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Viewpoints
Houston Times -Journal
P. O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069
Ph0ne:(912)987-1823
Th# Houston Tlmss-Joumal (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, Perry, Qa. 31069. ISSN: 1075-1874
Bob Tribble, President
Jim Kerce, Editor and General Manager
Eddie Byrd, Advertising Manager
News: Pauline Lewis, Veto Roley. Composition: Lori Simpson. Classified
Advertising: Melanie Bullington. Bookkeeping: Judy Morrow.
Our view
County should review method
used to oversee our hospitals
We were virtually at a loss for words after learning of the
Houston County Hospital Authority recently hiring an
administrator to oversee local medical services at a salary of
$215,000 per year. The news was especially stunning in view of
the fact the decision was made and the massive salary granted
with absolutely no public knowledge or input.
When the newly-hired Houston Healthcare Complex
administrator, Dr. Eugene R. McDannald Jr., comes on board
Nov. 1, he will oversee the county's two hospitals and other
medical services at a salary which is over twice the amount paid
to the previous HMC administrator, Karl Weinmeister.
At best, we believe the authority used poor judgment in
doubling the salary. At worst, it displayed a total disregard for
residents of a county which is struggling under a tax cap to
provide funds for services to its residents.
But, since authority members are appointed by the Houston
County Commission—not elected by the public —and have to
answer to no one, they can do as they please. That includes
paying out a whopping $215,(X)() yearly for an administrator for
our public health care complex.
As a profitable operation, it would seem reasonable that
excess funds generated by the HMC be used to support other
county services, rather than high-paid employees.
In view of the authority’s questionable decision in hiring the
new administrator, perhaps it is time for the commission to
review the way HMC is overseen with an eye toward making
those who oversee the complex more accountable to those
taxpayers who own the facilities.
Enjoy the Georgia National Fair
With the Georgia National Fair entering its final days, we
remind readers that the event provides a wonderful opportunity
to enjoy some of the best entertainment available anywhere.
As is past years, the 1994 edition of the state fair is an
outstanding event, which provides a wide range of activities for
all ages.
Those attending the fair can enjoy attractions ranging from
agricultural exhibits, arts and crafts displays, animal shows and
concerts to tasty foods and one of America's best midways.
With just a few days to go until its Sunday closing, we
encourage everyone to go out to the Agricenter and enjoy one of
the best events available anywhere.
Another view
Issue a 'Mayday' on hospital
Sunday we reported die Houston County Hospital Authority had hired a
replacement for former Hospital Administrator, Karl Weinmeister. Karl left
several months ago to administer another hospital in Oklahoma. When he
left Warner Robins as Administrator of our hospital he was paid SIOO,OOO
per year.
Eugene R. McDannald Jr. is the new Chief Executive Officer of the
Houston Healthcare Complex and his salary will be $215,000 per year with
a car allowance of SIOO per week and who knows what else (moving
expenses, living expenses, etc., etc.).
It’s just incredible.
It’s just unbelievable.
Where is all the money coming from? Most of us are trying to stay in
business with “downsizing”, wage freezes, hiring freezes, and a hope and a
prayer.
Not to worry. The Hospital has found a money tree.
As taxpayers, we pay the hospital hundreds of thousands of dollars for
indigent care, we subsidize the ambulance service, and our county
commissioners appoint die Hospital Authority to protect our tax dollars.
Most of us can’t even imagine being paid $215,000 a year, that’s
$4,134.62 a week and it doesn’t include the perks.
Mayday for sure!
Guess what one member of the Houston County Commission told me,
“Don’t worry...even with indigent care, fairyland salaries, the taxpayers are
in good shape. Last year the hospital made a profit of more than 4 million
dollars.
If that’s true, why is Houston County spending precious tax dollars to
subsidize the hospital?
I’m told we need a new “Doctor Administrator” to manage about 125
doctors in Houston County. I believe it’s time for the taxpayers to get out
of the “hospital business” and let the hospital get in the “tax paying
business”.
We also need to talk to the individual Hospital Authority members about
this latest outrage. I hen we need lo ask the County Commissioners who is
proteedng the taxpayers.
Perhaps the nursing stall and hospital staff should be remembered if the
hospital actually made 4 million dollars profit last year.
Let the Authority members and the County Commissioners know how
you feel about this. You can reach them at the following numbers:
Hospital Authority: Chairman, Hal Cotton, 987-1574; Dr. Carl L.
Beard, M.D., 922-4566; Burney Adams,. 923-8695; Barbara Calhoun,
unlisted number, write her at 164 Mossland Dr„ Perry, 31069; Arthur
Head, 929-4903; Clifford Holmes Jr., 922-1782; Marian L. Nichols, 929-
3888; L.M. Rucker, 987-3672; Carol G. Russell, 923-2845; Dr. J. W.
Spivey Jr., M.D., 922-9807; and Dr. Larry D. Stewart, M.D., 987-3445.
County Commissioners: Chairman, Sherrill Stafford, 953-3126; Calvin
Maye, 328-7296; Larry Sncllgrove, 953-3157; Archie Thompson, 988-
1378; and H. Jay Walker 111, 953-1240.
I truly believe our hospital has grown too large to be managed by an
Authority of non-professionals.
Let’s sell the hospital, tax the profits, and all live happily ever alicr.
(Editor's Note: Tltc above edit mull was written by Tom Reed, general
manager of The Daily Sun, Warnei Robins, ana is reprinted with
premission.)
— THE- f&Wvr GALLERY"
' x,v /j 17 "^„
if
Understand, our actions just a matter of values
Over 800 people may have died
when the ferry went down near
Finland.
The death toll was severe; but,
recent reports tell us that many of
the killed were young children and
the elderly, people least able to sur
vive a disaster of this type. The re
ports say that many of the sur
vivors lived by crawling over and
displacing the young and the old.
Recently, also, there have been
reports criticizing a Macon pastor
for delivering "political" remarks in
a sermon broadcast over radio.
Supposedly, this minister attacked
the Democratic Party for lacking
morals.
The opponents of this speech
say that the preacher had no right to
bring into a religious situation
speech that was clearly political.
The two types of speech, they said,
were independent of each other.
Some may not see a connection
between the two events. Yet, there
is a great connection between the
events off Finland and the events in
Macon.
The question, in both instances,
is what role does our belief system,
our religion, if you will, play in
our lives.
The other day as I was listening
to the radio, doing a little channel,
Readers share their views on issues in the news
Dear Editor:
I wmit to thank the Houston Tiines-Joumal for your excellent coverage
of our ongoing county flu campaign. Community health must include the
resources of the whole community if we are to keep families healthy. The
key to delivering essential health services to Perry is creating an
awareness-sometimes encouraging, sometimes coaxing people take care of
important preventive healtli matters. Infant immunizations, Medicaid child
physicals, WIC services for new mothers and infants, and free
mammograms for older women me a few of the good reasons to visit your
county health department on King’s Chapel Road. This month, one of the
best reasons is to get a flu shot. Better yet, why not combine a flu shot
for you, with an immunization check or physical for your child or
grandchild.
Jim, I believe Perry appreciates the way you publicized the danger of
the flu and bow easy it is to receive flu protection for this winter. We
have already seen a significant response from this community and our
neighbors in south county for shots. But our job is not yet complete. We
have lots more vaccine ;uid there are in;uty people who need coaxing.
Please continue to pass the word to your readers that October and
November me great months to get shot! Our Health Department will
continue to be inviting healthcare providers. With the continued support
of fine organizations like the Perry Rotmy and Kiwanis, the Perry
Hospital, and our business community, who are pledging to assist to make
Perry a healthy community, our future is very bright. I tun grateful that
our Houston Tiines-Joumal sees community health as a top priority.
Sincerely,
Bill Carter, Director
Houston County Health Department
Dear Editor:
There seems to be numerous reports on the “rich kid” from Atlanta
running for governor, Guy Millncr.
The fact is Guy Millner did not grow up rich. His father ran a gas
station in Holly Hills, Fla., very close to Daytona Beach. There were
three children in the Christian home, and both parents were very
attentive and frugal. All three children received a college education to
which they contributed financially.
After graduation from high school Guy attended Florida State
University in Tallahassee. During his days at Florida State he sold pots
and pans house to house to finance his education. The fact is that Guy
has not only worked all his life, but he has worked very hard and very
long for his successes.
The industrious people who set high goals and work their plans
usually find much success in the American way. Guy is one of these
people.
Why then should we criticize him for his well earned success? The
fact that Guy Millner has been on both sides of the street will give him
"Veto I
Roley
.HP Staff Writer I
trying to find "The Prairie Home
Companion," I came upon Josh
McDowell, who was talking about
problems that faced Christian youth
groups.
He said there were several items
that youth ministers agreed on as
being important indicators about
whether someone would grow up to
be a "good, moral person" or a
"Christian." The youth ministers
all agreed that having a stable home
life and having a relationship with
Christ were important to their
groups. However, they said one is
sue indicated trouble more than any
other issue.
That issue was the presence of
absolute values. McDowell said
that those teenagers who had abso
lute values were less likely to harm
others or engage in other harmful
behavior than those who did not
hold absolute values.
What does this have to do with a
ferry sinking off the coast of
4A
Houston Times-Journal
Finland? As to the cause of the ac
cident, nothing. But, as to the peo
ple leaving the elderly and young to
fend for themselves on a sinking
ship, everything.
Some years ago, it would have
been unheard of for someone to
have pushed through a crowd, leav
ing the elderly and the young to die.
Our value system taught that those
that were able to fend for them
selves helped those who did not.
And, it's not just common cour
tesy at work here, although that
was often what it was passed off as.
No, it was something that said the
strong had a duty to the weak. It
was something that made man su
perior to the animal world.
Man was taught to remember the
scene in Washington after a jet
crash. Photos from the scene
showed a man repeatedly receiving a
rope and seat only to hand it to
someone else. The man drowned be
fore rescuers could get him out of
the water.
But, the scene from the ferry is
one out of wild kingdom. It appears
that there were few heros, and that
goes back to values.
Some people also think that
there should be a limit to our val
ues—that our values should be
the insight to understand problems from both sides.
Sincerely,
Nick Strickland, Fort Valley
Dear Editor:
So often we forget how lucky we me and we take so many things in
our everyday life for granted-like walking.
Kim (Andrews) Lones (daughter of Dot and Marshall Andrews) and
Jerry Lones were married on July 25, 1992, and like most young people
getting started with their new life together thought everything was
perfect. It was, until the next week on July 29, 1992, Kim was
involved in an automobile accident.
This accident almost claimed the life of Kim, having resulted in a
broken hip, broken left arm, broken right ankle, along with multiple
head and facial lacerations and bums. Kim remained in the Medical
Center in Macon for three and a half months where she underwent skin
grafts and extensive rehabilitation.
Upon her release from the hospital, she still had to have physical
therapy three times a week caused by the broken hip. Now today, Kim
is faced with having to have a hip replacement.
At her young age, the doctors are not pleased with her present
condition, and she has no alternative, in order to prevent further
complications. Kim does not let her pain stop her.
However, without the support of her husband Jerry, who is an
employee of PPG in Perry and their son Austin, she would not be able
to face each new day with a smile. The case is still in the hands of the
Court system and insurance benefits me not in her favor, however, the
medical doctors say she should not wait any longer.
With the support of the community and friends, we hope that this
expense burden can be met and Kim can get this hip replacement and
will be able to walk without pain, the way so many of us take for
granted.
A “Kimberly Andrews Lones” benefit fund account has been opened
at The Bank of Perry, 987-2554, Attn. Debra Law.
Dear Editor:
One more Georgia National Fair parade is behind us. It was the fifth
and from all reports, the best. It couldn’t happen without the great
participation by all the units involved. There were 100 all together, and
included the Perry High Band, antique cars, lots of kids, floats, and
circus animals.
If you missed the parade, make plans to see the 6th annual on Oct.
7, 1995. Thanks again for the fine effort by all parade participants and
those who helped pul it all together.
Sincerely,
Bill Haffley
Parade Coordinator
locked into a room, or event, and
never allowed to come out. Yet,
there me no such values that can
withstand such segregation from
retd life.
A value system, if it is to have
power, must rule over the person in
public as well as power. There can
not be one set of public values and
a different set of private values.
Perhaps the people who criticise
the pastor of Mabel White Baptist
Church should carefully look at the
values they espouse. Values that me
not applied consistently to all parts
of life have no worth.
It's a value thing. Why do kids
murder kids without blinking an
eye today? It's a value thing.
We no longer believe that some
things are right simply because
they me right, and some things me
wrong simply because they are
wrong. And, until we regain that
simple belief, we will continue to
be shocked at reports of people
climbing over children to reach the
safety of lifeboats or other buoys.
And, until we, as the pastor of
Mabel White Baptist Church sug
gests, stmt carrying our values over
into public life, and start practicing
in public what we preach in private,
we will never regain the values that
our nation was built on.
