Time capsule

As reported 23 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News-Times, Wednesday, May 26, 1982:

Justices of the peace resign

A new state law that goes into effect July 1 and changes the income of the justices of the peace has prompted two Columbia County justices to resign.

Gov. George Busbee has accepted the resignations of the Rev. Ralph Hogan of Martinez and Currie B. Morris of Appling from their posts as justices of the peace.

The new law will change the income of justices of the peace from a fee collection to a flat salary system. Fees will then be pooled, and salaries will be allotted monthly based on full-time and part-time work.

"I don't think it's going to work," said Hogan. "There's not enough money in the services rendered to pay half of (the justices of the peace) a salary, let alone all of them."

Morris agreed with Hogan but said the main reason he resigned is that it was time for him to retire after 20 years.

Hogan made $700 in fees collected last year, while Morris made only about $35 because he stopped issuing warrants when he became disgusted with the system.

Grovetown awaits recall

A petition was submitted for verification to the Grovetown mayor's office May 18 requesting the removal of City Councilwoman Mary Ann Vinson from office.

City Clerk Darleen Plunkett said she has 30 days to verify the 237 signatures on the petition. If the names represent 30 percent of the voters who were registered during the general election, the city will be required to hold a recall election within 45 days.

The petitioners' main complaint concerned the sewer system. Vinson backed a $1,700 above-ground survey and sewer system study.

"We felt that many people have good septic systems in this city. It was never proven that a new one would work better," said Ed East, petition chairman.

Photography displayed

The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center opened up an exhibition of late 19th century documentary photography. William E. Wilson's exhibition, "William E. Wilson, Deep South Photographer," will remain on view through June 27.

According to Dennis O'Kain, coordinator of the exhibition, "Wilson certainly was not the first American documentary photographer. Earlier work that comes immediately to mind includes the thorough documentation of the Civil War by Matthew Brady and his teams of photographers."

Wilson is respected for the technical quality of his work and the admirable simplicity and directness of his vision.