Newspaper Page Text
Viewpoints
Meeting
vention here, it rained almost die
whole week.
Lisa Moghadam, manager of
Samantha’s, has also seen a defi
nite increase in business with the
FMCA members. Moghadam
estimates an increase of about 30
percent with sales of candles,
stuffed bean, and home acces
sories toppingher list.
Jay Bulks, B. C. Moore’s man
ager, said “We have had a terrific
increase." Burks has been selling
mostly home furnishings, ladies
clothing, odds and ends, and tow
els. Buries has also seen an almost
40 percent increase in business
since FMCA came to town.
Elizabeth Flowers, owner of
Impressions in downtown Ferry,
has also seen an increase in busi
ness during the FMCA conven
tion. Flowers has experienced
four times as much business
FMCA members have pur
chases items such as gifts for fam
ily members, candles, and other
decorative accessories.
With approximately 20,000
people in and around the fair
grounds, it looks as though they
have a miniature city set up. A
city complete with homes, show
ers, eateries, and entertainment.
All Perry has to provide is shop
ping, grocery stores and restau
rants. which are here in abun
dance.
Local merchants in town can
expect to see an even bigger
Homes
Who would think, seeing one
of the big coaches gliding down
the highway, that the intenon are
likely to be wood-paneled, and
carpeted wall-to-wall that
everything from computers to
microwaves, along with washers
and dryers and fully-equipped
kitchens are in place?
There’s no “roughing it" in the
average motor coach, and that's
true whether the homes on wheels
are top-of-the-line Wanderlodges,
or converted coaches custom
designed in bodies built to serve as
Trailways buses.
Bob Dickey, a retired insur
ance salesman, can explain about
converted coaches. He and his
wife, Mary Lou, started out with
a $240,000 “empty bus” and
turned it into a home with all the
amenities.
They even make good use of
the familiar “luggage bays”, which
serve as large storage areas for
Dogwood
and the daughter of David and
Brenda Taylor, was named Junior
Miss Dogwood.
Other winners in the Junior
Miss Dogwood Pageant were
Kelly Wilson, first runner-up;
Samantha Corcoran, second run
ner-up, and Samantha Maurer,
third runner-up.
Katie Claxton, a second grader
at Perry Elementary School and
the daughter of Arene and Sandy
Claxton of Perry, was named
Little Miss Dogwood.
Other winners in the Little
Miss Dogwood Pageant were
Maegan Garza, first runner-up;
Melissa Middlebrooks, second
runner-up and Anna Wilson,
third runner-up.
Andrew Methodist plans special events
Andrew United Methodist
Church, 2430 Ga. 127, Kathleen, is
offering a Lenten Bible study fol
lowing its Wednesday night suppers
on March 24 and March 31.
According to Brenda Walker, a
spokesperson for the church, dinner
begins at 6:30 and Bible study at 7
p.m. The following topics unit be
discussed: March 44, The Garden,
and March 31, the Resurrection.
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P.O. Drawer M * 807 Carroll St * Ferry, Ga. 31069
(913) 987-1123 (voice) • (912) 988-1181 (foe)
Bob Tribble ..............~........~~...~._.~~.~...... m ......P1neaidcnt
Jj J0hn50n..............................Edk0r and General Manager
Ellen T. Green •HIIMHMMtSMMWMMMS ...... Advertising Director
Lifestyles: Pauline Lewis, Joan Dorsetr, Newt and
Composition: Charlotte Mans; Sports: Phil Clark and Mine
Kent, News and Classified Ads: Stacie Vu; News and
Circulation: Rob Mead; Bookkeeping: Paula Zimmerman
(Continued from page 1A)
increase in sales because of the
shuttle bus that will run from the
Agricenter to the downtown
shopping center and other Ferry
shopping centers.
The shuttle is supposed to run
starting March 24 into die down
town area at 10:00 a.m.
According to Robbin Gould,
editor of Family Motor
Coaching, a FMCA member
magazine, “This is one of die very
best sites we’ve seen.” She also
stated that “Our members notice
die Welcome FMCA signs all
over town and they do feel wel
come."
FMCA may once again come
to Ferry, but it is too early to tell
yet when that will be. rMCA’s
next stop will be in Ames, lowa,
in July for its 36th annual summer
international convention. Other
conventions have been held in
Utah, New Mexico, Ohio,
Montana and Washington.
The public is invited to attend
a viewing of some of the motor
homes March 24 from 8:30 a.m.
until 6 p.m. and March 25 from
8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Booth dis
plays will be open for viewing at
8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on both
days.
Admission to the fairgrounds
will be S 5 per person with chil
dren 12 and under getting in free.
Public parking is located at the
North entrance along Larry
Walker Parkway.
(Continued from page 1A)
everything from folding chairs to
Dickey’s “piglet” a miniature
motor bike.
“Some people have ‘hogs’, *
explains. “I’ve got a piglet. People
laugh at it, but it gets me around.”
Lila Taylor from Bakersfield,
Cal., says that she and her hus
band both worked for the tele
phone company before retiring.
Now they enjov their
motorhome, which they share
with their dachshund, Oycar
Meyer.
They “Do die nationals”
that is, go to the big rallies and
this time, she will be preparing
their taxes as they travel.
They’re a friendly crowd
people who enjoy making new
friends and seeing new places.
This week, it’s Perry. Next
week for many of them, it will be
Florida, and then back home to
places as far away as Arizona and
Oregon.
(Continued from page 1A)
Jenny Girard was named Tiny
Miss Dogwood. A kindergartner
at Tucker Elementary School, she
is the daughter of Kirt and Linda
Girard.
Other winners in the Tiny
Miss Dogwood Pageant were
Randi Lee Evans, first runner-up;
Rae Danfbrth, second runner-up,
and Catelyn Conway, third run
ner-up.
The Dogwood Court will be in
die Dogwood Festival Parade on
April 3 and will take part in many
community events during the
year ahead, including ribbon cut
tings for new businesses and die
opening ceremonies at the
Georgia National Fair.
Both programs will be led by the
Rev. Gene Bates.
“If you’ve never been to our
Wednesday night dinner, you don’t
have to bring anything, Walker
said. "Come join us for fun, fellow
ship and Bibk study or come only
for Bible study if you wish.”
Andrew UMC will hold an
Easter egg hunt on April 3 from 10
ajn. until noon in die pecan grave.
With the IRS, don’t do as I do, do as I say
The Internal Revenue Service was audited
recently by die Congressional General
Account* Office md «o.
pleasing.
"The IRS cannot do some of the basic
accounting and record keeping tasks that it
expects American taxpayers to do," said
Gregory Kutz who oversaw die audit.
The audit revealed that chronic Internal
Revenue Service problems resulted in millions
of dollars in fraudulent refunds during 1988,
failure to keep track of such basic assets as cars
and computers, and substandard computer
security control
"Think of this as not balancing your check
book with the monthly bank statement," Kutz
said.
GAO said IRS is unable to keep track of
unpaid taxes properly and that only about 526
billion of the $222 billion in unpud taxes for
1998 are likely to be collected. Plans are to
write off sll9 billion of those unpaid taxes.
"It’s a national scandal,” one congressman
said.
IRS officials were quick to take responsibil
ity for die problems, which they bliuned on
die agency’s antiquated computer systems.
"I am deeply disappointed that we failed to
meet our obligations,” Donna Cunningham,
the IRS new chief financial officer said. This
is unacceptable."
IRS collected $l.B trillion in tax revenue
during 1998 and was credited for doing a good
job of that. However, the main problems were
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Thoughts while rambling around Perry
We’re seeing the FMCA’ers all over the
place now, with a lot of friendly exchanges
along the way. Most of us have been recogniz
ing diem because they’re wearing shorts while
were still not so sure winter’s over.
One thing I’ll say after meeting a bunch of
them: if your town is going to be invaded by
several thousand visitors, this is the best group
to be invaded by. They’re friendly, relaxed and
all seem to fit right in to small town life.
The new Wal-Mart is shaping up slowly,
but in die meantime die new Crossroads shop
ping center which will surround the Wal-
Mart is already coming to life.
I spent some time talking to Wanda
Sullivan on Tuesday and getting a tour of her
new store very, very nice, with lots more
display room than she had before.
FMCA’ers looking for Georgia souvenirs
may like her selection of Georgia collectibles,
by the way. In due time, her shop will be in
clear view, but right now, it’s a little hard to
spot, since it’s behind the old strip of shops
which have not yet been tom down.
If you’re looking for it, turn off Sam Nunn
by Burger King ami you’ll be heading straight
for it
Our Policies
Unsigned editorials appearing in larger type on this page
under the label Our Views reflect the position of the
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ter* to 300 words and include addresses and a telephone
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Page 4A
—Wad., March 24,1999
occupied by the error.
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Our Goal
The Houston Timet-Joumal is published proudly for the
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printing the truth.
Member of Georgia Frets Association and National
Bob
Tribble
Journal President
found in administration of die agency’s $B.l
billion annual budget. The audit listed a num
ber of those problem areas.
V At least sl7 million paid out in fraudu
lent and inappropriate refunds. Another $65
million was stopped by die IRS investigators.
V Improper paperwork in keeping track of
such items as a Blazer, a $300,000 laser print
er, laptop computers, television, VCRs and fax
machines. Most of these were accounting
errors, but can you imagine the penalties that
would be slapped on the taxpayers for making
such “accounting errors”?
V Poor computer security, including con
trols on access to sensitive taxpayer informa
tion.
V Repeated past criticisms about unarmed
bicycle couriers transporting taxpayer checks,
and sluggish background checks on prospec
tive employees with criminal pasts.
V Inadequate controls over basic financial
reporting and failure to reconcile IRS balance
with Treasury Department records.
The report says that many of the problems
arc chronic and have surfaced annually since
1992. This has frustrated some lawmakers and
Charlotte
Perkins
Times-Jouraal Staff
Downtown Perry looks beautiful with the
tulips and pansies putting on such a big show
of color.
I’ve enjoyed working with Nancy Whiddon
recently on the stories and photos of the
Dogwood pageant. Nancy is just a dynamo
on die move all die time when she’s pulling the
pageant together and the sort of volunteer
who does most of the work herself and then
thanks you for putting it in die paper.
She was welcoming the girls and their
moms, explaining the program, serving
refreshments and taking photos all at the same
time. The young people at the pageant tea told
me that she was just the same wav when the
Krwanis Club talent show was held.
Anyway, I don’t know how she keeps up the
pace and keeps smiling at the same time, but
it’s fun to rae her in operation.
Koustm Tines-Journal
B
Newspaper Association.
‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establisl it
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridg
ing 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 Houstqu Times-Journal (USPS 000471) is published
weekly for 821.40 per year (including sales tax) by Houston
Publications Inc., 807 Carroll St., Pbrry, Ga., 31069.
Periodicals Claes Postage paid at Ferry, Ga. POSTMAS
TER : Send address changes to the Houst on Tunes-Journal,
P.O. Drawer M, Perry, Ga. 31069. ISSN: 1075-1874.
rightly so.
Those of you who have not had to face
intense IRS audits can consider yourself fortu
nate. Our little corporation, which is small
compared to other large newspaper chains, has
been audited twice in the past four years by
on-die-scene IRS agents. The first audit
reviewed all the large transactions, with the
second audit getting into smaller, detailed
information such as producing invoices for
most all purchases.
When a corporation is audited, the agent
will most always require that your personal
return be reviewed as well.
The positive side of our audits has been
that neither has produced any evidence of
wrongdoing, which we could hive told them
at the outset, because our business is not oper
ated that way. Our policy always has and will
be to pay both "God and Caesar” what they are
due.
But, I will tell you that it bothers me to go
through the stress of two audits over four years
with the “burden of proof” theory of the IRS
placed squarely on the taxpayer. Then it really
makes me sick to the tummy when I read that
they can’t even pass their own audit. In other
words, don’t do as I do, but do as I say.
Well, with this said, I am sure we can
expect another IRS audit right away, but so be
it. It seems as though our little company has
had a special agent assigned to us for four
years now, anyway.
Speaking of dogwoods, we’ve had several
calls about the Dogwood Festival from people
thinking it will last for several days. Actually,
it’s going to be a one-day blast April 3, with
things going on all over town, and the Beltisfa
Club show on the same date out at the
Agricenter.
That’s the Saturday before Easter Sunday,
and just hours before Daylight Saving Time
begins at 2 a.m. the next morning.
Good grief! Last week I wrote what I
thought was an entirely positive story about
the CVB’s work to get ready for the FMCA
rally, and it turned out that some people mis
interpreted one sentence in it and thought that
I was saying that the CVB was going to run
shuttle buses to shops outside of Perry.
This led to much fuss and phone calling, as
if the paper were out to get the CVB in some
deliberate way which was kind of odd in
view of the fact that the whole story was about
all the good work the CVB was doing.
That’s the way it goes in newspaper work
sometimes - making you wish you hadn’t writ
ten a word on the subject but I trust that
most people understood that the shuttles are
only going to Perry shopping areas.