Time capsule

As reported in The Columbia News and The Martinez-Evans Times, 24 years ago, on Wednesday, Mar. 8, 1978.

Commission stands by ruling

The Columbia County Commission upheld a decision by the previous commission during yesterday's regularly scheduled meeting in Appling. They granted Claussen Paving Company the right to lease and operate a rock quarry behind Columbia Junior High.

During the previous commission's administration, Claussen was granted approval for the quarry. The Columbia County School Board finances a study at the time which concluded that the quarry was hazardous because it would be so close to the school.

The school board stopped the quarry through a court case. Claussen then appealed to the Georgia State Supreme Court, and won.

Davis Road retains name

After listening to many arguments against changing the name of Davis Road to Walton Way, the Columbia County Planning Commission unanimously decided to leave the name as is.

Planning Commission Director Steve Szablewski said that name change was considered because the merchants on Davis Road and in West Town Shopping Center had requested it. They had claimed that the present situation is confusing, because Walton Way changes named three times in two miles.

Citizens who voiced opposition to the change said that Davis Road was named for Ms. Kate Davis, called a "friend to humanity" and "a very great lady." They stated that the name of the road is a way of paying tribute to Ms. Davis, and they don't want to change it.

Citizens League pushes bill

State Senator Sam McGill has drawn fire from the Martinez-Evans Citizens League because he has stated that he would not sponsor a bill establishing a State Court in Columbia County.

In a letter to the Senator, Charles Wilkinson, Chairman of the League, urged that McGill assure the League and the citizens of Columbia County that the legislation will be introduced and passed next year.

Wilkinson stated in the letter that the Probate Judge of Columbia County "may be violating the due process rights of each defendant who appears before her."

The League Chairman called it a "bad system which allows a defendant to be tried before and fined by a judge who has a vested interest in the outcome of the case or the size of the fine."

Senator McGill said that he is against the proposed legislation because it "takes duties away from the Probate Judge."