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ic.ur-.aiH rcwornrlp. < i-.uwu-. . ~ - ————- ■ IAIN LIBRARY-UNIVERSITY OF G 52* ATHENS, GA 30602 ws | Page IB I Houston Times-Journal Volume 124 No. 18 2 Sections, 18 Pages I Inside I Today | News of Record 12A Legal Ads 4B Classifieds 5B Editorials A 4 Society B 1 Obituaries 3A Sports B 7 Views On The News Just Ain't Right? News Item: A federal judge has ruled that a law requiring lengthy sentences for crack cocaine possession is "racist and illegal". Why? Because 92 percent of defendants sentenced for selling crack cocaine in 1992 were black, 5 percent Hispanic and 3 percent were white. Looks like whites must get busy and violate the law more often so that there will be equal opportunity for sentencing under the law. We just can't have a law providing punishment for selling crack cocaine otherwise. Fair Enough? An Atlanta television station has sent reporters undercover to expose illegal cock fights and dog fights...to death! What a cruel sport. Wouldn’t it be fair to force the people staging these fights to fight each other until one of them is killed? They’re Wrong Former President Jimmy Carter has joined the bleeding heart liberals opposing Gov. Zell Miller's effort to pass a law that would send persons committing two violent crimes to jail for life. They claim it would not reduce crime. Why not? Most of the violent crimes are committed by less than 10 percent of criminals. If they were put away for life wouldn't that reduce the number of cases? It's The Best Quote of Note: "Democracy isn't supposed to be perfecL.just the best there is."- -Rep. Roy Rowland. Not A Gimmick Sen. Paul Simon said it: "If a constitutional amendment to require congress to adopt a balanced budget was a gimmick congress would have passed it long ago." He was responding to opponents of a balanced budget amendment who called, it a gimmick. Reason Enough? Gov. Zell Miller and the legislature are going to give tax breaks to low income families and retirees. About 14,500 families in Houston County will benefit The tax breaks will go into effect just in time for the primary election this year. We're all supposed to be grateful for these tax breaks and all the lottery money being dispensed around the state when we go to the polls. Aren't election years wonderful? Are You Guilty? News Item: Students at Sidwell Friends School, which is attended by President Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, were required to write a paper with the title, "Why I feel guilty being white". Talk show host Rush Limbaugh Please see VIEWS, page 10A Weekend Shootings Claim One By BRIGETTE LOUDERMILK Editor One Perry teen is dead and another hospitalized as a result of two sepa rate shootings that occurred over die weekend. Larry Scott, 19, of Henderson died as a result of gunshot wounds he received during a burglary attempt of an off-duty New York City po lice officer. According to information released by NYPD to Perry Police Chief Frank Simons, four area males PL mmMMgSmM 1 ■ ■ :'JHSeS&sI "T - gt UK. nfffiii "milmßll £, Jim .v.. m w mSmKnemm ■ §! Perry Seniors Celebrate Region 2-AAA Championship The seven-man senior elaea of the Perry basketball team posse with Its latest accomplishment a GHSA Region 2-AAA championship trophy. The Panthers won the region with a 74-53 victory over Dodge County Saturday night. Standing (L to R): Boris King, Eric Richardson, Shawn Baas, Coach Carl Thomaa, Boris Nadav, Stacy Francis, Keith Wimberly. Kneeling: Tarvleh Felton. Perry opens the state playoffs Thursday. For more details, see the sports section starting on page 7A. ■ML ■ H M v S m OPMR Mm irzx,. _ M Although the calendar says It’s still winter, many of Houston County’s peach trees have already started blooming In hopes of an tarty spring. Peach Trees Already In Bloom BY BRENDA THOMPSON Staff Writar With thousands of little pink blooms adorning their limbs, many of the county’s peach trees are giv ing the impression qf an early spring this week. Houston County Extension Agent Duren Bell just hopes that impression is a lasting one. Be cause, if it isn’t, one good frost could take its toll on the early I Legais | I Page 4B I Official Organ For Houston County, City of Perry & State of Georgia travelled to New York City over the weekend in a rental car. Simons said that once in New York they contacted an individual who resides there, and all were in volved in the armed robbery at tempt. Arrested from Perry by NYPD were Kenneth Felder, 19, of 924 Gardner Drive; Arzell Jackson, 19, of Apt. 5D Perimeter Circle; and Henry Cassie, 22, of 1379 Cambridge Drive. crops. “Ideally, I would have liked to see them hold off another couple of weeks, because those that are blooming are more susceptible to frost and freeze,” Bell said, adding that the early varieties are die only ones blooming at present. “Once they bloom, they can tolerate tem peratures into the upper 20’s, but anything lower than that could spell trouble.” For News And Subscriptions Call 912-987-1823 Wednesday March 2, 1994 Simons said the officer was beaten severely during the robbery attempt but managed to defend himself with a gun. Scott and the New York res ident were both shot during the al tercation. A 13-year-old Perry male is also incarcerated this week after a Saturday shooting that occurred on Whipple Street. According to Perry Police Captain Steve Heaton, Larry Green, 19, of Perry is in critical but stable condi In other areas of the agricultural scene, Bell also reported that the area’s wheat crops are “finally start ing to turn the comer.” “For a while there, with all the wet weather and harsh temperatures, the wheat here just wasn’t looking very good at all,” Bell said. “But, thanks to that recent stretch of warmer weather, it has really perked up and is looking nice.” I Classified L Page 5B I tion at the Medical Center of Central Georgia's intensive care unit. Green was shot three times, twice in the neck and once in the hand, Saturday afternoon by the 13-year old when "playing around turned into an argument" Heaton said, adding that although Green was struck three times, the teenager fired several shots from a .22 caliber pis tol. The juvenile is currently incarcer- Kiwanians Will Spotlight Young Talent Thursday Over 30 of Houston County's most talented youngsters will perform in the Perry Kiwanis Club's first talent showcase, to be held at the Perry High Auditorium, Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $3. Miss Tricia Keane, Channel 13 News Anchor, will emcee the event Responding to entry blanks available at all schools, the performers are in grades one through 12 and display "amazing versatility," sources say. Limited to 22 acts, each showcase awards winners in each category and also affords the winner (s) in grades 10- 12 the opportunity to advance for state honors. Upper grade winners also vie for scholarships. Although the talent showcase is a state project of the Kiwanis Clubs, this year is the first time the local unit has hosted such an event. The Perry High Future Fanners of America is co-sponsoring the contest, which will be evaluated by out-of-town judges. "We are so proud of the participants, and we are delighted with the range of abilities they demonstrated in auditions," said Elaine Stephens, Chairman for the local show. She added, "Also, we are deeply grateful for the support of local patrons and businesses; we urge everyone to be present for this competition." On hand to perform will be Class A (grades 1-6): Brittany Coskey-vocal solo; Ashley Nicole Perry, Georgia - 2S Cents ated at the Youth Detention Center in Milledgeville. Heaton said that although the juvenile officers at the Sheriffs Department will probably prosecute the case, some of the charges the teenager will be facing are carrying a pistol without a li cense, aggravated assault and dis charging a firearm near and road way. He added that additional charges may be filed. Local Citizens Warned About Phone Scam By BRIGETTE LOUDERMILK Editor Houston County E-911 Director Tim Nall issued a warning to area residents Tuesday, March 1 concern ing a phony phone solicitation. According to Nall, several resi dents in Perry and throughout the county are receiving phone calls from an individual claiming to be raising money for the county E -911 system and Hospice of Houston County. Nall said citizens are apparently being asked to donate $35 for the two public service or ganizations. "We are in no way involved in such a program," Nall said, adding neither agency is behind the phone calls. "If anyone receives a call, please contact 911. We'll notify the local police department and, hopefully, find out who is behind the calls," Nall said. Just last week, Perry Police Chief Frank Simons issued a warning to Perry residents of a scam involving an unknown individual asking elderly residents if he could replace windows, on behalf of the local )x>- iice department, for sl9 each. Simons said the local department is in no way connected to such a program and anyone receiving such an offer should contact the local de partment Harrell-jazz dance; Ronald Ragin vocal solo; Tiffany Giles Candler clogging; Rachel Lee Elliott-vocal solo; Shelli Hayes and Angela Pope-vocal. Please see SHOW, page 10A County Ponders Taking In Other Peoples’ Trash BY BRENDA THOMPSON Staff Writer If the details can be worked out and agreed upon, Houston County may soon be accepting the household garbage of several other Middle Georgia cities and counties. During their regular bi-monthly meeting held Tuesday morning at Perry City Hall, members of the Houston County Commission agreed to begin working on a con tract that, if approved at their next meeting on March 15, will allow the governments of Hawkinsville and Peach, Bleckley and Pulaski counties to haul their solid waste to the Houston County landfill. Faced with an April 8 shut down of their respective landfills, each of the governments requested such a contract during a joint meeting held last week. “Our neighbors are facing a criti cal situation and I think we should strongly consider opening our land fill to them," Calvin Maye told his fellow commissioners. “In all of these cases, we have made use of Pleas® see COUNTY, page 10A