UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY
AUGUST 1 - 14, 2022 • VOL. 10 NO. 28
KEN MAKIN COMMENTARY
Out of step
Augusta’s motel madness is symptom of greater problem
WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT
Accounting For the RCSO’s $70 million yearly budget
Watermelon Agua Fresca Desserts by Latrell
VERONICA BROWN, a graduate of Butler HS, accounts for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office’s $70 million annual budget. Photo by Vincent Hobbs
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MAKIN’ A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin
Augusta’s motel madness is symptom of bigger problem
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t was hard to miss local news headlines this week in regards to fatal incidents which occurred at Augusta’s motels. Quite naturally, the temptation is to address the violence from the perspective of crime, and thus punishment. We should widen our gaze. I remember in late March and early April, when motel owners in the city booted long-term residents for visitors in the name of that old golf tournament. It was a particularly cruel gesture, especially considering how the pandemic has devastated
UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY
the notion of “affordable housing.” I’ll be clear. Homelessness and lack of living options have centralized poverty in a way that has created a familiar result – an increase in violent crime. While Augusta’s leaders have mostly sat on their hands regarding the matter of homelessness, the issue has now shown up to their doorstep in the most unwanted fashion. The solution is not only enforcement, but empathy. Augusta needs to invest in shelters and living options for the indigent, whether it be repurposing old motels or making a con-
scious effort to offer the help that our homeless community desperately needs. People treat the poor like they’re an eyesore, but the biggest visual indictment of our local government is the pile of rubble formerly known as the old Law Enforcement Center on Walton Way. The former facility could have repurposed the building into a center that law enforcement claimed it to be – a place for rehabilitation. Our local government instead chose violence through the perpetuation of poverty.
PUBLISHER Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency LLC http://www.growingaugusta.co/UPW +1 (706) 751-2537 SALES & MARKETING http://www.growingaugusta.co/UPW +1 (762) 233-5299
Americans only see violence through the use of guns, or murder, and again, we must widen our gaze. Hungry children and homeless communities are also the victims of violence – and capitalism. Ken Makin is the host of Makin’ A Difference and a freelance writer for ESPN and The Christian Science Monitor, among other outlets. Look him up on Facebook at Makin’ A Difference, and you can also send him an email with your thoughts at makinadifferenceshow@gmail.com.
CONTRIBUTORS K.L. Gordon • Ken Makin Olivia Gaines • Vincent Hobbs Menia L. Chester Frederick Benjamin Sr. Layout/Design : UrbanProMedia
Small Business Forum
BY RHODES PORTER “How to Do Business With the Government” has the highest member attendance at most chamber of commerce events. Small business owners want to know how their business fits into the millions of local public spending and billions of federal forecasts. Governor Brian P. Kemp recently issued an Executive Order directing DOAS to create the position of Small Business and Supplier Diversity Manager to lead communications and engagement initiatives that help minority-owned small businesses navigate the
state’s contract process and collaborate with other small business development partners to increase outreach efforts to the small business community. Armed with overview information a small business can quickly begin to sift through countless opportunities and receive 100’s of email alerts just to find the capacity to fulfill the RFP is out of reach. Many owners believe building a strategic plan to win the opportunity to work with large and public organizations begins with registering the business as defined by the government. After working with over 200 con-
tractors last year we can assure what we call the Business Box and the Registration is the easiest part of the plan to execute and it takes a unique ability to develop a strategy to match capabilities, capacity and costs to successfully secure opportunities in the public space. While being able to navigate the DOAS system is important, it comes after building contract performance. That is how RhodesPorter.com is in a unique position of helping small business owners develop capacity and the logistics necessary to compete in the public space.
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Augusta Fire Chief among fire officials supporting new bipartisan legislation to upgrade fire stations and improve public safety AUGUSTA Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden is among Georgia’s fire department officials supporting the proposed bipartisan Fire Station Improvement Act of 2022 to help fire departments across the nation improve, repair, and renovate their facilities.
The bill is being introduced by U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Josh Hawley. If passed, the legislation will offer Augusta, Georgia government, and fire departments nationwide more opportunities for better housing. “Improving the functionality of
It’s back to school for Richmond County students and parents The Richmond County School System is welcoming students to the first days of school on August 4 and 8. Students attending elementary schools will return on August 4. Students attending K-8, Middle, High and Magnet schools will return on August 8. eSchool students will begin classes on August 8. Families should make plans to attend Open House to meet new teachers and school staff. Open House for Elementary, K-8 and C.T. Walker Magnet Schools students will be held on Tuesday, August 2 from noon – 6 p.m. Open House will be held on Wednesday, August 3 from noon – 6 p.m. for students who attend Middle, High, Davidson Fine Arts Magnet, A.R. Johnson Magnet and Richmond Technical Career Magnet Schools. This year, school start and end times have been adjusted to improve our bus routes and ensure students arrive at school and home on time. Details about Open House, First Days of School, and School Start Times can be found at rcboe.org/backtoschool.
our facilities is critical to the efficiency of our department’s operations,” said Augusta Fire Department Chief Antonio Burden. “Senator Ossoff’s new bill would help us pay for better housing and other essential upgrades for our courageous firefighters and staff. Our house is your
house. Opportunities to address our critical infrastructure directly correlate to a safer community.” To date, Augusta has at least ten fire stations in operation that are more than 40 years old. It would cost about $12 million to renovate these facilities.
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How to do business with the government
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Food Truck Family Fridays in South Augusta starts on July 29 and returns every 3rd Friday until October Mayor-Elect Garnett Johnson & Host Committee recently announced Food Truck Family Fridays — a new community event launching on July 29 and continuing every month throughout the fall. The event features an array of food, beverage, & dessert trucks; live music and DJs, and activities for the whole family – a feel-good event to bring the community together. Johnson hosted Friday Wind Down earlier this year at the same 4102 Windsor Spring Road location where the Food Truck Fridays will be held. His company, Augusta Office Solutions, hosted the 2022 Masters Week event, ParTee On The Green (ParTeeAugusta), in the same location. This was the first event of its kind in South Richmond County during Golf Week. “We are excited to resume our Friday Wind Down events. They gave us a great opportunity to unite and engage the community in food, fun, and fellowship,” said Mayor-Elect Johnson. “As this is the first event at our South Augusta HQ since the June 21st runoff, I want to personally invite everyone to come out and enjoy the festivities. And, please, stop by the office to learn more about our team’s vision and plan for moving Augusta forward.” All are invited to this free community event. Admission is free, and food truck & vendor items available for sale. Bring chairs, but leave pets and coolers. Register at foodtruckfridayaugusta@gmail.com. Food Truck Family Fridays (formerly Friday Wind Down) Starts on July 29, and will repeat on August 19, September 16, and October 21 Hours: 5:00-9:00 pm Location: 4102 Windsor Spring Road, Hephzibah GA 30815
Reserve your FREE seat at the 2022 Back to Business with Augusta, Georgia Symposium The program includes presentations from Augusta officials, testimonials from respected local business leaders, a networking session, and light refreshments will be served. Registration is open until Wednesday, August 10, 2022, or until capacity is reached. Online registration is available here. Interested participants can also call 706-312-5511 to reserve their space. Admission is free, but registration is required. Call 706-312-5511 for more information.
Operation Lifted Cloud Event August 30 and 31st 7 am - 7 pm.
Greater Young Zion Baptist Church 405 Sand Bar Ferry Road Augusta, GA 30901
Lifting State Court Misdemeanor Warrants! Come by this 2-day event where the purpose is to clear up qualifying outstanding bench warrants that may be affecting your privileges! Pre-register for this in-person event from now until July 29, 2022. If you are eligible you will get notice on August 1, 2022. Individuals who participate in this event will get 75% off of Fines!!
THE GOAL OF THIS EVENT IS NOT TO ARREST INDIVIDUALS Richmond County Sheriff’s Office • Solicitor-General’s Officer Richmond County State Court • Augusta Public Defender’s Office Richmond County Clerk of Court • CSRA Probation Event Questions (706) 261-0427 • Application Questions: (706) 821-1084 Apply: https://www.augustaga.gov/3045/Operation-Lifted-Cloud
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Registration is now open for the Back to Business with Augusta, Georgia event, scheduled for Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 6 p.m. in the Allgood Hall Atrium on Augusta University’s Summerville Campus. This free symposium, hosted by Augusta, Georgia, and the James M. Hull College of Business at Augusta University, aims to increase and improve the relationship between small businesses and Augusta, Georgia government.
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Q&A Veronica Brown
Finance Director of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office UPW: Please tell us how you came to be in Augusta-Richmond in the first place. Are you a native of the area or did you attend school here or did you relocate to this area from another state or city? VERONICA BROWN: I was born and raised here. I graduated from Butler High School. My father is from Waynesboro, GA, and my mother is from Edgefield, SC, and they settled in the Augusta area. Augusta is the place I call home! UPW: How did you decide on the career path that brought you to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office? VERONICA BROWN: I worked for the Richmond County School System as a Site Coordinator, a grant-funded position. Once the grant ended, I decided to take a chance and seek employment outside of the Richmond County School System. Not long after, I was hired by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office as an Administrative Assistant in the newly formed Community Services Division. UPW: Were you hired as the Financial Director, or did you migrate into the position from another job within the organization? VERONICA BROWN: I was actually hired as the Administrative Assistant in the Community Services Division. About a year into my employment with the Sheriff’s Office, the Finance Director position became available. One of my
superiors was aware that I had a MBA in Accounting and a passion for finance. This led to an opportunity on a trial basis to lead the Finance Department. I guess it worked out. Eight years later, I am still the Finance Director and loving every minute of it. UPW: Working for one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the state must be a real challenge. How long have you been with the department and what are some of the biggest changes you have noticed in your duties since you began your current tenure? VERONICA BROWN: The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is the largest full service Sheriff’s Office in the state of Georgia. I have been working at the Sheriff’s Office for almost 10 years and some of the biggest changes I have noticed in my duties are additional projects for the agency. When I started my focus was primarily on managing dayto-day budgeting concerns. Now, my day often consist of broader leadership responsibilities such as training, project management, and even developing a COVID Response Plan for the agency. UPW: What is the annual budget for the sheriff’s department? Does your office apply for any federal or state grants? VERONICA BROWN: The annual budget for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is over 70 million dollars. The Sheriff’s Office has received at least fifteen grants over the past seven years. More recent-
VERONICA BROWN, who serves as finance director for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, poses for a photo in front of the RCSO headquarters on Walton Way. Photo by Vincent Hobbs ly, we were fortunate enough to receive the Department of Justice Coronavirus grant which was over $100,000. This grant provided funding to supply PPE for our frontline law enforcement heroes. UPW: How has your position with the Sheriff’s Office impacted your involvement in community affairs? VERONICA BROWN: As a volunteer, I have always enjoyed help-
ing others out, and working at the Sheriff’s Office gives me plenty of opportunities to connect with the community. The Sheriff’s Office keeps me very busy, and I love it! I am the United Way Coordinator for the agency and I serve on the Augusta South YMCA Board. As a command staff member, I volunteer with various community outreach initiatives, including Kids and Cops, Burgers and Shakes, the Miracle League, the Halloween Giveaway, and the Sheriff’s Charity Gala.
Short Play Anthology features Six Original Works Blue Bistro Creative, partnering with The APEX Museum and Impact Atlanta International Magazine will present the 8th installment of THE BLUE SERIES. The theatrical anthology features a collection of short stage plays written by emerging playwrights from across the country and directed by an eclectic mix of up-and-coming visionary talents. Themes always center around the depth and complexity of the African American experience presenting a range of perspectives and points of view in one show. The performances will be held in the main gallery at the APEX Museum located in the historic Auburn Avenue business district at 135 Auburn Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30303. SHOWTIMES Thursday, September 15th – Sunday, September 18th @ 7 pm. There will be matinees at 3 pm on both: Saturday, September 17th, and Sunday, September 18th More About The Experience This edition is titled The Blue Series - Bridges and Boundaries and follows one family across many generations. Six original works will be featured, starting with a poetic drama set in 1876 and concluding with an Afro-Futuristic view of Atlanta in 2096. FEATURED PLAYWRIGHTS INCLUDE: •Reginald Edmund - (Los Angeles, CA) •The Promised Land (a poetic drama set in 1876) •Directed by Delali Potakey •Bernette Sherman - (Atlanta, GA) •Soil (a Great Migration era musical drama set in 1928) •Directed by Robin Antoinette •S. Denise Couba- (Charlotte, NC) •My Father’s Dream (a civil rights era drama set in 1967) •Directed by Joseph James •Justin Brown - (Atlanta, GA) •The Next Step (an early hip-hop era family drama set in 1988) •Directed by Nicholas Newton •Keia Johnson - (Memphis, TN) •Virgil’s Café (a modern-day musical set in 2022) •Directed by Yakini Horn •Anthony R. Page (Atlanta, GA) •Adira Dela Croix 6.0 (an Afro-futuristic drama set in 2096) •Directed by Carol Douglas Welter For more information and media inquiries contact Anthony R. Page / Blue Bistro Creative BlueBistroCreative@gmail.com Dan Moore, Jr - Director of Operations APEX Museum / APEX Museum TV Network c/o Nena Smith - - nenasmith.apex@gmail.com 404-523-2739
ANTHONY R. PAGE, THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER for the show, shared his perspective on the theme. “Black people in America have worked diligently for many generations to build bridges to better futures, but all too often, America put up boundaries to limit what we could become. However, for every boundary, we found a way to build a bridge. We have made some progress, but not enough, therefore, more bridges must be built, and more boundaries must be eliminated. The struggle across our American experience continues.”
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The Blue Series Bridges and Boundaries comes to Atlanta’s Apex Museum
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Latrell’s Watermelon Agua Fresca Live your best life! That is my motto. My name is Menia L. Chester, I am a chef and owner of Desserts by Latrell and Southern Jazz and Sweets. Freshly squeezed juice can be a refreshing drink in the summertime when it’s extremely hot outside. One of the most popular juice based drinks is lemonade. There are usually only three ingredients: lemon juice, water and sugar making it an easy choice for busy families. However, there are so many options when it comes to fruit juice based drinks. One of my favorites is strawberry lemonade…this is simply lemonade with the addition of crushed strawberries. It’s delicious! Agua fresca is another fruit juice drink that you might enjoy. It’s very popular in Mexico and I had it for the first time while visiting Cancun. I loved it! WATERMELON AGUA FRESCA •
4 cups diced watermelon— seeds removed
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4 cups water
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¼ cup lime juice
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1/2 cup sugar-or more to suit your taste
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Ice
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mint sprigs
Blend watermelon with 2 cups of water until smooth. Strain through a medium strainer into a large pitcher or bowl. Stir in the remaining water, lime juice and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Serve over ice with a sprig of mint. Enjoy! If you have questions, would like to see other recipes, or learn about events by Latrell, please visit my website or send me an email.
Website: www.southernjazzandsweets.com Email: southernjazzandsweets@gmail.com
TAKENOTE
HOUSING: The Augusta Housing Authority announces applications being accepted for conventional public housing for three, four, and five bedroom housing. This wait list is open indefinitely or until further notice. Apps also accepted for the Project-Base Voucher program for one and two bedrooms at The Legacy at Walton Oaks, for seniors 55 and older. This wait list is open until Dec. 30, 2022. Submit preliminary online applications for either program on www. augustapha.org or call 706-312-3173 if you need assistance.
#gardencityjazz june 27 : july 25 code: UPW text UPW to (706) 528-6855
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GRIEF SUPPORT: Children 6-18 years old are welcome to attend a free 8-week grief support group (not therapy) entitled “Tia’s Corner,” founded by our own Ms. Shirley Norman. The support group is for children dealing with grief or experiencing crisis from loss. Sessions are every Saturday through August 13th, 11:30AM-1PM, Friedman Branch Library, 1447 Jackson Road, Augusta. To register, call 706284-2124.
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Augusta Landfill has new Operating Hours To streamline services at the Augusta Landfill, Augusta, Georgia’s Environmental Services Department has updated the operating hours at the landfill. View the new schedule below, which will go into effect on August 1, 2022. Monday – Friday Saturday Saturday
5:00am to 4:00pm 6:00am to 10:00am 6:00am to 12:00pm
All customers Landfill Field Operations only Customer Drop Off only
The Augusta Landfill is located at 4330 Deans Bridge Road. For more information, call 706-592-3200.
AUGUSTA Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr., a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns and a trustee of the African American Mayors Association, pledged to release new data on the manufacturers of guns used in crimes in Augusta and called on fellow mayors across the country to do the same. The summit is hosted by Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair New York Mayor Eric Adams, in partnership with the African American Mayors Association. In 2006, then-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and then-Boston Mayor Thomas Menino founded Mayors Against Illegal Guns as an original coalition of 15 mayors. The coalition has since grown to a bipartisan group of more than 1,000 current and former mayors from the smallest towns to the biggest cities in nearly every state. “As mayors, we are on the front lines of the gun violence epidemic, and it is our duty to protect our constituents from this preventable public health crisis.” said Davis, “I look forward to convening with my peers to call on mayors across the country to hold the gun industry accountable.” Twelve cities published data recently on the manufacturers of crime guns in their cities. The top manufacturer of recovered crime guns was Glock in 9 of the 12 reporting cities. On average, over 1.5x more Glocks were recovered than the second leading manufacturer in each of those 9 cities. Five gun manufacturers accounted for over half of the recovered crime guns: Glock (16.6%), Taurus (12.4%), Smith & Wesson (11.8%), Ruger (6.5%), and Polymer80 (3.8%). Collectively across this sample of 12 cities, these five manufacturers accounted for nearly 10,000 recovered crime guns in 2021.
RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION Bond Issue Program
Barton Chapel Elementary School HVAC Project PROPOSAL NUM. B-21-025-2050
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY INVITATION TO BID Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received for the Barton Chapel Elementary HVAC Project by the County Board of Education of Richmond County at the Board Conference Room, Richmond County Board of Education, 864 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901 until 3:00 p.m. local time, August 25, 2022, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read. No extension of the bidding period will be made. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held August 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. local time at the project site, 2329 Barton Chapel Rd, Augusta, GA 30906. Drawings and project manual on this work may be examined at the Department of Maintenance and Facilities, Richmond County Board of Education, 2956 Mike Padgett Highway , Augusta, Georgia 30906. Bidding documents may be obtained at the Office of the Architect: Delta Engineering Group, LLC 204-A Pitcarin Way Augusta, GA. Applications for documents together with refundable deposit of $150 per set should be filed promptly with the Architect. Bidding material will be forwarded (shipping charges collect) as soon as possible. The full amount of deposit for one set will be refunded to each prime contractor who submits a bona fide bid upon return of such set in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bids. All other deposits will be refunded with deductions approximating cost of reproduction of documents upon return of same in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bid. Contract, if awarded, will be on a lump sum basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of 35 days after time has been called on the date of opening. Bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not less than 5% of the base bid. Personal checks, certified checks, letters of credit, etc., are not acceptable. The successful bidder will be required to furnish performance and payment bonds in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price. The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities. To promote local participation, a database of Sub-contractors, Suppliers, and Vendors has been developed by the Program Manager, GMK Associates. Contact Jeanine Usry with GMK Associates at (706) 826-1127 for location to review and obtain this database. Bids shall be submitted and addressed to: Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw County Board of Education of Richmond County Administrative Office 864 Broad Street Augusta, Georgia 30901 c/o: Mr. Bobby Smith, CFO
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Davis joins major summit on gun violence prevention and industry accountability
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