SPLOST BATTLE LOOMS
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Sheriff spends political capital in sales tax support
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The CSRA’s FREE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER VOL.3 NO.33
MAY 1 - 7, 2014
The JOURNEY of MICHAEL KELLY
Photo by Vincent Hobbs
Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800
UrbanProWeekly •MAY 1 - 7, 2014
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The CITY
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Hardie Davis
CON
Lori Myles
Helen Blocker-Adams
Alvin Mason
Political Analysis Richard Roundtree
Charles Cummings
SPLOST battlelines forming By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA With over 20 candidates vying for public office on May 20, there are many viewpoints but few philosophical positions that can readily be elevated to viable campaign issues which distinguish one candidate from another. That’s not the case with the upcoming special-purposelocal-option-sales-tax (SPLOST) package which will appear on the ballot in the May 20 election. SPLOST has emerged as the single issue that clearly separates the candidates. It is also the issue most likely to be misunderstood or misrepresented by the candidates. The SPLOST issue is complex which ensures that (a) the public rarely gets a comprehensive explanation of the real issue and (b) the candidates will only address those aspects of the tax which they feel will resonate with the public. Those mayoral candidates which have indicated that they favor the SPLOST include former state senator Hardie Davis and educator Lori Myles. Both have spoken in glowing terms of the good that the SPLOST money does to enhance the lives of Augustans. They were joined this week by Sheriff Richard Roundtree who argued that the SPLOST package, if passed, would enhance public safety. And while the Roundtree stressed that his defense of SPLOST was not political, the timing of his announcement cast doubt on that claim. (See Roundtree’s support of SPLOST on page 13).
The Roundtree-Davis-Myles view is echoed by those who want to see this SPLOST measure passed — warts and all. Those who blindly support the SPLOST because of all the good stuff that it buys for the community fail to come to terms with the fact that the courts may yet decide that the way the city has been handling SPLOST projects needs to be completely revamped. They realize that there is less political risk in having the courts knock down the program than them acknowledging that there may be a credible challenge to the status quo. In other words, see no evil, speak no evil. It is the safest political stance. If the SPLOST has been done all wrong, it is of little consequence as long as some good results from it. Another view is held by those who oppose this particular SPLOST package. While they favor SPLOST generally, they object to the way this particular list of projects was arrived at. With them the process as well as the timing is suspect. Helen BlockerAdams and Charles Cummings and Commissioner Alvin Mason fall into this category. Mason, however, is the only one who is suggesting that aspects of how this package had been rolled out might be in conflict with state law. Regardless of which side of the SPLOST issue that the candidates fall on, there appear to be serious ethical, legal, and financial ramifications that none of them are willing to address — even if they understand them. That’s the nature of politics. Here’s the dilemma in which the politicians find themselves.
Those who oppose the SPLOST, assume the most political risk because their position is most likely to be misunderstood by a public that has been conditioned to view the SPLOST package as “guaranteed and entitled” cash for their beloved arts, education and “quality of life” programs. The view of much of the public is that, “if you’re against SPLOST you must be against the Augusta Mini Theatre, Paine College, Mach Academy and the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History” — all of which have benefited from past SPLOST funding. So, those who go on record as being against the SPLOST package, must qualify their objection by saying that they really are for the programs which the tax has supported, they’re just against the way in which the package was presented to the public. But whether they say they are for or against the package, none of the politicians are willing to publicly examine the legal challenge facing SPLOST in the courts. That is not to say that the politicians are unaware of these issues, they just see no benefit in taking a position in the absence of a definitive ruling from the court. That’s a shame because if the court complaint is seen as credible in just half of its allegations, it could be a “game changer” for the entire county. For one, the complaint calls into question not just the current SPLOST initiative, but past SPLOST packages as well. Also, if the complaint has any merit at all, it will mean that those beloved nonprofits mentioned above will no longer be able to use SPLOST money
to enhance their programs. If the complaint has any merit at all it will mean that millions of dollars of past SPLOST expenditures will wind up in “legal limbo” and could even lead to criminal charges. The recent court filing by a private citizen, Les Morton, is well thought out and measured. And while Morton, a Paine College grad, is well aware of the good that SPLOST may have done in the past, he is adament that those funds that have been allocated to charitable organizations should be reallocated to those types of capital-outlay projects for which the tax was originally created. His complaint initially sought to have the SPLOST referendum removed from the May 20 ballot, but all that it is requesting now is that the city follow state law when it deals with the public on SPLOST packages. Currently, those who favor the SPLOST package are not calling for the city to follow the law. Mason comes close, but he stops short of supporting the entire “laundry list” of abuses outlined in Morton’s complaint. Make no mistake about it. If this SPLOST doesn’t pass, the city will have to rely on “voodoo economics” to make ends meet. The city has already engaged in “voodoo public policy” where it bends and shifts the rules and as long as no one challenges them, they feel obligated to maintain the status quo. Morton has asked the court to order an immediate forensic audit of past SPLOST expenditures and wants the Attorney General’s office to investigate funds being used improperly.
UrbanProWeekly • MAY 1 - 7, 2014
PRO
UrbanProWeekly •MAY 1 - 7, 2014
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Private probation bill is vetoed Gov. Deal stops legislation because of ‘red flags.’ By Greg Bluestein gbluestein@ajc.com of his trickiest decisions. Supporters and Rhonda Cook rcook@ajc.com said it would help private probation companies avoid frivolous litigation ATLANTA that could jeopardize the industry, Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed legislation while opponents warned it amounted Tuesday that would have allowed to a gift to help shield the lucrative private probation companies to keep firms from more scrutiny. secret from the public details such as Deal said he was worried about how many people they supervise and the “red flags” raised in a recent how much they collect in fines. state audit that found courts provide The legislation, House Bill 837, little oversight of private probation was one of 10 bills that he vetoed companies and the firms often fail to as the last day that he could sign or supervise the low-level offenders they scuttle legislation. While the gov- should watch. He also expressed conernor signed dozens of pieces of cerns that the language went too far. legislation into law, the handful of “I favor more transparency over privetoes he issued highlight the rare vate probation services and therefore public differences between the GOP I am not in favor of this information governor and the Republican-led being exempt from the Georgia Open Legislature. Records Act,” he said in the veto stateThe probation bill gave Deal one ment.
His other vetoes covered bills that didn’t attract as much public scrutiny. He tossed Senate Bill 281, which would have required the state-sponsored insurance plan to offer more products, on grounds that his administration has already made changes to the program to add more options. He also scuttled legislation that would have increased the daily expense allowance for members of several state boards and create a statewide registry of business trade names to be housed and maintained by the judicial system. Both proposals, he said, could threaten taxpayer dollars. Two measures that were aimed at settling an annexation dispute between Brookhaven and Chamblee
also got the red pen treatment as the deadline approached. Deal said in his veto statement that he feared the legislation could preempt an ongoing court fight. The probation measure, though, sparked the greatest debate. Several supporters of the legislation did not immediately return calls seeking comment. But critics of HB 837 celebrated the governor’s decision. Sarah Geraghty of the Southern Center for Human Rights, an Atlantabased civil rights group, said Deal displayed “great wisdom” with the move. “This bill would have expanded the reach of the private probation industry and given it the cloak of secrecy,” Geraghty said. “Governor Deal has shown a great deal of integrity.”
Audit prompted governor M EDICAL VILLA PHARMACY to rethink role of privately WE TAKE: run probation services •Georgia medicaid •Insurance plans •Charge cards •WIC vouchers
A recent 73-page report by the Georgia Department of Audits and the Accounts Performance Audit Division raised serious issues about the effectiveness and transparency of private misdemeanor probation services just like the one that currently serves Richmond County. The report covers much of the same ground as that of a Human Rights Watch report which UrbanPro Weekly reported on in February. What follows is a summary of the findings.
Both courts and providers should improve management practices What we found Municipal and county governments manage misdemeanor probation services by establishing their own probation office or by contracting with a private probation provider. With the approval of the governing authority, the chief judge of each local court system enters into a contract (private providers) or a governmental agreement (public providers) that defines certain rules and procedures for operations and case management. Our review of misdemeanor probation operations in a sample of jurisdictions found that courts provided limited oversight of providers, with contracts that often lack the detail needed to guide provider actions and periodic reports from providers that tell little about their own or their probationers’ performance. We also found that providers frequently had inadequate case management policies and that some providers’ reporting and payment policies were likely to
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increase probationer noncompliance. O.C.G.A.§42,8,100 provides courts with the authority to determine which provider will supervise misdemeanor probationers. Inherent in this authority is a responsibility to ensure the selected provider’s actions follow the expectations of the court. However, we found that contracts and governmental agreements frequently did not include all provisions - some required by state law - needed to ensure providers are aware of court expectations. For example, contracts did not always include a probationer’s reporting frequency, reasons the frequency could be increased, or the frequency for a probationer deemed noncompliant with probation terms. The contracts also rarely communicated to providers when, or if, a probationer that is not current with payments should be returned to the court for a determination of indigence.
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WORSHIP
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Good Shepherd Baptist Church
Rev. Clarence Moore, Pastor 1714 Olive Road / P. O. Box 141 (mailing address) Augusta, GA 30903 706/733-0341- Telephone/706/667-0205 – Fax E-mail address: admin@goodshepherdaugusta.org Web address: goodshepherdaugusta.org Rev. Clarence Moore Church Service: 7:45 & 11:00 a.m. Church School: 9:45 a.m. / Prayer Service: 11:00 a.m. – Wednesday Bible Study: 9:00 a.m. - Saturday / 7:00 p.m. - Wednesday
Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church
314 Sand Bar Ferry Road Augusta, Georgia 30901 (706) 722- 0553 Church School Sunday 9:25am Morning Worship Sunday 11am Evening Worship 6pm (1st & 3rd Sunday) Midday Prayer 12pm Wednesday Intercessory Prayer/Bible Study 6pm Wednesday
Bishop Rosa L. Williams, Pastor
Radio Broadcast: Sundays • WKZK 103.7 FM at 7:30 a.m. Sunday School 8:30 am Morning Worship Services: 9:45 am Evening Worship Services 6 pm (4th Sunday) Bible Study: 6pm (Mondays) Midday Bible Study: 12pm (Tuesdays) Prayer Services: 6pm (Wednesdays) Celebrate Recovery: 6pm (Fridays) and 12pm (Mondays) 2323 Barton Chapel Road • Augusta,GA 30906 706.790.8185 / 706.922.8186 (fax) Visit Us @ www.broadwaybaptistaug.org • Join us on facebook
Sunday Morning Services 10 am Wednesday Services 7 pm 2070 Brown Road, Hephzibah, GA 30815 (706) 592-9221 | www.alwc.net
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6:30 a.m. - 6:45 a.m. 218-548-1625 • Access Code 2331#
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Vocalist Michael Kelly rehearses a song in a home studio. His latest project, entitled “Jesus Is Not A Fairytale”, will debut later this summer. Photo by Vincent Hobbs
Singing to Be Happy – The Journey of Michael Kelly By Vincent Hobbs Special to UrbanProWeekly
T
AUGUSTA he “green-room” on Stage 29 at the Paramount Studios lot was a bit too warm, but comfortable. Four young men could hear intermittent hearty applause from a live audience in the distance as they rehearsed a song, preparing for a life-changing walk to the stage. A combination of nervousness and excitement filled the air in the backstage room. It was almost showtime. “Please welcome a group of young men from Augusta, Georgia – let’s give it up for Rugged!” Vocalist Michael Kelly, along with fellow singers Tom Cole, Rod Sanders, Vincent Burns and Jeffrey Lacey stood under the warm studio lights on the stage of “The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show” and electrified the audience with a slow harmonic melody. This was the second appearance for the group, after initially appearing on the show as part of a talent search. After winning the first tier of the competition, they had been invited back to sing for the finals. For Kelly, it was pure motivation. “I was born with a gift. I’ve always loved music and singing. It’s the people, the audience, that motivate me to do this. When I sing and I see the expression of happiness on people’s faces, nothing is better than that. It inspires me to do more.”
The Wayans’ late night show, albeit short-lived in its syndicated life, featured the biggest names in entertainment. To have a chance to perform on the same stage as well-known artists was considered miraculous by Kelly, almost surreal. He had come full circle with his dream to sing music for fans to enjoy. Although the group did not take the highest prize that night, it was a transformative experience for Kelly. Along with the other members of Rugged, Kelly made a move to Atlanta to produce and record an album of their music with Deep End Records. After months of work in the studio, a CD called “Changes” was ready for nationwide release. The single, “Spend the Night”, featured Kelly as lead vocalist and made it onto the Billboard national music charts. The accompanying video could be seen on rotation on cable music networks. The catchy club tune became a DJ favorite for re-mixes and has been included in party-mix compilations of the hottest urban music in the US and UK. Despite good reviews and a climb up the charts, everything wasn’t peachesand-crème. Many people who have dabbled in the music business and even veteran performers describe the industry as cutthroat. It is a business model that is like no other, where an artist can sell millions of albums and never see a dime. A Google search for “music industry + cutthroat” yields almost 200,000 hits.
“We didn’t make the sort of money we expected to make,” Kelly shared. “There was some confusion with the management.” Feeling defeated, it was time to go back home. Kelly packed his bags and headed east down I-20. “I gave up on music for about a year after the Atlanta experience. I did some temp jobs and then started working at Jiffy Lube. But something kept nagging at me to get back into my music. I felt like God was telling me to start singing again.” Kelly had been involved with singing in the church since he was a small child. He would perform with his siblings Henry and Monica at various church events. Gospel music had been in his blood since he first learned to walk. “I was attending a couple of different churches over the years since Atlanta, and I got involved with the praise and worship ministries, singing. When I heard from some people that my singing was really helping them, touching them, it gave me the inspiration to move forward in my music again.” Kelly gives particular accolades to his current church, Bethel Community Apostolic Church, where he is one of the leaders on the praise and worship team. Kelly decided that an album of songs that he had written and arranged was the next logical project. Teaming up with Augusta recording engineer Tremell Reese, Kelly self-financed the project and got busy in the studio
again. After two months, an album of five songs resulted, entitled “Jesus Is Not a Fairytale”. One particular track, “Jesus So Good”, embodies the best of oldschool balladeers infused with neosoul funk. It will be released as the first single from the album in the coming months. “My style is intertwined with a lot of artists – such as D’Angelo, John P. Kee, Prince, and Thelonius Monk,” Kelly said when asked to describe his style of music. “It’s hard to define my style, but if you listen carefully to my music, you can hear the relation to some of those artists.” The peaks and valleys of Kelly’s journey to embrace his musical talent has been a challenge. It was the need, the desire to use his gift of singing, that led Kelly from singing Christmas carols for the lunch crowd at McDonald’s to singing a capella at Underground Atlanta to traveling to Miami to try out for “X-Factor”. The music has shaped and defined his life. “I’m an uplifter. It’s an obligation and a mandate for me to sing music. It’s all because of God. I want to reach people and uplift people,” Kelly said. If you happen to stop by the Jiffy Lube on Martintown Road in North Augusta, you might just get a taste of that talent. Kelly has been known to break out a nice vocal arrangement on request for his customers. Very soon in the near future, you just might have pay a lot for that privilege.
CSRA Basketball All-Star Classic
UrbanProWeekly •MAY 1 - 7, 2014
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April 19 at Paine College’s HEAL Center. The Georgia AllStars defeated the South Carolina All-Stars in boys’ action 104-77 and in girls’ 88-62.
Georgia Girls MVP - Ashleigh Outler, Cross Creek Georgia Boys MVP - Tamyrick Fields, Aquinas CSRA All-Star Basketball Classic promoter Gerald White poses with Evans High School’s Jasmine Stone and Grovetown High’s Alayah Canteen. White, a former Richmond Academy and Auburn University standout, has hosted an annual interstate basketball rivalry between Georgia and South Carolina high school seniors since 1999. Photo by Anthony Hooker
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Specializing in: Hypercholesterolemia Hypertension Diabetes Connective Tissue Disorder Thyroid Diseases Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder Aquinas High School’s Tamyrick Fields receives the Most Valuable Player Trophy following the Georgia All-Stars 104-77 victory over the South Carolina AllStars April 19 at Paine College’s HEAL Center. To Fields’ left is the Classic’s founder, Gerald White, who has hosted the interstate contest since 1999. Photo by A. Hooker
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for your income taxes •Outstanding Service •Same Day Tax Preparation •No wait Express Drop-Off Service •One Day Refund Anticipation Loans Glenn Hills High School’s Charles Brown leaps over Westside High’s Reshon Taylor for a crowd-pleasing dunk at halftime of the 15th Annual CSRA Basketball All-Star Classic held April 19 at Paine College’s HEAL Center. The Georgia All-Stars defeated the South Carolina All-Star 104-77 in boys’ action and 88-62 in girls’ competition. Photo by A. Hooker
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Aerial precision dazzles Boshears Flyfest audience
9 UrbanProWeekly • MAY 1 - 7, 2014
TEAM AERODYNAMIX AIRPLANE PILOTS fly in formation before engaging in aerial stunts during the Boshears 21st annual Flyfest held at Daniel Field. The group is billed as the largest air show team in the world. Photo by Vincent Hobbs
SOULFOOD ‘N’ MORE
THE FUNK GROUP CAMEO performs during the Soul Food Fest, held at Evans Town Center Park on Saturday. The legendary group entertained a capacity crowd of fans who had gathered to hear “old school” music from Cameo, Bootsy Collins, Angela Winbush and other musical acts. Photo by Vincent Hobbs
UrbanProWeekly •MAY 1 - 7, 2014
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Omegas name scholarship recipients
New Leaders to host networking event
Juwan Tolbert is a graduating senior at T. W. Josey High School. He is one of the thirteen area graduating seniors to receive a $1000.00 academic scholarship from the Psi Omega Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated to continue their educaJuwan tion. The other recipients are: David Quiles, Damielle Douglas, Hyuri McDowell, Elijah Moton III, Timothy Lyons, Asante Lloyd, Christopher Fuller, Robert Broadwater, Nadia Maith, Mark Walden, Grant Baldwin, Jabril Simpson.
On Saturday, May 3, 2014, The New Leaders Council presents “Movers, Shakers and Change Makers” — a networking event for esablished and upcoming professionals. Special guests include U.S Attorney Ed Tarver, formaer NBA player William Avery, NBC26’s Barclay Bishop, AugustaRichmond County Solicitor General,
Brother Charles Myler, the Scholarship Committee Chair, awarded the 2014 Scholarship recipients a certificate at the Psi Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated Annual Scholarship Banquet Tolbert which was held at the Omega House on April 23, 2014 at 7:00pm. Each recipient will receive $1000.00 which will be awarded in 2 payments of $500.00 for each semester upon registrating as a full-time student in an accredited 4 year college or technical school.
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Laney grads, attendees, faculty (retired also) & Friends May 23 - 27, 2014 Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites Call Betty Dunn @ 706-796-0904 or bettye_bop@yahoo.com
Be Sure To Vote on May 20
Kellie McIntyre, Columbia County Economic Development, Robbie Bennet. The event will start at 7:30 p.m. at the HIstoric Partridge Inn, at 2110 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904. Admission is $20.00. For tickets or sponsorship information, go to new. lc/augusta
AUGUSTA The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced has announced its Men’s and Women’s Track and Field All-Conference teams for the 2014 track season. Paine College placed four student-athletes on the All-Academic Team. Jo r d a n R ut l a nd , J h a ne Davis and Michele Brown were all named to the 2014 SIAC Women’s Track and Field All-Academic Team and Jordan Bailey was named to the 2014 SIAC Men’s Track and Field All-Academic Team. Jhane Davis Jordan Bailey Jordan Rutland Michelle Brown Junior Rutland’s GPA of 3.67 landed the biology major on the All-Academic to All-Academic in her first sea- for the honor. Brown earned All- Bailey is representing the men’s Team. Davis is a sophomore psychology son of All-Academic eligibility, as Academic honors as a senior biol- team with a 3.40 GPA as a psycholmajor with a 3.33 GPA who was named first-year students are not eligible ogy major who boasts a 3.21 GPA. ogy major.
Ms. St. John Towers Pageant highlights Greatest Generation The Ms. St. John Towers Pageant will he held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 6 p.m. This pageant highlights the beauty and experiences of some ladies of our greatest generation. St. John Towers, a retirement community serving Augusta area seniors and a facility of Wesley Woods Senior Living, celebrates its 401 anniversary in 2014. Many events during April and May will focus on our achievements and contributions to our city. St. John Towers is located at 724 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901. For additional information: Kelly Thackston or Greg Capers 706-724-5006
Political event seeks to boost awareness of younger voters “Politics On the Rocks - Augusta” is set for Friday, May 9, 2014 at the Paine College HEAL Complex (Purple/White room). The event sponsored by Augusta Young Urban Professionals starts at 7 p.m. It is being billed as “An Election Awareness Mix ‘n’ Mingle.” AYUP, INC. provides the foundation to increase election awareness primarily targeting a younger demographic of voters. Voters are allowed the opportunity to be up close and personal in becoming more acquainted with local candidates for upcoming elections in a structured yet social networking setting. This event is free to the public and is open to all candidates on the May 20th primary ballot. The relaxed atmosphere prompts the platform for casual discussion of present political matters and how each candidate plans to address them. Guests are able to enjoy classic cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and leave the evening being able to truly make an educated voting decision for the candidate of their choice. Augusta Young Urban Professionals, Inc better known as (Yuppies) is a Georgia nonprofit corporation which consists of a diverse group of young individuals. Contact: Calvin Walker (706) 373-0449
UrbanProWeekly • MAY 1 - 7, 2014
Four Paine student-athletes named to SIAC Track and Field All-Academic Team
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Commentary
BY KRISTIE ROBIN JOHNSON
hoop dreams B y now, you and everyone you know have heard about the controversy swirling around the Los Angeles Clippers owner, Don Sterling, and the disparaging comments that he allegedly made about African-Americans in a recorded conversation. To date, the response has been typical. Somebody called Al Sharpton. Both celebrities and average Joe’s took to social media to express their outrage. Savvy advertisers promptly pulled their support (protecting their image and their bottom lines). Mainstream America buried its giant head even further in the sand claiming to be “shocked and appalled that such racist sentiment still exists in this day and age.” Who would believe it? A white billionaire blatantly disrespecting the black men whose hard work maintain his lavish lifestyle. If
this story sounds familiar, it’s because it is. In fact, it’s the very tradition that our nation was founded upon. It seems that the National Basketball Association will levy some level of sanctions against Mr. Sterling and eventually life will go on until another notorious Caucasian says what’s really on their mind and the theatrics will begin again, right on cue. But if you will indulge me for moment, I’ll ask you to dream with me. Sit back, take a deep cleansing breath, and imagine what might happen if we did something different; something bold. If you can, picture the Clippers taking the floor on Sunday night — a collective wealth of unmatched skill and God-given talent stand united and leave their jerseys on the floor in protest. Now, take that vision one step further. Imagine the Clippers
never taking the floor at all. They boycott the game. What would the league do? What would advertisers say? Let’s go further still. Imagine that their fellow players expressed solidarity with their brothers and they boycott the remainder of their games as well. The playoffs are completely shut down. Economic pandemonium ensues. Imagine NBA players taking an unprecedented stand not just against Don Sterling, but the prevailing attitudes and atmosphere that make it possible for a person like Sterling to have free reign in professional sports. Imagine the shock wave that would reverberate across the entire sports world. Does it seem a little farfetched? It’s not an impossibility. Players strike frequently. It’s just usually about money. I don’t intend to preach, but when
BY KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR
It’s time to look at ourselves in the mirror Moral outrage is exhausting. And dangerous. The whole country has gotten a severe case of carpal tunnel syndrome from the newest popular sport of Extreme Finger Wagging. Not to mention the neck strain from Olympic tryouts for Morally Superior Head Shaking. All over the latest in a long line of rich white celebrities to come out of the racist closet. (Was it only a couple days ago that Cliven Bundy said blacks would be better off picking cotton as slaves? And only last June Paula Deen admitted using the “N” word?) Yes, I’m angry, too, but not just about the sins of Donald Sterling. I’ve got a list. But let’s start with Sterling. I used to work for him, back in 2000 when I coached for the Clippers for three months. He was congenial, even inviting me to his daughter’s wedding. Nothing happened or was said to indicate he suffered from IPMS (Irritable Plantation Master Syndrome). Since then, a lot has been revealed about Sterling’s business practices: And now the poor guy’s girlfriend (undoubtedly ex-girlfriend now) is on tape cajoling him into revealing his racism. Man, what a winding road she led him down to get all of that out. She was like a sexy nanny playing “pin the fried chicken on the Sambo.” She blindfolded him and spun him around until he was just blathering all sorts of incoherent racist sound bites that had the news media peeing themselves with glee. They caught big game on a slow news day, so they put his head on a pike, dubbed him Lord of the Flies, and danced around him whooping. I don’t blame them. I’m doing some
whooping right now. Racists deserve to be paraded around the modern town square of the television screen so that the rest of us who believe in the American ideals of equality can be reminded that racism is still a disease that we haven’t yet licked. What bothers me about this whole Donald Sterling affair isn’t just his racism. I’m bothered that everyone acts as if it’s a huge surprise. Now there’s all this dramatic and very public rending of clothing about whether they should keep their expensive Clippers season tickets. Really? All this other stuff I listed above has been going on for years and this ridiculous conversation with his girlfriend is what puts you over the edge? That’s the smoking gun? He was discriminating against black and Hispanic families for years, preventing them from getting housing. It was public record. We did nothing. Suddenly he says he doesn’t want his girlfriend posing with Magic Johnson on Instagram and we bring out the torches and rope. Shouldn’t we have all called for his resignation back then? Shouldn’t we be equally angered by the fact that his private, intimate conversation was taped and then leaked to the media? Didn’t we just call to task the NSA for intruding into American citizen’s privacy in such an un-American way? Although the impact is similar to Mitt Romney’s comments that were secretly taped, the difference is that Romney was giving a public speech. The making and release of this tape is so sleazy that just listening to it makes me feel like an accomplice to the crime. We didn’t steal the cake but we’re all gorging
ourselves on it. Make no mistake: Donald Sterling is the villain of this story. But he’s just a handmaiden to the bigger evil. In our quest for social justice, we shouldn’t lose sight that racism is the true enemy. He’s just another jerk with more money than brains. So, if we’re all going to be outraged, let’s be outraged that we weren’t more outraged when his racism was first evident. Let’s be outraged that private conversations between people in an intimate relationship are recorded and publicly played. Let’s be outraged that whoever did the betraying will probably get a book deal, a sitcom, trade recipes with Hoda and Kathie Lee, and soon appear on Celebrity Apprentice and Dancing with the Stars. The big question is “What should be done next?” I hope Sterling loses his franchise. I hope whoever made this illegal tape is sent to prison. I hope the Clippers continue to be unconditionally supported by their fans. I hope the Clippers realize that the ramblings of an 80-year-old man jealous of his young girlfriend don’t define who they are as individual players or as a team. They aren’t playing for Sterling—they’re playing for themselves, for the fans, for showing the world that neither basketball, nor our American ideals, are defined by a few pathetic men or women. Let’s use this tawdry incident to remind ourselves of the old saying: “Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.” Instead of being content to punish Sterling and go back to sleep, we need to be inspired to vigilantly seek out, expose, and eliminate racism at its first signs.
one is blessed with that rare combination of incredible talent, a broad sphere of influence, and a unique opportunity to affect change, it seems to me that one must be compelled to act. Some might even say that person has a responsibility to act. I probably wouldn’t go that far. I believe too much in personal sovereignty. But it would be undoubtedly refreshing to see a group of young men realize the unique collective influence that they possess and join together for a cause much bigger than themselves. Maybe we’ve all become just a little too comfortable with the status quo and are afraid to force change. Maybe I’m just a militant geek reading way too much into the situation. But, a girl can always dream. KristieRobinJo@gmail.com @KristieRobinJ on Twitter
LETTERS Clippers’ owner not guilty of racism, bigotry Los Angeles Clipper’s owner Donald Sterling is being victimized by the hyperbole of hypocrites. He is not a racist by any stretch of the imagination. Racism is a hatred or intolerance of another race. A racist is a person who believes in racism. Mr. Sterling’s actions speak louder than his words. His actions impeach, rather than support, the accusation of racism. As owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling has given many AfricanAmericans the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of becoming successful, wealthy NBA basketball players. In addition, Mr. Sterling has given former African-American NBA players the opportunity to occupy leadership roles within the Clippers organization. Former NBA player Glenn “Doc” Rivers is an African-American. Currently, he is the Clipper’s head coach and Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations. If Donald Sterling is a racist, then all employers who pay African-Americans minimum wage are racists. Like all humans Donald Sterling has his own preferences of associations. The public did not need to know those preferences. He made an error in judgment. He lacked discretion. He spoke when he should have been silent. Many rich and powerful hypocrites were offended. Mr. Sterling spoke out loud what people of all races practice in silence each day. Mr. Sterling is not a racist or bigot. He is an imperfect pebble who caused a ripple in a sensitive pond. Kevin Palmer Retired Veteran, Martinez, GA
LETTERS
13
The last 30 months has seen this writer before the Augusta Commission more than could ever have believed. It started when Augusta officials attempted to spring an overlay zoning district on the good people of the Laney Walker neighborhood, just like some Columbia County politicians tried to pull on our family in 2001. We managed to get what Augusta was about to do to the good people of Laney Walker Bethlehem significantly reduced in force. That was just the beginning. A group of citizens from Augusta and points beyond have been working tirelessly for these 30 months to help keeping your city from financial failure. We have at times have gotten very loud as your commissioners were being led by a misguided administration toward adding to a long record of failure with the Laney Walker overlay, the Reynolds Street parking deck mess, the Tee Center, the Urban Redevelopment Agency, the Tax Allocation Districts and contract issues. If we have seemed ‘negative’ let me apologize for that. However, the blunt truth is that Augusta is heading for a financial collapse, if some things are not fixed and fast. You are facing huge decisions on May 20. The first thing that must be done is to defeat SPLOST 7. The $12 million SPLOST-funded parking deck got built on land the city didn’t own and so did the SPLOST-funded Tee Center. Another SPLOST building got paid in full even though only 70% was complet-
ed. There has been a 100% increase in the SPLOST funded municipal building. Nearly $2 million was paid for SPLOST funded kitchen equipment that your commission had never approved. (That was approved after the fact) Our group found that Augusta’s projects lack even a program procedures manual to control costs. If the nearly $200 million SPLOST is passed, a huge percentage of the money will be lost, squandered, or even stolen. The second thing is to elect a mayor who has been on the firing line with us these last 30 months who knows firsthand what the problems and issues are, so as to have a head start in dealing with them. I believe that mayor should be Alvin Mason. Helen Adams is about the nicest person you or I will ever meet. She would be a great ambassador for a thriving, successful city. Augusta is a very long way removed from that status. Hardie Davis is a very nice man, but one who has been insulated from Augusta issues in a Georgia Legislature that is much worse a body than the Augusta Commission. Mr. Davis has let us all down by voting for that huge Georgia Power bill to fund nuclear construction that pays over $1 billion in advance profits to the power company on we, the residents backs, while industries were given an exemption. He voted for a tax cut on Augusta manufacturers that gave just one operation $2 million a year in local sales tax cuts, part of $5
million in total given away to business, which will cause residential property taxes to increase to make up the revenue Hardie gave away. He also voted for TIA 2010, also known as TSPLOST. There are a whole host of problems that have arisen from that disastrous tax. Downtown projects promised in the first band (3.3 years) got shoved all the way to the back band, where they almost certainly won’t receive funding, while the Augusta National Golf Club’s Berckmans Road relocation got moved from the back to the front. Hardie Davis was on the TIA regional oversight board. Also,
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13 million dollars of the 18 million dollars dedicated to Information Technology will be used to purchase our own rad io system saving the Sheriff’s Office over 500,000 dollars a year that could be used for personnel or equipment. The current SPLOST package will replace and maintain 225 Mobile Data Terminals(MDT) used by deputies in every patrol car to receive, transmit and upload information as well as complete incident reports. Finally, the current SPLOST package will have the potential to replace over 280 patrol vehicles, which is one of our most critical needs as many of our cars are well over their mileage limits and as we hire and train more deputies, we wou ld not have the cars to place them on patrol. There have been some concerns surrounding some of the other items that have been included in the package and I too acknowledge that it is not a perfect package. I would urge you in the future to hold your elected officials strictly accountable for the operations of our city. But if the current SPLOST does not pass, there is currently no other funding source to obtain the items I have listed, which are vital to the operations of the Sheriff’s Office. Therefore, in the best interest of publ ic safety, I support the current SPOLST package and I strongly feel that we cannot afford to wait until November of 2015 to revisit this issue.
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Roundtree: SPLOST7 is critical to public safety First and foremost this media release is designed to specifically address the Sheriff’s Office position on the upcoming SPLOST package. It is in no way pol itically motivated and should not be associated with any ongoing political campaigns. One of the main purposes of the SPLOST package is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of this community from the use of a one cent sales tax that we are currently paying. This includes but is not limited to providing vital resources to your Sheriff’s Office that help maintain public safety and purchase tools to help decrease the volume of crime in our community. This administration is dedicated to the complete transparency of the Sheriff’s Office and proactive programs to deter and reduce crime. That is why the current SPLOST package shows approximately 1.4 million dollars dedicated to the Sheriff’s Office for in-car video systems for patrol vehicles, body cameras for Deputies and a video enhancement security system. There are also approximately 22.5 million dollars in crucial items for the Sheriff’s Office that are listed in the SPLOST under Information Technology and Fleet Management. We cmTently do not own our radio network and have been renting airtime from a South Carolina company for the past 16 years, which the sheriff’s office contributes over 500,000 dollars per year in lease payments.
Augusta gave up $55 to $60 million of its TSPLOST revenues to the other 12 counties as a bribe to get them to go along with the regional concept. The whole TSPLOST program looks to be a failure, as revenues are 15 to 18% short of projections. TSPLOST or just plain SPLOST, our money is getting LOST! Preserve Augusta’s prospects by defeating SPLOST on May 20 and sending Alvin Mason and Helen Adams into a run-off that will give you all time to concentrate issues to the ones critically important to Augusta’s future. Al M. Gray
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY The Richmond County School System will accept bids and request for proposals until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, for the following:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Athletic Field Turf Grass Management RFP #14-657 Pumping and Cleaning of Grease Traps RFP #14-654 Kitchen Exhaust Hood System Cleaning RFP #14-655 Towing Service RFQ #14-656 Fire Sprinkler Inspections RFQ #14-654 Uniforms for School Safety and Security Bid #342
Bid specifications may be obtained by contacting Amy Bauman in the Business Office at 706-826-1298, on our web site at www. rcboe.org, or at the Richmond County School System, Central Office, 864 Broad Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, Georgia 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. Frank G. Roberson, Secretary
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