Archive for Wednesday, January 27, 1999

Wednesday, January 27, 1999

News

Ga. Supreme Court: Fayette owns disputed water tank site: David Williams will ask the Georgia Supreme Court to reconsider his dispute with Fayette County over a seven tenths-acre tract in the New Hope area.
Pine Trail fight returns to F'ville council tonight: The stage is set for a show-down tonight and Monday over long-disputed plans for a shopping center at Ga. Highway 85 and Pine Trail Road.
Starr's Mill gets its stadium; now McIntosh wants share: The Fayette County Board of Education agreed to a $6 million refinancing and construction package Monday night, giving Starr's Mill High School the green light to let bids on a long-anticipated football stadium.
Starr's Mill store rezoning may be tabled again; more 'environmental work' needed: Developers are asking the Fayette County Commission to table a controversial rezoning petition for a convenience store across from historic Starr's Mill tomorrow.
Planners seek clarification on tower location ordinance: Fayette County's Planning Commission tomorrow will ask the Board of Commissioners for clarification of its recent decision concerning rules for communications towers in the county.
Where tank will go is still undecided: Fayette County has won its legal dispute over a proposed water tank site, but the political fight continues.
Planners to vote on 85 Overlay, take another look at roadside mailboxes: Fayette County commissioners will receive proposed new development rules for Ga. Highway 85 north with one change from the last version they saw in December.
Tyrone eyes empty nester concept: Tyrone could soon have an empty-nesters' community, if the town's planning commission and town council approve the concept.
Refusal to rezone for Mews was right decision, mayor says: Peachtree City Mayor Bob Lenox says the city council's Jan. 7 vote to deny rezoning for a shopping center at Walt Banks Road and Ga. Highway 54 "was the correct decision," but the defeated developer says "the wisdom of that choice will be etched in brick and mortar on what is built on that property."
F'ville eyes senior community: Plans for a 100-home subdivision on 20 acres just south of downtown Fayetteville are on the agenda for the Fayetteville City Council tonight and Monday.
Local gov't officials gather: The Association of Fayette County Governments held its quarterly meeting and were unable to hold its annual elections. The by- laws require that a quorum be present of member elected officials of its entities and there were not an elected official present from Peachtree City and the Board of Education.
Family escapes Forest Dr. fire uninjured: A Fayette County family escaped without injury when their home on Forest Drive caught fire Monday night, according to Capt. Pete Nelms, spokesman for the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
Fayette firebombing suspect in custody here: An Alabama man who allegedly tried to firebomb a Fayette County home was in custody here within 24 hours of the incident, according to the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.
COPS to board's rescue: The $6 million refinancing and new construction package approved by the Fayette County Board of Education will be paid for with Certificates of Participation, known in short as COPS.
Young actor has big plans for future: Lamborghini roadster: Someday, the neatly printed name of Evan Barron may be worth a lot of money.
Price sees session as one of relationships, consensus building: This year's session of the Georgia Legislature will be about relationships and consensus-building, says Rick Price, Republican senator from the 28th District which comprises parts of Fayette, Coweta, and Spalding counties. He plans to sponsor or cosponsor bills to lower taxes, punish vehicular evasion of arrest, and give tax breaks as a form of private school voucher system.
Hecht supports special drug prosecutors bill: One of two state senators serving Fayette County, Greg Hecht is no stranger to the state legislature. He has also served a term in the State House of Representatives.
Brooks Council questions who owns fire station: The Brooks Town Council after a public hearing on placing a stop sign at the intersection of Ga. Highway 85 Connector and Gable Road voted to put the sign in place. Former council member Francis Cavender was appointed to meet with Lee Hearn, Fayette County Public Works, for its placement.
LocalWeather Service office readies new radio warning system: The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City is introducing a new automated weather radio system this month, according to Carlos Garza, meteorologist-in-charge.

Opinion

Trial's legacy: poll-driven public policy DAVE HAMRICK Editor-at-large: It's winding down, and I'm sure I speak for just about everyone when I say, "Not a moment too soon."
Is no Mews good news? BILLY MURPHY Laugh Lines: Not since the last great land rush of Japan has there been such a scramble for a piece of property.
Is no Mews good news? By KENDALL WINGROVE Real Answers: (Washington D.C.) Unnamed sources in the nation's capitol today confirmed the death of Shame, following a long, painful struggle against years of indifference from elected officials, the news media and society.

Letters From Our Readers

After Mews, area will be 'profoundly ordinary': Some who opposed the Mews project had predicted early on that they could work the city council so that not a single vote would be cast in favor of the project.
Adult can relate to complaints about teens and PTC police: Concerning a recent letter I read about Peachtree City police abusing the rights of teenage drivers, I can relate, and I haven't been a teenager for over two decades.
Some county employees want growth: My son Eric and I were fortunate to see Linda Wells and Greg Dunn take the oath of office earlier this month.
Let the (soiled) Games begin!: What is all the fuss about Salt Lake City and the 2002 Winter Olympics?
Airline group sales center can be good deal for customers: Public is being mislead by [broadcast consumer reporter] Clark Howard regarding airlines group fares.
Why teach teens about freedom when they have so little?: Our culture must be masochistic; why else would we suffocate ourselves with the deprivation of a freedom seemingly valued more than life?
Some officers getting away from good policing: I am writing in response to a letter from Peachtree City resident Bill Ezpelta about the abuse of teens in Peachtree City and their rights guaranteed by the U.S. Consitution (Miranda, etc.).
Teen should have known consequences: I would like to respond to an opinion article written by Ken and Robin Hulse of Peachtree City, "PTC police seem to be rough on teenagers."
PTC police have nothing to apologize for: Once again another uninformed citizen has thrown his hat into the ring. Far be it from me not to respond.
Some residents needlessly defame PTC police: In response to Bill Ezpeleta's letter, "Teenagers being denied rights in PTC."

Business

Keeping the best employees: The German poet, Goethe, said, "Treat people as though they were what they ought to be and you will help them become what they are capable of being."
New shopping choice comes to town: Fayette County's newest grocery store will throw open its doors for business tomorrow.
Auto club unloads on Delta for $1 service charge: A major auto club is taking dead aim at Delta AirLines. AAA announced last week that Delta's imposition of a $1 surcharge each way on domestic airlines not sold through the Delta Web site is unfair to consumers and restricts their airline travel purchase choices.
Fayetteville accounting firm acquires Smyrna-based tax and financial company: Cumberland Financial Group, Inc., which has an office in Fayetteville, recently acquired David Brown Accounting & Tax of Smyrna. The company also merged with Summit Accounting and Tax, Inc. of Woodstock.
Panasonic hits a quality grand slam: Peachtree City-based Matsushita Communication Industrial Corporation of USA announced this week the company has achieved ISO 9002 and QS-9000 registrations for quality management system standards and ISO 14000 certification for environmental management.

Religion

No one said hearing the Truth was easy ...: It doesn't take too much analysis to identify Fayette's foremost spiritual malady: It's ease. If our citizens don't have it, they are seeking it desperately. To be at ease. "Ease" appears to be the very essence of the good life.
Cancer, eating disorder survivor shares testimony at PTC brunch: Christian author's ministry has been instrumental in liberating the lives of men and women alike
Christian group performing Sunday in PTC: The contemporary Christian music group Dakota Road will lead the 6 p.m. Sunday worship service and present a concert Feb. 7 at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City.
Support groups, studies beginning at F'ville church: Several Wednesday night small study groups are beginning this evening at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church, 175 E. Lanier Ave.
PTC priest to lead new CEC church: This Friday at 7 p.m. marks the beginning of a new mission church being established in Fairburn under the auspices of the Charismatic Episcopal Church of North America. This new congregation, Prince of Peace CEC, is pastored by the Rev. Father Raymond J. Greiner of Peachtree City, formerly on staff at the Cathedral church in Thomaston, Ga.
Obituaries
Organist holding recital: Leslie Boyette, organist and choirmaster of St. Andrew's in-the-Pines Episcopal Church, will present a recital at 3:30 p.m. March 7 at Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta.
Seminar teaches leadership training: Fayetteville First United Methodist Church will host the nationally acclaimed "Serendipity" training seminar for all church pastors, leaders and teachers.
Swing dance to be Feb. 20: Get back into the swing of things during First Presbyterian Church of Peachtree City's Swing Dance and Auction Night Feb. 20.
Time capsule being prepared for 2048: In mid-February, members of Fayetteville First United Methodist Church will be moving into the new Family Life Center. As part of the celebration, a time capsule will be sealed, not to be opened until 2048, the church's 200th anniversary.
Religion Briefs
PTC priest gains audience with the pope: Clergy and laity from Peachtree City's Holy Trinity Church have apparently made the Papal "A" list.

Sports

Rookie season for Brooking ends in a Super Bowl berth: When Morten Anderson's field goal split the uprights in the Atlanta Falcon's NFC Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings, one era came to an end and a new one began. For Keith Brooking, the former East Coweta Indian and Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket, it was just another blessing in an incredible year.
Fisharama coming to Atlanta: Take the weekend off from fishing to stock up on new equipment and learn fishing tips from master anglers at the biggest and best Georgia Wildlife Federation Fisharama ever.
Fayette County Youth Track registration off and running: The Fayette County Youth Track Team needs and wants your help. The team is scheduled to begin its 1999 season on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 6 -7 p.m. at the track at McCurry field on 54E and McDonough Rd. in Fayetteville.
Battles for tournament seedings rage on: The basketball season is winding down. The regional tournaments begin a week from next Monday and all of the games up until that point will give the team's a look at possible opponents.
Sports Calendar

Weekend

Dirty Bird--The Steps: Keeping in step with the Atlanta Falcons means learning the "Dirty Bird," that wing-flapping, left, right, left right, boogie everybody seems to be doing these days.
Dr. Drake: Henry C. Drake, M.D., was Peachtree City's first doctor, and long after he opened his office here in 1971, the only physician practicing in the county besides Helen and Ferrol Sams.
Health department adjusts schedule for Y2K work: As part of their ongoing efforts to provide effective and efficient service, the Fayette County Health Department, the Board of Health, and District 4 Public Health have developed plans to prevent any interruption of services at Y2K or the year 2000.
Program to address overscheduling, stress: Oak Grove Elementary School will be hosting a Facts and Snacks program Jan. 29 from 9-10:30 a.m. The featured topic will be "Is Your Child or Family Over-Scheduled ?", presented by Dwight Foulk, LPC. A donation of $2 from each registrant will cover the cost of refreshments.
Notable
Local establishments ready to party: If chips and dip in front of your 18-inch color screen don't measure up to your idea of a Super Bowl celebration, there are a number of sports havens and restaurants in the area gearing up to party hearty on Saturday and Sunday.
Help wanted to raise the roof (and walls) at new Jos. Sams School: If you've ever wondered what an old-fashioned barn-raising is like, here's your chance to find out.
Three 'dark' comedies open at Depot this weekend: On Friday, Jan. 29 Offshoot Productions premieres "What Doesn't Kill Me" at the Fayetteville Depot. "What Doesn't Kill Me..." consists of three one-act plays written and directed by Offshoot Productions' artistic director Susan Steadman, Ph.D.
Attention, performers and artists: The Kiwanis Talent and Art Show is looking for you: Applications for the 14th annual Kiwanis Talent and Art Show Feb. 8 must be turned in by Friday, Jan. 29, according to coordinator Nancy Price.
2nd Infantry seeking vets: The Second (Indian Head) Division Association is conducting a nationwide search for any man or woman who ever served in the famous Second Infantry Division and who does not yet know of the existence of the association.

HealthWise

Explaining the Inexplicable: Since the early part of this year we as Americans have wrestled with the difficult task of weeding through the partisan sound bites and media accounts concerning the President's behavior.
New alternative medicine treatment center opens in PTC: In response to the rising demand for complementary and alternative medicine in metro Atlanta, EverWell Healthcare Centers recently opened a Peachtree City location at 408 Stevens Entry in Parkside Office Park.
Treatment may eliminate need for surgery for atherosclerosis patients: Chelation therapy is a non-surgical, safe, effective and relatively inexpensive treatment that restores blood flow for patients of atherosclerosis by administering an intravenous infusion of a prescription medicine called EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid).
Fayette Family Fitness: Are you beginning to regret every time you had just one more bite or helping of the rich, fattening foods typically prepared at holiday meals? Are your clothes just a little tighter or maybe even a whole lot tighter?
Adopt a healthy attitude in 1999: Fayette Community Hospital's Rehabilitation and Fitness Center is offering its thid series of Healthy Living Weight Loss classes to the community.
Health Beat
Health Matters: Folic Acid--A vitamin that prevents birth defects
Henry Medical Center to host several classes: The center will offer prepared childbirth classes beginning Jan. 5 and continuing through Feb. 2 from 7-9 p.m. in the Magnolia Room of the hospital.
Three Medicare scams confirmed in Georgia: The following three Medicare scams have been confirmed in Tennessee and Georgia.
Goals to keep in mind for weight-loss resolutions: Each year, millions of Americans make New Year's resolutions to lose weight, but lack the tools and knowledge to reach their goals. However, with confidence, a commitment to change, and a bit of perseverance, New Year's resolutions to lose weight can be achieved.