Time capsule

As reported 30 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News and The Martinez-Evans Times, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 1980:

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New jail planned

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners took action on Tuesday, Dec. 2, to have an architectural plan drawn for a new jail, to fund the new Harlem Library to be located in the Walton House and to regulate gold and silver dealers.

The board approved an agreement with the firm of William Hughes and Rob- ert Beattie to design a new jail.

The area behind the current jail has been tentatively chosen as the site for a new jail.

Library needs funds

The Columbia County Gibbs Memorial Library Building Fund is seeking donations.

The current level of donations stands at $8,076.50.

Superintendent Blanchard retires

The members of the Columbia County Board of Education held their final regular meeting of 1980 on Tuesday, Dec. 2, and it was also the final regular meeting for Superintendent John Pierce Blanchard, who is retiring.

Blanchard read a memoriam for the late Jabez Sanford Hardin, to whom the library at the new Evans Comprehensive High School was dedicated. Hardin preceded Blanchard as superintendent of Columbia County schools.

New laws proposed

State Rep. William S. "Bill" Jackson held two meetings on Dec. 1 and 2 to explain bills he plans to introduce in the coming session of the legislature and to gain input from Columbia Countians on those and other issues.

Jackson discussed two companion bills on the homestead exemption in Columbia County, which he plans to introduce in January. The first would allow a $25,000 homestead exemption for those people 62 and older or totally disabled. The second bill would increase the general homestead exemption from the current $2,000 level to between $5,000 and $15,000.

Jackson intends to introduce the bills, he said, because "the people 62 and older are being hurt more than anybody by inflation."

Girl wins bike

Beth Marie Sarafin, 8-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sarafin of Martinez, recently won a 10-speed Schwinn Varsity bicycle in a nationwide contest sponsored by Kellog.

A third-grader at Westmont Elementary School, Beth Marie drew a poster of "Toucan Sam," picturing the character sitting up in a tree eating a balanced breakfast. The entry in the "Stick Up for Breakfast" contest was drawn with colored ink pens.

Her prize was provided by McElmurray's on Davis Road.