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WEEKEND June 24, 2006 VOLUME 136, NUMBER 124 OUR FRONT PORCH CLARIFICATION ■ in the June 21 issue, information beneath a photograph stated that during a visit to Robins Air Force Base, Mac Collins, Republican can didate for U.S. Congress was “given a classified briefing on advanced military technology being used in the War on Terror.' This informa tion was provided by Collins' press office, but according to Faye Banks, a spokesperson for the base, it was not correct. IN BRIEF Breakfast at Sonny's ■ A Republican breakfast meeting will be held July 8 at 8:30 a.m. at Sonny s BBQ at 811 Russell Parkway in Warner Robins. The guest speak er will be Brent Brown, candidate for labor commission. A continental breakfast will be available for $3.25. No reservations are necessary. Blood Drive Monday ■ The Perry Community American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held Monday from 2-7 p.m. at Crossroads UMC. Please bring photo identifi cation. For questions, call Eunice Galloway at 827-1377. Quallying begins Monday for State Court Judge, BOE ■ Candidates for Board of Education Posts 2, 4 and 6. and for Judge of State Court must qualify at the Board of Elections Office between Monday and Friday noon. Qualifying, which will begin at 9 a.m Monday, will take place in Room 237 of the Houston County Government Building, 8901 Main Street, Perry. Qualifying will continue during office hours until noon Friday. The qualifying fee to run for Board of Education is SIOB. The qualifying fee to run for Judge of State Court is $4,140. BIRTHDAYS Saturday ■ Mary Bacon ■ Chris Thomas ■ Ray Thomas Jr. Sunday ■ Eddie Blount ■ Dick Kistler ■ Sandy Williams Monday ■ Debra Cralley ■ Richard Tibbetts ANNIVERSARIES Saturday ■ Ronnie, Bonnie Bryant Sunday ■ Corey, Jessi Bradshaw Monday ■ Sarah Hawk Having a birthday or anniversa ry? Call Charlotte Perkins at 987- 1823, ext. 234, or e-mail her at cperkins@evansnevvspapers.com. DEATHS ■ Henry G. Andel ■ Roy Phillip “Chip" Gatlin Jr. INDEX WEATHER 3 A OPINION 4 A LIFESTYLE 1C SPORTS 1 B COMICS 4 B CLASSIFIEDS .... 7 B Award-Winning Sews,paper 2004 Better Newspaper Contest COOI 0 GEORGIA NEWSPAPER PROJECT Main Library UNIV OF GEORGIA ATHENS GA 30602-0002 ALL FOR ADC 301 June 24, 2006 Servi.xc, Hoistos Colsty Sixce 1870 TXT C. Hr I jTmtstottJWe ( VjJJie AJ&XXVVQXI LEGAL ORGAN FOR HOUSTON COUNTY, city of Perry, city of Warner Robins and city of Centerville Centerville gets earful on taxes, alcohol By KIMBERLY CASSEL PRITCHETT HHJ Contributing Writer It was standing room only with more than 100 residents attend ing a Centerville town hall meet ing Tuesday to discuss the possible repeal of a property tax law that gives 100 percent exemption to seniors age 70 and older and the pos sible granting to sell alcohol by the drink on Sunday in restaurants. Several residents pounded city council with promises to get peti tions to get them out of office and put someone else in their place, while many clapped and cheered for the idea. Gingerbread girls caught ' i'* - _/ MMM t jMNpfc. . mu* t » « TH* J****** ( '~r \ - w vJ Ikg I__ | J I|Bb*°" iWM' ■ jIT % v 7 I f Jx I ** 1 * * I EL f ' r!k ijr | I I ; HIM Kimberly ( u**m>l Pritchett From left. Vacation Bible Schoolers Kaley Sikes, Samantha Becerra, Gillian Pritchett, Julie Chambers, Mary Rogers and Michelle Cannon, “gingerbread girls", practice for “Once Upon A Time” Thursday at Second Baptist Church. The children will present the play Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in the church’s sanctuary. The drama/musical is part of their Summer Son Seekers program, which was held Monday-Friday for children K-5 through the sixth grade. For more Vacation Bible School photos, see page BA. Mayops talk, field questions oven breakfast By RAY UGHTNER HHJ Staff Writer The mayors of Warner Robins and Centerville spoke about their cities at the appropriately named Eggs and Issues breakfast put on by the Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday. Centerville Mayor Bubba Edwards said the city is at the center of economic devel opment in Houston County and announced the Charlie McGlamry’s Eagle Springs development has completely sold out. He said the city, thought of as a bedroom community with a mall, is looking at business develop ment. Some future plans for the city include developing a downtown. The city’s down town development authority has just received a SIO,OOO grant and will be looking at an overlay zoning district to determine what the down town will look like. He said the city also bal anced the budget and was able to give employees a cost of living and incentive raises while lowering the millage rate. While the city is con solidating animal control with Warner Robins, “what we do do is efficient. We’re lean and friendly.” When asked if the city would consolidate entirely with Warner Robins “since it is basically an island,” Edwards said emphatically, “no. The city has room to grow to the north, and has had some annexations north of Dunbar Road.” Edwards said the city is looking at expanding water and sewer service that way. “I’m not a septic tank lover,” www.hhjnews.com A majority of those attend ing voiced their opinion that they didn’t want the property tax law to change. “I don’t understand why you’re suggesting this,” said Centerville resident Troy Wyndom. “It’s obvi ous these people didn’t suggest this. The people are not talking in favor of it.” Mayor Pro-Tern Sherod Wilson, who presided over the meeting, said that the council is looking “long ternT’when the possibility might arise to completely do away with the exemption. “We’re looking at ways we can bal ance out the burden for the city to Jf|||r oKkKw ■ m 9 " r. , • T . r rr~ i'.l I fl I* r jrnm*imF3mß mg M'■ Fresh HIM Kay Ligbtner Centerville Mayor Bubba Edwards, seated next to County Commission Chairman Ned Sanders, won the door prize of a basket of peaches from Pearson Farms at Thursday’s Eggs and Issues meeting. Warner Robins Mayor Donald Walker selected Edwards’ name in the drawing. he said. “I’d like to see us move away from it.” He noted the city plans to run sewer to the Sentry Oaks subdivision, which was annexed, into the city a whole ago. Warner Robins Mayor Donald Walker started his talk off with a joke. He said “Representative Willie Talton was here on offi cial duty, undercover for the Warner Robins Police Department.” Walker said he was grate have services for everyone,” he said, adding that gas prices have hurt the city more than any other one par ticular item. “Long run - people who sit here don’t have a long run to go,” Wyndom fired back at council, referring to the seniors sitting in the audience. “This leaves a lot to be desired,” commented Harold Thompson of Centerville, “I’m sorry to say that’s how I feel. I’ll see what I can do about putting somebody else in your place.” Despite facing a hostile crowd, Councilman Cameron Andrews told the audience that he had invited a number of the residents person- ful for the leadership in the county and the current rela tions with the cities and the county. “It’s the first time we’ve come together to make the government work for the people,” he said. He noted how his city is growing, with annexations and housing permits helping to make the city be listed as one of the 100 hottest cities in the nation and the fastest growing city in the state. “We’re standing on the potential of building Perry Rotapians change guapd jjjflp ' ‘IPr Ww Bp * ! •ll liß 1 JHi HIM Charlotte Perkins Steve Rodgers is the new president of the Perry Rotary Club. He was sworn in at the club’s annual banquet. 1,100 home in Peach County. Warner Robins could be the largest city in population in Peach County.” To meet that growth the city has plans for a law enforcement center, a new animal shelter that will be coming on line in the fiscal year and a sports complex that could attract region al tournaments. He also reminded those gathered that things don’t happen over night. “It took 10 years to get 1 tv h i t.vs t Will Y'Newsr \ni.R\ - ■■ - 1 THREE SECTIONS • 22 PAGES ally to voice their opinions. He said he wanted residents to speak, but asked them not to “throw rocks. “ “If you have a comment, speak your piece, make it known - but don’t be ugly,” he said, trying to maintain order in the meeting room. One resident, Holly Mills of Eagle Springs, had a different idea, how ever. She said that she is tired of paying high taxes and would like to see a referendum passed with stipu lations of an age limit and income level in it. “I’d like not to have to bear every body’s burden,” she said. Other residents suggested adding See TAXES, page 6A Steve Rodgers is new president of local civic club By CHARLOTTE PERKINS HHJ Staff Writer Steve Rodgers is the new president of the Perry Rotary Club. Rodgers, a CPA who has long been active in Perry civic affairs, was sworn in as the 2006-07 president at the organization’s annual ban quet on Thursday night at the Houston Lake Country Club. He accepted the gavel from Bob Largent, last year’s president. Other officers for the com ing year are Rob Brooks, vice president; Mike Gray, secre tary-treasurer, and Elwood Waites, sergeant at arms. See ROTARY, page 6 A Macon State across from City Hall and five years for the recent land swap deal with the state adjacent to Robins Air Force Base,” he said. The most important proj ect for economic develop ment in Houston County, Walker said is the widening of Ga. 96. “It will be the fall line freeway, connect ing Savannah to Columbus through Warner Robins. It will connect to the Golden See ISSUES, page 6A 500 illllWi s^ssioFooooi"^