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Viewpoints
Our Views
Grand night
Perryans who braved falling, but not
uncomfortable, temperatures at sundowm
Sunday were treated to a festive, joyous can
dlelight service in front of the Houston
County Courthouse.
The service, part of the 21 st observance of
Christmas at the Crossroads, brought a large
crowd of worshippers to downtown Perry.
Featured were musical groups and speakers
who brought forth the Christmas spirit with
their contributions.
The candlelight service served as an
impressive welcome to Perry to many out
of-town visitors who remarked to newspaper
staff members about the apparent quality of
life in the city of Perry. They were amazed at
the participation level, and at the quality of
greetings they received from the home folks.
Like so many, they touched on the good
ness of Perry, and the quality of life which
makes the community so desirable.
To those who worked diligently for hours
preparing the service, who prepared the can
dles, the music, the platform, or who partici
pated in any way, we offer our thanks for
making the first Sunday evening of
December a community treat.
We know your Christmas will be blessed
because of what you have done for us.
Helping our friends
When wc began making plans for our two
week marketing blitz which is currently tak
ing place, it was determined that part of the
money raised from the sale of subscriptions
to the Times-Journal during this campaign
would be donated to a local charity.
We believe fully in the concept of Habitat
for Humanity which enables people willing to
help themselves attain sound, desirable hous
ing.
Founded many years ago in nearby
Americus, Habitat for Humanity works on
the principal that people who have sweat
equity in their homes are more likely to take
care of them, appreciate them and pay for
them.
The formula is simple. People seeking help
in obtaining housing apply to Habitat. If they
are selected, they are required to invest their
own labor in building of their house, and then
pay for the materials which were used in con
structing the house with volunteer labor.
The old concept of not giving a fish but
teaching a person to fish applies to the Habit
for Humanity concept. People who really
want good housing and want to be contribut
ing members of the community get a helping
hand from their neighbors and move up to
home ownership.
That’s why we’re sharing some of the pro
ceeds from our subscription drive with the
Houston County Habitat for Humanity com
mittee. We know they will spend that money
carefully and diligently.
We seek your participation. Buy a sub
scription to the Times-Journal for a year, get
the benefit of having a great weekly newspa
per delivered to your home, and help a fami
ly in the community move up to better hous
ing.
Keep it at home
While the message is a bit old, it is just as
important this year as ever we encourage
our readers to shop their local community
merchants first during this holiday season.
Why shop at home? Local merchants are
the backbone of the community. They provide
the prizes for raffles, funds for yearbook ads
and football programs, dollars for support of
needed projects in the community. Local mer
chants live here and are neighbors. They have
an investment in the community.
Local merchants also provide assistance to
customers which can’t always be found in
larger city stores. Don’t see what you need?
Ask, likely it can be ordered and delivered
almost overnight.
Shop at home, support the community.
Houston Times -Journal
P.O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll St. • Perry, Ga. 31069
(912) 987-1823 • (912) 988-1181 (fax)
e mail jjedit@hom.net
Bob Tribble President
Jj Johnson Editor and General Manager
John Smalley Advertising Sales
News: Emily Johnstone, Pauline Lewis, Rick Johnstone; Sports: Phil Clark; Classified
Thanksgiving is more than just a one-day event
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Houston
Publications President Bob Tribble
says the Thanksgiving season really
lasts all year.)
During the Thanksgiving Season
our thoughts turn toward turkey, dress
ing, desserts, family time and a day off
from work. There is also football, trav
el for some and a day or two to relax.
Also, at thanksgiving time many of
us begin to reminisce about the may
wonderful things that we have to be
thankful about, in addition to life itself.
In my book there are three things
that it take to make a person happy in
life. First, we must have the right rela
tionship with God. Secondly, we must
have the right spouse. And thirdly, we
must enjoy what we do to make a liv
ing.
Those of us who have all three of
the above things have been blessed this
Thanksgiving Season.
I heard a sermon on the radio while
traveling a few years back that was
Many disappointed with school board
Editor
Many citizens of Houston County
are upset and disappointed about the
appointment of Tony Hinnant as school
superintendent. The school board has
demonstrated to us one more time that
what the taxpayer thinks or feels does
not fit into their equation.
There was a time that I had empathy
for this board . After all, we the voters
elected this man as superintendent and
they were expected to work with him,
instead they seem to be working for
him. It didn’t take long to see that any
empathy for them was misplaced.
“They just don’t get it” is the phrase
I hear repeatedly when discussing the
actions of Tony and his board.
I have tried to understand and ratio
nalize their actions, thinking what a
difficult job they have, but even taking
this into consideration, it still doesn’t
explain away their closed mind mental
ity or their disdainful attitude toward
anyone who has a difference of opin
ion.
They are so quick to pat themselves
on the back and bask in the glory that
they have constructed new schools and
what a wonderful accomplishment that
is.
On the flip side of the coin they
refuse to accept responsibility for the
deplorable conditions that some
schools have regressed to.
They brag about statistics and high
test scores and ignore that we also have
schools scoring below state level. The
real accomplishment would be to bring
these schools up to standard physically,
and most importantly, academically.
That would be the true test of strong
leadership.
Public opinion of the superintendent
and the board is at an all time low.
Private schools have long waiting lists
and home schooling is at an all time
high.
Teacher moral is not what it should
be,for many are in fear of losing their
jobs if they were to express an opinion.
They are taxpaying professionals and
their opinions should be valued not
repressed.
The meeting to discuss Mr.
Hinnant’s appointment was a joke.
Their decision concerning his appoint
ment was made long ago, amongst
themselves, to ensure his retirement.
They were not interested in any input
concerning this matter, unless it was
praise for Mr. Hinnant.
I found it quite amusing that the
only praise for him came from his
assistant superintendents. One assistant
sang his praises because of the passing
of the bond referendum, stating that the
voters had faith in him to have passed
it.
I beg to differ, the bond was passed
in spite of him. The voting public was
intelligent enough to put aside any hard
feelings toward him and vote for the
children. The yes vote was in no way,
shape or form a vote of confidence for
Mr. Hinnant!
Also attending the meeting was a
self proclaimed political activist who
said that everyone should refer to our
superintendent, not as Tony or Mr.
Hinnant, but as “Mr. Superintendent”
to show our respect. I guess she didn’t
know that respect must be earned.
Ads: Mark Felty; Composition: Chad Lewis; Circulation and Photography: Eric Zellars;
Bookkeeping: Paula L. Zimmerman.
Our Policies
Unsigned editorials appearing in larger type on this page under the label of Our Views
reflect the position of the Houston rimes-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. Letters are not published with
out verification. Letters should be sent to PO. 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.
Wc cannot be responsible for the return of pictures or submitted materials unless a
stamped, return address envelope is included.
Page 4A
Wed., Oct. 9, 1996
well put and very well expressed my
feelings. The pastor reviewed with his
congregation three things we should be
thankful for.
First he named the church, second
was the family and third were friends.
Almost what I listed above with the
exception of jobs.
For sure we Christians should be
thankful for the Church. Our lives
should revolve around our church, with
God in the dead center of all church
activities. Yes, I am most thankful for
my church.
Our families are the most precious
gift that we have on this earth. A lov-
Letters to
the Editor
P.O. Drawer M
Perry, Ga. 31069
Sharron Prickett
Kathleen
About those pets
Editor:
With Christmas just around the cor
ner, the middle Georgia puppy popula
tion is about to surge. As puppies
rapidly grow into adulthood, their
behavior will go through many differ
ent stages. Some first-time pet owners
will be mdt with a few unexpected and
unwelcome surprises.
Though they are always cute and
cuddly as puppies, most dogs go
through growth stages which cause
behavior which is undesirable to their
owners. Rapid growth requires that
dogs receive a large amount o£exercise
during their first t-wo or three years.
Puppies who do not get sufficient exer
cise tend to chew on and destroy any
thing they can get in their mouths.
For this reason, many new pets end
up at the pound soon after the new
year. As responsible pet owners look
for ways to allow their pets to get exer
cise without damaging their home, one
solution is rapidly growing in popular
ity.
Underground pet containment sys
tems are now a common way for pet
owners to safely and humanely contain
their pets. These systems allow dogs to
run freely throughout the yard without
the use of chains or overground fences.
Underground pet containment sys-
■T*»
K
Timos-Joumal Photo by Emily Johnstone
FIRE DOG - The Periy Fire
Department recently adopted
Jake, a Dalmatian, as their
honorary member. Dalmations
are very popular now because
of the recent release of the
Disney movie 101 Dalmations.
Many pet authorities believe
Dalmations may not be ideal
family pets, especially for those
with young children.
Dalmations grow to be about
50*60 pounds and require
large quantities of food.
From
Where I Sit
Bob Tribble
President
Houston Times-Journal
ing wife, good children, beautiful
grandchildren, brothers and sisters
who care, grandparents, aunts, uncles
and cousins are what make life worth
living. Without a doubt we all should
be thankful for our families.
True friendship between caring peo
ple is what makes the though times a
bit easier. Friends can be counted on to
help sustain us, and we them, when
sometimes the dark clouds come in our
lives, and they will.
One cannot be too thankful for good
friends and you can never have too
many.
Thinking back over the sermon, that
pastor was right on target. Nothing can
be more important than our Church
(God), our families (spouse) and our
friends. Add to that a job that you
enjoy doing and you simply have it
made!
Certainly there are many, many
other things we should be thankful tor
this Thanksgiving Season. To name a
L... I . .
terns are, in most cases, more afford
able than regular fences and better at
containing pets. Many find hidden
fence systems to be the most aestheti
cally pleasing alternative for contain
ing their pets.
An underground fence is made up
essentially of a transmitter which is
plugged into an AC outlet in the house
or garage, a wire which is buried
around the perimeter of the yard, and a
receiver which is attached to the dog’s
collar.
When the dog approaches the wire
or boundary line, it receives a mild
shock which warns it to stay in the
yard. Pet owners are advised to use
small, white flags to mark the bound
ary. The dog can be trained to avoid
the perimeter Oof the yard and to stay
in the safe zone. Soon after installa
tion, the dog will learn to run freely in
the yard without leaving home.
As this year’s Christmas puppies
quickly become adults, many will
choose underground fences as their
best pet containment alternative. Many
will leam to associate those mysterious
yjlltle *tjhite flags* around someone’s
yard with a happy, healthy and safe
dog.
Russell Walker
Macon
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Perry native
Russell Walker is expressing con
cern about what many pet authori
ties predict will be an unusually
heavy demand for puppies as
Christmas gifts.
(Some of this is attributed to the
recent release of 101 Dalmations
which presents the large dogs as
cute, cuddly puppies. Most pet offi
cials agree dalmations aren’t neces
sarily good with children, and poten
tial owners of the dogs should know
more about their possible pets than
just what they see in the movie and
on the back of fire trucks.
(Persons interested in contacting
Walker about his suggestion for
fencing can call (912) 745-7877.)
Letters welcomed
The Houston Times-Journal wel
comes letters from readers about
subjects of local interest. First con
sideration for publication is given to
local writers and to items about local
concern. Letters which are mass
mailed to numerous media outlets
receive little consideration.
Letters should be signed, and a
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fication should be included.
Letters should be limited to less
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are of a libelous nature will be
rejected.
Mail letters to the newspaper at
Post Office Drawer M, Perry, 31069,
or send them via email to
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faxed to (912) 988-1181 or dropped
by the paper office at 807 Carroll St.
across from the Houston County
Courthouse in downtown Perry.
Take time to share your opinion
with your neighbors and friends
through a letter to the editor. Your
opinion counts, and is welcomed by
those who read this page. Write, and
write soon.
Slf>*
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ing counties by Houston Publications Inc., Perry, Ga. Our goal is to produce quality, prof
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few, we should be thankful for our
physical blessings. Without good
health we could accomplish little, and
we always need to remember who
gives us that good health.
We should be thankful for our mate
rial blessings; our homes, our cars, the
food we have to eat, the clothes we
wear, and all the things in between.
We should be thankful for a beauti
ful fall day, a full moon at night, a high
school and college football game, deer
hunting, a friendly game of golf (espe
cially when you break 100 and beat the
preacher).
Other things I am thankful for are
black-eyed peas, turnip greens and
com bread, a cup of hot coffee in the
early morning, sitting by the fire at
night with good reading material, a trip
to the mountains or beach. There are so
many more that I could go on and on
... and I’m sure you could too.
Jj
Johnson
Editor
Seminoles and
Eagles take wins
While the local prep football sea
son has ground to a halt, and with vir
tually no local teams advancing in the
playoffs, the college football season is
alive and quite well.
It was especially well Nov. 30 as
the two college teams I follow with
interest, Florida State University, and
my alma mater, Carson-Newman
College, captured important victories.
Likely few college football fans
failed to watch at least a portion of the
FSU-Florida game Saturday after
noon. The Seminoles, hosting their
biggest rivals from Gainesville, Fla.,
jumped to a quick lead, only to squan
der it. The ‘Noles maintained a three
point lead for much longer than I real
ly cared for, but in light of the tremen
dous defensive effort which was tak
ing place on the field, I couldn’t real
ly complain.
The FSU defense completely bot
tled up the very highly-ranked Florida
Gator offense and led the way to the
ESU win and a jump to number one in
the major college football poll.
That win not only gave FSU the
top ranking, it gave them a place in
the Sugar Bowl and a chance to claim
the Division I national championship.
Meanwhile, the Carson-Newman
Eagles of Jefferson City, Tenn., hosted
Valdosta State University in the quar
terfinals of the Division II football
playoffs.
Carson-Newman moved to the
National Collegiate Athletic
Association Division II three years
ago after being a National Association
for Intercollegiate Athletics member
for many, many years.
Since the Eagles moved to
Division 11, they have been invited to
the playoffs all three years, quite an
accomplishment.
Unfortunately, the Eagles have
been opposite North Alabama both
previous years. North Alabama won
the Division II national title three
years running, but didn’t get invited to
the playoffs this year after suffering
some losses.
For Carson-Newman, the change in
brackets was great. The Eagles
downed West Georgia in the first
round and then held off Valdosta State
24-19 in the second round.
This week, Carson-Newman takes
on the University of Califomia-Davis
in the semifinals. I’m excited, but I’m
not alone in the midstate. There are
three players at Carson-Newman who
played for Peach County, and another
is being red-shirted.
Oh the joys of football. On the
other hand, ask me about football on
the day following an FSU or C-N loss,
and I’ll tell you football is for the
birds, that colleges ought to get out of
the sports business.
It’s just a game, isn’t it?