Newspaper Page Text
$ As the earth turns again to bring us the Christmas Season
5;: of 1972, Christians throughout the world will find comfort,
& new hope and strength of purpose in their remembrance of
¥ the Lord’s birthday. Machines and technology have changed
S the speed and manner of life so profoundly that our
$ civilization would be virtually incomprehensible to anyone
who lived and walked in the footsteps of the Lord, as by
I word and deed, He carried His ministry along the dusty
roads and across the hills and valleys of Judea nearly 2,000
years ago. But, unlike His surroundings, the human and
spiritual needs, the strengths, the weaknesses, and the
greatness of mankind have not changed much.
As our numbers have grown and the pace and pressures
8 of life have quickened, so has the need increased in each of
§ us for the secure knowledge that the spirit and the power of
¥ the good Lord moves with us every moment of our lives.
The message which He brought was simple, and it was
X universal to all men. Faith was the essential core of true
religion. Each person by his own faith and commitment to
the ways and the Word could find peace with the Almighty.
Nothing in His past, His national or racial background need
¥ bar the way. Religious rites, observances of legal re
quirements and external actions of various kinds might
¥ help. But, the key lies in a deep personal faith that controls
X the heart. Each of us must relate this message of self
¥ commitment to his own life and times.
As we come closer in spirit this Christmas Season to Him
X Whose Word must guide us, it may be helpful to consider
the thought expressed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to
the Galatians. He speaks of the liberty faith can bring to the
$ individual. He points out that freedom carries with it the
responsibility to live by the Word, to love and serve Him
and one another, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. In
¥ this endeavor, we may live in the secure knowledge that we
will be rewarded. Peace with the Creator will be ours for
that we will be rewarded. Peace with the Ruler of the
X Universe will be ours for it remains true as on the first
Christmas Eve that “ . . . whatsoever a man soweth, that
ft shall he also reap.”
x * * *
John Price-He’s the pharmacist, you know, with drug
ft stores at Ringgold and Trenton, said last week, “I got a very
good friend who would like to have a copy of a poem you
used in The Sentinel sometime back entitled ‘Around the
ft Corner I Have a Friend,’ or something like that—could you
•$ look it up for me?”
ft Well, here you are, John, and iffen you’ll pass along to
X that special friend, I’ll just haul off and appreciate it-Think
X it quite appropriate to use the lines at this Season, anyhow.
¥ (Think I picked ’em up from Leo Aikman, Atlanta Con
stitution.)
ft Around the corner I have a friend
$ Zn this great city that has no end;
Yet days go by and weeks rush on
And, ere I know it, a year has gone.
ft And I never see my old friend’s face,
For life is a swift and terrible race.
ft He knows I like him just as well
$ As in the days when I rang his bell
ft And he rang mine.
ft We were younger then;
And now we are busy, tired men-
Tired of playing a foolish game;
¥ Tired of trying to make a name.
ft 'Tomorrow, I say, ‘l'll call on Jim,
ft Just to show I’m thinking of him. ’
§
g But tomorrow comes-and tomorrow goes,
¥ 4nd the distance between us grows and grows,
ft Around the corner, yet miles away.
X There comes a message, ‘Jim died today.’
¥ 4nd that’s what we get and deserve in the end,
:¥ Around the corner-a vanished friend.’
ft * * *
¥ Yeah-The message brought out in those lines sorta hits
:¥ us right in the face, right, Horace and Mouzon? Right!
ft Shame on just about all of us, I say. (Agree, Cuz. Charlie?)
¥ ♦ * *
ft; Variety-Back in the days of yore, Santa came to see us
ft just as he comes to see the youngsters today. Well, not
¥ really “see,” just visited, you understand. Anyhow, where
ft the “variety” came in back then was the fact that we’d get
an orange, apple and maybe two or three pieces of stick
••• candy, or two or three pieces of candy and maybe an apple
ft or orange, see. Now, iffen we got an overall jumper or a pair
ft of new shoes, it was a sure sign that Santa came up with a
ft bumper cotton crop or hauled off a load or two of big fat
¥ hogs. So much for that. We were poor, but didn’t know
ft it—So what. Santa came just the same.
¥♦ * ♦
ft Uncle Ed-Says, “At Christmas time, we realize more
¥ that the fellow who does wrong figures the Good Lord will
ft give him another chance—and He does.”
ft Pa Dave-Warns of the fellow who once said, “I wish I’d
ft (Continued On Page 14-A)
WANTS REHEARING
Georgia Power to Appeal
PSC Ruling On Increase
Georgia Power Co. has de
clared it will appeal a decision
of the Public Service Commis
son (PSC) granting the utility
firm less than half the
$47.9-million rate increase it
had requested earlier this year.
The latest ruling by the
commission would allow GPC
to increase rates by $17.8 mil-
500 Kids at Party
Some 500 happy children
were treated Sunday to toys,
candy, fruit, and nuts at the
Chattooga County Memorial
Home.
The annual Christmas party
is jointly sponsored by Mason-
McCauley Post 6688, VFW,
and American Legion Post 129
for the less fortunate children
of Chattooga County.
The excited youngsters and
their parents began arriving in
cars and special buses provided
by the two service organiza
tions long before the appointed
hour of two o’clock.
After an invocation by the
Rev. A. A. Tanner, a special
program was presented, featur
ing Grady Bennett and his
band and a group of Tri-Hi-Y
members from Chattooga High
School.
The guests were encouraged
to sing along with the groups as
they played and sang tradi-
Observations
By ELBERT FORESTER
Editor, The Dade County Sentinel
lion beginning Jan. 1.
Hal B. Wansley, executive
vice president of Georgia
Power, said the PSC order is
“A disaster to the citizens of
Georgia.” The Public Service
Commission “has ignored its
responsibility to the citizens of
Georgia to assure reliable elec
tric energy,” Wansley added.
tionai Christmas carols.
The highlight of the after
noon, however, was the ap
pearance of Santa Claus, who
walked among the audience
throwing candy to the young
sters.
After the program, the chil
dren and their parents lined up
to pass through the “toy
room,” where each child was
given several toys and a sack
containing oranges, apples,
candy, and nuts.
Many of the youngsters
were presented items of cloth
ing provided by the Ladies
Auxiliary.
Any one standing outside to
watch the expressions on the
faces of the youngsters as they
looked to see what “goodies”
they had received, would have
no doubt that they thoroughly
enjoyed the afternoon pro
vided by local veterans.
She ^ummemtlle Nma
Christmas Spirit Abounds
' •**& ♦
■V! a
CHRISTMAS IS FOR CHILDREN
Among those enjoying the annual H. Pickle of Berryton. The twins espec-
Christmas party Sunday at the Chat- ially enjoyed talking to Santa Claus,
tooga County Memorial Home were Approximately 500 youngsters at-
Jerome and Jeremey Pickle, two-year- tended the party, which is sponsored
old twin sons of Mr. and Mrs. William by local veterans.
City Council Okays
Plan to Set Budget
The Summerville City Coun
cil finally got around to dis
cussing setting up a budget to
regulate city expenditures.
The action was taken at a
rare Saturday session which
lasted some three hours. Thirty
items were on the agenda for
discussion at the meeting,
which was called after the reg
ular December meeting was
postponed Dec. 11.
The city has not drawn up a
budget for the past several
years, and it was suggested that
one-half the last budget (about
1969), with necessary revi
sions, be used as a current
guideline. A new budget for
the full year will be prepared at
a later date.
“The additional revenue al
lowed by (this) decision is
grossly inadequate, as was
pointed out repeatedly in our
testimony to the commission
during the rate hearings.”
If the latest PSC ruling
stands, average homeowners in
Chattooga County using a
normal amount of electricity
could expect to see an increase
of about 60 cents on their
monthly bills.
Immediately following the
commission hearing, Georgia
Power officials called a press
conference to announce it
would appeal the decision.
“We are going to have to
move for a rehearing as
promptly as we can,” Georgia
Power Vice President Harold
McKenzie said at the press con
ference.
McKenzie declared the com
pany’s formal request six
months ago for a S4B-million
plus rate increase was a mini
mum Georgia Power thought
was needed to provide ade
quate electrical power to its
customers in the future.
McKenzie said he was
“deeply shocked by the
unanimous decision of the
five-man commission to
authorize a $ 17.8-million rate
increase for the company in
stead of the entire $47.9 mil
lion that was requested
McKenzie hinted that power
(Continued On Page 14-A>
During the discussion on the
budget, Councilman O. H.
Perry said, “We haven’t had
anything but trouble since we
discontinued having a budget.”
It was not explained why
the city has not prepared a
budget for several years since it
is provided for in the city char
ter. Councilman Sewell Cash
said, “I believe in sticking to
the rules set down in the
charter.”
In connection with the dis
cussion of a city budget, the
Council approved a plan to
have a monthly financial report
prepared for the Mayor and
members of the Council.
The Council turned down a
request by the Summerville
Police Department to reduce
the work week to 40 hours and
for department salaries to be
paid weekly instead of
monthly.
In other action, the Coun
cil:
Agreed to re-zone prop
erty owned by T.J. Espy on
Bolling Road from R-l to R-2
if the action is approved by the
planning commission.
Approved the permanent
employment of James Touch
stone, who was temporarily
employed Aug. 21 at a salary
of $75 weekly.
Approved the purchase of
a gun for the dog catcher
Western Auto Associate Store
was low bidder at $62.96
Approved the installation
of a fireplug at Berryton. Local
residents are to pay for the
fireplug, with the city doing
the work.
Approved an allocation to
the Chattooga County Library
Paper Delivery
Date Explained
Several subscribers have
complained recently that their
copy of The Summerville News
is now reaching them one or
two days later than it previous
ly did
For the information of
those in the Rome area, we
would like to inform them that
the mail which used to go
directly to Rome from Sum
merville now goes to Chatta
nooga to be processed before
being delivered to the Rome
area
We regret that any of our
subscribers have been incon
venienced by late delivery of
their News, but the papers are
leaving our office at the same
time as they have for a number
of years.
Second Front
of $3,061, the same as last
year.
- Approved the purchase of
an intoximeter for use by the
police department. The total
cost will be some SBOO.
-Approved a loading zone
for Carroll TV.
-Postponed until a later
meeting a discussion on the
possibility of changing the
method of issuing building
permits to contractors.
Approved a suggestion by
Councilman Jack Ledford that
Council meetings be held at 6
p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m. dur
ing January, February, March,
and April
New Bank Planned
Final approval has been re
ceived by Farmers & Merchants
Bank to open a branch facility
in Lyerly, according to an an
nouncement by T. W. Walker.
The new facility will be
known as Farmers & Merchants
Bank, Lyerly Branch. Con
struction is expected to begin
after the first of the year.
Big Increase Seen Here
For Taxes On Payrolls
Bigger payroll taxes to pay
for the expanded social securi
ty benefits going to Chattooga
County workers and their fami
lies are just around the corner.
To meet the cost of the 20
percent boost in pension
checks and the increased bene
fits voted for widows, disabled
persons, and others, local
workers will soon be faced
with a hefty hike in such taxes.
From Jan. 1 on, they will be
paying at the rate of 5.85 per
cent on earnings up to
SIO,BOO. This compares with
the current rate of 5.2 percent
on the first $9,000.
Thus, the maximum to be
paid by a local worker next
year will be $631.80, or
$163.80 more than the $468
he is presently turning in. A
matching amount must be paid
by his employer
For self-employed people,
the tax will rise from this
year’s maximum of $675 to a
new top of $864
In Chattooga County, the
aggregate increase in social
security taxes in 1973, assum
ing no change in the number of
people employed, will be ap-
County
Awaits
Holiday
“For unto you is born this
day in the city of David a
Savior, which is Christ the
Lord.” Luke 2:11
Throughout Chattooga
County, plans and preparations
are reaching their peak in the
observance of the holiest of the
many holiday seasons- Christ
mas - when once again we recall
the events that happened
almost two thousands years
ago in faraway Bethlehem.
Christmas is a time for fel
lowship and feasting, when
families and friends join to
gether to say, “Merry Christ
mas to all.”
But, Christmas, too, is for
remembering the stranger
among us, for bringing cheer to
the lonely and friendless, for
comforting those in deep
sorrow, and for befriending
those less fortunate.
ALL REJOICE
In one sense, Christmas is
for everyone. It is a time when
those of Christian faith cele
brate the day as a holy time of
the greatest importance, and
for those of other faiths who
love and observe the Yule
season as a holiday dedicated
to good will and good cheer.
“And when they were come
into the house, they saw the
young Child with Mary His
Mother and fell down and wor
shipped Him. And... they
presented unto Him gifts: gold,
and frankincense, and
myrrh. " Matthew 2:11
This is the time of year
when Chattoogans gather to
renew their ties of love and
friendship, to exchange gaily
wrapped packages, to feast to
gether, and to bask in the
warm glow of the Christmas
spirit.
FORGET TROUBLES
This is the season when we
momentarily forget the
troubled world around us and
recall that humble scene when
a Babe was born in a manger.
Most business firms
throughout the county will be
closed for this special season.
Students in the county school
system and in the independent
Trion system will enjoy a holi
day from classes, and many of
those who are away from home
for one reason or another will
be returning to spend the
special day with their family
and friends.
But most significantly,
churches throughout the com
munity have scheduled special
observances to commemorate
the holy season. Special serv
ices, cantatas, and other Yule
tide programs emphasize the
religious theme of the Christ
mas season.
DRIVE CAREFULLY
For those who must travel
during the holiday season, law
enforcement officers are urging
caution while driving on the
crowded highways.
(Continued On Page 14-A)
proximately $651,000.
The figures are based upon
an analysis of data released by
the Internal Revenue Service
and the Social Security Ad
ministration.
About half of this cost will
be borne by workers through
payroll deductions. The re
mainder will come from their
employers.
Locally, annual per capita
payments to the pension funds
have been larger than in many
parts of the country because
earnings in the area have been
bigger.
On a national basis, pay
ments into the social security
trust funds came to $37.8 bil
lion last year and, according to
preliminary figures, will
Offices Will Close
Offices in the Chattooga
County Courthouse will be
closed Dec 23-24-25-26 for
the Christmas holidays
The courthouse will close at
the end of business Friday,
Dec. 22, and will reopen
Wednesday morning, Dec. 27.
■M. MIIUEMK
Pl
mE a**
WHAT IS IT?
Mystery Picture?
Another Hot Dog
What’s the matter, folks?
Did last week’s Mystery Picture
fool you again? We received
only seven correct cards and
letters identifying last week’s
object.
Several of our readers got
close to the correct answer by
identifying the picture as that
of the end of a “pork sausage”
and the end of a “bologna
stick.” One reader thought the
pictured object was a “to
mato.”
For correctly identifying
last week’s Mystery Picture as
that of the end of a hot dog,
we are sending a free three
month subscription to The
Summerville News to: Michelle
Brown, 1108 Rose Circle,
Trion; Mrs. Bill Cook, Route 2,
Lyerly; and Steve Groce,
Route 3, Summerville.
We are offering another
Mystery Picture today for your
enjoyment. Look the pictured
object over carefully, and when
you think you have correctly
identified it, send a card or
letter to: Mystery Picture, Box
310, Summerville, Ga. 30747.
We appreciate your con
tinued interest in our weekly
fun game and hope you will
amount to some $42.9 billion
by the end of this year.
Toward this total, Chat
tooga County’s working popu
lation and their employers are
contributing an estimated
$3,256,000. These payments
(Continued On Page 14-A>
Digest Is Approved
Chattooga Count y’s
much-revised 1972 tax digest
has finally been accepted by
the State Revenue Department
but it is possible that it will be
Feb. 1 before the regular tax
notices go out to the county’s
taxpayers.
Commissioner Harry Powell
said the county attorney has
given an opinion that it would
be legal to immediately collect
a portion of the taxes now due
and make a later adjustment.
The commissioner said Mon
day that any taxpayer who so
desires may make an im
mediate payment based on last
year’s taxes or on whatever es
timate is arrived at. The pay-
continue to play along each
week. The rules for playing are
simple. Only written (cards or
letters) entries can be accepted.
You do not have to be among
the first to send in a card or
letter to be selected. All cor
rect entries are placed in a box
together after all have been re
ceived, then the three are selec
ted to receive a free subscrip
tion.
Why not send in your entry
right now. Join the many
readers who play our fun game
each week. This might be your
week to be selected for a free
three-month subscription to
The Summerville News.
Cards and letters identifying
this week’s Mystery Picture
must be in our office by noon
on Dec. 26.
Town of Trion
Receives Funds
The Town of Trion has re
ceived a SI,OOO check from
Commissioner Harry Powell to
help defray expenses of the
Trion Fire Department in
answering fire calls outside the
city limits, according to an an
nouncement by Mayor J.C.
Woods.
“We would like to express
our appreciation to Mr. Powell
for this financial assistance,”
the Mayor said.
Mayor Woods also an
nounced that the Town of
Trion has received its first reve
nue-sharing check in the
amount of $3,096, half of
what had been expected.
“This money will be put in
a special account until we have
better guidelines on how this
money may be spent," the
Mayor added.
ments must be made in the
office of Tax Commissioner
Ray Van Pelt, where plain re
ceipts will be given. These re
ceipts are to be held until the
regular tax receipts can be
completed.
At that time, if an overpay*
ment has been made, the tax
payer may present the plain
receipt to get a refund. Con
versely, if an underpayment
has been made, the taxpayer
will then make up the differ
ence.
Commissioner Powell said it
is “very important” that those
making immediate payments
“should hold on to their re
(Continued On Page 14-A»