CRCT Scores Best in State

The 2009 CRCT results show Fayette’s students leading the state in subjects tested at all grade levels.

In comparison to the critical grade levels where students must pass reading in third grade and both reading and math in fifth and eighth grades to get promoted, only a handful of smaller school systems posted higher scores in some subjects. These systems had fewer than 1,000 students taking the tests compared to Fayette’s more than 1,400-1,700 students, depending on the grade level.

The CRCT is a curriculum-based test given to students in grades 1-8 in the subjects of reading, English language arts and mathematics. In grades 3-8, science and social students are added. This year all of the CRCTs were aligned with Georgia’s new curriculum, resulting in more rigorous tests.

Overall, test scores remain high across all subjects and grade levels, soaring will above state averages. The largest gain in scores was seen in science in grades 3, 5 and 8 with increases between 4-6 percentage points.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

Fayette Citizens for Open Government Hosts FREE Cookout Recall Rally

Tuesday, July 14; Whitewater Creek Amenities Center; 7 p.m. FayCOG is hosting a Cookout Rally at the Whitewater Creek Amenities Center starting at 7:00 PM to kick off the effort to recall County Commissioner Robert Horgan. ALL registered voters and interested Fayette County citizens are invited to attend. Please RSVP to hbostmail@aol.com to ensure there's plenty of food!

Plus just a few of the items you'll find on the Fayette Front Page:

Twilight Theatre Presents Oliver at the Fred
6/16/09 Oliver is a British musical, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is loosely based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Directed... More

Fayette Chamber Invites Business and Community Leaders to Apply for Leadership Fayette
7/12/09 The Fayette Chamber is now accepting applications for the next Leadership Fayette with classes beginning... More

PTC Police Host Free Community Emergency Response Team Class
7/7/09 The Peachtree City Police Department will be hosting a basic Community Emergency Response Team class beginning September 3rd, 2009. The classes... More

Tyrone: June 2009/2nd Quarter Crime Stats Posted
7/11/09 We've just added our statistics summaries for June 2009 and 2nd Quarter 2009 on our website for your review. We experienced a slight... More

Local Art Society Launches Website
7/9/09 Fayette Society of Fine Art (FSOFA) celebrated its fifteenth birthday with the launching of its website... More

Shelby Barker's Contract with Peachtree City
7/8/09 The last couple of months have been an awesome start to our campaign. I have met many people around the community that have expressed concerns... More

South Metro Young Republicans Host July Social
7/8/09 The South Metro Young Republicans is hosting its July social night Wednesday, July 15 at 7:00 pm at the Irish Bred Pub in Peachtree City (273 Highway 74 N). Summer is hot... More

Obesity Among U.S. Adults Continues to Rise
7/8/09 The proportion of U.S. adults who are obese increased to 26.1 percent in 2008 compared to 25.6 percent in 2007. The data come from CDC's... More

Fayette County to Host the Georgia Games' 2009 Lacrosse Championships
7/11/09 The Georgia State Games will be bringing their annual State Games Championship to Peachtree City this summer for the Youth Lacrosse Tournament... More

Fayette Chamber Invites Business and Community Leaders to Apply for Leadership Fayette
7/12/09 The Fayette Chamber is now accepting applications for the next Leadership Fayette with classes beginning... More

Rep. Ramsey to Speak to Young Professionals of Fayette County July 29
7/11/09 Professionals ages 21-39 are invited to join join Young Professionals of Fayette County for their next Business to Business Breakfast to be held... More

Governor Announces New Design for Georgia Licenses, IDs
7/9/09 Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is preparing to issue new and improved driver’s... More

Newt Gingrich: How Team Obama Hijacked "Change" And How We Can Take It Back
7/8/09 It all started in the summer of 2007 when part of one of my speeches was posted on YouTube. It was a short, three-minute clip in which I explained the ... More

Free Concert with Erica Nicole Downtown Senoia
7/11/09 Erica Nicole LIVE Debut CD Release Concert Thursday, July 16, 7:00 pm. Historic Downtown Senoia. FREE Concert. Opening Act: Southern Pride Band. Bring chairs or blankets and enjoy this free outdoor concert. Erica Nicole’s First Album is out and will be sold at the show. For concert information: Gail Downs 770.599-9155. www.ericanicolemusic.com

Much more at www.FayetteFrontPage.com!

Fayette Commission to Consider Special Local Option Sales Tax Monday July 13

July 13, 2009; Public Meeting Room, Fayette County Administrative Complex
7:00 p.m.; The purpose of the meeting is to discuss possible projects for inclusion in a special local option sales tax referendum being considered for November 3, 2009. The meeting may also be used to discuss the apportionment of sales tax proceeds.

5/3/09 Fayette Headlines and News

Special Swine Flu Section <--- Click to visit

Tyrone to Dedicate Veterans Memorial Park
The Tyrone Veterans Memorial Park Committee would like to invite the public to the dedication of Veterans Memorial Park to be held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 1:00 p.m. The Park is located on Senoia Road in downtown Tyrone across from the Post Office.

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy food, fun and patriotic music. National, state and local elected officials will be in attendance. The Ft. MacPherson Army Reserve Command Honor Guard will present and the American Flag, flags for each branch of service, and the POW/MIA flag will be raised. The keynote speaker will be Colonel (Ret) Don Dickinson.

Memorial Bricks may be purchased at the dedication or by going online to http://www.tyrone.org/ and downloading the form. For additional information please contact Patsy Couch, 770-487-4394.

Peachtree City Mayor Harold Logsdon Announces Candidacy for State Insurance Commissioner




Stellar Job by Witness and Peachtree City Police Nab Robbers
On May 1, 2009 at approximately 2:15 pm, an armed robbery occurred at the United Community Bank located at 307 North Hwy 74, Peachtree City. One witness followed the vehicle that two subjects fled the scene in and called the Fayette County E911 Communications Center. The witness relayed the location of the two subjects and the vehicle to the dispatch center as it attempted to leave Peachtree City. Officers were able to locate the vehicle and the offenders on Hwy 54 near Huddleston Drive. Officers stopped the vehicle and have two subjects in custody. An undisclosed amount of money and a weapon were observed in the vehicle after the traffic stop. Charges are pending and further information will be released as the investigation progresses.


"Amigos Don't Let Amigos Drive Drunk": Pick A Designated Driver Before Cinco de Mayo
5/1/09 Cinco de Mayo has become a big night-out on the Georgia social scene, especially for young adults. Fiesta plans north of the Border have become another ‘six-pack-tradition’ here on the all-American party calendar, just like on St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween... More

R.O.M.E.O. Breakfast Club Retired Old Men Eating Out
5/1/09 Monday, May 4, 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.; $4.50 per person includes a full, hot breakfast; Okay guys, this group is for you AND you don't HAVE to be retired to come have breakfast with the guys! Join us the first Monday of every month for a "real man's breakfast" prepared by Chef Todd Rossi. Every month will... More

Local Teen's Vision Brings Inspirational Film and Star to Fayette May 8th
4/27/09 Darius Goes West, an award-winning documentary, tells the story of Darius Weems, a young man from Athens, Georgia who had a dream of being... More

Best Book Sale in Town May 9th
4/27/09 Plan now to attend the Friend's of the Fayette County Public Library's Spring/Summer Book Sale on Saturday, May 9th, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Fayette Library. Over 9000 gently read books in 23... More

Isakson Criticizes Elimination of Expanded Tax Credit for Homebuyers
4/30/09 U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., yesterday criticized House-Senate conference negotiators for the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Resolution for removing language authored by Isakson that would have provided for a $15,000 tax credit to individuals who purchase a home in the... More

Local Student Among Select Group Named Coca-Cola Scholar
4/30/09 A Fayette County High School student, class of 2009, is one of only 250 in the United States named a Coca-Cola Regional Scholar. Cecelia Ogechi Oparah has been awarded a $10,000 four-year scholarship ($2,500 per... More

North Georgia College & State University Drill Field Dedicated in Honor of Fayetteville General
4/28/09 On April 18, 2009, North Georgia College and State University dedicated the historic drill field in honor of General (Retired) William J. ‘Lipp’ Livsey of Fayetteville. The drill field has served as the site of countless Corps of Cadets... More

The Chickenpox Shingles Connection May 12th
5/1/09 Anyone who has ever watched someone suffer through bouts of extremely painful Shingles, would probably tell you that they would be interested in knowing how they could avoid going through the same painful condition. Shingles, also known as varicella zoster virus (VZV), is a leftover of the... More

958 Pounds of Marijuana Seized in Traffic Stop
5/2/09 The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Narcotics Team concluded an investigation on Thursday, April 30, 2009 that resulted in a traffic stop on Hwy 74 in Tyrone. TNT Agents seized 958 pounds of Marijuana and arrested three... More

Spivey Hall Schedule for Next Weekend
5/1/09 (Blog) Clayton State University’s Spivey Hall will feature Friday and Saturday night performances by European artists, followed by a Sunday afternoon program by the Georgian Chamber Players, on the weekend of May 8 to May 10... More

Rep. Matt Ramsey: Final Legislative Wrap Up
4/27/09 The General Assembly adjourned for the year on April 3. I have previously written an update on several initiatives that were passed during the last week of the session. However, I wanted to follow up with information on some additional measures that were passed by the General Assembly and are on the Governor’s desk... More

The Sky’s the Limit… Clayton State – Fayette to Offer Astronomy Courses
5/1/09 Beginning in the fall semester of 2009, Clayton State University will offer a sequence of Astronomy courses at its instructional site in Peachtree City. “These courses will satisfy a core curriculum requirement we have been unable to offer at Peachtree City due to a... More

The Fred Features Local Talent at Open Mic Night
5/2/09 Looking for an inexpensive night of great entertainment and fun? The Fred will showcase local bands, musicians and even comedy on Saturday, May 9th beginning at 7 pm. Doors will open at 6:30 and the “ticket” for the night is a Fred wrist band that may be purchased for $5.00 in advance or $10.00... More

FC Parks & Rec Summer Program Registration May 4th
5/1/09 The Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department will begin registration for the Summer 2009 brochure on Monday, May 4, 2009. Registration will be taken at the Activities House, 980 Redwine Road, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m... More

Due to Popular Demand Bodies...the Exhibition and Dialog in the Dark Extend Atlanta Run
4/30/09 Due to the tremendous response and sell-out crowds at the Premier Exhibition Center in Atlantic Station organizers have extended the Atlanta run of BODIES . . . The Exhibition and Dialog in the Dark until January 3, 2010. Initially slated to close in... More

Young Scientists Discover Fernbank Museum’s Summer Camp
4/30/09 Fernbank Museum of Natural History offers a world of adventure and discovery to young explorers during Summer Camp 2009. One week-sessions of day camps are offered throughout June and July. Campers will transform into ecologists, paleontologists, geologists, marine biologists, entomologists and more. Highly trained staff and a low counselor-to-camper ratio ensure each child a unique and fun-filled week of learning, exploration, activities, crafts and games. Three... More

Puppets Take Atlanta & Beyond (July 6 - 31)
4/28/09 This July, Atlantans won’t have to travel across an ocean to experience the work of some of the world’s premier puppet artists! The Center for Puppetry Arts and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau are pleased to join together with over ten other leading... More

A few Fayette Front Page weekend stories:

Shelby Barker Announces Run for Peachtree City Council Post 1
4/11/09 Shelby Barker, business consultant and executive board member of the Fayette County GOP, officially announced his candidacy Friday for the Peachtree City Council Post 1. The winner of the Post 1 race will fill the remaining two years of Don Haddix's... More

Fayette County Attorney Shows His Stuff…
4/10/09 (Blog) Thursday night after the Fayette County Commission meeting the County Attorney, Scott Bennett, came over to the press area and said he wanted to talk with the press. I didn’t catch the entire statement so I asked one of the other reporters what he’d said. The reporter indicated he wanted us to stick around so he could talk to us. We immediately “assumed” it had to do with the lawsuit filed by former County Administrator, Chris Venice... More

Fayette Sheriff's TNT Makes Drug Busts in Multiple Counties
4/12/09 The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) executed four Search Warrants simultaneously in the Shiloh mobile home community that resulted in the arrest of six persons. TNT with the assistance of the Sheriff’s office Swat team, CID, K-9 Unit, Hawk one helicopter, and uniformed patrol officers executed the warrants at 7am on Friday April... More

One Accord in Concert at NFUMC
4/12/09 The public is invited to attend North Fayette United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 19, as One Accord, a 12-member vocal ensemble auditioned from the Atlanta Christian College Concert Choir performs at the 8:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services, and then again that day at 3:00 p.m. when the group performs in a special concert... More

Senoia Celebrates Earth Day with "The Art of Green"
4/12/09 Green isn't just the color of Spring in Coweta County; it's also the theme of a new arts event sponsored by the Cultural Arts Committee of Senoia's Downtown Development Authority. On Saturday, April 25th from 10 to 6, Historic Downtown Senoia... More

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Announces More Shows at Delta Classic Chastain
4/12/09 The GRAMMY® Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra announced four more performers for their 2009 Delta Classic Chastain summer concert series at the legendary Chastain Park... More

Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre Proudly Announces Its 2009-10 Season
4/10/09 Atlanta’s nationally acclaimed Alliance Theatre, recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award®, and Artistic Director Susan V. Booth are proud to announce the 2009–10 Season for the Alliance Stage, the decidedly underground Hertz Stage and the Alliance Children’s Theatre... More

Atlanta Tea Party Info
Where and When? Atlanta State Capitol 206 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30334-9007 , Recommended Arrival time 6-7 p.m. (Note: we'd advise getting there even earlier! A lot of people will be coming to hear Sean Hannity, express their frustrations, etc. Plus, Dick Armey is doing a book signing at 3:30 in the Capitol, might be something you'd want to check out - FFP)

What to expect at the Tea Party? The purpose is to let Congress and the President know there are many, many Americans across the country that are fed up with bailouts, large budgets, and high taxes... More

Fayette County Unemployment Insurance Claims Jump 229%

According to new numbers released by the Georgia Department of Labor (DOL), Workforce Information & Analysis, unemployment insurance claims have jumped a whopping 229% since March of 2008.

While the percentage sounds high, the numbers aren't quite as scary. Claims in March of 2008 totaled 144. Claims in March 2009 totaled 475. If you are one of the individuals experiencing a loss of income, percentages and totals are meaningless. It's devastating to most to lose a job.

Unemployment insurance claim numbers include initial unemployment claims only; they do not include people who have run out of unemployment benefits without finding employment, neither do they include claims by people who had previously claimed unemployment.

Preliminary unemployment rates for February 2008 show an increase from 4.3% in 2008 to 7.9% in 2009. Unemployment numbers indicate statistics for the civilian labor force over the age of 16 living in the county. The unemployment numbers reflect those who are "actively seeking jobs".

Currently, according to the DOL, 4,152 are unemployed in Fayette. In February of last year the 2,287 were listed. The unemployment rate in January of this year was 6.9%.

Source: Interview with Department of Labor; http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pdf/pr/initialuiclaims.pdf and http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pdf/pr/laborforce.pdf

Fayette County Commission sued, passes defined benefit program and county attorney gets nasty with reporter...

Interesting "doings" at the Fayette County Commission chambers Thursday. The Commission voted to hire GEBCorp to manage the new defined benefit (DB) program for county employees at the evening Commission meeting (3 yes, 1 abstention, 1 no). In late 2007 Eric Maxwell, Herb Frady, Jack Smith and Robert Horgan voted to implement a DB program (former Commissioner Peter Pfeifer opposed).

GEBCorp is the company that initially helped the Commission study committee determine the feasibility of moving from the current award-winning retirement plan to a defined benefit plan.

After the meeting the County Attorney Scott Bennett asked reporters to step into his office. When yours truly walked back the attorney got nasty. He noted I'd written some bad things about him back when the Commission hired him and so he didn't want to talk with me. He said more -- and I'll be sharing more about it later.

Christine (Chris) Venice, former County Administrator filed a sexual discrimination lawsuit against the county earlier this week. Venice was let go without cause in April 2007. Attorney Harlan Stuart Miller III, an Atlanta attorney, is representing Venice.

The suit asks for damages resulting from breach of contract, lost retirement / pension benefits, back wages and other issues.

Since the County's spokesperson in legal matters, Scott Bennett, refused to talk with me I talked to Jack Krakeel, the current County Administrator who stated he had no knowledge of the suit beyond knowing it was filed.

Krakeel referred me to County Chairman Jack Smith who initially referred me to their attorney, but spoke to me when I indicated the attorney had refused to talk with me.

Smith said he was informed of the lawsuit this evening via email, just finding out around 6:15. He had not had time to delve into the details.

- jmd

Fayette County Headlines are back

We had put the Fayette Front Page newsletter and blog aside for a variety of reasons. However, we've decided to start using it again. It won't be an every-day newsletter as we attempted before. We'll simply be trying to highlight some important issues. Those who have subscribed will get a maximum of one email a day as the system consolidates all messages into the one email.

Hope you enjoy getting a bit of Fayette County news in your inbox and on your screens occasionally!

We're on Twitter and Facebook now! Check us out at http://twitter.com/gafrontpage (@gafrontpage).

Don Haddix: Why Am I Running for Mayor?

The 2007 election was a rejection of the direction Council had chosen over the prior two years. An incumbent was defeated and two Council Members were elected that promised to work to return Peachtree City to the Village Concept, as demanded by the Comprehensive Plan and the will of the Peachtree City residents. A message was clearly sent to the new Council as to what the citizens wanted.

While both Council Members, elected in 2007, have kept their promises, the message has been ignored by the remaining three. The actions and goals, of the prior two years, have been continued by the other members of Council.

There is a strong division of goals and visions on Council.

The 2009 election is where the voters will decide the direction of Peachtree City for the next four years and the tone of the years that follow. Do you wish to continue to see votes supporting Big Boxes, high density and annexation for growth purposes? Or, complete the change to the path of Smart Growth, versus any growth, and more open government versus less?

While the Mayor and Council Member offices are equal in legislative powers, the office of Mayor does hold many additional powers and advantages, such as some additional executive powers, chairing Meetings, having the only Council office at City Hall, greater contact and influence outside of Peachtree City, being able to control some information flow to Council Members, even though it is not supposed to, and being the accepted voice of Peachtree City.

These issues make it critical as to who holds that office.

With that in mind, I am announcing my candidacy for the office of Mayor of Peachtree City.

Why now, so early in the year? Because of the many contacts and requests to do so I have received, to say I am running and why and to give an alternative to the status quo.

So, why should I be elected as Mayor?
I keep my promises and hold to my goals. As promised, you can find the goals and promises of the 2007 election in the donhaddix.com forum.
Peachtree City was founded on the Village Concept. This concept is being successfully moved to by an increasing number of other cities while, for the last three plus years, Peachtree City has been moving away from that vision.
The Comprehensive Plan, says all proposals must be economic, environment and traffic impact studied and be Village Concept. The Mayor is supposed to be the chief advocate for Peachtree City, not developers, on these issues.
Peachtree City needs employers, not more retail. I have worked with the Development Authority of Peachtree City in that goal as Council Liaison in 2008. It was on the shelf, when I took it on, but now it is working hard for Peachtree City. But this effort has been opposed. Mayor Logsdon has considered disbanding the DAPC, replacing their seat on the County Authority with the City Manager, cutting their funding, putting all functions through the Fayette County Development Authority and centralizing all efforts into Staff. His thinking has been wait for development to come to us, not seek it out, which normally means more retail development, which he views as very desirable. Further, redevelopment requires an active DAPC, since FCDA does not do redevelopment, business retention or seeking occupancy for empty stores.
Already serving on Council provides:
An understanding of the office of Mayor.
A knowledge of City Hall and working relationship with Staff.
Already developed working contacts and relationships with our State level representatives, Fayette County, other cities, agencies, organizations and so forth.
Already completed required minimum training plus advanced training.
No need to learn and grow from ground zero.
A known commodity with a known voting record and extremely clear positions. No surprises or guessing as to what the voters will get.

Peachtree City needs to move forward or be left behind. Moving to what is failing in the rest of the nation, and away from what was proving successful, will leave us far behind. The office of Mayor is critical in that effort.

If you agree with these goals and approve of my conduct as Councilman, please support my bid for the office of Mayor.

Thank you.

Don Haddix
Mayoral Candidate
donhaddix.com/elect