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 Ralph belongs to the Atlanta Writers Club and has written a mystery novel (unpublished) and is working on a second novel.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.
Twain's in Decatur installed an electric car charging station months ago. Now the new Emory Point mixed-use development joins a growing list of places in Atlanta that are installing charging stations.
Nancy Wilkinson, famous in Decatur for her holiday home decorations, says a young woman swiped a life-sized skeleton off her front porch Monday. Last month somebody took an Abraham Lincoln cutout. Now she's rethinking her decorating plans.
Here's a list of polling places, where to cast early ballots and other information for the Decatur City Commission special election.
A group of residents strolled around Avondale Estates with a walkability expert to find ways to make the town more pedestrian friendly.
The school system needs to turn the Westchester Building back into an elementary school to handle growing enrollment.
During a weekend forum for the Decatur City Commission candidates, Greg Coleson said the city needs a green building ordinance and Scott Drake emphasized balancing development with neighborhood needs.
Set your clocks ahead one hour. The change officially occurs at 2 a.m. Sunday.
A flat-screen television was stolen from a house Friday in the 3200 block of Wiltshire Drive.
Set your clocks ahead one hour. The change officially occurs at 2 a.m. Sunday.
Two people from Avondale Estates are on the list of 403 total names.
She says a man pointed a pistol at her while she tried to deposit checks at the Wells Fargo drive-through in the 300 block of West Ponce. She drove away without her card.
You can go green on St. Patrick's Day, participate in a walkability study, learn about gardening and celebrate the student-athlete.
You can meet Greg Coleson and Scott Drake at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Church at Decatur Heights.
You can hear an artist discussion at Inman Perk, attend a home buying seminar, visit a support group, sing or listen to music at a coffee house and dine at food trucks.
You can eavesdrop on a conversation between Malcolm X and President Obama, hear stories at the Wren's Nest, look at paintings at the Southwest Branch Library, take in a photo exhibit and do some green shopping.
You can attend the civic association board meeting, hear stories at the library with your kids, listen to two poets at Callanwolde, shop at the Morningside Farmers Market and watch (or run in) the Publix Georgia Marathon.
You can celebrate St. Paddy's Day, dine on a meal prepared by the Woodfire Grill's new executive chef, listen to a New York fashion designer, learn about art at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve and find a bargain during Buckhead Restaurant Week.
You can celebrate St. Patrick's Day in several places, talk to Top Chef winner Richard Blais, visit the car show, talk about weed and run or watch the Publix Georgia Marathon.
Winnona Park Elementary will hold a "Summer Camp-A-Palooza" from 8-10 a.m. Friday.
Other events: A play about a man who re-enters the dating scene, Touch A Truck, bluegrass at the Decatur Library and the Indigo Girls at a fund raiser.
