Time capsules

As reported 30 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News and The Martinez-Evans Times, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 1974:

Beer sales begin

Columbia County commissioners voted 3-2 to set the opening date on accepting applications for beer and wine licenses as Nov. 12, 1974.

Licenses for retail sale of beer and consumption on premises will cost $200 per year. Licenses for off-premises consumption will cost $175 per year.

A wine license is $75 per year.

Busbee, Miller win

In the General Election, the Democratic Party took many key positions from Republicans. In Columbia County, the vote was overwhelming for the Democrats.

George Busbee won the governor's office over Republican Macon Mayor Ronnie Thomson. Democrat Zell Miller won the lieutenant governor's position.

Locally, Democrat Ray Owens defeated Republican Dillard Watkins for the 77th District seat in the Georgia House of Representatives.

Citizens meeting

An organizational meeting for concerned citizens of Columbia County will be held at Evans Baptist Church Nov. 14, 1974. Columbia County clergy recently adopted a proposal to organize this citizens group to support openness and integrity in county government.

The group would work for a "straw ballot" on the sale of beer and wine in the county. Rev. John A. Miller of Evans Baptist said, "We cannot understand three of the commissioners' total insensitivity to the feeling of the people. Their refusal even to permit a straw ballot on the issue doesn't speak well for the democratic process in our county."

New county sign

A Martinez-Evans Jaycee and Jaycette community project was completed on Nov. 2, 1974. The project involved relocating and landscaping a "Welcome to Columbia County" sign on Washington Road in Martinez.

The future widening of Baston Road and general upgrading of this major railroad crossing made it necessary to relocate the welcome sign.