Residents from around Fulton County came to the Coverdell government building Jan. 9 to make their positions known to nearly a dozen members of the county’s House and Senate delegation. South Fulton residents were clearly represented at the meeting, with concerns ranging from the potential restructuring of Fulton County Commission, calls for the formation of a township and keeping Grady Hospital intact to environmental concerns over the Red Oak rock quarry and the need to re-commission Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and Georgia Dept. of Public Health (DPH).

It has been a personal and spiritual mission for Minister Danita Jones for a dozen years. That mission began in the Lightning district in Fairburn and transformed into In His G.R.E.A.T. Name Ministry that opened seven years ago. The ministry’s continuing goal is to revitalize the community and the lives of individual’s who reside far beyond its geographical boundaries.

Quick action by Union City Police moments after a Jan. 4 armed robbery in downtown Fairburn landed the perpetrator in jail.

New Tyrone town manager Chris Venice has a two-year contract with her new employer.

Mayor Don Rehwaldt confirmed that Venice will be paid $97,000 a year in her post, and would receive three months in severance if the town decides to terminate her employment.

All’s well that ends well. The same can be said for beginnings. Tyrone’s old library closed its door in December, but the two week wait for the new 9,009 square-foot library on Commerce Drive to open Jan. 2 was worth the wait.

Mike and Kevin look at the region standings for the local basketball teams and the games that lay ahead.

The Weekend Show 1-11-08 by Emily Baldwin Click here

OK to burn in Fayetteville too, but not PTC

Since the dry conditions have improved, the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services has lifted the ban on outdoor burning.

A Delta Air Lines pilot is flying off with a $1 million Georgia Lottery prize. John Huefner, 54, played Holiday Millionaire Raffle and won a million-dollar top prize.

“It’s very surreal,” said Huefner, a resident of Peachtree City.

Senoia City Clerk Debby Volk swears in Councilmen Keith Harrison and Larry Owens to their new term during Monday night’s City Council meeting. Photo/John Thompson.

Newly-elected state Rep. Matt Ramsey was sworn into office Monday morning by Fayette County Superior Court Judge Chris Edwards at the Georgia Capitol. Joining Ramsey was his wife Missy. Ramsey will serve on several committees including the judiciary (non-civil) committee. Photo/Special.

Despite the drought and outdoor watering restrictions, it’s possible that the soccer fields at Peachtree City’s baseball and soccer complex may be sprinkled again in the not-too-distant future.

Last week’s re-election of Tim Higgins as Coweat County Commission chairman has one commissioner extremely miffed.Re: Commissioner Leigh Schlumper.

Interchange Justification Report approved by Feds

Coweta County officials received notification late Tuesday (January 8) that the proposed I-85 interchange at Poplar Road has cleared another hurdle. The interchange has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration division of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

After nearly three months of discussions and negotiations, Crook’s Tire Center in Senoia finally got a thumbs up from the Senoia City Council Monday night.

The Peachtree City Planning Commission will get its new year off to a rousing start Monday night as several high-profile projects will be discussed.

Site in Wilksmoor Village zoned for industrial use

City residents are invited to attend a second planning charrette to address the future of an 89-acre parcel off Ga. Highway 74 north and across from south Kedron Drive.

Forms for qualifying senior citizens to register for the 2008 Senior Homestead Exemption are now available at City Hall.

The Peachtree City Council has postponed the idea of opening up a citizens forum on its website.

New Councilman Don Haddix, who proposed the idea, said last week that in the interim he will use his campaign website, www.donhaddix.com, to present information and observations to the public. Haddix will not host an online forum, however, as he wants to give his fellow council members a chance to see if they support having one hosted by the city.

The Peachtree City Council is considering a possible relaxing of its setback rules for homes that back up to city-owned greenbelts.

Peachtree City will be renovating and expanding its southernmost fire station.

Last week the City Council approved a $224,000 contract to renovate and expand Fire Station 83 in Braelinn Village. The facility, which originally opened in 1989, would include new sleeping quarters for up to seven personnel with individual partitions as opposed to the beds in a single open space room. The renovation will also modify space in the kitchen/dining area and make the existing “dormitory” a dayroom for meetings, personal study time and relaxation periods, according to a memo from Fire Marshal John Dailey.

Fayette County School officials held a press conference today and also sent out information to parents opposing new tax reforms that could come before the General Assembly this year.

Citizen Face Off 1-10-08 by Michael Boylan Click here

sports blitz 1-9-08 by Michael Boylan Click here

The John and John Show 1-9-08 by Michael Boylan Click here

The new year traditionally brings a spirit of optimism in our local governments. The newly-elected politicians are sworn in, and they’re ready to get down to solving the people’s problems with a can-do spirit.

It was most certainly the upset of the season when Whitewater’s boys handed Fayette County (10-7, 6-2 region) a 58-55 loss on Tuesday. It was the first region win of the season for the Wildcats. Whitewater (3-13, 1-7 region) was paced by 19 points from Jamal Washington, while Fayette County’s leading scorer, Noel Johnson, scored a game-high 23 points. Whitewater also had key contributions from Justin Smith with 13 points, Jeremy Gunter with 11 points and eight rebounds and Renaldo Jenkins with nine.

There are basketball games, and then they are classics, games that will be embedded in the memories of players, coaches and fans for a lifetime.

History just keeps repeating itself. Re-elected and returning members of Fayetteville City Council are sworn in Jan. 3. Returning council member Al Hovey-King (L) served since 1988 until his defeat two years ago. Hovey-King defeated Mickey Edwards in the November contest. Councilman Wilson Price begins his second term while Mayor Kenneth Steele (R) begins his third term in office. Photo/Ben Nelms.