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 Ralph belongs to the Atlanta Writers Club and has written a mystery novel (unpublished) and is working on a second novel.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.
Fikrea Tesema wrote, "The idea that everyone has the right to be aware of the things going on around him or her is the message of the American belief."
Here are some foreclosed properties for sale in Decatur and Avondale Estates.
They were honored during a ceremony at UGA's Classic Center in Athens.
May 25 is the deadline to submit rosters.
Ashleigh Rasheed won the state championship in the triple jump.
The exhibition is part of the IB primary years program.
Police also investigate the theft of a leaf blower.
The frozen yogurt place came out on top in the latest Readers' Choice poll.
The Southern gastropub created a buzz even before it opened on Tuesday.
Residents can create safety profiles through www.Smart911.com, a national database.
Peter McDonald opened with an anecdote about his summer job at a Decatur Active Living camp.
The Bulldogs' season ends with an 11-6 loss to Pope in the semi-finals.
But the Greyhound baseball team is knocked out by Loganville, 12-2.
Residents are urged to sign up for a phone conversation with the leaders about the July 31 transportation referendum.
Don't just sit around this weekend -- Get Out and do something.
Don Rigger started the recreation leagues that now feed the Decatur High lacrosse team.
The Conservative Club worked in yards last weekend. The Ninth Grade Service Team donated earnings to the Decatur Education Foundation.
Residents are urged to sign up for a phone conversation with the leaders about the July 31 transportation referendum.
Lolly the lab/shepherd mix chose her mistress.
Facebook posting leaves many people wondering what happened.
