The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 177

The Atlanta Journal The Atlanta Constitution CLAYTONHENRY Thursday, May 1, 1997 1-3 7. Teachers union chief calls volations minor Ethics charges filed with state panel i 37-year overhaul Track reconfigured, seats added jli'ipltihi- wmm sent decree, Image didn't register with the secretary of state's office, and the ads weren't disclosed as contributions to the candidates' campaigns. Trotter said the ads were not free. The candidates were allowed to place the ads and were given a deferred payment schedule. When Scott brought the matter before me commission, Trotter said, some of the candidates had completely paid for their ads.

Others were still paying off their expenses, Trotter said, when the commission investigated the matter. The ads were published in two newsletters published by Image Communications that are circulated to black Clayton residents. Ted Lee, director of the ethics commission, said the violations were minor and that the commission wanted to bring to Image's attention that what happened was improper. The commission also wanted to deter similar incidents in the future, Lee said. Trotter said Scott has blown the matter out of proportion.

"Lee Scott needs to get a life," Trotter said. "I haven't been found guilty of anything. It appears to me that he's so small- minded that I'm the only thing on his mind." On that July day in 1960, Roberts' winning speed averaged around 130 mph, a speed about as sizzling, by today's standards, as tepid tubwater. Early last month, Robby Gordon set a 186.507 mph one-lap speed record. Speedway spokesman Richard Sowers said that these days, even novices who attend pro-driver-sponsored fantasy driving camps sometimes achieve speeds of 130 mph.

"You don't win any prof es-sional races today at those speeds," Sowers said. Spectators who saw Fireball Roberts win that 300-lap race long ago might think that the 200-mph-plus speeds set by Indy race drivers at the track today rival science fiction. And in 1960, no one would have imagined that car racing would eventually attract fans who could afford 68-seat spectator suites and luxury condos overlooking the track. Henry Planning and Zoning Board member Wayne Greer, a Hampton native, recalled a farmer in the 1960s who used to lurk around his land adjoining the raceway on race nights. Greer said the farmer carried By Chrisd Conner STAFF WRITER The track at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton resembles a monster truck mud-bogging arena these days.

But the nation's fourth-oldest super track has been stripped down as part of a $30 million renovation that, when completed, will move it a long way from its red-dirt roots. When the track reopens in November, a quad-oval will have replaced the 1.522-mile oval track that drivers once fondly referred to as "the big paper clip." A quarter-mile legends car racing track, 37,000 more seats and 44 more luxury spectator suites will be added. Another major change reverses the the finish-start line to what was once the back-stretch. But much more than seating capacity and track configurations have changed at Atlanta Motor Speedway since it opened in 1960. Henry County's population has grown to almost 10 times what it was when Fireball Roberts won the first race at Atlanta Motor Speedway 37 years ago.

JOHNNY CRAWFORD Staff Not a NASCAR fleet: A $30 million renovation of Atlanta Motor Speedway will leave a quad-oval track, a quarter-mile legends car racing track, 37,000 more seats (under way in the background) and 44 more luxury spectator suites. By Delbert Ellerton STAFF WRITER John Trotter, director of the Metro Association of Classroom Educators (MACE), a Clayton County-based teachers union, Friday characterized ethics violation charges against him as minor and "technical." But Lee Scott, director of the Christian Business Network, who brought the infractions before the State Ethics Commission, said the charges serve notice that Trotter needs to change the way he goes about doing things. "This affects the entire Clayton County community," said Scott. "I'm finally happy that the gentleman has been exposed for what he is, someone who doesn't quite know what he's doing and someone who has violated the law." Scott brought Trotter to the attention of the Ethics Commission because a publishing company owned by Trotter's wife, Prudencia, last summer ran what Scott said were free ads for several school board candidates. Two of the candidates, Nedra Ware and Linda Crummy, who are members of MACE, were elected to the board last fall.

The commission fined Trotter's wife's company, Image Communications, $250. According to a con Don't Forget To Ask For 111 a Rnno HammnrWe Table Accessory Sets 4 Coaster Stones Door Mats 2 Party Lights Flags I -j rvff" l- have an adjacent 330-acre industrial park and hotel. The changes will pay for themselves, race track officials say, because auto racing, like country music, has gone mainstream. Kim Bivins of Griffin said she won't be able to buy a condo, but she is a true racing fan. "I just love to see and hear those cars going fast," she said.

"That's what it's really all about loving cars that go fast." a shotgun to fire in the air to give "second thoughts" to race fans who wanted to swim nude in his farm pond. Fewer than eight of the 46 condos that went on sale in 1994 the first ever built at any raceway remain unsold. They start at about $350,000 each and can cost as much as $750,000 for a penthouse. By 2000, if owner Bruton Smith continues to have his way, Atlanta Motor Speedway will triumphs school students, the athletes began their day at 9 a.m. with a parade, then lighting of the flame and the Special Olympic oath.

Mascots from area businesses and professional athletic teams were also on hand. The favorite was Freddie Falcon of the Atlanta Falcons, who was seen shaking his tail feathers all over the field. "The mascots bring smiles and laughter out of children who do not always have much to smile and laugh about," said therapeutic supervisor Carol Winkles. Mother's Day Is May 11th FREE-BEE's Are Buzzing CASUAL FURNITURE OUTLET Special Olympics brings joy, Turchase any 5-pc group from i JL rhrtntu vniir 1 FSFF.RFF.fmmthfifriUniiilrnl; 7 ht lJ Telescope Aluminum Sling (in stock Only) 48 mum) glass table, 4 straight dining chain, onJy umbrella, base and 2 chairs. Gorgeous irtf colbaM blue white sling hames.

SJ5J5J cuililom, umbrellas, hammocks I Hands, slaluaty, accessories morel 1 0ffC new extended hours I Willi Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-6 lOOO Sun 1-5, closed Wed W1 a chance to go on to state, national and international competitions. The Therapeutic Division of Clayton County Parks and Recreation, the county school board and the Clayton County Special Olympics Advisory Board co-sponsored the event, held at Lovejoy High School's Twelve Oaks Stadium. "They really look forward to this," said Dorothy McCloud, a therapeutic supervisor with Clayton parks and recreation. Assisted by more than 300 volunteers, most of them area high By Cory SeWne-Pettite STAFF WRITER Smiles and laughter abounded at the 24th annual Special Olym- pics Local Track Field Meet April 24 as about 800 athletes from special education classes across Clayton County competed in such events as running, soft-ball throws and long jumps. Each received an award ribbon for "skill, courage, sharing and joy." Students 6 and older could compete in two events each, with I VIP1 urvjr i'j Feiluiing; Uoyd Flanden, DopKone, Meadowcrall, WuWon, WxxUrt, Telescope, Lyon Shaw, Homecrtsl, cut aluminum, raltarvWcka, PVC 1403-AOidMcDonoughHwy PrWA A1 nriuJtTG I III I im CONYERS -toronwasofcs I I UJ lOm ii mmmummmmmamd I i men's, women's and children's shoes.0m A mushrooms.

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