Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Page 4A - 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.