The Fayette Citizen-Special Sections
Wednesday, June 9, 1999

News

 
Board Oks $114.7 million school budget
It will cost taxpayers nearly $115 million to school an expected 20,013 Fayette students, according to the fiscal year 2000 budget given tentative approval Monday night by the Fayette County Board of Education.
 

School sales tax vote on Nov. ballot?

Another bond issue, or special local option sales tax is expected to be on the ballot in November, based on the Fayette County School Board's need to come up with $12 million in local funds to build two new schools.

 

Some principals get big boost

A chart shows a position by position explanation of current and proposed salaries for directors and principals within the Fayette County school system, as outlined in the budget document approved Monday night by the board of education.

 

Schools crack down on residency requirements

Fayette County students may be asked to provide a current power bill, along with filling out emergency cards, medical forms and bus route slips in August, if the board of education decides to crack down on residency requirements for children attending the county schools.

 

BOE sets up wetlands at south complex

An agreement between the Army Corps of Engineers and the Fayette County Board of Education, which designates 27 acres of land at the south complex to remain undisturbed, was approved Monday night. The restrictive covenant puts the board in compliance with the Corps' wetland policies.

Commission: Rainy days coming; no tax cut for now

Now is the time to save for a rainy day, not the time for a tax cut.

That's a tentative consensus reached by Fayette County commissioners Monday night during their first in-depth workshop on the fiscal 2000 budget.

Pump left off, sewage spills into Lake Peachtree
A spill late Thursday afternoon sent an estimated 20,000 gallons of sewage into Lake Peachtree near Ga. Highway 54.
 
Bus cutbacks to affect seniors
Fayette Senior Services has announced that it will be severely cutting back its transportation services at the end of this month. The cutback could affect as many as 300 local seniors.
 
Cowan heads powerful new state transportation board
One of Fayette's first developers has been named chairman of one of the state's newest and most powerful agencies.
 
Commissioners dig into 200 budget request
Overtime or compensatory time? That is one question on Fayette County commissioners' minds as they ponder a proposed $48.6 million budget for fiscal year 2000.
 
 
Commissioners set budget pace by cutting their own expenditures
Fayette County Commissioners said they want to set a budget-cutting example for department heads, and they've done so with a tentatively approved $455,004 budget for 2000.
 
Ruling may pave way for road projects, but officials cautious
A federal court's decision to throw out the air quality standards that have delayed metro Atlanta road building programs may be just what the doctor ordered for Fayette County's clogged roadways, local transportation officials say.
 
Teen killed when pickup trucks collide
Bad weather is the apparent cause of a crash that took the life of a Fayette County teenager last week.
 
Pilot crashes at Falcon Field
A pilot was airlifted to an Atlanta hospital Sunday after his plane crashed at Falcon Field in Peachtree City, according to Fire Department officials.
 
Armed robber denied parole
Nearly seven years after receiving a life sentence for a number of armed robberies in Fayette and Spalding counties, Terry Anthony Sampson has been denied parole, according to a statement released last week by the state Board of Pardons and Paroles.
 
County residents have plenty of places to get into the swim of things
Local residents looking for a pool to cool off in this summer have a number of options in the county, but they're all in Peachtree City.
 
Impact fee committee gets started in 2 weeks
A new task force that will look for ways to charge developers some of the costs of new county facilities and services caused by their developments will have its first meeting June 23.
 
Developer: 3/4-acre lots won't work on New Hope Road at 314
Fayetteville developer Bob Rolader says there is no way he can build his proposed Argonne Forest subdivision as recommended by the city Planning Commission.
 
Child molester gets 15 years
A Fairburn man received a 15-year prison sentence last week in Fayette Superior Court after pleading guilty to aggravated child molestation and aggravated sodomy.
 
Adults' involvement is key to education, says DeCotis
Volunteerism. Civility. Honesty. Integrity. Hard work. Good listening skills. All necessary ingredients for good role models for students, said Fayette school superintendent Dr. John DeCotis.
 
Community round table starting
To help Fayette County school officials “know what's in the minds of businesses, parents, local officials and others,” a community round table is being developed, said school superintendent Dr. John DeCotis.
 
Planning commissioners see loophole in ordinance
Fayette Planning Commission members want to clarify a law that prohibits subdivision streets more than 3,000 feet long.
 
County roads to get new pavement
Eleven Fayette County roads will get just over 11 miles of new pavement under a contract between the county and the state Department of Transportation.
 
Sandy Creek Road closing set June 14
Fayette County Public Works Department will close Sandy Creek Road south of Hood Road June 14 for about eight weeks.
 
City, county participating in 'Boot' drive
The Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Fayetteville Fire Department are joining ranks with more than 100 other fire departments from throughout the state by participating in the tenth annual “Give Burns the Boot” drive, benefiting the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, June 24-26.
 
Business
 
 
Open house at Azalea Estates is Saturday
Fayette County's newest assisted living and retirement community is throwing an open house this weekend for the community.
 
Sparky the Fire Dog is helping spread the word on fire safety
Fayetteville and Fayette County children are learning early about fire safety through an educational program in both day care centers and local public schools.
Hudsons formed tradition of service in Fayette
The late Jim Hudson, who died Jan. 27, 1888, was one of three brothers from Fairburn who became well known local entrepreneurs.
Sports
 
Thorn steps down as Landmark football coach
Landmark Christian School got some news that they never expected to hear last week. Their football coach and former athletic director, Bill Thorn, has decided to step down from football. Thorn has been coaching football since 1955.
 
Walker announces sponsorship of a race car
Auto racing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It should come as no surprise that Herschel Walker, a name synonymous with speed and power, is getting in on the action.
 
Lazers repeat as division champions
The Under 10 Peachtree City Lazers white team completed the spring season in the Georgia Youth Soccer Association Premier program as the top team in its division.
 
Diana Chang repeats as Region MVP
Diana Chang, a recently graduated senior from Fayette County High School, has gotten used to honors and accolades over the years. Chang was a midfielder of the Fayette County Lady Tiger soccer team and the Region 4-AAAA MVP the past two years.
Silverbacks offer summer soccer camps
Atlanta's professional soccer team, the Silverbacks, will offer a sleep-over soccer camp and a soccer day camp to dedicated players throughout the state this summer.
 
Awards to be given to top school athletic departments
The Georgia Athletic Directors Association recently announced that an award, The Gatorade/Balfour Director's Cup, will be presented annually to the most outstanding athletic departments in each of the Georgia High School Association's classifications.
 
Local runners smash 100 mile relay record
The Guinness Book of World Records can hold a powerful allure for many people. Whether they choose to get in by wearing a 50 pound beard of bees while playing hopscotch for twelve straight hours or whether they choose to run a relay race, their achievements are still commendable.
 
Weekend
 
Farner to bring some 'Grand Funk' to amphitheater this weekend
They had 12 platinum albums and 15 gold albums during their reign as the most commercially successful American heavy metal band from 1970 until 1976.
 
Doctor to play evil stepsister
Most people know him as Dr. Quentin Van Meter, but Sunday, June 13 at 3 p.m. this local pediatrician will be transformed into “Anastasia,” one of Cinderella's ugly stepsisters.
 
Youth Ballet kicks off big summer with 'Paquita'
The Georgia Youth Ballet, under the direction of Magdalena Maury, will present a company concert June 12 at Creekside High School.
 
Mass Transit a burglar's vehicle
At first I thought last week's letter to the editor concerning public transportation in Fayette County was written in jest. The writer states her outrage, supports it with assertions that criminals will escape by bus, then predicts that MARTA will “force its way in,” bringing crime and the ruination of her hometown.
Chill out with a book
Grab a cold drink, a cool book and chill out with Fayette County Library's summer reading program starting this week with registration.
 
Local Youth enjoy a successful day of fishing
Not everybody can be a fisherman. Some people can't get past the baiting of the hook, while others find the routine and long spurts of inactivity boring.
 
PTC Festival of Dance
Peachtree City's School of Dance will present its sixth annual Festival of Dance titled “Gems” tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Starr's Mill High School.
 
 
MOVIES

Real Estate

 
Real Estate Scene
 
Highgrove Community in Fayetteville stirs memories of hometowns in earlier times
Highgrove has been selected as the site of Atlanta Homes' and Lifestyles' ninth annual Tour of Homes showcasing the Atlanta area's finest communities. Scheduled the weekends of June 18-20 and June 25-27 from noon to 6 p.m. each day, the Highgrove Tour of Homes is entitled “A Sidewalk Adventure” and will feature the newly completed clubhouse, the “Meeting House”; four new homes on Meeting House Road; and other homes under construction throughout the community.
 
John Wieland Homes builds playhouse for CASA
John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods recently built a storybook schoolhouse, complete with columns made of crayons and a bell perfect for ringing for class time. Along with other Playhouse Lane participants, Wieland helped contribute $15,000 to the Georgia Chapter of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).
 
A place to call home
For most people, buying a home is the single biggest investment of their lives.
 
New broker takes the helm at Bullard's Coweta office
Steve Bayliss is the new managing broker for the Newnan/Coweta County office of Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty, according to an announcement by Steve Bullard, owner and president.
 
Morrison homes opens model at Peachtree City's Crabapple Woods
Morrison Homes recently had a grand opening celebration at its merchandised model home in Crabapple Woods. More than 80 area real estate professionals were on hand to tour the model, which was decorated by nationally known interior designer Kay Graham.
 
It's never too early to start thinking about Noel November
The Fayette County Board of Realtors® has announced the names of the new chairmen of the organization annual “Noel November - a Celebration of Trees and Wreaths” fund-raising event
Designer Showcase Home open in Eagle's Landing
Eagle's Landing has its first Designer Showcase Home since the Atlanta Home Expo was conducted in the community in 1990.
First homeowners move into the Courtyards
The Courtyards, a new community of low maintenance patio homes in Newnan being built by Meyer-Sutton Homes, has welcomed its first new homeowners with more moving in soon.
Sold to the lady in the second row: one Pathway Communites CEO!
The Home Source Realtors, a division of Pathway Communities, recently had an auction for its General Brokerage Division at Pathway's newest master-planned community, SummerGrove.
 
Thorne Berry has new marketing team
A team from Prudential Georgia Realty has been chosen to market the remaining homes in Thorne Berry, Jerry Ballard Homes' 67-home community on Jonesboro Road in Henry County.
Religion
Never seen anything like it in my life
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher

Religion Columnist

Never seen anything like it in my life. White church folks doing right by renewing a African-American cemetery long neglected by the church.

Rev. Carey Robertson will speak at Calvary Temple's 'one-day revival'
Calvary Temple Assembly of God in Peachtree City will host the Rev. Carey Robertson in a one-day revival Sunday, June 13, at 10:45 a.m. and at 6 p.m. Rev. Robertson is from the Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Fla. where some say a spontaneous revival has been occurring for the past several years..
 
Ordination services set for Fayette's 'Fernando'
Fernando Molina Restrepo, known to Holy Trinity and St. Gabriel Catholic Church parishioners simply as “Fernando,” will be ordained to the priesthood Saturday, June 12 at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Kennesaw at 10:30 a.m.
 
'Festival of Hope' kicks off interfaith rehabilitation program for parolees
Fayette County clergy and other interested parties are invited to attend a kickoff ceremony for a new initiative/partnership formed between the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta which will encourage churches to assist offenders as they re-enter the community.
 
'Family Fest '99' is Saturday at Centennial Olympic Park
Residents of Fayette County are invited to attend “Family Fest `99,” a day of fun for the whole family this Saturday, June 12 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. A contemporary concert for youth, “Gettin' Free” is scheduled from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
 
Providence UMC members plan weekend camp-out
Providence Christian Outdoors Ministry, a ministry of Providence United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, will have a family camp-out at West Point Lake Friday and Saturday, June 11 and 12. The camp-out will be at the Corps of Engineers campground on the south end of the lake.
 
Redemption Fellowship plans hoops tournament Saturday
Fayetteville's Redemption Fellowship Church will host the Southside Atlanta 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Saturday, June 12 beginning at 9 a.m. at the church.
 
VBS at Redemption is June 14-18
Vacation Bible School at Redemption Fellowship Church is scheduled for Monday through Friday, June 14-18 beginning at 6:15 p.m. This year's theme is “The Ultimate Adventure with Jesus.” Interactive Bible lessons for preschool and elementary age children, as well as teen forums, games and drama for middle and high school youth will be offered. For a preregistration package, call 770-460-1220. The church is at 418 Hwy. 279 in Fayetteville.
 
River's Edge Church will offer Saturday evening services beginning June 19
Promising to be a little “hotter” and a little “rockier,” River's Edge Community Church will provide a new Saturday night service beginning June 19 at 6:30 p.m.
 
Bethany UMC Bible school set for June 21-25
Promising Vacation Bible School at Bethany United Methodist Church will be Monday-Friday, June 21-25. Those who would like to help with refreshments, teach, or help with crafts or other activities are asked to call Debbie Ellington, this year's program director, at 770-964-0450.
 
Fayetteville Christian summer schedule
Fayetteville Christian Church's Sunday evening services, as well as Wednesday evening meals, have been suspended for the months of June, July and August. Those activities continuing on Wednesdays will be youth groups, nursery, adult choir and Cross Walk, beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday evening services and community groups will resume in September.
 
PTC Christian plans science camp for kids
Peachtree City Christian Church will offer a month-long science camp this summer for children in K-3 through second grade. The dates are June 29-July 22 and the cost is $100. Nursery and K-2 preschool also will be available upon request. The children will meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until noon. For more information, call Kelly Raines at 770-631-1938.
 
Births

Obituraries

Engagements & Weddings

Opin

Should Fayette kids wear school uniforms
BY CNB
That's a question to which you may answer, with matching fervor, Yes and No and Maybe.

Basic morality: You keep what you earn
DAVE HAMRICK
Editor-at-large

When I started my adult life, seems like just a year or two ago, it wasn't the best of times.

 

The problem in schools is not guns — it's a lack of discipline
LEE N. HOWELL
Politically Speaking

It was probably only a matter of time before some depressed (or stressed), upper middle class, white, male student (so far there have been no poor, female, or black shooters — indeed, many of the victims have been female and sometimes blacks have been targeted!) went on a shooting rampage at his high school in one of those affluent suburban counties which ring Atlanta.

 

Flag Day: It's time to protect Old Glory
BUTCH MILLERL
Guest Columnist

June 14 is Flag Day. It's the day our nation sets aside to pay special honor to the American flag and its role in our country's history.

'Love Bug' saves local man's life
BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines
 
“Herbie the Love Bug” saved my life. I was 15 and going through the typical teenage angst of depression, self-loathing and acne the size of moth balls. Good thing we didn't have Marilyn Manson in those days.

Letters From Our Readers

Who do we b lame for school violence? Look in the mirror
April 20 forever changed the way we view ourselves as a culture and the media we demand. From the moment the Columbine High shootings hit the news, our society immediately began to witch-hunt to place blame.
 
Why do we support bands with violent lyrics?
On Saturday, June 5, Atlanta Motor Speedway hosted Rockfest `99. During the event, several bands glorified violence and suicide. Lyrics were sung that encourage killing the president, cutting off the head of your mother while you “watch the blood spurt like a garden hose,” and other perverse acts of savagery. Words to a few of the songs can be found on the web at www.dovelink.com.
 
 
With rampant development, traffic woes, 'wolf is at door' in Fayette
Nothing like a little stick in the anthill to get the ants to running. The Gaskins and Sparks reply letters you published are a perfect illustration of that.
 

Please use the empty buildings first

I'm very sad that people are cutting down trees to make new shops, especially where there are empty buildings.