Time capsule
As reported in The Columbia News and The Martinez-Evans Times 27 years ago, Oct. 16, 1974
Courthouse study underway
The Columbia County Commission and representatives of the Central Savannah River Area Planning and Development Commission met last Wednesday to hammer out planning objectives for the coming year.
The proposed new courthouse facility led the list of five prime objectives, followed by a county drug program, a county library, an airport study and rural water and sewerage programs.
County Commissioners agreed that a new courthouse is underway on possible locations for the facility. Commissioners and other county officials also agreed that the county desperately needs some sort of drug education program.
County holds to budget
Columbia County operated in the black for 1973, according to the annual audit presented to the county commission last Wednesday night.
The audit, prepared by Victor Markwalter and Co., showed that the county carried over a $53,819 surplus for the new year.
The audit showed that Columbia County took in $972,907 and spent $919,088. Roads and drainage took the biggest chunk of the county budget, according to the report. The county spent $323,790 for roads and bridges and the county landfill.
Gibbs Road fire station ready for full operation
The Martinez Fire Department has received numerous inquiries concerning the opening of the new fire station on Gibbs Road, now that water is available at the station.
Everything is ready for full operation as soon as the Insurance Services Office (underwriters) approves the area. The ISO establishes the classification of insurance rates and the boundaries of the fire department protective area.
Several people in the Evans area have shown interest in assisting the fire department as volunteers when operation is started and the department will be able to use everybody that is willing to help.
Patrick Blanchard named Christmas Seal chairman
Patrick G. Blanchard, president of the Georgia State Bank, has been named the 1974 Christmas Seal Campaign Chairman for Columbia County.
He, along with national chairman Vikki Carr, will be calling on all Columbia Countians to help put Georgia over the top in the fight against lung diseases.
Said Blanchard, ''The campaign is a crusade for knowledge. Knowledge of lung diseases, air pollution and cigarette smoking is the first step in the battle.