Wednesday, August 28, 2002

County wants to increase its share of local option tax; PTC, Tyrone would get less money under new formula

Peachtree City and Tyrone stand to be the big losers under the county's proposed plan to equalize sales tax distribution.

Fayette on alert for West Nile virus

Fayette County officials are stepping up their efforts to be on the lookout for the West Nile virus, since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently confirmed the first Georgia case involving a human.

PTC Council sits at peace table with nervous authorities

The rocky relationship between the Peachtree City Council and two of its autonomous appointed authorities may have lost some of its rancor for the moment as all parties came together last week to work out compromise positions on a disputed taxing agreement.

Development Authority opposes cuts for tennis, amphitheater

The meeting between council and the development authority wasn't as diplomatically smooth as the airport authority's, but both sides eventually agreed to meet later on the issue once the authority compiles figures on how it can cut costs so it doesn't need the hotel-motel tax subsidy to operate the city's tennis center and amphitheater.

Bedraggled beagle becomes a 4-year-old's wish-come-true

A child's wish turned into reality this summer, as a three-legged dog brought home the true meaning of family.

74/Redwine property rezoned

The busy stretch of Ga. Highway 74 near Redwine Road will probably get a little busier after the Fayette County Commission voted to rezone the property last week.

Chuck Floyd named as chief magistrate; becomes Fayette's first black judge

Fayette attorney Charles Floyd Jr. has been appointed as the county's chief magistrate judge, replacing long-time chief magistrate A.K. (Kenny) Melear, who resigned after being accused of using racial slurs.

No one hurt after small plane crash near PTC

Four people walked away uninjured from a small plane crash Saturday morning just south of Peachtree City, according to the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

PTC to regulate stormwater to improve water quality results

Illegal discharges into Peachtree City's stormwater drainage system will carry a hefty fine if the city council signs off on a water protection ordinance compiled by a volunteer committee.

Local man arrested for assault, kidnapping

A Fayetteville man has been arrested for assaulting a woman at his residence early Saturday morning.

Local nursing home employee fired, charged for stealing pain patch

An East Point woman has been arrested for stealing pain medication from a patient at Southland Nursing Home in Peachtree City while she worked as a certified nurse assistant there.

Police: Fville man hit mother with wooden chair

Police say a Fayetteville man struck his mother with a wooden chair and then turned on two Fayette County Sheriff's detectives who had responded to the scene last week.

War veterans to receive high school diplomas

Veterans who did not graduate from high school due to their service in the Korean or Vietnam War can now apply to the school district where they attended high school to receive their high school diplomas.

Children at the Fayette youth Protection homes enter a new school year

The Fayette Youth Protection Homes staff invited Fayette County teachers, counselors and principals for a luncheon and planning session. The Youth Protection Homes provide shelter and healing to abused and neglected children. As the new school year opened, the agency's percentage of elementary age residents was much higher than in previous years.

Wheat loans Civil war pistol to museum

Former Fayetteville mayor Mike Wheat recently loaned a Civil War-era pistol used by one of his ancestors to the museum at Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House in Fayetteville.

Regional Archives in Clayton County

Calling upon the theme of Bruce Springsteen's current tribute to the American spirit - "The Rising" - James McSweeney, regional administrator for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) today opened the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Southeast Regional Archives, just west of the campus of Clayton College & State University and astride the city boundaries of Morrow and Lake City, Ga.

Southern Regional refiles application for rehab center

Southern Regional Health System announced this week that it has refiled its application to launch an inpatient acute rehabilitation program. The 20-bed center would be only the second inpatient rehab facility in the Atlanta metro area south of I-20.

Dan Cathy speaks at Landmark

Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A's president and chief operating officer, delivered an inspiring message to Landmark Christian School's class of 2003 during last Friday's Senior Convocation.

English to emcee opening Villages concert

Fayette Superior Court Judge Paschal English, who received national recognition as a cast member of the CBS-TV series "Survivor," will emcee the opening concert of the Fayetteville Villages Amphitheater next month.

Police Blotter

Labor Day weekend means it's time to go to Powers' Crossroads

Around these parts Labor Day Weekend is synonymous with Powers' Crossroads, three festivals in one, located on the grounds of the historic Powers' Plantation. Entering its 32nd year, Powers' Crossroads combines some of the highest quality artistic work from all over the United States, a plethora of good food and a weekend full of music and entertainment.

Westville catches Yellow Fever and Fiddle Fever

When people think about Labor Day weekend, yellow fever does not typically come to mind. However, visitors to Westville this Saturday, Aug. 31 will be able to see how yellow fever epidemics struck the south during the middle of the 19th century. Things will get back to a more rollicking and celebratory state on Monday, Sept. 2 when Westville hosts the seventh annual Fiddle Contest.

Callaway hosts hot air balloon festival

Callaway is excited to once again host the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival on Labor Day weekend. Celebrate the end of Summer at this annual event, where the sky is the limit for family fun.

TV has got a stranglehold on me

The fall television season is almost here. Well, not really. Most series won't return from rerun Hell until the middle of September but I decided that I would update you on how I did avoiding television this summer.

Movies

Second annual Light the Night come s to Peachtree City

Excitement continues to build as The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society recruits for its second annual Light The Night Walk, scheduled to take place on Sept. 14 at Peachtree City's Shakerag Knoll at 6 p.m..

Religion

How faithful are you?
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Twenty-five years elapsed from the promise of a child to the birth of Isaac. What did Abraham do those 25 years? Well, during some of that time, he made bad decisions, like going down to Egypt during a famine; like conspiring with his wife to identify her as his sister if they were attacked; like a conjugal visit from his wife's handmaid to produce an heir.

Missionary in Czech Republic lends helping hand to residents

Elder Austin M. Gardner, a graduate of the Sandy Creek High School class of 2000, has been serving in the Czech Republic for the past 18 months as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Holly Grove dedicates cornerstone

Historic Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church installed a cornerstone Sunday, Aug. 18, in recognition of 105 years of service to the community. The cornerstone was installed on the new fellowship hall addition to the church.

PTC United Methodist hosts family psychologist for parenting sessions

Peachtree City United Methodist Church will host noted family psychologist John K. Rosemond when he presents two parenting sessions Saturday, Sept. 21. The topics are "Assuming the Power of Parenthood," from 10-11:30 a.m., and "Bringing Out the Best in Your Child," from 12:30-2 p.m.

Grief support group plans dinner session

Those who have lost loved ones and are in need of a safe place to express their grief are invited to attend the first gathering of the Grief Support Dinner Group at the First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City, Thursday, Sept. 5, at 6:30 p.m.

Peachtree Christian Fellowship offers support for wives of sexual addicts

Peachtree Christian Fellowship offers a support group for wives whose husbands are sexual addicts, a condition the church says has skyrocketed throughout the nation.

His House Church to sponsor Bible study

His House Community Church and "Dr. Lydia" Herndon announce an upcoming Bible study to be offered Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. at the home of Pastor Knox Herndon, 125 Heritage Lake Dr., Fayetteville.

Religion Briefs

Opinion

Support your local teacher
By BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines

I was so close. I was literally inches away from the knife. Though suffering from a fever, I was barely half a foot from the door when my mother stopped me. "Where do you think you're going?!," she asked, halting my steps to the bus stop.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

What politicians won't say about local taxes

It may seem that the elections are over, but they aren't. If eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, eternal vigilance about taxes is the price of freedom from oppressive taxes. Let's talk about taxes.

Many Christians love gays while not accepting the gay lifestyle

I have no idea what [last week's guest columnist Jeff Ellis] and your family have gone through because of your son's sexual preference. I personally believe that many of us Christians miss the "mark" when it comes to a real understanding of God's direction in our lives. We are often (more times than not) judgmental, quick to anger and slow to forgive. All of this goes into the face of what Jesus has taught us to be.

Prayer didn't help, but acceptance did

Why can't I have a father like Jeff Ellis? His words were written with passion and strength obviously shown by the love for his family. I understand his plight and know the hideous realm of discrimination faced by his family. I am openly homosexual. I grew up in a home filled with horror.

Teachers' union blames America for Sept. 11

Dear teachers, we have recently become aware of the National Education Association's lesson plan for teaching the "Remember Sept. 11" program that is to be presented to our children nationwide on our national day of sorrow.

It is the soldier . . .

It is the soldier . . .

Dunn: Thanks to voters who checked the facts

I want to thank [Fayette County citizens] for my reelection to the County Commission. Serving you in this capacity has been both satisfying and enlightening. The job is tough but the reward is helping to keep Fayette County the best community in Georgia. I pledge that I will continue to challenge everything and anybody who threatens our quality of life. You can count on it.

Wheat: Thanks to voters who got message of lower taxes

Wheat: Thanks to voters who got message of lower taxes

Voters sent a clear message on how county is developed

I still cannot believe it. There will be no runoff for County Commission Post 4!

Only Fayette resident in 34th Senate race needs our help

We have an outstanding Fayette County Republican candidate running for the 34th District [Senate seat]. Emory Wilkerson is Fayette County's only local candidate in this race.

Past councils ignored cart paths, but don't do bonds

Congratulations to Mayor Brown for recognizing that the cart paths of Peachtree City are in need of extensive repair. Shame on previous city administrations for allowing an integral part of the city's infrastructure to deteriorate well past an acceptable standard.

PTC's financial crisis is bigger than 9% tax hike

The recent front page headline, "9% tax hike eyed for PTC," [The Citizen, Aug. 14] down-played the financial crisis facing Peachtree City. It only addressed the proposed millage increase and only addressed fiscal year 2003.

Neighbor editor Collin Kelley says good-bye

For the past decade, I have been a writer, editor and executive editor at The Fayette Neighbor newspaper. As of Aug. 13, that part of my life ended and by the time you read this, I will have started a new chapter. I was named managing editor of Atlanta Intown magazine and I am looking forward to this new adventure and challenge in my career.

Golfview traffic changes contribute to overall safety

As a longtime resident of the Golfview Drive area, I have to disagree with Susan Stromvall [The Citizen, Aug. 14]. Ms. Stromvall states that city council members disregarded a safety concern when installing stop signs on Golfview Drive. However, she should consider several inconsistencies in her argument before making such an accusation.

Angry at speed bumps, signs, driver will be blowing his horn

I am writing this letter [about residents on Golfview Drive] out of extreme frustration. My wife and I have lived in the Kedron area since 1994. During this time we have admired your neighborhood so much. It reminded us of a neighborhood we lived in Raleigh, N.C. I felt proud of showing off your neighborhood to our out-of-town visitors.

Take time to know candidates

I wish that candidates for public office would quit spending thousands of dollars letting us know what is wrong with their opposition. Why not take the time and money telling us why they are qualified to run for office?

Stephens column was 'immature'

I find your retraction to be as immature as the scene [candidate Thomas] Stephens created in your office. Further, I wonder as to your motives, especially in light of your repeated use of "grandmotherly" Virginia in your article. What is your real agenda here?

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