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Viewpoints Our Opinions Citzen feels police should do more than write tickets Dear Editor: In viewing the December 1993 Year-To-Date report, it shows that our Police Department wrote 1,169 traffic tickets in Perry. That shows that 12 percent of our population has seen the wrath of the leadership of this Police Department. When asked about the rate of traffic tickets, the chief will deny any kind of “Quota” set for the patrolmen. But, he has been known to say, while addressing the patrolmen, something such as “If every officer would just write one ticket a day...”. This tells me that he’s looking for revenue for the city to make himself look good. There seems to be other areas that are lacking, such as burglaries, robberies, thefts by taking, breaking and entering into autos, and of course, taking the whole car. If I were a criminal, that’s what I would do, just take the whole car because even though it takes longer you take the evidence with you and you have plenty of time because the chief has some of the patrolmen on 1-75 looking for violators (think about the revenue!). He might deny this, but it can be proven and gladly so. It seems to me to “Protect and Serve” means to protect my family and to patrol my business. Ask the family that was burglarized while they were asleep in their beds if they feel that there are adequate patrolmen in our neighborhoods. The newspaper should print the arrest reports along with all other crimes reported to the police and let the people of Perry see that we are just being used as revenue. When I complained about this, I was told that the majority of complaints were that they were not writing enough tickets. They also told me that most of the tickets given were to people from out of town (ha, ha, ha). Who believes that anyway? What did they do, change the sign around town to read “Welcome Tourism and Industry and be sure to stop by City Hall and pay your $35 traffic ticket”? I feel that I have every right to complain since I am the victim of five burglaries, several thefts by taking, numerous car windows broken, gas drive-offs, and, of course, one car theft from my business. After one of my burglaries, the officer wearing sergeant stripes (You notice that I didn’t refer to him as a sergeant) surveyed the damage to the door and two locks and, I quote, “Looks to me like you need to find a more secure place to store your stuff.” After all, he’s the same officer who stops young drivers during the early morning hours and measures their pickup trucks with a tape measure to make sure they are not jacked up higher than the legal limit. He was probably just bored with having to answer a plain old burglary call when he could be arresting violators on 1-75. But, maybe some other businesses should be asked their opinion on less tickets and more patrolling such as S&E Car Sales. This man had to put up a chain fence to keep his place from being taken off and he is still having problems. Then there is Akin Drug, Walker Rhodes (who has been a victim several times), and WPGA. If the burglary at WPGA had happened during one particular shift, there is a chance there might have been an officer sitting in his front parking lot watching people buy from the liquor store across the street. There is talk that they want to bring out the detectives to add to the city’s patrol because they are salaried and will not have to pay them extra money. Why...when they have all those well equipped cars and men on patrol now? The reason is that they want them to keep that revenue coming in. However, there are two of the investigators that should be put back on permanent night patrol, and the other two investigators are very over worked and they do as well as they possibly can under the circumstances. Pete Griffin Deadlines For Submitting News Articles and Photographs 5 pm Monday for Wednesday Edition 5 pm Thursday For Saturday Edition • a _ ■ Houston Times-Journal P.O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069 Phone: (912) 987-1823 Member Georgia Press Association-National Newspaper Association my tgsd, gib g/ti p/rakc&Xi/uy pbw •mjWcaAa, t nnj A CVt/ t&«/ p/IA&Af 0/1/ {fa*/Unfits p/COf&l* p+AisALoSitip txv asuLta/p4^cita/vtA^@a/2<«/isiSTV«svt/^n/i/a//Mrfi/LMsa^^/iL«/<24isuc<«Ai 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 lnc.,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 Tie truth. Bob Tribble Daniel F. Evans Julie B. Evans Mitch Tribble President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Our Staff Brigette Loudermllk Editor and General Manager Eddie Byrd Advertising Director News: Brenda Thompson, Pauline Lewis Sports: Veto Roley Advertising: Jimmy Simpson Composition: Stacey Shy C lssslfled 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 Our government may restrict vehicle choice The federal government unveiled new fuel-economy standards for light trucks in early April, which gave consumers a two-year reprieve from unrealistic product restrictions. But unrealistic controls on light trucks may be just down the road, interfering with basic transportation needs for millions of families and businesses. Motorists are turning to "light trucks "--pickup trucks, utility vehicles, vans, mini-vans and sport utility vehicles-in ever-growing numbers. Over five million were sold in the United States last year, representing nearly 40 percent of new vehicle sales. In fact, America's number one selling vehicle for the past few years has been a pickup, not a car. Farmers, those living in rural communities and construction firms are examples of long-time users of pickup trucks. And light trucks are increasingly used elsewhere as well: compact pickups for light hauling; mini-vans for family transport and cargo delivery; larger vans for commuter pools, shuttle services and transporting those with disabilities; sport-utility vehicles for recreation, towing and bad weather driving; and many more tasks. Today's biggest threat to light trucks cornel from increases in 1 1 , mm Perry Scrapbook These students won prizes for the Inventions In 1989 during Tucker Elementary's Invent America Contest. We regret that that names of the Individuals pictured were not available. STREET TALK: In recent days, the national news has been covered with stories on the Monday murders of Nicole Simpson, the ex-wife of former National Football League running back O.J. Simpson, and Ronald Lyle Goldman, a waiter. So far, from media reports, O.J. Simpson seems to be the only suspect in the slayings. This week, we asked six local residents, based on the evidence gathered and reported to date, what they think about the situation. Is he guilty? ESBk ; .. .dm. V • • • Mm fv:- Judy Free “I really don’t know, be cause I haven’t seen all the reports. I’ll reserve judgement until it goes to trial and all the true facts are revealed.” 3. Schnita Leary “I don’t think he’s guilty. He even offered to help law enforcement on the investigation to find the killer.” Houston Times-Journal federal fuel-economy standards, which run counter to consumer trends and other government regulations. Under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program, vehicle makers must ensure that their light truck sales meet a specified average gas mileage level each year, regardless of customer preferences. The higher the CAFE standard, the more difficult it becomes to meet consumer demand for the larger, more powerful models. At the same time, other new federal rules actually reduce fuel economy! New safety regulations for side-door safety beams and air bags, for example, add vehicle weight and reduce gas mileage. So do popular voluntary safety features like anti-lock brakes. And strict new federal tailpipe emissions standards arc going into effect in the 1994-96 model years will further reduce available options to improve gas mileage. Most people support those safety and clcan-air initiatives, and don't mind if they mean a slight drop in gas mileage. But the government has been increasing the fuel economy requirement for these vehicles a little bit each year. Now, the government says it's considering much larger CAFE increases on light truck users Mary Watkins "I’d rather not say, be cause I don’t know all the facts.” Jessie Royal "I think he’s innocent. He wasn’t even in town.” Page 4A - Saturday, June 18,1994 " Houston Tknes-Joumat beginning in 1998. Some federal officials seem to favor that approach as a means to reduce "greenhouse gas" emissions, with little apparent concern for vehicle users. Several environmental groups have been aggressively promoting draconian hikes in the light truck CAFE standard. Three years ago, they nearly convinced Congress to raise the requirement to 28 mpg; now, they're pushing figures of 30- 35 mpg! Not surprisingly, many of those advocates have had little or no personal exposure to light trucks. They point fingers at those motorists who use light trucks (rather than cars) for commuting to work, completely ignoring the millions of Americans who need the added utility of light trucks for other purposes. Nonetheless, the government seems to be giving serious consideration to their agenda. That's a chilling prospect for farmers and contractors who need full-size pick-ups...for families who need mini-vans to take the kids to school and little league...for commuters in van pools and businesses which use larger vans...for motorists who want utility vehicles capable of hauling boats and trailers, or driving in snow...and for everyone who counts r I M Robert Wise 'Everybody’s innocent until proven guilty.” W" 1 3^,1 mm * Steve Goodroe "I don’t really think he did it. He just doesn’t seem like the type.” Guest Column on emergency vehicles being able to get through in adverse road and weather conditions. Contrary to what some may think, increases in CAFE requirements have little effect on overall U.S. oil consumption or greenhouse gas emissions, and virtually zero impact on oil imports and air quality. But while the benefits are few, the downsides can be substantial, in terms of cost and restrictions on consumer choice, for there are no "magic carburetors" or other similar panaceas to produce higher mileage ratings. Consumers all across America, as well as suppliers of light trucks, have a big stake in making sure that govemmeht policymakers don't inadvertently restrict this valuable, versatile and popular class of vehicles. (Editor’s note: Kathryn Mitchell is associate coordinator of the Georgia chapter of the Coalition for Vehicle Choice, a national organization representing vehicle users.) BVeto L Roley I Staff Writer | Take some time and give needed blood Give blood. Blood supplies are dangerously low across the country, and organi zations like the American Red Cross need you to give. I understand that the blood drive at C.B.&T. Bank was a huge suc cess. However, less than a 100 pints of blood were given. Badly in jured survivors of a bad wreck on I -75 can easily use over 100 pints of blood. People who need blood are not asking for blood—they demand it. This is not an aspirin, where the absence of the drug just prolongs and inconvenience. The absence of blood means could mean death or serious injury. Only around three percent of the population gives blood. Now, I un derstand that many people can't give blood—they have diseases that can be transmitted by the blood, they don't have the required weight, giv ing blood is really too physically demanding, etc. If you can not give, then you can not give. But, 97 percent of the popula tion is not prohibited by some med ical reason from giving blood. So, if you are not medically prohibited from giving blood, and you do not give blood, why not? Why don't you give blood just once a year? After all, you can give five times a year, pacing your dona tions at least 53 days apart. For those of you who do not give because you do not know there is a need, know that there-is a need. There is always a need for blood. Perhaps none of your immediate family does not need blood; but, all it takes is a fraction of a second on a slick road, and they need a lot of blood. Besides, even if the need doesn’t exist in your family, or in your close circle, others are not so lucky. And, when you need blood, as I've said before, the need is immediate. Afraid of needles? I have given over 75 times, over 50 times as an apheresis donor plus over 25 times as a whole blood donor, and I still don't like it when they stick that needle in my arm. I still look away, pull my legs up when they put the needle in the arm. I don't even like getting stuck with a needle prick for the blood tests the Red Cross does before the actual donation. I'm afraid of needles, but I give. Once again, I note that when blood is needed, it is needed imme diately. Is your fear preventing you from saving a life? Afraid of getting AIDS or some other disease from giving? Each do nation is taken with a new set of needles. The needles are not exposed until the time of giving blood. If you have a blood borne disease al- Please see ROLEY, page 5A