Wednesday, November 5, 2003

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.

By now, you know who won and if there will be a runoff, or whether the library bond passed in Peachtree City, or if you’ll be able to belly up to the bar in Tyrone sometime soon.

You’ve got a little extra perspective on the Tuesday elections. You’ve got the clear advantage over me.

But I can predict enough about what transpired at the ballot box yesterday to declare this: Some of you are not happy with the way things turned out; others are ecstatic. Many more of you couldn’t care less.

Particularly in Peachtree City, it seems, folks just aren’t happy. If somebody isn’t complaining about the way things used to be or expressing fear about the way they think things are going to turn out, there’s always somebody to complain about the state of affairs in the here and now.

Some places have news. We have “Conspiracy Theory of the Week.”

It’s always been that way.

If you’ve been reading the series on “The Faces of Fayette” by Bruce Jordan over the past few weeks, you’ve been given a taste of the tough, driven, sassy, smart folks who lived in Fayette County 100 or so years ago and laid the foundation for the place we call home today.

That “Faces of Fayette” series offers perspective, a new way of looking at a familiar place you thought you knew.

I recently came across some 22-year-old copies of a certain weekly newspaper that once served Peachtree City, valiantly I might add. I was going to toss the brittle, yellowed pages, but after flipping through them it became obvious to me that the more things change, the more they stay the same — last week, This Week and the week after.

To prove my point, and as a post-election day treat of sorts, here is a sampling of headlines from just two issues of that Peachtree City tabloid from way back in August 1981. Talk about scandal! Talk about intrigue! Talk about good reading! Enjoy:

“Brown to oppose Mayor Frady” — Over a story about former City Councilman Fred Brown announcing he would challenge Herb Frady for mayor in December, 1981. Brown would serve two terms and see the amphitheater named in his honor; Frady continues to serve on the County Commission today.

“Watson Resigns; Mayor won’t comment on circumstances” — Over a front-page story on whether or not a city police officer was fired by the police chief, only to be rehired days later at the urging of the city council so he could resign instead.

“Board lists McIntosh High facility as top priority” — Over a story reporting that the Fayette school board had declared building a new gym at McIntosh High its top capital outplay project.

“House divided” — Over a Sally Satterthwaite column bemoaning the animosity between local airline families and those of air traffic controllers, who were on strike at the time. “Our community is in pain, and has suffered a blow from which it may never fully recover.”

“More responsibilities” — Over a staff editorial which began: “When Newt Gingrich, the Republican Congressman who represents our district, spoke here Thursday, he closed his remarks with an interesting observation ….”

“Is this delaying tactic?” — Over another staff editorial, which included this paragraph: “Without the advantage of Freeport … Fayette County’s efforts at attracting new industry have almost ground to a halt. And we are without the new industries needed to balance the tax load.”

“Schools keep up growth” — Over a story reporting that first-day enrollment in Fayette schools in 1981 was 7,426. It is more than 21,000 today.

“Walt Banks Road: One way or two?” — Over a story reporting on disagreement between the Peachtree City Council and County Commission over who should pay for the right of way needed to widen the road in front of McIntosh High, then under construction. In response to “criticism” aimed at them by the city council and mayor, Commissioner Raymon Johnson said, “I hope the commissioners never stoop that low.”

“Legislature makes Fayette single-member district” — Over a story on the General Assembly approving redistricting maps, which carved out Fayette County to form its own House district. Today, seven different state House members represent various slices of Fayette, and just one of those, Virgil Fludd, actually lives in the county.

“Officials mull impact study” — Over a story reporting a delay in issuing the dam permit for Lake McIntosh until an environmental impact study is conducted. To this day, Lake McIntosh has never been built.

“Public meeting set to discuss new runway” — Over a story advising Fayette Countians of a public hearing arranged by the city of Atlanta to discuss a proposal to build a fourth runway at Hartsfield.

“Tigers open ‘81 with 26-7 win” — Over a story reporting on the season-opening win for the FCHS Tigers, featuring Peachtree City’s Johnny Smith as star running back. The team had made a run at the state quarterfinals the previous year, and began the 1981 campaign ranked fourth in the state.

“Chiefs open ‘81 with intrasquad game” — A preview of the Chief’s first-ever athletic endeavor, a scrimmage played at Booth Junior High.

“Opry draws huge crowd” — Over a story reporting on a “record crowd” of more than 2,000 that attended the previous Saturday’s performances at the McIntosh Opry (now the Fred Brown Jr. Amphitheater). The lineup that week: C.D. Mason and the Rex Mill Ramblers; two sets of clogging by the Sugar Cane Cloggers, and a rendition of “Orange Blossom Special” by the Rainbows. The Cedar Hill Bluegrass Band closed the show.

“Shannon Mall celebrates anniversary” — Over a story announcing that square dancing, clogging and country music would headline the festivities as the Union City mall celebrated turning one year old.

“Partners II plans to show ‘new look’”— Over a story reporting that Partners II planned to undergo a “major facelift” with Tiffany lamps and “wood throughout.”