Wednesday, May 8, 2002

'Good student' impaled on zero tolerance rule

Forgetting to unload his landscaping equipment from the back of his truck may cost Fayette County High School junior Jamie Gilman the chance to go to prom ... and it may cost him his passing grades as well.

PTC's top cop tackles attack suspect

A suspect wanted by police for attacking a woman at a Peachtree City hotel Sunday morning was arrested hours later thanks to a sharp-eyed detective and a quick-acting police chief.

PTC will pay for airshow security

After an extensive debate Thursday night, the Peachtree City Council voted unanimously to spend $21,000 for extra police and fire protection at the Great Georgia Airshow at Falcon Field Sept. 14-15.

Fayette studies F'ville, Fairburn annexation requests

Two annexation requests top this week's agenda of the Fayette County Commission.

PTC committee eyes 15-year-old golf cart drivers

If 15-year-olds with learner's permits are eventually allowed to drive golf carts on their own in Peachtree City, they may have to register with the city.

Breakfast honors 2001-2002 business partners

One of the aspects of the Fayette County School System that makes it one of the most successful in the state is the strong commitment of support it receives from the business community.

County develops emergency plan to deal with federal warnings

Fayette County officials are putting the final touches on an emergency plan that will put them more in line with recently adopted federal standards.

Local candidates announced at GOP breakfast

State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh, Rep. John Yates and Rep. John Lunsford gave Fayette County Republicans an update on redistricting and an overview of upcoming election issues at the First Saturday Breakfast last weekend.

Fair buzzer arrested for roughing up girlfriend

A local man who pled guilty to charges after "buzzing" the local Kiwanis Fair in September is in trouble with the law again.

Family Pharmacy wasn't, according to investigators

A Fayetteville pharmacy was actually a front for a drug-running operation that allowed a local man to live a lavish lifestyle, according to local law enforcement investigators.

Pacts between PTC, authorities still being tweaked by parties

Peachtree City's Development Authority and Airport Authority have already agreed to hold back some funds in case the city's hotel-motel tax their main source of revenue falls short of projections this year.

Retired teachers honor DeCotis

Members of the Fayette County Retired Educators Association (FCREA) have awarded Fayette County School Superintendent John DeCotis the Outstanding Educator Award in recognition of exceptional service to the education profession.

Old library building coming down

A small controversy erupted last week during the Fayette County Commission meeting over the use of a metal building that used to house the Fayette County Library.

June 1 deadline for homestead exemptions

Residents have until June 1 for filing for homestead and special exemptions. If you are a new homeowner or qualify for special exemptions due to age or disability, you should call or go to the Fayette County Tax Commissioner's office before the deadline.

Participants needed for run/walk event to raise funds to help victims of domestic violence

Participants and volunteers are being sought for a run/walk fund-raiser that will benefit the Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence.

Harmon named NASA teacher scholar

Jendayi Harmon of Fayetteville has been named a NASA Space Grant teacher education scholar for the 2002-03 academic year by the Alabama Space Grant Consortium.

School board moves forward on building projects

Though there aren't any students or teachers in the classrooms during the summer, there will be a lot of activity in and around the local schools this summer.

Science Olympians

During the recent Georgia Science Olympiad at Emory University, Ryan Anderson and Justin Lai took first place in the state in chemistry lab, while the silver in physics lab and scrambler went to Lai, Kim Wetter, Nate Overall and Danny O'Shaughnessy. Overall and O'Shaughnessy earned third place for their performance in the "stuff" category. The entire Starr's Mill team finished ninth in the state.

Fifth-graders score high in math contest

Students at Braelinn and Kedron Elementary Schools have once again proven that they excel at math by placing first and second in the region, respectively, in the annual MathFax Competition.

Local teachers earn scholarships

Deborah Dunham and Elaine Johnson, second-grade teachers at Braelinn Elementary School in Peachtree City, have been selected as winners of the 2002 "Be Your Best" teacher scholarships being awarded by the National School Supply and Equipment Association's Education Excellence Foundation. They were awarded $500 to use toward training and professional development. The Peachtree Education Station is the local sponsor of the program.

NGCSU cadets recognized

Zachary R. Poole of Peachtree City is commander of the North Georgia College & State University Blue Ridge Rifles precision drill team in Dahlonega. He was recognized by the Dahlonega/Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce April 18 for his outstanding leadership as drill team commander during this academic year. Under his command, the Blue Ridge Rifles once again were named national champions in precision drill, competing against more than 40 collegiate teams nationwide in New Orleans in February

Westmoreland roast to benefit county GOP

The Fayette County Republican Party is hosting "A Roast of Rep. Lynn Westmoreland" Saturday, May 18, at The Barn in Tyrone located at 200 Laurel Lake Road. The event is a fund-raiser for the Fayette County Republican Party. The silent auction and reception will begin at 6 p.m. with the dinner to follow at 7 p.m.

Students serve community

McIntosh High School students had an excellent showing recently at FCCLA state competition at the Gwinnett Marriott, bringing home silver medals. The students competed in categories of chapter service projects and community service projects. Some of their projects included donating baskets of toiletries for women and baskets of activities for children at the battered women's shelter in Fayetteville, and updating bathrooms at McIntosh with bookshelves, pictures and mirrors. JaVair Reams and Sondra Lione qualified for this summer's national competition in Minneapolis with a community service project of donating baskets of books, cards, games and activities to Scottish Rite and Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta. McIntosh is extremely proud of these students for their participation and commitment to better their school and the community.

Students learn about service academies

The military liaison for U.S. Rep. Mac Collins, Chuck Hunsaker, hosted representatives of the four U.S. service academies last week at the Fayette County Library in Fayetteville. High school students from the area were invited to speak personally with academy representatives and learn the rules and regulations of applying for entrance.

PTC mayor wants Development Authority to consider funding projects on Hwy. 54

Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown, who earlier this year was at odds with the Development Authority of Peachtree City, seems to have mended the fences of disagreement.

Model rockets free to fly in PTC after council denies ordinance

An ordinance to regulate the use of model rockets in Peachtree City didn't make it off the launching pad at Thursday night's City Council meeting.

RVI Expo prepares vocational students for state competition

Vocational students from the county's four high schools showcased their talents at Fayette's first annual Related Vocational Instruction (RVI) Expo.

Students help save acres of rainforest

A total of 31 acres of rainforest have been saved thanks to the diligent efforts of students at North Fayette Elementary.

Police Blotter

Collins shoots straight with Egyptians on Israel

WASHINGTON In meetings with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt yesterday, Congressman Mac Collins took a firm stance against Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

 

Coweta-Fayette EMC gets an overview of Wal-Mart's energy consumption needs

Fourteen of Georgia's EMCs, including Coweta-Fayette EMC, joined 150 electric co-ops from across the nation to attend energy conferences with Wal-Mart representatives in Arkansas.

Small Business Week is featuring seminars

This year's Small Business Week celebration - "Small Business: Where Americans Work" will honor the estimated 25.5 million small businesses in America that create 76 percent of all new jobs.

 

Sports

Plenty of summer camp options availble for all kinds of kids

Ahh, summer camp. A place where children can go and participate in fun activities with their peers. There are camps that appeal to almost every taste that children have, whether they are interested in athletics, theater, cooking or just having a good time.

Everything is comng up 'Rosie' at NCT

School is almost over and when the final bell rings a rising chorus of "I'm bored" will be heard nearly everywhere. Newnan Community Theatre Company's production of "Really Rosie" deals with what several neighborhood friends do on a day when they are all extremely bored.

Plans for Fred Fest announced

The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater will open its doors June 8 and welcome in several local upcoming bands in one of the first concerts for teenagers at the venue in a number of years.

Movies

Religion

Start your day with a 7-Up
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

The Internet has opened up for the commoner that's me a global library. Right at my very Windows. Gerry Schumacher, my Wisconsin brother-in-law, often sends me via e-mail golden nuggets of wisdom since he has entered the years of wisdom (with about ten more good years to go to hear him put it).

Heritage Christian youth groups get ready for busy summer

The youth groups at Heritage Christian Church have several major events planned for the summer including a mission trip to Ohio, a Christian summer camp, and a high school youth conference in Tennessee.

First Presbyterian in PTC to host mother/daughter event Saturday

"We Have a Story to Tell," is the theme for the Third Annual Mother-Daughter evening at the First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City planned for Saturday, May 11, at 6 p.m.

National Heights summer camp offers solution for parents' no-school dilemma

National Heights Baptist Church in Fayetteville may have a solution for parents looking for summer child care after the school year comes to an end this month.

Heritage Christian sets family camp out

Members of Heritage Christian Church will have a church-wide family camp out Friday, May 17. All individuals who like to camp are welcome. The camp site will be open all day Friday until after breakfast on Saturday. The cost is $6 for adults. Children camp free.

Liberty ladies plan concert

Christian comedienne Anita Renfro will be the featured entertainer in a concert hosted by the ladies ministry of Liberty Baptist Church Thursday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the worship center. Liberty is at 1077 Ga. Hwy. 314 in Riverdale.

Religion Briefs

Opinion

What we really need next is ...
By BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines

Wow, everything and anything is being built in our county these days. New businesses are cropping up faster than Braves' losses. So to follow my personal mantra, "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing," I suggest a theme park: a traffic-enticing, acreage-engulfing farm of fun.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

'Zero tolerance' policy is now 'zero intelligence'

At the moment I am, to put it mildly, seething.

Student in machete arrest not exactly chain saw murderer

I do not know this young man or his family, and I do not have children in the school system, although I did several years ago. I do have immediate family in law enforcement, though not in this county.

Arrest of good student makes county, schools look stupid

As a parent residing in Fayette County, I am appalled at the recent arrest and suspension of James Gilman. It certainly appears that the Fayetteville Police Department and school administrators ignored the facts of the investigation that showed that the machete was mistakenly left in the student's vehicle after being used in the course of his part-time landscaping job.

Far from 'pork,' Falcon Field grant came from taxes on aviation consumers

Re Mr. William Fielder's May 1 letter concerning a recent grant received by Peachtree City Falcon Field Airport: Mr. Fielder was concerned that this grant was an inappropriate use of U.S. taxpayer funds.

Don't malign South Fulton

In the May 1 edition of The Citizen, Mr. John Nance of Fayetteville wrote a letter to the editor regarding the recent fatal traffic accident and subsequent arrest of two individuals who were involved.

Infertility treatment has risks

I want to make sure that anyone who participates in [an infertility] program is given all the information concerning this procedure. This includes the lifelong effects your mind and body will experience once you have completed the program.

'Out' brother used same arguments as columnist

I squirmed as I read the words on the page as written by Mr. Thompson. My brother has recently "come out of the closet." Understand that I and he are both "born-again Christians." When he told me of his new lifestyle, I tried to be as receptive and understanding as possible. The funny thing is, he used the exact same arguments that Mr. Thompson used in his article. Trying to be open-minded, I went on a mission to find out for myself wether or not these arguments held any truth to them.

Homosexuals have an equal share in Christ's redemption

I would like to thank Jeff Ellis for his letter to your newspaper. I would also like to assure him there are Christians in Fayette County who know and love gays and lesbians. Christians like myself, m who believe that homosexuals have an equal share in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Read those scriptures again: It's hard to mistake meaning

This is in response to comments made by Judy English and M. D. Phillips, in their recent letters to the editor on this subject, as well as comments made by columnist John Thompson in his article, "Gay rights: The agenda is fairness."

Statistics reveal depth of bias against homosexuals

This is in response to the letter published by Keith Turner on May 1. He gave many statistics on how unhealthy it is to be a homosexual. I would like to present some other scary statistics, which describes the horrible way that the gay community can be treated.

Gay activists, not cultural conservatives, pushing issue

Last week's lead [column] would have been humorous if it hadn't been so sad. Mr. John Thompson seemingly wants us to believe that the Bible has no problem with homosexuality. He found some writer who believes that he has the "secret" meaning to the writings in Genesis 18, Exodus 20, Leviticus 18, Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6 and finds that, surprise, the Bible has no problem with homosexuality.

I can't choose to be gay, so how can gays choose not to?

A different perspective on choice:

Why 'pump and pile'? Seek alternate methods

Did you know that 22,000 cubic yards of silt will cover one acre of land to a height of 13 feet? I'm commenting on your May 1 article about Lake Peachtree dredging andthe statement by Jim Mallet,"We need an acre or so to pump this stuff out (silt) and let it dry out ... It's not going to look pretty."

Drama teacher Buckner has made the arts come alive

Where do I begin to tell you about the wonderful drama teacher at McIntosh High School, Steven Buckner? He is the epitome of what a teacher should be. He is a caring, nurturing, dedicated and committed person to the profession he has chosen. He is a rare and most remarkable young educator who loves what he does, does it with all his heart, and cares deeply about the young people who pass through his classes and his drama program.

Please don't honk at bikers

"With all the miles of cart paths here, do you have to ride [your bike] on the road at 5 p.m.?" the middle-aged woman in the white sedan shouted out her window at me. I was too shocked to say anything before she drove away.

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