Time capsule
As reported in The Columbia News 23 years ago on Wednesday, June 25, 1980.
Jury to determine future of local adult bookstore
Columbia County Superior Court Judge William M. Fleming, Jr. ruled on Thursday, June 19 that a jury trial will be held to determine if Esquire H.S. Inc. should be allowed to operate an adult bookstore in the county.
Judge Fleming ruled that Esquire H.S. Inc. violated a county zoning ordinance passed May 16, before the business began operation, and was misrepresented by the owner on an application for an occupational business license. The president of the corporation, Paul Treants, applied for an occupational tax for a newsstand arcade April 16.
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Glenn Zell, attorney for the defendants, argued that no ordinances were in effect for adult bookstores in the county when the occupational business license was applied for and that there was also no definition of "pornography" in the county code of ordinances at the time.
County Attorney A. Rowland Dye requested that the business remain closed because it had operated without a current occupational business license. The business also violated three county zoning ordinances because it was located too close to a building used for religious purposes, a private residential dwelling and a regular school bus stop.
GIW honors retiree
Matthew Quitman Roland, retiring after more that 30 years with Georgia Iron Works, was presented a gold watch by Thomas Hagler, Jr., President of GIW.
Roland, known as 'M.Q.' by his fellow workers, was honored last week at a dinner given by his company as a Machinist in the Machine Shop.
As Roland accepted his watch, he said he "had enjoyed his many years with the company and enjoyed working with his fellow employees."
Parking spaces for the handicapped to be patrolled
The State Patrol has announced that beginning in July, Georgia's handicapped drivers will find parking more accessible in public lots with designated handicapped spaces. The patrol will begin issuing permits to handicapped drivers on July 1, allowing only these persons to park legally in officially reserved spaces.
Permits will be issued through the License Examining stations statewide at a cost of $3. This law also places a fine up to $40 for anyone parking illegally in a reserved handicapped space.
According to Col. Hugh Hardison, commissioner of public safety, "We feel this service will be extremely helpful to the handicapped drivers of Georgia and we are thankful to the General Assembly for allowing us to extend it for the public at this time."