National Night Out: Tuesday Aug 4th

The Tyrone Police Department invites you to come visit us during National Night Out: Tuesday August 4th from 6 to 8.

Officers from the Tyrone and Peachtree City Police Departments will be participating in National Night Out festivities on Tuesday August 4th from 6 to 8 pm at the Kedron Target on Peachtree Parkway.

National Night Out is an annual event designed to strengthen our communities by encouraging neighborhoods to engage in stronger relationships with each other and with their local law enforcement partners. The goal is to heighten crime-prevention awareness, build support and
participation in local anti-crime programs, and most importantly, send a message that our neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. It’s also the perfect opportunity to get to know your neighbors even better.

We will use this event to: further publicize our use of Nixle as a community information service, present information on neighborhood watch, and offer insight into police activity in Tyrone. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see our new mobile computer system in action.

Please help us spread the word by passing this information on to your family, friends, and neighbors. We hope to see you there!

Fayette County Students Score High with End of Course Tests

The majority of Fayette County students are either meeting or exceeding performance requirements for end of course tests based on data released by the Georgia Department of Education.

The spring administration of the test shows students performing strongest in US History, Physical Science, Economics/Business/Free Enterprise, American Literature and Composition, and Ninth Grade Literature and Composition with the majority scoring in the “exceeds” category. In comparison to last year, Ninth Grade Literature and Composition had the largest jump in the “exceeds” performance level with a gain of 15 percentage points.

In the other subjects tested, Algebra I, Geometry and Biology, the majority of students scored in the “meets” category.

Overall, Fayette County outperformed the state in all subjects tested by 7 to 27 points. The biggest gap between the school system and the state was in Economics/Business/Free Enterprise where Fayette’s mean score was 449 compared to the state’s 422.

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Don't Wait To Get Your Children Ready for School

The Fayette County Health Department urges parents not to wait in getting their children vaccinated for the new school year starting in early August. Special days have been set aside at the health department to be sure students are ready to enter school. Special Hearing-Vision-Dental and immunization clinics will be held July 21, 22, 28, 29 and August 4, 5 and 12.

Fayette County Health Department has also set aside special days for physical exams for children entering Head-Start program in the fall. Head-Start physicals will be done on July 24, 31 and August 12.

Georgia law requires children enrolling in day care or school to have required vaccinations. A child entering private or public school in Fayette County for the first time must have two key forms: Georgia immunization form 3231(which must be completed by a health center or doctor) and Georgia form 3300, documenting vision, hearing and dental screenings. Parents should bring along their child's immunization record to the health center.

Fees for immunizations and screenings will vary, please call for more information and to schedule an appointment. Payments for health services may be made by cash, MasterCard or Visa. Medicaid covers vision and hearing screenings and immunizations.

For more information on the immunizations your child needs and where to get them, contact your child’s health care provider, the Fayette County Health Department at 770-305-5416.

Two Fayette County Schools Ranked Best in Nation by Newsweek Magazine

Two Fayette County high schools have earned spots on the prestigious “Top of the Class” list published by Newsweek magazine.

Starr’s Mill and McIntosh High earned rankings on the list that features the top 1,500 public high schools in the nation. Schools making the list are among the top six percent of all public high schools in the U.S.

Both schools have been included on previous “Top of the Class” lists. Starr’s Mill made the list in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008. McIntosh has made the list every year since 2006.

Georgia’s U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson recognized this achievement in a congratulatory letter to Superintendent John DeCotis.

“To place among the top six percent of public schools in the United States is a testament to the dedication and hard work put forth by you and the others who made this honor possible,” Isakson stated.

Schools on the list are ranked according to the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken by all students at the school in 2008 divided by the number of graduating seniors.

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DeCotis Named Outstanding Georgia Educator

Each year the membership of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) nominates fellow members for the association’s Outstanding Educator Award. One of the nominees and winner of the 2009 award is Fayette County School Superintendent Dr. John DeCotis.

“I’m honored that I was selected for this award. Our board members, staff, teachers and students have allowed me to serve them and I thank them,” says DeCotis.

To be eligible for nomination, a candidate most possess an exemplary record of service in educational leadership and exhibit leadership characteristics that are considered a positive role model for others. In choosing a winner, selection team members look for demonstration of effective leadership and management skills, how new ideas and projects have been implemented, contributions made to the educational leadership profession, profession growth activities, membership in professional organizations and community involvement.

The award was presented at the summer GAEL conference July 12-15.

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Recall Robert Horgan Gains Steam

The “Committee to Recall Robert Horgan” (Committee) held a Kick-Off Rally on Tuesday evening at the Whitewater Creek Community Association’s Club House. The goal was to collect signatures to jump-start the recall of Fayette County Commissioner Robert Horgan and to energize volunteers.

Signatures from over 90 registered voters were quickly obtained that evening. Most of those present at the Rally took signature sheets with them to help obtain signatures for the recall effort.

Harold Bost, the coordinator of the Recall Robert Horgan drive, has received numerous additional phone calls from Fayette residents asking where they can sign the application and others asking where they can get more signature forms so they can help obtain more registered voter’s signatures.

“Although we believe we now have sufficient signatures to obtain the official Recall Petition, we plan to collect signatures until July 29, 2009, the deadline for returning the “Application for Recall”, Bost noted. “We are doing this to train our “staff” of volunteers and to demonstrate to Robert Horgan that this is a determined group of Fayette County Voters working hard to get him recalled.”

On May 23, 2009 Commissioner Horgan was pulled over by Fayette County Sheriff’s deputies for driving with an expired license tag. After noting a strong smell of marijuana, Horgan’s vehicle was searched and a pill bottle with marijuana was located under the driver’s seat. He was subsequently cited for the expired tag and for “Possession of Marijuana – Less than one ounce U.T.C. #106982”. Horgan admitted to smoking marijuana while driving; however, he was not charged with driving under the influence or tested for drugs.

According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s “The Supplemental Report, Case Number: 0904859” (attached), while sitting in the back of the patrol car Horgan asked deputies “If there was anything that we could do to resolve this right here, right now”.

Commissioner Horgan has refused to resign despite repeated calls to do so by citizens, seven former commissioners, and at least one of his fellow Commissioners. An Ethics Violation has been filed by two Fayette citizens and a pubic hearing is pending.

Horgan is one of the five senior elected officials in Fayette County, responsible for approving its $63M budget. Committee members and citizens across the county have voiced concerns regarding Horgan’s judgment, his involvement with unlawful activities, and his ethics.

The Committee was registered with the State of Georgia on July 11, 2009 and began its initial steps to recall Horgan on July 14. A website has been set up to keep Fayette County citizens updated on the recall efforts: www.recallhorgan.com.

Information regarding volunteering to help, how to sign the recall petition, and downloadable official recall forms are also located on the site. Completed forms should be returned to Harold Bost 125 Turnberry Circle, Fayetteville, 30215. Forms may also be obtained by contacting Bost at 770-719-0638.

For more information contact Harold Bost at hbostmail@aol.com (770-719-0638) or Bob Ross at administrator@recallhorgan.com (770-486-1104).

Psssttt--- Piedmont Hospital Offers a Free Service for Women‏

Piedmont Hospital has received a grant from Susan G. Komen for the cure. They are now providing free breast imaging services, mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, etc. including biopsy to underserved women in 5 counties. Fayette County is included and is the furthest south county served.

If interested in learning more, please call 404-605-4427. Translation services are provided. Piedmont Fayette Hospital is the service provider for our county or women can choose Piedmont Buckhead.

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Fayette County Students Learn Music and Leadership at All Girls Summer Camp

A total of 13 students from Fayette’s middle and high schools participated in the first Athena Music and Leadership Camp designed to encourage females to become leaders in their band programs.

Young musicians from five of Fayette County's middle and high schools were a part of history in the making this summer as they attended the first ever music leadership camp just for girls.

The Athena Music and Leadership Camp, sponsored by Music Essentials, was created by Fayette County High School band director Myra Rhoden in an effort to encourage girls to become leaders in their school band programs. Men have long dominated the music field at the high school level, and although women are starting to enter the field, Rhoden says attitudes take time to catch up. That’s why she spent a year organizing the camp that is named after the Greek goddess of the arts and wisdom. The camp is the only band camp in the state serving just girls, according to Rhoden.

At total of 44 students from nine metro-Atlanta counties, including 13 from Fayette, attended the first all female music camp June 9-13 on the campus of the University of West Georgia. Fayette students included Katherine Burke, Bennett’s Mill Middle; Callie Burks, Flat Rock Middle; Ashley Carter, Fayette County High; Emily Gomes, Fayette Middle; Gabrielle Illg, Rising Starr Middle; Alexis Johnson, Fayette County High; Tori Melton, Rising Starr Middle; Sarah Mendes, Rising Starr Middle; Mallory Northrop, Fayette County High; Elisabeth Pagan, Fayette Middle; Sara Preiss, Flat Rock Middle; Omone Tokurah, Fayette Middle and Marisa Winter, Rising Starr Middle.

The girls spent the week in music and leadership classes and concluded the camp by showing off what they had learned during a concert performance on the final day.

An all female staff of professional musicians and teachers from around the state lead the camp including Leslie Minor, assistant director at Flat Rock Middle, who served as the clarinet and music theory instructor and Rhoden, who served as the camp’s director and conductor of the all girl symphonic band.

The camp is open to all female 7th-12th grade musicians who play woodwind, brass or percussion instruments. Due to the success of the first camp, a second has been planned for next summer, June 8-12, 2010 at the University of West Georgia.

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Fayetteville DAR Lays Wreath at Tomb of George and Martha Washington

Shown (l-r): Jo Lynn Burge, prospect, Atlanta Chapter; Karol Vella, General Daniel Newnan Chapter, Brenda Jessel, General Daniel Newnan Chapter; Martha Knight, Fort Peachtree Chapter; Anna Thompson, General Daniel Newnan Chapter; Lynn Brackey, Regent, Sandy Springs Chapter, Dee Redkevitch, Sandy Springs Chapter; Betty Harrah, Regent, James Waldrop Chapter, Pat Cole, James Waldrop Chapter, Becky West, James Waldrop Chapter, and Mary Leita Burge, prospect, Atlanta Chapter.

During the recent 118th Continental Congress of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, DC, members of the James Waldrop Chapter in Fayetteville, attended a ceremony and wreath laying at the tomb of George and Martha Washington at Mount Vernon.

After attending the ceremony, James Waldrop Chapter Regent Betty Harrah commented, "It was an honor to be able to pay respects to our first President. The reading of George Washington's prayer for his country written in 1783 by DAR member Martha Knight contributed to the solemn ceremony and reaffirmed our devotion to patriotism as Americans."

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Croft Named Fayette County Schools Psychologist of the Year

The Fayette County Association of School Psychologists has selected Stacy Croft as Fayette County Schools Psychologist of the Year.

Each year the local association selects a member who has demonstrated exemplary job performance, earning the respect of fellow workers, students and parents. The award not only recognizes persons who have made outstanding contributions to school psychology but it also serves as a vehicle for increasing public awareness of the profession.

School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents and other professionals to create safe, healthy and supportive learning environments for all students that strengthen connections between home and school.

School psychologists are highly trained in both psychology and education. They must complete a minimum of a post-Master’s degree program that includes a year-long internship and emphasizes preparation in mental health, child development, school organization, learning styles and processes, behavior, motivation and effective teaching.

Fayette’s school psychologists are certified by the state of Georgia (Georgia Professional Standards Board) with several current staff members holding national certification from the National School Psychology Certification Board.

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4th Annual Tyrone Back to School Bash

The Annual Tyrone Back to School Bash will take place at Shamrock Park on July 18 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The festivities will include all day fun for kids including moonwalks and face painting, there will be drawings for great prizes and several grand prizes, lots of music and fun with a local DJ, a variety of vendors providing food at a nominal cost, and more! The great part about this event is that there will be no charge to the public. Each year gets bigger and better!!

Fayette County School Bus Driver Takes Top 10 in Safety Competition

Imagine steering a school bus in and out of five cones set at a close proximity and then doing it again, backwards, without stopping or bumping the markers. This and other grueling tests is what Michael Dixon, driver of bus #259, had to successfully complete to place in the top 10 at the annual Georgia School Bus Roade-o competition in Warner Robins.

A total of 44 drivers from across Georgia participated in the state event after winning their local school bus safety competitions. Dixon placed eighth among the Georgia drivers.

Contestants compete in three separate tests over a two-day period to demonstrate their knowledge of driving skills and safety: a written exam covering state laws and policies, a pre-trip inspection that includes finding five mechanical defects and maneuvering a skills course of seven obstacles, such as serpentine mentioned at the beginning of this article.

The overall purpose of the competition is to reinforce safe driving skills and practices among drivers. Safety competitions have proven to be one of the most effective instructional tools to improve a person’s driving skills.

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All Fayette County Schools Make AYP

The Fayette County School System is the only system in metro Atlanta with 100 percent of its schools making AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) for six consecutive years.

Fayette is among 44 systems in Georgia with all schools meeting AYP requirements in 2009. Of these systems, most have less than 10 schools compared to Fayette’s 28.

All of Fayette’s schools have made AYP each of the six years since the assessment was implemented.

AYP is one of the cornerstones of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. It is a measure of year-to-year student achievement on statewide assessments.


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Additional College-Sponsored Merit Scholarship Winners Named in Fayette County

Two more 2009 Fayette County high school graduates have been included in the last group of National Merit Scholar designees announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Randy Goodheart, Whitewater High, and Qian Zhou, McIntosh High, round out the last of the College-Sponsored Merit Scholarship winners for 2009. Both students earned their scholarships from Georgia Tech. Goodheart plans to study physics and aerospace; Zhou has not decided on a possible career field.

Officials of each sponsor college selected their winners from among finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program who will attend their institution. College-sponsored awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.

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Fayette County CRCT Scores Best in State

The 2009 CRCT results show Fayette County 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.

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Tyrone Xtreme U10 All-Stars Take Home State Title

Front Row: L-R Jared Smith, Trey Houlberg, Lawson Dial, Hunter Campbell, Jake Lee, Donovan Devane, Ethan Ange; Back Row: L-R Coach David Healy, Ryan Coleman, Drew Darcy, Coach Larry Lee, Christian Vermilyea, Beau Healy, Coach Tony Campbell, Manager, Joey Ange (not pictured)

With a winning season under their belt the Tyrone Xtreme led the U10 league with an impressive 12 – 0 record. On June 12th at Handley Park after defeating the Rex Yankees, Panhandle Cardinals, and the North Clayton Braves the team walked away with a 4-0 record and the Sub-state title.

A State Championship in their sights and a 4-1 win in the state tournament led them on to victory on June 26th as they readily defeated the Hopewell Gladiators, Rex Yankees, and Sharon Springs Blue All Stars to take home the State Title.

(The Tyrone Xtreme is currently in Mandeville, Louisiana playing in the 2009 World Series)
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Nature Photography Exhibition Moves to PTC Library

Prize-winning photographs from Southern Conservation Trust’s inaugural nature photography exhibition will be on display at the Peachtree City Library through July 15th.

Nature, Undisturbed 2009 took place in early May 2009 at the Dogwood Gallery in Tyrone. Fifty stunning images, selected from 185 entries, showcased the area’s natural beauty and highlighted the importance of land conservation. Call for entries for Nature Undisturbed 2010 will be announced in October 2009.

Southern Conservation Trust is a non-profit conservation organization based in Fayette County. The Trust protects more than 1300 acres of farmland, forest and environmentally sensitive land in the Southern Crescent.

Prints of the photographs exhibited in Nature Undisturbed may be purchased on the Trust’s website www.sctlandtrust.org. For more information, contact the Trust at info@sctlandtrust.org.

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Peachtree City Library Users Choose Seasonal Hours

Peachtree City Library has released the results of its Library Hours Survey. A total of 776 people answered the survey that ran from June 3 – June 17: 257 (or 33.1%) voted to keep the current reduced hours; 167 (or 21.5%) voted to close on Wednesdays; 352 (45.4%) voted for “seasonal hours.”

Peachtree City’s Library Administrator, Jill Prouty, reported the results to City Council at their June 18 meeting. The new fall hours will begin the first day of school for Fayette County students, August 10. The new schedule will be as follows: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

“The later weekday hours should please our local students who need extra time in the evening to complete their assignments.” said Prouty. “I think our Wednesday users will also appreciate the consistency of the new schedule.” Presently, the library limits Wednesday hours to 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., which many library users have found confusing.

According to Prouty, the idea behind “seasonal hours” was to accommodate the needs of local students by opening later and closing later during the school year. Summer hours, which will begin next year, feature earlier hours for Vacation Reading Program participants as well as an earlier closing time.

Summer hours, which will begin next year on June 1, 2010, will be as follows: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

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Peachtree City Cart Path Update for Rockspray Pond

The Peachtree City path at the Rockspray Pond spillway will be closed intermittently the week of June 29 and July 6 for repairs to the outflow and installation of a new temporary spillway.

The Path on Crosstown Road accessing Wendys is now open. Please remember that carts CANNOT cross Crosstown or Highway 74.

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Safety Map for Peachtree City July 4 Fireworks

There will again be a 700-800 feet safety zone established for the annual July 4th fireworks show over Lake Peachtree.

All safe areas will be marked by red or yellow security tape, placed in the area by July 2nd. Even though much of Picnic Park will be affected, the All Children’s Playground will remain open for play until 8 pm. At that time, everyone must leave the safety zone.

The required safety zone also includes specific areas on the water. The Peachtree City Fire Department, Fayette County Marshals office, and DNR will have boats and personnel on the water to monitor the area. Boaters must be able to control their craft to keep from drifting into the danger zone, which will be marked by flotation buoys.

Any violation of the rules will result in a delay of the fireworks show. Also any violators to the safety rules and safety zones on land and water will be subject to police arrest.

The Fire Department also reminds residents that no consumer fireworks are allowed to be used, sold or possessed on any city-owned or controlled property.

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Canongate to Manage PTC Tennis Center

The City of Peachtree City officially awarded the management contract for the Peachtree City Tennis Center to Sequoia Golf, DBA Canongate Golf Clubs (www.canongategolf.com) on Thursday, June 18. The City chose Canongate on the merits of its proposal that met the City's goals of improving the Tennis Center's operations and attracting more tournaments, while reducing the operational costs for Peachtree City's taxpayers. Canongate will assume operation of the Center on or around July 1. Canongate is well known as a provider of excellent services and facilities in the golf and membership arena. Primarily known for golf, Canongate has a wide array of experience managing tennis operations both in Georgia and in The Woodlands, Texas.
Notable tennis facilities operated by Canongate include The Woodlands Country Club with 21 courts and Healy Point Country Club in Macon with 10 courts. Both are among the most successful tennis operations in the nation; thus, Canongate sees the Peachtree City Tennis Center as being most closely aligned with what these two clubs offer.

Canongate plans to operate the Peachtree City Tennis Center as a high quality facility with public access, while also providing membership options and services, including a continuation of current memberships. Canongate is also committed to facility improvements and maintaining an array of relevant programming for tennis enthusiasts throughout the area. Just as Canongate has invested in facility improvements at its golf clubs, the company plans to upgrade several areas of the tennis center in addition to exploring additional services such as fitness and child care.

"The Peachtree City Tennis Center can be much more than a wonderful recreational facility, drawing tournaments that fuel the economy and help to support our tax base," said Peachtree City Mayor Harold Logsdon. "We are confident in Canongate's ability to continue serving the existing members while taking the center to the next level. Through the operation of the area golf courses, Canongate knows Peachtree City and the expectations of the community."

According to Sequoia founder Joe Guerra, “Peachtree City is truly a special place and we are proud to be such a big part of the lifestyle that draws families to it. We are committed to earning the support of the residents by delivering quality programs and services that exceed their expectations.” Canongate plans to continue working with area high schools and increase tournament play at the Tennis Center. There are no significant pricing changes planned and current employees will be eligible for hire by Canongate.

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