UPW DECEMBER 14 - 28 2017
COMMENTARY by Ken Makin:
Arena site debacle reveals crisis in black leadership p.10
URBAN PRO WEEKLY
VOL. 7 NO. 5
SportsVIEW A Sports Journal courtside view T.W. JOSEY’S TYKEDRA ROLLAND (L) goes for a layup as Cross Creek’s Kierra Stewart defends during a recent game against Cross Creek at the Lady Eagles gym. Josey defeated the Lady Razorbacks 48-47. (Dec. 5, 2017) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal
UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER, 2017
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THE CITY COMMENTARY
Let’s not make a deal . . .
City adopts weird strategy for S. Augusta revitalization By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA The inability to reach a workable agreement in the Regency Mall site selection for the proposed James Brown Arena has been a disappointment on many levels. The fact that six black commissioners were not able to come together in the spirit of compromise and self sacrifice for the good of the community has resulted in a monumental erosion of trust and casts doubt on the ability of those commissioners to govern effectively. The city’s black elected officials have reneged on their promise to “bring home the bacon” and work for the best interests for their respective constituencies. Now, as most commissioners represent all or part of South Augusta, the only disagreement should be how best to spur revitalization of that area of town. It is not good enough to know what you don’t want to do without having a viable alternative. The only disagreements that commissioners Bill Fennoy, Andrew Jefferson, Ben Hasan, Sammy Sias, Dennis Williams and Marion Williams should have among themselves is deciding which plan works better for the voters who placed them in office. It should never be an “all or nothing” proposition. It should never get down to “my way or the highway.” If these lawmakers, who have the power to implement any scheme they deem worthy, can’t agree on Plan A,
UPW Urban Pro Weekly Hephzibah, GA 30815
they should move on to Plan B — and then on to Plan C, if needed. How do we get to a place where “we can no longer discuss this issue?” Now, it’s clear how we got here. As in any human endeavor, there are a host of complex psychological, spiritual, and sociological insecurities that need to be neutralized in order for a team to function as a unit. However, in the case of said commissioners, these challenges are exascerbated by a mutual disrespect, and likely dislike for one another, which plays out in stark relief in far too many public meetings. Commission meetings have become platforms for grandstanding and passive-aggressive posturing on the part of the mayor and the commissioners. The media couldn’t be more pleased with the shenanigans. Such behavior feeds all of the incorrect political narratives. This problem starts at the top. Mayor Hardie Davis has never had the reputation for being a great leader. Some in the community have described him as a king without a kingdom. Leaders bring folks together — for better or for worse. Like it or not, any black elected official in the south, is the beneficiary of a movement that cost the lives and treasure of countless souls who labored for hundreds of years without pay, respect or security. To become an elected official in the south, and to posture as if race is not a significant factor in your term of service, is to ignore hundreds of years of sacrifice.
At Odds
Can’t we all just get along
Mayor Hardie Davis
Comm. Sammy Sias
Black elected officials who can’t work together put their own political futures at risk. So where are we at present. Those at opposite sides of the arena issue don’t show any signs of relenting. The search for common ground starts with each side being willing to
give ground. Absent that, the best we can hope for is to wait for election day. What we have here is a huge disappointment which the voters will remember when these politicians come to them for their support in the future.
A Way Out? South Augustans don’t really care what goes at the site of the old Regency Mall. It could be the James Brown Arena or a Disney-type theme park. But something should be done there and sooner rather than later. Remember the Tee Center “debate.” There was no progress for a long time until a single commissioner decided to compromise. After the compromise, the Tee Center was built and the Laney-Walker Bethlehem revitalization became a reality. Why can’t the commissioners tie any funding for a downtown James Brown Arena to an equally impactful revitalization project for South Augusta? Who cares if it is at the Regency Mall site or not. But if it is at the Regency Mall site, you get 2 for 1. You take care of blight and invest in South Augusta all at the same time. If the project goes anywhere else in South Augusta, you still have the Regency Mall blight to deal with. Until we see some concrete plans, no new stadium should be funded. — The Editor
URBAN PRO WEEKLY Publisher URBAN PRO WEEKLY MEDIA 706-306-4647 urbanpromedia@yahoo.com
“Commission meetings have become platforms for grandstanding and passive-aggressive posturing on the part of the mayor and the commissioners.”
CEO / Sales FREDERICK BENJAMIN SR. 706-306-4647 editor@urbanproweekly.com
Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media KEN MAKIN contributing columnist
By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA The public controversy over the James Brown Arena — whichever side you were rooting for — has made it clear to many political observers that the status quo is not good enough. Over the next several weeks, citizens have to make a decision to support incumbent candidates or to replace them with newcomers. Six of the city’s top 11 posts will be up for grabs in the 2018 city-wide elections. At the top, Mayor Hardie Davis is sure to face opposition, but it is unclear who has the time, energy and resources to unseat him. Names that have surfaced include Brad Usry, Cedric Johnson, Deke Copenhaver and Sean Frantom. None of them have made a commitment and neither Johnson, nor Copenhaver have expressed any interest in the job. Johnson appears to be a perennial
non candidate despite perceptions that he could garner significant support at the mayor’s expense. Five commission seats are up for grabs. In District 2, Dennis Williams must decide if he is going to run again. In District 4, everyone expects Sammy Sias to run again. In District 6, Ben Hasan has not shown his hand, as of yet. In District 8, Wayne Guilfoyle is not eligible to run again due to term limitations and the same is true for Grady Smith of District 10. Although it is still very early, informed sources tell UrbanProWeekly that Tony Lewis, who ran for District 6 the last time, will run again. Another name that has surfaced without any confirmation or targeted seat is Keith Brown who has served on the commission in the past. Qualifying for the 2018 General Primary begins on March 5, 2018 and the election will be on May 22, 2018.
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3 UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER, 2017
2018 Elections could change political landscape in big way
Free training available for new Democratic Party candidates
UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER, 2017
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GOOD CHEER. A Josey High School cheerleader expresses herself during a recent contest pitting Josey against Cross Creek High. For more photos see p. 5 - 7. (December 5, 2017 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal
Urban Pro Weekly wishes all of our readers and advertisers a safe holiday break
Great news, Georgia Democrats! Due to popular demand, we have extended the deadline to apply for a free candidate training. The deadline to apply is now January 2nd by 9AM. We are partnering with the National Democratic Training Committee to bring an exclusive training opportunity to our 2018 candidates. This program is for candidates running for local office or the state legislature in Georgia whose general election is in November 2018. The cohort will meet via live webinar from 7:45pm - 8:45pm ET on Wednesdays in January and February for guest speakers, Q&A, feedback and group work. NDTC is launching their inaugural online training cohort in January. It’s essentially a guided roadmap to building a successful campaign plan. For those of you running in 2018, it’s
the perfect opportunity to get your campaign up and running quickly. You will meet via live webinar for one hour per week for guest speakers, Q&A, feedback, and group work throughout January and February. In addition to their online courses, you’ll have the chance to workshop elements of your campaign in small groups and get live feedback from the trainers. Candidates are expected to dedicate about 10 hours per week taking on-demand online courses and developing elements of their own campaign. Applications for the Georgia cohort are due January 2nd by 9AM. Applications for the Georgia cohort are due January 2nd by 9 AM. To apply go to https://www. traindemocrats.org/cohort-application
5 UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER, 2017 T.W. Josey senior Joshua Kelly passes the ball during a game against Cross Creek at the Eagles gym. The Razorbacks defeated the Eagles 50-45. (December 5, 2017 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal
SportsVIEW Cross Creek’s Devon Hicks (L) moves down the court during a game against Josey at the Eagles gym. The Razorbacks defeated the Eagles 50-45. (December 5, 2017 Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal
RICHMOND COUNTY SCHOOLS
H.S. Basketball Josey vs. Cross Creek
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SportsVIEW
H.S. BASKETBALL - JOSEY VS CROSS CREEK
Cross Creek’s Micah Bess (R) moves down the court as Josey’s Ebony Clark (L) defends during a game at the Lady Eagles gym. Josey defeated the Lady Razorbacks 48-47 in an action-packed close game. (December 5, 2017 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal
H.S. Basketball
Josey vs. Cross Creek T.W. Josey head girls basketball coach Jawan Bailey advises the during a timeout in a game against Cross Creek at the Lady Eagles gym. Josey defeated the Lady Razorbacks 48-47 in an action-packed close game. (December 5, 2017 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal
7 UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER, 2017 T.W. Josey senior Ebony Chisolm (L) celebrates with her teammates at the end of a game against Cross Creek at the Lady Eagles gym. Josey defeated the Lady Razorbacks 48-47 in an action-packed close matchup.(December 5, 2017 Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/ Sports Journal
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MAKIN’ A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin MOURNING THE MAJORITY
Augusta’s commissioners, constituency need to stand strong, united on key issues
I
first began my coverage of Augusta politics in 2009. Prior to that, my only experience in journalism was in sportswriting. What changed, you ask? My growing interest in social activism led to a quick study of Augusta’s political structure. The idea of politics might be intimidating to some, yet I am here to tell you that it really isn’t a difficult idea to understand. I believe it’s an idea where representatives of the people work in the people’s best interest. The money from the government, which comes from the people, is allocated in a way that helps the entire populace. Of course, this is not politics as we know it — in Augusta, or America, for that matter. Politics is a big money game (I am tempted to type “scheme.”) It is pay-for-play in every way imaginable. Our elected officials don’t do the bidding of the people. They do the bidding of corporations. Politics isn’t just about economics, though. On a very simple, yet fundamental level, politics is also about race. Take the Atlanta mayor’s race and runoff, which Keisha Lance Bottoms won by the “skin of her teeth.” A map that displayed the voting results by precinct showed a literal divide down the middle of the city. (The map is pictured here). No matter how progressive or civilized we like to think we are, oftentimes, we vote for the candidate that looks like us. It’s an undeniable bias. But what happens when the elected officials who look like us don’t truly represent us? This is exactly the case of what happened when the Augusta Commission — a governing body where six of the 10 commissioners are Black — balked on a deal to build a new James Brown Arena at the Regency Mall property. The four white commissioners stood firm. They knew anything short of retaining the JBA in downtown Augusta would be a loss for them. The six Black commissioners? Not so much. Whether intentionally or no, they have mishandled the JBA proposal at Regency Mall so poorly that they ended up, to quote Teddy Pendergrass, as “two-time losers.” First, and most importantly, they let down the predominately Black constituency in South Augusta, and Augusta overall. For the time being, and seemingly the foreseeable future, they failed to secure an economic jewel that could revitalize South Augusta. Secondly, the six Black commissioners did nothing to earn the respect of those who were opposed to the proposal in the first place. They are still seen as a bunch of incompetent stooges.
Atlanta’s mayor’s race results shows a divided city along racial lines.
Ironically, and with a touch of racism, a boisterous group of (predominately) white folks also see the commissioners and Mayor Hardie Davis as “corrupt.” Of course, there was very little talk of “corruption” as Augusta built a TEE Center, a parking deck and gentrified downtown Augusta. What, you think white folks in power are going to tell on themselves? So, the question remains — what do we do? It’s simple in practice, but hard to execute. We must maximize our majority. Here’s what commissioners and other elected officials need to understand — representation is more important than re-election. Elected officials spend so much time trying to please the media and corporate entities that they forget about serving the populace. Truth is, Black commissioners will never please Augusta’s white-owned media. That’s why
it’s foolish to build a legacy on what they think and say. Instead, build your legacy on the ABC’s — be men of action, boldness and candor. People will not always agree with you, but at least conduct yourselves in a way where you demand peoples’ utmost respect. Black folks might not always have the money, but there are times when we have the masses. And it’s important, in those moments, to push our weight around and make a passionate effort to create lasting change in our community. Ken J. Makin is the founder of “Makin’ A Difference.” Updates on the show are available via Facebook at facebook.com/makinadifferenceshow. Ken can be reached via email at makinadifferenceshow@gmail.com or via text at (803) 270-2331. Past and present columns can be viewed at VersesAndTiles.com.
OF RICHMOND COUNTY
4 Seasons Chamber Jazz
formances, ranging from Latin jazz to vocal standards to Dixieland. It’s a musical celebration of art in nature. January 19, April 20, 2018; 7:30pm four features Dr. Mitch Butler, The Richmond County Church School System will accept bids and request Unitarian Universalist of Season the American Jazz Combo, Gray Augusta for proposals until 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 13, 2017, for the Description: 4 Seasons Chamber Mayfield, and Niki Haris. following: Jazz is a four-event concert series, Info: www.uuaugusta.org (706) with each concert featuring two per- 733-7939
1. Banking Services RFP#17-790 2. Student Activity Fund Accounting Software RFP#17-792 3. Request for Qualifications “Solar Photovoltaic Generation” Consulting/Construction Services
MEDICAL VILLA PHARMACY WE TAKE
• Georgia medicaid • Insurance plans
Bid specifications may be obtained by contacting Cecilia Perkins in the • Charge cards • WIC vouchers Business Office at perkice@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us or 706-826-1298, on our web site at www.rcboe.org/bids, or at Richmond County School FREE System, Central Office 864 Broad Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, GA 30901.
DELIVERY The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject any SERVICE Marshall Curtis, and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities. Pharmacist/Owner
706-722-7355
Baron Curtis, COUNTY PharmacistBOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY
By: Dr. Angela D. Pringle, Secretary
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY The Richmond County School System will accept bids and request for proposals until 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 10, 2018, for the following: 1. 2018 Summer Food Service Program RFQ#18-796 2. Banking Services RFP #18-798 3. Commodity Processing RFP #18-797 4. Cross Creek High School Band Room HVAC RFP#2018-001 5. Student Activity Fund Accounting Software RFP #18-799 Bid specifications may be obtained by contacting Cecilia Perkins in the Business Office at perkice@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us or 706-8261298, on our web site at www.rcboe.org/bids, or at Richmond County School System, Central Office 864 Broad Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, GA 30901. The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities. COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY By: Dr. Angela D. Pringle, Secretary
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9 UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER, 2017
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
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2017
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