50 years ago: City to have meeting on election process

Dublin Courier Herald

A special, called meeting of the City Council will be held on Monday night at 8:00 to consider possible changes in the Dublin election process.

The meeting is open to the public.

Attorneys on both sides of the suit challenging Dublin’s election methods and fourteen annexations will be present at the meeting.

“What we will present is what we feel could possibly be a consent decree from the courts,” Dublin City Attorney James V. Hilburn said.

The announcement represents a possible settlement to the suit. 

If City Council agrees to the proposal, Federal Judge Alexander Lawrence will be asked on October 6 during a hearing on the suit to issue a decree which would reconcile the suit on the conditions agreed to by both parties.

$350,000 MENTAL CENTER TO BE BUILT HERE

A $350,000 mental health facility to serve nine counties will be built adjacent to the Laurens County Health Department on Bellevue Road.

The center will be constructed with federal funds of $321,876 and local support of approximately $35,000.

Occupancy is scheduled for October 1, 1976.

The announcement of the construction project was made today by Dr. Samuel A. Heaton, Jr., South Central Georgia District Health Director, and Eddie Roland, District Mental Health Chief.

“This award represents the first major step toward developing a comprehensive range of mental health services for the county as well as the district,” Dr. Heaton said in announcing the project. “Through the development of this range of comprehensive services, the area residents will have a greater opportunity of receiving services and treatment in their home community,” he added.

The comprehensive mental health center will be a single story structure of approximately 9,000 square feet. It will provide a number of services, many of which are not presently available at the mental health center o North Jefferson Street.

Among the new or expanded services will be:

Partial hospitalization to provide intermediate type care for treatment  during certain parts of the day. This service will be designed so patients can receive treatment throughout the day and return home at night or vice versa –

Emergency services to intervene whenever a crisis may develop. A toll free crisis line is planned at the center for 24-hour over-the-telephone help –

Provisions for treating emotionally disturbed children. A play-therapy area will be included in the building –

Vocational rehabilitation to prepare patients to earn a living –

Community consultation and education which will be available for individuals, as well as other agencies dealing with troubled people –

Family and group therapy –

Additional methods of treatment –

Specialized services for the aged, adolescents, and children –

Aftercare for patients just out of hospitals who no longer need constant care but still need daily care –

“The building is the first step,” Roland said. “It gives us the physical plan to work in.”

He said that a separate federal grant for staffing would be timed to supply additional specialized personnel for the facility about the time construction is completed.

The construction grant application was made to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by the Laurens County Board of Health, a panel appointed by the county commissioners.

At the time of the grant application, Laurens County Commissioners gave their endorsement to the application and promised to match 10 per cent of federal funds approved for the project.

Other counties in the nine-county South Central Health District will not fund the construction of the project, but provide operating expenses for the center. 

A $50,000 federal grant was given to conduct a study of the mental health needs in the nine counties: Bleckley, Dodge, Laurens, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler, and Wilcox. That study showed that the area had “limited” mental health services for the population served, Roland noted. 

It will now be up to the Laurens County Commissioners to award an architectural contract to finalize plans for the building.

COUNCIL VOTES ON LANDFILL DEBT

Dublin City Council voted to pay the county $16,000 owed in back payments for use of the county landfill. A motion by Alderman John Reed Deamer to restrict the city’s payments to $850 a month until a user fee is established at the landfill failed 4-3.

Former City Manager Jack Crane made an agreement to pay the county $850 a month for its part in operating the landfill, but the city had missed paying 21 payments.

In other city-county business, the council agreed to furnish water and gas for two city-county owned buildings on Madison Street. The buildings are being renovated by the county to be used as offices for Veterans Services and a distribution center for clothes to needy persons. The center is operated by the Dublin Service League.

The buildings were formerly owned by the Citizens and Southern Bank and housed a Western Union office and an office machine business. The two one- story buildings were given to the city and county governments by the bank.

Referring to the Service League’s use of the building, Alderman Roy Banks remarked, “I cannot see the city subsidizing a non-profit organization with tax money of the citizens of Dublin.” He voted against the proposal.

Alderman Deamer cast a second no vote because he said that the city’s providing water and gas represented double taxation. The motion passed 5-2.

BLASH RACES IRISH PAST RAIDERS

     By DOUG HALL

Running back Herbert Blash , all 146 pounds of him, rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns in the first half on Friday night as the Dublin Irish downed West Laurens 28-6 to clinch the Laurens County Championship for the second year in a row. Last week Dublin got by East Laurens 7-0 for the first leg of the county crown.

Blash spent the second half in the x-ray room of Laurens Memorial Hospital where he was taken during intermission for examination and treatment of a bruised hip he suffered late in the second quarter.

Before the left, the junior scat back lugged for 41 carries in the first Irish possession, a drive to the West Laurens one where the Raiders fell on an Irish fumble. Later in the first quarter, Blash skirted right end and sailed 80 yards for the first Dublin score. Then in the second quarter, he set up his own 44-yard touchdown run with a 16-yard scamper, the only two snaps in the drive.

Despite Blash’s antics, the Irish still needed two second half insurance touchdowns to decide the game. Between Blash scores in the first quarter, West Laurens went 11 yards in four plays following a Dublin fumble to score. Tailback Buzzard Edmonds, 180, cracked right tackle from the one to become the first West Laurens player to score against Dublin in the four-year series.

But 44 seconds later, the Irish hit the scoreboard again on Blash’s 44-yard run around right end.

Dublin coach Tom Simonton and his staff of Travis Davis and Richard Johnson were elated with the win.

“There was a lot written about our lack of offense against East Laurens, but our offense was always there,” Coach Simonton said.

The Irish coach had praise for the running of Blash, Eddie Dudley, Larry Johnson, and Steve Edwards, and for the blocking up front. “We ran off their left side regularly with good yardage,” he pointed out.

Simonton also praised his opposing coach, Tom Wilson, and the Raiders for covering the Irish fumble at the West Laurens one which stopped what looked like a sure touchdown on the opening Dublin drive, and then marching the pigskin all the way to the Dublin 40 before being forced to punt. 

 “I thought Coach Wilson and his staff did a tremendous job with the Raiders, and I look for them to whip someone before long, “Simonton stated. 

“The Raiders are a good team and have some outstanding individuals in their personnel,” he added.

Wilson and his staff, Archie McRae and Greg Williams, were dejected by the loss, but just as two weeks ago in the loss to Jeff Davis, the coaches saw some improvements and bright spots.

“I think we looked better this week than in the last game. Our line, except on a few occasions, did real well, and our running backs, particularly Clayton Jones and Donnell Dupree, looked like they are coming around,” Wilson stated.

He called Dublin a “good, sound explosive” team and suggested that their quick scoring may have been the big difference in the game.

The usually air-proned Irish relied on an a wide-open running game to win.

West Laurens also stayed on the ground, going to the air only six times with one completion for seven yards.

Dublin was plague by penalties, being assessed 140 yards on eleven infractions. West Laurens, on the other hand, was not backed up by penalties, although Dublin declined several Raider fouls.

IRISH, RAIDER BANDS SHINE

The West Laurens and Dublin bands put on delightful and timely shows at halftime of Dublin’s 28-6 win on Friday night at Raider Stadium, thrilling the big, overflow crowd with their marching and music.

Dublin’s musicians started things off under the direction of Cecil Pollock with field commanders, Bert Mc Lees and Connie Mercer, in charge on the field.

The Irish presented the same program used last week, coming on the field with “Hang ‘Em High.” Then, Majorette captains Kathy Hood and Jan Kibler twirled to the lively sounds of “Hijack.” Then, to slow down the pace, the band assembled in concert formation for “You and Me Against the World,” which included a trumpet solo by Craig Williamson. The flag work of the flag corps was featured with this number.

The percussion section had their moment with “Doing Their Thing,” before the band exited to the Irish “Fight Song.”

Chuck Hall was the public address announcer.

Mona Jo Miller was at the microphone to describe the West Laurens part of the halftime program.

Clarence Jackson, jr. is the director of the West Laurens band, with Dewaye Pittman, drum major, and Carol Hobbs, drum majorette.

West Laurens used the theme, “Spirits of America,” and formed a Liberty Bell while moving into “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” From concert formation, the band rendered “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” with a special salute to Scott Brown, last year’s muscular distrophy poster child for Georgia, and to those thousands so other youngsters stricken by this disease.

Margaret Alma Nicholson was the solo twirler for the Raider musicians, sliding through her routines with smoothness, grace, and skill. She used two batons during her performance.

The Raiders developed an American flag while playing “America, the Beautiful,” and requested the crowd to stand and join them in  the pledge to the flag. This was a patriotic finish to a fine show.

The majorettes were sponsored by Miss Gail Malone and were led by co-captains Amy Holland and Margaret Alma Nicholson. The flag girls were under the direction of Karen Davis while the rifle team was led by Abbey Jones.

LITTLE MR. AND MISS POSSUM HOLLOW

Fifteen couples between the ages of 6 and 9 competed for the title of Little Mr. and Miss Possum Hollow on Thursday night. They were judged on originality of dress, talent, or personal interviews.

The contest was held at the Dublin Junior High Auditorium at 7:30 P.M.

John Ross, Chairman of Bicentennial Affairs, gave the Welcome, and Rev. Bill Weeks gave the Invocation and led the audience in the singing of “God Bless America.”

Dick Killebrew was Master of Ceremonies and performed his magic act.

Proceeds went to the Georgia Lions Lighthouse for the aid of the blind and visually handicapped.

Winners:

First Place – John Taylor of Dublin

Stacy Faircloth of Dexter

First Runner Up – Oscar Prada of Dublin

Nylce Prada of Dublin

Second Runner Up – Gil Johnson of Dublin

Janet Jariel of Dublin

IS THERE REALLY A POSSUM HOLLOW?

Legend says, “Yes.” 

Once the grounds known now as Possum Hollow were covered with persimmon trees. Possums were in abundance, thus the name Possum Hollow.

The fair will be on 34 acres of woodlands and pasture lands on Ga. 257 between Dexter and Chester on the Laurens County – Dodge County line.

Nearly half of the land has been set aside for parking, and shuttle buses are planned for those parking far from the gates.

OUR MEN IN SERVICE

Ft. Wadsworth, New York (AHTNC) Reserve First Lieutenant Albert E. Sellers, whose wife, Patricia, lives at 1114 Greenway Drive, Dublin, Georgia, completed the basic chaplain course September 5 at the Army Chaplain School here.

San Antonio – Air National Guard (ANG) Airman Betty J. Christian, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie A. Christian of 206 East Garner Street, Dublin, Georgia, has graduated at Lackland AFB, Texas, from Air Force Basic training.

Airman Christian is a 1968 graduate of Oconee High School.

Ft. Lewis, Washington – (HTNC) – Army Specialist Four Randall R. Ikner, Route 6, Dublin, Georgia, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otis Ikner, was assigned on September 3 as an infantryman in Company C, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry of the 9th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade here.

The 23 year-old soldier entered the army in 1970, and was last stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.

Before entering the Army, Specialist Ikner was manager of Burger Chef in Macon.

His wife, Marsha, is with him in Washington.

DR. PORTER HEADS CHAMBER

Dr. Lester L. Porter, former Dublin mayor, this morning was elected President of the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, succeeding McGrath Keen.

Jimmy Kemp, Dudley banker and Chairman of the Laurens County School Board, was named Vice President. Other new officers are Jim Park, Treasurer, and Mrs. David Brandon, Secretary.

Elected to the Board of Directors were Hugh Craig, Roy Chappell, James Dixon, Thomas Kellam, Don E. Lamb, Sr., Wallace Miller, and Jim Park.

Outgoing President Keen has led the Chamber for two years, and the new officers and directors will be installed at the Chamber’s annual meeting on October 30.

At this morning’s breakfast meeting, James Hudson, Chairman of the Membership Committee, presented a list of prospective members. The membership drive will continue through September.

NORTHWEST LAURENS DAY HELD

Tuesday was Northwest Laurens Primary Day in Dudley with activities at the school all day and at night.

Open House, dedication of new playground equipment, a Boston Tea Party, dinner with school board members, and a PTA meeting highlighted the day of activities at Northwest.

For the youngsters, the day was topped by wearing Early American costumes and seeing new playground equipment placed in use.

The Laurens County lunch program is using each month a different theme for the American Bicentennial. This month the theme is the Boston Tea Party. At Dudley the Bicentennial observance was begun by asking students and teachers to wear Early American costumes.

Playground equipment was built by metal-working students at West Laurens Comprehensive High School under the instruction of R.L. Crabb and Howard Swinson. Principal Rachel G. Branch accepted it.

The Northwest Day was capped by a meeting of the PTA.

JUNIOR BOWLERS TO MEET

The Laurens County Junior Bowling Association will hold its annual meeting next Sunday at Laurens Lanes at 5:00 p.m. 

All officers and directors are urged to be present as new officers and the Board of Directors will be elected. Other important business will be discussed.

Current officers are these:

Joe Chafin – President

Thesa Williams – Vice President

Don Baker – Secretary-treasurer

Directors are these:

Ed Pierce, Wendell Bush, Paul DeFazio, Skip Williams, Clarence Nelson, Vernell Helms, Lucy Hogan, Anne McMillan, Joan Wilson, JoAnn DiFazio, Dot Pierce, Mary Ann Kenney, Ad Hogan, George Fredricks, and Wilma Warnock.

TAYLOR NAMED BY WRITE-INS

Rentz – When you need a Mayor, draft one. 

At least, that was the philosophy of voters in Rentz when they wrote in 83 out of 89 votes for Mayor, naming F.C Taylor to be the interim Mayor.

It all came about when Mayor C.O. Woodard resigned because of ill health. A period for qualification for candidates for the post came and went, but no one qualified prior to the election.

Well, with no candidates on the ballot, Rentz voters had only one choice – write-in.

With 89 votes cast, Taylor was written in 83 times, setting some kind of record for drafting a public official.

This morning the new Mayor said that he “would have to serve.” He added that he really had expected the voters to choose a younger man.

When asked if he would seek a full term when the regular city election is held in January, he said that he did not know – “we’ll have to see how far we can get,” he remarked.