The Fayette Citizen, Fayette County Georgia

Wednesday, November 25, 1998

News

State: Kids, sewer fields don't mix: Sandy Creek H.S. cross country athletes practice since 1997 on school's sewer spray field despite EPD warnings
Principal says he didn't know; halts all activities on Sandy Creek H.S. sewer field: Students will not be allowed to use Sandy Creek High School's cross country track course until questions about its safety have been resolved, said principal Dr. Charles Warr.
PTC to seek lowest natural gas rate for participating residents: Peachtree City will try to negotiate a citywide natural gas rate for its citizens with one of the 19 certified marketers in Georgia, City Manager Jim Basinger announced at last Thursday's council meeting.
Thanksgiving kicks off bountiful schedule of events: Whether you're already thinking of Christmas or just trying to get past the preparations of Thanksgiving, the holiday season is in full swing across the county and state.
Local poppers make world record book for biggest popcorn barrel: Although it may be a little corny, Fayette County is now home to two world champions. Heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield calls the county home and now another world record holder has popped into the county.
Convenience store held up over design concerns: Amoco Oil is ready to start building one of its Split Second convenience stores in south Fayetteville, but city officials' concerns over a canopy roof are holding up the project .
Tower plan ready for Dec. 3 vote: County Planning Commission members appear ready to send their new master plan for communications towers to the Board of Commissioners.
Second Chance Wildlife Center hopes holiday will bring donations, volunteers: Mary Ann Wooters woke up one morning recently and, before she even rolled out of bed, thought, "I have been doing this for 3,050 days now seven days a week and holidays." Then she got up and did "this" one more day.
Fayette school system dedicates its newest elementary, Peeples: Peeples Elementary School was dedicated Sunday in a show of "effort, enthusiasm, and encouragement" by teachers and students, parents and friends of education, resulting in performance excellence by all participants.
Main Street projects revving up; volunteers needed: Efforts to create a turn-of-the-century atmosphere and draw more shoppers and visitors to downtown Fayetteville are on a fast track now that the historic Holliday House has been purchased and a $1.2 million bond issue closed.
Local men share Civil War ancestor: Fayette County natives Bobby Kerlin and John Lynch share a common great-greatgrandfather, William Robert Whatley. During the War Between the States, Whatley served in Co. C, 4th Regiment, Georgia State Militia, where he served as a 4th Lieutenant, and was wounded in the Battle of Griswoldville.
Brooks to sell special Coke bottle for rec funds: The Brooks Town Council, on behalf of its Recreation Department, will be selling commemorative Coca-Cola bottles in early Spring.
Library seeks book donors for Dec.5 sale: Donating a book ortwo, or more, to a special sale Dec. 5 could make you acquainted with some very good Friends of the Library.
F'ville, Senoia mayors in annual motorcade: Mayors of Fayetteville and Senoia are among Georgia elected officials participating in this year's Mayors' Motorcade for patients of the state's regional mental health hospitals.
East Fayette Elementary gets $82,000 state technology grant: East Fayette Elementary School has received an $82,000 Pay for Performance (PfP) Program award which Principal Faith Hardnett said will be used to upgrade the school's technology program and provide teachers with additional funds for classroom use.
Correction
Holiday Calendar

Opinion

I think I heard the bugle sound Retreat DAVE HAMRICK Editor-at-large: Being on vacation this past week, I was in a unique position to hear large chunks of the House Judiciary Committee's deliberations on the president's perjury investigation.
Agenda items: Social Security hearings, election of new leaders REP. MAC COLLINS 3rd District U.S. Congress: Members of the House of Representatives returned to Washington last week to attend organizational meetings and elect leadership for the 106th Congress. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I also participated in a very important hearing on saving Social Security.
The United States of Wal-Mart . . . . BILLY MURPHY Laugh Lines: WE THE PEOPLE of the United States of Wal-Mart, in Order to form a more Perfect Union, establish credit, assure domestic housewares, provide for the common shopper, promote the wobbly shopping cart, and secure the Blessings of polyester to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of Wal-Mart (The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of Wal-Mart, adopted Sept. 17, 1998, Newnan, Ga.).

Letters From Our Readers

Hate-filled, bigoted killers vs. plain old dispassionate killers: In Mr. Weaver's letter in the Nov. 18 Citizen, he states: "This hate crimes movement makes no sense."
Parties should change their names to reflect philosophies: I correspond, by e-mail, with a group of veterans who are members of the American Division Veterans Association. I was in the 132nd Infantry Regiment on New Caledonia, in 1942, when the division was formed from a task force. The division was named for America and New Caledonia, and the only unnumbered division in the United States Army.
'Monument-style' mailboxes not a simple issue: I am particularly concerned about an article that appeared in your Oct. 21 newspaper entitled "Planners: Enforce county mailbox law equally." Planning Commission member Fred Bowen says "There is almost no need to argue about this. [Monument-style mailboxes are] a danger, and it ought to be a simple issue: They don't exist."
Clean dead animals from roads: I was raised my entire life in Georgia. But I have lived and visited almost every state along the East and Gulf coasts for the last 17 years. I recently moved back to Georgia in March of 1997, and I am deeply disturbed at the many dead animals I see on the roads of Georgia.
EMS award winner is grateful: As the recipient of EMS Magazine/Braun Industries 13th Annual Paramedic of the Year award, it is a humbling experience that my fellow shift supervisor, Capt. Bill Bolton, thought enough of my efforts that he nominated me for this award.
Bike club is off to good start: We have been successful in starting our bicycle club. Our goal is to accommodate the needs of all who are interested in improving their health, biking skills and riding conditions in Fayette County.

Business

Leadership is about trust: "Humpty Dumpty sat on a great wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, All the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again."
Tech program gets praise: Clayton College & State University's groundbreaking Information Technology Project received major acclaim last week in a speech given by Microsoft CEO and chairman Bill Gates at the 1998 Conference on Information Technology in Miami.
PTC doctors get new digs: Group VI Corporation, along with Dr. Bruce Perlman and Dr. Fredd Miller, announce the opening of new offices for Peachtree City Internal Medicine at 440 Prime Point.
AAA says a record number of travelers will be hitting the road: If you're planning to leave town for Thanksgiving, AAA Auto Club South estimates you will be part of a record 33.6 million Americans expected to travel 100 miles or more from home during the holiday weekend.

Religion

We need our faithful companions in mission: Remember the Lone Ranger and his horse Trigger? The Lone Ranger was no lone anything. He had Tonto and his horse Buttermilk.
St. Andrew's presents its Lessons and Carols service: St Andrew's in the Pines Episcopal Church will present a service of Lessons and Carols Dec. 6, at 4 p.m. at the church.
Religion Briefs
Celebrate Bible Week--read: This week is National Bible Week, a week sponsored since 1941 by the National Bible Association to encourage everyone to read the Bible.
King-Kent: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Debra King of Peachtree City announce the engagement of their daughter Carla Marie, to Marcus Andrew Kent, the son of Mr. Michael E. Kent Sr. of Marietta and Mrs. Mary A. Reader of Marietta.
Peachtree City To wed April 1999 Gibbs, Haberman: Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Jantosciak of Peachtree City and Mr. Charles Gibbs of Jacksonville, Fla., announce the engagement of their daughter Leslie Christina Gibbs to Charles Francis Haberman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Haberman of Old Mystic, Conn.

Sports

A look ahead at boys hoops: It is not easy when the number one and two teams in the state are in your region but that is what our local high school basketball teams face.
Lester to tee off for UK: Rachel Lester of Fayetteville, a senior at Woodward Academy, has signed a letter of intent to play golf for the University of Kentucky.
Previewing the girls who got game: The Thanksgiving tournaments have begun and the regular season is only one week away. The local girls basketball teams are gearing up for a very competitive winter in both the 4-AAAA and the 4-AAA divisions.
Soccer Centre fills leagues for winter youth soccer: The Soccer Centre in Fayetteville has filled both arenas for the Indoor Winter Youth league.

Weekend

Thanksgiving hospitality: It was only the tiniest of growls, but I heard it distinctly as I walked through the bedroom. I looked around, and saw only my little brown bear, drawn up as close to the headboard as he could get, hiding something behind him. When I looked closer, I realized it was his friend Bergdohle, the Alpine blackbird.
'Jailbirds' to post bail for AHA Cardiac Arrest: The Fayette County Division of the American Heart Association will be putting county residents under lock and key Dec. 2, when the AHA, along with the Volunteer Cardiac Arrest Parole Board, will be hosting the Holiday Cardiac Arrest Event.
Scout provides hospital 'haven': Fayette Community Hospital now has an outside haven for visitors and staff to enjoy, thanks to Peachtree City Boy Scout Blake Bowler and a host of hard-working supporters.
Here's a grace: Here's a grace from a Lutheran prayer book, written by the Rev. Mark Kukkonen:
Wreaths brighten holidays, benefit Georgia wildlife: The Georgia Wildlife Federation is selling balsam fir wreaths as a fundraiser this season. Money raised will be used to fund GWF's environmental education programs.
This idea is a natural: Habitats give students access to 'live' science: A nature field trip may be right outside the schoolhouse door for some Fayette County students, thanks to some forward-thinking teachers.
Students seek community help for annual fund-raiser: For the third year in a row a group of Fayette County High School students are sharing their good fortune with a group of people considered to be among the poorest in the United States, the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe of Manderson, S.D.
Many programs benefit from Dec. 5 book sale: Donating a book or two, or more, to a special sale Dec. 5 could make you acquainted with some very good Friends of the Library.
Military Brief
Parade applicants sought: The fifth annual Main Street Fayetteville Parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 5, beginning at Jeff Davis and Kathi Avenue.
'Great Tree' lighting Dec. 5 in Peachtree City: The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by the Peachtree City Recreation Department, will be Saturday, Dec. 5, beginning at 6 p.m. at Peachtree City Hall.
Red Cross seeks disaster team volunteers: Fayette County's George Knight is a special Red Cross volunteer. What makes him special? He is a member of the South Metro Red Cross Center's Disaster Action Team (DAT).
Giving thanks: If yours is a family that has fallen out of the habit of saying grace at meals, these might help you jump-start that good tradition. The cultivation of gratitude in children cannot begin too soon.
A three-Clara classic: A trio of talented 10-year-old ballerinas will share the title role of Clara in Fayette Ballet's 11th annual production of "The Nutcracker." Jenna Earle, Amber Lewis and Brianna Jackson will each take center stage for one of the three performances scheduled for Dec. 5 and 6 at the Starr's Mill High School auditorium.
Five festive Fayette homes on 'Tinsel Trail': The 10th annual Tinsel Trail a tour of local homes decorated for the holidays is set for Saturday, Dec. 5, from 2-7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 1-6 p.m.
Gold and greenery decorate tour home: Ann and Jerry Walton of Fayetteville have the golden touch. It is evident the minute you enter the couple's warm but elegant Southern traditional brick home.
YMCA top honors to George Wiswall: The Fayette Family YMCA has chosen George Wiswall for their 1998 Volunteer of the Year. Wiswall is being honored for his outstanding contributions to the Y and to the community during the past year.
Zoo News

Health Matters

Dating: When should a teenager be allowed to date? I have been asked this question many times and, like many questions regarding our children, the answer is not a simple one.
Georgia Optometic Association warns diabetics to have vision screened: November is American Diabetes Month, and the Georgia Optometric Association warns that people who have diabetes for several years are at risk of developing a potentially blinding condition called diabetic retinopathy and need to take steps to protect their vision.
Health screenings to be held at The Gathering Place: Life Line Screening, the nation's largest mobile ultrasound screening service, will hold health screenings at The Gathering Place, 2-3 McIntosh Trail, in Peachtree City on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Audiology News: Large, clunky, embarrassing and so expensive. This is how most people would describe a hearing aid.
Going head to head with lice: Head lice can happen to anyone. Head lice do not discriminate according to race, age, sex, or social status. Having head lice is not a sign of uncleanliness.