Newspaper Page Text
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i-THE HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL, SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 16. 1991
Perry viewpoint
The Houston Home Journal
OFFICIAL ORGAN, CITY OF PERRY AND HOUSTON
COUNTY, GEORGIA, SINCE 1870
PUBLISHED EACH WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY MORNING
807 CARROLL ST., P.O. DRAWER M, PERRY, GA 31069
TELEPHONE: (912) 987-1823
The Houston Home Journal (USPS 252-780) is published biweekly for $lB
per year by the Houston Home Journal, Inc., 807 Carroll St., Perry, Ga.
31069. Second Class Postage paid at Perry, Ga. POSTMASTER: Send
address change to The Houston Home Journal, P.O. Drawer M, Perry, Ga.
31069.
ROY H. PARK, President & Chairman ol the Board, Park Newspapers
JAMES B. KERCE
Editor & General Manager
JAN HAMPTON TERESA HAWK
Managing Editor Advertising Manager
—_______
Lottery is your decision
Without question, the idea of a lottery in Georgia is one
of the hottest issues ever to face the state.
In most folks mind the question is clear cut and there is
little indecision on their opinions: Folks are "fer it, or
"again it." Period!
We do not intend to debate the rightness or wrongness of
a state lottery in this space, now or in the future.
Rather, we applaud state lawmakers for a key point in
the proposed law—our right to decide whether or not we
the people of Georgia want this law to go into effect. Few
times in the history of this state have lawmakers in Atlanta
given common folks a direct say in what laws they are
passing. Laws which will have impact on our everyday
lives.
Fortunately, in the case of a proposed lottery, state law
makers will give each of us a chance to vote "yes", or "no"
on the issue.
By putting the idea of a lottery before voters, the legis
lature has given each resident of Georgia the final say in
deciding the fate of a law which could have a far-reaching
impact on millions of Georgians.
• Oil profits outrageous
Three months ago when first reports surfaced that oil
companies were reaping huge, windfall profits by order
ing war-scare price hikes at the gas pump, stories were
planted and circulated nationally, arguing that profits
were not exorbitant.
Fourth quarter reports just in, show most major compa
nies did indeed take advantage of the war to reap windfall
profits. These unjustified higher prices at the gas pump
were clearly price-gouging.
Further, after prices per barrel fell sharply it took almost
two months for pump prices to follow. On the contrary,
when there was an ample supply of oil last August and
September,and no justification for price hikes at the pump,
prices immediately soared.
There was resistance from consumers, but there should
be some thing more. Perhaps an excess profits or windfall
profits tax on corporations which in wartime hike prices
excessively is needed.
Something is morally wrong when some take advantage
of national emergencies,which costs other Americans their
lives, and where greed produces nationwide hardship.
Pageant a disappointment
Editor:
I counted to 10 and waited a day. Now, I can write ob
jectively.
What happened Tuesday evening at Perry High
School’s pageant was a travesty and one that shouldn't
be ignored. It spoke badly, not only of Perry High, but of
the community of Perry as well. There were guests here
from out of town; and, many left with a really bad feeling
about Perry High.
Fourteen girls vied for the title of "Miss Perry High
School". They were really great, too. Yet, out of eight
blacks, not one was selected as a finalist. Not only that,
not one was selected for any accompanying awards. One
black received an award for highest grade point average.
I suspect that was only because no one has figured out a
way to argue with facts yet. I'm not talking of a token
black, either. I'm talking of awards received the old
fashioned way—they were earned!
They were also well-deserved. It was so obvious to so
many people what happened there. Too many people were
talking about great talent presented that night that exceeded
the talent presented by the winner in both delivery and
originality. That many people can't be all wrong, and not
all of these people were black—some were white.
There was one white man I remember in particular,
who, on his way out, said to us," I'm sorry, because they
were really great." It didn't take a genius to figure out
what he meant.
You may say:" we can't control the judges' decisions".
But, that's not entirely accurate. You control the decision
Please see LETTER, page 6A
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History does repeat itself
On February 15, 1973 Perry received a record snowfall of 16 inches. Above former
Mayor John Barton, center, is shown directing city workers as they attempted to
clear streets and highways. City workers shown were: Robert Graham, left, Harris
Mclntire and Smokey Wells. On February 15, 1991, Perry again saw snowfall. Os
course this time around the snow didn't measure an inch much less 16 inches Who
says history doesn't repeat itself?
Grape raising considered in 1951
Feb. 14, 1981
The Houston County Board of
Commissioners voted to fund the
paving of eight county roads at
their Tuesday meeting.
***
The Future Farmer of America
debate team at Perry High took first
place honors in regional
competition.
Feb. 11, 1971
William Cooper Jones, well
known citizen of Perry, passed
away Saturday in the local hospital
after a long illness.
***
Lightening struck the tower of
Midstate Cable TV Company on
the Marshallville Highway early
Friday morning, burning out three
miles of cable and 10 amplifiers.
Damage was estimated at SIO,OOO.
***
A resolution drawn by the
Houston County Commissioners
last week proposing a salary
increase for themselves has
prompted a number of persons all
over the county to begin circulating
petitions. The petitions are calling
for a special election to give voters
the opportunity to oppose the
salary increase.
Feb. 12, 1966
The Perry High Key Club, which
is sponsored by the Perry Kiwanis
Sinners will be held responsible
A friend told me about a man
who raped his little daughter and
was turned in to the authorities by
his wife, the little girl's mother.
He was arrested and during the long
judicial process, escaped and mur
dered his own daughter.
A convenience store clerk some
weeks ago in our own community
was senselessly murdered by a rob
ber.
A butcher in the Persian Gulf
values his ego so much and his
people so little that he is willing to
sacrifice them to the last man,
woman, and child, so as not to lose
face by backing down to the de
mands of the West
An alcoholic father is tearing up
his family by his chemical abuse
and their physical and emotional
Remember
when?
A look back at the people and
events which shaped Perry. This
column is compiled from past
Houston Home Journal issues.
Club, received its charter last
Wednesday night.
***
A.A. White Sr. was chosen as
the outstanding farmer of Houston
County by the Woodmen of the
World for 1965.
***
Dr. Lewis Smith of Eatonton, a
missionary doctor for the last five
years in Hong Kong, spoke to the
First Baptist Brotherhood Tuesday
night.
***
Del Coffey, Edward Morton, Jack
Smith and Andrew Talton are the
top com producers in Perry FFA.
Feb. 16, 1961
Mary E. Manship has been
named the 1961 STAR student for
Perry High School and for the
Houston County School System,
Jim Shipley
Pastor, Perry
Presbyterian Church
abuse.
Do the above samples from daily
life anger you?
Perhaps some would say, "No. I
and she has selected Mrs. Florence
Harrison as her STAR teacher.
***
Miss Miggie Molliur and Ronnie
Davis were selected "Miss Cour
tesy" and "Mr. Courtesy" at Perry
High School.
***
Perry's Mayor and Council
Tuesday adopted a $178,000 budget
for the year, almost $15,000 more
than anticipated revenue.
***
Sgt. B.E. Dennard was promoted
from sergeant of the police
department to assistant chief.
Feb. 11, 1951
Allen Tabor, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Floyd Tabor, won the local public
speaking contest in the Perry
Chapter of FFA.
***
Nine Penn Dixie employees
received 25 year certificates at the
general plant safety mass meeting
at Clinchfield.
***
Grape raising is to be introduced
as a new cash crop in Houston
County.
***
Members of the Houston Factory
Baptist Church gave their pastor,
Rev. Alfred Palmer, a suit of
clothes on his 23rd birthday as an
expression of their appreciation to
them
am a Christian and must forgive
and love everyone."
Another version of this is, "We
may hate the sin, but must love the
sinner."
By the way, it won't be the sin
but the sinner who dies unrepentant
that God will cast into the lake of
fire (hell) as He has warned:
"And if anyone's name was not
found written in the book of life, he
was thrown into the lake of fire”
(Rev.20:15).
As a pastor who is witnessing
the casualities in the dialy warfare
of life, I really struggle with that
attitude which refuses to get mad at
sin and sinners.
I don't see God peacefully sitting
back and allowing sin to run ram
» Please see SHIPLEY, page oA
■ The Houston Home f
Journal
Mike Principato
HHJ Staff Writer
Gun control: Is
it okay to sell
machine guns?
Recently, I had the opportunity
of attending the Heart of Georgia
Gun and Knife Show at the Georgia
National Fairgrounds in Perry. The
purpose of my visit was two fold.
First, 1 hoped to obtain pho
tographs which could be used in the
paper.
Secondly, I must confess 1 enjoy
antique weapons. I don't collect
them anymore. The hobby quickly
became too expensive to continue,
especially on my meager budget.
But the thrill of holding a piece
of history in one’s hands has always
appealed to me. The quality of the
workmanship of early American
firearms is something quite special.
With each weapon, it seems there is
a story of human struggle and tri
umph waiting to be told.
I still occassionally visit with
more active collectors than I to
share mutual experiences and a love
for history.
I have always been a staunch op
ponent of national gun control leg
islation. I have always believed the
right to "bear arms" is a Constitu
tionally guaranteed public right.
This country was and continues to
be built upon rugged individualism.
Responsible gun ownership is not
only a right of a free society, it is
a required duty, insuring national
and domestic tranquility.
Nonetheless,"! was amazed at the
extent of the types of weapons
available for public purchase.
What bothered me the was the
number and variety of paramilitary
hardware. The automatic and semi
automatic machine gun collection
was massive, complete with Soviet
made A.K.47’s and American made
Ingrams and Colt AR-15's. There
was also an extensive collection of
Isreali Uzi's.
What bothers me is not the fact
that these awesome weapons of de
struction exist. The world is a
volatile place. Though one may not
appreciate their existence, the
propensity of man to create this
type of weapon is a fact everyone
must live with.
Neither do I question their usage.
In a volital environment, the need
so such weapons seems self evident.
What bothers me is the
availability of these weapons to the
general public. I understand the
Constitutional arguments in favor
of unrestrained public access. In my
opinion, the Constitutional ques
tion does not apply to paramilitary
automatic and semiautomatic
firearms. These weapons, are not
designed for home protection. Nor
are they designed for the individual
shooting enthusiast. They are not
designed to simply wound or kill
but are designed to obliterate any
given target. These weapons are de
signed solely for mass destruction
of human life.
The question of usage is very
much in line with the question of
usage of nuclear devices. After con
siderable debate, American Society
chose to abolish full scale
manufacture of nuclear devices and
and further decided that those nu
clear weapons already in existence
be slowly fazed out of use in com
ing years. Isn't it about time the
nation considered paramilitary
weapons in the same light?
The reasoning behind deciding to
obolish nuclear weapons was and is
sound. Much of the arguments in
favor of abolishing these weapons
of mass destruction stemmed from
justifiable concern for irrational
acts of foreign nations.
Even today many fear the possi
bilities of a world where leaders like
Saddam Hussein have nuclear capa
bility.
This concern for irrational
behavior is also valid in respect to
the private sector. The people of
this country well remember the tra
jic events in our recent past which
took lives at a Post Office, a
school, and a McDonald’s restau-
Please see GUN, patje 8A