Wednesday, June 11, 2003

News

County to lower taxes, freeze hiring

When the dust had settled Monday afternoon after nearly eight hours of budget hearings, Fayette County's constitutional officers learned just how tight this year's county budget is being stretched.

Westmoreland sets sights on '04 U.S. House race

One of Georgia's political leaders who started his career in Fayette County kicked off his 2004 run for Congress yesterday.

Fayette Demos energized by Lt. Gov.'s visit

The gathering Sunday in the banquet room of a restaurant just off the square in Fayetteville drew 80 people, some representing the face of Fayette's political past, and others its future.

Girl scouts serve PTC with fun fest

You can be sure most Peachtree City teens are spending these first few days of vacation sunning by the pool, getting up to speed on that summer job or packing for camp.

Nickelodeon star is now sports standout

When Ralph Woolfolk walks down the hallways at Our Lady of Mercy High School, his peers see the friendly captain of the football and baseball teams.

Samaritans seek food donations

The Fayette Samaritans are asking for area residents to donate the following items to the local charity to help Fayette residents with immediate needs.

County commission wants second opinion on dispute over Fayetteville annexation

The Fayette County Commission is appealing a judge's ruling that the City of Fayetteville properly annexed two parcels at the Fayette Pavilion.

Store's alcohol license suspended after payment delayed two months

For waiting over two months to pay a fine for selling alcohol to a minor, a local convenience store has had its alcohol sales license suspended for 30 days.

To help others in time of need, Red Cross needs Fayette's help

Chief Jack Krakeel of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services recalls a time when the American Red Cross came to the county's need.

Wal-Mart cleared after bomb threat

The Wal-Mart at the Fayette Pavilion was evacuated early Monday evening as police investigated a bomb threat.

Facing criticism from Fville homeowners, council agrees to study road connection

The Fayetteville City Council has agreed to reconsider whether it still wants a road connection built between two subdivisions on South Jeff Davis Drive.

Christian Women's Club sets luncheon

The Jonesboro/Fayetteville Christian Women's Club has set Thursday, June 19, as the date of its tea party. It will be held at the Links Golf Club on Hewell Road, at 11:30 a.m.

Police arrest 2 for burglary of McIntosh High

Peachtree City police have arrested two men who set off a burglar alarm at McIntosh High School early Friday morning.

Man arrested with 11 phony checks

A Riverdale man was arrested last week after he was caught with 11 phony checks by Fayette County sheriffs deputies.

Wal-Mart theft ring leads to 5 arrests

Five employees of the Fayetteville Wal-Mart were arrested last week for helping each other steal hundreds of items from the store over a three-month period, according to Fayetteville police.

PTC man arrested for damaging sheriff's vehicles in Cherokee

A Peachtree City man was arrested in Cherokee County north of Atlanta Saturday after he was observed pouring gasoline on several parked sheriff's vehicles, police said.

PTC man recovering from auto crash that killed other driver

A Peachtree City man remained in serious condition Tuesday after he was in an auto crash that killed a Red Oak man in north Fayette County Thursday afternoon.

Publishing company seeks kids to appear in upcoming mystery novels

Over 20 years ago Carole Marsh wrote "The Mystery of Biltmore House," a mystery novel for kids that featured pictures of her son, Michael, and some of his friends. Marsh was a resident of North Carolina at the time and the story, which involved disappearing kids and the disappearance of a priceless antique chess set, found success with lots of readers.

FCCDV fundraiser June 21

The Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence will hold its first annual poker run and motorcycle raffle Saturday, June 21, at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City.

Local naval officer participates in Operation Iraqi Freedom

A local officer, Cynthia E. Wilkerson, and her fellow Sailors on board of the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Wilkerson is part of a coalition amphbious force that includes approximately 33,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. They are participating in the largest military action in the Persian Gulf region since Operation Desert Storm in 1990-91.

School benefit nets $54,000

With more than 250 guests in attendance, the Joseph Sams School recently hosted its 16th annual dinner, dance and auction. This year's event took place at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Jim Sams.

CCSU has record summer enrollment

For the third consecutive semester, Clayton College & State University has set a new student enrollment record.

CCSU info forum June 11

Clayton College and State University's summer Information Forum for non-traditional and transfer prospective students is set for Wednesday, June 11, from 6:15 p.m. until 8 p.m. in room 101 of the Harry S. Downs Center for Continuing Education. Non-traditional students are defined as those individuals who graduated from high school more than five years ago.

Corse retires from Clayton State

In the words of William Shakespeare, "Parting is such sweet sorrow."

Oxendine offers safety tips for summer

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine urges Georgians to keep fire safety in mind when enjoying summer activities such as grilling and camping.

AARP and Atlanta History Center team up to preserve veterans history

The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, in partnership with the AARP and the Atlanta History Center, recently launched an effort to collect Georgia veterans's stories that will become part of the Veterans History Project (VHP).

Guardsmen move to Ft. Stewart for annual training

Right now, 4,000 soldiers of the 48th Infantry Brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard are scattered amongst the piney woods, sand and swamps of Fort Stewart near Savannah participating in their annual military training.

Police Blotter

Obituaries

Wedding Announcements

Dreaming of building a custom home? It's more achievable than you think

When you hear the word "custom" associated with the home building industry, you probably think of a one-of-a-kind home with everything you ever dreamed, right down to the door knobs, at a price reserved for people with large, six-figure incomes. At one time, that was probably correct. But things are changing.

SummerGrove looking at possible expansion

SummerGrove is already big, but it could be getting bigger in a way.

New faces in new places in local real estate

Ellen's Ridge offers custom homes, estate lots

Do you want a spacious brick home, a beautiful wooded estate lot, excellent schools, and a quick commute to Atlanta and Hartsfield Airport? Ellen's Ridge on Milam Road in north Fayette offers all of this and more.

Coughlan named tops in state

RE/MAX of Georgia has notified Dot Coughlan of RE/MAX Advantage in Jonesboro that she is the top producing individual agent in the state of Georgia for the month of April.

Scholarships to be announced at June 19 meeting

Recipients of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia annual scholarships will be recognized at the association's June meeting, scheduled for Thursday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City.

New group develops in Maple Shade

In 1983, Jimmy Halligan started Highland Developers by building duplexes and entry level homes in Gwinnett County. From those first homes, he expanded into developing his own subdivisions with a model home, and as time went on he began developing lots for other builders and homeowners in DeKalb, Fulton, Fayette, and Coweta counties.

Fayette County Board of Realtors honors National Homeownership Month

The Fayette County Board of Realtors is joining Realtors across America in a celebration of National Homeownership Month in June, designed to bring more individuals and families into homes of their own.

Bullard earns top company award in state

Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty was number one in Closed Adjusted Gross Commission Income in Georgia for Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation, (Coldwell Banker) in 2002.

Gramm promoted Floyd

GRAMM & Associates, Inc., an industry-leading real estate development company, today announced that it has promoted Ansley E. Floyd, its senior marketing assistant, to the position of senior marketing director.

Neal named top office manager

Tracy Neal of Custom Community Marketing was one of three honorees chosen by the Metro South Association of Realtors as Secretary/Office Manager of the Year.

City cites Apple Orchard

The Apple Orchard, Dixon Development's project of "timeless" homes in Fayetteville, was recipient of the award for Best Residential Development when Fayetteville officials presented their first Development of Excellence Awards.

Villages earns city award

The Villages at LaFayette Park was recipient of the award for Best Mixed Use Design when Fayetteville officials presented their first Development of Excellence Awards.

Gilbert named Home Source training director

Alan Gilbert, former managing broker at several Atlanta realty companies including Buckhead Brokers, Northside Realty, and Jenny Pruitt & Associates, is now The Home Source Realtors' training director.

Fitzgerald, Young named to Atlanta's Best Realtors list

You rarely see Susan Fitzgerald of The Home Source Realtors walking anywhere. She's usually talking on her cell phone arranging appointments or home inspections and hurrying to her car to meet customers or show property - all at the same time!

Community network becomes electronic front porch for Avery Park residents

Avery Park's success spans more than sales figures, its technology initiatives are cultivating a successful sense of community for the residents of the Newnan development.

WalkAmerica goal exceeded

Prudential Georgia Realty's Peachtree City office recently took part in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica.

Eagle's Tour draws crowds

More than 250 people turned out for the recent Tee Off Party, an event for Realtors which served as the kickoff for the Eagle's Tour of Homes in Eagle's Landing Country Club and Eagle's Brooke Golf & Country Club, Killearn Properties' two communities in Henry County.

Business

Report shows growth at Hartsfield

More than a half-million jobs and billions of dollars have been pumped into the area economy in the past year as a result of activity at Hartsfield International Airport, according to a study released recently.

Gas prices available online

The Georgia Public Service Commission this week published the June prices charged by Georgia natural gas marketers on its Web site, www.psc.state.ga.us.

Tax changes should show up in paychecks soon

Workers will be getting more money in their paychecks thanks to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of2003. New withholding tables incorporate the lower tax rates for employers to use when figuring the federal income tax to withhold from their employees' wages.

Developing a reward and recognition program

Walt Disney World has over 20 reward and incentive programs in place. Recently, people taking a survey on our Web site said reward and recognition was a critical aspect in creating a high retention work environment. Reward and recognition programs do not have to be expensive to be effective.

Former teen idol Rydell brings repertoire to PTC

The end of the first half of the summer concert series at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater is upon us. Bobby Rydell closes a terrific first half that gave audiences rock, rhythm and blues and something they could dance to. With his concert this Friday and Saturday, Rydell will take listeners back to a simpler time with his whiz-bang show that includes a number of hits from a stellar career.

The Charlie Daniels Band helps kick off Villages Amphitheater's first summer concert series

How would you classify the music of the Charlie Daniels Band? Country? Western? Rock and Roll? Bluegrass. All of those answers seem to fit. How does Charlie Daniels classify his sound. "It's Charlie Daniels Band music," said the leader of one of the more popular bands in history. Daniels brings his band and their unique mixture of music to Fayetteville's Villages Amphitheater on Saturday, June 14. It will be the first show of their first summer concert series.

Enchantments abound in FCFT's "The Secret Garden"

Author Frances Hodgson Burnett once said, "When you have a garden, you have a future." For the characters in her novel, "The Secret Garden," the future looks gloomy and bleak until a long-neglected garden is brought back to life. Fayette Coweta Family Theatre will present a musical adaptation of Burnett's beloved novel at Sams Auditorium June 12-15.

Fayette Youth Chorale enjoys successful year

The Fayette Youth Chorale celebrated their fifth year with a trip to New York City and a performance at Lincoln Center. The FYC, a local community children's choir for gifted young singers, ages 9-14, was invited to participate in the National Middle School Honor Choir by the conductor, Dr. Randall Stroope. Dr. Stroope is a professor of music at the University of Nebraska, conductor of the Nebraska Children's Choir, and a noted composer of music for young singers

GYB performance to benefit award-winning school paper

This month, dancers from all over the country are attending Georgia Youth Ballet's Summer Intensive Workshop at The Studio in Fayetteville. The workshop will end on June 27 with a benefit performance for "The Prowler," the student newspaper at Starr's Mill High School. "The Prowler" was named the most outstanding student newspaper in the state in 2001, received Superior ranking from Columbia University, as well as General Excellence from the Georgia Scholastic Press Association.

Lewis and Clark: Catch The Fever

Part of my job requires me to read other papers and keep my finger on the pulse of society. In Monday's News section of USA Today there was a feature with the headline, "Lewis and Clark fever catches on." I wondered if this was so and headed out to talk to the people of the county about their bouts of "Lewis and Clark Fever!"

Get on the train!

The Little Engine That Could competed against bigger, stronger and faster trains. He continually chanted, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" and eventually, he won the race. That story is the basis for Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, "Starlight Express," which will run at the Fox Theatre through June 22.

Religion

When secrets need to be told
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

What are your family secrets? Every family has one or two or more. Secrets can be good, funny, bad, and ugly. There are secrets that are sources of love and affirmation. There are secrets that can be used to manipulate and destroy.

Illinois choir to perform at First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church of Peachtree City will host a free public concert featuring the High School Chancel Choir from Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, Ill., Friday evening, June 13, in the Church Sanctuary at 206 Willowbend Rd.

Body of Christ plans anniversary events

The Body of Christ Church International, USA, will have its 20th anniversary celebration Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 18-20, with guest speakers Drs. Frederick and Betty Price of Crenshaw Christian Center in Los Angeles, and Minister Alvin Slaughter.

Religion Briefs

Vacation Bible School

Correction

In last Wednesday's Citizen, the book, "In My Kitchen with My God Food for Thought for Your Journey of Faith," written by Shirley Strauss, was erroneously identified as an inspirational cookbook. Actually, it is a book of inspirational poems and meditations. The Citizen regrets the error.

Opinion

 

 

 

 

Tax cut bill: No relief for many who pay mortgage insurance

New Tax Bill: What's in it for Homeowners?

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A sunny dispatch from retail: 'My pleasure!'

Retail has changed in my lifetime. OK, lots of things have changed. Now I don't want to become my parents, but sometimes I get irritated at the way I'm treated in retail establishments. I try not to show it, and anymore I don't even notice some of the rudeness extended to me; it just seems normal these days.

PAC officers object: No candidates yet chosen

In the Wednesday, June 4 edition of The Citizen on page 6A you published an e-mail from the mayor of Peachtree City entitled, "Authority's finances for 10 years pose questions." The last paragraph of the mayor's e-mail mentions our organization, DIRECT PAC.

Group dissatisfied with 'tone, direction' of PTC government

Though we appreciate the mayor's interest in our activities, we politely correct him. DIRECT PAC has not endorsed Mr. Tennant. In fact, we have not yet endorsed any candidate for the council seats to be contested in the next election.

Tennant: Brown's e-mail contains at least 12 lies

I received an e-mail from Steve Brown yesterday (attached). The mayor has chosen a path of personal destruction to attempt to discredit me, and I am certain he will continue on the warpath until election day.

Clarification: Council didn't approve of mayor's letter

Council member [Annie] McMenamin called me Friday and asked that I forward her concern about the introduction to the two letters on Page 6A in last Wednesday's edition. It reads, "The following e-mail was provided to The Citizen as part of an exchange between Mayor Steve Brown, members of the Peachtree City Council and the city's Development Authority."

Why, in a built-out city, does the library need expanding?

My family moved here several years ago because of the lifestyle afforded by Peachtree City. As I take a drive through town, however, I'm troubled at the amount of money that's being spent unnecessarily.

Don't assume bad motives

I read the recent letter that was critical of an officer who drove at a high rate of speed on Huiet Road before stopping in a recreation area and exiting his patrol car.

Don't confuse Clayton State with county schools

There is, unfortunately, some confusion in the region.

Unconditional love does not endorse sinful acts

Please permit one more response to Jeff Ellis's pain caused by the perceived lack of acceptance of his son's homosexuality. As a parent, my heart is deeply saddened by the pain the Ellis family is suffering. It is wonderful that the Ellises love their son unconditionally, as they should.

Give businesses what they want: Pass smoking ban now

Give business what they are waiting for. They know how to contain the smoker's overflowing waste, the waste that can make you sick enough to die. We showed them five years ago how to do it more cost-effectively using their current ventilating system. However, they are waiting for you to fix the problem.

Carpe diem and make most of your college experience

As I watch the Class of 2003 hang their graduation tassels from their rearview mirrors and drive toward the great beyond of college, I reflect on the myriad experiences and lessons I've gained in the year since I packed up everything I'd acquired over the past 18 years and left Fayette County.

Back To Top – Back to the Citizen Home Page