Newspaper Page Text
Please see
Houston Times -Journal
Perry, Ga.
this week
Volume 124—N0. 65—24 Pages
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24,1994
50 CENTS
Crime Doesn't Pay
While Warner Robins might
have a drug problem wit h drugs,
Houston County Superior Court
Judge L.A. McConnell told the
Perry Exchange Club Thurs
day that Peny only had a small
drug problem. Page BA.
Wilson Named To Board
Eddie Wilson, vice president of
Trust Co. Bank of Middle Geor
gia, N.A., has been elected to
the Young Banker's Executive
Committee of the Georgia
Banker's Association. Page7A.
Flowers Graduates
Andy Flowers, a branch man
ager with Bank South, N.A.,
recently graduated from the
Georgia Banking School. Page
7A.
Westfield Gears Up
The Westfield Hornets kick off
the 1994 football season this
Friday night when they travel to
Mt. DeSales. Page IC.
Panthers Await Test
The Perry High School Pan
thers hope to make an impres
sive showing when they open
their grid slate next Friday night.
Page IC.
'Fessor 1 Unveiled
Pete Henderson, an artist of
some renown and a native
Perryan, has produced a col
lage of Eric Staples, former
principal and coach at Perry
High School, along with many
of the athletes he coached on
state-winning teams. Page 18.
Dawkins Gets Award
Cynthia Dawkins has been
awarded the Peyton Anderson
Scholarship to Weselyn Col
lege in M,acon. The scholar
ship is a full four-year, all-ex
penses-paid $78,000 aca
demic scholarship in the field
of education. Page 18.
Couples announce
Ms. Aimee Louise Smith and
Randall Derrick Jones an
nounce their engagement..
Page 28.
Westfield 'Camps'
Varisty and junior varsity
cheerleaders recently attended
a cheerleading camp con
ducted by some of the top in
structors in the eastern states..
Page 28.
The community's sympathy
is extended to the families of
those who recently died. They
include: Danny Gene Adkins
and Cager Shockley. See page
2A.
Business 7A
Church news 3B
Classified 7B
Family News 1B
Legal notices 4B
Letters to the editor 4A
Obituaries 2A
Police report 3A
Veto Roley 4A
Sports 1C
Bob Tribbie 4A
sview
Page 1A
Official Legal Organ for Houston County, City of Perry and the State of Georgia
Crowding is
'no problem'
at Perry MS
By JIMMY SIMPSON
Staff Writer
The top administrator at Perry
Middle School said this week that
despite growing concerns from
parents due to overcrowding,
students aren't experiencing any real
school-related problems.
A total of 860 students were in
the classroom when doors officially
opened for the start of the new year.
That figure is an estimated 225
more children than what the
Georgia Department of Education
requires to be enrolled for a school
to receive grant monies.
"It may be a little crowded, but
we're going to be able to take care
of the kids," said Perry Middle
School Principal Bobby
Pennington.
Pennington said a soon-to-be
constructed wing on the west side
of the campus should relieve a lot
of the problems associated with
crowded classrooms.
The only immediate problem, at
least at the present, is that addition
is not scheduled for completion
until the start of the 1995-96
school year.
In the meantime, Pennington
said educators remain optomistic
that any problems relating to
overcrowding can be addressed.
"Once the new wing is
completed, we'll all be a lot more
comfortable," said Pennington, who
added that even administrative
offices have been established in a
previous classroom.
"But until then, we'll do the best
that we can."
City ; chamber review plans to revive local industrial park
By JIMMY SIMPSON
Staff Writer
City officials here are springing
into action with a plan they hope
will soon revive the Perry Industrial
Park.
The park will now be advertised
as the Perry Allied Small Business
Park. The previous Perry Industrial
Park name was abolished recently
by the development council.
"We've got some strong
committments from both, city
council and the Perry Economic
Development Council," Perry Area
Chamber of Commerce vice
chairman Skip Dawkins told board
members Thursday. "We're just
going to have to put our ideas in
motion."
Dawkins said that the park has
more than adequate land remaining,
about 200 acres, and should be
showcased to all potential
customers.
"We've got some good candidates
out there," he said. "I feel like we
can make the industrial park very
affordable and get others to locate in
here."
Police targeting
speeders using
U.S. 341 detour
Those motorists using the
Airport Rd. Extension as a bypass
while a U.S. Hwy. 341 bridge is
being repaired may find more than
they ever anticipated on that route
mainly, officers of the Perry Police
Department
"We’ve had some problems
where we've had several vehicles
coming through there... exceeding
the speed limit," said Capt. Steve
Heaton. "And as a result, we’ve
made some cases..."
The road is not listed on a city
ordinance that designates the speed
limit, therefore it is set at 25 mph.
Motorists are asking that the
limit be increased. Residents are
asking that the present limit remain
because of children in the area. City
Council has tabled a request to
increase the speed limit until further
reviewing the area.
'Fessor's Boys'
Please see Page 1B
■?T*. l r ■
Ji
. \ O ' >1 \ 1
’School Bells Ring...'
Perry Elementary School student Kalin Tyson
appears to be overwhelmed at something his teacher
Is explaining to his physical education class during
the first day of school Friday. Tyson was one of more
than 17,000 students returning to Houston County
Schools to start the 1994-95 school year. Westfield
Schools Headmaster Dr. Michael Drake reported 465
students enrolled when doors opened there
Wednesday. Kalin Is the son of Darryl and Bonnie
Tyson. For more on local schools, see page 9A. (HTJ
photo by Jimmy Simpson)
mfmm XMp'.
Chamber board member Rusty Wood looks on as
Peggie Williams, executive director of the Perry Area
Chamber of Commerce discusses an Issue with a fellow
board member. (HTJ photo by Jimmy Simpson)
<o ',. '4; 7
tL v
A >■. ,-p3r*--Jl'.■ '
City workers work to repair a bridge on Valley Dr., one
of several bridges that was damaged In the flood.
Perry police report
Please see Page 3A
PMS restrooms
termed 'unsafe'
by parent group
✓ Story, pictures detail first day of school—9A
By JIMMY SIMPSON
Staff Writer
A concerned group of local
citizens are looking for answers,
and say they are looking for the
Houston County Board of
Education to respond.
The problem stems from a
makeshift restroom facility at Perry
Middle School. Originally designed
as a classroom trailor, the building
has since been converted to include
toilets and sinks.
The problem isn't a lack of
fixtures, the parents say, but rather
students fearing for their safety
when entering the trailor.
"My son was absolutely terrified
to even go to the restroom most of
all last year because they're not
monitored closely," said one parent,
who asked that her name not be
used due to another son being
enrolled in the school this year.
"He was locked in, the lights
turned off, and threatened at one
time last year," the woman stated.
"He was terrified to ever go back
in..."
Sue Funderburk, one of a
number of parents who say they
plan to sign a petition requesting
that other facilities be made
available, said she feared that her
At the present, PPG remains the
park’s biggest manufacturer,
employing more than 175 people.
H.A.G. Steele is also a tenant at
the 475-acre site.
"It's one of the nicest industrial
parks anywhere in the slate," said
Peggie Williams, executive director
of the local chamber. "Once the
access to the park is solved via the
bypass of the Perry Parkway, we
will have an outstanding park to
market."
In other action, board members:
• Announced that Houston
County resident Walt Whiting has
been selected as "Volunteer of the
Year" by the Georgia Economic
Developers Association. The award
is designed to recognize individuals
throughout the state who exemplify
the volunteer role in community
and economic development.
Whiting will be recognized at
GEDA’s annual conference in
Savannah Sept. 21-23. He will then
represent Georgia at the annual
meeting of the Southern Industrial
Development Council in
Louisville, Ky. in October.
Overtime pay for flood
leaves city with big bill
By JIMMY SIMPSON
Staff Writer
An estimated $13,000-plus was
paid out in overtime monies to city
employees during July's flood,
according to figures released
Tuesday.
Janice Williams, interim City
Manager, said early reports
compiled by city workers have
revealed $13,950 in extra payroll
dollars.
"And that doesn't include the
costs of materials, contract labor or
fuel for city vehicles," said
Williams.
Williams said that all monies
spent as a result of the flood will be
"100-percent” reimbursed by both,
Federal and Georgia Emergency
Management Agencies. The former
daughter may develop kidney
problems at one point last year
because of the situation.
Funderburk said she continues to
remain concerned because the
problem has yet to be appropriately
addressed.
"The trailor's still out there, and
the students are still required to use
it. (School officials) won't even
allow (the students) in the
building."
Actually, only eighth grade
students are required to use that
specific facility, according to
Principal Bobby Pennington.
"We didn't have room for all of
the kids to use the facilities in the
building at one time, so we decided
on an alternate plan," Pennington
said.
The trailor, which costs around
$12,000 new, was considered to be
the best alternative until additional
construction was approved.
"We already had the trailor, so
all we had to do was connect to a
sewerage line," the principal said.
"It was a lot better than trying to
turn an extra 280 kids 1005 e... We
would be overloaded in the
hallways.”
Pennington said that students
• Designated Nov. 4-6 as "Goal
Planning Weekend" at St. Simons,
Ga. Board members will attend the
retr eat-type gathering to map out
plans for the upcoming year. All
board members will pay their own
travel costs and lodging.
• Announced that two luncheons
were scheduled recently to recognize
new teachers in the Westfield and
Houston County School System.
Local chamber officials co
sponsored the county gathering
with the Warner Robins Area
Chamber of Commerce.
Approximately 142 people attended.
The Westfield recognition was held
at the New Perry Hotel.
• Announced plans to attend a
Washington, D.C. Fly-In Sept. 13-
14 with 3rd District representatives.
John Sundquist, Charles Lewis,
Tim Martin, Peggie Williamson,
Dana Dixon and Skip Dawkins will
attend.
• Announced plans to name a
new "Leadership Perry" class for
1995 in December. Applications are
being accepted.
will pay out 75 percent in costs,
while the lattef will pick up the
remaining 25 percent
The money to pay for the
additional man hours, Williams
said, was withdrawn from the city's
regular operating budget
When reimbursement monies
come in, she said, the money'will
be immediately redeposited back
into that fund.
Williams said city officials never
speculated on exactly how much
money would be paid out as a result
of the unfortunate incident, but said
figures are actually a welcomed
surprise.
"I think that the amount of
money that has been spent (as a
result of the flood) so far is very
reasonable for the amount of
damage the city had," she said.