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Forsyth County News * Your "Hometown Paper" Since 1908 J Vol. 95, No. 57 Probe into fire ending Spread being investigated By Nicole Green Staff Writer As the probe into the origin of Sunday’s fire storm in a Cumming subdivision draws to a close, an investigation into the cause of the fire's quick spread opens. The likely culprits are high winds, low humidity, two malfunctioning fire hydrants, houses lined with flammable insulation and foundations built within 10 feet of each other in Manchester Court subdivision off Hutchinson Road, said neighbor hood residents and county fire officials. Five homes were lost and 14 others suffered heat damage. Three vehicles burned in theii driveways. Eight fire fighters were briefly hospitalized for heat prostration and exhaustion. Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt Bowman said the city does not plan to make any changes to its building code following the fire. "1 don’t think we have anything as densely populated as those houses over there," Mayor H. Ford Gravitt said. The 113 homes in Manchester Court, a Pulte Homes community, were built two and a half years ago and stand 10 feet apart. Because Mother Nature’s gusts that day were unavoidable, residents of the subdivision focused on the fire hazards they can fix. There were three working fire hydrants within 500 feet of the burning homes on Deerbome Drive, according to the Cumming Department of Utilities. However, a Deerborne Drive resident, who asked to remain unnamed, said that her house would have been saved if the fire hydrant on her property had been operational. "They [the firefighters] didn’t wet my house until it was three-quarters burned,’’ she said Tuesday. Her home was downwind of the fire. Though the results of the Forsyth County Fire Department's investi gation had not been released Tuesday. Manchester Court residents say that a fellow resident lost control of a fire in a charcoal grill. No charges have been filed at this time. The fire department inspects fire hydrants twice annu ally and had submitted a maintenance request for the two hydrants to the City of Cumming Department of Utilities. Fire Chief Danny Bowman said. “The paper trail, although 1 am certain that the docu mentation generated at the station was forwarded in a proper manner [to the city water department), I do not have copies of that. However. I do have the battalion chief researching their inspection records,” Bowman said. City utilities director Jon Heard said he has no record of a maintenance request for the hydrants on Deerbome Drive. Tuesday morning. Bowman instated a new procedure to seal any holes in communication. "We’re doing a number of things that makes the paper trail traceable," Bowman said. "The paper trail is now a complete loop." On Monday. Bow man created another new procedure in reaction to Sunday’s fire. Now firefighters will recheck dry hydrants 30 days after a work order is submitted to See FIRE, Page 2A Republicans choose 2 for convention By Todd Truelove Staff Writer Reva Jennings and Anna McManus of Forsyth County have been elected as delegates to the Republican Party's National Convention Aug. 30-Sept. 2 in New York City. They were chosen at district con ventions conducted throughout the state on April 3, according to Marty Klein, communications director for the Georgia Republican Party. Jennings, a real estate agent, was chosen as a delegate for Georgia’s 7th Congressional District and McManus as an alternate for the 10th Congressional District. See CONVENTION, Page 2A Missed paper policy: For a replacement paper, call 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. -1 p.m. on Sunday - (770) 887-3126. Copyright C 2004 Forsyth County Norn lain THURSDAY April 8,2004 W iS 383 SKi Hm KE m lam,. J Photo/David McGregor Not easy being green Dr. Laurie Fowler, an environmental law and public outreach director at the University of Georgia Institute of Ecology, speaks to about 40 residents during a recent meeting of County Commissioner Charles Laughinghouse's Greenspace Initiative Program at the Sawnee Center for Cultural Arts. Laughinghouse is exploring ways to acquire greenspace and preserve the county’s environmental quality. INDEX Abby 5B Classifieds 2B Deaths 2A Government 4A Horoscope SB Kids Page ...6A Opinion 11A Sports 8A MMhiMilHiiii mu II ’ ’WIK' fl ” fl| " '***'** WR **fc HEW .. V W I fl ■ Photo/David McGregor Cpl. James White and Deputy Jason Nipper of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office talk through call phones while directing traffic at the intersection of Ga. 400 and Hwy. 369 following a gas main break less than a mile west of the intersection. Hwy. 369 was shut down for more than an hour and a half after Atlanta Gas Light Co. crews working on the line accidentally caused a break, county officials said. South Forsyth Equestrian Team hopes interest secures sport’s place in high school athletics By Nancy Smallwood Associate Editor Twelve South Forsyth High School students are riding the wave of a sport that is just emerging within public high schools. The South Forsyth Equestrian Team has already taken three first place trophies in three shows and has assured their place in a regional tour nament. With the help of In Your Dreams farm owner Anita Ryand. trainer Keely Ryand and school sponsors Kelly Martin and Rebecca Deurlen, the first equestrian club was formed in November at the school. "We have had a lot of interest and the girls are extremely talented." said Martin. While the sport is not yet recog nized by the high school association, Ryland said there is a huge push behind it being picked up. See SPORT, Page 2A Forsyth deputies aid Dawson County in drag raid Page 3A Hwy. 369 shut down .SSL y fljjßb 1 Photo/Audra Perry The South Forsyth High School equestrian team took home many ribbons at the recent Zone 4 finals in Cherokee County. Trainer Keely Ryan, front, says she is very proud of the team. Lake Lanier Rowing Club hosts spring classes for beginners. RageßA Fulton assistant principal to run for Forsyth Board Hopes background will give teachers a voice By Todd Truelove Staff Writer Mike Schlabra, an assistant princi pal at Elkins Middle School in Fulton County, says he will seek the District 4 seat on the Forsyth County Board of Education this year. The 35-year-old candidate hails from Houston, Texas, and has lived in Forsyth County for three years. Incumbent Paul Kreager. who has served eight years on the board, has said he will not seek re-election. It is the first time Schlabra has entered the political arena. However, he said his educational background will give teachers and administrative staff a voice on the board. Prior to becoming a member of the Fulton County school system fac ulty. Schlabra served as an assistant Possible Rain LAKE LANIER LEVELS Date Level / Aprils 1069.97 ft April 4 1069.96 ft >///// SKI Full 1071.oaft High in the mid-70s. Low in the high 40s. ... mas tree farm gets approval JR principal in Texas and a science and social studies teacher. He said there are a number of challenges facing school staff in the next few years, such as complying with federal law requirements that require teachers to be specifically cer tified in the courses they instruct. “With the teacher shortages we have, it’s going to be very difficult [to comply with federal conditions].” said Schlabra. “We have to attract quality, certified teachers." He mentioned other challenges such as meeting the needs of the Hispanic student population and find ing new sources of income to fund new schools and programs after the state Legislature trims the budget and See BOARD, Page 2A