Consent decree issued on election

Dublin Courier Herald

Federal Judge Alexander Lawrence has issued a consent decree based on an agreement reached between city officials and two Dublin blacks who challenged Dublin election methods and annexations. 

Judge Lawrence’s action settles the year-old suit.

However, approval must now be received from the U.S. Justice Department which is investigating the diluting effect on black voter strength of fourteen city annexations.

City Attorney Jim Hilburn said this morning that a copy of the judge’s order will be sent to the Justice Department. Legal aid attorney Steven Gransberg, who represents Richard Sheffield and Lavonia Dixon, is supposed to notify the Justice Department that “the diluting effect has been alleviated by the court order,” Hilburn added.

The suit charged that changes in the method of electing city officials were in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 because the changes were not approved by the Justice Department. The suit further charged that fourteen city annexations which were not approved by the Justice Department weakened black voting strength in Dublin.

If the Justice Department gives its approval to the suit settlement, the suit story will be ended.

Under the agreement reached by the city and those who brought the class action suit:

1. All city elections will be decided on a plurality basis, doing away with he need for runoffs unless a tie vote is cast.

2. Dublin’s four ward aldermen will be elected from redefined single member districts. 

3. Only the voters of each ward will be eligible to vote in the ward elections. 

4. Candidates for the three at-large Council seats will not run in designated posts as previously but will run as a single group with the three candidates polling the most votes being elected 

5. The mayor will run at-large and will be elected by a plurality.

Judge Lawrence’s decision also gives the go-ahead for the November 3 city election for four ward aldermen and the mayor.

BANK ROBBERY HERE

    By Doug Hall

The fidgety bandit who attempted to rob the Dublin Mall branch of the Morris State Bank on Monday afternoon left the bank with $19 more than it had when he entered the doors at about 3:45.

Nonetheless, the robbery was an experience that left the bank personnel a little shaky. “I don’t think they’d do it again for nine-hundred dollars, ” bank security officer Walt Woodard said this morning.

According to Woodard, the lone man entered the bank about 3:45 p.m. He approached a teller and asked her to change  two $20 bills. He wanted ones and silver. As the teller began counting the change, the man drew a pistol.

He ordered the bank receptionist, who was on the phone, to come to the teller’s window. 

Then he motioned for the drive-in window teller to turn around. She was waiting on the bank’s only customer at the time. 

The bandit then ordered branch manager Darrell Stephens to come to the window. He suspected Stephens had alerted the police. 

Hastily, he asked whose car was on the end of the 

line in the parking lot. Stephens said it was his. The gunman told Stephens the were going to leave together, and they did, forgetting $19 in silver but taking 21 one-dollar bills from the two $20 bills for which he had asked change.

Stephens drove his car to the Belk’s store at the Mall where the gunman forced him out. The bandit sped away to the other end of the Mall where a 1974 Lincoln Continental Mark IV was waiting.

Bank employees activated the alarm as soon as Stephens and the man left.

But Dublin police said that the biggest breaks in the case came from two citizens, the drive-in customer and a magazine salesman who wrote down the description and license plate of the Lincoln as it sped away.

The bank customer had noticed a teller put her arms up in the air, and she had driven to the BElk’s store where she phoned police before the bank alarm had sounded.

The man who jotted down the license plate,  who was an employee of Town and Country distributors of Vidalia, said that he would not have noticed the car if it had not driven away at a break-neck speed. 

Police refused to release the names of the witnesses.

With the car license and description given to all the enforcement agencies in the area, a pre-planned network of roadblocks were set up, similar to the one used recently in a simulated robbery of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, downtown.

East Dublin Police Chief Charles Howell and Officer Ronald Fulfod were stopping traffic on U.S.80 East at the Oconee River bridge when the Lincoln approached. Howell said that the driver, Sgt. Kent Craft, 31, of Columbia, South Carolina, did not resist arrest. An unloaded .38 calibre pistol was found in the car. 

However, a motorist behind the Craft car said he saw the man throw something out of the window before the roadblock. Officer Fulford and fireman William Crisp found several unspent .38 cartridges on the bridge soon after the apprehension. 

Craft has been charged with kidnapping and motor vehicle theft by local authorities. He will probably be charged with bank robbery by the FBI, Chief Vernon DeLoach said. Craft was apprehended less than 15 minutes after the bank was robbed

Lt. Wayne Fuqua said that Craft’s possible involvement will be investigated by the FBI as a routine matter.

A red money pouch from the American Bank and Trust and a blue pouch from Trust Co. Bank were found in a suitcase in Craft’s car. The pouches contained several hundred dollars in one-dollar bills. The man told police that the mone was his.

Detective F.M. Burch said that the heavyset Craft is a member of a prominent Columbia, South Carolina, family which operates several clothing stores.

Chief Vernon DeLoach commended the work of the department and the cooperation of other law enforcement agencies in the area. He also praised the witnesses who provided the information which led to the quick arrest.

Craft will be held in the city jail, awaiting hearing in Superior Court here and and in Federal Court.

FEDERAL INDICTMENTS COMING

The Man charged in the Morris State Bank robbery on Monday and the abdcuction of bank manager Darrell Stephens has been transferred to the Laurens County Jail where he is being held without bond, jail records show.

Meanwhile, federal indictments in the case are expected this afternoon from Savannah where a federal grand jury is in session. U.S. Attorney Jack Smith presented the bank robbery case to the federal grand jury today, Dublin police said.

Sergeant Kent Craft, 31, of Columbia, South Carolina, is charged with bank robbery, a federal offense, and with kidnapping and auto theft, both state crimes, the police said.

Craft was apprehended Monday afternoon minutes after he allegedly held a Morris State Bank teller at gunpoint,and then took the bank manager hostage and fled, leaving behind $19 in change.

Commitment hearings are expected soon in Laurens County where Craft will face charges related to the abduction of Stephens.

The banker was held less than five minutes while the armed robber made a get-away from the Dublin Mall branch of the Morris State Bank.

No one was harmed in the incident.

WEST LAURENS HOMECOMING

West Laurens High School observed homecoming on Friday night when the Raiders met Hawkinsville in a 3-A South sub-region game.

The senior homecoming court was made up of Bonnie Lord and Mike Fountain, Mona Miller and Jim Kemp, Phyllis Edwards and Milton Coney, and Arnette Rozier and L.T. Watkings. A Homecoming Queen and a Raider Sweetheart were selected from the girls in this group.

The eleventh grade was represented by Darryl Goss and Ronnie McNear and Donna Taylor and Gary Register.

From the tenth grade, Jacqueline Knight and Walter Butts and Brenda Harville and Rusty Lord were the representatives.

Ninth graders on the court were Kay Killingsworth and Jack Colter and Lanora Mason and Freddie Kemp.  

Homecoming activities were a major part of the preceding week and did not end until Saturday with a barbeque from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at West Laurens Junior High, sponsored by the Athletic Boosters. Advance tickets were being sold by football players, cheerleaders, and Booster Club members.

Wednesday was Hillbilly Day at West Laurens with students dressing in appropriate attire for the day.

Thursday students went to classes dressed in black for Mourn the Red Devils Day. Friday was Raider School Day and blue and white flourished.

West Laurens faced one of their sternest tests of the season when the opening kickoff was booted Friday night. Hawkinsville entered the game 4-1 for the season and undefeated in the region. Their only loss had been 10-7 to Dodge County, a Class AA team that is currently rated number six in the state. 

Injuries which have hurt the Raiders in the last two games were not be a big factor this week. Barry Boss, Phillip Sellars, and Clay Dixon were able, as expected, to play.

End Greg Browning, still hurting from a shoulder injury. was the only Raider out of uniform.

Coach Tom Wilson respects Hawkinsville’s strong defense and passing game. Quarterback Vince Huett and split end J.H. Goodroe gave the Devils an aerial attack that was balanced by the running of fullback Elijah Johnson. Another asset for the Hawkinsville team is Coach Bobby Gentry, one of the elder statesmen of Georgia High School athletics. Gentry is also principal of the school.

The offensive lineup for West Laurens was Kenny Kight at center, Wayne Lord and Wllie Judon, guards, Phillip Sellars and Robert Holmes, tackles, Al Daniel and Barry Boss, ends, Mickey Byrne, quarterback, Buzzard Edmonds, fullback, Clay Dixon, swingback ,and Donnell DuPree, fullback.

On defense the lineup was Billy Meeks, noseguard, Holmes Dupree or Judon, linebackers, Michael Windham and Clifton Jones, ends, Edmonds and Dixon, cornerbacks, and Byrne and Rodney Lord, safeties.

HOMECOMING MARRED 

     By Doug Hall

Hawkinsville drove 80 yards in twelve plays, ten yards  in four plays and 95 yards in four plays to bop West Laurens 20-6 on Friday night and mar Homecoming for the Raiders.

But strange as it may sound, the Raiders continued to improve, even in defeat.

The statistics were very close. Take away a 84-Yard run by Red Devil quarterback Vince Huett and the Raiders would have finished with only 26 less rushing yards than Hawkinsville. First downs were close – 12 for the visitors and eight for West Laurens. Only the passing stats were weighted in favor of the Devils – 65 to 30.

But what is more convincing is what could have been. In the opening minutes the Raiders took command on an interception by linebacker Robert Holmes at the Devil 35 but fumbled away a scoring opportunity three plays later at the 15. After a dozen plays West Laurens was back under the shadows of the Hawkinsville goal line, but Mickey Byrnes’ field goal try from the thirteen was low and short.

It almost looked like Tom Wilson’s Raiders were trying so hard to win they couldn’t.

Loss or no loss, Homecoming was a success.

Phyllis Edwards, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Edwards, was crowned Queen by Christine White, the 1976 Homecoming Queen, and Bonnie Lord daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lord, was named Raider Sweetheart and crowned by Judy Kemp, the 1974 Sweetheart.

The senior Class, fittingly, won the award for best spirit during Homecoming Week.

A fine crowd filled Raider Stadium making up for the disappointing turnout a week ago.

Colorful banners around the stadium were hung by each of the West Laurens classes.

IRISH PEEL PEACH 

     By Bush Perry

Dublin’s Irish overcame a Peach Count version of the  Georgia “Shoestring” screen pass from Steve Edwards to Eddie Dudley, and knocked Peach County from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 32-20 Region 3-AA triumph at Ft. Valley last night.

Victory cries of “Two down and three to go,” rang out in the dressing room as the jubilant Irish snaked up the sweet taste of success. For the second week in a row they had blasted an unbeaten team while running their Region 3-AA record to 2-0 and their overall mark to 6-1, the best start for a Dublin team in a long time.

Coach Tom Simonton, wrung out from the heat of the battle, one of the most exciting offensive shows in Irish gridiron history, showered praise on his tired but happy warriors.

 “We put so much into this game, the coaches and ithe players, and we felt we just couldn’t lose,” the Dublin coach said. “You can’t say too much about any of these boys. They’re as fine a group of football players and young men as you will find anywhere, and they played their hearts out tonight,” he said.

Dublin showed the good crowd of Irish fans who had made the trip that they had come to play, for Dudley returned the kickoff from his 15 to the Peach County 46. In seven plays, the Irish were on the scoreboard with Dudley getting 13 in one dash and the final 21 in a brilliant scamper.

TROOP 532 COURT OF HONOR

Boy Scouts of Troop 532 in East Dublin were honored in a Court of Honor Monday night at Gethsemane United Methodist Church. 

Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Boy Scout Pledge, the Poem “Build Me A Son” by General Douglas MacArthur was read by a Scout father.

A candlelight ceremony was the setting as each of the following boys who had earned skill awards lit a small game as his name was called:

Jay Wicker

Jeff Giles

Rusty Brown 

Ronald Wilkinson

These scouts who had earned Merit Badges lit the  remaining candles:

Billy Veal

Jimmy Cox

Jeff Giles.

Promotions were next, with Jimmy Hewitt promoted from Scout to Tenderfoot, and Billy Veal from Second Class Scout to First Class Scout.

Boys earning one-year service stars were Alan Horne, Phillip Spivey, and Gene Warnock.

The following scouts received trophies:

Tim Lake – Most Cooperative Scout

Gene Warnock – Most Active Troop Scout

Jeff Giles – Most Skill Awards Earned

Alan Horne – Outstanding Summer Scout

Tommy Cox – Outstanding Camp Scout

Jeff Giles – Most Merit Badges Earned

The poem “If” was read by the Scout Master, Teddy Holton, and the benediction followed.

Refreshments furnished by the parents were served.

PORTER NEW CHAMBER PRESIDENT

Dr. Lester L. Porter, former Mayor of Dublin, became the President of the Dublin-Laurens Chamber of Commerce on Thursday night at the Annual Meeting of the Chamber at the Dublin Country Club.

Dr. Porter accepted the gavel from McGrath Keen the retiring president, who has served for two years, and who emceed the meeting.

Several hundred members and guests attended the chamber banquet and were entertained by Donna Waldrep of Dudley, who played piano musical selections, and by Samuel Timberlake, an opera singer who has appeared with many of the major opera companies and orchestras in the United States They were introduced by Donald C. Johnston.

An invocation was given by Rev. Ted P. Griner, pastor of the First United Methodist Church. 

New officers and directors were introduced at the meeting. Beginning their terms as directors are

Jim Park

Roy James Chappell

Hugh Craig

James Dixon

Thomas Kellam

Don N. Lamb, Sr.

Wallace Miller.New officers are these:

Lester L. Porter – President

Jimmy Kemp – Vice President

Jim Park – Treasurer

Mrs. David Bandon – Secretary

Board of Directors:

McGrath Keen

Ed Roche

Ed Herrin

Ben Hall Jr.

W.E Lovett, Jr.

Barron Smith

Cecil Passmore, Jr.

C&S TO OPEN ON SATURDAY

Laurens County’s three C&S Bank offices will begin opening on Saturdays, November 1, Jim Park, President, announced today.

“We’re doing this to make it easier for our customers to bank with us,” Park said in making the announcement.

“Of course, we’ve had Saturday banking in the form of our Instant Banker for some time, and customers can already do much of their banking any time they want – and we’ll continue to offer this service. But now, on Saturdays, they will also be able to do such things as open accounts, apply for loans, or visit their safe deposit boxes, ” Parks said.

Saturday hours for the Dublin and East Dublin offices will be 9:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. The Rentz office will open at 9 a.m. and close at 12:00 noon.

COUNTY SCHOOLS USE NEW PROGRESS SLIPS

Progress reports do not necessarily mean bad news anymore for students in the Laurens County School System. A new student progress report has been adopted, and all students in the system will take home a slip in the middle of each nine-week grading period.

The first progress slips of the school year went out last week.

The idea is to put a more positive emphasis on the mid-term reports. It causes teachers ad administrators a little more trouble, but the parents of every student in the system will know how their children are doing in school.

Reports are made on carbon forms with a hard copy that will be kept in the school office. Students will be required to sign each time the slips are given out so that the school administration will have proof that the student received the slip if a parent might complain that he did not know how his child was doing in school.

On one side of the report there is room for the teacher to indicate these qualities:

if a student listens carefully,

if a  student completes assignments on time,

if a student applies knowledge in testing situations,

if a student makes wise use of time,

if a student completes assignments with care,

if a student is courteous and mannerly,

if a student attends school regularly,

if a student assumes responsibility,

if a student shows respect for school’s and other’s        property,   

if a student is cooperative,

if a student shows respect for authority, and

if a student works effectively with others.

“LADIES OF THE JURY”

“Ladies of the Jury,” a show that enjoyed a long Broadway run, has been selected by the Thespian  Troupe of Dublin High School as its fall production. It will be presented on Thursday, November 6, and Saturday, November 8, in the Dublin Junior High School Auditorium.

The setting for the first act is a courtroom were the defendant, Mrs. Yvette Gordon, a French Broadway showgirl, is being tried for the murder of her husband. The second and third acts take place in the jury room where Mrs.Crane, a wealthy, prominent New Jersey citizen, manages to influence the votes of other jurors.

Cast in the lead role of Mrs. Crane is Judy Griner with other major roles being played by Dorrie Joiner, Cathy Hess, Chuck Hall,Craig Williamson, Fred Byers, Bo Edwards, and Alan James.

Others in the cast are Lauren Hall LaGina Blash, Susan Shuler, Rock Bussell, Jon Taylor, Willie Pittman, John Kisalus, Ricky Hagler, Taffy Porter, Dee Hammond, Betsy Frost, Kathleen Amis, Angela Graham, Melody Hatcher, Ellen Griffith, Dorthea Williamson, Beverly Grimes, Amy Allums, Charles Clements, David Ratledge,,Robert Green, Joey Lord, Timothy Hurd, and Greg Mimbs.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased from any member of the Dublin High School Drama Club. The admission is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for students.

The play is under the direction of R. Lynn Wooddy, sponsor of Thespian Troupe 669.

FEDERAL LAND BANK STOCKHOLDERS MEET

Curtis Beall, President of Federal Land Bank Association of Dublin, welcomed a crowd in excess of 400 members to the annual Stockholders meeting, which was held on Thursday evening at the Agriculture Center.

Students from the Lowndes County High School Swing Group of Valdosta, directed by Mrs. Dorothy Carter, presented musical entertainment for the audience before a delicious meal, prepared by Sweat’s Bar B Que, was served.

Counties served by the FLBA of Dublin are Laurens, Johnson, Wilkinson, Treutlen, Dodge, Telfair, Bleckley, and Twiggs.

The Board of Directors is made up of the following: 

Jake T. Burch – Eastman

Morris T. Riner, Jr., Vice Chairman – Kite

J. Roy Malone – Dexter

Leon Phillips, Jr. – Soperton

Preston Stamps, Chairman of the Board, – Plainfield

EAST DUBLIN BAPTIST WOMEN MEET

The Baptist Women of the East Dublin Baptist Church held their regular monthly meeting on October 13 at the home of Mrs. Herschel Cochran on Hobbins Drive with Mrs. Grace Harden presiding. 

Mission Action Chairman Mrs. Eddie Sammons reported on plans for members to go to Dublinaire Nursing Home on Thrsday night.

Because of the organization of a Baptist Young Women group, several vacancies needed to be filled for officers for 1975-76. Mrs. Woodrow Peavy, Mrs. Edward Hall, and Mrs. J.D. Harrison were named co-chairmen for the Enlistment Committee.

Delicious refreshments were served at the close of the meeting.

Members present were Mrs. Lola Ethridge, Mrs. Gene Windham, Mrs. Hattaway, Mrs. Herbert Renfroe, Mrs. J.D. Mullins, Mrs. Buddy Hall, Mrs. Archie McAfee, Mrs. Beacham, Mrs. W.A. Burns, Mrs. Sammons, Mrs. Edward Hall, Mrs. Woodrow Foskey, and Mrs. J.D. Harrison.

Visitors were Mrs. Ben Maddox, Mrs. Ronnie Powell, and Mrs. Charles Dover, who are now members of the Baptist Young Women’s group.