Time capsule

As reported 28 years ago in The Columbia News and The Martinez-Evans Times, Jan. 28, 1976:

New rec director

Charles Beale has been employed to fill the vacancy reacted by the resignation of former Columbia County Recreation Department Director Don Dearing. Beale was chosen over six other applicants for the position.

A spokesman for the Recreation Commission said Beale is no stranger to the commission. He was considered for the position three years ago when the job was first established, but was unavailable for full-time employment due to a commitment to the Marine Corps Reserves.

When asked about his appointment, Beale said he was happy to be in Columbia County and that he thinks the program has a lot of potential.

March of Dimes roadblock

Columbia County's March of Dimes teams representing Evans and Harlem high schools and Columbia Junior High School have planned roadblocks for collecting contributions to the 1976 March of Dimes campaign in Columbia County.

Motorists are urged to drive with caution at the roadblock locations and to give generously to help in the fight against birth defects.

Brown announces

Dr. Grayson Brown officially announced his candidacy for the Evans County Commission seat at a meeting of citizens Tuesday evening.

"The whole purpose of government is to deliver services to the citizens," Brown told the group. "This can only be done by establishing a modern county administrator system with budgeting for all departments, coupled with effective personnel management on all levels of county government."

The candidate is a veterinarian with offices in Martinez and National Hills.

Rates raised

The Grovetown City Council voted to raise rates for garbage collection, water and water tap-on for 1976. Increasing costs and aging equipment, which must soon be replaced, were cited as reasons for those rate hikes.

According to Mayor Leon Davidson, the garbage collection and water rates have remained the same since 1956.

Terrorism warning

FBI Director Clarence Kelley's recent warning that terrorists may be among the celebrants at America's Bicentennial should be of serious concern to every innocent citizen.

"We have had utterances from some groups that they are going to disrupt our bicentennial," said Kelley.

Classroom planned

Augusta Country Day School on Flowing Wells Road is planning an outdoor classroom on their property in Martinez, with technical assistance from the Soil Conservation Service.

An outdoor classroom should instill in boys and girls a sense of appreciation for our natural resources.

Minister speaks

The Rev. Randy Pollard of Trinity-on-the-Hill United Methodist Church urged members of the Columbia County Exchange Club to "preserve the heritage of American freedom by daily actions."

"Government," Pollard said, "should be our servant and not our savior. Freedom should be allowed to breathe freely, and should not be smothered by the 'junk' of secularism and materialism."

STAR students

The Harlem Woman's Club is sponsoring the STAR student-teacher program for Columbia County. One student and one teacher will be selected from Harlem High School and Evans High School and will be honored by the club in its March meeting.

Each year the top academic senior in each accredited Georgia high school is named the STAR student.