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I The Houston Home f Journal Perry, Georgia's Hometown Newspaper & Houston County's Legal Organ Since 1870-A Park Newspaper SATURDAY, JULY 1,1989-119th YEAR, NO. 52,3 SECTIONS, 30 PAGES «■ There will be fireworks bursting In air ...colorful aerial display will be part of gala Perryans are getting ready for 'Music Under the Stars’ July 4 By MELISSA CRADDOCK Staff Writer Perryans are taking out their picnic baskets and hosing off their lawn chairs to get ready for the third annual "Music Under the Stars," on Tuesday, July 4. From 5 to 11 p.m. at the Westfield Schools on Highway 41 South, the traditional Independence Day celebration will feature events for all ages. "Bring a picnic basket, your City mourns passing of ex-mayor Barton Obituary, Page 3A Tribute, Page 4A The city of Perry is mourning the death of former councilman and mayor John Barton, who died Tuesday of cancer. Barton, 63, had been ill for some time, but he retained his gentleness and kindness right up until the end. Friends and co-workers remem ber him as a dedicated public ser vant, proud of his country, fond of veterans and veterans organizations, ready to help anyone. Barton, a native of Pulaski County, moved to Perry just after World War 11. During the war, he Perry People: Cathy keeping Perry's kids By J.J. COOPER Staff Writer Cathy Fryer has become a virtual fixture around the Ochlahalchcc fields as she orginized three girls softball leagues and coached a team on the side. "I'd rather have them playing softball then doing some other things," said Fryer on the reason for doing it. Mrs. Fryer also has a love for sports and kids. "I wouldn't do it if I didn't," said Fryer. Fryer is the mother of two, Jennifer and Juice, softball and sports stars in their own rights. Jennifer, a recent graduate of Batman! Caped Crusader's flick is a hit. See P-5A lounge chairs and a blanket for an evening of family fun," said Bill Halhcock, music chairman of this year's event. The music will start at 7:30 with the Mossy Creek Band, followed by Nashville recording artist Hunter Cain at 8:45 p.m. Afterwards, the First Baptist Church choir will bring the music segment to a close and the fire works to a start. But before the music starts, a saw action in Europe with the U.S. Army. A former clothing shop owner here and first sergeant of the Perry National National Guard Armory, Barton served on the city council from 1968 to 1972. He was elected mayor in 1972 and served until 1974, when he resigned for busi ness reasons. As mayor, Barton was instru mental in forming the Perry Hotel and Motel Tax Commission, which he served as chairman until two years ago. Barton was a past commander Continued on Back Page * Cathy Fryer ...Ochlachtee volunteer PERRY. GEORGIA'S HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1870-FQR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF YOUR NEWS EVENTS CALL 987-1823 Journal captures 18 GPA awards Sandestin, Fla-For the second year in a row the Houston Home Journal captured the coveted general excellence award at the Georgia Press Association's 103rd annual convention here. The Overall Excellence Award is only given to six newspapers in Georgia. It designates those newspapers which arc considered to be he "best of the best" in the stale. Judges when commenting on picking the Home Journal said, This is truly outstanding in both appearance and content. It has good sharp pho tographs. It uses color effectively. The editorial page is interesting, the sports coverage good and the news and articles well written. The business section is another plus." Perry's century-old community paper earned a total of 18 awards in fifteen categories. Judge will study legality of State Patrol statute By OLIN HUBERT Staff Writer Superior Judge George Nunn heard arguments Thursday in a law suit challenging the constitutional ity of a Georgia law requiring State Patrol officers to be natural-bom citizens. Nunn look under advisement the case of Oscar Fernandez, 24, of Warner Robins, who was denied the opportunity to lake the exam for admission to trooper training school, which begins August 20. Fernandez' attorney, L. Robert Lovett, argued that the 1937 statute violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. man and woman team from the Atlanta Skydiving Center will parachute onto the football field at about 5 p.m. to get the momentum going. A fun run for children from ages 3 to 16 will start around 5:30, and for the older crowd, the dunking booth will be hard to resist. Prizes will be awarded for first place winners. Hathcock said that it's "hard to Continued on Back Page llf >vi isl John Barton ...a 'good, kind man' Fryer is active Westfield Schools, played on the Hornet softball team, was a cheerleader, and was an All-star in the Ochlahatchec League this year. Julee, going into sixth grade, also was an Ochlahatchec All-star, and played recreation football last year. "It runs in the family. My father played semi-pro baseball. My grandmother was on one of the first women's college softball teams," she said. "I've always loved sports but 1 didn't have the opportunities. The opportunities offered now are almost unreal." Protect our flag Amendment is a patriotic move. See P-4B Your HometownNewsDaDjLsince 1870, Constitution. Lovett also staled that the law violates 1981 and 1983 civil rights laws, which provide that naturalized citizens be free from employment discrimination because of their na tional origin. Lovett pointed out that the gov ernor of the state, members of the General Assembly, U.S. represen tatives and senators are not required to be natural-bom citizens. Born in Cuba in 1964, Fernan dez came to the United Stales in I97T* and is a naturalized citizen. After working as a deputy in the Houston County Sheriff’s Depart- Continued on Page 2A Authority allows pets for elderly By MELISSA CRADDOCK Staff Writer Elderly residents living in public housing will now be allowed to have certain kinds of pels, but a SSOO deposit will be required to have a dog or a cal. At Thursday's meeting of the Perry Housing Authority, the members reviewed the resolution of the pel policy, which they passed last month. In the resolution, the authority members staled that it was "in the best interest of the elderly residents of the Housing Authority to have certain pets." But the rules will be strict in order to protect the rights of the other tenants, and only those con sidered "elderly" will be allowed pets. Allowable pels arc dogs, cats, birds and fish. But, residents will Continued on Back Page n 11 Delivery as usual The Houston Home Journal will be delivered, as usual, on Wednes day, July 5. The newspaper also will be available in the boxes around town early Wednesday morning. Local death notices John W. Barton Jr. Wesley Ramage Tabor John Holliday. Sallye Foster Jacobs Julie Bembry Pinkston Robert John Mac Neill Jr. Death notices ap pear on Page 3A Index CLASSIFIED 6.78 EDITORIALS 4A PERRY WOODS ’N WATER 4,58 SPORTS IB WEEKEND EDITION-250 In the area of overall excellence the Journal picked up nine awards including three first, four second and two third place honors. In addition, the newspaper staff and editor walked away with nine individual awards for writing and photography. By winning these 18 awards the Houston Home Journal placed second only to the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, which gamed 19 awards, according to Jim Kerce, editor and general manager, during a telephone interview following the event. He credited Journal staffers, readers, advertisers, and community support for the newspaper's strong showing in this year’s contest. "Because we know Perry subscribers and advertisers expect and appreciate a quality newspaper each staff member of the Journal strives Continued on Back Page mBsSSKIm* Jm Center of attention That is exactly what Reta Murman was at recent Murman family reunion held at Houston Lake Country Club. Ralph and Reta Murman have nine children, 22 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Reta holds the youngest great grand son Thomas and standing beside her is her oldest great granddaughter Kathy Leitch. See story on P-2B PPG plant to gain from bridge work By MELISSA CRADDOCK Staff Writer Georgia's Department of Trans portation has agreed to assist the City of Perry in strengthening the Valley Drive bridge so that PPG Industries' trucks will be able to cross safely. During the council's called meeting Tuesday evening, City Manager Marion Hay announced some "good news," that the city will not have to bear the total cost of raising the capacity of the city owned bridge from 23 to 40 tons. Principals allowed to hire 'B9-'9O staff By MELISSA CRADDOCK Staff Writer The Houston County Board of Education agreed to allow school principals to go ahead and hire staff for the 1989-90 school year even though next year's budget has not been approved yet. During a special called session Wednesday night in Warner Robins, superintendent Harold Chapman asked the board to allow the princi pals to hire teachers, counselors and assistant principals for next year on the assumption that the budget will be passed in July. But, the board members stressed that only "non-controvcrsial" posi Going once... Auction to fund cancer research. See P-3A The city will have to contribute about SSOOO in materials and some labor. The plant requires the repairs to the bridge because it would be dangerous for the trucks, which exceed the present weight limit, to pass. When the plant starts production late this year, the trucks will carry loads of the float glass. Hay said that the DOT agreed to assist in the repairs after state Rep. Larry Walker spoke to department officials. lions could be filled before the bud get is officially approved. Only one "controversial" position remains: The language arts coordinator. But, two areas must be resolved before the budget will be approved. "I think we can work those out," said Board Member Skip Talbert. The two items that are in the way of final approval are the hiring of the language arts coordinator for the central office, and the supple ments for central office workers as compared to principals and teachers. The source of the language arts coordinator controversy is the pro posed salary for the position, which Continued on Back Page