Time capsule

As reported in The Columbia News 32 years ago, Jan 22, 1970

Group files suit against Blanchard

The Columbia County Taxpayers Association announced through their elected officers, Dillard Watkins, chairman, Lee McConnell, secretary and Mark Roper, treasurer, that they had filed suit in Columbia County Superior Court against the Columbia County school board for their illegal tax increase.

The courts granted an injunction against the school board and will not allow them to use any of the over one-half million dollars collected in the allegedly illegal tax increase. The case will be tried before Columbia County Superior Court in Appling on Feb. 18, 1970 at 11 a.m.

Another suit was filed in Superior Court against School Superintendent John Pierce Blanchard charging discrimination against the school children of Columbia County because the schools are not accredited by the Southern Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.

Destruction by vandals over weekend

Vandals struck again in Martinez Saturday night.

A section of fence around Gibbs Field was destroyed and a cracker machine and a soft drink machine located at the car wash across from Gibbs Field were broken into.

George Kelly, owner of the car wash, said that the vandals didn't get much for their efforts. The soft drink machine was empty and the crackers stolen from the other machine were stale. The crime was reported about 12 o'clock Saturday night when two young people saw two boys and a girl at the car wash leave quickly in a truck.

Negotiations on land to continue

The Martinez Merchants Association in their meeting Tuesday night voted unanimously to continue negotiations on the purchase of land for the association.

Ray Bivens, president of the association, stated that the 15 acres of property considered are located on the Old Clark Estate adjoining the Anderson Estate.

The purpose of the purchase, according to Bivens, would be to develop a source of revenue for the Merchants Association the largest part of which would be returned to the community through such activities as Little League.

Attorney named for Grovetown

Mayor Lindsey Newman of Grovetown has announced that Jim Blanchard Jr. has been appointed to the position of city attorney for Grovetown.

Blanchard, a resident and citizen of Columbia County, is a graduate of Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Ala. He is married to the former Rebecca Ann Vernon.

Blanchard is engaged in the general practice of law with the firm of Nicholson and Fleming.