The Fayette Citizen-Special Sections

Wednesday, May 17, 2000

News

Minority parents air school complaints

Are minority students treated differently by teachers, administrators and classmates from non-minority students in Fayette County schools? Yes, said many parents attending Saturday's meeting with Fayette School Superintendent John DeCotis. The meeting in Peachtree City was organized by the Fayette chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

School board eyes classrooms additions for 3 middle schools

Classroom additions to Whitewater, Booth and Fayette middle schools may be under construction by late summer if the State Board of Education approves a funding plan that would cost the Fayette County School Board $1 million to $2 million in matching funds.

Fayette faces squeeze from ARC population density guidelines

The Atlanta Regional Commission's proposed new policy on population density in the suburbs could put Fayette between a rock and a hard place, say Fayette's representatives on the ARC board.

Mixed-use Village gets OK from F'ville Council

The Village is coming to Fayetteville.

PTC-based plane crashes in Coweta; 3 slightly hurt

A vintage 1930s military plane crashed in the woods in eastern Coweta County Sunday evening, a few hours after the conclusion of the Wings Over Dixie 2000 air show.

City folks pay too much tax, study says

Residents of unincorporated Fayette County owe their neighbors in the county's cities a little over $2 million a year.

Federal jury rules against Sheriff's Department

The Fayette County Sheriff's Department has asked Judge Jack T. Camp to throw out last week's jury ruling in the wrongful firing lawsuit of a former department lieutenant.

Science students going for fifth national title

J.C. Booth's Science Olympiad team is going for its fifth national championship this week during competition in Cheney, Wash.

Fayetteville eyes 48 homes on 20 acres

Fayetteville's Planning Commission is expected to vote Tuesday on a rezoning request to allow 48 homes on 19.3 acres in west Fayetteville.

Board shuffles principals

Two elementary school principals in Peachtree City are trading places next year.

Relay for Life celebrates victory over cancer

Potato golf, hoola hoops and dancing were just a few activities on the agenda Friday night as cancer survivors and volunteers from all walks of life joined in the fight against cancer.

With no opposition, school board candidate ready to start

Janet Smola, candidate for Post 1 on the Fayette County Board of Education, faces no opposition in her bid, but that hasn't diminished her efforts to stay informed about the issues.

Volunteers are heart of senior programs

The Meals on Wheels volunteer crew is a diverse lot.

Harbour Lakes homeowner takes beef to commission

Tim Muntford, a homeowner in Harbour Lakes subdivision, has been waiting five years for the large pool and two tennis courts he believed would be built by the developer in his community.

Facilities Authority to issue jail bonds

The Fayette County Facilities Authority signed a bond resolution Thursday to begin the process of issuing $58 million in revenue bonds to build and equip a new county jail and courthouse.

Kids save pennies for rain forest

Pennies equal property to Huddleston Elementary School students.

Local firefighters team up for boot drive

The Fayetteville Fire Department and the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services are joining forces with more than 100 other fire departments across the state to participate in the 11th annual “Give Burns the Boot” drive, benefiting the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation.

Child safety to get a boost Sat.

Parents of young children can get more information on keeping those children safe at the Fayette County Safe Kids Coalition's annual Children's Safety Fair Saturday

New technology makes work out time productive

The list of reasons for Fayette countians not to work out just got shorter.

Congressional panel studies SS number, identify theft

The increasing use of Social Security numbers to electronically steal the identity of victims prompted Congress to conduct hearings last week, said Rep. Mac Collins.

County recieves payments for emergency mgt. projects

Georgia Emergency Management Agency representative Bill Blackwell presented two checks totalling $53,253.50 to Fayette County officials Tuesday.

Dining Guide

Make family memories with delicious confections
Getting together with far-flung relatives for the annual family reunion can be fun and frenetic if you happen to be the designated cook.
 
Baking for a brunch

Breakfast anyone?
By F.C. FOODIE
Food Critic

In the past few months, we've dined at some of Fayette's finest restaurants and I've occasionally guided you to a hidden dining jewel. This month, we're starting at the beginning of the food chain — breakfast.
 

Business

Barnes & Noble opens next week

After months of anticipation, Barnes & Noble is set to open its doors next Wednesday in Fayetteville.

McRae is on top of communications world

It's a place that Alice would love, but impressive enough to entertain clients from some of the biggest media buyers.

Help wanted! Good attitudes need only apply.

In an earlier article I talked about the need to train people and develop processes for employees to perform successfully.

Sports

Landmark track makes it five for five

The Landmark Christian School boys track team made it five in a row this past weekend.

PTC Flash performs well at a recent meet at Sandy Creek

The Peachtree City Flash Youth Track Team had its invitational recently at Sandy Creek High School.

Chief leader signs with Middle Georgia College

This year's MVP of the McIntosh basketball team has made a decision about which college he will attend this fall.

Family prepares for PTC youth triathlon

The triathlon is perhaps the most grueling sporting event ever created.

Tennis Center has several ALTA teams in playoffs

The Peachtree City Tennis Center had a number of teams qualify for the ALTA playoffs.

Notable

The Gridiron Club of Northern Michigan University, as well as the 1999 football team and staff, celebrated the accomplishments of the 1999 footall season at their annual football banquet.

Sports Calendar

Weekend

Champagne soul comes to PTC with Fifth Dimension show

A “stoned soul picnic” is an event full of good food, good friends and good fun.
Girls experience "Life in the 1800s" with Victorian day camp
Some would say that the kids today are out of touch with this country's past.
 
Offshoot offers drama camp this summer
Fayette County-based Offshoot Productions has announced three different week-long summer theater camps for children offered through the Community School at LaFayette Educational Center in Fayetteville.
Maybe the key is to stay home in March
By SALLIE SATTERTHWAITE
sallies@juno.com
The joke was on Dave.
Southland Chorus plans spring show
The Southland Chorus is inviting the public Saturday, May 20 to its annual Spring Show.
South Metro Rose Society to host annual show
Everything will be “coming up roses” on May 20 and 21 at the 15th annual South Metro Rose Society Rose Show. The show will be held at Hood Avenue Primary School in Fayetteville.
 
Old Courthouse Art Show returns this weekend
Spring is in the air. The flowers and trees are blooming and the sun is shining brightly.
 
FCHS Class of 1980 and Friends
The Fayette County High School Class of 1980 is looking for the following LOST Tigers. We have done all we can to locate these individuals, but have been unable to track their paw prints over time.
 
Camp teaches kids to be masters in the kitchen
Kids in the Kitchen is the Fayette Community School's summer cooking camp for boys and girls ages 9-14. Hands on activities include making homemade pasta, bread, cookies, candy and entire meals. Weekly themes include a tea party, party foods, entrees from around the world, and table decoration. Each child will make their own cookbook.
 
Offshoot to hold class for aspiring young actors
The last in the series of spring acting workshops from Offshoot Productions will be held on Sunday, May 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Peachtree City Library.
 
Mullins and Malone return for benefit concert
ONE NIGHT ONLY! Atlanta native Shawn Mullins and Michelle Malone present an acoustic concert to benefit Actor's Express on Monday, June 5th at Eddies Attic, in Downtown Decatur. In order to accommodate the many requests for tickets, there will be two identical shows; one at 7:30 followed by another at 9:30pm.
 
 
Movies

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Religion

I'll have roast beef with a side of spiritual mashed potatoes, please
By Rev. Dr. John Hatcher
Religion Columnist

Business men and women! Would you like to have lunch once a week and also hear an encouraging, sound word from God? If you work in the vicinity of downtown Fayetteville and for a nominal price, you can have it.

Feeding the homeless is a vital part of Holy Trinity's outreach to community

Each year, members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Peachtree City feed the homeless of Atlanta in an outreach ministry that involves over 60 parishioners and runs from early fall to late spring. Huge quantities of food are prepared, packed into family vans and driven to the night shelter at Central Presbyterian Church on Central Avenue in downtown Atlanta to be distributed to the hungry.

Kenwood Christian children to present musical this weekend

“Kingdom Quest,” a new musical by Nan and Dennis Allen, will be presented by the Elementary Choirs of Kenwood Christian Church Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21 at the church in Fayetteville.

Special activities highlight Tyrone First Christian's 100th anniversary

Friends, former members, and neighbors of First Christian Church of Tyrone are invited to participate in a special day of activities this Sunday. The church is celebrating its 100th anniversary and members are attempting to re-create the atmosphere and worship experiences of those founders of a century ago.

F'ville First Baptist will present worship musical this Sunday

The Sanctuary Choir and Praise Orchestra of Fayetteville's First Baptist Church will present “My Utmost For His Highest,” a worship musical, this Sunday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at the Starr's Mill High School auditorium.

Easters, McCameys, Inspirations to perform at Gospel Barn in LaGrange

The Gospel Barn in LaGrange will host two days of the best in Southern Gospel music when it welcomes The McCameys, The Inspirations, Jeff and Sheri Easter and The Crabb Family for performances on Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20.

Newnan's Crossroads Church offers new 'hangout' for singles

The Gathering Grounds Coffeehouse is a new place in the area for young singles to hang out on a Friday night.

Religion Briefs

Opinion

These young men went west, but not far
By DAVE HAMRICK
Editor-at-large

I can't say for sure that this is truly unique, but I had an experience recently that I'm willing to bet none of you readers has ever had.

Anti-gun moms target wrong 'villain
By AMY RILEY
One Citizen's Perspective

Sunday's Million Mom March to lobby for gun control and safety locks was a gesture in good faith, but a misguided effort based on faulty logic. Once again, a well-meaning group of people are acting on emotion and rhetoric rather than fact and reason.

Looking back at Classmates.com
BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines

I found the coolest website the other day — http://classmates.com. Inever, ever pay for anything on the web but this was the first time I entered my credit card (within a few numbers anyway) and forked over $25 to register. The site is for people to register by state and city where they went to school and to find former classmates who have also registered. A stalker's Xanadu, I'm sure.

Letters to the Editor

On May 20, a salute to those who serve us

Saturday, May 20, is the 50th anniversary of Armed Forces Day. For the last 50 years, on the third Saturday in May, Americans have come together to celebrate Armed Forces Day and pay honor to those who so valiantly serve in the defense of our nation.

America's defense forces are dangerously depleted, unready

Citing the dramatic decline in America's armed services, the board of directors of the 2.8 million-member American Legion May 12 approved the launching of a national security awareness campaign. The campaign will focus on alerting the voting public about the potentially catastrophic results the U.S. will face from a weakened national defense.

McIntosh High School shorted on sports coverage

As a student at Mcintosh High School, I am deeply upset by the coverage, or lack thereof, in your newspaper. With the outstanding weekend Mcintosh and Starr's Mill had with the soccer state championships, it was a disgrace to find only pictures of Starr's Mill in your paper.

Breakfast is ruined by front page photo of rescued starving dog

How dare you ruin my morning with the picture of that poor starving dog [The Citizen, May 10].

'Shameful' that PTC Council withheld news of attorney's conflict of interest

At this pivotal point in Peachtree City's history, I think that it is fair to say that as we near the end of the game (build-out), there is a sudden rush to cash in all the chips. The onslaught of potent commercial development and the final requests to assemble as many houses as possible into a meager area is the big, final payoff for some of our developer friends.

Compare Henry County school bond with ours

A short local article in the May 11 AJC informs us that neighboring Henry County's school board had just sold $32.7 million in bonds to First Union Securities, which had submitted the lowest among eight bids, at an interest rate of 5.21 percent. The issuance of bonds, for school construction, had been approved by the Henry County voters in March, when the vote could be held along with the presidential primary, thus insuring a larger turnout and saving the expense of a special election.

To Judge Caldwell, dads are just walking wallets

I am glad The Citizen has had the guts to jump into the fray regarding the candidates for superior court judge.

Clinton escapes e-mail gate

What is this latest Clinton-Gore Administration scandal called “e-mailgate” all about? The government contractor responsible for White House e-mail communications discovered a “glitch” in late 1998 that would not allow certain messages to be archived, or stored for retrieval, as required by law. It is uncertain whether this was done purposely to “hide” certain material.

What about our heritage, our rights?

I recently read the comments made by Jean Ward of Peachtree City and Jeff Ellis of Fayetteville concerning the Confederate flag. I would like to promise Mrs. Ward, that in no way could we ever come up with a flag that would not offend someone.

Thanks to a great Booth teacher

I have a teacher at J.C. Booth Middle School in Peachtree City named Mr. O'Brien, who teaches my seventh grade World Geography class.