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• Wednesday, August 10,1994, "Houston Times-Journal Page 4A Viewpoints Houston Times-Journal P.O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069 Phone: (912) 987-1823 Th» Houston Tlm«»-Journ.l (USPS 000471) I* published semi-weekly (or SIS.OO per year by Houston Publicatione, Inc., 807. Carroll Street, Perry, Ga. 11069. Second Ciaaa Postage paid at Perry, Ga.,POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Houston Times-Journal, P.O. Drawer M,PerryGa. 11069. ISSN:IO7S-1874 Bob Tribble Daniel F. Evans Julie B. Evans Mitch Tribble President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Jim Kerce Editor and General Manager Eddie Byrd Advertising Manager News: Jimmy Simpson, Pauline Lewis Sports: Veto Roley Composition: Melanie Bullington Classified Advertising: Melanie Bullington Bookkeeping: Judy Morrow Circulation: Donnie Forehand Byron Maxwell: A fine man and community leader By all standards, the late Byron Maxwell should be re membered as a pillar of the Perry community. As a family man, he was a devoted husband to his wife, Louise, of 54 years. In his church, the Perry Presbyterian, he was a leader with regular attendance and faithful service as a deacon. As a member of the Perry Kiwanis Club and the American Association of Retired Persons, he con tributed his time, talents and energy to numerous projects which helped make the com munity a better place for all residents. But, it was Mr. Maxwell's contribution to the community as co-owner of The Houston Home Journal that sparks fond memories here at the paper. As a former co-owner of the paper, Mr. Maxwell was a regular visitor to our offices over the years. He often offered friendly advice and Byron Maxwell looks over valuable insight into past a copy of The Houston events which shaped the Perry Home Journal during the community. He is remembered as a gentle, knowledgeable man who was a skilled craftsman in the field of community journalism. We echo the words of Carolyn Etheridge, wife of the paper’s co-owner, Cooper, who said: "The community just lost a fine man. We'll miss him." Your Opinion Reader searching for family Dear Editor: I am looking for a member of my family, William Perrin Swain, bom in 1922 in Georgia. In 1944 he married Dorothy Mae Hartley while stationed at Camp Lejuine Marine Base in North Carolina. In 1945 he was residing at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins with his parents. William and his wife had divorced in 1945-46. He had two or three brothers, Leonard or Lawrence, and Robert, and a sister named Betty. One of the brothers may have been a lawyer. This is all the information that I have. If anyone can help me please contact me, Gena S. West, 205 &1/2 W. Foulke Ave., Findlay, Ohio 45840. My number is (419) 425-2837. Sincerely, Gena S. West PPG applauds City’s efforts Dear Editor: On behalf of the 155 Works 18 employees, I’d like to offer PPG Industries’ sincere thanks for the City of Perry’s exceptional diligence in their timely repair of the Valley Drive bridge. The City’s Hugh Sharp, Director of Public Works, and Frank Simons, Police Chief, not only communicated and performed superbly, they extended our employees every possible courtesy (examples: parking and barrier locations) during the period the bridge was out. Further, all of the PPG team fully recognizes that the City of Perry absolutely has it’s hands full with flood related problems, and simply wants to compliment you and your entire organization for an ongoing “excellent” flood recovery effort. The “City of Perry Team” is sincerely appreciated by all of us at PPG. Thanks again, Kris E. McGee, P.E. Plant Manager 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. Our Goal The Houston Times-Journalts 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. Member Georgia Press Association-National Newspaper Association "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a rcdrcc of grievances." Your right to read thia newspaper is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. mL JhH ■ The effects of ‘second-hand’ smoke should be considered A new study is out that says 47,000 Americans will die from secondhand and cigarette smoke this year, and in addition more than 150,000 non-smokers will have non-fatal heart attacks due to the secondhand smoke. That’s as much as 50 percent more than previous estimates, the study said. The 50 percent increase is projected from an analysis of 1985 info that showed that heart disease caused by other people’s smoke killed 62,000 people that year and caused as many as 200,000 heart attacks. The reduction since then is due to a decline in smoking and an increase in restrictions on smoking in public places, the study said. The study was conducted by Judson Wells, a consultant to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. His earlier calculations said that secondhand smoke was responsible for 32,000 to 37,000 heart diseased deaths a year in nonsmokers. The Tobacco Institute countered the report by saying that a 1986 U.S. Surgeon General’s report by smoking failed to find a link between secondhand smoke and heart disease. THE PEANUT <3AU-£.RY 1 /"jrtjuwN , / moT"'\ —( I GOT h ( TAKE V— - i suam ’94- I STREET TALK: In just two days, America’s favoriite past-time, baseball, will officially bring down the curtain on the 1994 baseball season. Players and owners will try to negotiate to resolve disputes that currently exist in the $l.B billion industry. One of the biggest complaints is $7.1 million for a pension fund they say owners are withholding. This week we asked local followers of the sport to answer the question, “Do you agree with the players going on strike?” I . lEL ® - ifßr latistli” \ if HflHr /' Jb Charles Boswell “Yes. I think they’re right because they have the right to negotiate because they’re a working person.” ' wHl>a, f**£9r - QU9& I * iflj^BHHr, "T® Amos Collins “I think they’re making a mistake. They should think about the fans, and should be loyal to them.” Houston Times-Journal Bob i Tribble I Considering the above, who do we believe? It reminds me of another recent government sponsored study that now says eating good old fried eggs isn’t near as harmful to our health as earlier studies showed. Seems that maybe info from some studies is being twisted whatever way is necessary in order to arrive with the “facts” desired before the study was undertaken. I like what Edwin Feulner, president of The Heritage Foundation, a Washington based public policy research institute, said about a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study on secondhand smoke. He said the study is “mostly smoke and mirrors, and is inconsistent with virtually every other serious study of the subject ever done. When the federal nannies are determined to w Marvin Hill “I don’t think they’re giving fans enough respect, especially with the amount of money they’re making.” ,s§! £f : Chad Lewis “I think it’s kind of sad. They’re showing where their main interests really are... with money.” regulate our lives, they rarely let the facts get in the way. This is certainly the case with regards to secondhand smoke.” Feulner, who admits to loving a good cigar, says he is willing to acknowledge that smoking is what Great Aunt Gertrude called a “dirty habit.” “And, all things considered, you would be better off if you ate properly, exercised, got a good night’s sleep, and stayed away from smokes,” he added. “If you smoke enough cigars or cigarettes it’ll make your teeth yellow and smell your clothes, but drinking lots of coffee can yellow your teeth, too; cleaning fish will make your clothes smell, and riding in a car, or a diet too high in fatty foods, can kill you also, as will lots of other normal, everyday things people do. Where does the government draw the line?” he asked. Feulner concluded, “this is still supposed to be a free country. In truth, most smokers now bend over backward to accommodate non smokers. So let’s make a deal. I won’t blow smoke in your face, and you keep government off my back.” . IW' fjf MwSSk k ■■ jm Edna Gibbs "I disagree that the players should be able to strike. I think they make enough money as it i 5...” Angela Fennell "I feel like they have the right to make certain demands. If they improve, they deserve more." The soloists are joining the national choir I’m starting to get worried about the nature of American democracy. For the past few decades it seems that our political leaders have been trying to make the American public a homogeneous group, pushing for the same goals, for the same ideals, with little difference between us. The differences between citizens are either being eradicated, with people forced to change their ideologies, or brought into the ever-widening mainstream of American culture. But, is that good. After all, this is the same soci ety that idolized Jesse James, Bonnie and Clyde, and others who walked the other side of the fence from law and order. Our tall tales are about Pecos Bill, John Henry, Paul Bunyan, Mike Fink and other strong individuals. John Wayne, while not respected by his industry, rode away with our respect by play ing characters that were individual ists. We are a nation that was built on individualism, on people mak ing it on their own. There is the myth of the American melting pot, of immigrants coming over to the New World to make a new life and blending into a new society. That myth has a certain ring of truthful ness to it, but the people who en tered the melting pot retained their individuality. America was never meant to be a choir directed by a talented director. Rather, America has always been a nation of soloists, each singing at their own key, their own particular song. Our founders had the some what foolish notion that these soloists could come up with a song of a nation. Sometimes this song has been a cacophony of noise—the noise of a young nation trying to find itself in a world. Other times, the song has been inspiring, the song of a nation that draws people everywhere to partake of the glorious freedom that is here. Perhaps the streets were not paved with gold, perhaps there were obstacles to overcome; but, there was freedom, there was the ability to sing a solo—even if no one else wanted to hear it. More and more, I see the United States becoming a choir, and the di rector is not always talented. At one time, policies were made on a local level, with state, county and city government being the most important levels of government in someone's life. At the turn of the century, the job of President of the United States was still a part-time job. The Great Depression and the New Deal started us on the trail to wards the choir. Different voices might be okay in prosperity; but, with the prospect of famine in the streets, a director was needed for harmony. Shortly on the heels of the Great Depression was World War 11. The Army has never been a great place for individualists, that’s why they have uniforms. Wars, especially to tal wars, call for choir directors who maintain strict control over their singers. I think that we often miss the significance of World War 11. Those five years did more to unify the na tion than any other five year period in our history. Millions of men were trained to follow orders with out question. This training was not lost as the nation disarmed and sent its soldiers into its plants. And, more and more programs were taken over at the federal level. More and more people looked to the federal government, and away from local and state government, as the agent of government. The federal government had more power, more resources and more money than the lower levels of government. And there have been moves made to limit the amount of participation in government, such as redefining what a lobbyist is. The individual is fast becoming an endangered species. Columnist Foy Evans is on vacation. His column will retsume in two weeks.