10 YEARS AGO
An open drainage ditch between 10th and 12th streets in Havana had residents fired up at this month’s town council meeting John Blount, whose property backs up to the ditch, was at the meeting to voice his concerns about “standing water and snakes” resulting from the open ditch. Town manager Howard McKinnon said he would look into grant possibilities at an upcoming grants seminar.
20 YEARS AGO
Gadsden officials and members of the press were invited by Dean Raymond Fielding of the FSU School of Motion Pictures to tour the school’s recently renovated building located at the Gadsden 10/90 Commercial Park. The facility was the former Pegasus Studio built by recording artist Bruce Trucks. The majority of an alcohol study committee appointed by the Havana Town Council recommended Sunday sales be allowed in bona fide restaurants from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. in the city limits of Havana. Bona fide meant 75 percent of the restaurant’s gross sales were from food sales.
30 YEARS AGO
The county commission, after hearing presentations by Peter Brown and Kinson Cook, voted unanimously to give the job of overseeing the construction of the new Gadsden County jail to Cook. The estimated cost was $3,700,000 and time to construct was 15 months. County Commissioner Paul Nicholson announced that the 911 system was in the process of being reorganized to have a central dispatching system for the entire county.
40 YEARS AGO
Walter McGill of Midway, representing the Midway Community Council, told Gadsden County commissioners that the Midway residents wanted to incorporate. He listed priorities from a recent citizens’ poll that included paved roads, recreation, health services and fire protection. Hugh Moreland of Havana and his reconditioned Stearman bi-wing plane took “Best In Show” during the Fly-In at the Quincy Airport. Also taking part in the two-day event from Havana were Calvin Smith, Bo Auburn and Louis Hurst.
50 YEARS AGO
Miller Chevrolet Company and Havana Motor Company were authorized motor vehicle inspection stations starting June 1st. The new state mandatory check cost $1.75 which did not include any corrective work needed on the car. Two county races were set for the Second Primary Election on May 28. Hal Davis, attorney and farmer who led the primary ticket, faced runner-up R.D. Woodard, Jr., well known Quincy farmer and businessman, for District 10 State Representative. Also, George Hamilton, primary leader, faced Deputy Robert Hathcock, runner-up, for the office of Constable District 1.
60 YEARS AGO
The 31 Brownies and Girl Scouts attending the Girl Scout Day Camp at Glen Julia Park included Dianne Donaldson, Margaret Arrington, Debbie Duke, Nancy Miller, Charlotte Touchton, Nellie Bly Wilcox, Connie Jowers, Wanda Touchton, Beth Truluck, Cheree Blackburn, Faye Shofner, Glenda Odom, Cecila Trippe, Sara Ann Strange, Barbara Davidson, Ramona Bowen, Ruth Ann Blackman, Gail Bailey, Karen Bell, Suzanne Shelfer, Brenda Browning, Bonnie Jane Moore, Peggy Hunt, Cecilia Smith, Barbara Smith, Mary Long and Kay Gregory, Jane and Ann Bert, Betty Jo Smith and Martha Arrington. The redemption of $35,000 in hospital bonds was authorized by the Gadsden County commission. Redemption was running five years ahead of schedule on the original bond amount of $400,000 that was issued in 1948. With the payment, the county owed $80,000.
70 YEARS AGO
John C. Hinson of Quincy, who was appointed by Governor Caldwell to finish out the unexpired term of George W. Munroe on the Gadsden County School Board, was nominated for a four-year term by the local Democratic Executive Committee and was unopposed in the recent election. The Gadsden County Rural Housing Committee designated the period from June 1 through June 5 as “Gadsden County Clean-Up Week” and asked residents to clean up their homes, barns, yards, farms, rubbish piles and any other area that might be in need of it.