Wednesday, June 26, 2002

The Watson trial a look back

Had Beverley Watson's body been found in Fayette County after she disappeared in 1997, Fayette County sheriff's detectives had approval to arrest her husband Jim for murder, according to the lead investigator in the case.

Candidate qualifying set for 2002 races

Fayette County voters will know in late August who two of their commissioners will be for the next four years, as the 2002 county election has turned into an all-Republican affair.

County to consider $66 million budget

By late Thursday night, Fayette County should have a budget set for next year.

PTC development guru Williams hired as Fairburn City Manager

Jim Williams, one of the persons most responsible for attracting quality development to Peachtree City, plans to leave his post as the city's director of developmental services next month.

Chamber hosts air show preview

The Great Georgia Air Show has signed a new agreement with Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection/Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) naming them the official airline sponsors of the show through 2004.

Meadows running in 34th District

Chuck Meadows qualified today in the race for the state senate's 34th District, which includes portions of both Clayton and Fayette counties. The Riverdale resident is the youngest candidate in the field, but the is not without experience.

English to appear in Columbus

Tickets are now on sale for "Up Close and Personal, An Evening with Paschal 'Pappy' English" Thursday, July 11, 2002, at 7 p.m. at the Columbus RiverCentre Bill Heard Theatre in downtown Columbus.

Brooks approves budget

After two public hearings this month in Brooks concerning the town budget, it was passed at the regular council meeting June 17.

FCHS class celebrates 50-year reunion

There were 33 members of Fayette County High School to graduate in 1952. Three of those are now deceased and of the remaining 30, 26 were on hand for its 50th high school reunion. All but five of them live in the general Fayette County area.

Hartsfield voted best passenger airport

Airport passengers responding to a survey conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have selected Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport as the Best "Very Large" Airport In Overall Passenger Satisfaction.

Furman releases dean's list for spring 2002

The following students earned places on the dean's list at Furman University for the spring 2002 term.

Two student receive Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarships

Trevelle Harvey of Roswell and David Gilbert of Peachtree City have each won $1,000 Chick-fil-A^® Leadership Scholarships.

Investigation of prostitution at PTC massage parlor continues

More charges may be coming against the those who operated VIP Spa and Massage Therapy in Peachtree City, police indicated.

No property tax increases in Tyrone's new budget

The Tyrone Town Council approved their budget for 2002-2003 last Thursday night. The total proposed budget including the Capital Improvement Budget and Sewer Enterprise Fund is $2,749,731.00.

Starr's Mill grad to Merchant Marine Academy

Neal Sebastian, a 2002 Starr's Mill High School graduate, saw his dream come true. He has always wanted to attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy and was U.S. Sen. Zell Miller's primary choice for the appointment. The state is only allowed eight slots at the academy, and as the primary choice, he was the first one to be given the choice of going.

Local residents graduate from Emory

Three more stops, higher and wider speed humps slated for Golf View Drive

Admitting defeat in round one but committing $10,000 to a "Plan B," the Peachtree City Council has increased its bid to slow drivers on Golf View Drive, a popular shortcut through a once-peaceful residential neighborhood.

Local residents earn honors at Oxford College

Oxford College, the two-year liberal arts division of Emory University located in Oxford, Georgia, has released it's honor and merit lists for the 2002 Spring Semester.

Yarbrough achives dean's list at Savannah

Evan Dean Yarbrough of Peachtree City achieved the dean's list at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah for the spring quarter, 2002.

CCSU gets first Fulbright Scholar

"We have made a little history for Clayton State," said Professor of History Dr. Robert Welborn.

Local woman named to dean's list at UTM

Elizabeth J. Pulley, Sharpsburg, has earned a place on the spring semester's dean's list at the University of Tennessee at Martin with highest honors.

Desmond joins GBI

Vernon M. Keenan, acting director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, has announced the appointment of Michael Desmond as a special agent with the GBI regional investigative office in Perry. As a special agent, Desmond is responsible for assisting local law enforcement agencies with general investigations.

PTC dog ordinance has teeth but may be underutilized

There's enough teeth in Peachtree City's animal ordinances to nip potentially dangerous dogs in the bud.

Collins speaks out on prescription plan

WASHINGTON Calling for a less expensive solution to address the need for improved access to prescription drugs for seniors, U.S. Rep. Mac Collins issued the following statement this week:

Collins chides Army over USARSO relocation

WASHINGTON Pending the eminent announcement by the Department of Defense of the new location of United States Army South (USARSO), Congressman Mac Collins expressed disappointment with the closed manner in which the Army has conducted relocation selection.

Police Blotter

Reagan named to Herriott staff

A local resident has been named to Bob Herriott's campaign staff in his bid for the 11th District U.S. House of Representatives seat.

HealthWise

Sports

Youth ballet's hard work to be showcased Friday

Imagine having a choice between swimming with your friends or dancing six to eight hours a day and aching all over. Faced with such a choice, the members of the Georgia Youth Ballet have chosen dance, dance and more dance.

Former "Weekend Warrior" publishes first novel

Fayetteville resident Jerry M. Moore was a Naval Reservist who missed the Cuban Missile Crisis. Readers of his first novel, "Weekend Warriors" would swear that he was not only enlisted during that period but that he was in the thick of things during that tumultuous time. Moore entered the Reserves after the crisis had passed but heard tales told by other members of his squadron. Those tales may have been the seeds that grew into his book.

Fireworks, food and frolicking at Summerfest this weekend

Summerfest, the City of Morrow's annual Fourth of July celebration, will return to the campus of Clayton College and State University for the fourth consecutive year in 2002.

Weekend Warriors' a solid summer read

I"Weekend Warriors" may be Fayetteville resident Jerry Moore's first book but, after reading the action-packed historical novel, I certainly hope it is not his last.

I always feel like somebody is watching me

Big Brother is watching, which is scary because that show is terrible.

Movies

Religion

Some suggestions for husbands and wives
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

When most of you read my column, I will be flying somewhere over Africa to land in Entebbe, Uganda where I will be conducting marriage conferences from a Biblical view point. I am pleased that through this particular mode of ministry, we will bring together members of the two largest churches in Kampala: the All Saints Angelical Church and the Kampala Pentecostal Church.

Spanish camp for kids offered at Grace Evangelical July 22-26

Ana Ivey, a member of the Peachtree City homeschool group, will offer Camp Espanol, a weeklong Spanish camp for children ages 6-12 Monday through Friday, July 22-26, at Grace Evangelical Church.

VBS Schedule

Religion Briefs

Opinion

Observations from front-row seat at Watson trial
By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@thecitizennews.com

When Jim Watson took the witness stand to plead his innocence to the jury, it was the most dramatic moment in the entire trial.

It's hot
By BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines

I am in Phoenix as I write this and it is quite hot here. But, it's a dry 106 degree heat. You don't sweat at all here, you parch. You bake. You come out of the heat all shiny like one of those porcelain dolls after it comes out of the kiln.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Foodie reader enjoyed Fish Co.

If it hadn't been for the recent letters regarding FC Foodie's criticism of the Famous Fish Company, I probably would not have gone there to eat. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed the lunch and found the meals good value for money.

McKinney linked with terrorists?

US Representative Cynthia McKinney, one of the most racially divisive and inflammatory politicians in Congress, has accepted contributions from persons linked with terrorist organizations. She is also facing multiple counts of electoral fraud and voter intimidation. McKinney is infamous for, among other statements, characterizing the united voices of most Americans condemning terrorism as "white noise," and intimating that President Bush was aware of the 9/11 attacks before that date, and profited from the suicide bombings through his father's business interests. McKinney was also one of the most vocal critiques of the November 2000 election, calling on federal investigators to look into alleged voter fraud in Florida. Strangely, she has not called for a similar investigation in Missouri, where the St. Louis polls remained open after hours and other irregularities abounded. She has also been silent about the Democrats' attempt to have ballots from military personnel discarded. As usual, she is selective in her outrage.

America's Christian heritage has been edited out of textbooks

Did you know that 52 of the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence were orthodox, deeply-committed Christians? The other three all believed in the Bible as the divine truth, the God of scripture, and His personal intervention. It is the same Congress that formed the American Bible Society. Immediately after creating the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress voted to purchase and import 20,000 copies of scripture for the people of this nation.

Community character still counts

When I talk about character, I am talking of the character of our community. Fayette County is unique in the Metro area, because of the character of our citizens, both those who live in the cities and in the county. You have worked hard to improve and protect our community. The cities and the county both have their distinct identities, which give Fayette County our overall character. I have always said we are only one or two rezonings or one or two annexations and one election away from losing all we have built with our dedication. Greed can destroy all of our work. The developers keep saying we are not growing fast enough and we need to grow faster to make more money. The taxpayers will pay for that kind of growth. So many of the suburbs of Atlanta look alike, you can drive around and never really tell them apart. I know one thing, once it is over-developed you can never replace it. I do not want to look like the rest of metro Atlanta.

New laws and new lawmakers

With election season now upon us, it may be a good idea to look at what our state legislators have accomplished earlier this year. It may help us understand what our legislators mean by a "busy session," and it may give us ideas on what to look forward to when the legislature meets again next year.

Teen: Metro traffic problem 'massive'

The problem of traffic in Atlanta is massive. Every person driving in Atlanta is wasting hundreds of gallons of fuel and thousands of dollars per year sitting in traffic. If we don't stop this soon, the Atlanta metro area could take a pounding blow.

Political correctness gone too far

Before reading this, be it known that this letter is rated PC-13 (anyone over the age of 13 who is politically correct shouldn't read it). I am a white male, which for some is politically incorrect in itself in our day and age.

A call to respond to recent gay TV program

Nickelodeon network went ahead and aired their pro-homosexual, antifamily program [last week].

'Glad' about Watson verdict

I am personally glad Jim Watson got what he deserved. It was a shock to first hear the story when it happened. I went to school with both Jim and Beverley many years ago. Although I didn't know them personally at school its still a shock that someone you went to school with could do this to another human. I know Beverly is in a better place, but I hate she didn't leave him sooner for her kids sake.

Keeping up with sign rules

Mr. Wheat and Mr. Stephen's campaign signs are already out in Fayetteville, even though the sign ordinance as printed in one of the local newspapers says they're only supposed to be out thirty days before the election in that city. I guess as the former Mayor of the city Mr. Wheat feels entitled to bend the rules, or break the rules? I also found it interesting that the same folks who write and vote on the rules have Mike's sign in their yards.

Apology to Fulton jury

The wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.

Tyrone councilman raises questions

I'm not sure how Commissioner Pfeifer took the facts that I presented to Mr. Beverly and The Citizen as a personal attack, unless he has a problem with the people of this county being informed with the truth. At no time in that article did I attack him or other members of the current County Commission. My letter was an attempt to clear up the accusation by The Citizen that Tyrone continues to "annex, annex, annex." In his response, he stated that my story was "incomplete, leaving out important details." I challenge him to show where any of the details of my article were false or incomplete. I also want to know if he has read the county document that I referred to entitled "Highway 74 Corridor Sewer Study." I would assume he has taken the time to "dig" into the study. I also hope that he has gotten a copy or even asked for a copy for himself. And while he is "digging" maybe he could inform the rest of the county citizens and myself, how much was spent to compile this study?

Dunn has fans in Fairburn

Due to the intent of Williams Energy Company to try and locate in this area, we have had the privilege of meeting and working with Greg Dunn. We have high regards for his knowledge and resources and desire to work relentlessly for the residents of Fayette County.

Reader misses Hamrick

Having just read Cal Beverly's ranting editorial regarding the "Peachtree City squabble," I'm sadly reminded of just how much I and our community miss the reason, journalistic integrity and intellect of Dave Hamrick.

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