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- Wednesday, November 23,1994, Houston Times-Journal
Viewpoints
Houston Times-Journol
P. O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069
Phone: (912) 987-1823
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, Perry, Ga. 31069. ISSN: 1075-1874
Bob Tribble, President
Jim Kerce, Editor and General Manager
Sherri Wengler, Advertising Manager
News: Brigette Loudermilk Pauline Lewis. Sports: Phil Clark. Composition:
Tammy Floyd. Classified Advertising: Melanie Bullington. Circulation: Eric
Zellers. Bookkeeping: Judy Morrow.
Your view
Libraries need stable funding
Editor:
The Board of Trustees of the Houston County Library System has done
some preliminary planning for the 1995 budget. One study, to determine
if the library could operate on local money only, was prompted by the
announced plans of the City of Warner Robins to reduce the funds
normally paid by the city. It is understood that diis action by the city is
an attempt to gradually shift the city's financial participation, thus
eventually eliminating the double taxation of Warner Robins taxpayers.
For the record, the Board believes that all elected officials have a
positive interes in the libraries and that they recognize the importance of
the libraries to our citizens. It is our understanding that any differences
relate only to the method of funding and not to the continued need for the
libraries.
Nonetheless, the Board considers it important to make sure that all city
and county officials know of the close relation between total local funding
and the supplementary state/federal funding. If local funding for any year
is reduced by even one dollar from the previous year's funding, state and
federal funding can be lost. State and federal funding accounts for a large
portion of our county library system budget, some 46 percent.
Specifically, for a budget of $649,(XX), local funding would be $508,000.
Part of the state funding includes $60,000 in lottery money and $56,000 in
new btxik money; the federal funding involves 514,000.
For 1994, local agencies provided $359,000. For the purpose of this
study, we reduced that amount by $34,000. the amount by which the
Warner robins City Council plans to reduce their participation. Thus, for
a budget of $325,000 ($359,(XX) minus S34,(XX)), these are some of the
changes that could be expected:
1 The three senior librarians are paid by state funds; they would be
discharged, leaving the libraries without direction and supervision.
2 The hours of library operation would be reduced by at least 45
percent
3 The present staff would be reduced by 50 percent, including most of
the full time workers.
4 New fxxiks ;uul magazines would almost disappear; only $7,600 in
kxral money would be available, lhe library now spends SIO,OOO or more
on just magazines and newspapers.
5 Travel and professional associations would be reduced or eliminated.
There would be funds tor only the most needy building rcp;iirs.
Admittedly, this is a drettry outlixtk for our library, but it does
emphasize the need for some resolution of this funding problem. There is
a basic concept that a county library system should be funded by the
county. There is also a lot of past history. Years ago several city and
county administrations made funding commitments and arrangements
which, ye;irs later, may now be distorted and in need of change.
The Board also recognizes that the cities may view the dual taxing
problem differently; Perry ;uid Centerville have fewer dollars involved than
drx;s Warner Robins, and this can affect a point of view. Similarly, the
tax cap imposes severe restrictions on the county commissioners mid the
actions they can Like.
We earnestly hope that all our elected officials can negotiate and join in
some arrangement which will provide funding stability for years to come.
Sincerely,
Jane Graniley, Chairman
Library Board of Trustees
Public invited to honor Staples
Editor:
Panthers, Perry High, basketball, champions, winners—Staples; Eric—
professor. ‘Fessor—‘Lessor Staples—coach.winner, champion, leader, mo
tivator; ‘Fessor—discipline,teamwork, honor.values; Staples, ‘Fessor
Christian, husband, father, friend; ‘Fessor—legend—yes.legend; ‘Fessor -
communicator, influencer, teacher, educator; ‘Fessor Staples—desire, de
termination, dedication —to the limit; Fessor —master psychologist,
strategist, humanitarian; Eric P. (‘Fessor) Staples—winningest high
school basketball coach of all time: teams won 924 games, 83 percent
winning percentage, eight state championships, 25 region championships,
eight state golf titles, and developed more young people than can be
counted; ‘Fessor Staples—legend, yes. a legend!
All whose lives were touched by “Fessor, I believe, realize even more
as they grow older and wiser, just how much an influence he was on them.
That’s certainly the case with me. We’re better people because of him; the
world’s a better place because of him.
Too often we don’t recognize people and the contributions they make
—until it’s too late, or until they’re gone. But the spirit of 'Fessor, of
Perry High, of the Panthers...of “his Boys” has been captured on canvas
and will remain with us forever in a painting by well-known sports artist
Pete Henderson.
Pete was bom in Perry and grew up in Macon. An outstanding athlete
of Willingham High School under Coach Billy Henderson, he was a schol
arship sprinter at the University of Georgia where he and I became friends.
Many years later in Atlanta I bought several pieces of art work from Pete.
Impressed with the* work, I asked him to consider doing a piece on
“Fessor. Being busy with national and regional projects, he “couldn’t find
the time."
After moving back to Perry in die late 80s and leamilng first-hand just
who ‘Fessor was, what he meant to so many people and to the commu
nity, and his stature in state ;uid national basketball circles, he agreed to
undertake the project in early 1992. More than two years later, thanks to
100 commissioners of the art work, the painting is complete and ready for
distribution.
You and your famil) and friends are cordially invited to attend the for
mal unveiling of the art work on Friday, Nov. 25, 1994, in The Banquet
Room of the Holiday Inn in Perry. Festivities will begin at 11:30 a.m.
with the formal program scheduled for 1:(X) p.m. There will be time to
share 'Fessor stories with the group, so be prepared to tell yours! Light re
freshments will be served; dress is casu;d.
Commissioners’ prints will be available for distribution at the un
veiling. Also, prints will be available at the session for purchase by
others. They will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Since this is
a limited edition issue, and many will undoubtedly want to present diem as
Christmas gifts, it is expected that the prints will sell fast. Pete will be
available to personaiize, sign, ;uid number each print.
1 lixik forward to seeing you on Nov. 25, for what promises to be a
great reunion imirked by celebration, f un, and fellowship. If you have
questions, concerns, or comments, please don’t hesitate to call me in Al
lantaat (404) 565-3039 or Pete Henderson in Perry at (912) 987-9531.
Sincerely,
Thomas “Boot” Hunt
Class of 1959
Marietta, (la.
— THE PSAa/ut gall-ehy \ j
\ A
/ BAD NEWS SIK, CONGRESS \
( DID NOT GET 'nEWTEREID'. j I /
V STILL WORSE, IT WAS J J /
MLEV-Amo 1 .
(2) MAWIA s¥: *■ Gotten Out of ~PouTicz
Rain causes the '94 Ga. National Fair to grow
As the saying goes: ' A little bit
of rain won't hurt you." Now we
can amend that saying: "A little bit
of rain won't hurt the Georgia
National Fair!"
The sth Anniversary Georgia
National Fair was a tremendous
success. Even with four days of
rain, not a drizzle, but real rain, the
overall Fair attendance was up from
309,546 to 314.322. Both
weekends were absolute record
bre;ikerv
The attendance at the Georgia
National Fair indicates to me that
we are doing our job: Providing the
citizens of Georgia with a well run
Fair that makes us all very proud.
And the Fair is staged at a premier
facility which can endure rainy,m
cold days without missing tix>
many heats!
Kiwanis Club plans 'B9 Farm-City Day Festival
5 Years Ago (Nov. 22,
1989)
Local Chamber of Commerce
seeks to move to new Welcome
Center.
Kiwanis Club plans to keep
Farm-City Day Festival; voted to
sponsor the events next year.
Kiwanis president, Malcolm Reese,
said it was imperative that a decision
be reached. Mike Jackson said the
festival should continue .’’Farm-City
Day is more than just something we
do for monetary gain. It is a
community function and is part of
Kiwanis. I feel we are obligated to
continue it unt'l somebody can take
over. We want to coordinate with
officials of the Agricenter and the
Georgia National Fair.”
Farming is still a key in Houston
County economy, Duren Bell,
extension agent, says.
PPG Industries gives to United
Way to be used for charity.
County Commissioners look at
office crowding problems - not
enough space, equipment, personnel
New(?) news editor glad to be back for a visit
Hi everyone! It's nice to be back
visiting for awhile.
I'm helping out at the paper tem
porarily and it’s been fun catching
up on happenings in town and see
ing friends and familiar faces again.
I guess you've figured out that I'm
not in Florida-plans changed. I've
spent the last diree months watch
ing soaps, cleaning house and try
ing to keep busy. (Even things like
watching television and shopping
can get boring if you do them too
much—who knew?) It’s been a nice
break but it put me back in the
mtxxl to work quick.
Until the Times-Journal hires a
pcrimuicnt news editor you'll prob
ably be seeing me around town.
* * *
If you didn’t go out to the Agri
ccntcr Thursday or Friday last week
Froehlichj
Agricenter
Executive Director |
Not only was the Fair's
attendance up, but entries in all
departments rose. Here are some
numbers to ponder: livestock/horse
entries 9,039 up to 10,165,
Heritage Hall (4-H, FFA and
FHA/HERO), 753 up to 1,170;
Georgia Living Center (home and
fine arts). 5,262 up to 5,687;
commercial exhibitors (McGill
Market Place, outside vendors, and
fixxJ concessionaires) 280 up to
300. Students on scheduled sdxxil
filed trips rose from 14,904
to handle die county’s business.
(Nov. 26, 1989)
Rep. Larry Walker secures a
$30,000 grant for Valley Drive, re
paving.
Warden Larry ’Tiny" Fairchild
says prison facility is short of
officers.
Work begins on Perry’s No. 2
water treatment pkrnt.
Chamber announces new officers
for Jan. 1990; president Jim Geiger,
President-Elect Draper Watson; Vice-
President Trudie Warren, General
Counsel Hugh Lawson Jr; Treasurer
Jimmy Faircloth.
Perry Chamber officially approved
Welcome Center.
Business leaders in Perry are
developing a plan to help retail
growth.
10 Years Ago (Nov. 22,
1984)
The Greens at New Perry Hotel
carry on a long holiday tradition.
Guests and visitors can expect to
Brigette I
Loudermilk
News Editor
you missed a treat.
Representatives and buyers from
QVC, a shopping channel on cable,
came to Georgia on a product
search. There were 150 products
made by residents of our state. One
vendor was from Perry. Dale Grim
was displaying his wren houses.
They stick on the kitchen window
and allow you to watch a wren nest
or feed its babies. Neat idea. Thanks
for die gift Dale!
A Warner Robins lady who
weaves baskets from kud/u vines
4 a— Houston Times-Journol
students to 17,420.
Exhibitors participating in all
areas of the Fair came from 147 of
Georgia's 159 counties That
translates into 92 percent of
Georgia counties had a livestock.
Heritage Hall, and/or Georgia
Living Center entry With this
year's Fair, we reached a milestone:
100 percent county participation.
At least one person from every
county in Georgia has entered a
competition at the Fair or another
Agricenter ever since June 1990.
Results from our surveys show
Fairgoers like the Georgia Living
Center, livestock, free
entertainment, youth exhibits, and
food. Cleanliness of the
Fairgrounds was ranked number one
again. The staff and volunteers also
received high marks The Georgia
find the menu virtually unchanged
since they took over the hotel in
1994. Shredded yams, mince meat
and pecan pies will be some of the
specialties of the house, in addition
to the roast turkey, dressing and
cranberry sauce.
While tablecloths, Dock carpet
and old style service have been the
hallmarks of the hotel since it
opened.
Wednesday Afternoon Book Club
marks 35th anniversary.
•Perry is still in the running for a
new agricultural exposition center.
Perry Funeral Director Draper
Watson was officially installed as
the new president of the Perry Area
Chamber of Commerce Thursday
evening, and Mayor Barbara Calhoun
received the Chamber’s highest
award at its annual banquet and
awards ceremony held at the Holiday
Inn of Perry.
First National Bank of Houston
now has a new name - Bank South.
25 Years Ago (Nov. 29,
was there. She also makes jelly and
syrup from the kudzu flowers. I
tasted the jelly and syrup—it was
surprisingly good. The kudzu lady,
Diane Hoots, is planning to make
the world's largest basket in March.
She's got a very derailed plan and
plans on enlisting help in gathering
kudzu vines and measuring the
length of each vine. She's getting
in touch with representatives of the
Guiness Book of World Records to
follow their guidelines.
I also talked with a lady who is a
native of Perry but now lives in
Albany. Wallis (Greene) Rehberg
has perfected the Victorian art of
pressing flowers. I told her she
should come and sell the Dogwood
prints at the arts and crafts show
downtown during the Dogwood
Festival. The origimds are very ex
pensive, the prints were absolutely
National was listed as the best fair
by many of the survey respondents.
(And I agree!)
We are already in the preliminary
planning stage for the 6th annual
Georgia National Fair, October 6-
15, 1995. The eyes of the world
will be focused on Georgia as it
prepares for the 1996 summer
Olympic games. We plan to have
some of those eyes take a l<x>k at
the Fair.
Last, but not least, 1 want to
extend a special "thank you" to all
Perryans and Houston Countians
for your participation and
hospitality during the special sth
Anniversary Georgia National Fair.
Staging the Fair is a team effort and
the team extends beyond the staff
and volunteers of the Fairgrounds.
1969)
Mildred Evans Warren, author of
Southern Cooking, published by
Doubleday, has received copies of
her book.
Houston Indians win North
Georgia title.
Ground to be broken for an
additional nine holes at Perry
Country Club golf course.
American Foreign Service Officer
John Hall was impressed with Perry
on his visit here, slaying two days at
Perry Trailer Court. He has just
returned from a two-year stay in
Iceland.
50 Years Ago (Nov. 23,
1944)
Farm Security to honor 100
fanners at a dinner in Atlanta on
Nov. 30. Houston County is to be
represented by Roy L. Bloodworth of
Elko, W. W. Gray of Perry,
committeeman; E. G. Cook, Jr. of
Fort Valley will attend.
Respiratory diseases were among
the leading causes of deaths in
Georgia, according to the report of
the State Health Department.
gorgeous and the detail was incredi
ble.
Rehberg said that her husband and
daughter do a lot of the work. Her
husband gardens and presses the
flowers with her. Her daughter,
Wendy Bellacomo, was with her in
Perry. Rehberg's mother, Dorothy
Greene, lives here.
And speaking of detail, a lady
from Tifton was there showing
soap roses. No lie, I thought they
were real.
There was so much more I can't
even begin to name them all. The
vendors were very nice and enjoyed
explaining the inception of their
products. QVC will pick 25 out the
150 products. The product search
will go to all 50 stales ;uid is called
"The Best 50 in 50". A product will
be chosen from each state ;uid sold
on the air.