Wednesday, May 28, 2003

News

Parking woes to affect MHS and Holy Trinity

Workers will be on campus at McIntosh High by the end of the week to begin site preparation for rebuilding the school's parking lots. By this time next week, backhoes may already be tearing into the asphalt and concrete where students parked just days ago.

PTC college class info sessions set for June 5

With the thwack of tennis balls slamming into racquets as a backdrop, college credit courses will be unveiled next week at Peachtree City's tennis center in Planterra Ridge.

Grammy winner now calls Fayette home

Over the past 10 years, you may have passed Todd Thomas at the local grocery store or movie theater and not even known it. That is just fine with him.

Drought drowned as spring sprouts leaks

So this is spring.

Correction

In the cutline beneath last week's front page picture of Fayette County High School valedictorian and salutatorian Karen and Katie Wallace, they were misidentified as Karen and Katie Johnson.

Paramedics train with helicopter medical staff to insure smooth transport

When treating a seriously injured patient, paramedics know time is of the essence to get them to a trauma level hospital.

Sheriff's detective hurt while avoiding drug suspect's car

Two Atlanta men trying to escape undercover drug agents during a bust at the parking lot of the Fayetteville Home Depot tried to run over a Fayette County sheriff's detective, according to police.

Fayette helps snag $7 million in cocaine

Agents for the Fayette County Sheriff's Department's Drug Task Force recently helped seize over $7 million in cocaine from a residence in Lawrenceville.

New charges filed against former humor columnist

A former freelance humor columnist for The Citizen newspaper was arrested Tuesday morning on new criminal charges stemming from his February arrest for violating the computer pornography and child exploitation prevention act.

Severe weather a big threat to Fayette; county urges citizens to plan ahead

Fayette County's greatest risk for large-scale damage is severe weather, according to Capt. Pete Nelms, the county's emergency management coordinator.

Four high school seniors receive Mowell Cup

Four high school seniors received the Mowell Cup for 2003. It has been given each year since 1965 by the Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, to the most outstanding senior as selected by the faculty.

Wind Ensemble welcomes new band director

John Miller was approached to conduct the Peachtree Wind Ensemble by accident, but after working with the group since January it is apparent to the members of the ensemble that he deserves to be there.

Power Parade raises $15,000

The 14th annual Fayette County Power Parade has raised $15,000 to benefit the Youth Protection Homes in the county.

Nelms among first to complete public safety training for executives

Fayette County Emergency Management Coordinator Pete Nelms recently completed a 16-month program at Mercer University for public safety executives.

More blood donors needed to curb short supply for summer

The American Red Cross is seeking blood donors to help cover the typical shortage of supply seen during the summer months.

Edgefield Baptist celebrates anniversary

Edgefield Baptist Church will be celebrating its 133rd church anniversary this weekend. The church was formed in 1870 by former slaves and was originally at the corner of what is now Ga. Highway 54 and Hickory Drive in Fayetteville.

Proper disposal of fats, oils and greases can prevent sewer backups

Without proper disposal of fats, oils and greases, things can quickly go down the drain in your area.

Teachers get trained for Global Achievers

Fayette's Global Achievers teachers recently attended a workshop where they learned about the latest curriculum that will be introduced into the program next year.

Huddleston kindergarteners learn about careers

The kindergarten children of Huddleston Elementary School recently studied community helpers/careers. Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown addressed the five kindergarten classes. They were excited to learn what a mayor does and how much money he makes.

ROTC hosts first military ball

Fayette's first Air Force Junior ROTC program ended its inaugural year in high style with a military ball at the Wyndam Conference Center in Peachtree City April 26.

Economics program wins state award

The Georgia Council on Economic Education has recognized the Fayette County School System as a leader in delivering economics instruction to its students.

Oxendine announces hurricane campaign

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine last week unveiled "Turn Around, Don't Drown," a new public-awareness campaign designed to warn citizens about the life-threatening dangers of inland flooding caused by hurricanes, tropical storms and torrential rains.

Teachers sweep region math honors

Fayette's math teachers have made a clean sweep of awards for their region recognizing them as some of the best educators in the state.

CCSU biologist spices up syndicated radio program

Earlier this year, Dr. Greg Hampikian, Clayton State's resident expert in DNA, forensics and now spices, was interviewed by Bridgett Ennis, executive editor of MicrobeWorld, a syndicated program that airs on 41 public radio stations nation wide.

Students win state awards, school receives superior rating

McIntosh High School students Sarah Stoman and Nancy Dickinson participated in the Related Vocational Instructional State Leadership Conference and placed first and third, respectively, in their competition categories.

School knitting club knits more than yarn

You could say that students, parents, teachers and staff members of Rising Starr Middle are a close-knit group.

Student artwork featured on state poster

A budding wildlife artist at Huddleston Elementary has been selected to have her artwork printed on a poster that is being distributed throughout Georgia to promote the conservation of the state's native wildlife and plants.

Fayette County's DeCourcy wins Economics Teacher of the Year

Each semester, the first thing Mark DeCourcy tells his students is that he wants them to understand the importance of what they're about to learn. Except for reading and writing, he says, economics will be the most useful knowledge they gain in their school careers.

Female pilot and author visits writer's group meeting

The Fayette Writers Group was recently honored to have Pauline Mallary, a member of the all-female pilots organization, the "Nintey-Nines," speak at a recent meeting. The Ninety-Nines went on to sponsor the Powder-Puff Derby, the first women-only airplane races. Along with having her book, "A Pilgrimage To The Past," available, Pauline Mallary shared her experiences of getting published. She stressed the importance of having a mentor and the necessity of being aggressive to be a successful author.

United Way honors volunteers of the year

The United Way recently held a ceremony at the Fayette County Public Library honoring their Volunteers of the Year in both the adult and the teen categories.

Langford writes 'History of Brooks'

"The History of Brooks" has been written by Dan Langford Jr. and will be available for sale this weekend.

Sheriff's Department partners with school system to teach defensive driving

The Fayette County Community School program has announced a new partnership with the Fayette County Sheriffs Department.

Police Blotter

Obituaries

Birth Announcements

Wedding Announcements

Keeping your child safe, Part 2
By GREGORY K. MOFFATT, PH. D
Child's Play

Last month I began a two-part series on how to keep your child safe. I addressed the first of four "developmental enemies" that work against children and to the advantage of perpetrators - trust and obedience. This month I conclude this series with the remaining three developmental "enemies" to your child's safety - curiosity, silence, and perceived appearances.

FCH offers diabetes care classes

Fayette Community Hospital is offering Diabetes Care Classes on the following dates (Mondays) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: June 9, June 30, July 14, Aug. 4, Aug. 25, Sept. 8, Sept. 29, Oct. 13, Oct. 27, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.

South Fulton Medical Center celebrates 40th anniversary

Exactly 40 years ago, South Fulton Medical Center opened its doors and began offering medical services for the south Fulton community.

Feinberg Recognized by Community Health Charities of Georgia

Dr. Bruce Feinberg, CEO of Georgia Cancer Specialists, was recognized for his professional and charitable efforts recently at the Community Health Charities of Georgia's 5th Annual Recognition Event. The awards ceremony was held April 27 at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.

New community organization focuses on quality of life

The Community Wellness Alliance, a national nonprofit membership organization, has announced its newest affiliated chapter in Fayette County.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is severe pain down the back of your leg. It is caused by irritation of the largest nerve in your body, the sciatic nerve. It can be associated with burning, tingling and numbness, as well as muscle spasms and weakness.

To stay young, nourish your hormones

Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary defines hormones as "a substance originating in an organ, gland or body part that is conveyed through the blood to another body part, chemically stimulating that part to increase or decrease in functional activity." The Greek root actually means to "urge on." Thus, hormones are messengers that control and balance many body functions. Research has shown that balanced hormones may enhance and even prolong life.

Baby Peaches helping low-income parents

Baby Peaches, Inc., is launching a new program in metro Atlanta to help low-income parents care for their newborns.

SFMC participates in stroke test program

South Fulton Medical Center (SFMC) is participating in the American Stroke Association's "Get With The Guidelines Stroke" program. The goal of the program is to improve the overall quality of care for stroke patients by improving acute stroke treatment and preventing future strokes and cardiovascular events.

Take five small steps to prevent diabetes

Almost 16 million Americans are well on their way to developing diabetes-and most don't even know it. They have a condition called pre-diabetes, which means their blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet diabetic. The good news is there is now scientific proof that they can delay or prevent the disease and its devastating complications.

State oral health program opens wide to help more children

This year for the first time, low-income children throughout Georgia can get preventive dental screening and care in their schools. This will fill a big cavity in children's health, especially in rural areas, according to Joseph Alderman, D.D.S., director of the Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health's oral health program.

Putting things off can add stress

Six tips to get things done

Titanium rib implant a success at Shriners Hospital

Doctors discovered that 3-year-old Matthew Harper's spine was curved when he was only 4 months old. He was diagnosed with progressive scoliosis. His mother also had scoliosis. She only had a slight curve and never needed treatment.

Mother goes online to help her baby

Shana Hansen, a 26-year-old mother from Blessing, Texas was worried about her infant daughter Lillian.

Several birds can carry West Nile virus

 

Business

While the owners are away, the dogs will play

Day care offers parents a chance to keep their children occupied and out of trouble while they are at work. Doggie Day Care of Fayette, a new business in Fayetteville, keeps dogs occupied and out of trouble while their owners are at work.

Chick-fil-A wins chamber award

The Chick-fil-A restaurant at Fayetteville Towne Center, led by owner/operator Doug Barnett, has been named the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce's Business Partner of the Year. The award is given to a local small business which demonstrates community involvement and support of local schools.

GICC open house June 7

If your curiosity has been aroused by the shiny white building which has emerged at the intersection of Camp Creek Parkway and U.S. Highway 29, make plans to attend the Georgia International Convention Center's Community Day open house June 7 from 1-5 p.m.

Bank opens Peachtree City branch

Gary McGaha, president and chief executive officer of Southern Community Bank, announced that the bank's Peachtree City branch office at 1500 Commerce Drive opened on May 15.

Listen to the Music

The first two shows of the summer concert series at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater featured artists from the West Coast, specifically the Bay Area,: Eddie Money and The Pointer Sisters. The next concert featured the Village People, which formed in the Greenwich Village section of New York. This weekend, May 30 and 31, another Bay Area band, The Doobie Brothers, comes to "The Fred" bringing their mix of rock, rhythm and blues, country and jazz.

Southside Theatre Guild welcomes "The Foreigner

Residents looking to kick off their summer with a little comedy need to beat a path to Fairburn's Southside Theatre Guild this weekend.

LaGrange Opera Theater production to feature local cast

"The Gondoliers," the tremendously funny Gilbert and Sullivan opera, scheduled for May 29, 30 and 31 at Price Theater, will feature a host of local and regional talent, announced Anne Duraski, Artistic Director of the LaGrange Opera Theater (LOT), a member of the Lafayette Society of Performing Arts.

Fairgrounds welcome some of country music's best and brightest

Three of country's greatest singer/songwriters, John Berry, David Lee Murphy, and Lee Roy Parnell, will be painting the town of Fayetteville red this weekend with The Paintin' the Town Tour. The show will take place at the Kiwanis Fairground on Goza Rd. on Saturday, May 31.

Dance Contempra performs in Peachtree City this weekend

Dance can be traced back from the beginning of time. It has been and is still used to express happiness and sadness, as well as, for ritualistic and liturgical purposes.

Georgia Youth Ballet performs in Virginia

Members of the Georgia Youth Ballet just returned from the annual Southeastern Regional Ballet Association (SERBA) Festival in Roanoke, Va. During the three-day event, GYB's 26 Junior and Senior Company dancers took classes from internationally renowned teachers and performed with nearly 900 dancers from 22 other companies from all seven southeastern states.

Ga. Academy of Dance performs at Starr's Mill this weekend

Success, like beauty, lies in the eyes of the beholder. For some, it means great wealth while others define it as how much power they wield. Still others define success by the size of their address book rather than their bank book.

I learned it by watching Wolverine!

Let me start this column by stating explicitly that I do not condone underage drinking and I certainly do not condone drunk driving by people of any age.

Religion

Putting things into proper perspective
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Perspective. That's why God gave us two eyeballs. With two eyeballs, we can gain perspective on an object, sizing up form and distance. With only one eye, we can only see flat with no depth perception.

Ebenezer United Methodist to celebrate 120 years

Fayette County's Ebenezer United Methodist Church will celebrate 120 years of service to the community with a day-long Homecoming event planned for Sunday, June 8.

Nativity Episcopal announces summer schedule

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Fayetteville announces changes its schedule for thr months of June to September while the rector, the Rev. Robert A. Hudak, is on sabbatical. The Rev. Martha Mercure will provide pastoral care and will conduct services in his absence.

Religion Briefs

Vacation Bible School

Opinion

 

 

 

 

Historic tax cut package will benefit millions this summer
By MAC COLLINS
Congressman

The House and Senate last week agreed on a final bill to ease the tax burden on all Americans. Consisting of a mix of marginal rate reductions, capital gains and dividend reductions, and measures to improve capital and create jobs, coupled with direct aid to states, the measure will help to grow employment, improve consumer confidence, and stimulate investment.

Is new thinking on taxes and spending possible for lawmakers?
By Darrell McKigney

It's telling what makes front page news these days. Recently, this headline appeared on the front page of the Washington Post: "GOP Eyes Tax Cuts as Annual Events."

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Diversity column was biased on race, facts

I would like to thank you for the article on "Diversity and the [New York] Times: Black, white and red-faced." It was a very amusing, although confusing, piece.

Where is the outrage over white reporters who lied?

I am very concerned with the tone of Mr. John Leo's opinion columns concerning the fraudulent reporting by former New York Times reporter Jayson Blair in the May 14 and May 21 editions of The Citizen.

Of diversity, plagiarism, race

I am a recent transplant to beautiful Fayetteville. The two items I have relied upon to help me and my family settle in here are the county map and the weekly newspaper The Citizen. I have usually avoided the regular columns in newspapers and newsmagazines but recently browsed certain columns because of the currency of their topics.

Encounter with deputy probably did occur, just nothing like what was described

Sheriff [Randall] Johnson has told me over and over not to rise to the bait when someone says disparaging things about the Sheriff's Department. After all, I agree with him that not everyone likes or has a reason to like law enforcement officers. Unfortunately, I couldn't not rise to the bait cast by "Name Withheld" [Letters, The Citizen, May 21].

So, all white reporters are well qualified, never make errors?

In his column which appeared in your May 21 Opinion section, John Leo, in his misguided attempt at chastising the New York Times for the Jayson Blair episode, paints all black and Hispanic journalists with one brush stroke. He writes as if all of them have done or will do as Blair did and, because of company quota systems, were hired even though they are under-qualified, unprepared and hired under double standards. Such statements represent the epitome of bigotry and bias and are flat out untrue.

Catholics, Protestants share belief in God's Son, Jesus

May I offer a few remarks about what were evidently derogatory comments about Catholicism in a recent letter to the editor that I missed. I pray that the tone of my comments will be consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ, the one who not only calmed the stormy sea, but who also told his disciples when they objected to the actions of someone outside their group who was evidently preaching the gospel: "Forbid him not" and, "If he is not against us he is for us."

Equal pay lawsuit not aimed at tennis center

I never thought that I would file a lawsuit against anyone. Not too long after I filed suit against my former employer, the Development Authority of Peachtree City, my children asked me what would happen if I won.

Fayette has warning system: NWS radio

Reference your headline to Paul Van't Hof's letter in your May 21 edition, "Fayette lacks weather warning."

Residents work to make neighborhood a good one

"Anything" does not go here.

. . . for the melodies, Chorale

The Southern Crescent Chorale and its conductor, Janice Folsom, are to be thanked and congratulated for the artistic musical enrichment they bring to Fayette County and indeed, to the whole of the southern metropolitan area. Fayette Countians have good reason to be proud of this excellent entry into the Metro Atlanta arts scene.

. . . for the Easter baskets

We would like to thank the citizens of Fayette County for all their donations to Operation Easter basket.

 

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