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Viewpoints Too many Americans are idealistic about democracy Americans-as columnist Georgie Anne Guyer notes-are relatively idealistic about democracy and individual freedom and rights. Although it took a revolution in the 1700's and struggles thereafter for generations to achieve today's society, we want other nations to opt for immediate democracy. Will that work, if attempted in China, with its billion people, who have never known democracy (but who now enjoy order, little crime, education for all, mass starvations having been ended)? Is it going to work in the countries which were part of the Soviet Union? In Ukraine, forty percent of the population already favors reuniting with Russia—because they recall the order and better living. Russia itself is beset with critical problems on the road to democracy. Can the Russians complete their rather rapid transition without a counter reaction from the right? The plight of most Russians today is far worse than under communism—economically. They have suffered terribly. Can we expect them to accept the change to democracy when they go hungry? In South Africa, we expect over twenty million blacks to sustain democracy-many still carrving spears. Is this realistic? It's not a auestion ot right or wrong, white-only rule is undoubtedly wrong. The question is whether the masses there are ready for, and can make work, instant democracy. Should there have been a less idealistic, interim period of transition? Whether democracy can take hold in nations where it has been unknown depends on the understanding and education of the majority, not just idealistic desires. It took centuries to emerge successfully in England and generations to be perfected in this country. U.S. foreign policy must take into account reality as well as idealism, in selling democratic systems of government throughout the world. One of the serious worries at the moment is the growing danger that democracy, instant democracy, will collapse in some countries formerly part of the Soviet Union. One wonders whether Ukraine, for example, should be so quick to send all its nuclear missiles to Russia (which we encourage and finance) when the rising level of unrest in each country hints of probable takeover attempts by hardliners in the not-too-distant future. That's realism applied to idealism. Deadlines For Submitting New Articles and Photographs 5 pm Monday for Wednesday Edition 5 pm Thursday For Saturday Edition *76e *7t*Ke4rfoun*uil *Wetc<wte& Aett&i ScUtryi. Editor Houston Times-Journal P.O. Drawer M Perry, GA, 31069 Houston Times-Journal P.O. Draw<i?r M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069 Phone: (912) 987-1823 Member Georgia Press Association-National Newspaper Association aPkiFI mdle iio hi rj, I.Ji v. t < <l,|. IUV .lUoi) t', I ash P'l .l/l lil *1 ~1 ti\«< oA- tiij'M<l»j i IV' |'i w<lo4ti' i'p«.’v cft, on-a^'»v». people to ri/>oc»nf; f*-, <>n<ito pet (I ton lH c i~J t> jov a> d'lM' Y °ur 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 A overt is in g Director News: Brenda Thompson, Pauline Lewis Sports: Veto Roley Advertising!erase 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 31060. ISSN:IO7S-U 74 Our Opinions Residents find living in Houston cities too taxing WHEN Warner Robins' Mayor and council refused to pay their share of the Houston County Library system's new budget it brought to the surface a long festering problem...again. This isn't the first time Warner Robins officials have questioned the longtime method of sharing the cost of the library system between the county's three cities-Perry, Warner Robins and Centerville-and the county government When I was mayor of Warner Robins we did our best to solve the double taxation problem inherent in the present sharing of costs about 16 years ago. We tried to get the county commissioners to accept the fact that residents of the three cities were paying twice for this service while people living outside the cities were paying only once. To get the attention of the commissioners we said we were not going to pay our assessment until a new formula was worked out. As agreed between the four governmental bodies many years ago a per-person assessment was established according to the library's budgeted needs. Each city pays the per resident assessment and the county pays on the basis of the number of people living in the county outside the three cities. * * * THIS is where the rub comes in. 7 PCArnr <s> amwa Vf- Your Opinion Seatbelts are the “cool” choice that saves lives! Dear Editor: Last fall, a teenager was killed just a few miles from his home when he flew through the window of an automobile that was involved in a one car accident. This young man was not wearing a seatbelt, although it is required by law for those under 18 years of age. The wreck was a preventable collision. Other teens in the vehicle were slightly injured, but survived due to the use of seatbelts. We.don't like hearing stories like this, but unfortunately they do occur and they occur far more often than we would like to admit. These young people left one home enroute to another, just a routine trip. Although I taught this young man classes in alcohol-drug awareness and seatbelt use was also discussed, still, young people and older adults don't realize that 3 out of 4 crashes occur within 25 miles of home and over 40 percent of all fatal crashes occur at speeds of less than 45 mph. They don't think it can happen to them or they have made plans and nothing will dare to interfere with those. In 1992, the lives of 5,226 front seat occupants over 4 years old were saved by safety belts. Was it a habit, education or just plain common sense that saved those lives? Whatever the reason, it worked. But now there is another compelling reason to buckle up on every trip, it’s the law in 46 states, DC, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. All 50 states have child safety seat laws, but the child seat must be used and used correctly. The law enforcement officers are enforcing these laws and if common sense doesn't motivate belt use, maybe tickets and fines will persuade the hard core nonusers. A choice has to be made. Those of us that have been saved by a seatbelt or have witnessed the effectiveness of safety belts must persuade those riding with us that safety belt use is the right choice...the "cool" choice and that it can save a life. SFC. Charles Parker Houston Times-Jouma! City officials contend that people living in the cities are victims of double taxation. They point out that all city residents also are residents of the county and they all pay county taxes. Therefore, when the county pays for county residents outside the cities with county taxes they should pay for those county residents living inside the cities, too. We did our best 16 years ago to resolve the issue. The commissioners stonewalled us then...as they probably will do this time. There was no way those of us in the Warner Robins city government were going to let the libraries reduce services or close down some branches. So, after holding out as long as we could for equity, we came through with the money that year with an appeal to the commissioners to work with us to resolve the double taxation issue. • Since the same issue has surfaced again this year it is obvious nothing has been done. * * * SOME supporters of the library fear that library employees will be laid off and the library will suffer because the Warner Robins officials are withholding their assessment. When the chips are down the Warner Robins officials will come through with the money, reluctantly, as we did long ago. Wednesday, May 18,1994 "Houston Times-Journal Page 2A And the issue of double taxation will continue year after year after year. * * • WE HEAR a lot of talk about consolidation of city and county services. It is good for talk. Some services can be consolidated. The library is one of them. So is recreation. They already are. But there is inequity in how they are being paid for and give us insight into why consolidation of many services cannot...and will not...be accomplished. The school system is the perfect example of services being provided to all Houston Countians, regardless of where thev live, and paid for by a tax applied to all equally. In my opinion, the recreation department and the library should be funded and operated under county control. When recreation was tackled it was done backwards. The mayor of Warner Robins at the time insisted on the three cities taking over recreation with the county providing money for a few years...leaving the cities with three city-operated recreation programs, paid for by city taxpayers in later years, but obligated to provide services for non-residents. It should have gone the other way...as this newspaper suggested more than once while it was being discussed. There should be one My, how time flies when you’re having fun ... It doesn't seem like it, but it's al ready been a whole year since my daughter was bom. Lauren will celebrate her first birthday this weekend and besides preparing for her party, I've been thinking a lot about the past year since she’s been in my life. I never knew before how much a child actually means to a parent. (Being a mother has made me real ize why my mother seemed so pro tective at times.) But now that she is in my life each day is filled with a special joy it lacked before. Many things have happened to me over the past year with my career, with my family and with friends, but none stand out as much as hav ing Lauren. Even through the ups and downs of the first year of motherhood-the doctor visits, feedings, colds, teething; the first smile, rolling over, the first word, the first tooth, learning to crawl and eventually walk-seemed to come gradually, I now look back and realize just how fast it has all gone by. At first it all made me feel melan choly, but, as my husband pointed out, there's still so much more to go. Having a child is like receiving a new gift each day whether it be through a look, laugh, smile, hug or that sweet sleepy sigh when they rest their head on your shoulder each evening. She's brought me closer to my 1 I (H FoyS. | Evans I recreation program tor all Houston Countians operated by the county government. It would prevent the kind of controversy that erupted in Warner Robins recently when more than 200 children, many of them residents of the city, were told they could not participate. * * * WHAT HAS happened in financing the library system and recreation is a big reason you hear so much talk on the part of city officials to the effect they are amenable to consolidation of services...yet find they are reluctant to go forward until the matter of who pays is settled. All over the county subdivisions are popping up and the people in them are reluctant to annex into one of our cities because they are receiving most city services without paying city taxes for them. You can't blame them. This trend will continue...with the cities suffering from declining revenue and soaring costs...until we have the same situations that prevail in such counties as Dekalb and Cobb and in suburban Atlanta. ■ Ji® Brigette L P Loudermilk I P W Editor |j husband, mother, sister and other family members. She's the topic of 98 percent of the conversations I share with others. So—l'll pick up the cake Friday evening and we’ll blow out the can dles in front of our family and friends Saturday. Lauren will rip the paper off the gifts and play with the bows (while totally ignoring the gifts). All the parents will discuss the joys and pitfalls of parenting and brag on the progress tneir child has made. The children will be smearing ice cream and cake all over their faces and each other and grabbing toys out of each other’s hands. And although Sunday will be the end of the first year of my daugh ter's life, we'll begin the second the same day. I'm sure that by this time next year I'll again be surprised at how quickly the time has past since she turned two.