Wednesday, October 29, 2003

News

Tips lead to solving PTC rape

Beau Christian Reed undoubtedly wanted to kill the Peachtree City hotel clerk whom he raped and set afire, according to Police Chief James Murray.

Cellmate: Reed was "peaceful and quiet"

A former jailmate of Beau Christian Reed said he was totally shocked after learning Reed was accused of the violent attack on a hotel desk clerk in Peachtree City last week.

Chase started when suspect made convenience store stop for smokes

If Beau Christian Reed planned to flee the area to avoid being arrested for last week’s savage attack on a hotel clerk in Peachtree City, he made one big slip-up.

City may keep 'The Fred' operations - while Turner gets tennis, DAPC agrees

The Peachtree City Development Authority has again quit the venue management business, suppposedly for good.

Non-profit status sought

City Manager Bernard McMullen said that among the first items of business for the council is applying once more for a 501(c)6 tax exemption, needed for whatever agency ends up overseeing the collection and distribution of the city’s hotel-motel tax revenues.

Smoking ban gets cool reception from county

A proposal to ban smoking in public places got nowhere fast during last week’s Fayette County Commission meeting.

Bond referendum for library expansion put to a vote next Tuesday

Peachtree City residents will have several matters to vote on next Tuesday. Not only will they be electing two new councilmen, but they will also get to decide whether to pass a bond to finance an expansion and renovation for the Peachtree City Library.

A brief history of the Peachtree City Library

The Peachtree City Library was formed by individual citizens of Peachtree City 30 years ago. This timeline illustrates how the library has changed over the years to become the place many citizens know today.

Tyrone to decide on liquor by the drink next week

When Councilman Ray Bogenschutz elected to retire and not run for re-election this fall, some of the drama left the political scene in Tyrone. Resident Lyn Redwood will fill his seat starting in January and did not have to campaign for this election.

Correction

A story in the Oct. 22 edition of The Citizen confused the status of kitchen renovation projects at two schools. Fayetteville Intermediate School began using its new kitchen this week, but East Fayette Elementary’s won’t be complete until sometime in early November. Misleading information was provided at the Oct. 20 Board of Education meeting. Also, the article should have stated that the kitchen projects were being paid for through local bond money.

Father offers $10,000 reward for North Fayette murders

A $10,000 reward has been established for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons who killed north Fayette resident David O. Mangham and a friend of his in May.

McCollough honored by govenor

Deputy Chief Allen McCullough of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services has received a statewide honor for making outstanding contributions to his profession.

Search is on for stolen casket

A real casket was spirited away from a spooky Halloween display in Fayetteville Thursday night, and there’s a $100 reward for its safe return.
And it just might be haunted, too.

Covenant celebrates new organ

Members of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, in Fayetteville invite the public to a special concert of classical and Christian music this Sunday at 4:30 p.m., featuring renowned organist Nicholas Bowden. He is the principal organist at the 10,000-member Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.

FHCS band trip to London set — for 2005

Seniors in the Fayette County High band program who graduate next May have received permission to return in December 2004, when the Marching Tigers take off to England to appear in the 2005 New Year’s Day Parade through the streets of London.

Got a story idea?

Monroe Roark of The Citizen will be in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, the second week of November on a mission trip with members of his church. If anyone with a Fayette connection is currently living and working there and you think it might make a good story for The Citizen, send contact information to mroark@thecitizennews.com.

Fayette Democratic Women to meet Sat.

The Fayette County Democratic Women will have their kickoff breakfast Saturday, Nov. 1, at 9 a.m. at Right on Thyme Restaurant and Catering, 174 North Glynn Street, Fayetteville. The cost is based on one’s order off the menu.

Congressional race getting busy

The biggest casualties in next year’s race to replace Rep. Mac Collins in Congress may be shoe leather and dollar bills.

Health care classes at CCSU facility in PTC

The Division of Continuing Education at Clayton College and State University will be offering healthcare training courses and certificate programs this coming January.

AADD To Host Workshop

The Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities will host a workshop entitled “A Journey Through the System” Monday from 7-9 p.m. at the LaFayette Educational Center, Building A. The workshop is open to parents and guardians of school age children and adults with developmental disabilities in Fayette, Clayton and Henry counties. The LaFayette Educational Center is located at 205 LaFayette Avenue in Fayetteville.

Fayette DAR to organize

The Daughters of the American Revolution, is in the process of organizing a new chapter.

Rotary fundraiser is this weekend

The Southern Crescent Rotary Council will have a fantastic evening out at the New Georgia International Convention Center in College Park this Saturday. The evening will feature music, a buffet and a silent and live auction.

Words of wisdom help students make wise choices

Students at Fayetteville Intermediate are getting a few words of wisdom from some notable people in the community.

FCREA auction set for Nov. 16

Barbara Brown was all smiles as her bid won a gift at last year’s scholarship auction held by the Fayette County Retired Educators Association (FCREA). This year’s date for the FCREA annual scholarship auction is Nov. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the Right on Thyme restaurant in Fayetteville.

Landscaping workshops offered in November at Flat Creek Nature Center

Are your trees and shrubs drooping and losing their leaves early? Rainfall is back up to normal but most plants show the effects from drought for several years. Landscaping is a big investment of time and money. Learn how to save water and chemical use — and money — by a smart choice of plants. After all, fall is the best time to plant.

Police Blotter

Birth Announcements

Wedding Announcements

Health Wise

Get checked, then get packed

If you’re planning to go overseas, it might not be a bad idea to visit downtown Fayetteville first.

Rescue a child
By GREGORY K. MOFFATT, PH. D
Child's Play

Violence of any kind is hard for us to understand, but crimes against children are perhaps the hardest to comprehend. In my book, “A Violent Heart,” I addressed a number of crimes against children that stagger the imagination.

Local health fair next week

Fayette Senior Services is sponsoring a Health Fair Thursday, Nov. 6, from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Flat Creek Baptist Church. Local residents are encouraged to come and learn more about their legal needs, experience Independent Living Aides, get a blood pressure check, free test for diabetes, free test for the eyes and ears, free check for bone density, a flu shot (free if over 65 with Medicare Part B, all others $15), and hear the latest on Social Security — all at one time and place.

A clearer picture of your condition

To bring patients a clear picture of their health, Southern Regional Health System’s Nuclear Medicine Department recently purchased an e.cam Gamma Camera nuclear medicine imaging system — the first of its kind in the Southern Crescent.

Dread dentures? Implants are an option

Angell Villani, Wilson Holsinger and Dan Easton don’t seem like the perfect spokespeople for dental implants.

Local publisher promotes breast cancer awareness and prevention

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and a Peachtree City publisher is doing its part to provide life-saving knowledge about the disease.

Offering women a second look

New, computer-aided detection system improves mammogram readings SRHS’s Mammography Department is offering women a second opinion in the detection of breast cancer. The department recently purchased Second Look CAD system, or Computer Aided Detection. Southern Regional is one of only four hospitals in the greater Atlanta area to own a CAD system. Computer-Aided Detection serves as a “third eye” for radiologists, while checking for abnormalities in the breast. Second Look can confirm problem areas or identify areas that might otherwise be missed by the human eye.

Strength and endurance training for our seniors

A large portion of our society has and aversion to exercise and fitness. This is demonstrated by the large number of folks that are obese and have weight-related health issues. Our seniors appear to be particularly unaware of how exercise can maintain or improve their quality of life.

New technology may revolutionize chiropractic care

Computer-assisted evaluation/treatment system replaces traditional ‘adjustment’ Dr. Tom Grant Jr. of Grant Chiropractic in Fayetteville is among the first chiropractors in the country to use a revolutionary new FDA-approved technology that offers an objective evaluation and treatment as an alternative to the traditional chiropractic “hands-on approach.”

Flu shot not 100 percent, but still worth it

Q. Though a recent column said that the flu shot can’t give you the flu, last year after receiving my shot I became severely ill for two weeks with what sure felt like the flu. I’m 53 years old but don’t want to go through that again. If you’re still going to get sick like this, what is the sense of bothering with the shot?

The Purple Cow

A new doctor in town

Southern Regional named International Employer of the Year

The International Promotions Council of the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce recently named Southern Regional Health System as its 2003 International Employer of The Year. The announcement was made at the Chamber’s 12th Annual International Awards Ceremony and Luncheon at Clayton College & State University.

Waits attends conference

Dr. Andrew Waits attended the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists conference in Ft. Myers, Fla., last month to earn several hours of continuing education.

Now fat’s good for us?

Low fat, no fat and now they say to eat more fat?

Put allergies to rest

The fall months offer the joy of playing football in the backyard and quailty time in the outdoors. For allergy sufferers, these fall activities mean sneezing, sniffling and watery eyes. Unfortunately, many of these people also suffer from year-long allergies and even being indoors can bring its share of discomfort. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, allergies prevent nearly 75 percent of sufferers from getting a good night’s sleep.

Curative wound management programs save lives and limbs

When Greg Owen was referred to the Ingham Regional Wound Care Center in Lansing, Mich., he was in danger of losing his toe, possibly his foot, to one of the most devastating complications of diabetes — chronic wounds. As an active member of the community and an avid fan of Michigan State University sports, amputation was unthinkable.

Innovative anesthesia technology comes to MCG

A new patient monitoring system in MCG Health System’s operating rooms now ensures that patients will receive precisely the amount of anesthesia they need during a procedure, eliminating some of the side effects of these drugs and speeding up recovery time.

Business

Spray-on tanning catching on

Spray-on tanning is all the rage these days. Not only has it recently been mentioned in magazines for both men and women, but it perhaps reached the apex of its popularity a few weeks ago when the process appeared on an episode of “Friends.”

World Airways looking to get $27 million loan

Peachtree City’s World Airways announced the exchange offer for its outstanding 8 percent loan due 2004 expired earlier this month. The exchange offer was subject to various conditions, including the tender of at least $38.5 million principal amount of existing loans, representing approximately 95 percent of the outstanding existing loans.

Bonner named to state commission

Bill Bonner of Fayetteville has been appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue to the Georgia Real Estate Commission.

Plenty of non-haunted treats this Halloween weekend

In addition to trick or treating on Friday night and haunted houses that are dying for you to visit, there will be lots of fall festivals and special events to participate in.

Halloween safety tips to help keep children safe this season:

Steeplechase continues this weekend at Callaway

The U.S. leg of the $1 million “Sport of Kings” Challenge is scheduled for Saturday at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain.

Book sale Saturday at library

The Peachtree City Library’s Friends book sale will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

PROBE Fair at CCSU tomorrow

Area high school students and their parents are invited to Clayton College & State University tomorrow when the University once again hosts the Atlanta South PROBE Fair.

Bob the Builder coming to town

Bob the Builder will be adjusting his tool belt and putting on his hard hat as he, Wendy, Spud and the his machine team — Lofty, Muck, Scoop, Roley, Dizzy — get revved up and ready to hit the Gwinnett Civic Center.

Angels gearing up for 'Nutcracker'

Ask anyone watching a “Nutcracker” about their favorite moment in the show, and they are likely to say, “When the precious little angels came out.”

CCSU unveils theater season

Interested in theater? Clayton State Theater welcomes you to attend the 2003-2004 theater season, its 32nd, under the direction of new theater director Ed Hohlbein.

Poet and author Collin Kelley addresses write's group

The Fayette Writers Group was honored Oct. 4 with the presence of Collin Kelley, an award winning local poet, playwright and journalist. He is presently the managing editor of Atlanta News Group, which publishes the monthly magazines Atlanta Intown and Atlanta Buckhead. Kelley has just published his first book of poetry, “Better to Travel.”

Religion

Hats off to pastors' wives
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Women, generally, hold the two most difficult jobs in America. The first is that of single parent mothers. They work full time jobs; nightly cook a balanced meal for the kids; help the kids with homework; clean the house; get the kids ready for bed; all of which leaves two or three minutes for personal time before they crash into their lonely bed; getting up the next morning, they start the whole routine again. Their only relief comes when the non-custodian father takes the kids for all too brief of a weekend.

Covenant Presbyterian to host Bowden concert

Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA invites the public to a special concert of classical and Christian music performed by organist Nicholas Bowden this Sunday, November 2, at 4:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

Gracia Burnham to speak at Berachah Bible Church Nov. 2

Author and former Philippine hostage Gracia Burnham will be the guest speaker at the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Nov. 2, at Berachah Bible Church, 310 Corinth Rd., Jonesboro (Fayette County).

St. Gabriel's Catholic Church names new music director

Andy Hoeckele, formerly with St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church in Lilburn, has joined the staff of the Catholic Church of St. Gabriel in Fayetteville as its new music director.

St. Mary Magdalene Mission elevated to status of parish

Last week marked a milestone for the young congregation of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Mission on Lower Fayettevile Road. Last Saturday, Members gathered in the mission’s tin barn to celebrate their elevation to the canonical status of a full parish of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Campbellton UMC to host "Gospel on the Grass" Nov. 1

Members of Campbellton United Methodist church, a 170-plus-year-old congregation in South Fulton County, will present “Gospel on the Grass,” a concert featuring a different gospel singing group each hour on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

"Square foot" ministry at FUMC prepares for another mission

Members of the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church are gearing up for another “square foot” ministry project scheduled for Nov. 8-15. The group will enclose a carport and build a storage shed for The Lighthouse, a battered women’s shelter.

Fall Festivals

Religion Briefs

Opinion

Elections mean choices: Wish there were better ones available
By CAL BEVERLY
Publisher

Can we postpone the election until next year?

Thoughts about a ho-hum election
By SALLIE SATTERTHWAITE
sallies@juno.com

Impossible that I should miss the Rotary Candidates Forum. Impossible!

In PTC and Tyrone, how I would vote, if...
By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

Part of my job requires me to attend meetings in Peachtree City and Tyrone. I attend the meetings so you don’t have to, though it would be nice if you stopped by once in awhile. When I attend the meetings, I am impartial, a silent observer. I document what is said on both sides of the issues and, though I have my opinions, I keep them to myself. Until now.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cellmate: Rapist was once a regular teen

The crime committed at the Hampton Inn on Oct. 22 came as a shock to the citizens of Peachtree City and neighboring towns. Yes, everyone knows these kind of criminal acts occur everyday all around the globe, but not in Peachtree City. But with this heinous and sadistic act, the eyes and fears of this small middle-class paradise have been opened forever.

Too many questions remain unanswered about library

Peachtree City does not need to spend $4.9 million on a new library. Do not get me wrong: PTC is in very bad need for a new library, but spending $4.9 million is not going to get the city the “state of the art, collegiate environment of learning” it wants. A couple of months ago when the Library Commission finally spoke and told the citizens of PTC that the cost of the library was to be $4.9 million, I was floored.

Kedron Target protestors have broad support in PTC

Regarding Tyler Wells’ “Target Protestors Misfire with Clueless Objections” [The Citizen, Oct. 22].

‘Faces’ series reminds us of those who shaped our lives

To be chosen as the family to begin your series, “The Faces That Built Fayette,” is such an honor. We appreciate The Citizen showing such an interest in the history of our county.

Kourajian: Bring business experience to city gov’t

It seems that everyday that we open a local paper, we read something about our city leadership, and most of the time it’s not very positive.

Mayor’s accusations mostly distortions, lies

Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown, in a letter to the editor in last week’s Citizen newspaper, told readers that he is not endorsing my bid for a second term on city council.

DIRECT-PAC endorses Rutherford for PTC Post 1

In consideration of potential for DIRECT PAC to endorse one of the candidates for City Council Post 1, our organization, on Oct. 9, met with Adduci, Poolman, and Rutherford. The candidates had graciously accepted our invitation to talk with us. Thereafter, we attended the Rotary Forum to again listen as the candidates answered questions from other citizens.

Check for candidate’s character behind all the political smoke

I read Mayor Brown’s recent article and it got me to thinking. As we all know, there are many silver-tongued politicians throughout this world (and locally) who have a certain genius for their ability to blow smoke. Before we vote, citizens have the obligation to look at the facts and not the smoke. Smoke can temporarily seem to have substance, but just evaporates into thin air.

In this democratic republic, your vote counts; don’t use it to take away my rights

The primary difference between a constitutional republic and a democracy is that a democracy is a system of majority rule and a republic is a system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them.
Say what? That doesn’t make sense. Or does it?