Time capsule

As reported in The Columbia News 25 years ago on Wednesday, Nov. 20. 1977.

Six candidates seek Grovetown seats

Grovetown voters will head to the polls on Dec. 7 to decide between six candidates to fill the mayoral and two council seats available.

Incumbent Leon Davidson and Eual D. Lynn are vying for the mayoral seat. Davidson feels he has exceeded his platform set two years ago including establishing a budget, appointing heads for all city departments and improving Grovetown's image.

Lynn has never run for public office and said it is difficult to put into words why he decided to enter the race.

"I won't say I am more qualified. I feel that Grovetown needs a change and that I can do the job," Lynn said. He makes no promises about what he will do in office. "I'll just do the best I can," he said.

Four people are racing to fill the two vacant city council seats: incumbents Herman Austin and Robert F. Deckert, who are challenged by James Reese and Bobby Hunsucker. Deckert said he makes no promises other than to continued progress, fairness and honesty.

Austin, a two-year council veteran, feels if he is re-elected, Grovetown residents will have someone they can ask questions and get answers. He has been a part of much of Grovetown's recent progress and will strive to balance the budget and minimize waste of city funds, he said.

Bobby Hunsucker lost the city council race by only 24 votes last time, so he decided to run again. He wants to protect property through the police department, improve fire equipment and keep council meetings open tot he public.

Groundbreaking slated for administrative complex

Though Columbia County has applied for and received a tentative 20-day extension for the Dec. 1 deadline to start construction on the new Davis Road administrative complex, it may not be needed.

Last week, the Board of Commissioners was informed of errors on the general construction contract and in county plans for the new building. The contract awarded to H.W. Duffie Construction Co. was found to have an error in the amount of the two deductibles for paving and grading resulting in a $9,000 windfall for the county.

Architect Marvin Johnson discovered the soil where the building is to be located is not suitable and must be excavated and compacted prior to the foundation construction. Johnson estimated the project to cost an extra $5,500.

The construction project, funded in part by an EDA grant, must be underway by Dec. 1 or the county will lose the $90,000 grant.

Local teacher wins cancer society award

Julia Prather, newly re-elected president of the Cancer Society Unit, received an award from Doris Belcher at the Columbia County Unit of the American Cancer Society dinner.

Prather received the award as a "symbol of her good work with the Cancer Society," Mrs. Belcher said.

Frank Sprouse Jr., Cancer Crusade Chairman for Columbia County, also received an award of appreciation.