This day in CCN history
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
After skipping last week, this week we are taking a look at local news that was happening 30 years ago in the October 7 and October 14, 1992, editions of “The Coosa County News.”
Thirty years ago in the October 7 edition it was reported that the Board of Education had passed a $4.8 million budget, but that certain projected revenue figures were inflated by as much as $150,000 to achieve a balanced budget. It was also noted at that time that the school systems was operating with a $350,000 note drawn on SouthTrust Bank.
Following municipal elections at the time, it was also reported that one new mayor and seven new council members were among the municipal officials sworn in during ceremonies.
In Goodwater, those included five new council members: June Pody Mann, Calvin Owens, John “Buddy” McElrath, Paul A. “Tony” Bohannon, and Linda S. Coggins. In Rockford, Mayor Wayne Windsor and two new council members, Fred Sneed and Margie Lee, took the oaths of office.
That edition also covered an event that may be hard to imagine now. However, 30 years ago the Rockford Men’s Club and the Southeastern Enduro and Trail Ride Association co-hosted a nationally sanctioned Enduro motorcycle event.
More than 200 riders from eight states; including Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Arkansas; entered the 65-mile run, with several hundred spectators also on scene.
It was noted that the Rockford Men’s Club co-hosted the event, which was held on private property north of Rockford, to raise funds for community projects such as improvements to the Rockford school playground and equipment for local schools.
The October 7, 1992, edition also reported that the Federal Women’s Club of Rockford was planning an open house for the newly renovated club building. At that time it was noted that the ladies of the club said that they like to remember the building was originally constructed with “confidence, faith and $75.65.”
That edition also reported on door prize winners announced from Coosa Communications Inc.’s open house of “The Coosa County News” office, held September 19, 1992. Jesse Perkins of Wetumpka won a 2-year subscription to the newspaper; Peggy Lane of Rockford won a large anniversary or birthday advertisement; Linda Dobson, Lucy Culpepper and Gary Patterson won smaller birthday or anniversary advertisements; and Sandra Steverson, Joyce Dunlap and Wallis Patterson won one-year subscriptions to the newspaper.
That week’s edition also announced that the Southeastern Independent Wrestlers Association was opening an office in the Ray community of Coosa County.
It was also 30 years ago that Coosa County began requiring business licenses. It was reported at that time that Coosa County had just begun collecting annual license and privilege fees in conjunction with annual state license and privilege fees.
At that time it was reported that the rates would be “one-half the state fee, but not less than $10 and not more than $100.”
Thirty years ago today, the October 14, 1992, edition reported that members of Sen. Howell Heflin’s staff would be making stops throughout Coosa County to meet with constituents and also that the newspaper’s publication day would be changing from Wednesday to Thursday as of November 1.
Other coverage included students of the Coosa County Vocational Center participating in an annual blood drive, Satrina Kelley and Jennifer Duke being recognized as the 1992 Homecoming Queen and Princess for Central Coosa, West Coosa’s homecoming and class favorites being recognized, and information on the homecoming season.
Central and West Coosa schools had held their homecoming festivities that week, with Rockford holding its homecoming the next day and Goodwater holding its homecoming later in the month.
That edition also highlighted 13 students in Traci Robinson’s English class at Rockford Elementary School who participated in an assignment to become children’s book creators. Those students were Rodney Ivey, Ronnie Ordis, Phillip Dean, Melissa Weeks, Sayuri Mitchell, Melissa Ward, Sara Guthrie, Johnathan Shurum, Heather Neighbors, Austin Pate, Clay Holbrooks, and Joey Belyeu.
See other highlights of 30 years of “The Coosa County News” periodically in future editions throughout the year as we continue to celebrate three decades of dedicated local news coverage.