News
Sup't.: Repeat school vote
likely in '00
Another school construction vote
next year seems likely, Fayette County school
officials said following the 52–48 percent
defeat of a $90 million package last week, and they
are optimistic despite what some perceive as the
county's “anti-growth” disposition.
SPLOST foes seek a fresh
look at needs
Fayette County voters opposed to
passage of a one cent special local option sales tax
and bond sale last week were gratified when the
measure lost. At the final count, 6,015 voters turned
out to defeat the referendum which was designed to
fund four new schools and renovate and improve
existing schools over five years.
County wary of setting vote
on new jail following school defeat
Fayette voters' rejection of an
extra penny of sale tax to pay for new schools last
week did not escape the notice of the county
commissioners, who are looking for ways to fund a new
jail and court complex.
New fairgrounds ready for
49th Fayette Kiwanis Fair
Members of the Fayette County
Kiwanis Club are “working right up until the
deadline” to get the new fairgrounds ready for
the largest ever Fayette County Fair.
`Jesus' video coming to
your box
Beginning Monday, approximately
40,000 videos about the life of Jesus Christ will be
mailed out to every household in Fayette and Coweta
counties. Titled “Jesus,” the video arrives
compliments of hundreds of Christians in the area,
representing more than 75 churches of various
denominations. According to Mary Frances Bowley, one
of the coordinators of the “Jesus” video
project, many individuals have pooled their resources
of time, money and prayer, to provide a copy to every
home.
Courthouse clock getting a
new face
You may have noticed that the
north face of the clock in Fayette's old courthouse
is missing.
Outdoor burning season
starts Oct. 1
Last week's rain may have come
just in time for homeowners wanting to burn leaves
and other yard debris.
Liquor looking unlikely for
November
Liquor legalization advocate
Lane Brown says he probably will know by today
whether he will continue to pursue a pouring license
referendum for this November's election or wait for
next March.
Drug conviction draws
25-year sentence
A Fayette County jury took only
15 minutes Monday afternoon to convict a man on drug
charges after a day-long trial.
Superior Court
The criminal trial calendar of
168 cases was trimmed considerably last week during a
couple of final plea sessions. Among the cases
resolved last week were the following:
Fireplace maintenance
suggested
Each year many Fayette County
residents use their fireplaces early in the fall or
winter with little knowledge of the danger that could
lay ahead.
New Tyrone Subdivision
Curious Tyrone residents may
want to make the trek to town hall Thursday night to
get a glimpse at a possible new subdivision for the
town.
County promises help with
silt problems in
lake
“If you can't do anything
else, tell us who we need to go after,” was Jim
Bass's plea to the Fayette County Commission last
week.
Neighbors wait for action
on long-delayed amenities
County officials are hopeful
that residents of Harbor Lakes subdivision will soon
be able to use the neighborhood's recreation
facilities, something the homeowners have been
waiting three years for.
Monday is registration
deadline for Nov. 2 vote
If you want to vote in Fayette's
upcoming municipal elections and you haven't
registered to vote yet, time is running out.
Fayette County Health Dept.
urges all to consider getting a flu shot
Every year thousands of
Americans suffer the body aches, fever, chills, sore
throat and cough associated with influenza.
Historic house gets 30-day
respite from wrecking ball
Fayetteville leaders are
scrambling to put together a plan to save the
historic Dorsey home place from the wrecking ball,
but time is running out.
Healthwise
- Fall
allergy season is serious stuff
- Some consider spring and
summer to be the worst months for allergies. The
rebirth of flowers, grass and foliage spread
pollen thinly over everything, causing people
with allergies to suffer for weeks. It may come
as a surprise, however, that the biggest bully
this fall will be grass and ragweed
-
- Free
depression screenings available in October
- According to the National
Institute of Mental Health, depression strikes
more than 17 million Americans each year.
-
- Author
to appear in Fayette
- Wayne Ewing,
poet, priest and psychotherapist, will be in the
Atlanta area Oct. 4, 5 and 6 to sign copies of
his book, “Tears in God's Bottle:
Reflections on Alzheimer's Caregiving,” in
which he chronicles the battle he fought
alongside his wife during her five-year journey
through early-onset Alzheimer's.
-
- Abnormal
Behaviors
- Of all the
questions I receive from parents, by far the most
frequent questions refer to the normalcy of their
children's behaviors.
-
- Here's
how to reduce child's risk of SIDS
- Although it is on the
decline in Georgia, SIDS death in infants remains
high on the list of killers of children,
particularly infants under 1 year old.
Home &
Garden
- A
Homeowner's Guide To Using Pressure-Treated Wood
- Wayne Ewing,
poet, priest and psychotherapist, will be in the
Atlanta area Oct. 4, 5 and 6 to sign copies of
his book, “Tears in God's Bottle:
Reflections on Alzheimer's Caregiving,” in
which he chronicles the battle he fought
alongside his wife during her five-year journey
through early-onset Alzheimer's.
-
- Water-repellent
wood: mother nature and technology at work
- New products
are enabling homeowners to get longer life from
their wood-building projects.
-
- Experts
offer tips on removing stains from carpets
- Carpet stains happen.
Liquids spill. Pets have accidents. Shoes track
in who-knows-what and the result is a stain that
ruins the appearance of your carpet. But if you
react quickly, there's an excellent possibility
you'll be able to get rid of that stain.
-
- Consult
an interior designer for a fresh look
- Question One: Do you want
your home to project a certain feeling that you
can't quite describe?
- There's
A Better Solution For Filtered Water At Home
- The experts
say we should drink eight glasses of water a day.
That's good advice, but people today are
concerned about the quality of their drinking
water
-
- “Key
Points to Remember When Transplanting Trees”
- Some of the most beautiful
and interesting trees in the world are native to
Georgia, and our forests can be a good source of
shade trees for homeowners. It is generally
recommended that trees be brought from a nursery.
Good quality nursery-grown trees are usually more
easily and successfully planted, and free from
diseases. But if care is taken trees can be
satisfactorily transplanted from the wild.
-
- Today's
Fences: More Choices, More Fun
- Homeowners
can consider a vast array of fencing products to
add security, protection or beauty to their homes
and yards. Innovations in the fence industry
offer more material and style choices than ever
before.
-
- Easy
steps to a water-wise garden
- The average
American uses 100 gallons of water every day.
Drought conditions in many regions create
watering restrictions and bans during spring and
summer. Landscapes are often unfairly targeted.
In many cases, plants require much less water
than assumed. In one example, the California
State Water Resources Department found that lawn
and plant irrigation accounted for less than four
percent of the state's total water consumption.
In fact, garden centers suggest watering a new
plant with only two-to-three gallons of water
each week. After a month, a deep watering every
other week is often adequate. And in a year or
so, plants generally thrive with minimal
watering.
-
- Skate
by winter bills
- Nobody wants
to pour extra money into winter electric bills.
However, with cold winter months ahead, we will
be giving our home- heating equipment and
appliances a serious workout.
- Business
Harold Bost says goodbye to
49-year career
Harold Bost, Fayette's County
Commission chairman, has retired following a working
career that spanned almost 50 years.
Peachtree
City's Holiday Inn is 'Newcomer of the Year'
The Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites
Peachtree City will accept one of the company's most
prestigious awards at the upcoming annual convention
in Las Vegas.
Business Briefs
- Sports
Local teams win some
important games
Sandy Creek had a week off last
week to think about their not so pretty victory from
the week before. The other three county teams won,
and the results vary from beautiful to just as ugly.
Local teams keep good pace
in cross country
It is becoming kind of a common
occurrence, but the Landmark Christian War Eagles
boys cross country squad have run well again. Racing
at the Sandy Creek Invitational against over 20 other
schools in the championship division, Landmark had
enough to edge out Lakeside by seven points and win
their first championship team victory of the season.
Chiefs edge out Panthers in
three matches
The McIntosh Chiefs met a
crosstown rival last Thursday when the Chiefs met the
Starr's Mill Panthers at a meet last Thursday. A
decent rivalry has grown since Starr's Mill came into
existence and former or would be McIntosh students
attended the new school. The other opponent in the
tri-meet was Paideia.
Local teams win on Friday
Friday night's scores
- Weekend
- Kiwanis fair full
of music
- When the Fayette County
Kiwanis fair kicks off this Thursday, the sound
of music will emanate for nearly 10 straight
days. This year's fair has more entertainment
than in years past, promising something for
everybody. Many of the acts will be local, giving
the community a chance to see how rich in talent
this county really is.
- Renaissance
Festival returns
- The Renaissance Festival
comes to the area twice a year. Your favorite
performers and vendors return each spring and
fall to give you that 16th century English
Country Faire feel. When the festival starts up
again this Saturday, there will be some new acts
to tickle your funny bone and thrill you, as well
as several updates to some of your favorite shows
and attractions.
-
- Exhibits and loal
entries bring extra fun to the fair
- A fair just isn't a fair if
ribbons aren't being awarded and exhibits aren't
being exhibited. The Fayette County Kiwanis Fair,
running Sept.30 - Oct. 9 will have plenty of
both.
- Main Street
Fayetteville
- The annual Main Street
Fayetteville will be held this Saturday and
Sunday, Oct. 2 and 3 at Heriatge Park in
Stonewall Village. This year's festival will have
arts and crafts, antiques, festival food, and a
huge lineup of entertainment.
-
- Old Campbell County
celebrates homecoming
- Come join the fun at the
Campbell County Homecoming in downtown Fairburn
on Saturday, Oct. 2. Festiviites begin with the
Rat Race, a 5K and 10 K road race at 8 a.m.
sponsored by Landmark Christian School. A parade
follows at 10 a.m. Arts and Crafts and food
vendrs will be around the Courthouse from 10
a.m.-4 p.m. there will also be a variety of music
and dance entertainment in front of the
Courthouse from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
God knows our tears
By Sallie Satterthwaite
Lifestyle Columnist
This column
published in 1993, shortly after the 40-year reunion
of my high school class. I've edited it slightly, and
when you've read it, you'll understand why I'm
submitting it again....
Movies
- Religion
-
-
Jesus Video is a real
treasure—make the most of it
By Rev. Dr. John Hatcher
Religion Columnist
In a few days, households by
the thousands in certain Atlanta areas (including
Fayette) will receive The Jesus Video in the
mail. The video was first known as The Jesus
Film, produced several years ago by Campus
Crusade for Christ. It reenacts the life of Jesus
Christ according to Luke's Gospel.
PTC police chaplain awarded
master's status at international ICPC convention
Father David Epps, chaplain for
several local law enforcement agencies, was recently
designated as a Certified Master Chaplain by the
International Conference of Police chaplains. The
certification, the highest offered, was conferred
recently in Columbus, Ohio at the ICPC International
Convention.
Living Way Church South
schedules 0rganizational meeting, barbecue here
A new church is forming in
Fayette County. Living Way Church South will hold its
first public meeting with an all-you-can-eat barbecue
at McCurry Park in Fayetteville Saturday, Oct. 2
beginning at 6 p.m.
Atlanta City Church to host
Worship Weekend Oct. 8-10
Atlanta City Church in Fairburn
will host a “Worship Weekend” featuring
recording artist and worship leader Kent Henry on
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8-10 at the church
on Jonesboro Road. Junior and senior high students
ages 12-18 attend the entire weekend free of charge.
Also, one senior pastor from each church may attend
at no charge.
Religion Briefs
Body sculpting classes
offered at Fayetteville First Baptist Church
A ladies' body sculpting class
for all ages will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays
beginning Oct. 5 from 7-8 p.m. in room 262 at
Fayetteville First Baptist Church. Those
participating need to bring a towel, weights and a
bench if available. To register or for more
information, call the church office at 770-461-8378.
Christian City will host
golf classic in Stone Mountain Oct.4
Christian City will host its
annual Fall Golf Classic on Monday, Oct. 4 at Smoke
Rise Golf and Country Club in Stone Mountain. For
$125, golfers can play this private, exclusive course
designed by Gary Roger Baird. The fee includes free
range balls, late buffet lunch, and a tax-deductible
charitable donation of $85 to the Christian City Home
for Children.
“End of Time” is
topic of Wednesday Bible study at National Heights
Baptist
National Heights Baptist Church
is presently conducting Bible study classes on
Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. The general topic is
“The End of Time.”
Scott Hagan welcomed as
youth director at FUMC
Scott Hagan, a native of
Statesboro and a 1997 graduate of `Georgia Tech, has
assumed duties as director of youth ministries at
Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. He
received his Master's degree in Business
Administration from Georgia Southern University in
June and recently managed the U.S.A. Basketball
Olympic Team trials in Puerto Rico. Hagan will begin
his studies at Candler School of Theology in late
August.
Dr. McGee to host
“Search for Significance” seminar
Dr. Robert McGee, author of
“The Search for Significance,” and
“The Search for Freedom,” will host a
three-hour seminar on Sunday, Oct. 17 from 4-7 p.m.
in the Dining Room of the North Campus of New Hope
Baptist Church. The cost will be the cost of the
book, “Search for Significance,” only.
Opinion
Peachtree City, region
learning the hard way
By MONROE ROARK
Staff Writer
The most
important lesson to be learned from the traffic
crisis now looming in Peachtree City is what happens
when you depend on the government, especially the
federal government, for anything.
Fayette gives kids stones
for bread
By LEE N. HOWELL
Politically Speaking
In the Holy Scriptures, Jesus
once asks rhetorically, “What parent, if their
children asked for bread, would give them a
stone?”
- Pass
the poison, please; I'm hungry
BILLY
MURPHY
Laugh Lines
-
- Everywhere you look today,
you see another report on what is bad for us.
From infrared lights that show us the invisible
stains in our hotel rooms, to airplane oxygen
that pollutes our lungs, the world, they say, is
killing us.
Letters to
the Editor
Board of Ed., have we
gotten your attention?
Ladies and gentlemen of the
Fayette County Board of Education:
How does it feel to have
sentenced kids to mediocrity?
To the citizens of Fayette
County.
There are many good reasons
why SPLOST lost
By reading the local papers, one
would think the voters in Fayette County who defeated
the SPLOST are selfish and mean-spirited people who
hate children. We have been referred to as “not
giving a damn about its children or their
education.” I beg to differ. I care very much
about our kids. Our children are in a private school
in Fayette County. We pay above and beyond to educate
our children there. Education is important to us. Our
taxes still support the public schools, just like
everybody else.
BOE needs to put more money
into real education
I have a few suggestions for our
school board. Instead of wringing their hands and
whining about the taxpayers of this county not
responding to their demands for more money for the
“children,” they need to seek solutions,
not excuses. There are so many alternatives I can't
imagine why none have been considered.
How to raise money to build
new schools, the sensible way
Now that the tax increase plot
known as SPLOST has been turned away, we must attempt
to deflect the school administration's peevish
efforts to take out its disappointment on the
children they are charged with educating. Like
spoiled brats, school administrators have threatened
trailers, double sessions, bigger classes, etc. These
may have been idle threats to motivate the voters to
let them have their way with the sales tax, but if
they begin carrying out their threats we'll have to
make changes to our board of education at the first
opportunity next year.
What don't the voters want?
After long list, what do you want?
I read online with interest your
facts of the sales tax voting. I really did not know
until then how many apathetic people we had in
Fayette County.
If board of education can't
educate our children without SPLOST revenues, they should
resign
The resounding defeat of the
SPLOST tax was a clear sign that county residents are
fed up with runaway growth. The results should send a
clear message to the politicians in our city and our
county, and to the school board itself.
Price for voters'
shortsightedness to be borne by children
The Special Purpose Local Option
Sales Tax (SPLOST) is now history, at least for the
moment. We can be assured that it will return, or
something like it, in the near future. The one
reality of living in Fayette County is that growth is
going to occur. A significant number of those voting
seemed to believe that by denying the school district
this financing vehicle, growth will somehow be
discouraged here. It is unfortunate that the schools
and the students in the county must pay to perpetuate
this myth.
SMHS student sounds off
about SPLOST defeat
I'm writing on the recent,
pointless rejection of SPLOST. Currently I am a
junior at Starr's Mill High School.
'Yes' voter resents BOE's
'heavy-handed' treatment of voters
On Sept. 21, I held my nose and
voted for the special purpose local option sales tax.
The olfactory protection was necessary because of the
behavior of the Fayette County School Board in their
attempt to shove this tax down the throats of county
voters. I voted yes in spite of the tactics of the
school board and the other advocates of the SPLOST.
Fayette residents already
paying too much in wasted taxes
The Fayette County school
superintendent, John DeCotis, has threatened Fayette
County residents with more trailers for public
schools students following the defeat of the special
purpose local option sales tax.
Here's what PTC cop on the
grass was doing
As I scanned The Citizen Sept.
22 looking for the SPLOST results, I came across a
letter addressed to Jim Basinger, the Peachtree City
manager. The author of the letter, Vicki Brigham of
Peachtree City, was concerned about a police officer
who parks on the grass during an off-duty job.
`Shootout' on guns, part 3
Thank you,
Ellis Bee, for supplying me with more ammunition to
continue our editorial “shoot-out” (forgive
my terminology) about the sense of owning and
carrying concealed, loaded handguns just in case a
crazy person shooting to kill might happen upon one's
workplace.
SPLOST defeat sends obvious
message
The defeat of SPLOST should make
obvious a message that needs to be recognized and
understood by those who supported it. That is, not to
continue to blindly ignore the factors that brought
us to the point of having to deal with the school
situation as a potential catastrophe. Yes, there are
real problems.
Board's smoke and mirrors
won't work on voters
It is unfortunate that [Fayette
County Board of Education Chairman Debbie] Condon is
embarrassed to live in Fayette County. While I agree
with her attitude about voter apathy, I most
certainly disagree with her attitude and comments
about the people of this county not caring about the
children.
Fayette BOE seem to be very
slow learners
The children of Georgia's public
schools have consistently scored at the very bottom
of the national rankings. It could be said that they
are slow learners. But who can blame the kids in
Fayette County? They are led by a board of education
and an administration that are very slow learners.
Kids get put out of the
schoolbus right into thunder and lightning storm
If I threw my child out of my
house and made him stand on top of a hill in the
middle of a thunderstorm, I would be an irresponsible
parent at best.
Sick child well cared for
at local hospital
On June 26, our 7-year-old
daughter was taken to the emergency room of Fayette
Community Hospital.
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