The Fayette Citizen-Special Sections

Wednesday, March 1, 2000

News

F'ville releases info; Bryant may sue

Former Fayetteville city manager Michael Bryant is considering legal action against at least one city employee who recently charged him with creating a hostile working environment.

Main Street director not happy with city response

Fayetteville Main Street director Sherri Anderson said this week she is not satisfied with the city's handling of her sexual harassment and retaliation complaint against former city manager Michael Bryant.

Related Letters

Charges, counter-charges fly in F'ville city manager controversy

City employee: 'Extremely uncomfortable'

City manager responds to harrassment charges

PTC resurrects West Village annexation

Peachtree City Councilwoman Carol Fritz is willing to reconsider her vote against lifting an annexation moratorium in the city, she said this week.

PTC may reappoint high bidder for attorney

After two delays, the City Council of Peachtree City is expected to reappoint its sitting municipal judge and current city attorneys at tomorrow night's regular meeting. The issue involves brewing controversy about City Attorney James Webb's ties to a local bank board, which includes developers who have sued or are currently suing the city.

BOE posts $1000 teacher signing bonus

We'll give you a $1,000 signing bonus if you'll teach math, science or special education in Fayette schools, the Fayette County Board of Education said Monday night.

Church arson suspect, 10, arrested here

Police have filed a juvenile complaint against a 10-year-old Fayetteville youth in connection with a fire Monday afternoon at the First Baptist Church.

Funding decided, architect chosen for jail project

Architectural group Ingram-Parris from Valdosta, Ga. will design Fayette County's new jail and courthouse complex.

Fayetteville man arrested for selling illegal cable boxes

A Fayetteville man has been arrested for possessing and selling illegal cable descramblers, the result of a recent undercover investigation.

Fayetteville's Village plan delayed again

The Village, a 110-acre mixed-use development planned for Ga. Highway 54 at Tiger Trail, has been delayed again.

Animal ER coming to Fayette

A pair of local veterinarians in coming months will build a 3,000-sq. ft. emergency clinic for pets on Ga. Highway 54 east of Fayetteville.

P&Z: Security gate 'sends wrong message'

Fayetteville's new free-standing Eckerd drug store needs a roll-down security gate over its entrance to protect itself from crime, says a company official.

Lake residents weighing their options

Residents of the homes surrounding Lake Stevens, on Lester Road off Ga. Highway 54 west between Peachtree City and Fayetteville, say they don't know what to do next

Hearing set in developer's lawsuit

A Superior Court hearing is set for March 17 to determine whether developer P.K. Dixon's lawsuit against the city of Fayetteville will continue.

Highway confrontation leads to weapons charge

A Smyrna man faces weapons charges after an incident on a Fayetteville highway last week.

Chamber members updated on state issues

Green space was on the mind of Gov. Roy E. Barnes as he met with a delegation from the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce last week.

New Fayette Libertarian Party sets first meeting

Jack Cashin, Libertarian candidate for governor in 1998 and Senate in 1996, will speak at the first meeting of Fayette County's new Libertarian Party tomorrow.

School calendar for 2001-2002 approved

Fayette County school children will start the 2001-2002 school year on a Friday, based on the Board of Education's approval of the new calendar.

Eighth grader Tracy Welch in top speller

Tracy Welch, an eighth grader at Rising Starr Middle School, doesn't need spell-check.

Regents' panel names finalist for presidency at Clayton State

Three finalists for the presidency of Clayton College & State University are under consideration by University System of Georgia Chancellor Stephen R. Portch and the Board of Regents' special committee, chaired by Regent Juanita Powell Baranco with Regents Glenn S. White and James D. Yancey also serving.

Tyrone to discuss Founders Day

Although the calendar says March, this week's meeting of the Tyrone Town Council will have a little fall flavor to it.

Prime Timers

In talking with numerous survivors of cancer in Fayette County, and doing research for the following articles, a few things came through loud and clear.

The amount of information regarding cancer is overwhelming and is changing daily.

New treatments are available, new knowledge is being discovered and the long-term survival rate for those encountering the various forms of cancer is increasing.

Early detection of cancer is important, if not critical.

A good support system can greatly increase survival rate and have a positive impact on quality of life.

Taking an active role and listening to “gut” feelings in individual health care is a must.

The information in this section barely touches on the many facets of cancer. Information for the articles in the section was compiled from talking with numerous Fayette County cancer survivors and volunteers and checking many of the resources listed in the “Researching Cancer Options” article and in talking with various members of the American Cancer Society's 24-hour staff.

The faces of cancer in Fayette
Although the statistics regarding cancer may not seem encouraging, the future regarding cancer is growing brighter.
Early detection and taking charge of recovery are vital
Janet Beebe is a “real advocate for self-exam.” Beebe discovered her breast cancer while breast-feeding her third child close to 17 years ago.
 
Smith bounces back, gets involved helping others
Robyn Smith, 52, was shocked to find out she had breast cancer. Her mother had breast cancer in her 60s, and Smith had mentally anticipated the possibility, but not so early in life. She said, “When I first found out it was very unsettling. I said, `Why me?' Then I said, `Why not me?'”
 
Plenty of local opportunities to find support, get involved
Data support the convictions of many local cancer survivors — a good support system is key to surviving cancer and maintaining a positive outlook.
 
Researching cancer options
When someone is first told he or she has cancer, the reactions are as varied as the individuals and types of cancer.
 
Hearing aids provide important benefits
Hearing aids are remarkable devices. These small electronic instruments can make the difference between hearing and not hearing. They can allow a person to continue working, make communication with family and friends easier, or help a child learn how to speak.
Business

Home businesses are boomingHome businesses are booming

In the last two months, the numbers have staggered the metro Atlanta region: Coca Cola laying off 6,000 workers, BellSouth laying off more than 2,000.

Why aren't we hiring older workers?
By GREGORY SMITH
Business Columnist

I recently struck a nerve in a column I wrote called, “New Ideas Creating a More Productive Work Environment.” I began the column with this paragraph:

Patton opens super center in Newnan

The Mike Patton Auto family is proud to announce the grand opening of a new automotive super center in Newnan.

Regions Bank is offering online option

Local businesses can now access their bank accounts online thanks to a new Internet-based product offered by Regions Bank.

Gill-roys expands store and product line

Gill-Roys managers from Flint, Mi. made the trip south last month to help expand the Peachtree City store.

Fayetteville's dining options are about to increase again

The city's Planning Commission has approved development plans for a Ruby Tuesday restaurant on nine tenths acre at the southeast corner of Uptown Square.

Sports

FCHS to honor some great athletes from school's history

Fayette County High School has had a long and storied history.

Teams beat up on county rivals

The weekend saw two sets of regional soccer opponents and county rivals meet and the results were rather lopsided. McIntosh traveled to Tiger Stadium on Saturday afternoon and struck early and often.

Big perfomances give local teams victories

The Sandy Creek baseball team traveled to Peachtree City on Friday night to take on the McIntosh Chiefs and they came out swinging. Catcher Rusty Bennett drove in 2 RBIs at the top of the first, but it would not take long for McIntosh to respond. First baseman Blake Watson hit a 2 run homer at the bottom of the first to give the Chiefs a 3-2 advantage. Watson would hit a homerun in each of his three at-bats on Friday night, ultimately driving in four RBIs.

Sports Calendar

Weekend

Down home country concert to benefit Fayette's seniors

If you're a fan of country music and would like to support local artists as well as a good cause in the community, head out Saturday to the fourth annual Country Music Concert benefiting Fayette Senior Services.
Rockin' Amphitheater Summer Concert Series planned
Get the picnic baskets, coolers and blankets ready — the Webb, Stuckey and Lindsey Summer Concert Series at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater is returning with the likes of the Righteous Brothers and Kansas
 
FirstStage to perform 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe' in PTC
“Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. This story is about something that happened to them when they were sent away from London during the war because of the air raids.”
Ramsey among distinguished alumni being honored this weekend
Fayette County High School will honor four former students this Saturday at their first Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
 
Students send canine friend to guide dog school
Students at Peachtree City United Methodist Pre-Kindergarten and their families succeeded in raising $600 in change to send Rachel, a chocolate lab, to school for training as a guide dog.
 
Career day encourages future workforce
Is your job adventurous and sometimes risky, or safe and secure?

Good deed on Deep Creek
By SALLIE SATTERTHWAITE
sallies@juno.com

To call a swamp a swamp may be politically incorrect in today's heightened awareness of the importance of wetlands, but having just spent a couple of weeks in northeast Florida, I'll gladly call a swamp a swamp and assure you they are deserving of every good word we can say about them.

Local band releases first CD, and starts 'In the Beginning'
Once upon a time there was a band from Fayetteville named Pandora's Box.
 

Movies

Religion

Hats off to one of Fayette's own treasures
By Rev. Dr. John Hatcher
Religion Columnist

Area ministers were sitting at the IHOP breakfast table hearing reports of God's anointed work in Birmingham, England where prayer has been the focus. Spontaneously, without any prompting or coaching, Rev. Jim Willis said, “Well, let's have a prayer meeting at our church tonight.” He followed through by personally inviting many other ministers and calling his own members. That night we heard wonderful reports of what God was doing in England and we prayed!

Atlanta City Church to host Unity Service this Sunday

South Metro churches will come together Sunday, March 5 for the area's first Unity Celebration of the new millennium. Atlanta City Church will serve as host church. The event begins at 6 p.m.

Berachah schedules conference to discuss creation and evolution

Berachah Bible Church will host a two-day conference on “Answers in Genesis,' with the main topic being “Creation or evolution? What do you believe?”

Inman United Methodist Church plans Sunday afternoon Lenten video series

A six-part video series is being sponsored by the Discipleship Development Team at Inman United Methodist Church. The series will be held on the six Sunday afternoons of Lent in the church Fellowship Hall from 3-4:30 p.m., beginning March 12.

Hope House presents fashion show and luncheon fund raiser

“The Sound of Music” will be the theme of this year's annual fund-raising fashion show and luncheon sponsored by Hope House, a ministry of the Southwest Christian Hospice. The event is scheduled for Sunday, March 12 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Atlanta Airport Hilton. Karyn Greer, news anchor for WXIA-TV, will host the event.

Habitat for Humanity applications will be taken Saturday in Morrow

Fayette County residents who think they may qualify to purchase a Habitat for Humanity home are invited to a workshop on Saturday, March 4, at the First Baptist Church of Morrow. The workshop will start at 9 a.m. and will end at noon. Homeowner applications will be accepted at the workshop. Applicants must meet certain requirements to qualify. A spokesperson explains:

Providence UMC hosts weight loss seminar

Julie Morris, author of the weight loss program, “Step Forward,” will host a seminar at Providence UMC Sunday, March 5 from 1-4 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at the church office. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Liane Duffy at 770-719-9546.

Divorce care/support group starts March 12

A 13-week divorce care/support group will be held at the Peachtree City United Methodist Church beginning Sunday, March 12 from 10:45 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Facilitators will be Susan Scheuer and Jim Stevens.

Religion Briefs

Opinion

Education bill's gems are buried in dung
By DAVE HAMRICK
Editor-at-large

It looks like the education bill is a done deal, pretty much.

Coweta's redistricting plan: Will Fayette see some version of it
By AMY RILEY
One Citizen's Perspective

On Feb. 8 of this year, the Coweta County Board of Education adopted new boundary lines for seven of their 15 elementary schools, effective this fall.

Some local legislators played reform games
By LEE N. HOWELL
Politically Speaking

When Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes came into office, he succeeded a governor who had a reputation as an “education” governor, but one who had been unwilling to try and overhaul the state's bloated education bureaucracy.

Spamming the globe...
BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines
 
By law, to write this “spamming” article, I have to mention the “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire” TV show. My only fear is there is little left to make fun of this albatross of a show over Fox's neck. Personally, I don't see what the problem was. I think the secrets uncovered about the groom aren't really any more amazing than what most people find out about their spouses after they get married. Just in most non-TV show situations, it takes longer to get to the truth.

Letters to the Editor

Funny thing about taxes: they don't go away

The cat is out of the bag, as Citizen editor-at-large Dave Hamrick told us last week that he tends to favor a sales tax (to pay for the courthouse and jail) and that he'd rather let future residents pay for whatever construction is needed in five years, on the ground “there's plenty to go around.”

Sales tax makes criminal out of ordinary businessman

I greatly enjoyed your column in today's Citizen Opinion and I agree with you on every thing except the sales tax issue. I would not mind a national sales tax to replace the income tax, if there was a foolproof way of doing it. The way it is being done now is an abomination.

PTC Development Authority has interesting ethical history

Do you remember Mr. Wright Lipford? In 1985, this man was a beam of ethical light in the convoluted fog of conflicts of interest that blows into Peachtree City from time to time.

PTC annexation profits only the developers

Buried in the Feb. 28 edition of the Atlanta Journal and Constitution were two very small articles regarding Peachtree City. Though the articles were small in size, only one and two paragraphs, the subjects they spoke of will have a huge impact on our city and its residents.

Flying Confederate flag in Southerns' right

The letter from Timothy J. Parker of Peachtree City moved me to sit down to my computer and give my thoughts on his letter.

County jail decision puts cart before horse

Anyone attending the Feb. 24 Fayette County Commission meeting heard the board's justification for voting to approve the public facilities authority (no taxpayer approval required) method of financing the courthouse and jail project.

Soccer story missed the shot

This letter is in regard to a newspaper article that was published in The Citizen, Wednesday, Feb. 23, by M. Boylan about the Fayette County varsity soccer game against Eagle's Landing.

How soon we forget...

“How soon we forget.” We have all heard that phrase many times and I think the recall petition of the Fayette County Commissioners proves how true that is.

Say no to The Village in F'ville

I understand that the proposed new development in Fayetteville called “The Village” is a very pleasing to look at and has some good development plans. But I oppose it, as do many people in my neighborhood.

Looking for help with Project Linus

Judy Simpson, a volunteer with Project Linus, is looking for other volunteers to help her make blankets for children who have had traumatic experiences. She would appreciate your support by announcing to the public, anyone who would like to help may contacting her by either e-mail, 2BIKERS_JAGS@prodigy.netor phone at 770-716-9968.