UPW Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

AUG. 5 - 18, 2021 • VOL. 9 NO. 23

Hopefuls crowd into 2022 mayoral race

Can You Match The Names to the Faces?

Steven Kendrick Marion Williams Dennis Williams Charlie Hannah Brian Marcus Robert Ingham Albert Newson See answers Inside

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

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UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

PUBLISHER Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency LLC http://www.growingaugusta.co +1 (706) 751-2537 SALES & MARKETING http://www.growingaugusta.co/upw +1 (762) 233-5299

CONTRIBUTORS K.L Gordon Olivia Gaines Rickey Jones Latasha N. Louis Layout/Design : UrbanProMedia

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UPW Contributor AUGUSTA Mayor Hardie Davis, having served for two 3-year terms, will be stepping down as the Mayor of Augusta at the end of 2022. But until then, there will be plenty of activity on the part of those who would become mayor. The current crop of candidates stands at seven and others are making quiet moves that will likely expand that number to eight or nine.

The first to declare quite a while ago was Augusta Commissioner Dennis Williams. As the months passed, he was joined by the others including former Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams; Richmond County

Mayoral race gets crowded 10 months prior to ‘22 Election A look back at the 2014 race Black vs white or liberal vs conservative Tax Commissioner, Steven Kendricks; Richmond County School Board President, Charlie Hannah; Brian Marcus, a local businessman; Robert Ingham, a Democratic Party operative, and Albert Newson, a food service worker.

The election will be held on May 24, 2022, but the candidates must qualify by March, 2022. If there is a runoff, it will take place on June 21, 2022.

So here are the numbers: there are 8 months before qualifying begins for the 2022 mayor’s race and a full 16 months before the successful candidates is sworn in on Jan. 1 of 2023!

That’s a long time.

Those new to Augusta may be wondering why the elections aren’t

held in November as had been the tradition in Augusta for as long as anyone could remember.

Blame for that goes to the Republican-controlled Georgia legislature which made the move to blunt in impact that African-American voters would have in national elections which are held in November. The Republicans, of course, said that the move is smply because the city elections were nonpartisan. The city skirted the rule for a few years because of consolidation, but the G.O.P. made it mandatory for consolidated governments to play along as well.

But seven candidates is a record-setting number and it is mindful of the 2014 where the field grew to five can-

didates (See A Look Back . . below).

Unlike previous mayoral contests where hot-button issues could be easily identified, no such themes have popped up this time around.

Back in 2014, one of the issues was the one-cent-sales-tax issue which was on the ballot that year. In 2018, the hot issue was the location of the new James Brown Arena.

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Photo by Vincent Hobbs

COMMENTARY

MATCH THE NAMES From Page ONE Top Center: Steven Kendrick Middle Row: L-R: Dennis Williams, Charlie Hannah, Robert Ingham Bottom Row: L-R: Brian Marcus, Marion Williams, and Albert Newson

A look back at the 2014 mayor’s race where race was not an issue

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UPW Contributor AUGUSTA While it is never discussed much “out loud”, race has always factored into local politics. This season will likely be little different. A look back at that 2014 contest and campaign may offer some insights into local political thinking In 2014, there were no white candidates on the ballot in the mayor’s race. It should be noted that, in Augusta, the commission and mayor’s races are nonpartisan.

That was the first time in the city’s history that the white community had not fielded a mayoral candidate.

Even though there were viable candidates.

Chief among them was, former city administrator, Fred Russell. At

that time Russell was riding high in the after-glow of his unceremonious firing by the Augusta Commission not long before.

Folks gave Russell, or any white candidate, for that matter, the inside track to the runoff-election that was sure to result with so many black candidates in the race. The usual narrative of an emerging “split-theblack-vote” boogie-man was amplified in the black community.

Any white candidate would be expected to receive a good share of the votes and money from the white community. Russell was no exception. His years of association with the downtown development community certainly wouldn’t hurt his chances with those power brokers.

However, that would not have been enough to give him a victory at the polls. He would have needed

significant support from the black community as well.

Russell or another strong white candidate would have likely been pitted against a black candidate in any winner-take-all runoff election.

Now remember the cast of characters in 2014. Along with Davis who was in the state senate, you had Helen Block-Adams, who had run strong mayoral campaigns in the past. Then there was commissioner Alvin Mason who announced a solid year prior to the election date.

The field was rounded out with Lori Myles and Charles Cunnings — all black candidates.

However, to everyone’s surprise, Fred Russell suddenly withdrew from the race. This was important because it was thought that there was an undercurrent of support for Russell in some quarters of the

black electorate. In fact, he made the announcement on the Fattz and Cher Morning Show, a media outlet popular in the black community.

At the time, Davis was under fire from many blacks for some of his decisions made in the state senate.

So Davis was far from invulnerable.

With Russell, out of the race, a runoff election was still possible, but a lot less likely.

But, more importantly, with no white candidate in the race, the power brokers in the white community could focus on the black candidate of their choice.

The black vs white narrative was shelved in favor of the liberal vs conservative storyline.

However, no other white candidates took the trouble to enter the race and Davis rolled to victory — amazingly, even avoiding a runoff.

DOO WOP DAZE DANCE

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PEARLS by George Edward Buggs

poet & photographer george edward buggs

Every time I hear a note of a song I remember from my teen years I wish I could return to all of the sweetness of my innocence. Man! I still remember those summer time 25 cent socials, the blue lights barely illuminating the darkest corners of our youth, the full punch bowl, the cream cheese on crackers, potato chips and salted peanuts and how finally, one year, it became easy for me to place my fingers into the warm moist palms of the eager girls who sat through song after song waiting for my invitation. There I was finally, iridescent suit, Nehru collar, pegged pants, pointy-toed shoes. I gathered them into my arms and felt their warmth burning all resolve to be mama’s good girls as they pressed themselves to my lithe body. The slow music set it’s delicious pace and by the first crescendo they’d be riding my thigh like rag dolls ablaze.

It was as if I danced with all of them simultaneously. Damn! Desire was a sultry voice singing the words of the Chantels from the 45-RPM record on the turntable behind the refreshment table. The silence that hugged the air when the song’s last syllable ended was abbreviated by the soft scuffling of feet returning to their seats. The muted thank you’s and quiet laughter between guys and the whispered words and giggles between girls made the next song’s beginning notes evocative and deliriously wonderful as the night’s heat stirred the passion of fast dances we thought we’d invented.

George Edward Buggs

For Writers Only

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BY OLIVIA GAINES

K

eeping a journal is a most rewarding experience. I have had several kinds of journals; one was a book where I wrote in it and another was a binder where I wrote the events of the day and also added everything from a chicken feather to cards, thank you notes and pictures. I frequently use a journal to keep up with story ideas.

Keeping a journal helps you create order when your world feels like it’s in chaos. You get to know yourself by revealing your most private fears, thoughts, and feelings. Look at your writing time as personal relaxation time. It’s a time when you can de-stress and wind down.

Journaling is really fantastic for us. It’s a tool for self-reflection and there are many studies that show it is good for our physical and mental health. I teach my own method but there’s no wrong way to journal.

What makes journaling most effective is this idea of welcoming stillness and reflection.

There are many reasons why we journal. From travel journals, dream journals, gratitude journals to prayer jour-

nals, we keep specific journals for differ- garden. ent aspects of our life. I’ve listed seven reasons why you should keep a journal.

ART JOURNAL BENEFITS Keep your thoughts organized.

Releasing your creative energy; Set & achieve your goals.

Preserving creative artistic ideas; Inspire creativity Preserving your memories from culAllow yourself to self-reflect tural events.

Relieve stress FOOD JOURNAL BENEFITS Boost your memory Meal-planning; Record ideas on-the-go Collecting recipes and photos of great meals; Most people think of journaling as Making grocery shopping easier; sitting down first thing in the morning doing a brain dump of everything on GRATITUDE JOURNALING their minds. I don’t.

BENEFITS I give myself one hour each day Improves mental health; Helps you keep your focus on what’s to create a pretty journal page with water colors paints, stampings, weekly positive (even when you’re going through a rough period). plans and creative concepts.

Reduces stress and anxiety as it Yes, I also use my journal to keep a record of details of a special vacation, helps you shift your attention to the or your parents’ 50 year anniversary, good things.

Helps you improve relationships, as or meeting notes.

I also have a journal where I put it helps you become more empathetic. in story ideas, character images and READING JOURNALING BENEFITS more. When I’m working on a story Keeping all the quotes you find and I’m basing it in a certain town, I will print out the city map and add it important and useful in one place. inside of my journal.

Keeping a log of all the books you I would be remiss if I didn’t list read for quick reference. the different types of journaling You’re always ready for the book you can do, especially if someone club session. artistically inclined you or like to

If you’re interested in learning how to journal, you can join me weekly, via Zoom at 11 am each Thursday.

Meeting ID: 426 629 2478 Passcode: hj2xf5 Topics and lettering are taught in a cool space to hang out and be creative. It is truly endless what you can journal about.

TRAVEL JOURNALING BENEFITS It’s a fun and creative way of preserving memories from a journey.

Helps you reduce packing anxiety, as everything you need to check is in one place: numbers, addresses, packing lists, shopping lists.

You don’t depend on your mobile phone’s battery for that kind of information if you have it all written down.

GARDENING JOURNALING BENEFITS Keeping track of your garden throughout seasons Keeping track of your plants’ progress FITNESS JOURNALING BENEFITS Keeping track of your progress by writing down your accomplishments after every training session; Can be highly motivational (especially when hard days come, you wouldn’t want to break the chain of success in your fitness journal).

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Why You Should Start Journaling

MOVIES

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Film featuring 2 CSRA natives to Premiere in Augusta Irreconcilable Differences writer and director is former Garden City resident

M.V. Oliphant, co-star is from Augusta

Karen D. Neal, co-star is from Thomson

Irreconcilable Differences, written and produced by author & former Augusta resident Thomas Green Jr.

ATLANTA Chocolate Chip Productions will present new motion picture, Irreconcilable Differences, in Augusta on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 6:30pm EST at the Shelly Jones Legacy Event Center, 2872 Tobacco Road, Hephzibah, GA 30815.

The movie stars Pamela Ricardo (BET’s The Quad, Vampire Diaries), Larry Towers with co-stars Britnney Level (Bobby Brown Story, The Resident) , DaJoor Ashwood (Underground Railroad, HBO’s Watchmen), Anthony Todd (BET’s American Soul, Boomerang, MacGuyver) and featuring rapper/actor Greg Nice of hip hop duo Nice & Smooth.

The movie also co-stars two natives of the Augusta area – M.V. Oliphant (Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse, T V One’s Fatal Attraction) and Karen D. Neal (Genius: The Aretha Franklin Story).

Irreconcilable Differences, written and produced by author & former Augusta resident Thomas Green Jr., is a story of a marriage between a medical doctor and a professional baseball player which appears to be a strong and loving one from the outside looking in, but faces serious trouble with challenges of miscommunication, family interference and temptation.

“Irreconcilable Differences is about of a couple who, at the end, felt they were through with being married,” said Green, who is making his filmmaking debut with the movie.

“Yet sometimes it ain’t over until it’s over.”

Tickets for the premiere are $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.com under the name of the event or visit www.

ChocolateChipProductions.com or the pages for Chocolate Chip Productions on Facebook or Instagram.

MUSIC

Rocker harkens back to his “Soul” roots

BY TIMOTHY COX FOR URBAN PRO WEEKLY BALTIMORE, MD Though KISS co-founder and front-man/guitarist, Paul Stanley, has spent the most part of 50 years ensuring that his trio become a part of American rock ‘n roll history, in the meantime, he has recently formed a side-group which is near and dear to his upbringing.

Soul Station is a comprised of a group that perform soul and RnB music, many of the tunes of which were favorites of Paul Stanley when he was just a kid. Paul Stanley was born Stanley Bert Eisen on Jan. 20, 1952 – to parents who were both of Jewish descent. He grew up learning to appreciate the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Having been raised in Manhattan and Queens boroughs of New York City, Stanley was first influenced by The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, in addition to Little Richard and Dion and The Belmonts – but as time grew, in his teenage years, he became a major fan of Motown and the Sounds of Philadelphia.

While he found major success with KISS bandmate Gene Simmons, he always maintained his love for black music and the soulful sounds of RnB. His current group, Soul Station, consists of several highly talented soul musicians with background and experiences with some of the major soul bands in America.

Stanley’s 15-piece ensemble group (Soul Station) has toured the U.S. and Japan, and recently recorded an album of nine classic soul songs and five new original songs. NOW AND THEN was released March 5, 2021. The first single “O-O-H Child” (originally recorded by The Five Stairsteps) has received very pleasurable reviews since its release.

Speaking of his current project, Stanley said: “Between us doing some great Soul Station shows and starting the album I started to think that neither the band or the music we love should depend only on the past so I started writing with the goal of seamlessly taking songs into the present. From what a lot of people I respect have told me, that mission was accomplished.”

When Stanley conceived Soul Station, the group excelled in the live venue setting, playing smaller, intimate clubs – a setting where Paul Stanley would reflect on those classic hits that were his early inspiration, playing the songs with a reverence and respect for how he and the band believe

they should be performed and heard.“I was lucky to see Otis Redding and Solomon Burke among others. That music and its storytelling gave me strength and hope even in some tough days. The great classics of that era are magical medicine for most and I felt myself drawn back to that era for some sorcery I think we could all use.”

Stanley’s legendary soul band includes: Rafael “Hoffa” Moreira (guitar & backing vocals); Sean Hurley (bass); Alex Alessandroni (Musical Director, keyboards); Ely Rise (keyboards); Eric Singer (drums & backing vocals); RayYslas (per-

cussion); Gavyn Rhone (backing vocals); Crystal Starr (backing vocals) and Laurhan Beato (backing vocals) and Jon Pappenbrook (lead trumpet).

The band is augmented by three string players and two horn players of the same stature enabling Soul Station’s wall of sound to be firmly rooted in the past while staking claim to both the present and future.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Paul Stanley and KISS will perform at the Cellairis Lakewood Amphitheater on Sunday, August 29 in Atlanta.)

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KISS’s Paul Stanley & SOUL STATION will appear in ATL Aug. 29

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Mariah McKie Butler Memorial College Book Scholarship Presentation

O

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS (L-R) Mahoghanye Smith, Tederell “Deuce” Johnson, Tyriana Jackson, Leonard Walton, Devyn Jolly, Savannah Bauer Brown, and Daja Hollie.

n Friday, July 23 Augusta Mini Theatre Arts & Life Skills School presented its Mariah McKie Butler Memorial College Book Scholarship to its seven 2021 high school graduates. The scholarship, since 1984, has been given to students enrolled in Augusta Mini Theatre for four or more, consecutive, years at graduation of high school. The seven 2021 graduates of Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, Mahoganye Smith (student AMT 2nd-12th) attending North Carolina AT&T , Leonard Walton (student AMT 2ND-12th) Tederell “Deuce” Johnson (student AMT 3rd-12th) attending Howard University, Tyriana Jackson (student AMT 6th-12th) attending

Georgia State University, Devyn Jolly (student AMT 8th-12th) attending Howard University, Cross Creek High School, Daja Hollie (student AMT 6th-12th) attending North Carolina Agricultural Technical State University and Academy of Richmond County High School, Savannah Bauer Brown (student AMT 9th-12th) attending Augusta University.

Funds for scholarships are usually raised from the Mini Theatre’s annual Sunshine’s Roast and Toast.

The past two years, due to COVID-19, the Roast was cancelled.

To ensure the 2021 graduates receive the scholarship ($400.00) this year. Teresa Highsmith, Jack

and Jill of America (Augusta Chapter), The family (in memory) of Thomas Henry and Mariah McKie Butler family and Mini Theatre supporters raised the $2,900.00 needed to give the scholarships.

Two students, Mahoghanye Smith and Daja Hollie, also received the first annual “Robert Leverett College Book Scholarship”, which was sponsored and presented by Ms. Leslie Bing in memory of her father, Robert.

For more information and to donated, contact Tyrone J. Butler at 706-722-0598 between 10am-3pm or email tyronejbutler67@yahoo.com or visit www. augustaminitheatre.com.

Augusta Airport provides sponsorships for non-profit organization events Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) wants to be a partner in the support of local non-profit organization events through the AGS Sponsorship & Charitable Contribution Policy.

AGS takes pride in being a community partner. Through that endeavor, AGS hosts several public events, as well as, provides sponsorship funds for local, not for profit, organizations that host community events.

Augusta Regional Airport’s Aviation Commission, adopted a Sponsorship and Charitable Contribution Policy in an effort to support other local events around the area.

“The Airport is a civic partner and regional asset.” Said Herbert L. Judon Jr., Augusta Regional Airport’s Executive Director. “It is very important to us to provide facilities and monetary support for

various events. These events provide the Airport local brand recognition, the chance to promote the Airport’s amenities, and most important, the opportunity to be of service to our community.”

For more information on the Sponsorship & Charitable Contribution Policy, please visit www.FlyAGS.com/SponsorhpiCharitable-Contribution.

• Looking for more vendors for monthly networking events. Youth entrepreneurs encouraged. Send msg and product types to UPW facebook page.

• ISO FREE 4-5 gallon food grade plastic buckets.

Handles preferred but not needed. Will pick up. Text pls (706) 495-6238

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text UPW to (706) 528-6855

Get UPW delivered to your inbox OR your front door.

Subscribe at growingaugusta.co/upw

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#gardencityjazz june 27 : july 25 code: UPW

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Take Note

COMMUNITY MOVES The Back to School Bash is back!

We still have spaces for community organizations who serve families at the Bash, which will be held Saturday, August 14 from 10 am – 1 am outside the Diamond Lakes Library in Hephzibah. Please sign up online at arcpls.live/b2sregistration to reserve a space or contact Erin Prentiss, Outreach Services Manager, at outreach@arcpls.org or 706-821-2612.

The purpose of the Back to School Bash is to spread the word about free resources available for families in this community in addition to providing free school supplies. We have had over 2000 people attend in the past. If you have questions, please contact Erin Prentiss at the

contact information listed in the previous paragraph.

The Back to School Bash is sponsored by the Richmond County Council of PTAs, Amerigroup, SWAT Foundation, and the AugustaRichmond County Public Library System.

All Augusta-Richmond County Public Library branches are accepting new and unopened school supplies benefitting the Back to School Bash. The Bash usually runs out of school supplies, so all donations will help us assist more families get their students ready to learn. To schedule a donation or for more information, contact Erin Prentiss at prentisse@ arcpls.org or 706-821-2612.

Richmond Cty schools to offer free student meals The R ichmond Count y School system will offer free meals to all students during the 2021-22 school year.

The Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Program has announced that Georgia schools may participate in the Seamless Summer Option for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs in the 2021-2022 school year.

Richmond County School System families are not required to complete meal applications to qualify for free breakfast and lunch meals.

The following public meeting for the Richmond County Board of Education will be held at 864 Broad Street, Board Room Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia 30901: August 17, – Called Board Meeting at 12:00 p.m.

– 1st Public Hearing FY22 Millage Rate August 17, – August 2021 Committee Meeting and Regular Board Meeting – 2nd Public Hearing FY22 Millage Rate - Committee Meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m. and the Regular Board Meeting will immediately follow the Committee Meeting. Any meeting underway will recess at 6:00 p.m. to hold the Public Hearing regarding the FY22 millage rate.

August 24, – Called Board Meeting at 4:00 p.m.

– 3rd Public Hearing FY22 Millage Rate & Final Adoption of the FY22 Millage Rate The meetings will be held at Richmond County Board of Education, 864 Broad Street, Board Room Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia 3090. Please run meeting as a Public Service Announcement as the public is invited to attend.

NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The “Forever Young” bronze sculpture is part of the Augusta Sculpture Trail. Texas artist Larry Schueckler created the art piece, which is located at 8th and Broad. The selling price is $14,000 and is available through the Greater Augusta Arts Council. Photo by Vince Hobbs

The Augusta Richmond County Board of Commissioners has tentatively adopted a 2021 millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 2.62 percent.

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at Henry Brigham Community Center, 2463 Golden Camp Road, Augusta GA on August 12 at 10 AM Warren Road Community Center, 300 Warren Road, Augusta GA on August 12 at 6 PM Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are Lee Beard Commission Chambers, Municipal Building, 535 Telfair Street, Augusta GA on August 19 at 11:30 AM The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $125,000 is approximately $10.39 and the proposed tax increase for nonhomestead property with a fair market value of $150,000 is approximately $13.86.

Entrepreneur Time Management many will discuss taking sabbaticals, only answering a certain number of emails per day, ensuring you have business hours, ensuring family or personal time is not interrupted unless it is an absolute emergency, prioritizing the day and starting off with self-care (a health or mindfulness routine) before interacting with others. You also want to ensure you learn your personal capacity and learn to say no.

Don’t forget to review your business and see where you can add in automation or even delegate tasks this will also help you manage your time.

We suggest the following books to help you on your path to time management: The 4-hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey,

Got a “Mover & Shaker” in your family, business, church, or community organization?

UPW wants to know about it. Send us a message on Facebook...

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Happy Black Business Month. Time management is one of the toughest skills sets to get down in life even without being an entrepreneur. Our suggestion is to ensure you make time management a part of your normal routine. You should be able to accomplish this by holding yourself accountable to your own schedule. There will be emergencies and other items that may come up, which will take you off your schedule at times but 90-95% of your time can be managed. Many business owners are moving to 4-day work weeks or at minimum ensuring they have at least two days off.

We suggest ensuring you establish a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly routine. We also suggest reading articles from successful business owners and entrepreneurs. You will notice

and Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Zeratsky and John Knapp.

Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce is here to service busi-

ness owners in the CSRA community through advocacy, education, programming and more. Visit us at www.mygabc.org and follow us on social media @mygabc…

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