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1910 f/ff If 3Houetow Morne if 2060
Washington St 71 L. Jl I Watson Blvd.
Perry, Ga iI i M 11 MIT ITI/T I Warner Robins, Ga
(478)987-1823 l V (478)329-9900
“Houston Countx>\ Fj>pol Cirvnn Siinrp 1H70"
Daniel F. Evans
President
Editor and Publisher
Bobbie Parker Julie B. Evans
Assistant to the Publisher Vice President
Lula Batchelor
Accounts Receivables
Sharon Berryhill Advertising Director
Jim Hayes Display Advertising Manager
Cheri Adams Advertising Sales
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Barbara Chastain Advertising Sales
Betty Goodroe Classified Advertising Manager
Sharon Jackson Classified Sales
Caroline Little Legal Advertising Manager
F J \ "/rjp-; y | gyfTTTT? j|
Emily Johnstone News Editor
Judy Hall Staff Writer
Luci Joullian Staff Writer
Charlotte Perkins Staff Writer
James Tidwell Sports Editor
Beverly Ellis Production/Technology Manager
John Davidson Ad Design/Page Layout
Angel Elledge Ad Design/Page Layout
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Michael Land Pressman
Jimmy Townsend Mailroom Manager
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Steve Reynolds Circulation Manager
POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes To:
The Houston Home Journal
EO. Box 1910
Perry, GA 31069
The Houston Home Journal, A Periodical, Mailed (ISSN 1626-7393)
At Perry, GA. Is Published Tuesday And Thursday For $30.00 Per
Year By Evans Newspapers, Inc.
1210 Washington St. * Perry, GA 31069
478-987-1823 Fax 478-988-1181
E-Mail: hhj (a evansnewspapers.com
Web Site: www.houstonhomejoumal.com
Meeting Botles Well Fop Future
A meeting that was held last week between city and coun
ty leaders and representatives of the three cities in Houston
County bodes well for the future.
Something like 15 people met with the single goal of plan
ning for the future of Houston County.
We applaud their efforts and their sincerity.
For decades there have been efforts to bring leaders of the
four governmental bodies in our county together for this
purpose. Feeble attempts have been made, but they have fiz
zled out.
The rapid growth of Houston County and the problems
that have come with this growth obviously have spurred the
elected officials into action.
County Chairman Ned Sanders said that the meeting went
well. He forecasts progress on many fronts. He indicated that
everyone—local officials and legislators—are on the same
page. He said they recognize the urgency of speeding up
improvements that could be years away without joint action.
Houston County has a legislative delegation that is on
board. All of them are ready to move forward with legislation
that the local officials ask for. They also are willing to speed
up projects not yet on the drawing board.
We like the idea that the cities and county now realize that
what affects one of them affects all of them and that the only
way to solve their problems is to work together and support
each other.
WMening of Highway 96 Needed
One of the most urgent needs in our county at present is
widening of Highway 96 in the corridor that intersects with
Houston Lake Road.
A short distance of the highway is being widened, but
County Chairman Ned Sanders says it must be widened for
a great distance both east—into Twiggs County—and west of
Houston Lake Road to Fort Valley. Other local officials and
legislators agree.
The area around this intersection has been dubbed “No
Name City”. It has not developed to such an extent that it
resembles a city yet, but with the coming of a Wal-Mart
Super Center before long rapid growth can be anticipated.
It is already too late to prevent reed traffic problems in the
area, but it is not too late to begin taking strong actions to
persuade the state DOT that there is an urgent need for bet
ter roads in this area, which is the next big growth area in
our county.
Some critics have suggested that the county restrain com
mercial growth in the area until roads are available.
Chairman Sanders replies that state law requires that zon
ing be approved for the best use that can be made of land.
And commercial development definitely is the best use for
land in that area.
Opinions
Good news for GA motorists
GEORGIA motorists pay mil
lions of dollars in premiums
each year to protect them
selves from uninsured motorists
who are violating the law by not
having automobile insurance of
their own.
It has been estimated that
approximately 1.5 motorists in
the state do not have insurance
on their motor vehicles.
How do they get away with it?
After all, we must show proof
that we have insurance to buy
our tags each year.
The answer is simple.
Through the years millions have
purchased insurance just before
buying their tags and then can
celed the insurance after they
have the tags in hand. Until now
there has been no reliable way
to determine who these people
are unless they happen to be
stopped at a road block or
become involved in an accident,
in which case they would be
asked for proof of insurance.
Effective Feb. 1 of next year
this will change.
One area searches for identity, another clings to one
I appreciate all the sugges
tions received the past few days
on just what the name for the
Ga. 96/Houston Lake Road area
could be named.
Here are a few:
• Deryle Whipple - Central
Houston or Houston Central.
That’s what it is! he pointed out.
• Steve Engle - Diploma
Millville, Traffic Town or
Nixon’s Acres.
• Chief Jimmy Williams -
Whoville. (It is a town searching
for an identity, he said. Funny
time of year to think of that
name, isn’t it?)
• Sara Hunter - This one
brought tears to my eyes: “Tell
Charlotte that I really like the
name of “Larry’s Giant Sub
division” but my suggestion is:
Stafford. This is to honor
Sherrill Stafford whose vision
brought about this area of great
growth.”
Many of us still miss our late
county commission chairman,
Ms. Sara.
• • •
Kudos to the residents of
tEIIf t ptnme
lsli§3pp
Foy Evans
Columnist
foyevans 19@cox.net
• • •
THE STATE has a new data
base which will include every
vehicle registered in Georgia.
Soon approximately 1.5 mil
lion owners of automobiles will
receive a notice from the state
advising them that records do
not show they have insurance.
They will have to buy insur
ance or they will be in trouble.
Once the database becomes
the standard, the insurance card
that we all have used in the past
will longer be accepted as proof
Haynesville who are looking to
have the ‘s’ put back into the
name.
It has been dropped by many
people since a DOT error years
ago (imagine that!), they say.
A few years ago, I had the
honor of interviewing Hoke
Harper and his wife who live in
Haynesville.
Mr. Harper showed me several
old documents with the town’s
name...each one contained an
‘s’.
I am sorry Mr. Hoke has
passed away since then and is
not a continuing part of the
move to have the signs and doc
uments of today reflect what is
known as the original spelling of
the name.
I suppose he is, in a way,
though....l did notice that his
son’s, Ronnie, signature was on
the list of those seeking the
change.
• • •
A special ceremony is being
held today to recognize three
Houston County firefighters
who responded to a call early
of insurance by law enforcement
officers. Every vehicle in the
state will be entered in the data
base and law enforcement offi
cers will be able to check on
motorists through onboard com
puters or through their dis
patchers.
According to Department of
Motor Vehicles spokesmen the
day when uninsured motorists
can get around the law and
place a burden on others is com
ing to an end.
THERE IS one thing all
motorists should keep in mind.
The 17-character VIN on your
tag registration card will be
entered into the statewide data
base. If even one letter or num
ber on the registration card is
incorrect you will wind up on
the list of motorists who have
not purchased automobile
insurance.
So it is incumbent upon all of
us to make sure that the VIN
number on our registration card
is exactly the same as the VIN
. CC. i « i •“**'t
Emßy Johnstoiifl
News Editor
ejohnstone@evansnewspapers.com
this year and, utilizing some
brand new equipment, saved the
life of a man who was experienc
ing heart problems.
They are Dennis Garrett,
Allen Cramer and Howard
Street.
Congratulations!
And, thanks to the many citi
zens who give generously during
fire department fund raisers.
Those monies go toward pur
chase of this type equipment.
• • •
The Red Cross agency on
Corder Road still has some
DECEMBER 19,2002
number on our automobiles.
I understand that the state
plans a comprehensive educa
tional program within the next
few weeks on this new database
before a campaign is launched to
arrest motorists who are dis
obeying the law.
In the long run, it seems logi
cal that law abiding motorists
who have had to carry insurance
for protection against law
breakers will be able to save mil
lions of dollars each year.
• • •
SUGGESTION: If you are
considering giving a pet to
someone for Christmas make
sure the person wants the pet
and will give it a good home. I
hurt every time I see someone
abusing an animal. They
deserve better.
• • •
SPEAKING of Christmas. It
isn’t too late to put money in a
Salvation Army kettle. There
are other worthy organizations
in need of money this
Christmas, too.
items left over from its yard sale
last weekend.
Cassandra Crosby sends the
word out for folks to stop by and
check out what they have...you
might find a gift for yourself.
• • •
Houston County Extension
Agent Willie Chance reminds
everyone that the deadline to
register for the next Master
Gardener training program has
been extended.
For anyone who would like to
make their thumb a little bit
greener, you now have until the
10th day of January to register!
The 12-week classes meet
Tuesdays and Thursdays from
Jan. 28 until April 17 and cover
topics like entomology, weed
control, plant diseases,
lawns...the list goes on!
Master Gardeners is a volun
teer group who provides assis
tance to area citizens with their
growing needs.
You can give Willie a ring at
542-2020 or email him at
wchance@uga.edu for more
info.