Wednesday, June 18, 2003

News

Dozens of new cars, some F'ville homes damaged by Tuesday's flood

Some Fayetteville residents were evacuated from their homes early Tuesday morning as flooding problems crept up around the city beginning at 3 a.m., according to emergency officials.

$148 million budget: Fayette schools get less bang for buck than neighboring Coweta?

No one bothered to sign up for the public comment portion of Monday night's meeting of the Fayette County school board.

Cops: Man dealt drugs at playground

A local man accused of selling prescription drugs and alcohol to "numerous" juveniles and teenagers at a Peachtree City playground has been arrested by police.

PTC authority sacks Falcon Field manager

Following a process that was clearly not his choice, longtime Peachtree City Falcon Field Airport Manager Jim Savage signed an agreement Monday to "retire" at the end of the year.

More restaurants coming just south of Fayette Pavilion

Following a process that was clearly not his choice, longtime Peachtree City Falcon Field Airport Manager Jim Savage signed an agreement Monday to "retire" at the end of the year.

For schools, 156 copiers mean a lot of expense

Fred Phillips can tell you where every copy machine used by the Fayette County school district is sitting.

FBI wants to ID Riverdale bank robber

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is asking the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect who robbed a bank on Ga. Highway 85 in Riverdale Friday.

Bridge out in Smokerise

Monday night's rains washed out the support structure for the auto bridge crossing the Flat Creek tributory in Smokerise Plantation on Peachtree City's north end.

Commission debates Dev. Auth. budget

Fayette's residents will have one more chance to comment on the county's $44.3 million budget before it's put to bed for the year.

Local meeting to come on regional transportation plan

Residents who want a better look at the possible future of Fayette's transportation needs should circle July 2 on their calendars.

Library names top employees

Fayette County Public Library Director Chris Snell announced the library's employees of the year at a recent early-morning breakfast held for employees only, who voted among themselves for the various honors.

Development Authority taking first steps to issue bonds

Since the Development Authority of Peachtree City formed nine years ago it has accrued a debt of $1.46 million. Feeling that a majority of this debt came from capital projects, they would like to eliminate this debt once and for all.

N. Fayette association meeting June 24

The North Fayette Community Association's featured guest speaker at its June 24 will be Georgia Superintendent of Education Kathy Cox. Other featured guests include Dr. John DeCotis, Fayette County School Superintendent and the Fayette County School Board.The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at North Fayette Elementary School, 609 Kenwood Road in Fayetteville, Georgia.

Fayette County Library welcomes new librarian

There's a new face greeting visitors at the Fayette County Public Library. Sherri Bowers, a Georgia native and former employee of the Atlanta Fulton County public Library, is the new public services librarian.

Hope House seeking volunteers for WeCare program

Hope House is a children's respite hospice in Union City which takes care of medically fragile children and provides the children's caregivers with a much-needed break from time to time.

Two Fayette teens graduate from Youth Challenge

Two Fayette County Teens were among more than 200 teens graduating from the National Guard-sponsored Youth Challenge Academy this weekend at the Macon City Auditorium. Among the many family and friends attending the commencement ceremonies was 11th District Congressman Phil Gingrey.

Craft show to raise money for Hope House

Hope House volunteers are hosting an arts and craft show as a fundraiser for Hope House this Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 1760 Dolly Nixon Road in Senoia. In addition to arts and crafts, there will be a silent auction, a raffle and refreshments. Hope House is a children's respite center for medically fragile children located in Union City. Phone Georgia Lungaro at 770-599-1148 or 770-461-5055 for more infomration.

Peeples council sets meeting dates

The Peeples Elementary School Council will not meet on the previously posted date of June 24. The next meeting will be July 15 at 7 a.m. in the conference room at the school.

Sandy Creek teacher selected by Air Force as outstanding instructor

After completing a successful inaugural year with the county's first Air Force Junior ROTC program at Sandy Creek High, Master Sgt. Karvellis Lee learned that the United States Air Force had selected him as one of 172 outstanding instructors for 2002-2003.

Zeta Tau Alpha to hold organizational meeting

Area residents who are members of Zeta Tau Alpha international fraternity for women are invited to an organizational meeting Saturday, June 21, at 5 p.m. at the Village Café, 175 Banks Station, Fayetteville.

Starbucks announces recall on cups

If you have recently visited a Starbucks and purchased a plastic Bearista Bear tumbler cup, you should note that recall has been announced. Small pieces of plastic have been known to detach if the flexible straw on the cups is chewed, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Surviving high natural gas prices

Several months ago, industry experts predicted that natural gas prices would remain high going into summer. Marketers' June prices, recently filed with the Commission, indicate that the predictions of high summer prices have become a reality.

Police Blotter

Obituaries

Wedding Announcements

Checking out the Market
By F.C. FOODIE
Food Critic

 

In the past few years, Fayette County has seen its number of grocery stores increase by a huge rate.

Mama Lucia's: It's her sauce

Leonard Guillaume's Italian mama made extraordinary sauce. His grandmother spoke no English and his uncle cured his own sausage and made his own wine. With this fine food tradition, owning a restaurant was not a stretch.

Healthy stuff available at Teavana

Cancer survivors usually get prescriptions for chemotherapy pills, maybe even for vitamins. In Fayette County, some oncologists are now prescribing the fresh, healthy, antioxidant rich teas found at Teavana.

Four simple steps keep summer cookouts safe

Following four simple steps when dealing with food during summer cookouts can minimize the potential for food poisoning, says an infectious disease expert at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Ja! Recipe with German ingredients wins contest

As part of a unique recipe contest, Linda Rohr of Westport, Conn., "cooked her way to Germany."

Cool off with a honey of an iced tea

As summer temperatures rise, iced tea really hits the spot when you're thirsty. Whether sitting out on the porch or lying by the pool, honey-kissed iced teas are the perfect beverage to help beat the heat.

Tossing together no-cook meal ideas

As the temperature increases, so does interest in fast, tasty meals that can be put together without turning on the stove.

Business

Local company releases successful computer book

If you're looking for a unique and useful gift, you may have to look no further than a Peachtree City company. FC&A Publishing's latest book release, "Easy Computing for Seniors: A Step-By-Step Handbook From Start-up to Shut-down" has achieved astounding success, selling over 25,000 copies in its first month of publication.

Career fair for veterans coming to CCSU

SmartStart for New Veterans, Clayton State's online employment assistance program for the military community, has scheduled its second Military/Community Career Fair Aug. 22 in the University's Harry S. Downs Center for Continuing Education.

Thater joins Homestar in Peachtree City

Homestar Mortgage Services, based in Paramus, N.J., announced the addition of Gina McNair Thater to its Peachtree City team of professionals.

Villages Amphitheater to take audiences to "Casablanca"

"Casablanca" was released in 1942 and was a hit with critics and audiences alike. The film won three Oscars; Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay and is a mainstay on the top ten lists of nearly every film critic under the sun. "Casablanca" is a must see movie and if you have never seen it, you can see it at The Villages Amphitheater in Fayetteville on Saturday for free.

Atlanta Fest returns for 17th year to Six Flags

Six Flags over Georgia has long been known for their wide assortment of exciting rides, fun games and entertaining shows. The amusement park will have even more fun this week as Atlanta Fest, the southeast's largest Christian music festival, returns for its 17th year.

Harry Potter mania returns with release of fifth book

Harry is coming back. Finally.

Clark Howard book signing in Fayetteville

Clark Howard, one of the Atlanta area's most recognized personalities, is coming to Fayetteville. He will be signing copies of his new book, "Clark's Big Book of Bargains," at Barnes and Noble across from Fayette Pavilion tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Trobaugh visit rescheduled at Peachtree City Library

When Athens writer Augusta Trobaugh was to have been in Peachtree City to talk about her books, some of the worst storms in many years hit the area and it was thought best by everyone involved that she not drive from Athens and that the program should be postponed. The time has come for Trobaugh to fulfill her previous commitment and she will be in the Floy Farr Room at the library Sunday, June 22, at 2 p.m.

More Mike on T.V.

Every now and then I discuss the world of television in this column and since there are a few programs and television-related issues I would like to weigh in on, here we go:

Religion

Suggestions for summer
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Summers are for vacations. That's been long established. Whether that vacation is to visit favored relatives and sponge off them or a pricey Cancun get-a-way. A vacation means you vacate your normal way of doing things in order to change your place and pace. Vacations allow us to slow down, think, and spend quality time with family and lots more.

New Hope offers summer community ministry for older teens, young adults

Encounter Now, a summer interdenominational ministry geared toward high school and college students, will be hosted by New Hope Baptist Church each Sunday evening during the months of June and July. The group meets from 8:30-10 p.m. at the South Campus located at Ga. Hwys. 74 and 85, south of Fayetteville. Several area youth ministers and others familiar to the religious community are participating

North Fayette UMC will celebrate 20th anniversary Sunday

Special music programs will highlight the celebration of North Fayette United Methodist Church's 20th anniversary this Sunday, June 22, with special performances scheduled for the 11 a.m. service in the sanctuary and again at the continuation of the 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon concert series in the activities center.

Bethany plans Chattahoochee River boat trip

The Circle of Love at Bethany United Methodist Church is planning a boat trip on the Chattahoochee River Tuesday, June 24, departing from Columbus. The group will leave the church at 9 a.m. and will return around 6 or 7 p.m.

First Presbyterian welcomes interim senior pastor

Dr. Richard Dodds is now interim senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City. A graduate of Gettysburg College, Dodds also holds bachelor of divinity and master of theology degrees from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, and a doctorate of ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Tyrone First Baptist announces current preschool programs

The First Baptist Church of Tyrone offers a Mom's Morning Out session for two-year-olds on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. There is a onetime registration fee of $40, then $45 per month thereafter.

Vacation Bible School

Religion Briefs

Opinion

 

 

 

 

Doing Justice to cheap seats, hard floors
By CAL BEVERLY
editor@thecitizennews.com

I've seen it referred to as the Taj Mahal. I've read about its opening earlier this year to accommodate several county offices. But until Monday I had not felt the pain of the new $32 million Fayette County Justice Center.

Gone with the, uh, wisteria? If only it could be so, one native son wishes
By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@theCitizenNews.com

The wisteria is trying to kill me.

Child tax credit continues to '10
By MAC COLLINS
Congressman

On Thursday, the House passed the All-American Tax Relief Act of 2003 (H.R. 1308). This bill builds on the Jobs and Growth Tax Act Of 2003, signed into law in May, and restores many of the provisions eliminated by the conference committee from the President's original request.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Look behind the talk: What are pols doing?

In its headline article of last week, The Citizen reported that the county commission had voted to freeze all hiring for both the sheriff's department and the clerk of superior court, during the coming fiscal year. That was done in the face of requests for 37 new positions by the sheriff, and 11 new positions by the superior court clerk.

DINOs: These are not your father's Democrats

On Feb. 8 of this year, I turned 60 years old. My age gives me the perspective needed to bear witness to the great political and historical events of the last 40 years, events that have transformed the Democratic Party into what is fast becoming the American Socialist Party.

Tennant: Services face hit but I pledge no new taxes

To be sure, these are trying financial times for Peachtree City. Like many businesses in the private sector, revenues are down and expenses are up. What a private enterprise cannot do, of course, is simply turn the revenue spigot on at will. A municipality can do exactly that by simply raising taxes.

Christ Our Shepherd gives generously to community

Re: letter regarding Christ Our Shepherd's new sign [The Citizen, June 11].

Check facts before criticizing

Re: Waterfall at Lutheran Church.

What if nonsmokers were confined to small areas?

The idea of a total ban is not ideal. What all businesses need is profit to strive in the business world and equality to all of its consumers.

Ban smoking immediately

I agree wholeheartedly with Kathie Cheney. It is time to pass a smoking ban for all businesses open to the public. The myth of "smoke protected" has harmed enough people.

Don't let your dog run loose

On June 1 we attended church and chatted afterward in the church parking lot with friends for about 30 minutes. Our friends got in their truck and were several minutes ahead of us on the same highway. As we drove down the road plotted with its well-appointed homes, my husband was recounting his Marine training days. I said "Watch!" But it was too late.

Thanks to Humane supporters

The Fayette Humane Society is celebrating its 30th year of operation in the county. Most of you know us as the group that performs pet adoptions at the Fayetteville PetsMart on Saturdays. What many of you don't know is that for 30 years our primary mission and focus has been to advocate responsible pet ownership through our proactive spay/neuter program.

School test opponents fail to appreciate workplace reality

Things haven't changed that much in the 20 years since I attended high school. I had to learn the material, and pass the numerous tests, or I wouldn't graduate.