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January 2007
Golf carts roll into Fayetteville
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We all know that Peachtree City, the humble little town to the west, has a few golf carts.
OK, make that a few thousand. The golf cart is Peachtree City’s unofficial symbol.
But now Fayetteville has embraced the cart and even passed rules for using golf carts in the city.
For starters, you must have a driver’s license to operate a cart. If you have a learner’s permit, you need an adult by your side, just like in a car. (In Peachtree City, you can drive a cart by yourself if you have a permit.)
Fayetteville residents can only drive carts within subdivisions and three authorized recreational paths, the entire stretch of Helen Sams Parkway, Lester Road from Cleveland Avenue Elementary to the intersection of Lester Road and Old Norton and Redwine Road from Longlake Approach to Lakemont Drive.
Carts may also be driven on Redwine Road from Lakemont Drive to Ramah Road, Towne Center and Summit Points, once construction of the path is complete.
It costs $20 to register your cart with the city.
I think it’s the start of a great idea and I’m trying to talk my husband into buying one. Golf carts will save on gas expenses and help contribute to a cleaner environment. I do have some safety concerns for new golf cart drivers and car drivers alike, but I’m hoping it’s just that — a concern and nothing more.
So, Fayetteville residents, what do you think of this new ordinance? Are we sounding like Peachtree City wannabes? Does Fayetteville need to build a cart path system? Will you buy a golf cart for yourself?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Is there a Fayette University in the future?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fayette County residents put a big emphasis on schools, but it’s hard to find higher education around here.
With the exception of a few undergraduate classes offered by Clayton State University and Gordon College at the Lafayette Educational Center and the Peachtree City Library, Fayette residents have to travel out of the county to find college-level courses and programs.
The Fayette County Development Authority wants to change that, making the establishment of a permanent higher education facility in the county one of its top goals this year. Recently that goal was given some teeth.
Officials with the county and the City of Fayetteville have agreed on a conceptual land use plan for undeveloped land along the Ga. 54 corridor. The plan earmarks property near Piedmont Fayette Hospital for a higher ed facility, in the event the county attracts an institution to make an investment here.
Matt Forshee, president of the local development authority, said “the property, which is still privately owned, is in the center of the developed part of the county and offers easy access for folks.” Forshee said the development authority has had ongoing talks with several institutions about the possibility of starting permanent programs here.
Do you think Fayette County could support its own institution of higher learning? What kinds of programs would you like to see?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Donna Soper
Resolutions on a major scale
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Even though January is coming to an end, some folks are still talking about their New Year resolutions.
Some people quit smoking. Others vowed to cut their spending. With me, it’s always about shedding a few pounds and sticking to my new walking schedule.
This got me thinking about resolutions for a city — Fayetteville, in particular.
If I were running this burg, I would resolve to create more places for teens to hang out, among other things.
How about you? Would you resolve to cut taxes, reduce crime, repair the potholes? Let me know.
Permalink | | Categories: Abby Brunks
Changing tables in Golf Cart City
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As I drive along Ga. 54 between Peachtree City and Fayetteville, I am always disappointed when I notice a restaurant has closed.
The Buckhead Brewery has been empty for more than two years. Fudrucker’s is gone, Du-Roc Cafe closed, and the Famous Fish Co. was shuttered at The Avenue nearly a year ago. Further south, Valentino’s, which was located in the Braelinn Village Shopping Center, is reportedly moving to Newnan, and the Chicago Eatery in the Wilshire Pavilion closed before year-end. You get the picture.
I often wonder why certain restaurants don’t make it and if some other kind of establishment might have been able to hang on in that location.
What do Peachree City residents want in restaurants? What kind of restaurants would you like to see in these vacant spots? Why do some restaurants fail while other succeed?
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Donna Soper
Fayette parks — What do we need?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While the weather right now doesn’t scream “Go outside and play,” I did start thinking about the parks in Fayette County and its municipalities.
Peachtree City has some specialized parks, such as the dog park, the BMX track, skateboard ramps and the All-Children’s Playground, but the rest of the county doesn’t have much variety. You only seem to find ballfields, tennis courts and passive parks.
If you were the Park Czar, what would you do? What kind of public recreational facilities would you build in Fayette County, or in Fayetteville, Tyrone, Woolsey or Brooks?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Ga. 74 widening — the way to more congestion?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It would be hard for any local motorist to escape the road widening project on Ga. 74, the major north-south road in Peachtree City.
The felled trees and mounds of dirt and shrubbery — plus the bird’s eye view into homeowners’ living rooms — is a little disconcerting.
Increasing the number of lanes will alleviate some of the rush-hour congestion on the southern end of the county.
But I can’t help but think that a wider road is only going to increase the traffic. Motorists, including some from Coweta County who now take an alternate route, will begin to view Ga. 74 as the faster option.
What do you think about the project? Will the wider road affect your quality of life for the better or worse?
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Donna Soper
Whitewater gun sentence — tough enough?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I can’t get Robin Kittrell out of my mind. He’s the 17-year-old former Whitewater High School student who brought a bunch of guns, ammunition and a sword to school on the first day of classes last year.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in a probation boot camp followed by two years in a probation detention center.
What do you think about his sentence? Too lenient, or not tough enough?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Traffic reports: Is the Southside shortchanged?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As a Fayette County resident, I sometimes feel like we Southsiders are the forgotten stepchildren of Atlanta - particularly when it comes to traffic reports.
It’s frustrating that the radio and television stations rarely mention accidents or gridlock on I-75 or I-85 in our neck of the woods — or on other highways and byways on the Southside.
Sure, we hear about Spaghetti Junction. Sure, we hear about slow-downs near I-75 at Windy Hill. Or the icing over of a ramp off Ga. 400. But what about major slowdowns on Ga. 74?
I want to know: Is this just my perception or has anyone else noticed that Southside traffic reports are merely little snippets?
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Abby Brunks
How can we get Fayette drivers to put less pedal to the metal?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sometimes I think people driving around Fayetteville imagine they are at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Drivers zoom down major roads and back roads too. Sometimes they cross over center lines and it’s really scary. I’ve also noticed some serious tailgating, which is another irritant.
I’ve lived in some pretty crazy-driving cities like Los Angeles and Rome, Italy, so you’d think it wouldn’t bother me.
Maybe it’s my age. Now that I’m in that 50-something category, I like the idea of sort of slowing down and that includes driving.
So throw me some ideas about how we can get Fayette drivers to put a little less pedal to the metal.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Abby Brunks
What makes Peachtree City unique - besides golf carts?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Though I’m a relative newcomer to Peachtree City (six years in July), I have grown weary of the media perception that the only thing that distinguishes Peachtree City from other suburban municipalities is golf carts.
Anything golf-cart related — and the sillier the better — tends to make the biggest headlines. Don’t get me wrong, my family and I love the golf-cart lifestyle, but I happen to think Peachtree City has more to its character than a bunch of battery-operated vehicles.
Does anyone else agree? What do you think makes Peachtree City unique?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Donna Soper
Meet Abby Brunks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Abby Brunks is originally from Santa Monica, Ca. — yep, a real California girl, at least for the first 32 years of her life. Marriage changed that. She got a chance to live in Rome, Italy; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Northern California. Her family transferred here almost 10 years ago and chose to live in Fayetteville. While she misses being close to the beach, Fayetteville has been a good fit.
Says Abby: “The weather is great, so I get to garden, and the change of seasons is delightful, which allows me to take regular walks with my dogs. One other thing … I love my front porch (that was a must for me) because I can sit outside on my rocking chair and meet and greet all kinds of people. Getting to know people. Now, that’s what I love to do.” Abby has worked for the AJC for seven years.
Permalink | | Categories: Abby Brunks
Meet Donna Soper
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Donna Soper is a New Orleans native who moved to Peachtree City about six years ago.
She’s been a reporter at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since September 2004, primarily covering the people and places of Fayette County.
She enjoys reading, writing, running, celebrating her New Orleans heritage and cooking — especially Creole favorites — for family and friends. That’s right, she can spell “Tchoupitoulas,” she enjoys a little “lagniappe,” and she can definitely make a roux.
Permalink | | Categories: Donna Soper
