• Ralph Ellis, Patch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Decatur-Avondale Estates, GA

Email: Ralph.ellis@patch.com

Phone: 404-234-8734

Hometown: Waynesville, N.C.

Birthday: July 31

Bio: Ralph Ellis is a veteran journalist who has lived in Decatur since 2007. He serves on the homeowner’s association board for the 335 West Ponce condo building in downtown Decatur.

Ralph has extensive experience as a writer and editor for newspapers in the Southeast.  A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1990. He reported on a variety of subjects, such as a couple coming to grips with their son’s homosexuality, the high cost of local elections in North Fulton County, and a man who started a Kenyan orphanage for children with AIDS in honor of his late wife.

Ralph is married to Susan Puckett, the former food editor at the AJC.

He has three grown children, Robert, David and Julia.

When he’s not working, Ralph likes to walk, swim, read, and play with his greyhound, Laney. Ralph belongs to the Atlanta Writers Club and has written a mystery novel (unpublished) and is working on a second novel.

Ralph's Beliefs At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics

I have moderate Democratic leanings, but I’ve voted for some Republicans.

Religion

I was raised a Methodist and am now a member of Kairos Church in Grant Park, which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.

Local Hot-Button Issues

People in Decatur and Avondale Estates care deeply about quality of life issues, and that starts with the local school systems. Both towns have become magnets in recent years for couples with young children, so the emphasis on education will only increase.

Other issues people care about: Dogs, backyard farming, food and drink.

Posting Activity

Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

What Did Your Father Teach You?

Patch asked people around Decatur and Avondale Estates to tell us one thing they learned from their father. Their answers were very thoughtful.

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What Did Your Father Teach You?
Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

Who Will Lead The Ga. Center For The Book?

Bill Starr retired as director a few months ago. The DeKalb County Library System is looking for somebody to run the organization that brings nationally known authors to speak at the Decatur Library and other local venues.

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Who Will Lead The Ga. Center For The Book?
Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

Mobile Career Center To Visit Jobs Fair Wednesday

DeKalb Work Force Development is moving to a new location at 774 Jordan Lane, Decatur. The jobs fair will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

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Mobile Career Center To Visit Jobs Fair Wednesday
Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

The Week's Top Story: Wild Heaven Seeks Brewery Permit

Readers of Decatur/Avondale Estates Patch also read story about a 'slum' declaration, job openings, catalytic convert thefts and the search for a new DeKalb County Animal Shelter.

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The Week's Top Story: Wild Heaven Seeks Brewery Permit
Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

Rezoning Would Allow New Mixed-Use Development

The Decatur Planning Commission will vote Monday on whether to rezone the Marta parking lot at East College Avenue and Sams Street. That would make it possible to build a mixed-use development there.

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Rezoning Would Allow New Mixed-Use Development
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