The Fayette Citizen, Fayette County Georgia

Wednesday, December 16, 1998

News

Threats halted Starr's Mill store vote?: Retiring Fayette County Commission chairman Robert Sprayberry declines to respond to rumors that anonymous threats prompted his refusal to vote last week on zoning for a proposed convenience store across from Starr's Mill.
County Commission zoning votes heavy on denial: Facing a standing-room-only crowd of petitioners and protesters, the Fayette County Commission last week denied four controversial rezoning requests.
Planners say 'No' to Mews rezoning: Another battle shapes up for development of the "Palm Beach" property at Ga. Highway 54 and Walt Banks Road with the refusal of the Peachtree City Planning Commission to recommend rezoning for an upscale shopping area.
Wrong-way driver PTC's 2nd traffic fatality: Prince Dumas, 39, 111 King's Ridge Dr., Peachtree City, became the city's second traffic fatality of 1998 in an accident last Sunday evening, Police Chief James Murray reports.
New tower rules approved by county over cell firms' protests: After hearing from representatives of cell phone companies who complained that proposed new rules for communications towers in Fayette were too restrictive, the County Commission last week made the rules slightly more restrictive, and then approved them.
Teen living in car charged with burglaries: At least four home burglaries may be solved with the arrest of an 18-year-old who apparently was living out of his car, according to Lt. Mahlon Donald of the Criminal Investigations Division of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.
Highway 85 overlay rules to get still more scrutiny: Special architectural rules for Ga. Highway 85 north will get one more look by Fayette's Planning Commission before the County Commission acts on it.
Brooks votes to oppose Starr's Mill store zoning: At its recent meeting, the Brooks Town Council has adopted a resolution opposing a convenience store across from historic Starr's Mill on Ga. Highway 85 South near the Brooks Hwy. 85 Connector.
Mistaken identity arrest lawsuit filed against sheriff: Documents sought by the plaintiff's attorneys in a wrongful arrest lawsuit against Fayette County apparently have been provided through the federal court discovery process, after a failed attempt to get the records via the Georgia Open Records Act.
5-, 10-year plans on Tyrone agenda: Tomorrow night's meeting of the town council in Tyrone should provide residents with a glimpse of the town's future.
County adds Red Cross disaster vehicle: When a certain red-and-white vehicle makes its first run in Fayette County, it will be loaded with help for disaster victims.
PTC Council targets treetop antennas Thursday: Treetop antennas, cleanup rezonings and fencing out the lights and noise from a convenience store are on tap for the Peachtree City Council Thursday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
F'ville puts finishing touches on unattended water, sewer failsafe control warning system: When Eric Wolf, operator of Fayetteville's water treatment plant on First Manassas Mile Road, answered his pager at midnight recently, it wasn't a water customer calling to report a problem.
Home Builders Association lends help to restoration project: The Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia is providing on-site project management for the Main Street Fayetteville and Downtown Development Authority of Fayetteville's Historic Hollingsworth House restoration project.

Weekend

Readers respond: Your comments follow on some issues I raised here recently. Questions include massing flowers in church when the money could benefit worthy causes; slovenly dress in formal settings; applause during worship; Christmas carols out-of-season.
Burn Foundation gives holiday safety tips
Toys for Tots deadline near: The deadline to drop off toys for the Toys for Tots campaign, sponsored locally by Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty, is Monday, Dec. 21.
Thumb massagers top weird, unusual ideas: This Christmas you can set your thumbs atingle, hear chimes with no wind, or make your wallet beep without imbibing too much at your local pub.
Gordon College sets registration: Registration for spring semester at Gordon College in Barnesville is Tuesday, Jan. 5, with day classes at the main campus beginning Jan. 6.
Homeschoolers sail away: The Carnival Cruise Lines' theme song, "Celebrate," blasts as children wave good-bye to land. It's 3 p.m. on Sept. 26, 1998, and the MS Imagination is leaving the docks of Miami.
Groundbreaking today for new Kiwanis Club fairgrounds site: The Fayette County Kiwanis Club will host groundbreaking ceremonies at their new 60-acre "Kiwanis Fair Complex" today at 4 p.m. T
Students welcome Santa: Curly white beard and hair tucked under a scarlet cap couldn't hide the youthful vitality and enthusiasm of McIntosh High School's senior "Santa" Jonathan Philpot as he intently listened to a litany of requests for Barbies, Teletubbies, Furbys and Hotwheels at the first-ever student-sponsored Santa breakfast.
Military Briefs
Notable
Offshoot auditions Jan. 10
The Nutcracker: 'perfect family entertainment': More than 250 dancers from Peachtree City's School of Dance will take the stage at Starr's Mill Auditorium this weekend for the classic Christmas ballet, "The Nutcracker," under the direction of Brenda Hotard.
Stein Mart sponsors Giving Tree holiday project: Stein Mart, a nationwide chain whose locations include Peachtree City, will give back to its communities during the holidays with the annual Stein Mart Giving Tree project.
United Way catalog offers 'gift of community': What do you buy someone who can't possibly use another sweater or matching slippers? United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta is hoping shoppers will consider giving the gift of community instead.
Metro Atlanta United Way tops 1998 goal: Move over, Mark McGwire! "Big Mac" wasn't the only slugger to hit 70 this year.
'The Lighting of Wellington' Annual tradition is this weekend: The annual "Lighting of Wellington" will take place this Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 10 p.m. both nights.

Business

Fayette Community Hospital information is now on the Web: Fayette Community Hospital is pleased to announce that its Web site is now ready for browsing. Hospital employees and patients, as well as Fayette County and surrounding area residents, can now access important and useful information concerning hospital services and events.
Merrill Lynch offers Fayette's seniors a Christmas present: For the fifth straight year, Merrill Lynch's office in Peachtree City will opens its doors to senior citizens so they may use the firm's telephones free of charge to call their loved ones anywhere in the world.
Business Briefs
Tyrone Preview: Tomorrow night's meeting of the town council in Tyrone should provide residents with a glimpse of the town's future.

Dining Guide

Dining Critic: When you mention barbecue in the South, you're liable to get in a long discussion involving everything from the right type of sauce to whether or not pork or beef is true barbecue.
Publix deli and bakery offers impressive selection: Judging by the lines forming near the deli in the Publix grocery store everyday at lunchtime, the secret is out. The deli makes among the best and freshest sub sandwiches around and at a better price.
Visions of sugarplums danced on their bread: Even good old biscuits can get dressed-up for the holidays. "A basic biscuit can be transformed into a special treat with a few easy additions and a sweet icing," says Martha White baking expert Linda Carman. "Our Glazed Sugarplum biscuits are studded with dried fruit bits and toasted almonds and crowned with a simple almond-flavored glaze."

Religion

Christmas: What a unique idea!: Several years ago as I served in south Florida, where our church adopted The Living Christmas Tree as an outreach strategy.
New Hope voting on Starr's Mill facility plans: New Hope Baptist Church is voting this week on proposed facility plans for its new South Campus at Starr's Mill.
Religion Briefs
Church plays Santa to inmates' children: Saturday morning, members of Corinth Baptist Church of Fayetteville will meet at the church, load their vehicles and set off like Santa's helpers to deliver presents to local children who won't be spending the holidays with one of their parents.
Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran offers first-ever Christmas worship concerts: The worship and music ministry at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City offers its first-ever Christmas Worship Concerts on Saturday, December 19, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 20, at 6 p.m.
Women study Esther: A women's Bible study on the book of Esther starts in January at New Hope Baptist Church. Registration for this winter session of the Joy of Life Women's Bible Study began Dec. 6 and continues through Jan. 3. Cost is $15.
River's Edge to present dessert theater with 'Scrooge': The Drama Ministry of River's Edge Community Church presents "Scrooge" 7 p.m., Dec. 17-19 in a Dessert Theater format. "Scrooge" is an adaptation by Associate Pastor Ray Walker of Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol.
Obituary

Sports

Former Tigers and Chiefs have impact on Highlander soccer: Gordon College's women's soccer team recently completed its most successful season in history, and the postseason awards have been pouring in for one of the team's top players.
Injury to Landmark player could shape the way game is played: On October 23, the Landmark Christian War Eagles were playing the Temple Tigers in football. The War Eagles had a 21 point lead, which started slipping away due to turnovers and onside kicks.
Rising Starr ladies are 4-0 after win over Whitewater: The 8th grade Rising Starr Lady Panthers won Friday night against their rivals, Whitewater Middle School, by a score of 40-12.
Chiefs dominate South Metro: The South Metro Wrestling Invitational took place at Fayette County High School last Friday and Saturday. There were 20 teams of varying strengths and it was a battle from the opening match until the last match.
Mix of good and bad for swimming Panthers: The Starr's Mill swim team played host to Greenbriar and Fayette County on Saturday and Coach Cathy McMullen has some mixed feelings.
South Metro Wrestling Invitational