Wednesday, August 21, 2002

BOE splits 3­2 about 'Big Dig' at McIntosh

Comparing the renovation project at McIntosh High School to Boston's Big Dig, Fayette County School Board member Janet Smola Monday night expressed reservations about whether 26-hundredths of a percent difference in a bid for providing architectural design services was enough to justify awarding the contract to the low bidder.

F'ville to consider annexing 53 acres

The Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission, in a special called meeting last week, recommended approval of the annexation and rezoning of three tracts which make up about 53 acres in the proposed south side master plan.

Don't annex on Redwine, agree county and F'ville

Leaders from the city of Fayetteville and Fayette County are in apparent agreement over a recent annexation application.

PTC Council may seek accords with authorities at Thursday joint meetings

In an effort to resolve questions over Peachtree City's hotel-motel tax contracts, the city council is slated to meet separately with its development and airport authorities in a special workshop session beginning Thursday at 6 p.m.

Bad signs lead to Tyrone meeting snafu

A combination of poorly-marked signs and conflicts of interest left most of the audience at last week's Town Council meeting angry and upset.

Love of things Disney brings futuristic transport vehicle to Tyrone back yard

Fans of Disney no longer need to make the long drive to Orlando to get a Mickey Mouse fix.

Veteran chief magistrate resigns amid allegations he used racial slurs on duty

Fayette County's long-time Chief Magistrate Judge, who has been accused of using racial slurs while carrying out his job, has issued his resignation to Georgia Governor Roy Barnes.

With resignation of city attorney, PTC council is looking for replacement

Peachtree City has to search for a new city attorney now that current city attorney Rick Lindsey has tendered his resignation effective Sept. 30.

Mother of PTC man killed in police chase finds out how much he meant to others

Neighbors will miss Chuck Vicha's gardening talents and Christmas tree displays.

Judge to decide if cities, county violated open meetings law during secret mediations

Attorneys for local governing bodies argued in court last week that open meetings laws weren't violated when they met in closed mediation discussions that began last year over alleged tax inequities.

Funds raised for Caldwell

A spaghetti supper and silent auction was held for Samantha Caldwell, 3, daughter of Bobby and Stacey Caldwell of Fayetteville. Stacey is a 1980 graduate of Fayette County High School.

Police Blotter

Late campaign contributions reported

Several candidates for Fayette County Commission received financial boosts to their campaigns in the final weeks leading up to yesterday's primary.

New ARC Transportation Plans Will Achieve Air Quality Standards

As part of an update of long-range and short-range transportation plans,the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has completed its tailpipe emissions analysis demonstrating that these plans not only meet federal air quality standards, but also will continuously improve the region's air quality during the next 20 years.

Government receives honors

Fayette County government recently was honored for the work of its financial staff with two separate awards from a national organization.

Notable

Heather Otrando of Peachtree City has been named to the spring 2002 dean's list at Columbia University in New York.

Clayton State schedules CE classes for Peachtree City

In an effort to serve the post-secondary educational needs of the metro-Atlanta community, Clayton State will operate and offer Continuing Education classes in Peachtree City beginning fall 2002. Classes will be held in a suite in Peachtree City's Tennis Center at 10 Planterra Way, Peachtree City.

AP math classes get perfect score

Advanced placement (AP) statistics and calculus students at McIntosh High School have pulled off an amazing feat, both classes scored a perfect 100 percent on their end-of-year exams.

Community volunteers help new schools

With furniture in place, newly waxed floors and books on the desks, two of Fayette's newest elementary schools were ready to greet parents and students on open house day thanks to the help of many community volunteers.

PACE names new principal

PACE Christian School has named longtime educator Karen Yarbrough as its new high school principal. She began her tenure just before the beginning of the school year.

PTC Council: OK for 15-year-olds to drive carts alone; grandparents can supervise young drivers

Responding to pleas from parents and teens, the Peachtree City Council has agreed to allow 15-year-olds to drive golf carts without parental supervision.

4-H hosts shooting this weekend

The Fayette County 4-H Shotgun Club will have its range open for clay target shooting, as a fundraiser, this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The range is located off Ga. Highway 85, about seven miles south of Fayetteville.

Veteran Bus Drivers Still Going Strong After All of These Years

With 26 years each of safely driving Fayette's students to and from school, veteran bus drivers Ruth Ellison and Diane Vaughan have seen a lot of changes come and go but they vow that their love for transporting the county's children will never change.

Fayette student spends summer on Capitol Hill

This summer I was honored to represent our community as a page in the 107th Congress of the United States. The 200-yeard-old House Page Program is staffed by 16- and 17-year-olds from across our country. Their representatives and the Speaker of the House select pages.

Fayette principals present Georgia education concerns to Congress

Kathy Corley, principal of Sara Harp Minter Elementary School, and Eddie Pollard, principal of Tyrone Elementary School, recently visited Washington, D.C., to bring the views of school principals and their communities to the U.S. Congress.

FCHS sets 'Night of Tribute'

Fayette County High School is planning a special night of remembrance of those who serve and protect, with a pre-game program scheduled for Friday, Sept. 13, just before the Tigers take on the Newnan Cougars.

Avalon brings hits and charm to Peachtree City

Frankie Avalon began his career as a trumpeter, became a teen idol and then transformed himself into a movie star. This Friday and Saturday, Avalon will perform his vast number of hits at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City at 8 p.m.

Time is running out to see Fernbank's "Ancient Empires" exhibit

There is less than two weeks left to experience Fernbank's special exhibition "Ancient Empires, Syria: Land of Civilizations."

Alliance set to bring in 'da noise and funk

A little bit of Broadway and New York City comes to Atlanta starting this week when the Alliance Theatre presents "Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk," a popular musical that captured four Tony Awards in 1996.

Which one is better: the North or the South?

Last week, while political candidates were storming our lobby, I was taking my annual vacation to Massachusetts. Each year I travel back to my hometown and visit friends and relatives with my wife. This year was fun as it featured a visit to the beach, shopping in the coastal town of Rockport and a lobster-and-steak dinner poolside.

Movies

Religion

Of Elvis, Christianity and the miracle of grace
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Here I go again. Jumping into some heavy and hot theological stew. About Elvis Presley, of course. All that was going in for the past week had to come out in some way. During some of the Elvis television mania, I turned and asked my wife, "What do I have to say about all this?" There has to be more than a million candles around the world or a million Elvis impersonators around the world. So, here it is.

Jonesboro First Baptist to host Sept. 11 widow Lisa Beamer

Lisa Beamer, widow of Todd Beamer, one of the heroes of the Sept. 11 tragedy, will speak at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10-11:45 a.m. Beamer also will have available copies of her book, "Let's Roll."

PTC 1st Presbyterian to offer new adult enrichment classes

The First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City recently announced the addition of two new classes in its adult enrichment program. One of them begins tonight.

PTC First Baptist women kick off fall programs Aug. 28

The women of the First Baptist Church of Peachtree City will kick off their fall program schedule with a meeting Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The guest speaker will be Jan Cartwright, speaking on the topic of "Created For His Presence."

Religion Briefs

Opinion

What the candidate really means is . . .
By CAL BEVERLY
Editor@thecitizenews.com

Small talk on issues of various importance:

A home strike: owed to baseball
By BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines

Baseball is big. I don't know why, seeing that it's about as slow-moving as a city worker on Monday. I guess it has been mandated forever, though, since it was mentioned in the Bible, ("In the big-inning ..."). Personally I gave up on the sport years ago when the Braves stopped selling general admission tickets behind the left field wall.

For many, why is homosexuality the unforgivable sin in America?
By JEFF ELLIS

Just for the record, [The Citizen in this space in July published] the fifth disparaging article toward gays in five months. William Maier is proficient at finding any subject and twisting it in an effort to demonize all homosexuals for the failings of a few.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Where were politicians on Melear and race?

I feel compelled to voice my opinion about the manner in which the majority of our elected officials handled themselves when faced with a "not so popular" issue, yet claim to stand by certain priorities. The issue involved a judicial complaint filed with the Judicial Qualifications Commission against the veteran Fayette County Chief Magistrate Judge A.K. Melear. Melear allegedly used racial slurs when inquiring about the race of suspects before he ruled on an arrest warrant.

Of editors and slugs . . .

The recent opinion column concerning the editor's view on the upcoming elections begs two questions:

When Samaritans go homeless, who will help needy?

Recently a letter was published stating the plight of the Fayette Samaritans. I understand the response in terms of donations has been extremely disappointing.

AARP helping grandparents

The motto of AARP is "To Serve and Not to be Served." In light of this, our local chapter #2936 is seeking ways to help senior members of our community.

Spend some money on maintaining PTC cart paths

The [Peachtree City cart] paths are an accident waiting to happen. Maintenance of old paths has been poor for years now. Developers were forced to put in more new ones than we are maintaining.

ARC population report fails to provide accurate picture

[The Citizen's] John Munford correctly reported the raw data released by the Atlanta Regional Commission, but the raw data does not provide an accurate picture of growth rate because it fails to account for the differences in population of each county.

Some alternatives proposed for spending county taxes

In response to [Dennis] Chase's letter in which he stated to the county commissioners he did not want any of his tax monies going to Tyrone. Well, since the county commissioners are allowing taxpayers this honor, this is my request:

Annexing helped water quality and new hospital

I was quite disappointed with your recent editorial concerning annexations and the city. Your statements were totally inaccurate and without foundation in fact. In the 15 years I have been involved with the city I have never seen you at a Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council workshop or meeting. This could explain your misconceptions.

Don't expect cooperation from Development Auth.

As I have said on these pages on one earlier occasion that before there was a Steve Brown, there was a James Melvin Ewing. To date, I still hold the record for controversial political news headlines, Mr. Mayor. That being said, I'd like to express one man's (mine) lowly opinion, "you're my hero, Charlie Brown" Oops, I mean, Steve Brown.

Taxpayers' money going for graffiti is bad public policy

In response to John Munford's report "Will 'legalized graffiti' fly in PTC?" (Aug. 14):

1 teen decided to make a difference; council listened

I hadn't met Lauren Davis until a recess had been called during the marathon city council meeting last Thursday night, which ended at nearly 2 a.m. But if I had to wait until then to have finally met Lauren, it would have been worth the wait.

Rapson's nondefense caused waste of taxpayers' money

Councilman Steve Rapson, in your impassioned open letter in the Aug. 14 edition of The Citizen you discuss two major items. You begin your letter by stating that when first elected you had to "wonder why [elected officials] chose to participate in undignified and unnecessary behavior." You also state that the recent ethics violation for which you were found guilty was "both frivolous and a waste of money." That all you learned during this hearing was "who [your] true friends are."

Allen incorrect about open meetings rulings

Eric Allen as self-appointed head of the Tyrone Watch Community, continue to misrepresent innocent Tyrone citizens by not providing them with all facts relating to issues for consideration before the town of Tyrone.

Fayette voters duped by misleading 'push poll'

am releasing this statement before we know the results of this election. This should not be perceived as sour grapes or being a poor loser or being a poor winner and kicking the other guy when he's down. I don't know who's going to win. This issue goes way beyond winning or losing a particular campaign. It goes to the core of our values and our system of government.

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