The Fayette Citizen, Fayette County Georgia

Wednesday, August 5, 1998

News

Peeples Elem. late; kids to go to F'ville?: More than 350 students assigned to the new Peeples Elementary School will begin the school year in the old Fayette County High School miles away in Fayetteville unless the Fayette County Board of Education says otherwise, the school superintendent said at a special board meeting Monday.
Fayette teen dies in fiery SUV crash: A Fayette teenager died in a burning sports utility vehicle Sunday night as five sheriff's deputies fought the intense flames with small car fire extinguishers, attempting to get close enough to pull the youth from the crumpled wreckage.
Runoff to decide 4 races: A county commission seat, one judgeship, and two state legislative posts remain to be decided in Fayette runoff elections next Tuesday, a day that's likely to see an even more dismal turnout than the 32 percent participation last month.
The great missing political sign mystery: Disappearing political campaign signs in Peachtree City are frustrating supporters and candidates alike. Rumors that a city truck was involved has heightened emotions.
Veggie thieves escalate war on roadside honor stand: Dinner on their minds, homeward-bound motorists welcome the sight of David Pope's vegetable stand on Ebenezer Road just outside of Peachtree City.
More booze at Brown?: Tailgate parties at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City may soon be allowed to include alcohol, if a request by the Development Authority is approved by City Council Thursday night.
Smoking sign day arrives: The Aug. 5 deadline to have the new color-coded smoking ordinance signs posted has arrived.
FUTURE group to discuss growth, shared services: A retreat Friday for the Fayette Unified Team to Use Resources Effectively (FUTURE) committee marks the first time the group holds a quarterly meeting "at home."
Tyrone planners OK variance for Hwy. 74 office park: The 88-acre office park planned for the Ga. Highway 74 corridor in Tyrone may sit closer to the road than the town ordinance dictates, but the project's architects and developers must take another look at reducing the amount of impervious surface, based on Tyrone's Planning Commission's decisions Thursday night.
Thomas says restaurant plan faces catch-22: Applebee's restaurant has been replaced by O'Charley's in Fayette Pavilion developer Stan Thomas' hopes to develop a patch of land between the Pavilion and an equipment rental business on Ga. Highway 85.
Fayette night school gears up for fall classes starting Aug. 17: "Night school is another opportunity in Fayette County to earn a diploma," said Lois Adams, counselor for the night school program held at Sandy Creek High School. "It is a school of choice," she added.
'I erred,' Grunden says, as county dismisses insurance consultant: An insurance consultant dismissed by the Fayette County Commission last week said he will give back money he received for time spent talking to reporters.
Tyrone principal, Coverdell meet in Washington: U.S. Sen. Paul Coverdell met with Tyrone Elementary School principal Mary Perry last week to discuss education concerns for Tyrone.
Correction

Opinion

If that's all there is, it just isn't enough DAVE HAMRICK Editor-at-large: A majority of Americans don't want President Clinton impeached even if he lied under oath about Monica Lewinsky.
Veterans' legislation passes House By REP. MAC COLLINS 3rd District U.S. Congress: Last week, the House of Representatives mourned the loss of two of our Capitol Police guardians, who now watch over us from a different post. The lives of Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson were cut tragically short, but their heroism and protection of our freedom will long be remembered.
The Machine, local politics and doughnuts BILLY MURPHY Laugh Lines: Who is sick of politicians? Sorry, you guys, but from the lowly local official right up to the office at Pennsylvania Avenue, I am sick of you guys and girls and the way you do your business.

Letters From Our Readers

Why is Commissioner Gosa in such a rush to change land use plan?: [Fayette County] Commissioner [Harold] Bost asked a very good question: Why is there such a rush to review Fayette's land use plan?
Dunn says thanks for victory; pledges 'absolute integrity': I wish to sincerely thank all those who gave so freely of their time and talents during my campaign. I want to also thank the 6,150 citizens who voted for me on July 21.
Check the contributors: Brown is 'developer-oriented good ole boy': I said I could not wait to see where [Fayette County Commissioner Scott] Burrell's financial support came from it most certainly was not the sign he piggybacked.
Where on Tuesday's ballot is the box for 'none of the above'?: Although the runoff election is [next Tuesday], those selecting the Republican ticket face a dilemma in the selection for Commission Post 4.
BOE's Todd responds to 2 letter writers' charges: I read with amazement and some amusement the letter from Bruce Davenport concerning the alleged assessment "windfall" dirty trick by the Fayette County Board of Education.
Candidates' supporters sing their varied praises: It has come to my attention that although Rep. Dan Lakly received a large vote count, it was not a majority, due to a three-person race.
Stay-at-home mom wants feedback: We have three children and one is a newborn. I have always worked, but we decided for me to stay home because we wanted to keep the baby at home and not in a nursery. Our other two children are old enough to stay home by themselves, yet we feel they need our guidance more than ever now, as they mature.
Sick child well cared for at local hospital: On June 26, our 7-year-old daughter was taken to the emergency room of Fayette Community Hospital.
Congressman Collins and a national ID card: A few weeks ago, I sent an e-mail to our congressman, Mac Collins, asking what his position was on the Department of Transportation requirement to have a "National ID Card" required for every citizen in this country by Oct. 1, 2000.
So far, he has not replied to my mail.
Dumbing down our kids starts with using classroom calculator: Consider the following rationalization. In the last ten years, as I have previously addressed, the current trend in math education has been to de-emphasize basic skills and computation in favor of a predominant emphasis on problem solving and conceptual thinking.
More boosts for runoff

Politics

Wells or Brown to face Bannister in Commission Post 4: Fred Brown and Linda Wells will face off Aug. 11 in a runoff for the Republican nomination for County Commission Post 4. Steven Kiser was eliminated in the General Primary July 21.
Cox, Lakly working hard in House District 105: The runoff for the 105th District seat in the state House of Representatives pits incumbent Dan Lakly, a mortgage broker, against challenger Kathy Cox, a teacher at Sandy Creek High School.
Bonner, Johnson emerge from field of 4 in Senate 34: Bill Bonner, owner of a commercial real estate management and investment firm in Fayetteville, faces Don Johnson, a Clayton County lawyer, in a runoff for the Republican nomination for the 34th District state Senate seat.
Edwards, Fowler engage in battle of endorsements in runoff: As Aug.11 draws closer, the race for the Superior Court Judge is starting to heat up.
Remember, you'll need ID to vote: Carolyn Combs, manager of the Fayette County elections office, said she hoped she could head off some of the questions that seem to arise every time there is a primary runoff as there will be next Tuesday, Aug. 11.; Questions, answers: If you didn't vote last month, you can in runoff

Religion

Group looks at current events relating to end-time prophecy: "An in-depth look into current events relating to end-time Bible prophecies" will be featured at this month's meetins of the Peachtree City chapter of Women's Aglow.
Live from day to day: Can you believe that summer is almost over? In a couple of weeks the 1998-99 school year will begin. It seems just yesterday most of us were planning for our summer vacations and activities.
Prayers answered at Gospel singer's services: Calvary Temple in Peachtree City hosted Gordon Jensen, gospel singer and songwriter, July 19 to perform and preach at both the morning and evening services.
Parenting series begins at PTC Christian Aug. 19: Parents of any age may be interested in a new series of Wednesday evening workshops being presented at Peachtree City Christian Church.
Religion Briefs

Business

Auxiliary announces 1999 executive board: Jo Ann Piet has been named as the new president of the executive board for the Fayette Community Hospital Auxiliary for 1999.
Business Briefs
Clayton College joins forces to offer classes on the 'Net: Clayton College and State University, along with nine other state colleges and universities, will be offering their courses over the Internet this fall.
Kroger gears: More than 150 Kroger stores throughout Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina will participate in the 1998 National Night Out event tomorrow night.
Survey says MBAs are valuable for finance and accounting pros: Nearly 70 percent of respondents in a recent poll believe it's valuable for an accounting or finance professional to have a master's degree in business administration.
Travel strategies seminar set: Concerned with helping businesses to better utilize its travel budget, Dan Solly of Classic World Travel will hold a symposium Aug. 19.
Unemployment rate takes big June jump: Fayette County's unemployment rate jumped in June, but state officials are saying the rise was merely seasonal.

PrimeTimers

American Hearing Centers open new Fayette location: ENT of Georgia and American Hearing Centers on July 23 had their official open house introducing their new Fayette location, 1260 Ga. Highway 54 West, Suite 102, across from Fayette Community Hospital.
The McMenamin's look back: John "Mac" McMenamin was born and raised in Philadelphia, Penn. Annie Petersen was born and raised in Pensacola, Fla. Both are the second oldest. Annie had eight brothers and sisters, Mac had four. Both attended Catholic schools. It seemed obvious from the beginning they had a lot in common.
Prime Timer Club boasts membership over 2,000 citizens: You won't be bored with a monotone speaker when attending Fayette County Bank's Prime Timer Club events. According to Nancy Price, club coordinator and marketing officer, "Variety and entertainment are two important qualities I look for when planning our bimonthly events."
Calendar
CCCS offers money advice for seniors: The American retirement dream is to trade the stress of the workaday world for a new life of relaxation and leisure. But for seniors on a fixed income, the retirement reality can be a nightmare of constant worries about stretching limited dollars.
Commissioner clarifies VA enrollment info.: "Georgia's veterans are not going to lose their VA medical benefits of they do not enroll with the VA by Sept. 30," Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler said in response to false information that has been circulating on the Internet and in other media outlets.

Weekend

Homeward bound: I'm outta here. Maybe it's the gypsy in my blood or an incurable case of wanderlust, but this ol' gal is heading off into the great unknown. Well, not exactly unknown.
Historical Society hosts autograph tea: The Fayette County Historical Society announces an Autograph Tea for Karen Holliday Tanner on Aug. 16. It will be held at the historical society building at 190 Lee St., Fayetteville, from 3-5 p.m.
So silly to worry...: Mothers worry. It's what they do best. But I'll jeopardize any maternal reputation I may have by admitting that I don't worry a lot.
Terror revisited on Flight 925: When Jo Carol Trenfel Whitlock boarded Eastern Airlines Flight 925 on September 7, 1969, it was just like any other work day. But before the flight would end, a nightmare would begin which would last 28 years.
Opening This Week

Sports

Sports Info Needed: Do you know an unusual athlete others might enjoy reading about?
Starr's Mill 'maximizing': They may be young, but they're not soft.
Not having a senior class from which to draw experience is not going to stop the newly formed varsity Starr's Mill High School Football team, said Starr's Mill Head Coach Mike Earwood.
SPORTS BRIEFS
F'ville Lightning 80 No. 1 in the nation: "I told the kids that was the best they played ever. It was unbelievable; the best they've every played, ever. They could have won 8-1. They were brilliant," enthused David "Chaddie" Chadwick, coach of the national champion Fayetteville Lightning Soccer 80 team.
Sports Calendar