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Wednesday. December 14.1994, Houston Times-Journal Page 4A Editorials Houston Times- Journal 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 Tr ibble, President Brigette Loudermilk, Editor and General Manager Sherri Wengler, Advertising Manager News: Larry Hitchcock. Pauline Lewis. Sports: Phil Clark. Composition: Lynn Wright. Classified Advertising: Melanie Bullington. Circulation: Eric Zellers. Bookkeeping: Judy Morrow. Photography. Eric Zellars. Our Policies • Signed Letters to the editor welcomed. Please limit to 300 words and include address and phone number. • Liability for an error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. • We cannot be responsible for return of pictures or material unless stamped return addressed envelope is included. Our Goal The Houston Times-Journal is published proudly for the citizens of I Houston and adjoining counties by Houston Publications Inc., Perry, Ga. Our goal is to produce quality, profitable, community-oriented newspapers that you, our readers, are proud of. We will reach that goal through hard work, teamwork, loyalty, and a strong dedication towards printing the truth. Member Georgia Press Association-National Newspaper Association "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redree of grievances." Your right to read this newspaper is protected by the First Amendment ot the United States Constitution A friend says goodbye to Jim Kerce Dear Editor: I've never written ;i letter to the editor before but now I think I should. I want you to know, it you don't, that .Inn always thought so higly of your writing and leadership abilities. He would be proud to know your staying, if only for awhile, and carrying on his paper. Over the last few days there tire alot of things Jim would have been proud of, though he wouldn't have shown it But those of us who knew him would have seen through that hard exterior to the smile in his eyes. I'm sorry you missed his memorial Brig. I know you were away during those days and by the time I reached you it was too late to get here. But you were with us Brig in our hearts and minds. The memorial was nice. Rev. Shipley did a good job. There were tunes during that memorial though that I wanted to raise my hand or stand up and say yes. he was an excellent newspaper man. but tell these people what they may not have know, tell them how much Jim loved his kids, tell them how much Jim loved the outdoors, don't forget to tell them how dear Bobby J uggle was to him and what a true friend he had there, and don't forget to mention w hat a neat freak he was and how at Christmas or his birthday or Bosses Day how embamssed he would get when we gave him a gilt or a hug. And don’t forget to mention his hands that loved to work on that newspaper Dark brown hands that looked and felt like genuine leather Don't forget his drawings, how much Ducks Unlimited meant to him or how happy he got when a new I I Beau catalog came in We don't forget these things other people didn't ever know Them are hundreds ol memories ol Jim with each of us at that paper, both good and bad Somehow I feel the bad ones slipping away and the gixxl handing on Brig - every now and then lean back in that big ole chair your tilling, lock your lingers behind your head, kick; your feel up like he used to and jsut think about things I sat in this d.uk office in that very chair for a lont ime on Friday morning - just thinking. When I left there I felt stronger. I know you'll feel the stune «ind the wisdom, he left there will come to you. You'll do an excellent job Brig. No doubt. K know ;you've ahad a lot of gtxxl teachers in your life by the woman you've evolved into just in the few years I've know n :you 1 believe Jim had a hand in that too. He was a great teacher. Cuxxl luck Brigette. Gixxl bye Jim. I will iilwavs remember you as my friend. Sincerely, Teresa Hawk Reader gives opinions on dam issue Dear Editor: The Houston County Commission made a w ise and practical decision this week then they voted to accept the ownership of the Houston Lake dam. As is typical of our current political climate, however, this common sense decision was made aJmidst an inordinate amount of political rhetoric from vocal intererst groups ostensibly concerned w'ith safeguarding the taxpayers' interests. On the surface, the questions involved in the public debate surrounding hte reconstruction of Houston Lake seem simple. Should public (i.e. government administered) funds be used to repair flood damage to property owned by the private sector? Is public access required if federal and state funds are to be awarded for the reconstruction of a dam previously owend by a private corporation? Can a case be made that the simple existence of the lake and facilities associated widi it is of sufficient public benefit to justify the awtird of government aid? These issues are relevant, but they point to two more important questions that should be asked about our government and our economy. First, what exacely is the source of public funds and second, how should their use be determined * Obviously, government administered funds are generated through taxation. But is this how they are created? Not really. In fact, all governmental revenues are generated by the market economy, and specifically from the private sector. Private enterprise creates wealth, which is taxed and redistributed by governments ;uid their bureaucracies. Stated differently, businesses create value in the form of goods and services in trade. The dollar is the currency used in the trade and the basis of economic growth is the profits generated. Taxation, the generation of "public" funds, is completely at the expense of the private sector. Certainly, governmental employees are taxed, but this process simply recycles dollars that have already been siphoned from the private economy. At their best, governments can channel funds into projects that would be cumbersome to cixirdinate in the private economy - defense and infrastuclure investments are examples of this. But even at the best, governeintns do not produce. And at the worst, they inefficiently rechannel funds through cumbersome bureaucracies, depriving the economy of investment capital and Uius restricting economic growth. The truly relevant questions revolve around how bureaucracies and governmental employees make decisions about the allocation of funds which originate from profits stripped from private enterprise. Governmental employees and governmental bodies are exclusively dependant upon private sector funds, liven local governments and bureaucracies are essentially recipients, rcdislrihulors, and recyclers of dollars generated from the imirkcl economy. In a very retd sense, "public" funds do not exist. Similarly, government aid is not produced from thin air and it is not granted. Rather it is stripped from the prixlucing economy and reallocated according to necessarily arbitrary Please see LETTER, page j 1A “TTHE PEANUT GALLERY || | MISSILE-TOED PENTAGON TSSAM {~= s %L\ T\ ~3 CUT- BACK '■ . ” T/ | Mayor breaks tie at 1989 city council meeting 5 Years Ago Dec. 13, 1989 Worrall has to break tie in gas contract negotiations with PPG. * • * Dick Ulm, Houston county Development Authority executive director, is ready to market Heileman brewing plant worldwide; after having met last week with Randy Cardoza, deputy commissioner of the State Department of Industry . Trade and Tounsm » * * Houston County Board of Education members and Houston County School Superintendent Dr Harold Chapman, said Tuesday they are getting bad vibes' from state officials about chances of securing $5 million needed in advanced incentive funds to build a new high school planned for Highway 96 * * * The Houston County Board of Education will not be taking 5250.000 out of the school system's emergency fund for any project whatsoever. The board ended its 3-month debate over the money Tuesday w hen BOE member Zell Balckmon gave in and withdrew his motion to take the money out of the contingency funds and use it for cafeteria expansion and bathroom additions at Bonaire Elementary School. * * * Christmas spirit in Perry; There is a difference! Perry scenes and activities are what you imagine Christmas time should be! * * * 10 Years Ago Dec. 13, 1984 Editor Jim Kerce was a good newspaper man Jim Kerce was a good newspaperman. I first met him in 1984 shortly after we had purchased the Leader-Tribune in Fort Valley. He had considered coming to work, there but, at the time, we were unable to work out the details. Over the years, I would see Jim on occasion at meetings of the Georgia Press Association and through conversations and seeing the Houston Home Journal, it was apparent that lie knew the insides and outs of how to publish a good weekly newspaper. When we purchased the Home Journal and Perry limes in February of this year. Jim chose to accept the job as managing editor of the Daily .Sun in Warner Robins and went there in March. Two or three months later, he called me one day and let me know that his heart was in Perry - where he had lived for 13 years - and that he would like to return to the newspaper, should the opportunity become available. Jim came back to the Times- Journal in August, giving me his assurance that lie wished to remain with the newspaper for the remainder of his career. Ilis live for the local paper, the community and Remember | When I Meeks plans comprehensive' development for City of Perry. * * * Lights to dim for final time at old Muse Theater on Commerce Street In recent years, it was called The Stagecoach in O'Perry Hall because of the country music bands that played there on Saturdays. * • • Managing the precinct election polls keeps Bill Edwards in contact with people » * * New Georgia Tax law wins challenge * * * Perry Garden Club celebrates Golden Anniversary . * * * Park Day is slated in Houston County. * * * Perry Historidal Society meets during Open House. * * * Christmas trees from around the world displayed at Perry Library. * * * 25 Years Ago Dec. 11. 1969 Council approves low rent housing application. * * * Board of Education looks at integration. * * * the people was very obvious. I last spoke with Jim on Monday, Dee. 5. He had sought counseling from an acquaintance of many years ago in Tallahassee, l'la.. his hometown. I’he counselor was the chaplain of the sheriffs department and was in touch with Jim most every day by phone, led called me about Jim's progress on Sunday night before I talked with him on Monday and relayed to me the message that Jim was concerned about his job. We were to meet til 10 a.m. on Wednesday of last week in tin effort to gel him back on the job as soon as possible, but Jim failed to show. We didn't know why then, but we do now. led told me during our conversation that he had explained to Jim the plan of salvation and that Jim had accepted Christ. I had previously spoken to Jim about his religious faith and lie had recognized * Houston Times-Journal DAR holds annual Christmas meeting; UDC Chapter holds Christmas social; USCS holds Yule program; VFW plans Yule party Saturday. * * * Crossroads Church sets fund raising luncheon this Sunday. Dec. 14. at 12 noon - 2 p.m.. in Perry Jr High Cafeteria Proceeds will go to the Building Fund. • * • BOE seeks persons interested in training as teachers. * • « Concert set for Crossroads Church this Sunda> night • • * Cotton allotment transfers must be hied by Dec. 31. * » • Flint Electric Membership Corp. will build new office in Warner Robins along 96 Highway * • * 50 Years Ago Dec. 14, 1944 Headed by W. T Middlcbrooks and ten other representatives from all sections of the County, Freezer Locker Plant Committee met Monday evening to make plans for building a Freezer Locker and Meal Curing Plant for Houston County. * * * Houston County has passed its bond quota in the 6th War Loan Drive, buying 5698.581; with a 5514.000 quota. The E Bond quota was $444,000, according to Mayo Davis. Chairman. 6ith War Bond Loan Drive in Houston county. J. P Etheridge. Chairman. 13th War Bond District of which Houston County is a part, reports Please see REMEMBER, page 11A his belief in God to me. There is no doubt where Jim is today. The pastor at the church Jim attended did a beautiful job Saturday at the funeral service. He highlighted Jim's career, which included several civic accomplishments. But the thing that would have made Jim most proud is when he referred to him as a "lough" newspaperman who treated everyone the same way. regardless of their status in the community. Many times the newspaper business is not an easy way to make a living. It provides you with long hours, difficult decisions and plenty of controversy. Sometimes you are tlangcd if you do and dunged if you don't. Jim Kerce was a good newspaperman. I le had learned what it ttxik to put out a good product, lie had learned to be truthful to his community, even when it hurt. He had learned to be fair, even though you might disagree with his decision. For sure, lie loved his community and his newspaper. May he rest in ivacc. Brigette Loudermilk News Editor I'm glad to be one of the few who really knew Jim As a reporter. I've had to write about the triumphs, failures, problems and. yes, the death of many people. It's my job, and one that has always seemed to come naturally. But, it's hard to describe my feelings about Jim Kerce. Anytime you work with someone it's inevitable that you get to know them beyond a professional level. It was the same with Jim. He never it made it easy, and l think that many people don't understand who Jim Kerce was. I'm glad I did. First and foremost. Jim may have been hard on the outside, but he had a good heart inside Many people, didn’t know how to break through; the outer shell and he didn't make it; easy for tliosc of us who did. Still,* once you were Jim's friend, you; were his friend for life. He demanded respect and he’ demanded 100 percent from hisf employees. He could hei unreasonable and infuriating, but iff you could take his gruffness ini stride and do your job well, he! respected you. lliere were three things Jim Kerce] loved-his family, his animals and; Tin- Houston Home Journal. Jim was a good newspaper man.] When I came to* work at The Home ; Journal. I'd previously worked for j two other newspapers. I remember ■ the first compliment he gave me.j mainly because 1 almost fainted! when I heard it. But, as lime went! on. he relied on me more, thanked ! me more and I can even recall a few I apologies. He saw potential in me and I'm grateful that he gave me the chance to use it. even when he had j to force it out of me. He taught me : more about being a journalist than any college course or other practical experience ever did. I remember when Jim left the newspaper for his short stint at The Daily Sun. He called me in his oil ice. well aware I would soon be silting in the chair he was sitting in that day. and offered me some advice. "Because I care about you. I'm ! going to tell you some important ! things about running a newspaper." he said in a gruff (one. lie then gave me three short pieces of advice, said "good luck” and then changed the subject. It look all of five minutes. The only reason I'm here now is because he asked me to come back. When he said he needed my help 1 didn't even have to think about it. Jim. just like all of us. had problems. Those of us who were close to Jim knew about the problems and knew they were Please see COLUMN, page 11A I