Time capsule
As reported in The Columbia News 24 years ago, Dec. 7, 1977
Board approves Harlem site
The Columbia County Board of Education unanimously approved the report of the site selection committee recommending Harlem as the location for the new comprehensive high school during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday.
The site for the new Harlem school is located approximately two miles north of Harlem on Highway 221. After approval of the site recommended by the committee, the Board authorized the school system administrative staff to proceed with negotiations with site representatives and owners to procure the site.
The Board also heard a report from architects on the building schedule of the new Evans comprehensive high school It was reported that progress is approximately one month behind schedule due to the delay on the site selection for the Harlem school.
Republican Party organizes
The Columbia County Republican Party held its organizational meeting Tuesday night, Dec. 6, and elected its principal officers. Selected for the various offices were Dick Pierce, chairman; Stan White, vice chairman; and John Shead, secretary and temporary treasurer.
The group also adopted its bylaws and set its monthly meetings for the second Tuesday. The county unit plans to organize in every voting district and has been promised guidance from the district, state and national level, if needed.
Budget hearing
A dispute over a pay increase for a county employee ended the latest Columbia County Board of Commissioners' budget hearing.
Eleven department budgets were examined during the five-hour long hearing held in Appling Saturday, Dec. 3. But a clash between Chairman Lynn Norris and Comptroller John J. O'Brien over a $5,000 salary increase for the comptroller in the budget request abruptly ended the meeting.
During the all-day budget hearing, the commissioners tentatively approved the budgets of the Department of Family and Children Services, Health Department, Board of Registrars, Tax Commissioner and ambulance service. The sheriff's office was cut $1,300.
Deputies request pay hike
Requests from 11 sheriff's deputies for a pay increase and heated exchanges between Chairman Lynn Norris and three commissioners highlighted the Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning, Dec. 6.
The Board was approached by Deputy Sheriff Larry Knight and 10 other deputies who requested a pay raise of a minimum of $200 per month. The deputies stated that because of recent court rulings, the meal allowance they have been receiving will become taxable income and will result in a $20 decrease in their take home pay.