Wednesday, October 15, 2003

News

PTC mayor calls cops on DAPC

Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown has fired the most serious volley yet in the his ongoing dispute with Peachtree City Development Authority, asking the city police chief to launch a criminal investigation into the activities of the board and related parties.

PTC makes final payment on Drake Field, questions unexpected price

Drake Field is a done deal, though it remains to be seen whether Peachtree City will be left holding the bill for $160,000 in interest payments and closing costs associated with the transaction.

Target nixed in PTC; lawsuit next?

The Peachtree City Planning Commission unanimously denied a developer’s plans for expanding the Kedron Village shopping center on Monday night, but it was little victory to the hundreds of homeowners in the Georgian Park area who’ve organized to fight the project.

BOE: Bus problems

Bus problems are mostly solved, reported the Transportation Task Force to the Fayette County Board of Education Monday night.

Bank robber killed in Union City shootout

An armed bank robber was shot and killed Tuesday morning after he exited a bank in Union City and fired at a Fulton County police officer who pursued him, police said.

Samaritans list top 10 needed items

Enrollment slightly higher than predicted for 2003-04

Official first-month enrollment figures for Fayette County Schools have exceeded projections by nearly 250 students, an unexpected growth spurt that reflected no trends, said Superintendent John DeCotis.

Arrests made for Sept. 11 bomb threat at McIntosh, Sat. threat against Wal-Mart

Peachtree City police used phone records to identify two juvenile suspects accused of phoning in a bomb threat to McIntosh High School on the second anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Miscommunication postponed Saturday's SAT

One would think that getting out of a test on a Saturday would be a good thing, but it wasn’t. Close to 80 students from around the Southern Crescent headed to Fayette County High School last Saturday morning to take the SAT. They were turned away.

Fayette NAACP hosts annual banquet Oct. 25

The Fayette County chapter of the NAACP will host its annual Freedom Fund Banquet Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center.

Fayette's longtime & 'visiting teacher', witness to 45 years of change

After working with Fayette County students for nearly half a century, Lettie “Boots” Ashworth has retired from the county school district to start the next chapter of her life.

Fashion show, auction to benefit victims of domestic violence

A fashion show, luncheon and silent auction will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, to benefit the Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence.

School system looks to conserve energy and save money

Goodbye to those microwave ovens and coffee pots in the classroom. And, by the way, turn out the lights when you leave the classroom, the Fayette County school system is saying to staff.

Operation Decorate hopes to bring Christmas spirit to troops in Iraq

Emily Snow’s husband, John, is flying a Black Hawk helicopter for the U.S. Army in Iraq. He is based out of Ft. Hood in Texas and has been overseas since March. Emily has moved to Peachtree City, with their children, to be with family until he returns.

Local racers to race for six days in Brazil

Russell Bobbitt and Heidi Landon are going to Brazil for the 78th annual International Six Days Enduro Race and Bobbitt’s mother, Bonnie, is doing everything she can to help finance the trip.

Lake cleanup

The West Point Lake Coalition will have its second annual lake cleanup Saturday, Oct. 18, from 8:30 am.-1:30 p.m.

National Merit semifinalists announced

Twelve Fayette students are among the 16,000 nationwide who are now vying for some 8,000 merit scholarship awards totaling $30 million that are being offered through the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Cattle Baron's Ball to raise money for American Cancer Society

Local citizens will be able to feel a little bit like cowboys and cowgirls this Saturday when the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball comes to the Kiwanis Exhibiton Hall in Fayetteville.

Today is Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Governor Sonny Perdue and Georgia’s mayors have proclaimed Oct. 15 as Breast Cancer Prevention and Awareness Day in Georgia. They join people throughout the state to simultaneously acknowledge the importance of breast cancer screening in saving lives during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Politics, pizza unite for Youth Council election

The Peachtree City Youth Council is having a Debate and Pizza Party Election Thursday, Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center. Any high school student who is a resident of Peachtree City can vote. Also, anybody, including adults, is welcome to watch the debate. You must be present at the debate, which begins at 6:30 p.m., to vote.

Christian City's Fall Festival Saturday

Christian City will host its 25th annual Fall Festival Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Christian City campus.

Obituaries

Wedding Annoucements

Dining Guide

Fayette's new mountain hideaway
By F.C. FOODIE
Food Critic

 

Driving on Ga. Highway 85 doesn’t usually conjure up images of fresh mountain streams and spectacular mountain views, but the newest restaurant in the county is hoping residents discover it as a respite from the often-busy traffic on the road.

Better than dinner and a movie

You might drive through, be distracted by T.V.s behind your spouse’s head, crack your own peanuts or sip latte at a table in the corner. But there is nothing quite like Japanese Hibachi.

Business

Fast, professional printing is the Minuteman way

Six days after buying Minuteman Press, Peachtree City’s Ken Logsdon was in New York City for three weeks of training. It was Sept. 4, 2001. One week later, he watched the world change.

Tanger acquires new outlet centers

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., a leading owner, developer and manager of factory outlet centers, announced the execution of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of the Charter Oak Partners’ portfolio of nine factory outlet centers totaling approximately 3.3 million square feet. Tanger and an affiliate of Blackstone Real Estate Advisors have formed a limited liability company to acquire the portfolio as a joint venture.

'Lion in Winter' starts this weekend

One would think that being royalty, something like a king or queen, would be filled with royal feasts, adoring subjects and amazing riches. However, the play, “The Lion in Winter,” written by James Goldman and being performed by Newnan Community Theatre over the next two weekends, illustrates that this simply isn’t so.

Sandy Creek returns with a bigger Madrigal Dinner

Last year Sandy Creek High School students teamed up with members of the Fayette Youth Chorale to present a show unlike any they had done before.

Home, paper get fresh, new look

Check this out!

Editor speaks to Fayette Writers Group

At a recent meeting of the Fayette Writers Group, Kristie Flanigan explained how she, with a strong background in technical writing and communications, would be an asset to our writers/authors.

Shakespeare class coming Nov. 2

Shakespeare class coming Nov. 2 Offshoot Productions, the Fayette County professional theatre company, is hosting a workshop for performers with no prior experience with acting in the plays of William Shakespeare.

FCHS band finishes in top 10

FCHS band finishes in top 10 You just might have heard the distant roar of excited cheers two Saturdays ago, coming all the way from Johnson City, Tenn.

Notre Dame Glee Club Comes to Atlanta

All-male chorus to deliver a cappella program of sacred and secular music

Religion

Appreciating your pastor
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

It’s considered a crude offense not to leave a tip (gratuity) upon paying the server in most restaurants. If you experienced below par service, you usually tip five percent rather than the customary 10 to 15 percent of the dining check. But, in almost all cases, you always leave something. The history of the word “tip” has various explanations. But the one most plausible to me is the following: the tip began as a verb in the 17th century, used in the language of thieves, meaning “to give.” By the early 18th century, the meaning included to give a gratuity to a servant or employee.

Heritage Christian members gear up for 'Dickens Village' Christmas extravaganza

With temperatures still reaching up to the 80s, it’s hard to get into the “holiday spirit.” But there are some local folks at Heritage Christian Church who, even with the hot and humid weather, are having a Dickens of time getting ready for their annual “Dickens Village,” planned for Dec. 10-14 from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

De Vore to speak at Peachtree City Aglow

Peachtree City Aglow will feature guest speaker Aafke Van Oosten De Vore at the October meeting, planned for Monday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.

Mennonite quilt show planned for Oct. 24, 25 in Fayetteville

The fourth annual Peach Cobbler Mennonite Quilt Auction and Sale for World Relief is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25 at the Kiwanis Complex Exhibition Hall on Goza Road in Fayetteville. Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend all events.

Michael Wells to speak at Grace Evangelical

Grace Evangelical Church will host a free conference featuring Michael Wells of Abiding Life Ministries International. The seminar is planned for Sunday through Tuesday, Oct. 19-21,from 7-9 p.m., and will be open to all. Wells also will speak at the Sunday morning service, Oct. 19, at 9:30 am. A love offering will be taken.

Religion Briefs

Opinion

Tennant answers some questions
By CAL BEVERLY
Publisher

Peachtree City Councilman Dan Tennant has made himself the point man in trying to calm the troubled waters of the tennis center scandal. He sought a reversal of the city Development Authority’s vote to resign from its management contract overseeing the tennis center and the Fred Brown Amphitheater.

Behind the faux finish, an imperfect place
By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@theCitizenNews.com

It is 12:15 a.m. on Saturday night, or Sunday morning if you prefer, and I’m at the newspaper office, where I stopped off for five minutes an hour ago to check the e-mail, download something, drop off notes, maybe write this column.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Are Target developers above the law in PTC?

I am astonished with the situation regarding the big box retail power center targeted for Kedron Shopping Center and the series of events that have led to its seemingly insinuated approval.

Azura’s painful story one of many

I’m president of Georgia Heartland Humane Society. The facts are slightly off [in the story about Azura, the injured dog.] Actually, Dr. Rickard and a second opinion from Dr. Vince concluded that since this leg injury was at least a week old, that it had already started to heal and even an expensive operation may not help, therefore both doctors suggested crate rest for one month and pain medication.

PTC faces silent crisis in library

Public libraries exist to make learning available to people from the cradle to the grave. A public library is the equalizer in our social structure because it offers the enhancement of knowledge and information to everyone, regardless of race, religion, creed, income or social status.

New library will increase kids’ section

Peachtree City is blessed to be a melting pot of people from all over the country. From their experiences elsewhere, most residents are aware that our library is incredibly substandard. It only makes sense that in a town that comes to expect and enjoy excellent schools and recreation facilities that we have a great library.
If the voters say “YES” Nov. 4, our town will have such a facility. The new and improved library will allow for more books and audiovisual materials, more meeting rooms, and a larger, separate children’s section.

Since when did character not matter?

Why is it the catch phrase, “Keep it within the issues,” so very popular with candidates who have things to hide? When did it become so forbidden to let the public know of personal indiscretions when considering a candidate’s fitness for public office?

Who has 2nd best job in metro?

Cal Beverly, editor and publisher of The Citizen, has the second-best job in the Atlanta area.

Chill out and party some yourself, gold-seat Fred concert-goer

In response to Bill Webster’s letter regarding Donna Romeo and “rowdy” concert-goers at the PTC amphitheater. Firstly, Donna Romeo does a wonderful job running the amphitheater. She is professional, friendly and very personable. It is very easy to criticize and judge when you have no idea how hard Ms. Romeo works to please everybody from the constant complainers to the more loud and noisy concert-goers.

Citizens ‘Target’ city to change Kedron’s development plans

Safety with big trucks a major concern

As a citizen of Peachtree City I have serious concerns regarding the proposed development for the Kedron Village Shopping Center, Phase II and Phase III. The safety and security of the approximately 1,700 citizens living behind the Kedron Village Shopping Center is one of the primary concerns I have.

Why not more logical cut from Hwy. 74?

When the Lake Kedron area was developed there were ordinances set in place to protect those who invested in very expensive homes in one of the highest property tax areas in Peachtree City but it now appears that these plans and restrictions are changing.

Still time to keep PTC from losing its way

By now, I’m sure you’ve received volumes of mail describing the various legalities of the proposed new development for the Kedron Village Retail Center. I’m not going to bore you with legalese. I’d like you to consider the larger picture of building a retail center in the middle of a residential community and how this might play out over time.

Where were you for Wal-Mart battle?

Same song, different dancers.
My only question is, “Where were the 600 citizens when Wal-Mart and Home Depot were installed.” I would invite the Kedron 600 to partake of trying to get to work any morning leaving via the Ga. Highway 54-Planterra entrance.

Target plans not in keeping with PTC

The time for you to stand up for the property rights of the citizens of Peachtree City is at hand. Please support rejection of the current Kedron Village Shopping Center Phase II site plan.