Wednesday, January 8, 2003

PTC Authority contracts may be illegal

A new legal opinion from Peachtree City's new municipal attorney and its bond counsel questions whether the city's development authority can legally operate the city's tennis center and amphitheater under its current contracts with the city.

Sen. Seabaugh to PTC Council: Make up your mind on road funding

In a very polite exchange last week, Fayette state Sen. Mitch Seabaugh told the Peachtree City Council he needed to know its priorities for major road projects, particularly when it comes to counting on the city's share of the funding for those projects.

Fayette's oldest, 'Miss Lizzie' lived in 3 centuries

Fayette County's oldest citizen, Elizabeth "Miss Lizzie" McEachern Brown, died Jan. 3, 2003, at the age of 111.

Dunn turns back chairmanship challenge

Fayette County Commission chairman Greg Dunn has survived the first challenge of the new year.

Samaritans seek help with aid for needy families

The Fayette Samaritans are seeking supplies from the public in their continuing mission to aid Fayette residents with immediate, urgent needs of food, clothing, shelter and transportation. Following are items needed in bulk this month by the nonprofit aid group:

School board ushers in 2003

Some changes on the Fayette County Board of Education as well as in the top administration for the county's schools were presented at a special called school board meeting Monday night.

Jury can watch videotape evidence in Ferguson molestation case, judge rules

A judge declined to throw out key evidence in the upcoming criminal trial against a former leader of the Peachtree City Fire Department's Explorer program, who is accused of molesting the young boys he supervised while showing them "wrestling moves" at his home.

Former pro football player arrested for assault on wife

A former National Football League player who lives in Fayette County has been arrested for pointing a gun at his wife during an argument at the couple's south Fayette home.

School radio station keeps students and parents informed

What do students and parents at Rising Starr Middle School do when they want to hear announcements and school information day or night? They tune into WRSM 100.1 FM, Panther Radio.

Business leaders learn about Education Foundation

Business leaders throughout Fayette recently attended a breakfast hosted by the Fayette County Education Foundation to learn more about the organization's needs, goals and mission.

Students help students feel at home

A new program is helping first-time students at McIntosh High quickly adjust to unfamiliar surroundings.

Landmark student nominated to compete in national award program

Melissa Johnson, a Landmark Christian senior and Peachtree City resident, has been nominated to compete in the National Principals Leadership Award (PLA) scholarship program, sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Mandatory driving tests begin

Beginning this month, the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety will initiate mandatory on-the-road driving tests for anyone getting their first Class D driver1s license. In the past, many applicants were only required to pass a series of maneuvers among cones in a secluded parking lot driving course.

Lowery to speak at CCSU's MLK event

One of the giants of the civil rights movement, the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, will be the keynote speaker for Clayton College & State University's Third Annual Martin Luther King Day Commemoration Event tomorrow.

Police Blotter

Obituaries

Birth Announcements

Wedding Announcements

Business

World Airways gets new $22 million contract to service Nigeria

Peachtree City's World Airways, Inc. announced a new contract with Ritetime Aviation and Travel Services, Inc., an Atlanta-based aviation and travel services company, to provide weekly non-stop air services between both Atlanta, Georgia, and JFK Airport in New York to Lagos, Nigeria.

Realtor is on the cutting edge

Teresa Yelverton-Johnson has completed a highly specialized course in the new skills involved in obtaining and servicing real estate listings, conducted by the Council Of Residential Specialists of the National Association Of Realtors.®

Real Estate

What housing bubble?

It's time to stop perpetuating the myth of a housing price bubble. Contrary to recent speculation among Wall Street analysts and media who might like to see housing investment dollars diverting to stocks and bonds, no such phenomenon exists.

What buyers should know about condominiums

People buy condominiums for a variety of reasons, including affordability, location, building services, security and professional management.

New condominiums coming to Jeff Davis

What is all the hoopla about?

If you're thinking about buying a condominium as a full-time residence, here are some questions to consider:

So, you've decided to buy a condominium. Here are some facts you should know about homeowners association documents:

Thursday, Jan. 16, will be a busy day for the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia.

Metro South-based Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty has once again been included in the Atlanta Business Chronicle's annual Book of Lists, published Dec. 27.

Home Source announces 'one-stop home shopping' at Avery Park

The Home Source Realtors has announced a new residential sales program intended to make home buying at Avery Park in Newnan easier and more convenient for home buyers and Realtors.

Carroll joins Deer Creek

Sam Carroll is Brayson Homes' new on-site agent in Deer Creek, a 44-home community in the city limits of Union City.

Cedar Grove Village underway

The Knight Group has announced the beginning of construction on Cedar Grove Village, a 350-acre development in south Fulton County which will be the company's largest development since it was founded in 1978.

Centex Homes unveils two model homes at Monarch Village

While a model home has become a standard fixture in today's communities, Centex Homes is adding new elements to the model home concept to make the home shopping experience more consumer friendly.

Wieland now selling at Governors Row

John Wieland Homes & Neighborhoods is now selling at Governor's Row, its newest neighborhood in Peachtree City. An enclave of 28 homesites, Governors Row will features classic homes priced from the $350s in an intimate setting and sidewalk-lined streets throughout.

Brisk sales for upscale townhomes at SummerGrove

SummerGrove's upscale townhomes are off to a fast-selling start. The townhome model has only been open three months, and seven townhomes have been sold since the townhome development began.

Large homes at Shannon Oaks

Shannon Oaks, Meyer-Sutton Homes' new community in the Riverdale area of Clayton County, offers homebuyers large four-bedroom homes at an affordable price.

Custom model opens in The Overlook at SummerGrove

13 designer models now open

Brayson sets grand openings

Brayson Homes has scheduled model home grand openings at four of its Atlanta area communities during the month of January.

Price is key to selling a home fast and for top dollar

"After selling homes for over 24 years, I have found that without a doubt, price is the key to selling your home fast and for top dollar," said Gary Marshall, broker at Assist 2 Sell Buyer and Seller Realty Center.

New faces in new places

Walker earns GRI

Stephen Walker with Prudential Georgia Realty has recently been awarded the Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI) designation by the Georgia Association of Realtors.

Award for Woods @ Swan Lake

The on-site sales team in The Woods @ Swan Lake, Meyer-Sutton Homes' community in the Stockbridge area of Henry County, earned a top award at the 22nd annual Professionalism Awards Banquet to recognize the most outstanding professionals in Atlanta's home building industry.

Steve Harris Homes unveils product at Avery Park

Avery Park, one of Newnan best-selling master-planned communities, unveils its new product line by Steve Harris Homes. The company is building a mix of traditional and turn-of-the-century homes priced from the low $200s.

Robison, Vasquez join SummerGrove's Information Center staff

Pathway Communities, developer of SummerGrove, is pleased to announce the addition of Betty Robison and Yovana Vasquez to the community's Information Center staff.

Gaddy students scoring well

As the first calendar year for The Gaddy School, a state-approved real estate and appraisal school in Peachtree City, comes to an end, the real estate graduates have obtained an astonishing 90 percent-plus passing ratio on the Georgia Real Estate Licensing Examination.

41st Atlanta Boat Show offers bonanza of bargains and events

Are you a boat owner? Would you like to be one? If you answered yes to either of these questions or are just an aficionado of aquatic activities, visit the 41st annual Atlanta Boat Show at the Georgia World Congress Center starting today and running through Jan. 12.

Fayette Woman magazine has new ownership, positive outlook

Fayette Woman magazine is under new ownership, ours.

Fernbank has several exhibits offering entertainment and education

One of the best forms of entertainment is something that is educational as well as enjoyable. The Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta has some amazing IMAX films and exhibits, in addition to the year-round exhibits, to both educate and entertain their visitors.

Attack of the talk about clones

The year 2003 started with a word on the tips of everyone's tongues cloning.

Movies

Religion

Free at last ...
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

I was born a Southerner. I will die a Christian. I was born a Georgian. I will die a Christian. I was born a Baptist. I will die a Christian. I was born in the segregated South. I will die in Christian unity. The question, however, is which identity will I carry as I live? Which identity will identify me as I walk in the environs of Fayette and Clayton and Fulton?

Local pastor heads back to his roots destination: Cuba
By JOHN HATCHER
Special to The Citizen

Forty years is the number of a Biblical era. And it has been 40 years since Fayette area pastor Sam Calleiro fled Cuba, along with his parents and siblings. Now, today, he says he returns not only for sentimental reasons, but also to do business for the Kingdom of God.

North Fayette United Methodist starts concert series January 12

North Fayette United Methodist Church will present the first in a series of concerts Sunday, Jan. 12, at 2:30 p.m. The performance will feature the piano skills of LuAnn Latzanich, playing favorite hymn arrangements and music of the classics.

New York group will perform at St. Paul Lutheran Jan. 14

On Tuesday night, Jan. 14, "In His Name," a musical group from Concordia College, Bronxville, N. Y., will present a program of contemporary music and drama at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 700 Ardenlee Parkway, Peachtree City.

Mary Cunnane will be speaker at PTC Aglow's January meeting

Bradenton, Florida's Mary Cunnane, licensed minister and author of "Hope for the Rejected Woman," will be the guest speaker at this month's meeting of Peachtree City Aglow, Lighthouse Community Chapter, Monday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m.

Interdenominational Bible study classes resume at Providence

Community Bible Study, an interdenominational study program, will resume classes in Peachtree City beginning Friday, Jan. 10. The new session meets Fridays from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Religion Briefs

Opinion

Turns out, Mayor Brown was right . . .
By CAL BEVERLY
Publisher

Well, Ollie, it's a fine mess you've got us in.

Books for guys who like books
By MONROE ROARK
mroark@TheCitizenNews.com

I'm off to a decent start on one of my biggest New Year's resolutions, which is to do a great deal more reading in 2003. The goal is to plow through 25 books by the end of the year, and I'm in the middle of the second one already.

Remembering my dad . . .
By BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines

This past week was the sixth anniversary of the passing of my dad. Normally this would be a totally sad remembrance but, I choose to see it more as bittersweet. Enough time has passed that I can look back and remember first the goodness of even having a father in the home. Enough time has passed too that I can look back at all the good things (and a few bad) that I grew up with, and laugh.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Legislature needs to level legal playing field

Special days are ahead for the upcoming session of the Georgia General Assembly. We embark upon this new session with Republican control of the state Senate and the Governor's mansion. While Gov. Perdue has his plate full with a tight budget, ethics, education reform and redistricting, there are other opportunities, unprecedented in recent years.

Pagan transition complete

I can accept "holiday" shopping. I can live with "winter break" from school. However, the attempts to suppress the name of Christ from Christmas have gone too far.

Local Republicans have no problem feeding at the LOST trough for 10 more years

Addiction exacts a terrible toll. That's why we teach our children not to take up smoking, which is costly, filthy and unhealthy. That's also why we tell them not to use illegal drugs that can turn them into zombies. When alcohol is consumed, we urge moderation, for the same reasons. Many of us also worry that state-sponsored lotteries may foster gambling addiction in some vulnerable people.

Founders had right idea about taxes, government

"Regarding taxes and fairness": What Cal understands but Timothy Parker does not is that each individual has the right to his own life and productivity. The Framers of our Constitution understood that principle and codified it.

Serviceman in Kuwait likes Citizen online, 'Carol' story

Cal, I really enjoyed your Christmas story on this beautiful Christmas Day. Regardless of where we are, Christmas still brings many of us a "prickle."

Current mayor stalling on fixing Hwy. 54 traffic

It was interesting to read Mayor Brown's letter to the editor over the Christmas holidays. At our house we assumed it was a parody and derived a good deal of laughter and enjoyment from it. However, I have since learned that our mayor was serious. On that basis the community deserves some accurate information about several of the topics the mayor addressed.

Ethics ordinances being rewritten raises questions

The Peachtree City Ethics Committee has been holding meetings to make significant changes to the ethics ordinances in Peachtree City. These meetings seem to be fallout from last year's ethics complaints against Mayor Steve Brown and Councilman Steve Rapson. It was after Rapson's compliant that the "need" for updating the ordinances was "discovered."

Mayor Brown: Sticking to principles can be tough

In a time when politicians appear to be concerned only with winning votes, not with statesmanship or courage, the citizens must certainly be saying, "Who can we trust?"

Hwy. 74 land deal shows why recall is necessary

The city has received numerous offers from developers, organizations and businesses who were interested in purchasing the tract, which is just under an acre and is the former site of the old Leach Fire Station, Rast said.

U.S. sense of superiority could take a battle blow

Sean Hannity says it'll take "about 15 minutes." Bill O'Reilly declared we could take Iraq "with minimum casualties." Lucianne Goldberg thinks we ought to bomb that North Korean nuclear reactor currently being reactivated. When pressed by the host on CNBC how we should do this, she declared: "We must have a carrier over there somewhere." If these statements are representative of your thinking, you are not alone.

Advocates for same-sex unions do disservice to gay people

The Conservative Jews who are reopening discussion about the ban on same-sex unions and ordaining homosexuals are doomed to failure unless they educate themselves about the true nature of homosexuality.

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