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 Ralph belongs to the Atlanta Writers Club and has written a mystery novel (unpublished) and is working on a second novel.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.
Danny Wuerffel, who won a Heisman while playing quarterback at Florida, made news a few years ago when he was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder -- Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Council member Alex Wan changed his zoning proposal so non-adult businesses wouldn't be affected. The Atlanta Zoning Review Board meets Thursday to discuss his plan.
The inaugural Atlanta Moon Ride starts at the Park Tavern at 10 p.m.
The Decatur High Bulldogs face Blessed Trinity at 7 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals at Decatur High Stadium.
Your weekend planner in and around Virginia Highland and Druid Hills: A 5k race to support families, chamber music at Emory, a festival to celebrate Georgia (the country), an art celebration and Green Fest 2013.
Here's your weekend planner. Art and multiple bands at Art-B-Que in Avondale Estates, everything you want to know about greenness at Green Fest, a road race for little kids, a big yard sale and backyard poultry 101.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution delivered the 2013 Sheth Distinguished Lecture at Emory University
Council member Alex Wan changed his zoning proposal so non-adult businesses wouldn't be affected. The Atlanta Zoning Review Board meets Thursday to discuss his plan.
The designation is a step toward revitalizing the downtown. Tax credits are available for new and existing businesses that create jobs.
The city is offering rides and classes to promote cycling, starting with "Introduction to Bike Commuting" at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Community Farmers Market is now operating the market held Wednesday and Saturday.
The Kris Youmans Band performed for a lunchtime crowd in the Decatur Square.
The College and Career Ready Performance Index ranked Decatur elementary schools tops among metro Atlanta schools.
The former Atlanta mayor will speak May 24 in the high school stadium.
Commencement ceremonies get under way Thursday with an address by the former Atlanta Brave. Rita Dove, the former U.S. Poet Laureate, will deliver the commencement address next Monday.
Members of the Decatur City Commission, School Board, Police Department and other wings of city government gathered Tuesday morning for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Beacon Municipal Building.
Dr. Richard Besser, the author of "Tell Me The Truth, Doctor," met old friends during a book event at the Barnes & Noble at Emory University.
You can also volunteer by helping to plan the Decatur Tour of Homes. And of course, the Decatur Arts Festival has plenty of spots.
The traffic island cleanup will be held this Sunday. It was scheduled for last weekend but the rain washed it out.