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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.