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 Ralph belongs to the Atlanta Writers Club and has written a mystery novel (unpublished) and is working on a second novel.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.
Taylor, killed April 30 in a cycling wreck in Decatur, was "boss hog" at the Oak Grove United Methodist Church's annual barbecue.
Here are 5 Things to know about this day -- Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.
Taylor, killed April 30 in a cycling wreck in Decatur, was "boss hog" at the Oak Grove United Methodist Church's annual barbecue.
The Decatur City Commission approved an ordinance to allow small batch distilleries, a wine-tasting permit for Greene's Fine Foods and an alcoholic beverage license for the Bermudez Mar Bar.
Are you interested in renting, but don't want an apartment or a condo? Take a look at these single-family houses for rent in the Decatur and Avondale Estates area.
Here are some job openings listed by local governments and a college.
Do you have ideas about what this space could be used for?
Took some cute photos on Halloween Night? You have until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, to enter the contest for best Halloween Costume in America and win $5,000.
Here are 5 Things to know about this day -- Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012.
Voters can beat the rush and cast ballots before the Nov. 6 General Election.
Here are 5 Things you need to know about today -- Monday, Oct. 15, 2012.
You can add your photos of the festival to Patch's Pics & Clips.
Check out ReadKiddoRead's list of the best Halloween books for kids.
City crews will be replacing drains between 500 and 511 Glendale Avenue.
The market operates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. near Decatur High School.
Here are some of the top stories of the week that started Oct. 7.
The city has posted a job description for a communications manager. This city employee would promote the city and try to improve Avondale Estates' brand.
Looking for work? The City of Decatur is hiring an equipment operator and a crew worker for grounds maintenance, a site director for K-3, a camp instructor, a personnel director and an after-school counselor.
Want to buy but not interested in a single-family home? Look at these condos and townhomes that were recently put up for sale in Decatur and Avondale Estates.
An info session on the ballot question will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Decatur Schools headquarters.
