The Fayette Citizen-Special Sections

Wednesday, December 5, 2001

News

Public to get one hearing on new school attendance lines

With 450 new students showing up for classes each year, the Fayette County Board of Education is facing one of its least favorite and most controversial tasks: Redrawing school attendance lines for next year.

Fayette Republicans to get Democrat reps

Four Fulton County Democrats will represent north Fayette County in the state House of Representatives, predicts Lynn Westmoreland.

Local GOPers condemn 'splatter art' redistricting of House, Senate

Georgia has been carved up into something resembling a "war zone," state Rep. Lynn Westmoreland said in a town hall meeting in Fayette last week.

Westmoreland: Politicians, voters 'lost in space'; outcome uncertain

What voters will be faced with in Georgia's 2002 elections is anybody's guess at this point, state Rep. Lynn Westmoreland told a gathering of concerned citizens in Fayette last week.

Who're those people staring up in the trees? Bird counters! And they're ours!

Just as surely as Santa Claus is heading our way through the frigid stratosphere, flocks of birders will soon be fanning out through East Coweta and western Fayette to count the songbirds and water fowl that winter here.

Sewer fight continues as home buyers wait

While prospective home buyers in a Tyrone subdivision are packing their belongings and preparing to move in, lawyers and a Fulton County judge are still trying to determine whether they'll be able to use the bathrooms.

Two plead guilty in John Deere tractor theft ring

Two key witnesses in a multi-state John Deere tractor theft ring that ended with some stolen property sold in Fayette County have pleaded guilty to reduced charges and begun serving their jail sentences.

Commission to discuss conservation subdivisions again

A large pile of unfinished business, including a proposed "conservation subdivision" ordinance, awaits the Fayette County Commission at its meeting this afternoon.

Wireless computers put cops in the driver's seat

A wireless computer system used in Fayetteville's police cars is enhancing officer safety and productivity at the same time.

Purchase cards for county workers? Talks on tap today

Fayette County commissioners will take another look today at a proposal that would put purchase cards into the hands of county workers.

City flag design, request to grade in flood plain up for PTC Council

A city flag for Peachtree City may be waving soon.

Space heater ignites blaze at business near Pavilion

It took firefighters about two hours to contain a blaze at Peachtree Bath Spas on Walker Parkway near the Fayette Pavilion Monday afternoon.

Student appeals suspension for sexual contact during class to Superior Court

A Fayette County Middle School student is appealing her semester-long suspension from school to Fayette County Superior Court.

Humorist Ted Key entertains crowd

Producer and actor Ted Key delighted Fayette Youth Protection Home supporters with readings from Christmas classics at the ninth annual benefit dinner.

Local family celebrates 60 years of marriage

The seven children of John and Lillian Frances Rodgers Wallace wanted the world to know of their pride in their parents and invited friends and relatives at their 60th anniversary party at Sandy Creek Baptist Church recently. The family has been part of the church's membership since 1955.

Kwanzaa celebration set for NAACP meeting Sat.

The December meeting of the Fayette Count NAACP will include a Kwanzaa presentation.

Toys, gifts sought

Children's Restoration Network, a local nonprofit that supports homeless children living in shelters in 14 counties of metro-Atlanta, is having its seventh annual 12 Days of Caring Toy and Gift Campaign from Dec. 4 - 23.

DFCS seeks helping hands this Christmas

Fayette County's Department of Family and Children Services is gearing up for the holiday season.

Addition eliminates trailers at Whitewater Middle

Students and teachers at Whitewater Middle School no longer have to attend classes in trailers now that a new 26,589-sq. ft. addition is complete.

Jingle Bell Trail coming

Walkers and runners can test their physical endurance while getting into the holiday spirit and helping students at Peachtree City Elementary School during the school's fifth annual Jingle Bell Trail.

Landmark names 'Heisman' candidates

Landmark Christian School has selected two outstanding 2002 seniors, Julie Van't Wout of Peachtree City and Ben King of Fairburn, to contend in the eighth annual Wendy's High School Heisman Program.

Burch hosts annual Immigration Day

Students, parents and teachers at Robert J. Burch Elementary School recently took a trip back in time to 1898 New York City to see what life was like for early immigrants who settled in the town.

Correction

In a recent article on students getting a look at life in the military, the name of one of the students was misspelled.

Flat Rock takes its first county spelling title

Sixth grade student Shannon Demons became Flat Rock Middle School's first ever county spelling bee champion recently, earning the title by beating out 18 hopefuls at the county spelling bee.

Police Blotter

Home & Garden

Demand increases for World Trade Center mural

 

The human toll of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon has been overwhelming not only in the two cities directly affected, but across the nation.

Christmas tree care don't forget the memories

My son Bill's 19th birthday is Dec. 3. For each of the past 18 years, we have selected our Christmas tree on his birthday. As part of his birthday, Bill gets the final say on what tree we bring home for the holidays.

Buy a Georgia-grown Christmas tree this season

Tis the season for Christmas tree shopping. The Georgia Forestry Commission again this year is encouraging folks to buy fresh, locally grown Christmas trees.

Wade Tractor wins national award

Wade Tractor & Equipment, Inc., in Griffin has been awarded the 2001 President's Prestige Award by New Holland North America. The highest company honor that can be attained by a New Holland dealership, it recognizes outstanding achievement in business management and customer satisfaction.

Pest control license revoked

ATLANTA - Saying that a pest control operator defrauded builders and homeowners, an administrative law judge with the Office of State

Smoke hood useful for fire emergencies

Home is our refuge, where we feel comfortable, safe and secure. Yet recent statistics on fire could challenge that sense of security.

Prime Timers
 
 
Local Santa stays busy year-round

 

Have you ever wondered what Santa Claus does when he's not delivering toys and making children smile? Santa, a.k.a. Robert "Ho Ho" Johnson, does a little traveling, spends time with his family and does good works. Johnson has not always been Santa Claus.

Senior holiday luncheon coming up

A group of local businesses have teamed up this Christmas to feed no, not the homeless. They're saying "thank you" to the seniors in the community.

Southland plants 'Give-a-Gift' tree

Southland Nursing Home is helping its residents celebrate Christmas with a "Give-a-Gift" Christmas tree. Friends, family and members of the public are invited to participate in the Christmas program.

Caring for seniors always changing

It's a scenario that's becoming increasingly common: senior citizens who don't need full-time nursing care, who want to stay in their own homes, but who need help with day-to-day activities such as preparing meals, doing laundry, running errands and other general household chores. Many turn to family members, but that solution usually isn't practical or reasonable, especially for working baby boomers who are raising their own children while also coping with aging parents.

 
Spirit of Christmas

Tree mishaps make fun memories for Christmas 'romantic'

 

I have to admit I am a hopeless romantic when it comes to Christmas. I grew up in a home where Christmas wasn't celebrated until around my seventh birthday. Once we got to a point where my folks decided to celebrate it, we went whole hog.

Longing for family, homeland

December is the happiest month of the year because it is the birth of Jesus Christ. This is the time of year that I feel homesick for my brother and sisters in the Philippines. Of all the holidays during the year, Christmas is the only time that I cried, because it brings back fond memories of my family.

'Thanksgiving'

This poem was written before the holidays in 1976. My sister lost her husband a few months before en route to their son's wedding.

Celebrating the season with the whole family

Our family gets together every year to celebrate Christmas at my grandparents house. We each bring a food tray and presents for each other. Every year my Mom, Elissa, brings an ornament for every family member. The presents are neatly placed under their small Christmas tree. Then everybody helps preparing dinner.

Despite changes in the world, Christmas remains constant

In the aftermath of the recent events, how can Christmas ever be the same...yet how could it possibly be any different?

Start with the star

One of my family's Christmas traditions is a st

Business

Apprenticeship program serves students, businesses

Helping students gain valuable work experience before they graduate high school while preparing a future work force for the county is the aim of the Fayette County schools Yuth Apprenticeship program.

Sports

Season ends in second round of playoffs for local teams

The postseason for the local football teams is over, due mainly to turnovers. Starr's Mill and Landmark Christian both lost on the road, while East Coweta lost at home.

Basketball season is underway

Sandy Creek's girls basketball team is off to slow start. They are 0-2 and have committed 66 turnovers in those two games; 30 against Fayette County in a 52-48 loss and 36 to Creekside in a 54-28 loss.

Landmark players net individual honors

Landmark Christian School's varsity volleyball team captured the AA/A state championship for the first time this year. Along with the state victory, several individual team members earned outstanding honors.

Tigers and Patriots offto good start in wrestling season

The high school wrestling season began last week and the local teams should be competitive once again.

McIntosh swim team defeats Decatur in second meet of season

McIntosh High School's swim team continued its strong start this season by winning their second meet of the season. The team won their meet Friday by defeating Decatur High School at Agnes Scott College. The boys team won 147 - 118 and the girls won 167 - 97.

Sports Calendar

Weekend



"The Nutcracker" is synonymous with the holiday season.

Even more Christmas activities this weekend

If you aren't in the Christmas spirit yet, there are plenty of places to go this weekend to help get your yuletide juices flowing.

'Majestic White Horses' gallop to the IMAX screen at Fernbank

The Lippizan horses of Austria are world famous, not just because an IMAX film discussing them and the Spanish Riding School of Vienna has been a worldwide hit, but because they have been a part of history for over 400 years.

Of points and stops and dots and stuff
By SALLIE SATTERTHWAITE
sallies@juno.com

An otherwise ordinary bit of research recently took me on a circuitous route through Web pages, a shelf full of reference books, and appeals to trusted advisers who are always just an e-mail away.

Movies

Talking about the Beatles

George Harrison died the other day.

Sandy Creek drama presents murder mystery

Monday, Oct. 15 was a nerve-wracking day for many drama students. Right in the middle of auditions for "The Long Red Herring," the school was placed on alert, and auditions were temporarily moved to the gymnasium. Fortunately, there was no real threat, and auditions proceeded as planned. Despite this interruption, the students gave terrific cold readings from the script.

Religion

Youth ministry tactics ready for a change
By REV. JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

The other day I received through the mail a promotional piece for a youth conference that was billed as "anti-entertainment." I immediately identified with its appeal. Youth ministry, for the most part, has gone the way of Demas. Demas was a fellow worker with the Apostle Paul. Demas, however, left the work of ministry and went the way of the world. So, in ministry circles, to go the way of Demas is to go worldly.

St. Gabriel's prepares for Christmas with full slate of activities

The Catholic Church of Saint Gabriel in Fayetteville has an activity-filled month as its members prepare for the birth of Christ on Christmas.

Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran announces Advent services

Advent is a time of both eager anticipation and deep reflection, as Christians worldwide prepare to celebrate the coming of their Lord as an infant born in Judea.

Peachtree City United Methodist sets community Christmas events

Members of Peachtree City United Methodist Church recently announced plans for several Christmas events and invites the community to join in.

Religion Briefs

Nativity schedules Advent services

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity is offering a reflective service of Holy Eucharist on the Saturdays of Advent, December 8, 15 and 22. at 5:30 p.m.

His House sets Christmas event for ladies Dec. 8

Women of Faith at His House Community Church invite all ladies in the community to a "Creative Counterpart Christmas" Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9:30 a.m. until noon.

Providence children to perform Dec. 9

The children's choirs at Providence United Methodist Church will perform "Operation Christmas Child," Sunday, Dec. 9 at both the 8:45 and 11 a.m. services.

Truth 'farewell' performance is December 14

A farewell performance by the singing group "Truth," will be presented Friday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Heritage Christian Church.

Opinion

Opinion

Profit vs. environment? Not necessarily
By DAVE HAMRICK
Editor-at-large

An expert testifying in Fayette County's lawsuit against Tyrone and Fairburn the county's attempt to stop the two cities from contracting for sewer service said something interesting.

Christmas carols ­ American style
By BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines

It's that time of year again, so as you gather your dysfunctional family together, as we all do, here are a few Christmas carols you might be singing.

Cloning, affordable insurance on agenda
By MAC COLLINS
Congressman

The Terrorism Risk Protection Act (H.R. 3210)

On Nov. 29, with my support, the House of Representatives passed the Terrorism Risk Protection Act (H.R. 3210). This legislation will make it possible for American business of all sizes to purchase affordable insurance in the post-Sept. 11 environment. The bill enables businesses to operate with the assurance that they will have the necessary coverage against future terrorist attacks. It does so by providing a mechanism for the insurance companies to pay claims from a large-scale attack, like those on Sept. 11.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cities should pay jail fees for city prisoners

A few weeks ago I told you of my concern about a presentation on the municipal prisoner issue, made to the Association of Fayette County Governments. Now, we see more attempts to manipulate public opinion by negotiating a municipal prisoner agreement via the media.

Columnist should admit to Columbine's Bernall 'myth'

I think columnist John W. Whitehead was wrong about the wisdom of allowing parents to post religious icons and messages in Columbine High School, but I'll defer to his expertise on that one. He's the one with a law degree. But I'm not going to let him keep telling the Cassie Bernall "myth" as if it were a reality. Clearly Whitehead's not a professional journalist (and perhaps Mr. Beverly is not a professional editor), because the fact-checking for Mr. Whitehead's column stinks.

Rutherford Institute defends Columbine column

Being out of the office at present, Mr. Whitehead has asked me to respond to Brandon Butler's comments and assure you of his commitment to providing clear and credible commentary to the newspapers that publish his column. Please feel free to publish the following in response to Mr. Butler's letter to the editor:

After realizing life's value, why do we permit abortion?

In the book "Tuesdays with Morrie," the author is taking a class on dying. The professor is suffering with a terminal illness. As he speaks about himself, you come to realize that it is not so much about death but rather life. With every turn of the page the question arises, Can we understand life if we do not understand death?

Wynnmeade is making a comeback; help us continue

Concerning Wynnmeade subdivision, where I live, we are striving daily to change the image of our neighborhood and we have accomplished quite a lot in a short amount of time. We are very anxious in getting the word out that we have gone too long as the "stepchild" of Peachtree City and recognized only as that.

After Sept. 11, skin color seems number one issue

The beautiful city of New York where I had first landed in this country is no longer the same.

Rolland was here!

Rolland was here!

Parents' second-hand smoke is really a form of child abuse

Some (including me) say exposing children to secondhand smoke is child abuse.

Animal rights activists show true colors in shark protection program

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), came very near to making one of the most outrageous public relations gaffes in history, according to the New American magazine. In so doing, however, the animal rights group has revealed that it stands for animal over human rights.

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