Wednesday, January 9, 2002

News

Consultants' plan calls for 5.85% hikes

Fayette County government workers will see their salaries increase an average of 5.85 percent under a new pay and classification plan under consideration tomorrow.

Ex-mayor defends his funding of PTC bond campaign

Though he is barely out of office, former Peachtree City Mayor Bob Lenox is being criticized for personally funding $4,000 in advertisements and pamphlets urging voters to approve projects on the city's bond referenda back in November.

PTC to vote on 90-day development moratorium

When you're frozen out the first time, try, try again.

Budget crunch, traffic, top Westmoreland's agenda

The numbers just don't add up for Rep. Lynn Westmoreland.

Collins targets Daschle

Fayette's representative in the U.S. Congress is taking on the nation's top Democrat, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, in a series of press releases calling Daschle an obstructionist and a socialist, and accusing him of weakening national security.

Fund started for Fayette family that lost home to fire last week

A fund has been established to assist a local family that lost its home to a massive fire last week.

Snow prints help Fayetteville police find robbery suspect

Fayetteville Police say they can chalk up an assist to the weather in solving an armed robbery Thursday morning at the Flash Foods convenience store on Lanier Avenue.

Criminal background check now required for appointees to Peachtree City ethics board

Applicants to Peachtree City's ethics board will now be held to a higher level of accountability: a criminal background check.

Hecht aims at 9/11 pranksters, gas prices

In the aftermath of Sept. 11, there's no shortage of people who think it's funny to phone in a bomb threat to a mall, a large retail store or a school.

Cox ready to get to work in 2002

Kathy Cox is gearing up for her fourth session in the Georgia General Assembly, which starts Monday, and to say she's fired up and ready to go would be an understatement.

DECKMAN'S ELLERBEK ­ French cuisine in an American's restaurant in Germany

How did a Fayette County lad wind up an executive chef of his own restaurant? Specializing in French cuisine? In Hamburg, Germany?

Michelin's Red Guide rates restaurants

Le Guide Rouge, The Red Guide, was established in 1900 by the Michelin brothers to encourage French auto touring, which, of course, sells "tyres."

School board reappoints officers

The chairman and vice chairman posts for the Fayette County Board of Education will not change from 2001 to 2002.

Dunn, Wells continue at county's helm

Fayette County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn and Vice Chairman Linda Wells will continue in those posts for 2002.

King Day celebration planned in Fayette

A celebration of the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is planned for Saturday, Jan. 19 in Fayette County.

GOP women name officers

Emma Hinesley has been elected president of the Greater Fayette Republican Women, along with slate of officers, including Tami Daniels, vice president; Mary Shaver, recording secretary; Faith Davis, corresponding secretary, and Judy Todd, treasurer.

School's toy collection is tops

Imagine box after box filled to the brim with toys.

Counselors' first presentation an overwhelming success

The elementary counselors of the Fayette County School System were selected by the Georgia School Counselors Association to give their first conference presentation.

Clayton State joins fast-track program

Nearby Clayton College & State University is one of 15 Georgia universities offering a fast track to a teaching job.

Police Blotter

Real Estate

Investing in remodeling pays off in more than dollars

With the stock market doing an about face recently and with housing prices continuing to rise, many homeowners are surprised to learn that the equity in their home comprises a larger portion of their net wealth than the holdings in their stock market or retirement funds. Compared to conventional financial investments that rise and fall with regular frequency, housing has proven to be a relatively stable and sound investment that keeps up with inflation in most years and outpaces it in others.

A room with a view NASCAR style

Condominiums at a race track.

Bay Branch proves Fayette condo market is good

A year of brisk sales has just concluded for the developers of Bay Branch condominiums off Ga. Highway 54 just east of Fayetteville, but a few selections remain.

What buyers should know about condominiums

People buy condominiums for a variety of reasons, including affordability, location, building services, security and professional management.

Condo quiz

If you're thinking about buying a condominium as a full-time residence, here are some questions to consider:

What about the CC&Rs?

So, you've decided to buy a condominium. Here are some facts you should know about homeowners association documents:

Code information about condos on state Web site

An extensive portion of the Georgia Code addresses the management of condominiums. This section is referred to in Code Section 44-3-70 as the "Georgia Condominium Act."

Home Source adds three Realtors

Realtors Tom and Jo Ann Shell and Robin Cook have joined the full-time real estate professionals at The Home Source Realtors General Brokerage office in Peachtree City.

Interest rate drop creates sale surge at Avery Park, SummerGrove

As interest rates remain at their lowest point in years, home sales at SummerGrove and Avery Park are flourishing. Since November, Avery Park has had more than 10 home sales and SummerGrove has had nearly 30.

Association names new executive officer

Sandra (Sandy) Baldauf-Boda assumed the position of executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, effective Dec. 10.

Builders meeting to cover environmental issues

The Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia will have a program on "Building Green! - Energy and Environmental Advances in Housing Construction" at its January meeting.

Bullard makes Business Chronicle list

Metro South-based Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty is included in the Atlanta Business Chronicle's annual "Book of Lists," which was published Dec. 28.

Custom Community Marketing honored

Stockbridge-based Custom Community Marketing, a company which markets new homes in Henry County, came away with several awards when the Metro South Association of Realtors held its December luncheon.

SummerGrove, Avery Park shine at awards ceremony

Pathway Communities, the developer of Newnan's SummerGrove and Avery Park impressed the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association with its marketing, public relations and advertising efforts. Pathway was awarded four gold and one silver Professionalism awards at a recent banquet held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The Professionalism awards recognize excellence in home building, marketing and advertising.

Marshall attends financial course

Gary Marshall, broker at Assist 2 Sell Buyer and Seller Realty Center, recently attended a three-day Financial Management and Planning course at the Golden Nugget Hotel in Las Vegas.

King Forest teams collect 'Toys for Tots'

The U. S. Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" Campaign was the beneficiary from a Christmas Luncheon and Agents Open House held Dec. 12 at King Forest Estates, located off King Mill Road in McDonough.

Business

Group VI taps Pace as CEO

Group VI Corporation has announced that James I. Pace Jr. has been named chief executive officer.

Help is here for high heating bills

As the coldest months of the year approach, nonprofit organizations and state and local agencies are gearing up to provide assistance to qualified individuals looking for help with their natural gas bills.

Sports

Second half of season starts

Though the students were still on holiday break, the athletic teams were back in action over the weekend. Friday saw Fayette County and Starr's Mill meet on the court, while Sandy Creek played at Union Grove and Our Lady of Mercy faced Northgate.

Time to sign kids up for spring sports

Registration for spring recrerational athletics starts this weekend. If your child is into soccer, baseball, softball or roller hockey, this is the time to sign them up.

Sports Calendar

Weekend

Religion

An open letter to our elected officials
By REV. JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

I have written the following as an open letter to every Christian who holds public office:

River's Edge Church to host relationship seminar Saturday

"The survey says: the top need of most men in a marriage is physical intimacy and the same survey reveals that physical intimacy does not even rank in most women's top five needs," says Dr. John Hatcher, local pastor, and host of an upcoming relationship seminar. The seminar will be held at River's Edge Community Church, Saturday, Jan. 12, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

PTC United Methodist will offer special service of healing Jan. 13

The Peachtree City United Methodist Church will offer a service of healing and wholeness Sunday, Jan. 13, at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

PTC UMC begins Bible study classes

The Peachtree City United Methodist Church will offer several 13-week Bible study classes beginning in January. The cost is $15, except for Fit4Life, which is $60. There is no fee for Alpha classes. Fees are payable at time of registration. Orientation will be held the first day of each class.

Southside Baptist relocates here

Southside Baptist Church, for years a part of the College Park community, has relocated to Fayette County, and has begun holding services at its new location on Ga. Hwy. 92 South.

Covenant offers Bible study class

A new women's Bible Study led by Carolyn Wyatt entitled "Jesus-The One and Only" by Beth Moore will begin at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 9:30 a.m. Childcare will be available. Call the church office, (770) 460-9450, for more information and to sign up for childcare. The church is at 819 Highway 314 in Fayetteville.

Apostolic/prophetic 'explosion' will feature Driver, Frazier as speakers

Apostle Carolyn Driver of CDM Teaching and Training Center in Tyrone, will be one of the scheduled speakers at Beulah Heights Bible College's "Apostolic/Prophetic Explosion," planned for Friday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. in Atlanta. The event is being hosted by Christ Discipleship Ministries.

Religion Briefs

McDonough Rd. will offer signing classes

McDonough Road Baptist Church will offer sign language classes for anyone of any age beginning Wednesday, Jan. 16. The teacher will be Barbara Cannington.

Opinion

How do we justify killing children?
By DAVE HAMRICK
Editor-at-large

Having never pulled any punches when it comes to criticizing the mostly liberal national press and the bias in much of its reporting, I now find myself feeling the need to defend many of those in the hydra known as "the media."

New predictions for the new year
By BILLY MURPHEY
Laugh Lines

For the fifth year in a row I make my predictions for the coming year.

As you get ready for a big increase in mailing costs, consider this
By TOM MITSOFF
Columnist

If you have any three-cent postage stamps lying around, you might want to keep them handy.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Lenox can't blame traffic mess on tree-huggers

I read [Peachtree City] Mayor Bob Lenox's parting remarks with great interest last week. Particularly noteworthy was his assertion that the congestion at the Ga. highways 74-54 intersection was the fault of the Sierra Club and other environmental groups. Mr. Lenox has obviously learned the art of blaming his opponents for his own failures from the master, former President Bill Clinton.

New PTC mayor thanks supporters, asks for prayers

[Editor's note: Following his swearing-in ceremony last week, new Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown made the following remarks:]

[Editor's note: A letter in The Citizen Dec. 26 decrying a new mosque in Fayetteville has produced a number of responses, which we present below.]

Criticism of new mosque in Fayetteville brings torrent of reader responses

Vicar delights to see place of prayer

Muslim teen: Religious freedom is essence of U.S.

While our nation's leaders struggle to create a more culturally aware America, I was shocked to read such an ignorant statement in The Citizen concerning the new mosque. I am a 17-year-old Muslim, and one of the "women with their heads covered" that Mr. Chuck E. Bryant might have observed attending services at the new mosque in Fayetteville.

Many people agree with Bryant's anti-mosque letter

I read Chuck E. Bryant's letter, and I am more than positive that many people feel the same way. My personal feeling is that the A&T building was damned from the day it was built.

Not all Muslims terrorists

I just read the article, "Sad day for Fayetteville," by Chuck E. Bryant in the Dec. 26 issue of The Citizen. I must agree that it is a sad day when a self-proclaimed Christian shows this level of ignorance and intolerance.

Terrorists represent only tiny fraction of Muslims

It is with both alarm and utter disbelief that I write this response to the letter concerning the recent establishment of a mosque in Fayetteville. Upon reading the opening remarks, my first thought was, "Oh no! This can't be!" Is it possible that a grown man could be this close-minded?

Allah is not same God worshipped by Christians

Thanks for always presenting different views on the subject of the mosque in Fayetteville from Chuck Bryant's comments to Jim Stinson's, even ignorance in the making from the college student. We all have the same rights to speak our minds and vent. They should never be denied as Mr. Stinson believes. The very idea that a paper should control or bias people is very dangerous. Yet it happens everyday in America. I am glad you still let people reply to all sides of an issue.

Writer demonstrates his own burka of prejudice

I find it both appalling and nearly incomprehensible that an employee of Raytheon a global corporation could possess such narrow-minded sentiments. As I read Chuck E. Bryant's letter in Wednesday's Fayette Citizen, I too thought, "Oh, no!"

Inconvenience' for one is tragedy for another

It is hard to express the sorrow and regret we feel over the "inconvenience" experienced by Kaye Stanfield and other drivers traveling along Ga. Highway 279 last week. Indeed, for the family, friends, and teachers who knew and loved Marvin L. Moore, Jr., this "inconvenience" stems from a tragedy filled with unimaginable pain.

How cold, inconsiderate

I was appalled at the letter written by Kaye F. Stanfield titled, "A tragic lack of patience," in the Dec. 26 issue of The Citizen. I was even more saddened that you even printed it.

We're all guilty of hurrying

I was shocked to read the letter that Ms. Stanfield wrote. She was "inconvenienced" by the death of a child? How dare she?

PTC's Partners II leaves enduring mark on young employees

As residents of Peachtree City since 1973 and parents of two daughters who were raised in this very special community, we want to say thanks to the Royals, owners of Partners II Pizza.

NAACP seeks information about school discipline problems

As the president of the Fayette County NAACP Branch, I write this letter soliciting your support as this branch of the NAACP seeks to remain proactive in our struggle against injustice and unfair treatment when dealing with citizen rights and civil freedoms. We respectfully request your newspaper run the following ad in hopes of assisting us examine the potential misuse of the "loco-parentis" policy by educators, administrators and local law enforcement personnel when dealing with disciplinary infractions by Fayette County School students.

Letter writers exercise freedom described in 1st Amendment

I appreciate you printing articles which at times seem controversial. Each individual has the right to express their opinion. My interest is to keep the democracy alive.

Back To Top – Back to the Citizen Home Page