Wednesday, January 1, 2003

PTC eyes no-bid sale of prime parcel

At its meeting Thursday night, the Peachtree City City Council will consider selling a piece of prime real estate on Ga. Highway 74 without a formal bidding process so a local business can expand its parking lot.

Sen. Seabaugh: TDK extension should be high PTC priority

State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh wants to talk about commitment with the Peachtree City City Council.

Deputies move into new jail

Although it's not 100 percent complete just yet, the Fayette County Jail has been turned over to the sheriff's department so it can clean the facility and begin training its employees to handle the new facility.

County votes slowed growth, no metro buses

In 2002, the Fayette County Commission's operative word was "no" as it tried to control growth in the county.

F'ville edges toward OK on Southside plan

The Fayetteville City Council's consideration of the proposed Southside master plan, which has actually taken two years so far, leads a list of city topics in the news during 2002.

In other news in Fayetteville during 2002:

The city got a $75,000 grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission's Livable Centers Initiative and undertook a study of possible improvements to the downtown area.

Watson murder conviction tops local legal news

The conviction of Jim Watson for his wife's murder was undoubtedly Fayette's top crime story in 2002.

Another busy year for Fayette schools

Continued school system growth and accolades for individual students and schools were a way of life in Fayette County during 2002.

Fayette's new superior court judge looking forward to challenge behind the bench

Fayette County's newest Superior Court Judge takes office January 1st to fill the remaining two years on Chief Judge Ben J. Miller Jr.'s unexpired term.

Police crack down on impaired drivers for holiday season

Police agencies all over Georgia are participating in a special program to combat intoxicated drivers over the holidays.

Rezonings approved for PTC's land use plan, but ponds left out after protest

To bring them in line with the city's recently updated Land Use Plan, the Peachtree City City Council has approved "housekeeping" rezonings for 19 different properties.

Clayton State announces PTC winter course offerings

Clayton State College and University is offering 34 different classes to local residents at its Peachtree City location at the Peachtree City Tennis Center beginning in January.

Collins surveys business community

In an effort to identify trends in the regional economy, Congressman Mac Collins is conducting a survey of businesses in the Eighth Congressional District.

Multiple thefts from bank account alleged

A Peachtree City woman has been arrested for 11 counts of theft by taking for using another woman's bank account to pay her mortgage, utility bill and even buy a leather jacket, according to court documents.

Speeder wasn't a cop as advertised

A Delaware man was arrested the day after Christmas for falsely claiming he was a police officer when he was pulled over for speeding by a Fayette County sheriff's deputy.

Georgia Archives announces schedule for Morrow move

The Georgia Archives has announced the schedule for its move to a new building in Morrow this spring. The move will require Archives to limit access to some of its services for a brief time until the move is complete.

Toys for Tots thanks citizens

The United States Marine Corps and M Battery, 4th Battalion, 14th Marines of Chattanooga, Tenn., would like to thank the generous citizens of Fayette County and neighboring areas for participating in the Toys for Tots Program this Christmas. Over 1,000 new unwrapped toys were collected in Fayetteville during the month of December, which will be given to needy children.

High school students help fifth-graders improve writing skills

An innovative collaboration between Fayetteville Intermediate and Fayette County High schools is helping some fifth-grade students improve their writing skills.

Police Blotter

Obituaries

Prime Timers

 

Care for feet every step of the way

Foot care tips help prevent complications of diabetes

Study points the way to successful aging

As life expectancy in the United States continues to move higher, the number of people over age 65 will grow dramatically in the coming decades. Likewise, the "oldest old," those individuals age 85 or older, are the fastest growing segment of the population. These men and women are pioneers in the country of extended old age.

Replacing the irreplaceable

There's hope for replacing that broken tea cup or lost memory before the holidays

Retirement fund vs. college fund: Do grandparents raising grandkids have to forfeit retirement?

Visions of retirement don't typically include attending parent-teacher conferences and helping with nightly homework. Yet for more and more seniors, that is the reality. Over the past 10 years, the number of children being raised in grandparent-headed households has increased by 30 percent.

Home & Garden

Start the new year organized

Getting organized. It's a common New Year's resolution.

WestPoint Stevens has store in Fairburn

Retailers often follow the festive holiday season with white sales, possibly in anticipation of our tendencies to "nest" in early winter.

Next Backyard meeting Jan. 14

Hulyn Smith grows camellia blossoms the size of a dinner plate in a range of color from pink to red to magenta. Gardeners and plant collectors "ooohed" and "aaaahed" over Smith's unbelievably beautiful camellias at the 2002 statewide Master Gardener meeting in Gwinnett County. Coweta County Master Gardeners were inspired to invite Smith to the Backyard Association meeting so others in our community could experience the wonder of Camellia reticulata.

Put your roses to bed for the winter

As the days shorten and the temperatures dip, it is time to think about putting your roses to bed for a long winter rest.

Firewood: Know what you are buying

Firewood is sold by various methods:

Tips for reducing home energy costs

The unrest in the Middle East and Iraq, combined with the upcoming chilly weather, will likely translate into higher energy bills for Fayetteville-area residents. "There are ways in which to cut down on these expenses this coming winter with a little preparation now," said Dwight Hurston, Fayetteville-area director of HouseMaster, the premier home inspection franchise organization in the U.S. and Canada.

Smoke management

Smoke management has become more of a concern as many areas of Fayette County become more populated. Before burning off land or natural debris you need to become aware of the effects and hazards of smoke that controlled burning may cause. You should also be aware that you are responsible for your fire and keeping it from getting out of control and causing damage, you are responsible for your smoke and the hazards it may cause. Wildfires, prescribed woodland burning, burning brush, or any type of outside burning can smoke up homes, communities, and can also reduce visibility on roads and airports.

Order tree seedlings for winter planting

The Georgia Forestry Commission continues to accept orders for seedlings to be planted this fall and winter. Seedling application forms are available at all Georgia Forestry Commission offices. Interested persons need to place their orders early so they can be assured of the seedlings they want and will need. Several varieties are offered this year and many will sell out quickly.

Simple weatherizing tips yield warmer houses and lower fuel bills

As the leaves turn and a hint of fall chills the air, it's time to think about weatherizing your home in order to make more efficient use of your heat and to control heating costs.

Lots of theater kept area busy in 2002

2002 was a good year for local theater. Each local company presented some fine productions, incuding beloved classics and some newer shows that audiences were less familiar with. If 2003 is anything like 2002, local theatergoers will have plenty of shows to keep them entertained throughout the year.

2002 was a good year for music in the Southern Crescent

The Southern Crescent may not be a Nashville or Memphis in terms of music, but this area was rocking throught the past year. The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater flourished with some incredible acts and Fayette County got another amphitheater this fall when the Villages Amphitheater opened in Fayetteville. There were also a number of festivals and concerts around that had people tapping their toes and singing along.

Local festivals and events were a draw in 2002

The annual events that take place in and around Fayette County are a large part of what makes this area great. The annual traditions are a celebration of local artisans, good food, good music and community spirit. No matter how many changes the area has undergone, one can count on the local festivals and events taking place.

Things I'd like to do in 2003

Resolutions, schmesolutions.

Movies

Religion

Pondering the stars, planets ... and God
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Perspective. Just who are you as we enter this New Year? Let me clarify where you are. You are living on a planet which belongs to a Solar System that's a star orbited by planets, asteroids, comets, and other bodies. The most far out planet in our Solar System is Pluto and it is 3,694,844,400 miles away from the sun. Remember from science, the earth is located some 93,000,000 miles from the sun.

Starting the new year off right ...
By JUDY KILGORE
Religion Editor

One of the pitfalls of getting older, I have learned, is that time seems to pass quicker. When you're young, you can't wait to grow up and become an adult. When you get old, you wish the darned ol' clock would just slow down. But here we are, ready to usher in a new year ... 2003. The last thing I remember was turning the century over in 2000. What happened to the years in between?

Religion Briefs

Opinion

Strom, J. Lo and Winona:
By BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines

I predict 2003 . . .

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

F'ville ignores Northside decay, pushes Southside

Well, it looks as if the mayor and City Council will go ahead and approve changes to the [Fayetteville] Southside master plan, despite the concerns of their constituents and without addressing what will almost surely be increased traffic problems.

Affirmative action: A fable

My wife and I attended a get-together of church friends the other night. My wife and I only knew only about half of them. The hosts served some of the most memorable beef tenderloin roast and mashed potatoes and gravy I've ever had.

Schumacher was devoted servant

A tribute to Rich Schumacher:

Raise tobacco tax to 75¢ a pack

They say that the only thing certain in life is death and taxes. Apparently, this truism doesn't apply to the tobacco industry.

Trent Lott: It's what in your heart that really matters

I believe we would do well to listen to Jesus as we digest the Trent Lott saga. Jesus said, "Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. The food that you put into your stomach doesn't make you unclean ... the bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean ... Don't any of you know what I am talking about by now? Don't you know that the food you put into your mouth goes into your stomach and then out of your body? But the words that come out of your mouth come from your heart. And they are what make you unfit to worship God. Out of your heart come evil thoughts, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, vulgar deeds, stealing, telling lies, and insulting others. These are what make you unclean" (Matthew 15:10-20).

PTC mayor creates turmoil and should resign

I thought, according to all that has been written on this issue, that the mayor, Peachtree City Council, and the Development Authority had hammered out an agreement acceptable to both the city and the Development Authority. Now, out of left field, Mayor [Steve] Brown changes his stance once again, does not like the new Agreement, and calls for the resignation of all Development Authority members and Virgil Christian. What is going on?

Mayor, please explain mess on Hwy. 54 West

After reading in the paper [Mayor Steve Brown's] self-laudatory letter regarding the virtues and beauty of Peachtree City, long established before [he] came to power, can he please explain the mountains of debris opposite the Day's Inn at the entry to our fair city.

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