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Viewpoints Our Opinions Will It Be A Mistake? Houston County commissioners have deckled to accept household garbage from adjoining Pulaski County in ourlandfilL Some people are saying it will lead to Houston County becoming a dumping ground for other counties. The answer is Until probably won’t Commission Chairman Sherrill Stafford has said that the agreement to permit Pulaski County to dump its household garbage in this county's landfill will reduce the life of the landfill from 50 more yean to 30. He hopes that by that time there will be a better way to dispose of gartnge. If not, too bad. Thirty yean seems like a long time. Landfills me outrageously expensve now. Houston County intends to make a profit of $4 per tt. No telling what landfills will cost 30 years from now. Question: Is the profit being made on each ton of garbage now and in future years going to be enough to pay for another landfill...or is the profit based on what a landfill costs today? A good question. To say the least, the commissioners are taking a gamble. It may turn out to a great gamble. If they are guessing wrong it can be a very, very costly mistake to be paid for by others 30 years from now. *76e 'Zfou&ta* *7i*tc&-faun*uil ’ZOcteame* 'faux better *7* 0 7Hc Sdcto- r. P&c ue rfctdnew, Editor Houston Times-Joumal P.O. Drawer M Perry, GA, 31069 Houston Times-Joumal P.O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069 Phone: (912) 987-1823 Member Georgia Press Association-National Newspaper Association Ca>y««»*Aaif wuzJLs. a/v a*. tAa m tA« |.<«Umo/t»McA, a* UU a/ tX* p*ooi* to QAAoniit sAfi ta- txl*i*an OU b? Your right to r««o this -«wsoac«r * by the Pr» Am#ntJrr*nt of She Ur»t«d Steles Constitution. Our Goal The Houston Times-Joumal is published proudly for the citizens of Houston and adjoining counties by Houston Publications Inc., Perry Ga. Our goal is to produce quality. profitable, community-oriented newspapers that yc.q, o«rryade^^>®Toi^B*3Y ß rtjfch that goat through hard work, teamwork, loyalty, and a strong dedication towards printing the truth. Bob Tribble Daniel F. Evans Julie B. Evans President Vice-President Treasurer Our Staff Brigette Loudermilk Editor and General Manager Eddie Byrd Advertising Director News: Brenda Thompson, Pauline Levins, Biil Overton Advertising;Teresa M. Gailan Classified Advertising: Melanie Buflington Bookkeeping Judy Hubert Circulation: Donnie Forehand Our Policies •Signed Letters to the editor welcomed. Please limit to 300 words and include address and phone number. •Liability for an error wifi not exceed the cost o? space occupied by the error. •We cannot be responsible for return of pictures or material unless stamped return addressed envelope is included. The Houston Times-Joumal (USPS 000471) is published semi-weekly for SIB.OO per year by Houston Publications, Inc., 807 Carroll Street, Perry, Ga. 31069. Second Class Postage paid at Perry, Ga.,POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Houston Times-Joumal, P.O. Drawer M.PerryGa. 31069 Your Opinion Homage Paid To Harriet Hentz Houser Dear Editor; Harriet Hentz Houser passed away last week. She was a long-time Perry resident and successful author. Her beloved son Hentz was critically injured in a tragic diving accident when be was a Perry High School senior. Harriet wrote a book entitled, Hentz nf Things Not Seen. The Macmillan Company published this poignant novel in 1955 and it can be found in the Perry Library. It tells the story of this courageous family, especially the strong faith and opti mism of an outstanding young man. Hentz touched many lrvea. The Houser family leaves us with renewed optimism and hope for the future. Deryle T. Whipple, MD Thanks To All Who Made Market A Success Dear Editor: *. ; This letter is to say a beany thank yoa to all who made the recent Houston County Market Hog Show a success. Some 40 4-H and FFA members participated in the show, which was held oa February 19, 1994. The show provided a unique opportunity for these young people to learn the responsibilities, discipline, and 6m of animal husbandry, as well as the challenges and rewards of competition. The 18th annual show, sponsored by the Houston County Young Farmers Association, was made possible by the generous contributions of many badnesses and individuals. t To Senator Nunn-‘Say It Isn’t So,Sam’ FIRST the bad news: Sen. Sam Nann says feat he may not seek re election to another term in 1996. He says that if he is going to change careers this is the critical year. Now die good news: He says he is leaning toward another term in the senate, but is looking at his op tions. Our immediate reaction is, "Say it isn't so, Sam." Even the thought of Sam Nunn giving up his seat in the senate is enough to frighten many peo ple..including myself. He is at the pinnacle of power to day. He is respected by everyone, including his political opponents. He is a calm voice in an often hys terical Washington. He may not be close to the president, but if die president wants to get something done be must seek Sam Nunn's counsel and, if possible, get his support. Why, I have been asked during the past week, would be even consider giving up an office he can keep as long as be wants, it, especially at this time? • * * YHE PEANUT GAUMiy " THAT I*A*K a /ESt>3 \ \ TV US ftlfr AS I A ' A &asK£tiuu- x n-iOPPI i|/ \ n foil me to Mer \ j.--- - J " t r / IT*L&> KS O Citizen Concerned With Rough Ride Downtown A local resident came to the newspaper last week with a concern I promised to pat before you, the local citizenry. It seems that due to re-surfacing and new businesses opening over the years in the downtown area of Perry, many of the driveway en trances in town are rough to ride over. He wanted to know what could be done to correct the situa tion and I didn't have an answer. Following the show, an auction was held in which each exhibitor sold one hog to the highest bidder above a floor price provided by Cordele Livestock Association. These buyers are much appreciated, for they pro vided a premium to reward these young students for their efforts. Please see the ad found in this paper for a complete list of buyers and others to whom credit belongs. Special thanks goes to Crossroads Bank for their generosity in purchas ing the reserve grand champion bog and to Ted Perfect, Ralph Dorset! and Stewart Bloodworth for their efforts in financing the shew through the Young Fanner dove shoots held last fall. Extra special thanks is (hie die staff of the Houston Times-Journal for their excellent coverage erf the show. Sincerely, Tim Lewis Coordinator, Houston County Young Farmers Association Issues discussed at meeting affect all Perryans Dear Editor; I attended a community meeting last night comprised of almost 200 concerned parents whose children attended the Perry schools. I learned these parents have a legitimate list erf concerns. My undemanding is the Houston County School Bond has decided to build two new schools elsewhere in the county besides Perry. There ap pears to be a degree of misunderstandings about this issue. Why are new schools being built in the north half of Houston County as opposed to upgrading or replacing the present Perry Middle School, in particular, where trailers are used for classrooms and bathrooms? There also were questions about representation on the school board with only one board member from Perry. How and which mutemx will be 'bussed* out of Perry to these new schools? These arc all very important issues that affect every citizen of Perry and, southern Houston County, regardless whether you have a child in school SOME people who know Sam Nunn wiD tell me that be is becom ing tired and frustrated with all that goes with holding the office. There is much, ranch more to saving in the United States Senate than what we see. A senator of Sam Nunn's stature carries a heavy load as the premier authority on national defense. He is in the spotlight most of the time. The for his tune is enormous. But there is more. There is the eternal job of raising money far the next campaign There are those ex hausting trips back to Georgia to keep in touch with the voters. (He has to remember what happened to another great Georgia senator— Walter George—who thought that doing an outstanding job in Washington was enough to please everyone. While he tended to the nation's business Homan Talmadge was undermining his strength in Georgia.) There is the never-ending job of meeting with constituents and massaging their egos when they go to Washing ton...a time-consuming job that interferes with the job we sent him there to do. I spoke with our mayor about the situation and be said they've checked the rough entrance at First Baptist Church and "don't know whk to do.* Mayor Worrall did say that sev eral of the areas he receives com plaints about have been caused by state re-surfacing projects. Since that time, the only sug gestion I can come up with for the gentleman who visited the office is Houston Times-Journal Wednesday, March 9,1994 ■Houston Timos-Joumal page 4A There is the criticism and carping from people who really don't know what he is doing but, on the basis of almost no information, believe they have all the answers. In time, Fm sure, these all add up. Undoubtedly, quite often the thought must go through Sam Nunn's mind, as it does for others in similar circumstances, that maybe it isn't worth it, after all. Wouldn't life be much more fun without the responsibility and pres* V * • TWICE in my life I faced similar questions and doubts, though cer tainly I don't equate my circum stances with those of one of the country's most respected and power ful men. While serving in the navy during World War n, I became aide to the commandant at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville. It was a good job. But as time went by I began to feel that I was not making a worthwhile contribution to the war effort I told the commandant of the base that I wanted to do something more meaningful and asked for a transfer. to contact the Downtown Development Authority. Give them any suggestions you may have. It seems to me they would be the group that should tackle such a concern and find a solution, if there is one. This authority is appointed by the Perry City Council. Sorry I couldn't help you more. This concerned citizen also ■a?tpd he would like to see Perry City Council establish a no smoking or not. Three years ago my family and business moved to Perry to live, to work and for the specific purpose of my children attending school in the city of Perry. In a few weeks another meeting is scheduled to further ad dress these issues. I hope the good people of Perry will attend this next meeting and get all the facts. Regards, Bill Lavender Blackmon Explains BOE's Decision On New Schools Dear Editor: Citizens of Perry, including the Perry Chamber of Commerce and other cky leaders, are concerned with over crowded conditions at Perry Middle SchooL Let me assure you your School Board shares and appreciates tfreff* concerns. With the reduction in classroom size mandated with QBE coupled with our normal county growth, all of our schools have suffered from crowded conditions. We arc dealing with these problems as quickly as possible with the resources available. Having accomplished some relief on the high school and elementary school level, our focus over the next two years is concentrated on middle school relief. AH five of our middle schools in Houston County are crowded. All have between 800 and 900 students. All have temporary buildings. With the two new middle schools, located on the sites selected, all five existing schools can be relieved, including Perry Middle SchooL If we put one of these two schools in the south, we could not accomplish relieving all,five present schools. Also, these school are being put where most of the popu lation development is taking place. We're not in the development business, we select school sites where development is most intense and, in this case, where relief can be most effectively accomplished. Even with the new schools, more classroom space will be needed. In our five year plan, cost-effective classroom additions are budgeted. Perry Middle School is the first school scheduled for an additiomT^aditiS Plaasa sm letters, page TIA fH Foy S. I Evans He said I was young and didn't know what I was talking about, but he gave me the transfer. So I went to the new assignment It wasn't long before I realized I had made a mistake. Fortunately, one day the commandant of the base asked me how I liked my new duty. I told him, truthfully, that I had made a mistake aid wasn't getting the satisfaction from the job that I had expected. He told me, "Like I said, you young people don't really know what you want I haven't filled your job because I knew you would be coming back." I was lucky my poor decision was reversible. * * * MORE than 20 years ago I found Please see Evans, page 11A ordinance for all businesses in Perry. When I discussed this with Please see Loutbrmlt k, page 11A