Wednesday, May 21, 2003

News

Record 1,467 to graduate Friday

When more than 1,450 seniors walk the aisles to accept their diplomas at Fayette's four public high schools on Friday, they'll represent one of the largest, smartest and, if scholarship offers are an indication, fortunate classes in the county's history.

College credit courses OK'd for PTC

Get ready to matriculate in Peachtree City.

BOE budget: Teachers' raises drop to a half %

In a case of "two steps forward, one step back," Fayette school system administrators and board of education members continued down the difficult path of balancing the budget for the coming school year at Monday's regular meeting.

Father, son don't like sick days

David Gelhardt's father Mark had perfect attendance for 12 years of schooling, first through twelfth grade. David, a graduating senior at Starr's Mill High School, just bested his father with 13 years of perfect attendance, thanks to kindergarten.

Experts: Medics correctly treated boy struck by ball

Two medical experts contacted by The Citizen have said Fayette County paramedics acted properly while treating a local youth baseball player who later died after he was struck in the chest with a baseball.

TDK delay: Who pays for added engineering costs?

Plans for the extension of TDK Boulevard across Line Creek and into Coweta County are "90 percent complete" but have sat unfinished since late March because of a disagreement between Fayette County and Peachtree City over who should pay for engineering cost overruns.

Collins, Westmoreland announce campaign plans

When the 2004 election is over, the Southside of Atlanta could have a new level of influence in Washington.

County budget lower than last year

There's good news for Fayette County taxpayers in this year's County Commission budget.

County, Tyrone sites prime for office space development, consultants say

Fayette County's population will continue to grow in the future and the county's economic development authority wants to make sure Fayette's job opportunities grow, too.

Hospital needs more room to expand services

Space is getting tight as Fayette Community Hospital is exceeding growth expectations, according to hospital CEO Darrell Cutts.

Golf center to serve beer and wine starting this summer

Golfers who visit the Wendell Coffee Golf Center this summer will be able to enjoy a beer after playing the course.

PTC Development Authority seeks to kick equal pay suit

Attorneys for the Development Authority of Peachtree City are asking a federal court to dismiss an equal pay lawsuit filed by former amphitheater director Kristi Rapson.

Memorial day festivities throughout Fayette

Fayetteville is celebrating Memorial Day in true patriotic style this year at the Villages Amphitheater. The celebration will take place Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. The public is invited and all festivities are free.

Unnamed hotel chain locating to Villages project

The first piece of the commercial portion of Fayetteville's first mixed-use project will be a 77-room hotel.

Quiet little road needs high-flying new name

It's not the most scenic drive in Peachtree City, but talk about your multi-modal access.

Fayette reaps ARC money

The taps of grant money from the Atlanta Regional Commission flowed into Fayette County this week.

Woman arrested for 'punishment' potion

A Brooks woman has been arrested for cruelty to children after forcing a child to drink a rather odd concoction as punishment.

Man accused of assaulting child

A Fayette man has been arrested on sex charges for assaulting a victim under the age of 16.

Teen arrested for statutory rape

Peachtree City teen has been arrested for statutory rape.

Morgan named new commander

Seventeen-year old Tim Morgan of Hogansville is the new cadet commander of the Peachtree City ­ Falcon Field Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol.

Students advance to state Geography Bee

As global events unfolded this year, having a sound understanding of the world and its geography, politics, cultures and religions has been essential. Such knowledge is second nature to three of Fayette's students who were selected to compete at the state level of the National Geographic Bee last month.

DeCotis named Alumni of Merit

Mohawk Valley Community College of New York has named Fayette County School Superintendent John DeCotis as its 2003 Alumni of Merit recipient.

Association honors DeCotis, names top counselors

For all of the work that Superintendent John DeCotis has done to help the Fayette County school System's counseling program through the years, the Fayette School Counselors Association named him Advocate of the Year at their third annual awards reception.

Students get history lesson from MacArthur's secretary

Not many people can say that they knew Gen. Douglas MacArthur personally, but students at Sandy Creek High School got a rare insight into what the general was really like from someone who knew him best.

Tips for safe Memorial Day driving

There is nothing worse than taking off for a driving vacation and two hours out on the road you encounter car problems. According to the Car Care Council, "tow truck operators in resort areas or along Interstate highways see all too many travelers forced to return home ahead of schedule due to car trouble. The situation usually means more than just a repair bill. It can involve towing charges, lodging and possible a rental car. Add to that the cost of extra phone calls, meals and general inconvenience and the ordeal becomes expensive." So, if spiraling gas prices have not discouraged you from hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend, take heed before you take off. The Car Doctor has ten timely tips for saving money on gas and for ensuring a trouble-free trip.

Police Blotter

Obituaries

Wedding Announcements

Dining Guide

Colorado comes to Peachtree City
By F.C. FOODIE
Food Critic

 

For months, travelers on Ga. Highway 54 in Peachtree City have driven by a new development across from Publix and speculated on what new restaurants would be coming to their fair city.

Take your very best friend to Gumba's

Generally when you think of restaurants owned by a chef you think they must have been doing this their whole life. This is not so, however, for John Manzo, owner and operator of Peachtree City's newest rotisserie cafe.

Say hello to Fayette's newest Thai restaurant

Written in gold at the front of Fayetteville's newest Thai restaurant is "Sawasdee." That's a genuine way to say hello in Thai. But you'll be likely to get an English hello from friendly manager, Chancharas Sinphoon.

Our love affair with bacon shows no sign of ending

Back in the days before most people even knew about cholesterol, let alone its artery-clogging properties, almost every kitchen in South Mississippi kept a container for rendered bacon fat. Every bit of it that could be saved was used in all kinds of recipes, particularly those that called for sauteeing "the trinity" of Cajun and/or Creole cooking: celery, onions and bell peppers.

Food briefs

Graduation 2003

Graduation 2003 - One journey ends another begins

Earning the status of valedictorian and salutatorian is a long process, beginning with the first report cards of the freshman year of high school. Each grade that the students receive over the next four years figures in to their class ranking. As graduation nears, the students near the top of the class jockey for position and the top two students are awarded valedictorian and salutatorian status respectively. For their hard work they are rewarded with scholarships and praise and both students get the opportunity to address their class at commencement. It is an academic victory like no other, an achievement that is a part of that school's history forever. Congratulations.

Fayette County High School - Class of 2003

McIntosh High School - Class of 2003

Sandy Creek High School - Class of 2003

Starr's Mill High School - Class of 2003

Pace Christian School - Class of 2003

Fayette Christian - Class of 2003

Landmark Christian School - Class of 2003

 

Business

Serendipity Baby & Co. open in Fayetteville

Springtime is the season of new beginnings that we all look forward to during the dead of winter. Luckily for Krista Burrus and her store, Serendipity Baby & Company, spring lasts year-round.

HBA meeting for home buyers is today

The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, a professional trade association serving the nine metro counties since 1945, hosts a free monthly class to better educate and guide today's first-time new homebuyer through the entire process of buying or building a new home.

Buckhead Brewery offers new steak

Georgia's beef producers, through their $1-per-head checkoff, will be teaming up with an Atlanta-area restaurant chain to offer consumers a new steak that is not only great tasting, but economical as well.

"The Fred" to welcome Frampton, Benatar and mystery duo among others

The second part of the summer concert series at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater was announced on Friday morning and it is full of high class entertainment as well as a big surprise.

Six foot invisible rabbit comes to Newnan Community Theatre

Have you ever seen a six foot white rabbit? Probably not. In fact, most people haven't, but Elwood Dowd has. His rabbit friend is named Harvey and he is also a Pooka, which is a creature from Celtic myth that is only visible to rumpots and crackpots, which is kind of what Dowd is. If you would like to meet Dowd and have a chance to see Harvey, visit Newnan Community Theatre and see their production of "Harvey."

Atlanta Jazz Festival starts Saturday

There are not many better ways to spend a day than to listen to free music in the park. The 26th Atlanta Jazz Festival concludes this weekend with three full days of jazz at Piedmont Park. The music starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday and goes past 9 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday and 7:30 p.m. on Monday.

Helpful hints for graduates

Go boldly to that new world, full of new experiences and ideas. Just don't forget to do your laundry on a regular basis and throw old food away.

Movies 10 opens doors to kids this summer

Sure, there are some great movies out in theaters these days but some of them, such as "The Matrix Reloaded," are R-rated and not appropriate for kids. That's why the Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse is a great place for kids to go during their vacation.

Author signing in Fayetteville Sat.

Author Cindy Smith Brown will be signing copies of her book "Sweet Dirt and Southern Bones" at A Signature Caterer, Inc., 692 N. Glynn St., Fayetteville this Saturday from 2-5 p.m.

Religion

God bless our 'protectors'
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

If anyone is reading out there, especially those public servants that put their lives on the line for the citizenry, let me know something. Thousands of residents in Fayette County are so very proud of our law enforcement officials, firefighters, and 911 personnel. You are always there when we need you whether it's a fender bender or our love ones with medical emergencies. We are grateful to you for several reasons. lf.

Fayetteville First UMC plans summer fun days for children

Registration is now open to the community for Fayetteville First United Methodist Church's Summer Fun Days for children ages 5 through fifth grade. Those participating will enjoy a myriad of activities ranging from field trips to a wild animal park to ceramics and pottery making. Groups are divided into two age groups age 5 through completed first grade (Arky Angels), and those in second through fifth grade (Jericho Jammers). Groups will meet each Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. beginning Wednesday, June 4, and ending with a party on Aug. 6.

Fayette's Dawson, Martin receive $500 Wesley Foundation grants at Clayton State

Three Clayton State students Josh Dawson of Peachtree City, Molly Martin of Fayetteville, and Sherlene Nelson of Stockbridge, will be presented with Ernest Dunbar Award grants for their involvement in Christian Campus Ministries (CCM), a nondenominational outreach of the United Methodist Church. The students will receive $500 each from the Board of the Wesley Foundation, and will give brief addresses to the Jones Memorial Men's Club, a sponsor of the grants, at Butch's Restaurant in Jonesboro May 27.

Faith Lutheran breaks ground for new facility

Calling it a blend of the old with the new the celebration of Palm Sunday and the groundbreaking for a new church members of Faith Lutheran Church in Coweta County broke ground for their new church building last month.

Vacation Bible School

Religion Briefs

Opinion

 

 

 

 

Fayette's Class of 2003, we salute you
By CAL BEVERLY
Publisher

My household this week is one of many hundreds in Fayette in a higher than usual state of alert. The closer Friday gets, the closer we get to Red Alert.

Teen misdeeds: Hormones, hobgoblins, adolescent brains
By STEPHEN WALLACE

Parents everywhere are no doubt puzzling over recent high profile displays of horrific adolescent behavior, fearing for their own children and wondering what in the world is going on. Let's take a look:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Community's love helped Ashmore family

I don't know how I would have coped with the recent death of my son, John Ashmore, had it not been for the unwavering support and sympathy from the community.

Defibrillators not the magic answer to every cardiac event

I had the opportunity to investigate a similar death here in Massachusetts. Research in commotio cordis (sudden blows to the chest resulting in electrical disruption) revealed an almost 100 percent mortality rate, even in instances where paramedics witnessed the event.

Not every victim makes it . . .

I have been in this very situation numerous times, both as a bystander and a medic. First, four minutes waiting can seem like three days. It's simply human nature, kind of like when a wreck victim says that everything went into super-slow motion.

In treating baseball victim, paramedics should be praised, not criticized

I think this goes back to people seeing false shows on TV and the lay persons not knowing enough about EMS. People seem to think everyone gets shocked and EMT and paramedics can just appear, they do not research what type of response system they have in their community nor do they think about traffic, drivers who do not understand what to do when they hear sirens coming, which in itself can hamper your time, or that these medics might have been clearing from another run.

Fayette lacks weather warning

Congratulations to the ignorance of the Fayette County leadership. They have not provided the citizens of Fayette County with any modern system of weather warning.

Actual vote tallies show 'contentious' label false

I have recently been asked by members of the media and even some citizens about the "contentious" and "difficult" working relationship between members of the Peachtree City City Council. In order to substantiate my answer to this question, I asked city staff to give me a list of how council has voted over the past 17 months, since three new members were sworn into office.

Bandit was more than just a bump in the road

Gingercake Road has become a highway for through traffic in the past few years, but the people who live here have always, at least, been neighborly and friendly.

Bandit was more than just a bump in the road

I am personally offended at the article about David Mangham and his friend Michael Fowler. I have personally known David for over 15 years as well as my husband knowing him for 14 of those years.

Coweta Countian says he resents drug dealer label

I just read the John Dillahunt letter taking exception to the fact that his community is taking a bad rap for being something less than it is.

Encounter with speeding lawman upsets lawful driver

I am a father of one 2-year-old son, and I have two nephews, 16 and 13. I live on Old Chapel Lane off of Huiet Road directly behind where the wreck occurred last Saturday.

Let FCC know fewer owners of media dangerous to liberty

Local voices or mass muzzlings? There is an interesting news story going on in Washington, D.C., that I've heard very little about in any of the news media even though it will affect everyone.

Want green space? Pay for it

For years, I have heard residents state that they want existing farm land to remain undeveloped. This is easy to say when you're not paying the tax bill year after year.

At least flag change did this

Depriving Southern white conservatives of our right to vote on retaining the 1956 flag accomplished one thing: it most likely prevented rioting, looting and burning by the nonviolent civil rights crowd.

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