The Fayette Citizen, Fayette County Georgia

Wednesday, September 30, 1998

News

Biggest tax cuts go to cities: Residents of Fayetteville and Peachtree City will get the biggest break on their Fayette County property taxes in 1999.
Here's a sample tax bill
Fayette tax bills on the way: Fayette County Tax Commissioner George Wingo said this week he plans to have tax bills in the mail by the end of this week, now that cities, the Board of Education and the county have approved property tax rates for fiscal year 1999.
School Board maintains same tax rate: The Fayette County School Board set a 19.84 millage rate Friday for maintenance and operation, the same rate as last year. The debt service rate is 4.15, reflecting a .84 reduction from last year's rate of 4.99.
Fayetteville tax cut bigger than expected: Fayetteville property owners will get a little better tax break than previously anticipated.
New senior center may be nearer to reality: Senior citizen advocates who have been working for years to build a permanent senior center in Fayetteville may have their goal in sight.
Planners OK 220 apartments for Kedron: The Peachtree City Planning Commission Monday paved the way for an upscale complex of 220 apartments at Ga. Highway 74 and Kedron Drive, with several members calling for high standards from the developers.
Residents still oppose water tank site: Fayette officials and residents opposed to the county's plan for a new water tank in the New Hope community got together for an informational meeting last week, but not much changed.
Officials: Site aside, new tank is a must: One message was clear from a meeting last week between county officials and residents of New Hope community: Wherever it is built, a new 2 million-gallon water tank is needed.
Alternative tank sites, additional costs
WWII veterans reassemble, recall Alaskan hardships: Nine World War II veterans who recently assembled in Fayetteville can tell you where in the world is the island of Attu: they spent a lifetime there one year.
Chamber sets two public forums to address transportation issues: The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce is inviting local government leaders and the public to a series of public forums to discuss transportation issues.
County seeks office space for judge: Fayette County commissioners will consider combining Judge-elect Chris Edwards' need for office space with the Superior Court's need for storage space, spending about $260,000 to solve both.
F'ville P&Z nixes Dixon annexation, approves variance to allow Lutheran church expansion: Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Board members said no to two very different kinds of developers last week, wrestled with the appropriateness of several variance requests and tabled a big decision on changing the city's land use plan.
Tyrone to consider de-annexing house: A unique property situation will be the subject of discussion during tomorrow night's Tyrone Town Council meeting.
September Fayette grand jury returns criminal indictments: Criminal trials are under way this week in Fayette Superior Court for some cases heard in the September grand jury term.

Opinion

Don't buy a TV; food is more important DAVE HAMRICK Editor-at-large: Second only to "It's his private life," the next most often heard complaint by Clinton supporters, regurgitated directly from his spin machine, is that "We need to move on with the business of the country."
Whatever else George Wallace did, he also changed By LEE N. HOWELL Politically Speaking: They buried former Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace in Montgomery last week, atop a shaded hillside at Greenwood Cemetery beside his first wife (and his children's mother), Lurleen.
Taxpayer relief, impeachment of President Clinton: Yes to both By REP. MAC COLLINS 3rd District U.S. Congress: Last week, the House of Representatives voted to take a monumental step to save Social Security. The "Save Social Security Act" (H.R. 4578) sets aside 90 percent of the surplus, approximately $1.4 trillion, to preserve the Social Security system.
Almost 'Legends of the Fall' BILLY MURPHY Laugh Lines: The fall TV season flickers across our screens in full glory now, and to me it resembles a void in a vacuum swallowed up by a black hole.

Letters From Our Readers

Why did deputies stop this particular car?: While traveling north on Ga. Highway. 314 in Fayetteville on Sunday, Sept. 6, 1998 I witnessed an African-American teen being pulled over by Fayette County Sheriff's deputies when he appeared to be doing nothing wrong.
No need to 'circle the wagons' on math: I attended the Monday, Sept. 21, meeting of the Fayette County Board of Education where Amy Riley made her eloquent presentation on behalf of the Concerned Parents for Better Fayette Education group of which I am a part.
Remember: These are our kids, our schools: Following last week's presentation to the Fayette County Board of Education, a few thoughts come to mind as I attempt to process this latest sequence of events.
In sordid summer, McGwire, Sosa give reasons to cheer: During what some are referring to as a national crisis, what better to come to the rescue than our national past-time.
How do we get the paper?: Hi! I found y'all and bookmarked your website BEFORE we ever moved here.

Business

First Citizens acquires Fayette bank branch: First Citizens Corporation of Newnan and Community First Banking Company of Carrollton announced late last week an agreement that allows First Citizen to acquire three branch banks from the Carrollton-based company.
Business Briefs
Nine county kids are the newest publishing stars: Nine lucky Peachtree City and Fayette County kids have joined the international world of publishing. In July, they were selected to be featured in a photograph to appear on thousands of book covers to be used by Gallopade International, a children's book publisher in Peachtree City.

Religion

Christian Churches youth rally a big success for 240 attending: Six Christian churches in the area Tyrone Christian, Kenwood Christian, Fayetteville Christian, Peachtree City Christian, Jonesboro Christian and Heritage Christian got together last Sunday evening for the first Youth Rally, with many more to come.
Catholic Principal: When Karen Vogtner was a student at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in Hapeville, she never dreamed she would one day be the principal.

Weekend

Not just arts and crafts Fayetteville's Fall Festival the place for music and fun: An eclectic mix of arts, crafts and antiques will occupy the grounds of Heritage Park this weekend as the Rotary Club of Fayetteville and Main Street Fayetteville combine efforts to put on their annual Fall Festival.
The windy day: Since I can remember, I have hung wash out to dry. Always grateful for a breeze to speed the process, I don't believe I've ever had one like today's.
Peachtree City hosting Oct. 3 walk for diabetes: About 200 participants are expected to turn out Saturday morning for the third annual walk for the American Diabetes Association in Peachtree City.
Ben Ryerson in Berry College production: Ben Ryerson, son of Michael M. Ryerson of Peachtree City, will be appearing in the Berry College Theatre Company Production of "The Diviners," with performances scheduled for Sept. 24-27 and Oct. 1-4.
Book sale set for Saturday: The Friends of the Fayette County Public Library will have their quarterly book sale Oct. 3 at the library.
Degree program aims to help technical grads: Stacey Head knows about a college degree the Bachelor of Applied Science that can help graduates of technical schools get ahead in the job market.
Chicken Man plans to rule the Chili Challenge roost: Fayetteville's Mike Culver is an aircraft router for Delta by profession and a chicken by choice.
The Great Chili Challenge Time to tempt (torment?) those taste buds Can you repeat the words "chili challenge" rapidly five times? Nice try.
Free depression screenings Oct. 8: As part of the 8th annual National Depression Screening Day program, the Mental Health Association of Metropolitan Atlanta will offer free, confidential screenings for clinical depression on Oct. 8.
Classes illuminate personality styles: The following Myers-Briggs personality assessment classes are being offered at Fayette Community Hospital this fall.
Workshops, 'Pinocchio' highlight FCT fall season: Fayette Community Theatre Inc., a partner in the arts with ECCA, has announced their fall schedule of workshops and a storybook production.
Fayette County Health Dept. to provide flu, pneumonia vaccines at walk-in clinic: The Fayette County Health Department will offer flu and pneumonia vaccines on a walk-in basis from Monday, Sept. 28, through Friday, Oct. 2.
Foresters are ready with helpful advice: The Georgia Forestry Commission offers a wide range of forest management services available to both landowners and homeowners.
Reservists under scrutiny for benefits eligibility: The military services are going to be more aggressive in identifying reservists who receive Montgomery GI Bill/Selected Reserve benefits and fail to satisfactorily complete their Reserve duty obligation.
Public comment sought on state HIV reporting: Public health planners are seeking input from the residents of the 12 counties that comprise the LaGrange public health district, including Fayette and Coweta.
Builder/developer nominees sought for achievement award: HomeBanc Mortgage Corporation and Property Data Systems are seeking nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented at the Oct. 16 Atlanta Housing Summit.
Eliminating litter a 'Fair' goal for Fayette Clean and Beautiful: Keep Fayette Beautiful is working to make this year's Fayette County Kiwanis Fair a "Litter-Free Event."
Military Briefs
Notable
Notable
Offshoot Productions offering workshops for aspiring actors: Susan M. Steadman, Ph.D., artistic director of Fayette County-based Offshoot Productions, has announced the schedule for four nuts-and-bolts acting workshops this fall.
Starting Oct. 1 ParkPass prices cut in half: The 1998 Annual ParkPass, which offers unlimited admission to Georgia's state parks, will be available for half price starting Oct. 1, 1998.
Several PROBE Fairs set in area: Approximately 45,000 Georgia high school students and their parents will explore the options of post-secondary education this fall at one of many PROBE Fairs the organized college fair tours that attract representatives from hundreds of U.S. nonprofit educational institutions.
Rose Society planting Ribbon Rose Garden: The South Metro Rose Society will establish an informal rose garden during the Kiwanis Fayette County Fair. The garden will be located in front of the recreation center at Kiwanis Fields.
Area coffee house enters sixth season: Offshoot Productions' eclectic coffee house, Stars on the Southern Crescent, resumes at National Heights Baptist Church in Fayetteville on Saturday, Oct. 17. Now entering its sixth season, the coffee house draws both talent and audiences from throughout the metro Atlanta area.
Group seeks donations of teddy bears: The Clayton College & State University Alumni Association will stage a "Teddy Bear Drive" to participate in the 1998 national Make a Difference Day.
Opening This Week

Health Wise

Health Matters: Child's Play: I was chatting with a stranger in a local discount store a few weeks ago. My son was in my arms at the time. The lady asked me how old he was. When I told her he was 17 months old, she commented, "So he hasn't reached the terrible two's yet." I despise that phrase.
Influenza: Nothing to sneeze at: It's that time again and the Fayette County Health Department is urging all senior citizens, children and other high risk patients to get their flu shots.
What everyone should know about stress: Stress is an unavoidable fact of life. Stress is pressure from the outside that can make you feel tense inside.
Health Beat: Integrative Therapy Specialists, L.L.C. is coming to Fayette County to address the growing need for outpatient chronic-pain care.
Club Peachtree and Running Club participate in 'Pump and Run': Club Peachtree and the Peachtree City Running Club decided to hold a different kind of event, a "Pump and Run". Runners do not generally bench press and those who bench press generally are not runners.

Sports

Football News
Lady Chiefs prepare for this week's regional softball tournament action at McCurry Park: The Lady Chiefs softball team went 2-1 last week as they prepared to go into the regional tournament, which was slated to start at McCurry park on Monday.
Panthers and Patriots duel in 4-AAA regional tournament: Local teams Sandy Creek and Starr's Mill brought their rivalry to a whole new level as they faced each other three times on Saturday.
Local teams run Sandy Creek Invitational: The Sandy Creek Invitational was run Saturday at, you guessed it, Sandy Creek High School.
Sports Calendar