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Volume 125— M0. 33
12 Pages
Johnson named HTJ editor
Houston Times-Journal owner
Bob Tribble announces that James A.
“Jj” Johnson has been named gener
al manager and editor of the news
paper.
Johnson, former managing editor
of The Perry Times from 1989-1993,
will begin his duties at the newspa
per Jan. 3, 1995.
Johnson, who has been in the news
paper business for more than 22 years,
has spent the last 23 months at The
Daily Sun in Warner Robins, where
he has been both news editor and man
aging editor of the paper.
“I am delighted with the opportunity
In the spirit...
Dooly inmates receive cards
from children during holidays
By LARRY HITCHCOCK
New* Editor
Except for the white uniforms
worn by the four men and the sub
ject matter, I could have been talk
ing to a group of businessmen or
friends.
The group sat on one side of the
classroom and Debby Olds and I sat
on the other. We were talking about
Christmas cards.
Most folks take Christmas cards
for granted, but for almost a thou
sand men at the Dooly Correctional
Institution just outside Unadilla, a
Christmas card is a treasure.
The treasures came from school
children in Houston. Crisp and
Dooly counties. Children from first
through fifth grades made individual
cards which were delivered to the
prison and placed in each inmate's
Christmas package, along with a
pair of socks, some candy from
Bob’s Candy Co. and other items.
"I haven't had a Christmas card in
21 years," Inmate D (prison regula
tions require that inmates identities
not be disclosed) said. "What they
did was a precious thing that
touched a lot of the guys in here.
When we received the cards, there
were a lot of guys, really jaded guys
who don't normally even speak to
other inmates, Tunning around
showing their cards to other in
mates."
"It was really an uplifting experi
ence for me," InmateX said, "to
think that a child who didn't even
know me took time to make this
card for me.”
"The cards showed us that there
are people in the community who
care. The children reached out to us
with these cards," Inmate B said.
His Christmas card was more than
a card to Inmate A. "I feel like the
Georgia National Fair
adds to list of awards
The Georgia National Fair, already
a .smashing success for Middle
Georgia farmers and fairgoers, has
added five awardsirom its peers to
its growing list of accolades.
Michael Froehlich, executive
director of the fair, said the Georgia
National Fair took four out of
seven wins in the agricultural
programs competition and took first
place in the competitive exhibits
display category.
The Georgia National Fair
competed against other fairs in the
250,001-500,000 annual attendance
category.
The Perry fair took first place
awards for agricultural program for
the fair-going public; video of
overall agricultural programs; video
of a special event for exhibitors or
fair-going public (school field trip
program); premium list for
competitive events for exhibitors'
use; and competitive exhibits
display (Georgia Living Center).
The awards were received during
the annual convention of the
International Association of Fairs
schedule-7A
Houston Times- Journal
to return to Perry and work with some
of the finest people in the world,” John
son said. “Perry is a very special place,
with wonderful people, a beautiful
countryside, and an attitude of mak
ing good things happen.”
He said he is looking forward to work
ing with all Paryans in making the Tvnes-
Joumol a quality community newspa
per which reflects the community.
“I believe readers and advertisers
want and expect a good paper. I hope
to work with the existing staff to cre
ate that type of newspaper, one
which benefits readers and one which
advertisers finds is useful in bring
ing them new business.,” Johnson said.
card was a gift from someone I
didn't know," he said. "I just wanted
to go and share it with other guys
in my dormitory."
The cards were all hand-made.
None were bought and just signed.
The children were encouraged to
create their own holiday greetings.
"There were a lot of 'Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year'
messages," Mrs. Olds, the institu
tion's volunteer resources coordina
tor, said. "But there were a lot of
wishes for the inmates to make
something out of their lives so that
when they finish their time here,
they won't do anything that will
put them back here."
"One card I saw said 'Merry
Christmas, Happy New Year and
Stay Out'," Inmate D said. "The
guy that got it was really touched
because he felt someone on the out
side was pulling for him to stay out
of prison.
"Elementary school kids are just
getting to that stage of their life
where what they do can set then
course for life. They still have a
chance to do the right thing. The
kids can still be reached. I made a
decision 20 years ago and I'm still
dealing with it," Inmate D said.
"Children are important to a lot of
guys in here," Inmate C said. "Our
own kids suffer when we're in here.
The messages on the cards were an
inspiration to most of us."
"The cards really touched the
hearts of most of the guys here,"
Inmate B said. "If they (the in
mates) have children of their own,
they have to reflect on their own
child. It (the card) makes them
think about getting their life
straight after they get out so they
won't repeat."
and Expositions in Las Vegas.
Judging took place in October in
Springfield, Mo.
The Georgia National Fair was in
the same classification at the West
Virginia and Kansas State Fairs and
the Alameda County (Calif.) Fair.
"Agricultural and competitive
exhibits are the backbone of a fair,"
Froehlich said. "This international
recognition is fantastic, especially
when you realize the Georgia
National Fair is only five years old.
"We are very proud and honored
by this international acclaim and
recognition," Froehlich said.
The Georgia National Fairground
and Agricenter was also awarded the
1994 Women's Professional Rodeo
Association Indoor Rodeo Best
Ground award for the Georgia
National Rodeo which was held last
February.
"To achieve the goal of being an
educational source for agriculture
and to be singled out as a leading
agricultural fair confirms the
Georgia National Fair’s
commitment to agriculture and
ag breakfast
Official Legal Organ for Houston County, City of Perry and the State of Georgia
Johnson will be taking the place
of interim manager and editor
Brigette Loudermilk, who has served
since the death of Jim Kerce earlier
in December.
“I have a high respect for both Jim
and Brigette. They have both worked
very hard to provide a good newspaper
for Perry and south Houston Coun
ty. I hope to learn as much as possi
ble from what they have done and build
on that for the future,” Johnson said.
“I learned a great deal about news
papering from competing with and
working with Jim Kerce. I know I can
never fill his shoes, but I promise to
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Inmates at Dooly Correctional Institute look over some
of tire handmade Christmas cards they received from
Kings Chapel and Morningside elementary School
students in Houston County.
Inmate A said, "I'm just grateful
to have something given to me
from someone other than the prison
staff, from someone in the 'free
world'. The cards the children made
were a big thrill for me and a lot of
the other guys in here."
7he four men wanted to make sure
the school children in the two
Houston County schools that par
ticipated in the project, Morning
side and Kings Chapel elementary
schools, knew that they had re
ceived the cards and really appreci
ated them. Sometime after the chil
dren return to classes after the holi
days, there will be a more tangible
"Thank You” from the inmates
given to each school.
"The card really made an impact
on me,” Inmate D said. "I'll keep it
in my photo album.”
Community involvement with
programs at the institution is an
■
Hanging the awards won by the Georgia National Fair in
the offices of the Georgia National Fair and Agricenter
are, from left, Dale Redeker, agricultural/youth director;
Marcia Johnson, agricultural programs coordinator; Lora
Arledge, Georgia Living Center director; and Michael
Froehlich, executive director of the fair.
education in Georgia," Froehlich
said.
Froehlich praised Dale Redeker,
agriculture/youth director; Marcia-
Johnson, agricultural programs
BRAWL >94
Full local sports coverage appears on — 6A
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do the best job I can for our readers
and advertisers. I look forward to reac
quainting with many friends,” he said.
important part of the rehabilitation
program. Mrs. Olds said she was
looking for volunteers who would
be willing to come to the prison
and talk to the inmates about such
"everyday things” as how to fill out
a job application or how to conduct
yourself at an interview. Mrs. Olds
is looking for a choir director who
could help with a singing group.
"The inmates here are looking to
better themselves," Inmate B said.
"They just need some direction on
how to do it in today's society."
Knowing the children at Morning
side and Kings Chapel schools cared
enough to make the Christmas
cards was a step in the right direc
tion, the inmates said.
"This will help the guys look
forward to other community volun
teer projects," Inmate B said.
"We're all human beings here,"
Inmate D said. "We hope to be able
to give something back some day."
_
IJh AM 4M> iM lIU *
coordinator; and Lora Arledge,
Georgia Living Center director, for
Uieir efforts in bringing the Georgia
National Fair the international
honors.
Jj Johnson
Looking back...
The year in review
The first six months
Looking back at 1994 in southern
Houston County and the City of
Peny:
January
As 1994 opened, both Mayor Jiin
Worrall and County Commission
Chairman Sherrill Stafford placed
discussions of consolidation of
services high on the list of things
to consider in the new year. As the
year ends, the two governmental
bodies are still going their separate
ways.
Plans for Perry's own television
station, WPGA-TV on channel 58,
were on track as the new year
opened. Station general manager
Lowell Register was optimistic that
the station would be on the air by
April 1. The Federal Aeronautics
Administration had approved the
site of the proposed station's tower
in Twiggs County.
Perry High School wood working
teacher Charles Culpepper retired
after 31 years.
The county commission
considered asking the state
Legislature to make it legal for a
portion of each traffic and criminal
fine be allocated to help pay for 911
services.
Ernest C. Barrett of Perry was in
stable but critical condition at Perry
Hospital after he was allegedly shot
by Tommie Strowder, also of
Perry, during an argument.
Strowder was chargee wuh
aggravated assault and released on
$50,000 bond.
The Perry City Council named
members and chairmen of its many
committees at the first meeting of
the year. Chairmen named were:
Hervia Ingram, Intergovernmental
Committee; Ralph Gentry,
Economic Development and
Growth Committee; James Moore,
Administrative and Finance
Committee; Charles Lewis, Public
Safety; Bobby Glover, Public
Works - Utilities - Sanitation
Committee; and Buddy Roper,
Community Development
Overview Committee.
Georgia Labor Commissioner
David Poythress visited the Perry
office and said space limitations
would soon force the state to look
for a new location for the facility.
He also said the office would
remain in Perry.
Planning for the annual Dogwood
Festival began with the dates to be
from March 27 through April 2.
Linda Easterly was named director
of nursing at Perry Hospital.
The Houston County Health
Department issued a rabies alert
after five wild animals which
attacked pets were found to be rabid.
The Perry High School debate
team took four first place trophies
at the West Georgia College debate
tournament.
The Houston County Board of
Education, in a 3-3 tie vote with
new member Gary McClure
abstaining, will continue to be
elected in party-based elections.
Chairman Zell Blackmon had
advocated non-partisan elections.
Work began on the old Perry High
School building as plans to turn the
facility into new headquarters for
the board of education got under
way.
Trudie Warren received the Perry
Area Chamber of Commerce's
annual Community Service Award
and Jeanette Arrington received the
group's Volunteer of the Year
Award at the chamber's annual
meeting.
Perry Hospital Administrator Jim
Peak presented the Hospital
Authority with an sll.B million
budget for 1994-95.
Six students from Perry High
School were nominated for the
Governor's Honors program.
Included were Britt Barrett in music;
Michael Ray Marks in visual arts:
Jason Niederkorn in technology;
Sean Reynolds in theater; Kaneatra
Simmons in communicative arts;
x t o t eatures
Classified 12A Joyce Compton 4A
Deaths 2A Sports 6A
Phil Clark 6A Church News 5A
Legals 10A Wedding 5A
Guest Column 4A Remember when4A
WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 28,1994
and Hillary Smith in science.
February
The city council approved a
request to allow United Cable Co.
to delete WSB from its
programming and institute a board
of education channel.
The Houston Home Journal and
the Perry Times were merged Feb.
1 when Houston Publications, Inc.,
a new corporation, purchased both
papers. Owners of the corporation
are Robert Tribble and Daniel and
Julie Evans. The combined paper
will be called the Houston Times-
Journal.
The Board of Education announces
a new anti-violence program will be
taught in county middle and high
schools.
Shiranda Mims was crowned Miss
Perry High.
Harvey’s Supermarket announced
it would close the Perry store Feb.
27.
U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop visited
Perry High School and encouraged
seniors to continue their education.
Passage of the Brady Bill by
Congress brought on a rush of
handgun purchases in Perry.
March
Fairfield Inn, owned by the
Marriot Corp., celebrated its grand
opening in Perry at the old
Shoney's Inn location on Perimeter
Road.
Shiranda Mims, Katie Stephens
and Rachel Lee Elliott were the top
winners in the first annual Kiwanis
Club Talent Show.
Save Our Students, a citizens
group, announced a public meeting
to gather support for a new middle
school for southern Houston
County. The Board of Education
voted against a new middle school
for the Perry area.
The Board of Education approved a
new five-district alignment. Perry
will be represented by one member.
There will be two at-large members
elected in addition to the five
members chosen by districts.
Houston County schools will
receive more than $1.5 million
from the Georgia State Lottery.
Jennifer Ann Gladu was named
Perry High School's STAR student
and she chose James Henry Soles as
her STAR teacher. James Harold
Swift was selected as Westfield
School's STAR student and he
chose William Gottwald as his
STAR teacher. They were honored
by the Perry and Warner Robins
chambers of conunerce.
The Perry Recreation Department
moved into its new headquarters in
Rozar Park.
The new Perry Parkway, which
connects 1-75 at the Thompson
Road exit with U.S. 341, was
officially opened to traffic.
Sophomore Holly Hartley,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald
Hartley of Fort Valley, was
crowned Miss Westfield.
The county commission voted to
invite Peach, Bleckley and Pulaski
counties to use the Houston
County landfill to dispose of their
garbage.
School Supt. Tony Hinnant told
the group of concerned citizens,
Save Our Students, that there would
not be a new middle school built in
the Perry area.
Heather Jo Wilder, daughter of
Joyce Wilder of Perry and Bill
Wilder of Cornelia, was crowned
Miss Dogwood as the 1994
Dogwood Festival got under way.
April
Perry Hospital marked its 25th
anniversary on April 2 and held its
celebration April 23.
The county commission decided to
hire a full-time fire chief for the
county.
The City of Perry announced
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