Time capsule

As reported 38 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, Feb. 6, 1969:

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Salaries, garbage dominate meeting

In a lengthy session Tuesday, the Columbia County Commission opened bids for supplying gas, oil and tires for county vehicles, approved a raise for county deputies and set up a public meeting to air garbage problems.

Sinclair Refining Co. of Harlem was low bidder on supplying gas, oil and grease for county vehicles. The company, owned by Larry Prather, bid 14.29 cents per gallon of gas. The next low bidder was Humble Oil and Refining Co. with a bid of 14.5 cents per gallon.

Holloway Tire Co. of Augusta submitted the low bid for tires.

Sheriff Edward Tankersley asked commissioners to approve a $120 a year raise for deputies for the next five years "to keep Columbia County deputies in line (salary wise) with Richmond County."

Tankersley said he has already lost "one good man" to Richmond County because of the salary difference.

In other business, County Agent W.R. Tye told commissioners that disposal of garbage in the county is becoming a serious problem.

In some areas, contractors pick up refuse - principally Martinez, Grovetown and Harlem. However, in outlying areas, he said, many county citizens are dumping trash along roads and any other space available.

Tye proposed a centrally located, county-maintained garbage dump with a guard on duty to see that refuse is disposed of in the right place.

Park planned for Grovetown

Arthur Manus, chairman of the Grovetown Youth Activities Committee, announced that Grovetown purchased a 10-acre tract of land to be used for a community recreation center. The land was purchased with funds donated to the Youth Activities Committee and matched by the city.