Newspaper Page Text
Viewpoints
Our Opinions
Humanitarian aid to foreign
lands is idealistic, but nobie
President Bush, perhaps recalling the glory of his Persian Gulf
intervention, leaped into Somalia in his last month in office with high
humanitarian goals. It was a three-month operation--it was said.
A few days ago, after fifteen months, dozens of U.S. fatalities and
hundreds of U.S. casualties, plus hundreds of Somalians shot or killed, the
last American soldier departed.
Chaos began again next day--the same factions and warlords shooting
each other in the capital city. The "bad man" we swore to capture eluded
us easily, U.N. forces committed one gaff after another (once arresting
their own man in a middle of the night helicopter extravaganza).
Attempting to intervene and settle the domestic problems of foreign
nations is beyone U.N. or U.S. capabilities. In this case humanitarian aid
(food) was the justification for the U.S. human and economic sacrifice and
cost Even if idealistic, it was a noble undertaking.
Country simply can’t afford
NASA theatrics any longer
The Congressional Budget Office, after an investigation of the hugely
expensive NASA operation (each space shuttle ride costs hundreds of
millions!), has recommended to Congress shuttles be discontinued or
limited and that the multi-billion dollar space station project be put on
hold or terminated.
In spite of a contrived effort by the massive NASA bureaucracy to
impress the taxpayer with varopis gimmicks, stunts and space experiments
on repetitive shuttle flights (which long ago outlived their usefulness),
perceptive voters sense that continued space orbits are now primarily show
biz, and a waste of money.
What rats do in outer space is of minor interest, in other words.
The nation's economy and deficit demand an end to the billions
earmarked (in former years) for continuing space rides and play. When the
time and finances are right for a space station, that enormously expensive
project can be undertaken. Meanwhile, no other country is a threat to
build and orbit one any time soon.
One feels for the many nicely-paid NASA employees, who have
dutifully jumped up and down in mission control before the TV camera to
create drama in the past. But the country just can't afford this show, their
theatrics, any longer.
Deadlines For Submitting New
Articles and Photographs
5 pm Monday for
Wednesday Editlbn
5 pm Thursday For
Saturday Edition
A.
"2{Jelco*ue&
'fyoun Wettest *7* *7&e Sdct&i.
'Pterz&e /4cUote4& *7&e*K:
Editor
Houston Times-Journal
P.O. Drawer M
Perry, GA, 31069
Houston Times-Journal
P.O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069
Phone: (912) 987-1823
Member Georgia Press Association-National Newspaper Association
Ut. v no- P«w 'itff'pvc( cm- Pc«Pnn«»l- oa- paaiv<li«-tx/v<j/ tii*.-
ozva£'uW,jui<j »- oj 7 ep«fccp, aa tf»4r/ pAe*A* oa p#OjiP«/
p«ci<«ciPli| to- ciA«««m£P«, cinet to- |»tf tctcaiv- «Aiwn«nL joa a - dn«<-
Your right to read this newspaper is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Our Goal
The Houston Times-Journal 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 you, our readers, are proud of. We will reach that goal
through hard work, teamwork, loyalty, and a strong dedication towards
printing the truth.
Bob Tribble Daniel F. Evans Julie B. Evans Mitch Tribble
President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary
Our Staff
Brigette Loudermilk
Editor and General Manager
Eddie Byrd
Advertising Director
News: Brenda Thompson, Pauline Lewis Sports: Veto Roley
Advertising rTeresa M. Gavilan Composition: Stacey Shy
Classified Advertising: Melanie Bullington
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 will not exceed the cost
of 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-Journal (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-Journal, P.O. Drawer
M.PerryGa. 31069. ISSN:IO7S-1874
""'aHiHHH papaa i " l bHK pp,
ibb h m&r # mmi / i
■ Jmm t
- - iH > I .4 ,ffi fkb W ■
■P m -T Mkm
••••• £?.>'*-• <m IHHBI mel / - UlSBB;
R m§ iwwiinr *&Sp v
J ibmhbr ;%BBB|MB|h: \• f' • «BPHK
.£p ? JH .. : ■
’.imM I MM fflWßjaji
8, . 'i *&&ragjSßfek^'
The new Perry-Houston County Hospital was completed In
1969 when officials cut the ribbon' across the front door of
the new medical facility. Pictured are H.C. Talton Jr., left,
Houston County Commission Chairman; Houser Gilbert,
Hospital Authority Chairman; Mrs. Jerros, director of
Kicking the habit has to be a personal decision!
I’ve been toying with the idea of
kicking the habit a lot lately.
Oh, how I long to experience
that “new person” feeling that so
many of my former fellow smokers
tell me about. To smell again and
to feel that sense of renewed energy
is without a doubt a very attractive
proposition.
Problem is, I’m not sure I have
the willpower to do it.
You see, like the 80 percent of
the 50 million smokers walking the
streets of the United States today, I
started lighting up while just a
youngster.
I can remember my cousin and I
snatching a couple of my uncle’s
Kools and sneaking out into the
woods when I was barely a teen. I
don’t think I was rebelling; I was
just curious.
From there, I continued to pick
one up here and there, but didn’t re
ally start smoking enough to deem
it a habit until my high school
years. It was then that I started
purchasing them a pack at the time.
Again, I don’t think I was re
belling. If it were rebellion I was
attempting, I think I wouldn’t have
Your Opinion
Local support sought in walk
for Parkinson’s Disease
Dear Editor:
Last year at this time I wrote you a letter regarding an upcoming
WALK-A-THON to support medcal research in finding a cure for
Parkinson's Disease. Over seventy families and friends in Middle Georga
generously responded to this request. These contributions went to the
American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Center,
Emory University. Over $23,000 was raised by members of the
Association.
On the WALK-A-THON day at Emory nine members of my family
were there to walk the five miles. This was a proud day for me-just to
know that my family cared enough to support this worthy cause. You too
would have been heartened to see the effort given by so many with PD.
There were those of us with PD who could walk or jog at a fairly even
rate. Then there were those stubbornly dedicated folks who required
physical suppot or walkers to simply put one foot in front of the other. It
was a wonderful day just to see folks with PD who haven't given up on
life and continue to sustain faith that a cure is just around the comer.
After the 93 WALK-A-THON, Patti Philpot, whose dad has PD, began
a support group in Macon. This group meets on the last Thursday of each
month at the Wellness Center, Northside Drive. Special programs are
presented to inform and encourage PD patients and their care givers in
ways to live quality lives. PD families are invited to attend.
For those readers who are unaware of the effects of PD, let me explain.
Basically, it is a common disorder of the brain. It’s the part which
controls movement, posture, balance and walking. PD patients experience
stiffness, tremors, slowness, poverty of movement, and difficulty in
speaking.
PD is a national problem with well over a million victims in the U.S.
alone. There are 20 new cases of PD per 100,000 people per year.
Although scientists have uncovered many of the brain's functions in PD,
the cause of this disease ramains unknown. The most comforting fact is
that intense research is underway to unlock the mystery of PD. Thus a
cure is considered eminent.
Funding of this research endeavor is at a critical level. Consequently, I
again request that your readers contribute to the WALK-A-THON which
will be held on May 14 at Wesley Woods Geriatric Center, Emory
University. The lime is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please make your checks
payable to Atlanta Area Chapter-APDA and send to me at 1802 Ross
Street, Perry, Ga. 31069. Businesses, churches, clubs, etc. are welcomed
as sponsors of this tax deductible fund raising activity.
Please remember every dollar brings us one step closer to realizing ll^'
Houston Times-Journal
Perry Scrapbook
stopped with puffing on cigarettes
there was plenty of other vices right
there at my fingertips-from alcohol
to drugs.
When driving, it just seemed the
natural thing to do.
When pulling all-nighters in
preparation for my college exams,
it seemed the necessary thing to do.
Like it or not, I was hooked.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Yes, after nearly two decades, I’d
say I am definitely a smoker. A
person with a nasty habit; a habit
that I know will not be a piece of
cake to kick.
All I can do is try.
In the meantime, however, while
I’m not particularly proud of my
little vice; I am proud of the fact
that I have always been a consider
ate smoker—lighting up only in
places where non-smokers wouldn’t
be bothered or offended.
I don’t even smoke in my own
home, because, one, I am concerned
about my little girl and the effects
second hand smoke may have on
her, and two, I hate the way it
makes the furniture, carpet and
clothes smell.
Page 4A
- Saturday, April 23,1994 "Houston Times-Joumal
nursing; Austin Click, hospital administrator; Mayor Richard
Ray. Standing In the background are some of the members
of the medical staff of the hospital. The public is invited to
the hospital's 25th anniversary celebration which begins at
1:30 p.m. today on the hospital grounds.
As for quitting, I’m attempting
it for my own reasons.
Not because of the government
or anti-activists that are hitting the
warpath stronger than ever before.
No amount of badgering and ex
pense will make anyone stop that
doesn’t want to already. It has to be
a personal decision. That, I know
from experience.
Cigarettes have been as much as
$2.25 cents a pack and I didn’t stop
then.
Smoking has been banned in
many public places and smokers
have been forced outside in rain,
sleet and snow.
Still I didn’t quit.
Personally, I don’t have a prob
lem with smoking bans in public
places-knowing that not everyone
is conscientious about their smok
ing, I think it’s quite appropriate
that second hand smoke not be
forced pn those who do not care to
partake.
However, I will say this. I think
activists and the government are
taking their efforts a little too far.
Some of the bans are bordering on
the ridiculous.
dream of millions of Americans-a cure for PD.
Sincerely,
Earl "Chip" Washington
Perry
Volunteers are needed to for
the community’s sake
Dear Editor:
Across the nation, the demand for human services is escalating. Yet
governments at all levels are being forced to cut back social assistance
programs because of limited financial resources. For many, the cycle of
poverty, joblessness and broken homes seems inescapable.
The increasing number of "at-risk" children are prone to drop out of
school or become involved in drugs and violence, are not just statistics.
They are individuals, each one of whom deserves hope for a brighter
tomorrow and the encouragement to excel in school, stay away from drugs
and gain job skills.
The lack of government resources has left a crucial service gap. A large
part of this gap is being filled by volunteers who serve in every
community across the nation and in honor of whom National Volunteer
Week is being celebrated April 17-23.
This year's theme is, "Volunteers, the Promise of the Nation." It
illustrates the crucial role volunteers play in our country; the promise of
real solutions to serious social problems lies within individuals who are
willing to give of themselves to make a difference in the lives of people in
need.
Volunteers in Houston County serve many roles: some help battered,
abused, or handicapped children, some serve in soup kitchens and food
banks, some do the necessary clerical work for agencies, some spend time
in nursing homes making new friends, and some work at museums and
other arts organizations, for example. All volunteers serve crucial roles in
helping to solve this community's problems.
Although the number of volunteers nationwide is impressive and their
work is extraordinary, the need remains great for individuals willing to
engage in community service. Volunteers are an important part of the
nation's answer to serious social problems as they act to overwhelm these
problems with solutions. More volunteers are needed now than ever
before.
If you want to become a volunteer but you're not sure how, call 953-
9333 to make an appointment to talk with us. Join the ranks of those
whose efforts ensure hope for their communities and the country.
Volunteers, they're the promist of our nation.
Carolyn B. Hanna
Volunteer Houston County r
Warner Robins
Brenda \
f Thompson!
Staff writer 1
I* ■
Banning smoking in bars and at
a public, outdoor fireworks display
are two instances that I see as such.
And, yet, it is happening.
Again, I say, if people want to
smoke, they will, and have every
right to do so.
Even if it means watching your
smoking life come full circle and,
again, having to traipse deep into
the woods just to light up in peace.
I’m just glad I’ve finally decided
to work on quitting.
Who knows?
Like so many other smokers,
mine is such a deep-rooted habit
that my efforts may prove useless.
Then again, they might not.
Lord knows, I won’t know until
I try.
Wish me luck.