Newsmakers

Rep. David Scott tells Fayette NAACP: ‘This election is our future’

U.S. Rep. David Scott. Photo/Ben Nelms.

Several hundred residents from Fayette County and beyond met Oct. 27 for the 15th annual Freedom Fund Banquet hosted by the Fayette County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The event was held at the Wyndham Conference Center in Peachtree City and featured Congressman David Scott.

Scott in his remarks combined the upcoming presidential election with a view back in time to the history of the NAACP. He laid the groundwork for his comments by citing the work of 19th century abolitionist and women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth. Read More»

Leaders honored at NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet in PTC

Leaders honored at NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet in PTC

The awards were numerous at the 15th annual Freedom Fund Banquet hosted by the Fayette Branch of the NAACP. The Oct. 27 event was held at the Wyndham Conference Center in Peachtree City. Pictured were: seated, Stephanie and Ian Taylor, parents of Olympic gold medalist and Community Service Award winner Christian Taylor; and standing, from left, Community Service recipient Sam Sweat, Community Service recipient Rev. BaSean Jackson on behalf of Fellowship of Love Church, President’s Award recipient Arnold Martin, state Rep. Read More»

Solicitor Inagawa sues for pay raise; high court agrees

The Georgia Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Fayette County State Court Solicitor Jamie Inagawa in a legal battle with the Fayette County Commission over his salary for the past several years.

The court in an Oct. 15 opinion held that Inagawa’s salary was improperly calculated by the county from July 2007 through January 2009. The court also ruled that a piece of local legislation which took affect after that date to change the salary of Inagawa’s position is invalid because it conflicts with an existing state law. Read More»

Showing the colors in PTC

Showing the colors in PTC

The honor guard presented the colors at the Restoring America Rally as St. Simons Island pastor William Temple stood at attention with hat over heart. The South Atlanta Tea Party event was held Oct. 20 at Drake Field in Peachtree City and featured a variety of speakers including former Navy SEAL Benjamin Smith. Photo/Ben Nelms.

Congressman David Scott will speak at 15th annual Freedom Fund Banquet

The Freedom Fund Banquet Committee is planning its 15th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet scheduled for Saturday, October 27 at 6 p.m. at the Wyndham Peachtree Hotel in Peachtree City, an event you must attend. Read More»

Federal judge slaps attorney’s attempt to reopen county vote lawsuit

A federal court judge has rebuffed an attempt to re-open consideration of the new district voting map that was approved by court action in May for the five seats on the Fayette County Commission.

Instead, U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten Sr. ruled that intervenors Ali and Aisha Abdur-Rahman waited too long to file their motion to intervene, and also that they failed to state an injury due to the new map. Read More»

Former nun to be ordained as first female Catholic priest in Georgia

Diane Dougherty, former Fayette teacher and soon-to-be ordained Catholic priest. Photo/Ben Nelms.

For Diane Dougherty, it is a way to live up to her calling and to challenge the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. It is a hierarchy that Dougherty maintains is sexist. Though not recognized by the Vatican, the Coweta County resident and longtime former nun will be ordained next week and will become the first female Catholic priest in Georgia. Read More»

PTC facing another EEOC complaint for ‘retaliatory’ actions

Peachtree City is looking at yet another EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) filing by city employee Lisa Ficalore over what her complaint is calling a retaliatory and hostile work environment.

Previously an assistant to former Police Chief James Murray and currently working part-time as a customer service representative in City Hall, Ficalore’s Aug. 6 EEOC filing follows others made in April 2011 and April 2012. Read More»

Charter schools amendment on ballot draws heat

Sue Ella Deadwyler. Photo/Ben Nelms.

Long-time Georgia political commentator and GeorgiaInsight.org creator Sue Ella Deadwyler had her sights set Monday night on the defeat of the charter schools amendment that will go before voters on Nov. 6.

The main thrust of Deadwyler’s comments before approximately 50 people at the Harvest Christian Community Center in Fayetteville dealt with her position that charter schools are unconstitutional and that they compromise the local control of boards of education. Read More»

PTO presidents get ESPLOST info from Sup’t. Bearden at Fayette Chamber

PTO presidents get ESPLOST info from Sup’t. Bearden at Fayette Chamber

PTO presidents representing Fayette County schools packed the house at the Fayette Chamber of Commerce last month as Superintendent Dr. Jeff Bearden addressed immediate challenges facing the public school system.

Topics included updates on the school redistricting process, school finances and budget and information on November election issues including the ESPLOST and the Charter Schools Amendment.

Dr. Bearden spoke at length about what the current ESPLOST has funded and how the continued ESPLOST, if approved Nov. 6, would be used. Read More»