ployment statistics up to 1994. By
the end of 1989, there will be 60
employees at the plant. In 1990,
there will be 68 employees, in
1991, 160 employees, and in 1992,
281 employees.
The plant will start production
on the Tacit Rainbow, a non-nu
clear missile, in November of
1990. The missile, which seeks and
destroys enemy radar, is the Georgia
facility's single project, but Grady
said that there arc "several proposals
in progress" for additional products.
The construction completion
date has been moved back a month
"I don't think God wants us to stop here. There will always be one
more question, one more problem to solve," he said.
There were plenty of emotional highs during the ceremonies Monday
night in the school gymnasium. Amy Mizell, senior class vice president
led the invocation and the PHS band played the national anthem. Senior
Class Secretary Sandy Scruggs led the pledge to the flag and Adrian Green,
the senior class president, welcomed guests.
The Perry High School Quartet, including Michael Sargent, Chris
Cosby, Jeff Edes and Scott Dorman sang "America the Beautiful."
Perry High's choral group led in the singing of the alma mater, which
was written by a former teacher and graduate of Perry Public Schools, Mrs.
Aurelia Cooper Evans.
Michael Sargent quoted Meditation 17 in memory of two classmates
who didn't live to accept their diplomas, James Tabor and Robin
Winchester.
Even some of the young men had tears as teachers and staff made the
to April 1990, but the first fueled
and armed missile is not expected to
be trucked out of the plant until
September 1991.
Grady said "there arc interna
tional customers looking at the
(Tacit Rainbow) system." He could
not disclose which countries may
become customers for the missile,
or whether the United Slates
Department of Defense would allow
its sale.
Eighty-five percent of the parts
for the missiles will be purchased
from other manufacturers. One Ki-
Contlnued on Page 8A
306 99 / /01
I GEORGIA NEWSPAPER PROJECT
I U.GA MAIN LIBRARY
ATHENS
Budget contains
three rate hikes
By MELISSA CRADDOCK
Staff Writer
The City of Perry's $9,848,955
budget will include water, sewer and
garbage rate increases plus the hir
ing of a full-time recreation director
for the city.
City water and sewer collection
fees arc expected to go up about 10
percent next year and garbage fees
will rise $2.25 if the City Council
passes the budget as proposed. But,
the millagc rale is expected to re
main at 13.39 mills if the estima
tions for revenues from property
taxes arc correct.
The Mayor and City Council
met Saturday morning for a final
discussion of the budget, which is a
20 percent increase from FY 89.
The required public hearing was
held Monday, but no citizens at
tended.
At their meeting Tuesday night,
councilmen heard the first of two
readings of the fiscal year 1990
budget.
Minimum water rates for up to
3,000 gallons used will go up to
$6.40 from $6.15. From 3000 to
6000 gallons, the new rate will be
$1.55 per 1000 gallons from $1.51.
With the old scale, the more
Continued on Page 8A
Angie Batchelor receives her diploma from Larry Walker as Phil Smith watches
...Walker, a PHS graduate, and Herman Ragin Sr., a HHS graduate awarded diplomas
Art Grady
...Northrop manager
Local deaths
Joseph Thomas Wheelus Sr., 81 —Albert 'AT Dix Culpepper, 88. — Death
notices appear on Page 3A.
Thought for the Day
"Without you, we couldn't have made it."—Jessica Neely, speaking of
parents and teachers at Westfield High graduation.
THE REV. BERKELEY 4A TIM LEWIS 7A
BIRTHS 6A LIFESTYLE 1C
PEGGY BLEDSOE 3D PEOPLE 'N PLACES 6A
CALENDAR 3A POLICE LOG 2A
CLASSIFIED SB RECIPES 1D
MELISSA CRADDOCK 4A SCHOOL NEWS 3C
DEATHS 3A SHERIFF’S REPORT 2A
808 EVANS IB SOCIAL NEWS 6A
EDITORIALS 4A SPORTS 1C
ENTERTAINMENT 6C STREET TALK 5A
JIM KERCE 4A RUBY THARPE 6A
ERIC JANSSON 2C MILDRED WARREN ID
LEGAL NOTICES 9A, 7B WE SALUTE 5A
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traditional unbroken circle around the graduates and offered prayers of good
success.
A good amount of time was spent reflecting on the changes of Perry
public schools since 1889. Principal Phil Smith reminded guests this was
the first class to graduate from PHS since it was named a school of
excellence and Stale Rep. Larry Walker said Perry has always produced
students of excellence.
"Our Perry schools have produced a U.S. senator, an owner of a Fortune
500 company and many doctors, lawyers and others who have truly
succeeded," Walker said.
"Judging from what I sec here tonight, the future will be even belter,"
he said.
Retired principal and a 1945 graduate of Houston High School Herman
Ragin Sr. talked of how far education for blacks has come in the past 100
years and encouraged all to take advantage of their education.
Continued on Page 8A
Council takes action
to define liquor sales
By MELISSA CRADDOCK licensee or any other person to sell,
Staff Writer offer for sale, or furnish to others
Hoping to clear up some recent any alcoholic beverages between the
confusion over selling or furnishing hours of 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. on
beer on Sundays, Perry's City weekdays, or between the hours of
Council is considering an ordinance 12 midnight on Saturday until 8
which clearly defines business a.m. Monday," the ordinance states,
hours for selling liquor, beer and The ordinance provides for ex
wine. ceptions especially for package-to-
Thc Council heard a first reading go stores. One exception allows
of the ordinance Tuesday night licensees holding only package-to
which prohibits a licensee to sell or go beer and wine licenses to sell at
give away alcoholic beverages on any time except between 12
Sundays. midnight Saturday to 12 midnight
"Except as otherwise provided Sunday. This allows 24-hour
herein, it shall be unlawful for any Continued on Page 8A