Archive for Wednesday, February 17, 1999

Wednesday, February 17, 1999

News

Board of Ed. rescinds Starr's Mill stadium funding: The proposed $6 million refinancing and construction package which includes the Starr's Mill High School stadium lies in limbo today, while school board attorneys investigate the legality of the proposed financing plan.
Plan for 110 acres could set tone for Fayetteville's Main Street: Fayetteville officials envision a hotel with conference facilities, shops, an office park, dozens of homes and a park on 110 acres just off the Courthouse Square on Ga. Highway 54 west.
Boothby: Top prospects put off by lack of support: Lack of support for economic development efforts by the Fayette County Commission is working directly against the interests of the county, said a frustrated John Boothby.
County Commission wants proof new industry is desirable: Why keep working to attract new industry to Fayette County when the unemployment rate is less than 2 percent?
F'ville says Barnes & Noble talks going well: Fayetteville officials, Concordia Partners and Piedmont Properties appear to be closing in on an agreement that will bring a 40,000-sq. ft. Barnes and Noble Shopping Center at Pine Trail Road and Ga. Highway 85.
Commission now looking into adding on instead of new jail: Fayette County officials now have two sets of conceptual plans for a new jail and judicial complex, but they want yet another.
Schlotsky's plan on agenda Tuesday: Schlotsky's Deli is the latest proposed occupant of property next door to Picadilly Cafeteria at Banks Road and Ga. Highway 85.
Police topics: The Fayette County Sheriff's Department is investigating the theft of a stereo system from Fayette Presbyterian Church on Ga. Highway 92 on Feb. 7, and several other thefts and burglaries, according to reports.
Environmental suit will affect road-building in Fayette area: Well, they went and done it. The treehuggers have taken on the feds.; Fayette several times reached highest metro ozone levels; Several local roads named in suit
Dauntless: The "Lady in Blue" is just one of three of her type still flying, and she had to wait about 10 years to join that elite group.
Tyrone delays vote on Adams empty-nester development: Tyrone residents hoping to find out the fate of an empty-nesters community will have to wait until at least Mar. 18.
Centenarian to have her day next week: Golda Williams, who turns 100 next week, offers only one simple piece of advice for those who want to live that long: "Keep on living," she chuckles.
Stricter codes for older homes on PTC Council Thursday agenda: The Peachtree City Council will consider adoption of housing codes for older structures at its regular meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Opinion

Political fixes for education don't add up DAVE HAMRICK Editor-at-large: I was the best of students and the worst of students... about as average as you can get.
Things to do while waiting in line . . . BILLY MURPHY Laugh Lines: Have you noticed a sudden lengthening of wait time in lines as I have?
House passes several family- friendly bills
State Rep. Lynn Westmoreland: Several family-friendly bills were passed over the last several weeks. One was an effort to encourage civic responsibility and literacy among our young people by allowing a child under the age of 17 to accompany his or her parent into the voting booth.

Letters From Our Readers

Some perspective on PTC police controversy: A few years ago my secretary's 14-year-old son, Richard, was playing video games with some friends at an arcade in the Omni in downtown Atlanta. Suddenly, a gang of teenage boys came up and grabbed his wallet and ran off.
Starr's Mill student: Stop whining about school inadequacies: I'm a student at Starr's Mill, and I'm writing this letter in response to all of the complaints printed about Starr's Mill not deserving their own high quality stadium.
Taxpayer: Consolidate all high schools into one: Over the past few weeks, I have read comments from parents about the athletic facilities at McIntosh and Starr's Mill high schools in Fayette county.
After Williams' episode, county needs in-house attorney: I have followed the case of Lee's Mill Road property and the county's work in taking it from Dave Williams and his family.
Suicide and Ritalin: Is there connection?: Teen suicide is a horrible tragedy and a community issue. One of the areas that must be examined in addressing youth suicide is drugs, in this case the "harmless and helpful" behavior modification drugs like Ritalin.
Math task force comes up with plans: We, as members of the Math Task Force and as parent representatives of those who felt our math curriculum needed immediate improvement, want to publicly thank and praise the teachers and administrators who came to the Task Force to tackle some challenging issues.
'To pester and annoy'?: Ben Gregg's letter (The Citizen, Feb. 10) states the solid truth. Peachtree City police have become a problem to the citizens of Peachtree City.

Business

Ten Tips for Finding the Right Speaker: Selecting the right speaker is one of the most important elements in a successful meeting.
New chairman outlines Chamber plans: Incoming chairman of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, Michael Whiteside officially marked the beginning of the new year for the chamber by addressing the group at its annual meeting late last month.
Local dentist to address convention: Fayetteville dentist James Dougherty was named recently to a leadership position with the 1999 Thomas Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta this March.
Finance pro to release county economic report to builders: Neil Wedewer, senior vice president/real estate finance of SunTrust Bank, will give his annual "Economic Forecast of the Midwest Georgia Region" at the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia's February meeting.
Free tax assistance offered by Clayton College officials: For the 17th consecutive year, Clayton College & State University School of Business faculty and students, in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, will take part in the VITA -Volunteer Income Tax Assistance- program offering free tax assistance to the campus and the community.

Religion

Bring back the Jesus method: The church has only itself to thank for its "bear" pews because it's definitely a bear market for most churches. Now, isn't it a tragedy that when I say, "most" churches, that I am right.
The meaning behind Lent From "The Messenger" of National Heights Baptist Church:: From early Christian times the significance of Easter has been underscored by the importance of the liturgical season leading up to it. This has come to be called Lent (from the Anglo-Saxon word "lencten" "to lengthen"), because at this time of year the days begin to lengthen noticeably.
Religion Briefs
Jesus video update corner

Sports

Lady Chiefs are regional champs: Lady Tigers and Lady Indians going to the dance, too
Sports Calendar
Tigers open season with wins: The Fayette County High boys soccer team opened up the 1999 season with a preseason jamboree at Woodward Academy on Friday night and a game against Collins Hill at home on Monday afternoon.
Flat Rock wrestlers pin a big finish on a super season: The Flat Rock Middle School wrestling team recently finished a successful season. The team took fourth place at the Junior Chattahoochee wrestling tournament, finishing with five medalists.
Laker boys and girls outlast USCS: The Clayton College and State University women's basketball team set or tied four different records in a 68-61 win over USC-Spartanburg on Saturday night.
Sheppard is let go by Hawks: Jeff Sheppard has been waived by the Atlanta Hawks.
The McIntosh Super Skills clinic returns: The second annual McIntosh super skills clinic returns on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m..
Local players honored by Atlanta Tipoff Club: Kelli Hogan of the McIntosh Lady Chiefs, Jessica Pritchett of the Fayette County Lady Tigers and L.T. Lockett of the Sandy Creek Patriots were named Atlanta Tipoff Club Metro Atlanta Prep Player honorees for the month of February.
Chiefs in Top 10 with a state champ, Panthers nab fifth place: Both the McIntosh and the Starr's Mill wrestling teams finished where they expected to in their respective state meets this weekend.

Weekend

THE HOUSE GUESTS: Poor ol' Peaches didn't deserve this vexation in his dotage. Not enough that he's deaf and has that shriveled, unsteady look the elderly sometimes get.
Clayton College & State U. hosts open house: High school students and their parents will have a chance to find out about academics, college life, notebook computers and scholarships at a series of Open Houses on the Morrow campus of Clayton College & State University.
Cycle show this weekend: The ninth annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show presented by Toyota Trucks will be at the Georgia International Convention Center Feb. 19-21.
Brain Compatible Learning: The word "failure" is not in Debbie Wheat's vocabulary.
Calling fans of Dr. Seuss: The Fayette County Public Library will participate in the National Dr. Seuss Day Read-A-Thon March 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Luncheon, fashion show Sunday: "Simple Abundance," a luncheon and fashion show to benefit Hope House, a ministry of Southwest Christian Hospice, will Sunday, Feb. 21. It will be at the Atlanta Airport Hilton from 12:30-3:30 p.m.
'Tis the season to order...the fertilizer?: The annual fertilizer sale sponsored by the men of the Peachtree City United Methodist Church is under way. Volunteers will be canvassing area neighborhoods through Feb. 21. Deliveries will be made Feb. 27 and March 6.
Fayette AHA asks us to 'Have-A-Heart': Businesses throughout the area are participating in the Fayette County American Heart Association's annual Have-A-Heart campaign.
Lots to do at the library
Library lunch: The Fayette County Public Library and The Friends of The Fayette County Public Library recently sponsored a brunch as a way of thanking the library's staff and volunteers.
Microfilm at library: The Fayette County Public Library recently added to its microfilm collection by adding 1,027 rolls containing federal census records for all Georgia counties during the years 1820 to 1920.
Notable
Stars on the Southern Crescent coffeehouse offers tales and tunes: Stars on the Southern Crescent, the southside coffee house, resumes operations at National Heights Baptist Church in Fayetteville Saturday, Feb. 27 . On the bill are Atlanta storyteller Connie Dodge and the Voice of the Southland Band, with additional entertainment to be announced.
Winning Science Fair projects cover spectrum: The Fayette County Science Fair Awards were issued recently to middle and high school students competing at a county-wide level.
Scouting for Food concludes Saturday: The annual Scouting for Food Land Rush, a collaborative effort of Kroger and hundreds of Fayette and Coweta Boy Scouts to restock local food pantries, will conclude this Saturday, Feb. 20.
Spelling bee: The correct spelling of the word "cumbersome" clinched the Fayette County Spelling Bee for Mohua Basu, a seventh grader from J.C. Booth Middle School.
International sound at Spivey
Record crowd at talent show: A record crowd gathered last week to watch some of the county's best young performers at the annual Kiwanis Talent Show at Starr's Mill High School.
Take measures to prepare for severe weather: Next week is "Severe Weather Awareness Week," says Capt. Pete Nelms of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

Dining Guide

New Creations Bulk Foods: At last! Fayette foodies sigh contentedly. There's a place to buy natural and organic foods in bulk without trekking all over. And it's only a few minutes west of Peachtree City on Ga. Highway 34.
On the Plate: In the past few months, the restaurant scene has virtually exploded in Fayette County. New eateries are opening virtually every month and the scene is becoming more varied with an infusion of ethnic restaurants joining the fray.
Georgia Pecan Salad recipes