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WEEKEND EDITION 250 Perry & Houston County's official Legal Organ SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1993 Health care reps, question state bill By ROBIN BOOKER Staff Writer Representatives of several mid state agencies met at the Houston County Annex Thursday night to examine the ramifications of two new pieces of legislation, House Bill 100 and Senate Bill 49. Both of these bills deal with the delivery of services in the mental health/mental retardation/substance abuse field. Parents concerned about language classes will meet BOE chairman invited to attend By ROBIN BOOKER Staff Writer Many parents in Houston County are expressing concern about the county’s new approach to teaching language skills and are searching for ways to get the sys tem changed. Parents argue that the whole language approach currently taught in elementary classes is not ade quately equipping their children with reading and writing skills. The concern of the parents has led them to question to die school board and the schools as to the effectiveness of this program. The Houston County School Board heard from a representative of the company publishing the reading program used in the schools on Tuesday, but the parents are still not satisfied with the response they have gotten from the system. Be cause of that dissatisfaction, con cerned parents will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Leisure World clubhouse in Warner Robins to dis cuss action to be taken in the mat Dogwood pageants to be held April 1 and 2 This year’s Dogwood Pageants are scheduled for April 1 and 2, ac cording to Elaine Stephens, chair man. The events are held annually under the auspices of the Perry High Athletic Department and in conjunction with Perry's Dogwood Festival. "This year we have added more ti tles and age divisions. Last year we felt that narrowing the age groups would be a good idea and would al low more entrants the opportunity of receiving a title,” she said. Categories include: Little Miss Dogwood-grades kindergarten through first and second; Junior Miss-grades three, four and five; ■:lk Hr tH Houston County Library Director Judy Golden says goodbye to L.Cohen Walker after 18 years of service to the Houston County Library Board. Walker retires after 18 years of service on county library board By ANISSA CLEMONS Staff Writer The Houston County Library Board received a S2OO donation from Partners for Progress and said goodbye to L. Cohen Walker as he attended his last meeting as a board member Thursday nighL During the 1992 General Assembly, the Senate Bill 811 Commission was established to look for ways to re-organize the de livery system for mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services. That commission has now produced pending legisla tion that has advocates of health care concerned. Because area health care represen ter. For more information, call Kim Sadler at 929-4906. The presentation to the school board demonstrated the whole-lan guage approach, which teaches read ing and writing as an integrated skill, rather than using isolated concepts. The approach also allows students to use creative spelling in kindergarten and first grade, while corrections are made in their spelling beginning in second grade. Teachers and principals of schools using the new methods spoke highly of the results at Tues day’s meeting, but many parents are still not comfortable with the ap proach. Board Chairman Zell Blackmon has been invited to attend Thurs day’s meeting and hopes to return from an Athens meeting in time to be there. Blackmon said the con cerned parents have also been in vited to speak at the next meeting of the school board to be held March 9. Pre-teen Miss-grades six and seven; Teen-grades eight, nine and 10; Miss Dogwood-grades 11, 12 and through age 23. Forms will be available through the high school and local busi nesses beginning the latter part of February. Competitions for Little Miss and Junior Miss will be held Thursday, April 1. The remaining contests will be held Friday, April 2. For more information, interested persons should call Elaine Stephens, 987-0822 (evenings), Perry High School, or Dee Hayes at 987-1711 (evenings). Walker has been on the board for the last 18 years. He received a money clip "for all his money" from the board members. Houston County Library Director Judy Golden said, "I don't know what I'm Please see RETIRES, page 6A PERRY, GEORGIA’S HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1870--FOR COVERAGE OF YOUR EVENTS, CALL 987-1823 I The Houston Home! Journal 2 SECTIONS—tO PAGES, PLUS SALES CIRCULARS "Our hope is that the legislature will send the'bill back...for further review before approving measures that might cause more problems than we already have. "-Dr. Dale Harvey. tatives question many of the provi sions included in the new legisla tion, a question-and-answer session .• lip---- 3jMi (HHJ photo by Eric Zellars) Perry High warms up for spring Perry High pitcher Jason Sikes pitches during the first day of baseball practice this year at PHS. Behind the plate is senior Alan Rowell. The Panthers open play March 4 against Bleckley County and will try to practice around the rainy days ahead. Grief support group begins this month By ANISSA CLEMONS Staff Writer Losing a loved one can often be a devastating experience, and First Christian Church will begin a 10- week grief support group Feb. 18 to help people cope with their loss. Pastor Ron Nolen said the church has had a support group for divorce recovery for the last two and a half years. "We saw another seg ment of our church not being met. There is a need for those who have lost a loved one to have support. "The purpose of the group is to help a person grow through their grief and continue with their life," he said. The reason death is a devastating crisis, according to Nolen, is be cause "We are overwhelmed with the situation, and ordinary problem was held to try to alleviate their concerns. Stan Jones, chairman of the Senate Bill 811 Commission, solving doesn't work through a cri sis. It blows them away." He said the group will offer a supportive environment to express grief and give interaction with others in the same situation. "We want to offer them anew direction and a hope for tomorrow." Nolen said, "Recovery will come regardless of how you feel now. Eventually sadness will become pleasant memories." Ronnie Shivers will lead Hope for Tomorrow. Nolen said, "He's a good listener, and he's compassion ate. He will truly understand the pain of losing someone close to you." Hope for Tomorrow is open to the public. Nolen encourages anyone to come by First Christian PERRY, GA. A Park Community Newspaper—©l993 explained the proposal and offered to answer any questions. The main concern voiced at the meeting was that local programs would suffer financially due to re gional boards being established to oversee services. As the structuring stands now, county health boards have more control of services. While many felt the structure of the plan was better understood fol- HF Good morning, Perry I ESXXZ& Sk MISS YOUR PAPER? We hope not, but if your carrier should err, please call early. 987-1823 Our circulation department is open from 8-10 a.m. to help. .TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL: 987-1823, OR 987-5203 READ IT, THEN RECYCLE! %5P This newspaper is printed, in pert, on re cycled paper and is re cyclable. For locations of recycling stations, cal 987-1823 Church for a pamphlet or to find out more. The group will start a second phase after the first 10 weeks. There will be a social activity once a month during the second phase. There are several ways friends can help friends through their griev ing process Nolen said. •Friends show they care by at tending the funeral. •It's also important to be there after the funeral and show under standing. •Cliches are not helpful. Words like: "You're doing so well, Others have lived through it, I know just how you feel, Be strong. You'll get over it and Time will take care of everything" may make survivors more alone and misunderstood. 123RD YEAR—VOLUME Is~ lowing the meeting, most attendees left still feeling concerned that their local programs would suffer finan cially and that the new organization would cause more problems than benefits. A main concern of Houston County representatives at the meet ing was that the county would fall into a regional organization with Please see QUESTION, page 6A HCDA votes to donate land to state for center By ROBIN BOOKER Staff Writer The Houston County Develop ment Authority voted unanimously Friday to pass a resolution convey ing land in Technology Park in Warner Robins to the state of Ge orgia. The conveyance of the prop erty is contingent upon Georgia be ing chosen as a regional pay center site. The state has already approved the appropriation of $l4O million in 20-year bonds to pay for the con struction of the center. Addition ally, Gov. Zell Miller signed all the necessary legislation Friday morn ing that will enable Georgia to be included in the Defense Depart ment’s final consideration. Development Authority Director Dick Ulm said the resolution passed Friday was the final step in getting the package together to send to the Defense Department. “We have everything ready to be sent out Monday morning," he said, “ and now all we have to do is wait for March IS to come to hear the decision as to whether or not we were selected.” If Georgia is not selected as the pay center site, the Houston County property will continue to be owned by the county. Police are Investigating shooting By ANISSA CLEMONS Staff Writer Chris Willis, 27, suffered multi ple gun shot wounds Thursday night during a fight at his apart ment. Perry Police arrived at 9-B Perimeter Circle about 7:30 p.m. after shots were fired. Detective Steve Heaton of the Perry Police Department said they aren't sure why the two were fighting. Perry Police are in the process of arrest ing Bernard Dove and possibly others. Willis could be arrested also, Heaton said. Willis is currently in the intensive Care Unit at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. The case is under investigation. •Help the bereaved express their emotions by saying: "What are you feeling? Tell me what's happening with you. It must be very hard for you." •Don't force the bereaved to share their innermost feelings. •Don't be afraid to cry with them. •It's okay to laugh when they laugh. •Don't be afraid to touch them. A squeeze on the hand or an em brace can show how much you care. •Sending a donation to a mean ingful charity of the bereaved is a fitting memorial to the one who died. •Remember their holidays, birth days and anniversaries. •Encourage than to get support 0