Thecourier09 24 15

The Vol. 10 Edition 13 Free Thursday September 24, 2015

What They Think... #BlackLivesMatter

Courier www.couriernews.org

The Voice Of The Community

S ERVING C OLUMBUS , F T. B ENNING , P HENIX C ITY & S URROUNDING A REAS

Local Young Professionals And Youth Offer Their Page 7 Opinions

Freeze The Freeze

Former City Attorney Offers Insight On Tax Freeze.

Page 9

The Fountain City Classic

Register Today For “The Fountain City Classic Parade Page 13

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THURSDAY September 24, 2015

Gearing Up for 2016

According to the street committee there are a number of individuals who are considering a run for political office next year. Not sure if Colin Martin will run again but word has it that former state representative Jed Harris is going to run for Mayor. He has been seen making the rounds at many minority events in past weeks. Former Muscogee County educator JoAnn Brown is rumored to be considering a run against Pat Hugley Green as well as is retired educator Al Stewart. In District 7 the street committee has learned that former school board member Cathy Williams has signed on to

The Street Committee

run the campaign of Shannon Smallman. An effort, in that campaign is underway to secure an AfricanAmerican in that district who can deliver the Black vote. It appears the Sherriff’s ballot will be a crowded one with Mark LaJoye and Pam Brown looking to run again along with Bernard Spicer. Marshal Greg Countryman is expected to have opposition from Robert Smith. And finally, if the rumors are correct, Vivian Creighton Bishop will have opposition from Cecelia Howard, an attorney with the Solicitor General’s office.

The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper is published bi-weekly *Any editorial content are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper, publisher or staff Visit Us Online At www.thecourierecolatinonewspaper.com

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A VIEW FROM A PEW

Trust God

THURSDAY September 24 2014

3

You Never Know

replied, “we’d love to meet him.”

“There’s something you should know,” the son continued, “he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, son.

Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live.”

“No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us.”

“Son,” said the father, “you don’t know what you’re asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can’t let something like this interfere with our lives.

I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He’ll find a way to live on his own.”

A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam.

He called his parents from San Francisco. “Mom and Dad, I’m coming home, but

I’ve

a favor to ask.

I have a friend I’d like to bring home with me. “Sure,” they

At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him.

A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide.

The grief-stricken parents flew

to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son.

They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn’t know, their son had only one arm and one leg.

The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don’t like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable.

We would rather stay away from people who aren’t as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.

Thankfully, there’s someone who won’t treat us that way.

Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are. Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you the strength you need to accept people as they are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are different from us!

Wane A. Hailes

Page 4

Opinion

By Brother Love Special To The Courier

Stone Mountain Superior Court Judge Hilton Fuller ordered the Columbus Consolidated Government to pay attorneys for Muscogee County Sheriff John Darr and those for Superior Court Clerk Linda Pierce about $390k in legal fees out of the General Reserve Fund.

Attorneys representing the CCG appealed Judge Fuller's ruling to the Supreme Court of Georgia, which increased the legal fees to be paid to their firm by the city as well as to attorneys representing the two plaintiffs. Mayor Tomlinson expressed huge confidence in the appeal, most likely because it was her idea all along.

Nevertheless, a decision was made and the CCG lost the appeal to the Supreme Court of Georgia by a unanimous vote.

Now, I am not a legal expert myself, but even I knew the judge was going to rule against the city on payment of the legal fees. It went without saying that the appeal would be denied. If the average citizen could figure that out, why were our city councilors unable to do so? It appears they could not care less about doing their own homework and research, which the mayor knows and uses very well to her advantage.

Sheriff John Darr and Superior Court Clerk Linda Pierce are both constitutional officers, which means that by law the CCG must pay their legal fees.

Mayor Teresa Pike Tomlinson had proposed the legal fees be paid out of the set budgets of the two elected officials, which is very interesting since the mayor claims the elected marshal and the elected municipal court clerk were wrong to use debited money from their set budgets to pay attorneys to represent them in their civil lawsuit.

That is just another clear example of how this mayor double-talks and twist things to have her way no matter what.

In the very twinkling of an eye, without any shame whatsoever, Mayor Tomlinson will kick the teeth right out of the mouth of the truth.

I seriously doubt the mayor coughed up any money out of her office's budget to pay legal fees for the private attorneys representing the CCG. Then again, she may have. She runs her

Opinion/Editorial

office the way she sees fit as an elected official.

However, we saw during recent budget recent hearings that the mayor and a few city councilors have no problem obstructing Marshal Greg Countryman from running his office as he sees fit. The fact is our city government has outsourced legal work before and paid private attorneys to represent the sheriff, the marshal, and the municipal court clerk in civil matters.There was never an issue of either elected official having to pay attorney fees out of their budgets on those occasions. Why is the payment of legal fees for elected officials suddenly a complicated matter? Why does council have to go through the formality of passing an ordinance to put money into the sheriff's and the clerk's fiscal year budgets to pay legal fees ordered paid by the court?

It would have been so much smarter and so much simpler if they would have just complied with the judge and paid the court ordered legal fees the same as they have always paid legal fees to private law firms or attorneys contracted to represent the city or city officials with the CCG. It would have been even simpler and less costly had the council not bought into the mayor's idea about the legal fees be paid out of the elected officials budgets, or her recent claim that the city cannot legally settle the three lawsuits filed by the elected officials. It might be interesting to know if taxpayer dollars were paid out of the mayor's budget or General Reserve Fund to that Atlanta law firm (Troutman Sanders) responding to issues regarding lifting the city's property tax assessment freeze raised in a letter or brief, according to retired attorney and former state Senator Seth Harp, penned by former city attorney E. H. Polleys, Jr. I am sure a very large law firm with no connection to Columbus did not up and give free legal advice to the CCG for the fun of it.

Mayor Tomlinson thinks we are all stupid and she can get away with anything and everything, and she will continue to do just that as long as our city councilors remain as uninformed,

SEE Love Page 14

September 24, 2015

By Ben F. Chavis, Jr. NNPA Columnist

Black Votes Matter

As we enter the 2016 political campaign season with numerous candidates for president of the United States in the Republican and Democratic parties, it appears once again that the political and economic interests of Black America are not being adequately addressed by either of the major political parties. It is as if the Black American vote is being taken for granted.

The Black vote is important first to the Black community and secondly to American democracy. The right to vote and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 did not come about without a struggle.

Many brothers and sisters went to jail and paid a heavy painful price to acquire the right to vote. Some even died in the struggle to advance Black political and civic participation.

In the Civil Rights Movement, voting rights were deemed precious and a sacred moral responsibility to everyone of voting age. Today, there is need for the Black community to reassert the value and strategic leverage of the Black vote. It is one thing for the status quo to ignore the political interests of the Black community, but it is another when so many of us are missing in action on Election Day.

According to the United States Elections Project, Black voter turnout has been significantly increasing steadily from 48.1 percent in 1996 to 52.9 percent in 2000 to 61.4 percent in 2004 and peeking at 69 percent in 2008 when Senator Barack H. Obama was elected president. In 2016, we should have no less than a 90 percent Black turnout. If that happens, the Black vote, more than any other single voting group in the U.S., will determine the outcome of the elections.

We should recall that in the 2012 elections, for the first time in history, Black voter turnout was higher than White voter turnout – 66.6 percent to 64.1 percent. Why do all these voting statistics matter? The short answer is because if we can continue to increase our voter turnout we will be better positioned to advance the interests of the Black community.

A few weeks ago, the Pew Research

Center reported that for the first time in history, there are at least 364 counties, independent cities and other county-level equivalents in the U.S. that did not have a White majority population – “the most in modern history, and more than twice the level in 1980.” Ninety-two of the 364 counties are predominantly Black. This is leading to the election of more Blacks as county sheriffs, county chief executives, and other high public offices at the county and regional levels.

Some would say it is poetic justice, but it is a rapidly changing racial demographics reality in terms of population density increases and Black elected officials are on the rise particularly in the 11 states that once made up the old Confederacy: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. That’s not surprising when you consider that 55 percent of all African Americans reside in the South, up from 53.6 percent in 2000.

It’s not surprising that some of the most intense efforts to suppress the Black vote is taking place in the South.

Yes, Black Lives Matter! We must do whatever is necessary to improve the quality of life for our families and communities. Do not fall into the cynical attempts to persuade us that our votes do not count. Our votes do count and do make a big difference for the betterment of Black America. Yes, Black Votes Matter!

Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached for national advertisement sales and partnership proposals at: dr.bchavis@nnpa.org;

PAGE 5

C OVER S TORY

September 24, 2015

Classic Weekend Schedule Of Activities

Sunday October 4 Classic Worship Service Franchise Missionary Baptist Church 931 10th Ave Phenix City, AL Time: 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 6 Proclamations City Hall Phenix City, Alabama Time: 8 A.M. Columbus Council Meeting Time: 5:30 P.M Classic Recruitment Fair Idle Hour Community Center Phenix City, AL Wednesday, October 7 Media Press Conference To Be Determined Columbus, GA Friday, October 9 16th Annual Charity Golf Classic Bull Creek Golf Course 7333 Lynch Road Midland,

www.tuskegee-morehouse.com

GA 10:30am Shotgun Start Classic Tailgating/Parking & Setup Columbus Civic Center 400 4th Street Columbus, GA Classic Vending Setup Columbus Civic Center 400 4th Street Columbus, GA Classic Team Banquet Convention & Trade Center 801 Front Ave. Columbus, GA (Classic ID/Tickets Required) 7pm Band-Step Show & Rap Concert Columbus Civic Center 400 4th Street Columbus, GA 7pm - 11pm Classic Dance Convention & Trade Center 801 Front Ave. Columbus, GA DJ Chip 11pm - 2am

Saturday, October 10 Classic Parade Colin Powell Parkway Phenix City, AL @ Broad & Dillingham St. Line-up @ 7:45AM Parade starts at 9am Classic Brunch Columbus Civic Center 400 4th Street Columbus, GA (Invitation Required) 11am 80th Annual TuskegeeMorehouse Football Classic A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium Columbus, GA Kickoff @ 2:00 P.M. Classic Post Game Concert Columbus Civic Center 400 4th Street Columbus, GA

Who’s Got Next?...

PAGE 6

September 24, 2015

Young Professionals On The Move

Nadine Haralson, provides up close and personal interviews with young professionals who are making a difference in our community. Join us each issue as we introduce, recognize, and celebrate those individuals in Columbus, Phenix City and Ft. Benning who are… “On The Move”

Corie Wilson

ment and restoration back to the black community thru education of history, self-awareness and positive community involvement. “To just know the history of our people and to see how little we progressed in today’s society does something to my heart”, explains Corie.

By Nadine Haralson The Courier

Meet Corie Wilson. He is a Columbus, Georgia native, proud graduate of Kendrick High School, and currently a Columbus State University student.

Wilson is young, determined and on a quest for the advancement of the black community.

After spending three years under the guidance or what some would call an apprenticeship with Johnnie Warner, the owner the Columbus Black History Museum Wilson became the Museum’s curator. But, just gaining knowledge and keeping it for himself wasn’t enough for this young 23 year old. Living by the quote from Marcus Garvey, “A people without knowledge of the past history, origin, and culture is like a tree with no roots.” Wilson felt a certain responsibility to help reestablish the community with their roots. With that, in the summer of In July of 201,5 Wilson started the program, “Young Black Columbus”.

The program is designed to bring enrich-

Maria Moss

In just a few months the Young Black Columbus’s foundation has held several history lessons and black culture events targeting the housing projects in Columbus Georgia, specifically the Elizabeth Canty Apartments. Beyond conducting his learning stations that he holds every second Sunday, he also hosts Kickball and basketball tournaments for the youth as part of a mentoring session.

To Corie black history doesn’t have to begin and end with the black community. He has also made it a priority to reach out and educate those of various backgrounds. Once a month Wilson conducts history classes at local libraries throughout the city, and has been part of various panel discussions and town hall meetings.

Corie credits the love and support of his fiancé and two children as his continued source of motivation. When he begins to doubt his mission, the speaking invitations, partnerships, and the appreciation from the community reminds him that his rehabilitation efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

The words from leaders like Malcolm X when he said “Education is our passport to the future” has been imbedded into Wilson and become a mindset.

“We have to get back on track so we can return to greatness” expresses Corie, “I WILL help restore unity within our community or I will die trying.”

Spoken like a true leader.

Moss states that an organized closet not only brings harmony to the physical space, but also emotional harmony into people’s lives, and decreases stress.

Beyond closet organizing, Moss has incorporated fashion stylist, and personal shopper to her list of to do’s.

And if you’re balling on a budget, no worries, less is definitely one of Maria’s strengths. As the oldest of six siblings budgeting, and working with what’s inside your closet is a craft she’s perfected.

“One of my favorite quotes is by fashion d e s i g n e r Vi v i e n n e Westwood”, shares Moss, she says, “Buy less, and choose well.”

By Nadine Haralson The Courier

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Maria Moss graduated from Wenonah High School, studied at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and received her Masters degree from the University of Phoenix were she also worked for five years prior to moving to Columbus, Georgia.

With a great sense of style, along with the talents to put any fashion chaos into order, Moss decided to launch her organizing company Style By Mimi in May of 2013. It is a company that takes the headache of closet organization and spring-cleaning, out of the hand of the owner and puts it into the hands Moss.

If you are curios whether she has what it takes, just ask some of the tri-cities local TV and Radio Personalities, and news anchors, like Loretta Rose or Janell Lewis of WTVM. “ I have always loved helping people and fashion, and my company allows me to do both,” explains Maria.

With the fashion industry at an all time high, Maria has hopes and plans to continue and expand her business by adding clients of all levels, and creating long lasting partnerships. With Maria as your closet organizer and fashion guru, you’ll be dressed for success and turning heads in no time.

“The smiles on my clients faces and the confidence they receive after each session motivates me more and more.”

Keep it up and Style By Mimi is sure to become a household name

PAGE 7

By Nadine Haralson The Courier

With the Black Lives Matter movement continuing to grow and the Million Man March just a few weeks away I decided to take to the streets of Columbus and speak with some of our local residents to find out their thoughts on what believe is needed in order to get along better in our community. Thoughts on what is needed in order for people of color in this community to be taken seriously and for our lives to matter to us first before it could matter to another race.

Here are their answers.

“I think we need more facilities not just for the young kids to hang out, but for older ones also. Someone positive, and they won’t feel they have to hang out on the streets.” – Jaleem William, 25

“Stop blaming everyone else and attack the root. Parents need to take back their homes and kids.

Everything starts at home.

We have to go back to the basics of how we were raised with the fear of God, morals, values, and principle. If everyone starts with their household, it will make the community better collectively.”-Kirsten King, 35 (D30 Radio) “We must understand that everything is not always racial-

O PINION

What They Think About #BlackLivesMatter

ly motivated and that we sometimes are our own worst enemies. We are so powerful and we must remember that we can do anything that we put our minds to.

Positivity must flood our minds.” –Chequelle Brown, 23 (Internet Radio Personality)

“Self-awareness. We need to help our people, especially our young ones find their identity as early as possible.”- Shawn Raleigh (Founder of O.M.N.ICommunity Activist) “Creating a plan of Action and turning what we say into what we do.

Push and support each other as a black community, and stop making it a black competition.”Brandon Mays, 34 (Pastor, Revamp Church) “There is so much focus on

voting but not enough focus on engaging those we vote in to office after Election Day. We need to learn more about the political process, get organized, a t t e n d events, ask tough questions, and constantly work with our elected officials to help them better represent us.” Dominick Perkins, 34 (Community Leader) “You know at my old school they used to hold events for

School) “I think if everyone just came together and did stuff, without worrying about what color someone was. Just do it. I think if the police had to start coming to the black neighborhoods and had to get to know the people in it as part of their job, they would understand us, and things would be better.” Tyrell Isom, 13 (8th grade Eddy Middle School) “Education is the key, without it a person will have nothing.

September 24, 2015

“If black live matter, then our health should matter. Blacks need to be more conscious of what’s going on with their bodies. We lose to many African American “parents” every year as a whole because we don’t work out, don’t eat right, and don’t go to the doctor. We need to fix that.”- Jarvis Hamilton (Fitness/Community Leader)

“... I think if the police had to start coming to the black neighborhoods and had to get to know the people in it as part of their job, they would understand us, and things would be better.”

- Tyrell Isom, 13 8th Grade Eddy Middle School

the whole family, parents were really involved in the school they helped a lot, everybody did all races. I think we need more of that, more community and school working together, more parents helping” JJ, 13 (8th grade Eddie Middle

It sets the foundation for everything, and knowledge is something no one can take away from you. You can go to school for one thing, and open a hundred other doors for yourself.

We have to start taking education seriously”- Eric Davis

Here you have it, the thoughts and opinions of the very people that come from your comm u n i t y, w h o l i v e y o u r neighborhood, and are your future leaders. I think the main objective is to start putting some of our words into action

PAGE 8

Community Calender

Saint John AME Church located at 3980 Steam Mill Road in Columbus, Ga. will celebrate its 145th Church anniversary on Sunday September 27th, 2015 at 10:30 am. The dynamic and spirit filled Reverend Isaiah Waddy will be the featured guest Preacher. We also invite you to The Ideal Hour Community Center in Phenix City, Al. for the culminating Anniversary Gala at 5:00 p.m.

Our theme is Celebrating the Journey: Working, Working, and Witnessing. Pastor Debbie Grant and The St. John AME Church family invites you to come celebrate

Community Calender

the journey with us. For any information call 706-682-6944

Kingsville Missionary Baptist Church located at 288 Broad Street Cusseta, Georgia 31805 will be celebrating their Usher Anniversary on Sunday October 4, 2015 at 2:30pm.

Pastor Emmett Henry and the New Central Missionary Baptist Church of Phenix City, Alabama will be our special guest speaker for this occasion. Please contact Sister Roxie Harvey-Robinson at (706) 687-1793 if you have any question

Community Calender

September 24, 2015

Community Calender

PAGE 9

O PINION

September 24, 2015

Former City Attorney Polleys, Jr Addresses Proposed Tax Freeze Changes

Recently Former City Attorney E. H. Polleys sent a letter to members of the Columbus Council that addressed his concerns regarding the proposed changes to the ColumbusMuscogee Tax Freeze. Here is that letter.

The present tax freeze was enacted during my tenwe as City Attomey, and I always opined that it was constitutional. The Georgia Supreme Court confirrned this after my retirement inColumbus-Muscogee County Consolidated G o v e r n m e n t v. C M T m Equalization, fnc.,276 Ga. 332 (2003). In that case the City was ably represented by the Atlanta law firm that I recommended. My present interest in this matter should not come as a surprise because now as well as then I believe that the public should be inforrned. This is particularly true in light of proposed ballot questions that include repeal of the local constitutional amendment which provides authority for the present tax freeze. As the Supreme Court said in the Columbus tax freeze case, such local constitntional provisions are no longer authorized, even though the old LCA's can be repealed: "The procedure for enacting new LCA's was not retained in the 1983 Georgia Constitution...."

276 Ga. 332, 333.

A memorandum entitled “Tax Freeze Issues" distributed to the public at the last forum on the proposed changes discusses from a legal standpoint these proposals. This memo acknowledges the validity of the Columbus tax freeze and cites legal authority for enactment of homestead exemptions under provisions different from the LCA. However, the "Tax Freeze Issues" memo cites no specific authority for the "hybrid" arrangement proposed by the City for legislation and referendum: "'We have not found a Georgia case or a case from

another state that addresses such a hybrid system." This proposed hybrid system is recited in a March 2015 "Community Information Brief'distributed to the public:

The Proposed Altemative The property tax freeze is grandfathered for all homestead properties purchased prior to a date to be detennined. For any homestead property purchased after that date and only for those purchased after that date, the tax freeze is sunset in return for an increase in the homestead exemption of $6,500 for these properties.

Since this system establishes two separate classes of taxpayers or home owners without the benefit of a constitutional sanction that upheld the existing tax freeze in Columbus, this proposed alternative is headed for a collision with the Uniformity Clause of the Georgia Constitution, which specifies that "all taxation shall be uniform upon the sarne class of subjects within theterritorial limits ofthe authority levying the tax.- Columbus officials and citizens should remember that the current taxfreeze complies with ruriformity only because, as the Supreme Court decision states, "we conclude that because the Homestead Freeze LCA in issue here was a subsequent amendment to the uniformity clause, Art. VII, Sec. I, Par. III, and because the LCA continues in force and effect as part of our State Constitution,...the County's Homestead Freeze LCA is valid despite any conflict with the uniformity clause."

276 Ga.332,334.

Three decisions of the Georgia Supreme Court invalidating local tax schemes because they violate the uniformity clause are instructive for an assessment of the current proposals. Tarver v. Mayor and Council of Dalton,l34 Ga.462 (1)(1910) voids exemptions from taxes

offered contractually to a taxpayer in exchange for water rights: "A municipality can not exempt from taxation properfy which does not belong to any of the classes which the constitution of this State permits to be exempted." How can the City offer exemptions to taxpayers simply because they do not benefit from the taxfreeze?

Hutchins v. Howard,2lI Ga. S30 (2) (1955) explains uniformity in some detail and also invokes the equal protection clauses of the Georgia and United States Constitutions when the decision overturns a tax system that failed to be uniform with assessments of fair market value: "Taxation on all real and tangible personal properly subject to be taxed is required to be ad valorem-that is, according to value, and the requirement in the Constitution that the rule of taxation shall be uniform, means that all kinds of property of the same class not absolutely exempt must be taxed alike, by the same standard of valuation, equally with other taxable properly of the same class, and coextensively with the territory to which it applies, meaning the territory from which the given tax, as a whole, is to be drawn." By what constitutional authority does the City purport to place different values on homesteads that must be assessed equally countywide? Griggs v.

Greene, 230 Ga.257 (2) (1973) forbids the establishment of separate classes of property by the General Assembly for the purpose of taxation without similar gonstitutional authority such as that which authorizes the Columbus tax freeze: “The General Assembly has no authority to establish separate classes of tangible property for the purposes of taxation nor to authorize the revenue commissioner to establish such separite or sub-classes of tangible property." What provision of the Constitution authorizes the state legislators to enact the pro-

posed alterna tive of creating two different classes of homestead?

Section 8 of the proposed legislation declares that if any portion of the act is ruled unconstitutional, the remaining provisions will be deemed void as if they had never been passed. Apparently this section is designed to support a theory expressed by proponents of the changes that the death of the new system will result in the resurrection of the old system. This is a risky proposition, especially if the proposals manage to bring about a legislative repeal of the present tax freeze while leaving to judicial scrutiny the remainder of the Act allowing increased homestead exemptions for property owners not subject to the fteeze-amuddled situation that perhaps few people anticipate.

Such a revival theory faces obstacles contained in two Georgia Supreme Court decisions. Butner v. Boifeuillet, 1 0 0 Ga.743,749 (1597), states an exception to the rule apparently contemplated by the proponents that the repeal of a repealing s t a t u t e restores to life the original repealed statute: The Butner opinion states that "this rule can have no application in a case where

the statute repeals absolutely a prior existing law, and substitutes for it another and more comprehensive scheme of legislation, which undertakes to deal with the whole subject to which the prior statute relates."

The Supreme Court inWarrenv Suttles,190 Ga, 311, 314 (1940), quoted Butner verbatim and applied this same rule.

Warrelt addressed three tax laws: a1935 tax law that was repealed by a 7937 tax law, which was in turn repealed by a 1939law; the 1935 law was not revived. So, if the proposed more comprehensive tax exemption scheme is repealed by judicial decree, Muscogee County may be left with no exemption at all-neither an old tax freeze exemption nor a new increased homestead exemption.

PAGE 10

Metropolitan Baptist Church 1635 5th Avenue . Columbus, Georgia 706.322.1488

Service Schedule

Sunday School 9:30 A.M Sunday Worship 11:00 A.M Monday Night Prayer 6:00 P.M Tuesday Bible Study 12:00 P.M & 5:30 P.M

Mission Statement A growing church for growing Christians attempting to grow the Kingdom, one soul at a time.

First African Baptist Church

Pastor Curtis Crocker, Jr.

901 5th Avenue

Columbus, Georgia

Sunday Worship Sunday School 9:30 A.M. Morning Worship 11A.M. Transportation Provided

Call 706-323-3367 Sr. Pastor Roderick Green

September 24, 2015

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September 24, 2015

PAGE 12

September 24, 2015

PAGE 13 Sunday, Nov. 1st FCC Sunday Worship Service - 11:00A.M.12:30P.M. Friendship Baptist Church.

831 6th Avenue, Columbus, GA Dr. Emmett Aniton, Pastor Monday November 2 7th Annual FCC Health Fair Warren Williams Housing Rec. Center

Tuesday, November 3, 2015 26th Annual FCC Media & Coaches Luncheon 11:30AM to 1:00PM Foundry Room, Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Ave., Columbus, GA. Invitation Only.

City Council Meeting Proclamation Citizens Service Center 5:30 PM Thursday November 5, 2015 8th Annual FCC Cufflinks and Pearls & Leaders of Today & Tomorrow (LOTT) Networking Mixer 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday November 6, 2015 FCC Coffee Sip @ Krispy Kreme Doughnuts 6167 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, GA 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM FCC Tailgate Village Columbus Civic Center 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM 22nd Annual FCC Golf Classic Lunch/ Registration Follow Me Golf Course 11:00 AM Vendor Fair Village Columbus Convention & Trade Center 6:00 PM - 1:00 AM Live Remote with Foxie 105 Air Personality Michael Soul The Median @ the Marriott Hotel & Trade Center 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 26th Annual FCC University Recruitment Fair Columbus Convention & Trade Center

September 24, 2015 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM FCC Chairman’s Reception Columbus Convention & Trade Center Ballrooms B & C 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM “Club Fountain City” Columbus Convention & Trade Center Ballrooms B & C 10:00 PM - 2:00 AM Saturday November 7, 2015 "Classic Magic" Football A.J. McClung Stadium 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Vendor Fair Village A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium All Day

Saturday Night Live Grown Folks Affair DJ Maurice Bell Columbus Convention & Trade Center Ballroom C 9:00 PM - 2:00 AM

PAGE 14

Love From Page 4

uninvolved, and impotent to the degree they all seem to be.

That is one reason why I am elated Seth Harp the citizen directly challenged Mayor Tomlinson to a debate regarding lifting the property tax freeze. She should publicly confronted and be put on the spot regarding the tax freeze and the three lawsuits council and the citizens were initially told were frivolous, but have since proved to be more costly than anything close to being frivolous.

It is a good thing that concerned citizens challenge government leaders on the issues.

I have always said Columbus citizens should be more actively engaged in challenging, commending, and holding accountable our city government and elected leaders. The city council should also be more active in challenging the mayor on every issue, especially

on this instant issue of our taxpayer dollars being wasted by the city defending against the elected officials' lawsuits. The council should not at all be trusting of whatever they are being told by Mayor Tomlinson.

She is too caught up into carrying out her personal vendettas against the elected officials that will not bow down at her feet and go along with anything she says and does as mayor. They recognize that the mayor appears to have a desperate need or obsession with trying to prove to herself just how infallible and smart she is.

If our city council does not quickly grow a backbone and show some leadership, our city is headed for a difficult situa t i o n a f t e r Te r e s a P i k e Tomlinson is long gone as mayor. Council had better get together and put some tough questions to the attorneys without Mayor Tomlinson in the room casting influence and

manipulating however and whenever. Following the Q&A with the attorneys, they should then in no uncertain terms tell the entire legal team what they want to them in reaching a fair and equitable settlement with the elected officials and their attorneys. It is not like the city is not used to settling claims and lawsuits all the time. In fact, a now former city councilor once told me that our city always settles and always pays out.

The idea behind such settlements was that a fair and reasonable out-of-court settlement of a legal matter is far less costly to the city and the taxpayers in the final result, considering the CCG's track record is not so good in civil lawsuits that end being heard in court.

Out-of-court settlements saved taxpayer dollars, and, in my estimation, also kept the citizens in the dark as for as the truth goes. Secrets remained

secret, which is the CCG way.

In other words, our taxpayer dollars are used to keep taxpayers blind, deaf, and dumb to the business-as-usual internal practices the city does not want us to know about.

Unfortunately, our council fades into a state of utter helplessness when it comes to standing up to this mayor. If our councilors know the city's track record in civil matters that reach court, and if they know the Georgia Supreme Court unanimously sided with Judge Fuller's ruling on payment of the attorney fees and the two lawsuits going forward, then what sense does it make for council not to instruct attorneys for the city to at least attempt to settle the three lawsuits with the elected officials? The answer is that our council must be completely in the dark and totally out-to-lunch. They have totally deferred to the mayor and have made her the "Boss

September 24, 2015

of Bosses." The city legislative body is simply not showing good stewardship through good leadership, or vice versa.

As it is, this council is truly betraying our trust and selling out the taxpaying citizens of Columbus by allowing the mayor to gamble with your taxpayer dollars when it is clearly unnecessary at this point to continue throwing good money after bad. Council allowing this thing to play out at taxpayer expense when they have the power to shut the mayor down and put an end to the ongoing civil litigation but simply will not show the requisite sound judgment and good leadership, that itself goes beyond any shadow of doubt proving Mayor Tomlinson really does dominate and control the current council. Not only do actions speak louder than words, inactions speak as equally loud or even much louder in a critical analysis of the current situation.

PAGE 15

Columbus Technical College is Hiring!

September 24, 2015

We are looking for qualified candidates for the following positions:

Automotive Collision Repair Instructor (Full-time) Automotive Technology Instructor (Part-time) Barber Instructor (Part-time) Campus Police Officer (Full-time) Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Adjunct Instructor (Part-time) Clinical/Didactic Instructor Dental Hygiene (Part-time) Computer Training Instructor Economic Development (Part-time) Diagnostic Medical Sonography Instructor (Full-time) Driver’s Education Instructor (Part-time) Esthetics Adjunct Instructor (Part-time) Librarian (Evening) – (Part-time) Medical Assisting Instructor (Part-time) Paramedic Program Instructor (Full-time) SIA Instructor – CLHIS (Part-time)

For more details and to apply for these positions, please go to www.columbustech.edu and click “CTC Employment.”

Columbus Technical College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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PAGE 17

portion. No one is trying to control the DJ and that’s all I have to say about that.”

Well Ciara is having a great year and continues to not involve herself in things that are not positive. Her relationship with boyfriend Russell Wilson is going strong, she is the new face of “Shop Top” clothing, and she honored the country by singing “God Bless America” at this year’s US Open. Congratulations to Ciara and continued success in all of her future endeavors.

The Tea

Ciara, Russell Wilson vs.

Seahawks DJ

Adrienne Bailon and Lenny Santiago calls off Engagement Six years and seven months later, singer/TV personality Adrienne Bailon and her longtime boyfriend Lenny Santiago have called off their engagement. The pair announced their engagement on Bailon’s instagram and also on her talk show “The Real” last year. With season 2 of “The Real” just beginning, she announced that the pair has decided to break up, but still remain friends live on the air.

“It was a hard decision to make when you’re with somebody for such a long time, she says, I think as women, we have a hard time with change. It was hard for me, but you have to be true to yourself. I think having time on my own gave me that.”

Reportedly the couple called off their engagement in June and had not been seen together since. Adrienne is said to be focusing her time on the new season of “The Real” with the rest of the cast Tamera MowryHousley, Tamar Braxton, Loni Love, and Jeannie Mai.

The NFL season has just begun and football fans everywhere are rejoicing about it especially Seattle Seahawks fans. Their star player Russell Wilson and his girlfriend Ciara are still going strong, but they are rumored to have more power on the team than just being in a relationship. They are rumored to have power over the music that the DJ plays for the fans. The Seattle Seahawks DJ does not want to play any Future due to the fact that Future is the father of Ciara’s son.

“This year, I’ve been getting a lot of requests for Future. But that dynamic is weird too, because I can barely play Future with Ciara running around and that’s her baby’s dad. It’s just that he has a dope *expletive* album out right now, players like to hear it, it definitely gets you pumped up--even though it’s low tempo, it’s still stuff that you want to hear---and then you’ve got Ciara running up with little baby Future and she’s dating Russell so it’s like, “Oh *expletive*” The “Dance like We’re Making Love” singer responded on Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live:” “I think the people wanted to blow his statement out of pro-

Empire Returns!

The hit show “Empire” has returned for a second season and the world is excited! Empire fans have been waiting patiently to see how “Luscious Lyons,” played by Terrence Howard, is holding up in prison, how “Jamal Lyons,” played by Jussie Smollett, is running the company, and how the rest of the Lyons clan is working on removing Luscious from “Empire.” The most talked about character of the show “Cookie,” played by Taraji P. Henson, is the firecracker that holds the show together and keeps the audience on its toes. The second season of the musically drama-filled and hot show, premiers September 23rd on FOX.

D30 Marketing Tips

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• - Do not make it a habit of attaching your BRAND to everything and everyone. Never devalue your BRAND, research before you commit to con-

September 24, 2015

necting.

• - Your NETWORK= your NET WORTH • - Your networking skills and networking circle determine how far you go in this thing called success. It’s important to build valuable relationships that leave lasting impressions.

September 24, 2015

PAGE 18

Daymond John of ABC’s Shark Tank to Appear at 2016 MLK Commemoration his thoughts on these important matters with our community”, said Tomlinson. “His story is amazing, and it’s one of the reasons we wanted our audience to hear him.“

By Staff The Courier

Daymond John, the CEO and founder of FUBU and “Shark” on ABC’s Emmy Award winning series, Shark Tank, will appear at the January 16, 2016 MLK: The Dream Lives Unity Commemoration, an event organized by the Mayor’s Commission on Unity, Diversity and Prosperity. Daymond John has spent his life working as an entrepreneur and was recently named a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship. In addition, he has earned 35 awards for his tireless work in this space includingBrandweek’s prestigious “Marketer of the Year” and Ernst and Young’s “Master of Excellence Award.”

The Dream Lives event is a community festival that gathers a diverse group to celebrate the continued importance and relevancy of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream of unity, equality and justice for all people regardless of race, classification or economic status.

“We feel Daymond John’s success story is inspirational to people of all ages and his perspective on diversity and overcoming challenges in an increasingly diverse world will be something many will want to hear,” says Mayor Teresa Tomlinson. “Mr. John exhibits the Dream in this new era and we are fortunate he will be coming to Columbus to share

This is the third year the M a y o r ’ s Commission has organized the commemorative event and the second year it will be held in the Liberty Cultural District. The Liberty Cultural District was once the hub for African American entertainment and culture.

The Liberty Theater is a major historic landmark having hosted on its stage such notables as Cab Calloway, Ma Rainey and Nat King Cole.

Last year’s The Dream Lives event drew nearly 2,000 attendees, including school bands, youth, civic and religious groups, and sororities and fraternities, as well as the general public.

The event features a Unity Processional that comm e n c e s promptly at noon and converges on the green space in front of the Liberty Theater, in addition to the MLK 5K organized in

collaboration with the Courier newspaper and Big Dog Running. Organizers of the event expect to announce the full slate of activities as the date of the event nears.

The Mayor’s Commission on Unity, Diversity and Prosperity is comprised of over 25 civic and corporate individuals committed to the mission of ensuring that every citizen is valued

and presented with equal access to opportunities. In the past, the commission has teamed up with WTVM and CSU to present forums on Diversity.

24 de Septiembre 2015

Pagina 6

Conectándote con el Padre Por: Pastor Leif I. Espinosa 318 10th Ave. B-F, Columbus, Ga. 31901 706-761-4156 para oración

El Poder de Esperar en Dios.

Lamentaciones 3:24-26ReinaValera 1960 (RVR1960) 24 Mi porción es Jehová, dijo mi alma; por tanto, en él esperaré.25 Bueno es Jehová a los que en él esperan, al alma que le busca.26 Bueno es esperar en silencio la salvación de Jehová.

Lamentaciones es un triste cantico fúnebre para la gran ciudad capital de los judíos.

Destruyeron el templo, el rey se marchó y el pueblo estaba en cautiverio. Es un escenario donde Jeremías al igual que David descubrieron el secreto de esperar en Dios, si hay alguien que puede hablar de el desaliento es Jeremías, él se afligió profundamente por la destrucción de Jerusalén y la devastación de su nación. Sin embargo, en la mitad del libro, en las profundidades de su dolor, hubo un rayo de esperanza, ya que la compasión de Dios siempre estuvo presente a través de su fidelidad que es grande, Jeremías se había dado cuenta que solo la misericordia del Señor ha evitado una aniquilación total. Este libro nos muestra las graves consecuencias del pecado del hombre y como aún podemos tener esperanza en medio de las tragedias debido a que Dios puede convertirlas en bien.

Lamentaciones 3:24-26 nos hace un llamado a la esperanza y a esperar al Señor, ya que a menudo Dios utiliza la espera para refrescarnos, renovarnos y enseñarnos. Use los momentos de espera para descubrir lo que Dios puede estar tratando de enseñarle en el proceso.

Todos nosotros como seres humanos somos llevados a vivir sin esperarlo a diferentes situaciones o circunstancias de las cuales en muchos casos el escenario es más desalentador que alentador. Es cierto que el desaliento puede tocar a tu

puerta pero no puede morar en tu casa.

Tenemos que decir que el desaliento ha destruido a miles y miles de seres humanos. El desaliento hace que el ánimo ruede cuesta abajo, hace que el alma se aflija y el corazón se apoque y la mente se embote. Y puede ser que tú seas una de esas personas que se encuentran en un callejón sin salida. Quizás tu vida ha sido derrumbada por un acontecimiento inesperado pero tengo nuevas para ti. El Salmista escribió en el Salmo 27:13-14 lo siguiente: 13 Hubiera yo desmayado, sino creyese que veré la bondad de Jehová en la tierra de los vivientes 14 Aguarda a Jehová; Esfuérzate, y aliéntese tu corazón; Sí, espera a Jehová.

Salmos 27:131 4 R e i n a - Va l e r a 1 9 6 0 (RVR1960) Hubiera desmayado A quedado probado que hay un arma poderosa que destruye al desaliento es la voz de Dios grabada en nuestros corazones aun cuando todo parezca estar perdido siempre habrá alguien que este enfocado a lo que Dios dijo. La biblia nos habla de una historia donde el desaliento hizo preso a aquel pueblo cuando los espías de Israel vieron gigantes en Canaán. Habían ido a Canaán y regresaron con el informe de que todo era muy bueno una tierra excelente que fluía leche y miel ¡pero había gigantes! Y el pueblo se preguntó: "¿Qué es lo que vamos a hacer?"

"Nuestros hermanos han atemorizado nuestro corazón, diciendo: Este pueblo es mayor y más alto que nosotros, las ciudades grandes y amuralladas hasta el cielo; y también vimos allí a los hijos de Anac" (Deuteronomio 1:28).

Con dicho informe, el pueblo se desalentó.

Los israelitas se habían olvi-

dado lo que Dios había dicho.

Moisés les había dicho: "Mira, Jehová tu Dios te ha entregado la tierra; sube y toma posesión de ella, como Jehová el Dios de tus padres te ha dicho; no temas ni desmayes" (versículo 21). Tenían la pal-

abra de Dios en una mano, y la palabra de los espías en la otra; y la palabra de los espías prevaleció en aquellos que no creyeron y dejándose desalentar no pudieron conquistar.

Dios sabía la altura de los muros, pero el pueblo se olvidó

de que Dios lo sabía. Las murallas eran altas, pero no hasta el cielo. Parecían serlo sencillamente porque eran vistas con ojos de desaliento.

David fue ungido a los dieciséis años, pero no fue rey en

Cinued Next Week

PAGINA 5

2015 Tri-city Latino Festival

24 de Septiembre 2015

PAGE 4

Jueves 24 de Septiembre 2015

Lefty is home!! Hospital tests have confirmed that he will need extensive medical care. Let's keep praying! Thank you to all of you for the support you have shown so far!

Jose E. Guzman, P.C. Abogados Heridas Personales - Derecho Penal - DUI Derecho Familiar - Manutención de los Hijos 721 1st Avenue Columbus, Georgia 31901

706.984.8428 Georgiacares está aquí para ayudarle!

La zona de River Valley Agency on Aging Georgiacares Programa responde a las preguntas acerca de: - Bajo Costo Medicamentos Recetados Programas Asistencia Mecánica y cómo aplicar (LIS) - Revisión de su Medicare Resumen - Programa Medicare (MSP) - Servicios Preventivos Medicare - Senior Medicare Patrol-SMP (Medicare Errores, fraudes y abusos - LIS ( Low-Income Subvención) y MSP (Programa Medicare

¿Su iglesia y/o organización basada en la fe o organismo de un grupo superior y/o alto cargo del ministerio? ¿Le gustaría saber más acerca de cómo proteger a los adultos mayores en su comunidad de medicare/Medicaid Errores, fraude, abuso y el robo de identidad?

Medicare preguntas? ¿Está girando 65?

Llame a la oficina hoy Georgiacares que prepare una presentación de su iglesia u organización a aprender sobre el programa de Medicare, ayuda extra para aquellos que califican, Medicare servicios de prevención y asistencia mecánica llamada prescripción oportunidades de trabajo voluntario llame al 1-866 -5524464, Opción 4 y pedir Shameika Averett, Coordinador Georgiacares

Pagina 2

The 3rd Annual Tri-City Latino Festival

Jueves 24 de Septiembre 2015

Eco Latino Vol. 10

couriernews.org

S ERVING C OLUMBUS , F T. B ENNING , P HENIX C ITY & S URROUNDING A REAS

La Voz de la Minor铆a

Edici贸n 13 Gratis

Jueves 24 de Septiembre 2015

3rd Annual Tri-City Latino Festival Brings Out Record Crowd

Pagina 2 Pastor Leif I. Espinosa

Pagina 6