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 Ralph belongs to the Atlanta Writers Club and has written a mystery novel (unpublished) and is working on a second novel.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.
Then take in the Chicks in the City Symposium, the Decatur Library book sale, short plays about love at the Academy Theatre and a multimedia experience for kids and adults at Eddie's Attic..
After new Decatur Mayor Jim Baskett gave his state of the city speech, the honors started for former Mayor Bill Floyd.
Also, DeKalb Schools is looking for a kindergarten teacher at Avondale Elementary and DeKalb County needs a planning director.
You can buy fresh produce and other food from 4-7 p.m. at the Bank of America parking lot at Church and Commerce.
'Goat 4 Sale,' a Doritos commercial produced by Ben Callner of Decatur, will air during the Super Bowl if it gets enough online votes. He's competing for $1 million and a chance to work on the next "Transformers" movie.
State Reps. Mary Margaret Oliver, Howard Mosby and Rahn Mayo and state Sen. Jason CarterDecatur will talk about legislative issues Feb. 13.
The meeting will be held at the Church of the Epiphany at the corner of East Lake Road and Ponce de Leon Avenue.
The meeting will be held at the Church of the Epiphany at the corner of East Lake Road and Ponce de Leon Avenue.
This is a new position created by the Decatur school system. The job was given to Dr. Kiawana Kennedy, who has served as director of curriculum and instruction over the past two years in Decatur.
Also, Dermatology Associates of Georgia is looking for front office personnel and Family Dollar needs an assistant store manager.
Decatur Children and Youth Services, Agnes Scott College and other groups are offering camps for kids that week
Ms. Rogers owned Feast restaurant but closed it last February to concentrate on battling breast cancer. Another Decatur business owner, Corinne Herbst of the Alexia Gallery, died last week of complications from breast cancer.
The new mayor of Decatur will speak Tuesday night to the Decatur Business Association.
The road will be closed Monday-Friday from East College Avenue to South Columbia Drive for installation of a gas main.
A library employee said she saw a man commit a sex act on the third floor.
Decatur police are investigating break-ins on Patillo Way and Coventry Road.
The party to launch the City of Decatur's walking/running fitness program will be held at Fleet Feet on West Ponce.
Do you have any yearbooks, uniforms or graduation photos from Decatur's old African-American school?
The county agency will move to DeKalb Industrial Way next month.
The Lady Bulldogs won 47-41. Decatur next plays on Friday at McNair.
