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In those days a decree went out from
Caesar Augustus that all the world should be
enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when
Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all
went to be enrolled, each to his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee,
from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and lineage of
David, to be enrolled with Mary, his
betrothed, who was with child.
And while they were there, the time came
for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to
hei first-born son and wrapped him in swad
dling cloths, and laid him in a manger,
because there was no place for them in the
inn.
And in that region there were shepherds
out in the field, keeping watch over their
flock by night. And an angel of the Lord
appeared to them, and the glory ot the Lord
shone around them and they were filled with
fear.
And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid;
for behold. I bring you good news of a great
joy which will come to all the people, for to
you is born this day in the city ol David a
Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will
be a sign for you: you will find a babe
wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a
manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God
and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
“and on earth peace among men with
whom he is pleased."
When the angels went away from them
into heaven, the shepherds said to one anoth
er, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this
thing which has happened, which the Lord
has made known to us.”
And they went with haste, and found Mary
and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they saw it, they made known the
saying which had been told to them concern
ing this child; and all who heard it wondered
at what the shepherds told them.
But Mary kept all these things, pondering
them in her heart. And the shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all
they had heard and seen, as it had been told
them. Luke 2:1-20, RSV.
Good things happen
It has often been said that good things hap
pen to those who wait. Sometimes that wait is
quite long, and the waiting involves patience as
well as perfection of some problems.
Such is the case for Patsy Hutto and the staff
of Perry Elementary School. They have waited
and waited for the judges to determine that
Perry Elementary is a Georgia School of
Excellence.
Achieving this goal has been one of Hutto's
dreams for many years. Finally, after much
effort, and after a decade of students passed
through the school, Hutto and staff have
achieved one of the long-time goals.
For Phil Smith and staff at Perry High
School, being named a School of Excellence
for the second time affirms the progress which
continues to be made with students and cur
riculum at the public high school in Perry.
Much has been done at the school to
improve the offerings to students, to provide
modern equipment and well-trained teachers to
enhance the learning process. The results is
recognition for excellence.
These schools join a long line of Houston
County schools which have been honored for
excellence and achievement. Most of the coun
ty’s schools have been named a Georgia
School of Excellence. Some have gone on to
become National Schools of Excellence (only
high schools are eligible.)
That’s good news for the parents and tax
payers of the county. Our schools are excellent.
Houston Times -Journal
P.O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll St. • Perry, Ga. 31069
(912) 987-1823 • (912) 988-1181 (fax)
e mail timesjrnl@aol.com
Bob Tribble President
Jj Johnson Editor and General Manager
Sherri Wengler Advertising Manager
News: Emily Johnstone, Pauline Lewis, Rick Johnstone; Sports: Phil Clark;
Classified and Composition: Lynn Wright; Circulation and Photography: Eric
Zellars; Bookkeeping: Sue Sapp.
Page 4A
This wonderful Christian family will be missed
Elsewhere in this issue is a story about
Duren Bell, Houston County Extension
Service Director, who has resigned to
take a similar job in Dodge County.
For some, that might seem like a
step backward. After all, Dodge
County is not as large, population
wise, nor is it as economically devel
oped (in industry or business) as
Houston County.
But for Duren Bell, that’s a step for
ward. He specialized in row cropping
when he went to the University of
Georgia. He worked in Worth County
and Ben Hill County before coming
here seven years ago.
Duren Bell knows and understands
the problems of row-crop farmers. He
enjoys working with livestock projects
and other elements of the Extension
Service which involve fields, farmers,
b fwon !! I &oTS(\m\ O <YYV^
3 0V m E 'NET'! HE —II —-IT - p T
® SAYS FAX MY LIST
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Mayor appreciates lighting efforts
Editor:
I would appreciate it if you will let
me use this means to express appreci
ation to the merchants and property
owners of Perry who have trans
formed our community into a true
“Wonderland in Lights."
A special word of thanks is due to
Mike and Nancy Jackson, who con
ceived the idea; thanks to several indi
viduals for furnishing the lights for the
empty stores in downtown Perry;
thanks to those who are helping to pay
the light hill for the empty stores; and
thanks to all who assisted the various
businesses all over town in getting the
lights installed.
The city of Perry is receiving calls
and letters from people throughout the
state praising this effort. Eaeh of us
have every reason to be proud of this
demonstration of cooperation among
our business community who wanted
this Christmas to be something very
special.
It is very special and on behalf of
all our citizens, I express our thanks to
all involved.
Jim Worrall
Mayor, Perry
(EDITOR'S NOTE: We agree with
you, Mayor Worrall, especially in
your thanks to Mike and Nancy
Jackson. Their leadership in this pro
motion and decoration effort made the
community decoration effort a suc
cess. They willingly bought the first
lights, they willingly installed them
during the hot days of late summer,
and then they convinced their fellow
business operators to join them in the
decorating effort. They truly deserve a
big Perry pat on the back for their
work.
(Others, too, are worthy of thanks,
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 let
ters on this page (and elsewhere in this newspaper) reflect the opinions of the writ
ers 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. Letters are not
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 submitted materials
unless a stamped, return address envelope is included.
Our Goal
The Houston Times-Journal is published proudly for the citizens of Houston
Wednesday, Dec. 20,1995
Jj
Johnson
Editor
mas 3 wssses& < v , s m
bams and 4-H youths.
For Bell, the move to Dodge County
is a promotion. He returns to a com
munity where agriculture is the largest
source of money in the local economy.
He returns to a community of large
farms, a county where land is still rela
tively inexpensive and where farmers
can afford to farm large sections of
land.
I understand Bell’s delight to move
to Dodge County, and yet his reluc
tance to leave Houston County.
Letters to
the editor
P.O. Drawer M
Perrj; Ga. 31069
and we appreciate you mentioning a
long list of persons cr organizations
who have contributed to the success of
the city decorations this year. We look
for even bigger and better things in the
years to come.)
Share the burden
Editor:
We frequently hear the comment
that people go to the Salvation Army to
get help with their electric bill from
Project SHARE monies which Flint
Electric Membership Corporation
members give each month with their
electric bill. When people go to the
Salvation Army, which administers
Project SHARE, they are told the
money is gone.
Regrettably, this is often true.
Although Project SHARE is great and
good, only five percent of Flint mem
bers are giving to it, so the money is
used up quickly. Between $3,500 and
$4,000 is being given each month from
about 2,100 members. If half of the
Flint members participated, there
would be $35,000 to $40,000 each
month to help those in need.
The loyal contributors are staying
with the program and are making a big
difference. During 1995, $43,212 was
given to Project SHARE. Members of
Flint began with Project SHARE dur
ing June 1990. Since that time,
$196,367 has been given to help the
After all, his family has been
through a great deal while they have
lived here. They have experienced the
wonderful, loving side of the people of
Houston County who have rallied
around this wonderful, Christian fami
ly-
We’ve all watched and waited
eagerly for news about Lindsey and
her battle with leukemia. Fortunately,
the news has been good during recent
years. After the big scare six years ago,
she’s improved constantly, and now, is
looking forward, as a seventh grader,
to a normal life.
Thus, some of the Bell family will
always be in Houston County. They'll
never forget the prayers, the help, the
kindnesses they experienced here.
The challenge of the field calls,
though, and while Duren Bell hates to
less fortunate.
The money given is used to help
those in the county from where the gift
originated. It is a real neighbor-help
ing-neighbor program.
A Project SHARE flyer will be
inserted with the electric bills for the
next 30 days beginning Dec. 20. It will
have a form for making a monthly
pledge to Project SHARE which can be
returned with the electric bill.
Those using the Bank Draft Plan,
who do not have to mail anything back,
can simply call Flint EMC and ask for
the Member Services Department and
make their pledge by telephone.
It is my sincere hope that 50 percent
of Flint members will join the Project
SHARE team in helping those in need.
Glenn Heck
Flint EMC
Good job noticed
Editor:
Kudos and accolades to you and the
staff of the Houston Times-Joumal for
hitting a journalistic grand slam with
the publication of the Dec. 13 125th
anniversary edition!
The history of the Journal was fasci
nating. Also, the balance and broad
coverage of local news, sports and gen
eral information of community interest
was super.
I don’t know what you have planned
to top this achievement, but I am con
fident the Journal will continue to
enhance its reputation as a leader in the
field of community newspapers.
Wishing you and the staff continued
successes and the “bestest” of holi
days, I remain ...
John Smalley
Bonaire
/
Houston Times-Journal
and adjoining counties by Houston Publications Inc., Perry, Ga. Our goal is to pro
duce 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 pro
hibiting 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 pro
tected 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 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.
» leave Houston County, he yearns to
return to a more agricultural environ
ment where he can use the skills he
spent time developing. I understand.
Bell and his family, wife Cathy,
daughters Courtney and Lindsey, and
son David, come from good stock.
They are good people, they will blend
in and become friends wherever they
g°- .
I know there are many who join
with me in wishing this special family
good luck in Eastman. We’ll miss them
greatly, but we understand their needs
and their desires.
Meanwhile, I wish them good luck
and Godspeed in their new home. They
will be missed, but I’m sure they will
continue to remain in the thoughts and
prayers of many Houston Countians
who appreciate this family.
Guest
Column
Linda Schrenko
State School Supt.
Give local people
the purse power
Since taking office Jan. 9, I’ve had a ;
fast education in politics. Let me share
with you some of the surprises which
have come my way concerning what
programs and groups help Georgia’s
students most.
The most obvious truth is that in
education, proponents of every program
believe their program is great, but their
program needs protected status under
the law and the budget.
You see, in the thousands of meet
ings I have had during these past 10
months, the program advocates for
every single area have informed me that
the research clearly demonstrates their
program or idea will improve academic
achievement of students, yet each of
them believes they need a line item in
the budget or a specific law mandating
their program.
They do not want to have to compete
for the money the legislature appropri
ates, because their local board, superin
tendent, principal, teachers, parents
might not understand how vital their
program is. Are they right?
In part they are. No one could possi
bly know all of the programs which are
out there in Georgia’s schools, much
less how well they work, so each group
lobbies for position and money in the
state budget.
The problem is that despite years and
decades of the state leadership’s
promising to support and to ask for
additional funds from the legislature,
most of these programs remain unfund
ed.
Talk is cheap, action is not. The leg
islature would have to raise Georgia’s
taxes by hundreds of millions of dol
lars, perhaps billions, to fund all of the
programs being advocated.
Despite the fact that many of us
believe that some, if not all, of these
programs are worthwhile, how can we,
at the state level, dictate what is most
needed by south Georgia’s school sys
tems? Or east Georgia’s school sys
tems? We can’t, so the verbal support
remains high year after year, but when
it is time to put the money where our
mouths are, we don’t.
Since taking office, I have met with
advocates for: teachers of art, teachers
of music, teachers of performing arts,
school social workers, school psycholo
gists, school counselors, teachers of for
eign language, teachers of English as a
second language, core knowledge advo
cates, reading recovery proponents, SIA
teachers, REP teachers, human educa
tion advocates, teachers of visual arts,
vocational agriculture teachers, law
related education proponents, environ
mental education representatives and
the list goes on an don.
I think you see that most of these are
areas we can and do support, but how
do we decide what should receive fund
ing?
(See PURSE, Page SA)
