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 Ralph belongs to the Atlanta Writers Club and has written a mystery novel (unpublished) and is working on a second novel.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.
Graduates of the Citizens Police Academy would ride around town in a decommissioned patrol car and serve as "the eyes and ears of the community." They wouldn't carry weapons or have arrest powers.
The Decatur High Bulldogs face Westminster at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Decatur Stadium.
The job advertised on the City of Decatur website would pay $39,998 to $46,301.
Clarence Harrison was arrested in Decatur on rape charges and spent 18 years in prison before DNA evidence freed him. Two musicians want to record an album that tells his story and helps the Georgia Innocence Project.
If you want to give back to the community, here are some opportunities.
The event in John Howell Park benefits Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
On Mother's Day, the Friends of the Decatur Cemetery held a ceremony at Miss Emily Pittman's gravesite.
Other possibilities: Server, hair stylist and weekend receptionist at Druid Hills Golf Club.
You planner for the week ahead: A fundraiser for Nickel Bottom Community Garden, Dog Daze at Diesel, an urban scavenger hunt, a Universal Life Expo and graduation at Emory University.
Other positions: Line cooks, prep cooks and dishwashers at Mar, an experienced cook for a Decatur restaurant and a barber/stylist for a Covington Highway salon.
At 7:30 p.m. Monday, the Decatur Zoning Board of Appeals will hear complaints about how the city handled the 315 West Ponce mixed-use project.
May 24 is now the opening date for Mar, another Mexican restaurant.
Your week ahead planner: The school year is winding down, Randall Bramlett CD release party, Stories on the Square, SpringFest at Twain's and a lot of public meetings.
Readers of Virginia Highland/Druid Hills Patch also looked at House Hunt and stories about Cheshire Bridge Road and an iPhone theft.
Readers of Decatur/Avondale Estates Patch also clicked on articles about a burglary arrest, the municipal complex groundbreaking and the Avondale Estates "opportunity zone."
The measure favored by council member Alex Wan still might be approved by the Atlanta City Council. The ordinance would force some adult businesses to move from Cheshire Bridge Road.
The stroll starts at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, after which Miss Emily Pittman's gravesite will be rededicated.
The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday on Presser Quadrangle.
A house on Oakland Street was burglarized last Sunday. A bicycle was taken from a garage on Forkner Drive.
Kevin Gillespie From Gunshow will do a chef demonstration with Hakurei Turmips from Crystal Organics. The market is 7:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday at 1393 N. Highland Ave.
