Time capsule

As reported 33 years ago in The Columbia News, Dec. 30, 1970:

Decoration winners

The Cooper family of Marchall Street in Martinez won the $35 first prize in the Martinez Merchants Association Christmas Decoration Contest. Second prize and $25 went to the Burnett family of Martinez for their Flores Lane home, and the $15 third prize went to Harvey Moore of Marshall Street.

Ground-breaking

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Ground-breaking ceremonies for the new Georgia State Bank of Columbia County were held at the construction site on Washington Road Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 23, 1970.

The president of the new bank will be Felton Dunaway, who will also serve on the board of directors.

Dunaway is currently serving as president of the Metropolitan State Bank in Richmond County and will stay there until the merger of Metropolitan State and Georgia Railroad banks is completed.

The bank will be the first chartered in Columbia County in several decades.

Christmas donations

Members of the Martinez-Evans Jaycees distributed toys, dolls, wagons and bikes to need families for Christmas following a successful collection drive. The campaign was a "huge success," said Don Posey and Billy Becton of the Jaycees.

Harlem award

Air Force Col. Jerry E. Conner of Harlem was promoted from lieutenant colonel and received the Meritorious Service Medal in a Washington, D.C. ceremony. Conner was cited for performance of outstanding service during his three-year stay in Europe, where he held the position of director of international law, Headquarters, United States Air Force.

Conner is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L.M. Conner of Harlem.

Tye retirement

Columbia County Extension Agent W.R. Tye announced his retirement will be Dec. 31, 1970, after serving 35 years as county agent. The past 21 of those years have been in Columbia County.

Tye's successor in the position will be Wendell Stubbs, who earned a masters degree from the University of Georgia and for the past five years has been an assistant county agent in Elbert and Clark counties.

Youth, minority board

A legislative subcommittee headed by state Rep. Bobby Johnson has called for the appointment of an ombudsman to hear complaints from Georgia youth and minorities.

Johnson, chairman of the House Social Disorder and Generation Gap Study Committee, said his panel wants the ombudsman to "educate the 'establishment' and provide a safety valve for frustrated release for the young."

Johnson explained that the ombudsman would act as a direct intermediary between the public and the government.

Johnson's committee, created by Speaker George L. Smith following several disorders in the state such as the riots in Augusta and Atlanta, reported a "growing undercurrent of hate, distrust and rebellion among a large segment of Georgia's youth and minority groups."