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Viewpoints Our views Welcome The seventh annual Dogwood Festival takes place in Perry this weekend. During the seven year run, the festival has gone in many directions seeking identity, but has, during the past two or three years, settled into a single weekend of activities designed to provide something for everyone. This year, the festival provides such fare as a Saturday built around the downtown area with an arts and crafts show, a parade, activities for kids, and entertainment for all ages. The Sunday program, known as Family and Friends at Rozar Park, includes more games and events for all ages, along with a free lunch served by members of the Perry City Council. Festival Chairman Karen Nikitopoulos and her associates have worked hard to prepare for the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored event. There’s something for everyone this weekend from softball tournaments to an attic sale to a car show. To enable visitors and residents alike to learn more about the events in Perry this weekend, the staff of the Times-Journal has assembled a 16-page special section included in this edition. We hope it will be beneficial to readers in preparing their weekend activities. Be sure to study the messages from the advertisers who made this special section possible and patronize them during the coming days. Welcome to Perry. This is a great weekend to visit. The dogwoods are near their peak of beauty, and spring fever is sending Perryans outside to enjoy the beauty of the community. Enjoy the festival. Rejoice in the beauty of the dogwood trees and the return of spring. ... and greetings Dear Friends and Neighbors: The Perry Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate spring by bringing you the seventh annual Dogwood Festival April 1 and 2. The city of Perry, industry, civic clubs, businesses and many hard-working citizens have put together a terrific festival with something for everyone. We hope that people visiting Perry this weekend will have so much fun basking in our warm Southern hospitality that they will return time after time. Personally, and on behalf of the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce, I wish to thank all who have participated and supported this important community event. Karen Nikitopoulos Festival Chairperson In search of statewide honors Frito-Lay, a potato processing company at Kathleen, has been nominated for a statewide economic development award by members of the Houston County Development Authority and the two chambers of commerce in Houston Countv. j The nomination is based on the economic development in terms of growth in numbers of jobs, payroll and investment which the company has in the county. That part of the competition represents 50 percent of the points which can be earned. The other half of the competition has to do with the company’s relationship with its employees and the community. The company can earn points for honors earned, for assistance given to community organizations, for employees who are active in the community, and for good management employee relationships. Since opening in May 1988, Frito-Lay has grown from about 190 employees to more than 550, and the payroll has grown from $7.5 million to more than $22 million. There is no doubt that Frito-Lay has been a good corporate citizen, and that its employees are valued members of the community. This entry should win the award easily. Houston Tims-Journal P.O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll St. • Perry, Ga. 31069 (912) 987-1823 • (912) 988-1181 (fax) Bob Tribble President Jj Johnson Editor and General Manager Sherri Wengler Advertising Manager News: l.arry Hitchcock, Pauline Lewis; Sports: I'liil Clark; Composition: Lynn Wright Sue Sapp, Classified Advertising: Melanie Hiillinplon; Cm illation and Photo,"lapliy: Llic Xellais; Itookki-epinj’: Indy Mouow. Page 4A Festival in a downtown without dogwoods It’s Dogwood Festival time in Perry. But, where are the dogwoods? The Perry Convention and Visitors Bureau board wondered aloud about that at their meeting last week. The festival is meant to draw folks to Perry and the dogwood blossom is featured on the flags, tee shirts and other items promoting the festival. But you don’t see any downtown, which is where most of the festival action takes place. There aren’t any dogwood trees in the divider strips of our two main boulevards. Macon's Cherry Blossom Festival, on the other hand, is highlighted by the thousands of cherry trees all over the place, usually in full bloom while the festival is happening. The dogwood is an under-story tree, one that thrives in an environment shaded by taller trees. The downtown area doesn’t offer much in the way of overhead shade. Neither does Nunn THE P£AWur 6ALLEPY -MyS*. Y s * ft* LOST K\v. _ % JB 7 hlOT REPLAC!bI& V l THIS replacement j /4fbo?&(es -rzT\ Mi *?5 Service frequently taken for granted We often take for granted those things which we experience on a routine basis. When we turn on a faucet we expect water to flow. When we turn on a gas stove we expect to see a blue flame. A dedicated group of people make these services possible for you, the Perry utility customer. Two specific areas of the utilities department are involved in providing these services. I am responsible for managing the operation of the water and natural gas distribution systems in Perry. I am also responsible for all new sewer construction, with sewer maintenance being handled by Hugh Sharp, Public Works Superintendent. The second aspect, the treatment of water and wastewater, is managed by Dan Walker, who will be explaining his role in a subsequent article. The actual “hands on” maintenance of the water distribution system is performed by a five-man crew including Community made tragedy easier to accept Editor: On March 12, my father-in-law, Berkeley Blackman, suffered a stroke while visiting in Perry from his home in Conyers. He was rushed to the Perry Hospital, where he died March 14. The family of Berkeley Blackman would like to express our sincerest appreciation to several people who made a tragic event much easier to undergo. The entire staff of the Perry Hospital was very professional and kind to us. Special thanks should go to Dr. Sampson and Rob, Sally and the rest of the ICU staff. We must also thank Mrs. Yates Our Policies Unsigned editorials appearing in larger type on this page under the label of Our Views reflect the position of the Houston Times-Journal. Signed columns and letters on this page (and elsewhere in this newspaper) reflect the opinions of the writers and not necessarily those of this newspaper. Signed letters to the editor are welcomed. Please limit letters to 300 words and include addresses and a telephone number for verification purposes. No letters will be published without verification. Letters should be sent to P.O. Drawer M, Perry, Ga., 31069, or brought to the newspaper office at 807 Carroll St., Perry. Our liability for an error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. We cannot be responsible for the return of pictures or materials unless a stamped, return address envelope is included. Our Goal I'lie I Illusion Times-Journal is published proudly for the citizens of Houston i Wednesday, March 29,1995 Larry I Hitchcock f|H News Editor |||jf Boulevard or Hodges Boulevard. But that could be remedied. Some say the dogwood doesn’t offer much beauty except in the spring. Others, and I’m among them, disagree. The tree is one of the most colorful in the fall, when its bright red berries and red leaves make it second only to the sugar maple (in my opinion). The trees planted along Carroll Street are large enough now to begin to hide store names and touch the canopies covering the walkways. They may be an evergreen species, Harold Deal •Aju®/y City Utilities Superintendent [___ foreman John Daugherty. These men routinely connect new customers to the system, respond to leak reports and change out old meters. They also connect all new sewer customers to our sewer system . John and his crew also extend water and sewer mains as needed and perform complete fire hydrant maintenance. Large water and sewer main projects are budgeted each year and contracted out. The maintenance of our natural gas distribution system is performed by a five-man crew including foreman Berry Green, Howard Green and the employees of the New Perry Hotel. My in-laws were staying at the New Perry Hotel when my father-in-law suffered his stroke. The rest of the family stayed there upon our arrival to be with them. Everyone at the hotel went way beyond normal acts of kindness to see to our every need. For this we are deeply grateful. We all have a special place in our hearts for Dr. Marcus Tripp, the minister at First United Methodist Church of Perry, and his wife, Jan. Dr. Tripp had been my in-laws’ minister in Hawkinsville when they lived there a Houston Times-Journal but there is no way they can be called “beautiful.” If the Dogwood Festival is to continue in future years, perhaps this spring is the time to do some planting to give Perry some live dogwood blooms instead of just those on the attractive flags you see everywhere. Meanwhile, come to town this weekend and have fun, both downtown on Saturday and at Rozar Park on Sunday. After all, how many times are you going to have the chance to have lunch served by Mayor Jim Worrall, Councilman Ralph Gentry, Councilman James Moore, Councilman Bobby Glover, Councilman Charles Lewis, Councilman Hervia Ingram and Councilman Buddy Roper? * * * Speaking of Carroll Street, there isn’t a day goes by that at least one vehicle passes by The Times-Journal’s office Moody. Much like the water crew, these men connect new customers to the system, respond to leak reports, and change out old meters. Berry and his crew have the capability to extend two-inch diameter gas mains as needed in the city. Larger projects are budgeted each year and contracted out. All aspects of the natural gas system operation are monitored by the Office of Pipeline Safety of the U.S. Department of Transportation. As a result detailed records documenting our activities are maintained and yearly reports are filed. Our water and gas crews typically work a 40-hour week. However, in the event of a problem, long hours, including nights and weekends, are sometimes required to keep services up and running. Every effort is made to make repairs as quickly as possible with (See DEAL, Page SA) few years ago. He stayed with our family at the hospital and afterwards, upon Pop’s death, we were fortunate to have him officiate at the funeral services in Conyers. He and Jan were a true source of comfort for us all. Even under the best of circumstances, an occurrence such as this is hard, but when you are far from home, it makes it even more difficult to bear. We are truly grateful to the above mentioned people for making our stay in-Perry less stressful than it otherwise could have been. It is nice to be reminded that there (See LETTERS, Page SA) 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 this goal through hard work, teamwork, loyalty and a strong dedication toward printing the truth. Member of Georgia Press Association and 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 of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Your right to read this newspaper is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Houston Times-Journal (USPS 000471) is published weekly for $18.90 per year by Houston Publications Inc., 807 C arroll Street, Perry, Ga.. 31069. Second Class Postage paid at Perry, Ga. POSTMANIKR: Send address changes to the Houston Times-Journal. P.O. Drawer M. Perry. C,a. 31069. ISSN: 1075-1874. headed the wrong way. Carroll Street is one-way headed east from Jernigan Street to Washington Street. A check at the corner of Ball and Carroll finds only one “One Way” sign for north-south cars pointing Ball Street traffic in the proper direction and the signs are located on the opposite side of the intersection that the traffic on Ball Street is facing. It would seem logical to have signs on the same side of the street that the traffic is on so the drivers would have no excuse for overlooking them. A “No Left Turn” or “No Right Turn” sign (depending on which direction the vehicle would have to go) could also be placed on the appropriate comer. The placing of a couple of signs seems like a desirable alternative to a collision with the resulting property damage and possible personal injury. B °b Oj Tribble From Where I Sit Make the deadbeat parents pay The U.S. House has begun debate on welfare reform and without doubt, some reform will pass Congress this year. It might not be the exact plan Republicans put on the table with their “Contract with America,” but it will be close. There is little question our present welfare system for the most part has failed. It was originally designed years ago to assist poor people until they were able to help themselves and not to add generations of the same families to the welfare rolls to stay. The situation has grown to the point that many who draw the federal (mine and yours) dollars do not really understand what it is all about and that they should work for a living. They just know they receive government assistance, their parents did and in their mind, this country owes them that monthly check. Then there are the mothers who do not want on welfare but are forced there by the system. Studies show the number one reason women are forced on welfare is failure to collect child support. Experts say caseloads could be cut in half if 80 percent of the child support was collected. A program on television recently portrayed the true story of the lady responsible for organizing the Association for Children for Enforcement of Support. It was a touching story about the struggle she had raising her two sons after her husband, and their father, walked out, refusing to pay any child support for several years. This lady did not want on welfare but eventually was forced there because of the system, a system which offered her more not to work than she could earn working. The daily press carried an article recently about a lady who had three children, all with different fathers who paid very little, if any child support. She married only one of the men, was on and off welfare, and at one time danced nude to support the children. The Republicans’ welfare reform bill would establish a national tracking system for deadbeat dads (moms) and require states to maintain registries of child support orders. Two Republican legislators propose an amendment to the bill which requires using wage withholding laws as the principal means of collecting child support. (See WELFARE, Page SA)