Time Capsule

As reported 36 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, Jan. 15, 1970:

Merchants make plans for building

The board of directors of the Martinez Merchants Association has endorsed a proposal to make plans for a permanent home with an area large enough to house all of their activities in 1970.

Negotiations are under way for the purchase of a suitable property. Further action is expected to be taken by the association at their regularly scheduled meeting in January.

Raymond Bivens, president of the association, explained that business trends should be good in 1970 and that the Martinez area would in all likelihood benefit from the trends and experience considerable expansion in the 1970s.

Jackson clarifies federal aid issue

Chairman William S. Jackson of the Columbia County Board of Education issued a statement today in an effort to clarify recent news articles concerning federal aid in education to the Columbia County school system.

Jackson said that recent news articles in the daily papers had stated the Columbia County school system was receiving federal aid to its schools. Jackson said this is correct, but the statement did not go far enough to explain the situation for people to clearly understand the problems surrounding federal aid to Columbia County schools.

Principal featured

Melvin Johnson, principal of Bel Air Elementary School, was one of the platform speakers in Louisville last Wednesday night when the town observed "Spike Jones Day."

The day was in honor of John Amos Jones III, a former student and football player for Louisville High School.

The program was held at the National Guard Armory. Featured speaker was Vince Dooley, head football coach at the University of Georgia.

Johnson formerly coached Jones at Louisville High.

Reese elected

At the annual Martinez Volunteer Fire Department meeting, business included the election of Jack G. Reese to the board of directors for a term of three years. Reese has served as assistant fire chief for the past two years. Also elected for a three-year term was Bill Howland, who for several years has served in the capacity of training instructor.

Other business included approval of raising subscribers' fees to $15 per year.