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ism - ptmtstat pleura Jlmxvxml Legal Organ For Houston County, City of Perry and the State of Georgia 500 Volume 129 Ntimberlli Twn Crtarft INSIDE THIS WEEK School Funding held The Houston County Board of Education held the first of four scheduled public forums on April 13. The meeting, which was held at Northside High School, was attended by a small group of parents, teachers and other concerned individuals Page 3A Earth Day celebrations Saturday April 22 the world will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Earth Day. Earth day fails on the same day each year and commemo rates the birth of nationwideenvironmental awareness. Earth Day began from growing concerns over a series of well-publicized en vironmental disasters in the late 60’s Page 5A Tolliver wins crown Heather Tolliver 17-year-old senior at Perry High School was crowned Miss Houston County 2000. The pageant was held during the 10th an nual Georgia National Fair. The pageant was sponsored by the Houston County Regional Youth Fair and the Georgia National Fair. Page 10A Drafted by Jaguars Someone mentioned at Kiwaukee Thomas’ house Sunday afternoon that the city of Perry ought to name a street after the newest home town hero. Not a bad idea at all. Kiwaukee Thomas made history Sunday as he became the first ever Perry High School graduate to be drafted by the National Football League going in the fifth round to the defending AFC Central Champions, Jackson ville Jaguars Page IB Ugly Farming Last year Scott Moore tried a different approach to plant ing 30 acres of peanuts at A.B. S. Farms in south Houston County. He liked the result ing savings in money and time so much that this spring he’s taking the same approach with 40 acres of peanuts and 660 acres of cotton Page 4B Index OPINION PAGE 4A CLASSIFIED....PAGE 80 JUST VISITIN’..PAGE 7A SPORTS PAGEIB LEGALS PAGE 1C NEWS BRIEFS..PAGE 2A Perry Fire See Page 3A City alters land guidelines By Emily Johnstone News Editor Perry City Council adopted some new guidelines for the City’s Land Development Ordi nance during an April 18 meet ing. One area deals with new zon ing regulations regarding agri cultural districts. As the city expands, the plan ning commission decided to re quest council’s OK for a Residen tial-Agricultural District (R --AG). This district helps protect ru ral properties from irregular growth patterns and encourages development of those areas, ac cording to the amended ordi nance. Single family dwellings are allowed on the property. Also New Chamber CEO announced By Emily Johnstone News Editor The Perry Area Chamber of Commerce has selected a new President/CEO. Patty G. Willard, who cur rently serves in the president’s capacity with the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, will be gin duties in Perry May 1. Doug Barnett, Perry Chamber Chairman, said he is pleased with the selection. “While in this position (Walker County), she has increased membership, managed the Walker County Community Building, handled the Chamber’s budget and ac counting functions and been very active in economic develop ment for Walker County,” com mented Barnett. Willard is a past resident of Perry, having lived here in the 1980 s. “Perry is like home,” said Willard during a recent inter view. “I have lived in Perry and had a daughter graduate from high school there.” Willard describes herself as a “hands on” type of person. “I like to get involved,” she said. Previous work experience in cludes a number of business, ac County P&Z reverses position By Charlotte Perkins Staff writer When a group of homeowners came before the Houston County Planning and Zoning Commis sion last month to object to a pro posed rezoning in their rural neighborhood, they got what they were seeking - a vote to deny the request. However, on April 4, the Hous ton County Commissioners sent the matter back to the P&Z board for further review. Then, on Monday night, the P&Z board did an about face and voted to approve the request from Dutch Management, Inc.to rezone a 30 acre site from RAG to R-l for the purpose of build ing a subdivision with 19 lots. “We’re really disappointed,” said Jim Dryden, one of the land owners opposing the rezoning. The reversal came after pre sentations by local realtor Donnie Free, and Macon attor ney, Brian J. Passante, both of whom were representing Dutch Management, Inc. Passante ar gued that a longstanding prece dent for approving requests for rezoning from RAG to Rl, had Thursday. April 20,2000 permitted are churches, kinder gartens, schools, and libraries. Minimum property size re quirement is five acres. Agriculture, forestry, livestock and poultry production can be located on property within the city limits on not less than 10 acres of land under the ordi nance. Such allowances may be an incentive for rural property own ers to request and be approved to have their land brought into the city limits, according to offi cials. In another move, council agreed to a Convention Plaza District for the area around the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. That move does not change the present zoning in the area counting and public relations positions. She holds a degree in business from Macon College. “I have worked in sales posi tions in the past and I feel like I’m still in sales. I’m selling my county,” she commented. During her tenure in Walker County, three Chambers around the county have been combined into one, she said. “For the first time in a long time we have a sense of unity,” added Willard. Willard and her family will be moving to Perry in the near fu ture. Her husband. Richard, works with Blue Bird Body Co. She has three grown children, Tracy Thompson, who is married to former Perryan Phillip Th ompson; Allison, who is married and lives in Omaha, Neb. and Ricky, who is stationed at Rob ins Air Force Base in Warner Robins. Willard takes over the position left vacant recently by the resig nation of Chris Kinnas, who is now in the investment business. “The Perry Area Chamber of Commerce is very excited and fortunate to have Ms. Willard accept this dynamic and chal lenging position of leadership,” said Barnett. been established by the P&Z board. He pointed out that the last time a similar request had been denied was in 1987. Free said that a change in the property from RAG to the Rl (residential) classification would enhance property values, and added that the developers would be willing to agree to a covenant limiting the use of the property to stick-built houses. Dryden and others presented petitions in opposition to the re zoning signed by 43 residents living along Bear Branch Road, Talton Road, Lake Road and other roads in the immediate area. Les Walker, a resident of the area, spoke against the rezoning, stating that it was not in the in terest of the landowners in the area or the county. “Cows don’t send their kids to school,” he said, referring to tax payers’ benefits from the rural nature of the area, “and pecans don’t require garbage service." Dryden said that Dutch Man agement had bought the prop erty before it was rezoned, and Helmets See Page 11A at present, but does provide a vehicle for future changes, said City Manager Lee Gilmour. The new District is estab lished to provide uniformity of development in the area around the Agricenter. Special landscaping codes have been included in the ordi nance for the Plaza District. In other business: • Council approved to enter into a lease purchase agreement with the Municipal Gas Author ity of Georgia for SBOO,OOO. The monies will be used for improve ments of gas lines on the west side of the city, looping in the direction of Hay Road. • Approved the appointment of Carl Lumpkin and William Jackson to the Downtown De velopment Authority. Photo* by Emily Johnatonr Personnel from the Georgia State Patrol, Houston County Sheriff’s Department, Perry Police Department and Perry Fire Department survey damage done to a Cadillac Sunday morning after it crashed with a Georgia State Patrol vehicle at the intersection of Larry Walker Parkway and Elko Road.. According to GSP Sgt. Kenneth Peterman , 75-year old Annie Maude Bowen, operator of the Cadillac, apparently failed to yield right-of-way to the GSP vehicle being driven by Trooper B.F. McGhee. Bowen was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. According to Becky Sessions, spokesperson for the Medical Center of Central Georgia, she is listed in stable condition. The trooper suffered minor injuries, said Peterman. “now they’re stuck with a bad business decision.” The one resident of the area siding with the developers was Chad Houser, who argued that if the land - now owned by Dutch Management - remained in the agricultural zoning classifica tion, mobile homes could be placed there. Following presentations from both sides, P&Z board member John Trussell made a motion to deny Dutch Management’s re quest for rezoning, but failed to get a second to his motion. Board member Charles Culpepper then moved for ap proval of the request, and the vote was three to two, with Culpepper, Frank Cook and Gary Garrard voting for ap proval of the request, while Trussell and Bill Fowler voted no. P&Z Commissioner Eddie Walker, who had voted against the request in the earlier meet ing, was not present. The issue will be considered a second time on May 2 by the Houston County Commission ers, who have the final vote on the matter. • Agreed to a Resolution of Support for an apartment complex proposed to be con structed along Perimeter Road. • Agreed to a Resolution of Support for a townhouse com plex proposed to be built near the intersection of Houston Lake Road and Perry Park way. Councilman Billy Jerles opposed the motion, citing concerns with the location. • OK’d $2,500 to be used to help with costs of the Big Bang Boom at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. Vot ing no were Phyllis Grace, James Moore and Bobby Glover. Yes votes were Ralph Gentry, Charles Lewis and Billy Jerles. Breaking the tie was the yes vote of Perry Mayor Jim Worrall. aBIm v n V JL - p JHEm \ •■ •lpg&£g|pM --, $jM •.^li|Wff^^M- : -'''.. ’■ Jfci& P JP^ *SI|HjMQB£«3HNSKOV gfe;'; #|>; | 4|HHH|ggjlJ|J| K9| Local artist Butler Brown concentrates on a landscape painting during a recent visit i.j Perry Primary School. Butler visited the school in conjunction with art appreciation activities. For story, see page 10A. Relay for Life site at Rozar Park By Charlotte Perkins Staff writer Perry’s Relay for Life, a mara thon ft;r theA.nerican Cancer Society will be held on April 28 and 29 at Rozar Park. “We’ve outgrown the high school track” said Carol Hayes, Relay chairperson. “This year we have 23 teams participating.” Hayes added that it remains 7h * ’cpians age 6B I hr<M Set lions Pages Northrop Grumman may sell By Charlotte Perkins Staff Writer Northrop Grumman Corpora tion is reportedly in the final stages of negotiating a sale of its commercial aerostructures op erations, which include divisions in Los Angeles, Dallas, Perry and Milledgeville. In a tersely worded press re lease, the company announced on April 17 that it is “exploring strategic alternatives” regarding the commercial aerostructures divisions, and that the firm of Salomon Brothers has been re tained to “aid in these efforts.” Contiued on Page 3A to be seen whether this year’s Relay will beat the $46,900 record set last year. “But we’re hoping!” she said. The new site will mean more recreational opportunities for Relay participants, including volleyball games, horseshoes and square dancing. Contiued on Page 3A Photo by Lanorri* Fleming