Wednesday, November 5, 2003

News

Voters say YES to library expansion in PTC, liquor by the drink in Tyrone; Price tops Oddo in F'ville; Kourajian ousts Tennant while Rutherford and Poolman face runoff

Incumbent Peachtree City Councilman Dan Tennant lost in a landslide to political newcomer Stuart Kourajian in Tuesday's municipal elections.
Kourajian had 3072 votes (64 percent) to Tennant's 1721 (36 percent) in the Post 2 race.

PTC plans to run both venues

Within a month, the Peachtree City Tourism Association, Inc., could be functioning as the non-profit group charged with running the city’s tennis center and amphitheater.

Want roads? Pony up $400 million

Although Fayette County doesn’t have nearly the traffic congestion of its northside neighbors, the latest county transportation plan shows nearly $400 million in projects to keep the traffic snarls at a minimum over the next 20 years.

County eyes 1¢ local sales tax just for roads

Now that the plan is completed and prioritized, Fayette County officials are struggling with how to pay for the projects. The most prevalent idea that was floated during last week’s transportation summit was a one-cent added sales tax.

Fayette County's Top 10 Transportation priorities

Samaritans need help with Top 10

The Fayette Samaritans is a non-profit organization devoted to helping people with immediate needs. The organization needs the following items for November: 1. Cereal. 2. Canned fruit. 3. Clothes detergent. 4. Canned vegetables. 5. Baby diapers sizes 3, 4 and 5. 6. Jams and jellies. 7. Peanut butter. 8. Hand soap. 9. Canned meat (beef stew, chili, etc.). 10. Shampoo.

Somebody talk to us, 'Target opposition pleads'

The North Carolina developer trying since early August to sell Peachtree City on a 125,000-square-foot Target store and expansion of the Kedron Village center filed suit against the city on Friday.

The Faces That Built Fayette

Lois Brown Seawright had represented her family proudly, bringing a doctor to Fayetteville and giving birth to two beautiful daughters, one who would bring a great mayor to the town, but she did not inherit all of the family’s good looks. In fact her sister Louvale was being referred to as the “prettiest girl in Fayette County.” Louvale Brown watched her sister Lois marry and start a family and was anxious to do the same. Louvale was younger than her sister.

Back from the brink

Kevin Jackam had no idea about the time bomb ticking inside him until it went off two months ago.

Whitewater High, Fayette County High orchestras to combine in concert

Fans of classical music will get a special treat next Monday when both the Fayette County High School and Whitewater High School orchestras present a free concert at 7:30 p.m. at Sams Auditorium.

Council could have long meeting tomorrow

If recent history is a guide, you’d better bring a pillow if you plan to stay to the end of Thursday’s Peachtree City Council meeting.

HazMat crews trained on treating patients exposed to biological agents, other chemicals

Hazardous materials response specialists from Peachtree City and Fayette County got some down-and-dirty training recently on scenarios they hope to never face.

Suspicious person cleared of wrongdoing after turning self in

The “suspicious person” who spooked a student at a bus stop in the Lakeside at Redwine subdivision in Fayetteville recently turns out to have a legitimate reason for being in the neighborhood, according to police

Fayette NAACP branch marks 6 years

More than 300 people attended sixth annual Fayette Freedom Fund banquet hosted by the Fayette County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City. Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker was the keynote speaker.

FCHS grad hoping to be crowned 'King of the Jungle'

Having been a military brat and living all around the world, one would presume that Christina Davis, a graduate of Fayette County High School and a current zookeeper at Zoo Atlanta, would be comfortable anywhere in the world.

Fayette soldier from Revolutionary War to be recognized

The Marquis de LaFayette Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, will hold a rededication of the gravesite of Major David Dickson Saturday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m.

Father's threats to DFCS workers net arrest; guns found in van

Four children were taken into custody by state officials Friday afternoon after their father threatened to kill investigators from the Department of Family and Children Services, police said.

Correction

An article in last Wednesday’s edition misattributed several statements in an article about Beau Christian Reed, who police said raped and torched a hotel clerk in Peachtree City two weeks ago.

Work party Sat. at Flat Creek Nature Area

This Saturday, Nov. 8, Southern Conservation Trust is hosting the second work party of the fall and Fayette County citizens are invited. The work party will take place at the Flat Creek Nature Area, adjacent to Frederick Brown amphitheater on McIntosh Trail in Peachtree City.

CCSU sets open house for high school students

The Clayton State Office of Recruitment’s Fall Laker Day Open House is set for Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the University’s Athletics & Fitness Center.

Local chiropractor helping feed the hungry

Dr. Elliott Segal, in collaboration with area ministries, has initiated a Feed the Homeless Outreach in Fayetteville. Evangelist Ray Jenkins, who leads Action Growth Ministries, and Tim Brand, manager

Federal money tagged for Georgia's counterterrorism, security programs

Over $55 million in federal funding has been earmarked for Georgia’s counter-terrorism and homeland security programs, U.S. Senator Zell Miller announced yesterday.

Geis cited for state honor

In recognition of her efforts to help foster social studies development in Fayette County and throughout Georgia, the Georgia Council for the Social Studies has selected Social Studies Coordinator Cathy Geis of the Fayette County School System as this year’s Outstanding Social Studies Educator.

Notes from Peachtree City

Improved flood rating means lower insurance

Could Georgia burn?

As recent California wildfires show, overgrown and unmanaged forest under the right conditions can become a problem. With today’s wildland urban interface issues it is more critical than ever that we manage our forests wisely. Georgia may not normally have the intensity of the fires experienced in California, but the same urban interface problems exist.

Police Blotter

Obituaries

Prime Timers

Traditional Chinese medicine is topic of recent health talk

Traditional Chinese medicine is topic of recent health talk

Fitness tips for people living with pain

Contrary to conventional wisdom, exercise may provide some relief for chronic pain sufferers. Studies show that arthritis sufferers can help manage their pain through physical activity.

A good hearing aid is news worth listening to

When news of an easier, less expensive way to purchase hearing aids is released, it’s music to people with hearing loss. A new line of top quality hearing aids can now be purchased over the Internet or by telephone, straight from the manufacturer, passing on savings to the customer. This new line of advanced digital hearing aids can even be programmed over the Internet using downloads developed by hearing health care professionals at America Hears.

Older Americans see benefit to large print

With mature Americans now representing 37 percent of the population, many businesses are trying to meet the demand for products, services and gifts tailored to that consumer group.

How to retire comfortably and with plenty of time

America’s attitude towards retirement is changing. A recent survey of 1,000 Americans by MDRT, an international association of financial professionals, shows a cultural shift in retirement attitudes. Among Americans still in the workforce, 73 percent identify themselves as most responsible for their retirement care, compared to only 58 percent of retirees.

Traumatic grief among the elderly

Grief is a natural part of bereavement. However, for as many as 4.8 million Americans each year, it can result in an increased risk of physical ailments such as heart disease and hypertension. Especially among the elderly, traumatic grief-mourning which is abnormal and unhealthy-can also lead to sleep and nutritional disorders, major depression and substance abuse.

Home & Garden

Wallpaper Windows and More celebrates 15 years in Peachtree City

“Steps in life,” according to Ann Spink, are what led her and husband, Bill, to start their business 15 years ago.

Game tables taking over family rooms

Mike Myers is doing it. So are Kathy Najimy, Hank Azaria and Julia Roberts.

Fall is the perfect time to organize your garage

As days grow shorter and temperatures become cooler, it means the inevitable is just around the corner: everything that came out of your garage this spring needs to go back in before winter rolls around. That means you need to find room for the gardening supplies, the patio furniture, the sandbox toys and more. Not to mention corralling all the tools that you’ve used throughout the summer to tune up the bikes, fix the swing set and put together the new picnic table

Baby boomers demand alternative style

This is a story of passion and passionate differences, experienced by couples facing the strategic and often wrenching shifts taking place on the home front. One aspires to live in a home filled with the warmth, beauty and romance of a log home, while the other agonizes over the concept.

Training for Master Gardeners starts in January

Gardening remains one of America’s favorite pastimes. Are you interested in becoming a better gardener? You can learn to garden like a master through the Georgia Master Gardener Program.

Cree earns landscape certification

Landscape designer David Cree of Peachtree City was a recent recepient of the coveted award of Georgia Certified Landscape Professional.

Three steps to an environmentally responsible home

More and more homeowners are interested in having their homes built in an ecologically conscious manner. But what does that mean? What makes one house more environmentally sound than another?

Order tree seedlings now for fall/winter planting

The Georgia Forestry Commission continues accepting orders for seedlings to be planted this fall and winter. Seedling price lists and application forms are available at all Georgia Forestry Commission offices and are available on line at www.gfc.state.ga.us. Interested persons need to place their orders early so they can be assured of the seedlings they want and will need this planting season. GFC is offering several new species of hardwoods this year and are allowing landowners to order hardwoods in quantities of 10, 50, 500, and 1,000.

Get the right mix for flagstone, brick

Q. I am installing flagstone and some paving brick on top of a concrete patio. A book I read suggests mixing sand, cement and hydrated lime in different proportions to make the mortar mix. What is hydrated lime, and is it necessary to add it? Lastly, as cold weather is around the corner, when should I stop working so as to prevent freeze damage to fresh mortar? — R.A., Blacksburg, Va.

Business

New owner is teeing off on $1 miilion in renovations at the Palmer Course

"This is the hardest I've ever worked in my life... and I've never been happier."

Employee Involvement Programs Drive Performance

Getting employees' ideas and getting their involvement is critical in our rapidly changing world. If your company is going to be competitive, it's mandatory to involve not just hands, but the ideas from everyone in your organization.

It’s ‘All in the Timing’

One doesn’t typically hear the phrases “sophisticated comedy” and “high school students” together very often, but they will this weekend when Starr’s Mill presents David Ives’ “All in the Timing” at the McIntosh Black Box Theatre on Wedneday and Thursday, Nov. 5 and 6.

Large cast brings Narnia to life in NCT's 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'

Sometimes, another world can be found in the most unusual places.

Local fine arts group to host show Friday and Saturday

The Fayetteville Train Depot hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, everything from a monthly bluegrass jam to a Breakfast with Santa in December. This weekend they will host the Fayette Society of Fine Arts’ Art Show, where a large percentage of the group’s artists will showcase their work.

FCS opens 'Our Town' Thursday

Fayette Christian School presents Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” Nov. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. in the school gymnasium at 152 Longview Road in Fayetteville.

A book is out there – somewhere

I have not had a lot of time for leisure reading lately, since I got a lead in a local play, but that is a story for a later date. I mention not being able to read for fun because I received a book by James Patterson at the office Aug. 17 and it has sat on my desk ever since. Patterson has written a number of thrillers, including “Kiss the Girls” and “Along Came a Spider,” and I’m sure that this one, “2nd Chance,” is just as good. What makes this book special though, isn’t what it’s about but how I came across it.

Williams to speak at library

John M. Williams, a winner of the Georgia Author of the Year Award for First Novel, will speak in the Floy Farr Room of the Peachtree City Library Sunday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. There will be copies of the novel, “Lake Moon,” available for signing.

Special music coming to Newnan Saturday

The Fayette County area is in for a rare fall treat Saturday when a popular local musician brings together some regional talent in what promises to be a night of great music at the Wadsworth Auditorium in Newnan.

Doc Holliday Days this weekend

Griffin’s most famous native son - John Henry “Doc” Holliday — will be celebrated this weekend.

Religion

Where your treasure is...
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

These next four columns, for the most part, won’t go down easy! Yet, I sincerely believe a prophetic word must be spoken to affluent Fayette County folks - particularly Christians - concerning the place of money in their devotion to the one and true living God. Most ministers these days hesitate almost to a halt in regard to speaking the Word of God about money for fear that their church will lose members and guests won’t return.

North Fayette UMC will celebrate 20th anniversary

Founding pastor Dee Shelnutt will be on hand to help members of North Fayette United Methodist Church celebrate the church’s 20th anniversary Nov. 14, 15 and 16. The church began as an unnamed congregation 20 years ago in Shelnutt’s home, with 10 members present. The first service was held at the old Kenwood school building with 36 in attendance. Shelnutt is now pastor of St. John’s Creek United Methodist in Duluth.

Religion Briefs

Opinion

Some perspective to go with headlines
By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@theCitizenNews.com

Congratulations! If you made it this far into today’s paper, it can only mean you survived election day. You know more than I do as I write this, time being on your side.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Splitting Fayette off to its own circuit unwise

Like the proverbial bad penny which keeps on showing up, it seems that no matter how the facts are presented concerning the subject proposal, this bad idea keeps on cropping up. My letter to you today is yet again an attempt to put this bad idea to bed, or at least until major facts change which would justify another study.

Why no ‘white male’ ID in PTC rape-torch story?

Re: Tips lead to solving PTC rape. I do have one observation; being a minority male I am sensitive to certain things. Further, being one of the guests at the hotel the night of the incident more so.

Try for better coverage of local recreation sports

Is there some reason you do not cover the local recreational sports in Fayette County? Most of the sports consist of volunteers and hard-working people in our area. It would be nice to see at the least some of the highlights of these teams and people in your paper.

Kedron Target won’t be end of world for north PTC

In the words of Yogi Berra, “This is like deja vu all over again!” To the many Target Store protesters, get over it. Please know that this comes from a longtime Planterra Ridge resident and staunch critic of the Home Depot-Wal-Mart complex. Those in our ranks truly believed life as we knew it would soon end if our city allowed that complex to be built.

City should have done more for Kedron

As a voting citizen of Peachtree City, I am very concerned about what will become a mini Fayette Pavilion, along with the multitude of safety risks that the proposed design poses.

Some candidates have major ‘I’ and ‘me’ issues

They dotted their I’s and crossed their T’s...but I counted them.

Privatize to stop tax hikes

It doesn’t matter whether you are a Democrat or a Republican. At the federal, state, or local level around the country, it has become much like a competition.

Conflict of interest: Where is The Citizen?

Where is your coverage of the candidates in the race for the Peachtree City Council? Specifically where is your coverage of candidate Lee Poolman?

Commissioners need to stop blowing smoke on us

It is time for the Fayette County Commissioners to quit dancing around the public smoking issue and find some courage. There is no doubt that second-hand smoke causes serious health problems. No doubt! There can be no argument to the contrary. “Do you tell somebody who owns a business that they can’t allow smoking? This is still America.”

Commissioners, smokers’ rights stop at my nose

In response to commissioners Pfeifer’s and Dunn’s idiotic comments over the past week about smoking, I would like to point out a few things that these worldly men may not know. First, Mr. Dunn in your comment, “If we tell people not to smoke, are we going to tell them not to drink as well?”

Heart, arteries also suffer from second-hand smoke

Stop heart attacks (and other preventable diseases), not smoking! That is all our current Board of Health smoking proposal does or is meant to do. The 58 percent drop in the heart attack rate in Helena, Montana within the 6-month period of their indoor smoking ban, (which then went back up when the state legislature overturned it) shows that it works. Now you need to understand why it works.

Gay rights debate: Moral truth is a form of totalitarianism

I, like Mr. Hoffman, considered not responding to yet another tantalizingly Southern and morally haughty letter. But some things cannot be helped.

Remember that special teacher in your life on Nov. 16

The governor of Georgia has proclaimed Sunday, Nov.16, 2003 as Retired Educators Day in Georgia. More than 55,000 retired educators reside in the state of Georgia while over 300 are citizens of Fayette County. The Georgia Retired Educators Association has a membership of 14,000 while the Fayette County Retired Educators Association has a membership of 75.