Urban Pro Weekly

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Newspaper VOL.2 NO.8

OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

King Cotton’s eerie architecture & A neighborhood’s shifting shape Personal and Business Income Tax Preparation Accounting/Bookkeeping IRS & State Problem Resolution

The Wise Choice 2664 Tobacco Rd., Ste A, Hephzibah, GA 30815 www.taxwize.net

IRS & State Audit Representation Levy/Lien/Garnishment Release Offers-In-Compromise And More

ASU panel to address broad range of political, economic, policy issues

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

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Vote NO

Charter School Amendment

-1-

The Political Science Club of Augusta State University and the Progressive Religious Coalition of Augusta have teamed up to present the Economics, Public Policy, and The Common Good panel discussion. The forum will be held Thursday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. in ASU’s Jaguar Student Activities Center Ballroom. According to Craig Albert, Political Science Club advisor and professor in ASU’s Department of Political Science, this panel discussion will cover an array of topics including politics, government, business, morality, ethics, fiscal concern, and spirituality. A partial list of panelists includes Hubert van Tuyll, chair of ASU’s Department of History, Reverand Billy Alford, rector for St. Alban’s Episcopal Church; Bob Finnegan, Richmond County Republican Party; Lowell Greenbaum, Richmond County Democratic Party; Monty Osteen of Financial Holdings of Augusta, Inc.; Tonya Bonitatibus, the riverkeeper for Savannah Riverkeeper; Katie Searles, professor in ASU’s Department of Political Science; and Patrick Blanchard; former CEO of Georgia-Carolina Bancshares.

Vote NO

Charter School Amendment

-1-

Provides for improving student achievement and parental involvement through more public charter school options.

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

 NO

Paid for by Murphy Middle School PTA

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UrbanProWeekly LLC Mailing Address: 3529 Monte Carlo Drive Augusta, Georgia 30906

Publisher Ben Hasan 706-394-9411 Managing Editor Frederick Benjamin Sr. 706-836-2018

Paid for by Lamar-Milledge Elementary School PTA

Sales & Marketing Phone: 706-394-9411 New Media Consultant Director of Photography Vincent Hobbs

email: Ben Hasan bzhasan54@yahoo.com Frederick Benjamin Sr. editor@urbanproweekly.com Vincent Hobbs photos@urbanproweekly.com

Politics & more

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. Political Analysis AUGUSTA This week, Augusta commissioners pushed back against a united front composed of Augusta Riverfront LLC, president Paul Simon, City administrator Fred Russell and Mayor Deke Copenhaver. The “front” wanted a signed TEE Center management agreement and they wanted it right then and there. The usual TEE Center cheerleaders were already on board. Grady Smith, Joe Bowles, Matt Aitken and Jerry Brigham were among them. The holdouts were Corey Johnson and Wayne Guilfoyle. Commissioners Alvin Mason, Johnnie Hatney and Bill Lockett were not in the building. What’s at stake is huge and if history is any lesson, whatever Augusta Riverfront LLD wants, they get. Johnson and Guilfoyle favored granting the Augusta Riverfront an renewable oneyear contract just to keep things moving along, but the cheerleaders were having

nothing of a compromise so limited as that. Can Guilfoyle and Johnson hold out? We’ll see on Monday. In the past, they have caved in when things have gotten this hot. So what is the fuss about? In case you haven’t been paying attention, here’s some background. Last week, financial projections of huge first year losses for the TEE Center operations began to circulate. The reports, prepared by Simon, show an operating loss of $887,203 for the first year of operation as well as losses for the next four subsequent years. In an apparent show of increasing frustration over the entire TEE Center debacle, Augusta commissioners meeting at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 16 took no action on the proposed agreements. Hopes for an early resolution of the many controversial aspects of the negotiations continues to wane and the public outcry against inking a premature agreement with (ARLLC) has been steady and growing.

THERE’S A SHOWDOWN COMING. The pressure is on the commissioners to give August Riverfront LLC what they want. On Monday, Oct. 29, it will be put up or shut up. Photo by Vincent Hobbs. At a political forum this week hosted by the Augusta Branch of the NAACP, candidates for the county commission were overwhelmingly in favor of doing nothing until a new city panel is

installed in January 2013. Four commission seats are up for grabs on November 6. District 1 candidates William Fennoy, Stanley Hawes and Denice Traina all favor putting

the brakes on the controversial proposals while District 1 commissioner Matt Aitken has been a strong supporter of Augusta Riverfront LLC and the entire project.

Oglesby: Cherry Tree Crossing is not being sold The announcement recently that Cherry Tree Crossing, former Sunset Homes, was to be demolished to make way for mixed income housing sparked all kinds of rumors. Augusta Housing Authority Chief Jacob Oglesby speaks about the proposed changes. AUGUSTA Augusta Housing Authority Executive Director Jacob Oglesby denied rumors that the property occupied by the Cherry Tree Crossing public housing complex is being sold to Georgia Health and Science University, but he did talk about plans to tear down the nearly 400 units and develop a mixed income community. “I’ve heard those rumors. We’ve not been approached by any entity to purchase that property,” Oglesby told UrbanProWeekly on Monday. Cherry Tree Crossing, formerly Sunset Homes, is the largest and oldest public housing community in Augusta and it has been no secret that its days were numbered. A year ago, the Housing Authority, had the grand opening of its first mixedincome development. The Legacy at Walton Oaks debuted in October 2011 and its successful development ensured that it would be the model to follow. According to Oglesby, the transformation of the neighborhood is in line with the

Jacob Oglesby city’s Master Plan for the 15th Street corridor. Cherry Tree Crossing sits on nearly 30 acres and includes 389 units. “We want permission from HUD to tear those units down and redevelop that site in a similar fashion to what was done at Walton Oaks. We would like to put a mixed income community back there that is primarily

financed by the low-income tax credit program,” Oglesby said. Although about 400 units will be demolished, far less than that will be replaced. “We don’t envision 400 units, but about 300 or so. That will be determined later. Once HUD gives us the ok, we will go out and look for developers who want to work with us,” Oglesby said. So, what would happen to the current residents? “Once HUD approves the application, we will meet with each family to determine what their needs are – if they prefer to remain in public housing or if they want to move out into the private sector through the Section 8 Housing voucher program,” Oglesby said. “We typically have about 500-600 units vacant every year due to turnover, so we don’t anticipate there being tremendous hardship in trying to relocate people. We will wait until HUD gives us an answer before we start physically counseling people.” “From the time we submit the application, HUD has

six months before they must respond with approval or disapproval,” Oglesby said. Before making the announcement public, Oglesby said that he had met with the local legislative delegation as well as the county commission to update them on the plans. “We wanted to make sure that everyone was on board, that everyone had input at the table.” Oglesby said that the Walton Oaks development was half finished and they are in the process of clearing the way for the Third and Fourth phases. “We have applied for another 106 more family units. If we’re successful construction will be completed by mid 2014. Next summer we will apply for the final phase of 44 units for the elderly,” Oglesby said. Oglesby also spoke about another proposed project that would provide more public housing units. The Twiggs Street development will be in the vicinity of Wrightsboro Road and James Brown Blvd. “We are going to buy the

vacant property that the city has in the land bank and build some public housing units on it. There will be single family units, duplex units and townhouse units. When it is complete (all four phases) there will be from 100 to 120 units. These units will be strictly public housing. These will be part of the replacement units from the Gilbert Manor demolition,” Oglesby said. According to Oglesby, “these units will be mixed into the neighborhood. They will be among houses that are perfectly fine. These units will replace abandoned and dilapidated homes that the city had condemned.” There will be an historic flair to these buildings, Oglesby said. “We’ve already hired an architect, Richard Fletcher. The design will be coordinated so these strutures will blend into the community. Some of these will be small homes for the elderly. Some of them will be duplexes but they won’t look like the traditional duplexes. They will be similar to some of the homes close to Immaculate Conception.”

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

TEE Center management showdown looms

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

Civil rights activists converge on Macon GABEO Convenes Statewide Get Out the Vote Weekend Macon, Georgia October 26 – 28, 2012 Historic Mount Olive Baptist Church to Host GABEO Convention The Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials (GABEO) will convene its 2012 Fall Conference in Macon, Georgia at the historic Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 957 Oglethorpe Street, on Friday October 26th through Sunday, October 28th. Mount Olive Baptist Church played a pivotal role in the Macon bus boycotts of the sixties and was a featured scene for the movie, King, in which the late actor Paul Winfield played Martin Luther King Jr. The movie was made for TV during the seventies when the Rev. E.S. Evans was pastor. According to GABEO president Tyrone Brooks, the conference will focus on a Georgia “Turn Out the Vote” theme and many civil rights pioneers and activists, as well as elected officials from across the state are expected to attend. Participants will include Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, President Emeritus SCLC, U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, Southern Christian Leadership Conference CEO Charles Steele, U.S. Congressman John Lewis and others. Candidates for public office, community organizations, clubs and churches are invited to register for the conference as this is an important historic gathering before the November General Election. GABEO will honor local citizens for their outstanding work over the years and share very important information with the community. The Rev. Timothy Price is pastor. Conference Hotel (Room Accommodations Only) Make Your Reservations Now!! The Hilton Garden Inn, 1220 Stadium Drive, Macon, Georgia 31204 (I-75 at Mercer University Drive – Exit #163) – (478) 741-5527 For more information about GABEO please visit www.ga-gabeo.org or call Tyrone Brooks 404-656-6372 or 404372-1894. Conference Coordinators: Hon. Elaine Lucas, 478-737-2829, Hon. Henry Ficklin, 478-284-1987. Next Meeting: GABEO Winter Conference, February 22-24, 2013, Location TBA Please forward this information to everyone on your list. See you in Macon!

CIVIL RIGHTS LEGENDS (L-R) Joseph Lowery; Andrew Young and John Lewis will attend GABEO’s 2012 Fall Conference in Macon. The theme of the conference is “Turn Out The Vote.”

Conference Schedule Friday, October 26 4:00 p.m. Pre-Conference Seminar: “Stopping the KKK from adopting Public Highways/Roads in Georgia” Title 6 of the1964 Civil Rights Act Facilitators: DOT Board Member Emory McClinton, 5th Congressional District DOT Commissioner Keith Golden, P. E.; Venue: Macon City Hall, 700 Poplar Street, Macon, Georgia 31201 6:00 p.m. GABEO Reception – Welcome by Elected Officials and Local Talent Lead Host: Hon. David Lucas; Venue: Macon City Hall, 700 Poplar Street, Macon, Georgia 31201 Saturday, October 27 Mount Olive Baptist Church, 957 Oglethorpe Street, Macon, Georgia 31201 8:00 a.m. Registration 8:00 a.m. Rev. Dr. Bennie Mitchell GABEO Prayer Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Plenary Session, President Tyrone Brooks; Topic: HR 1162 Charter Schools Amendment; Presenters: Ms. Tracey Ann Nelson, GA Association of Educators Ms. Verdaillia Turner, President, GA Federation of Teachers 10:00 a.m. Candidates Forum, All Candidates for Public Office are Invited Only one question per candidate will be asked. Moderator: Herbert Dennard, Publisher, The Informer newspaper 12 noon Georgia Get Out the Vote Luncheon – Mount Olive Baptist Church Speakers: Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery; U. N. Ambassador Andrew Young; Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Board Chair, SCLC; SCLC-CEO Charles Steele. Greetings: U.S. Congressman John Lewis, Greetings: GABEO Presentations - President Tyrone Brooks; Mrs. Lillie Ruth Gantt-Evans, Civil Rights/Voter Turn Out Activist;Former Councilwoman Delores Brooks, GABEO Servant; Rev. Marshall Stenson, Long Time

Azziz to deliver State of the Enterprise Address AUGUSTA Dr. Ricardo Azziz, President of Georgia Health Sciences University and CEO of Georgia Health Sciences Health System, will deliver the State of the Enterprise Address at noon Thursday, Nov. 1 in the Natalie and Lansing B. Lee Jr. Auditorium in the GHSU Auditoria Center. Azziz assumed the dual roles of President and CEO in July 2010. Pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in January, he will head the new university being created through the consolidation of Augusta State University and GHSU. The $1.3 billion university will include nine colleges, nearly 10,000 students and more than 1,000 full-time faculty.

Civil Rights Activist; The Quitman Ten +2, The Movement of the Year; Hon. David Lucas, Democratic Nominee, Senate District 26, Macon and Middle GA 2:00 p.m. Georgia Get Out the Vote Rally – SHUT UP & VOTE Tatnall Square Park, College Avenue at Oglethorpe, Macon, 31201 Presiding: Hon. C. Jack Ellis, Former Mayor of Macon; Hon. Anita Ponder, Former President Macon City Council Speakers: Senator Emanuel Jones, Chair, GA Legislative Black Caucus; Rep. Calvin Smyre, Columbus, Dean of GA General Assembly, Past Pres. NBCSL; Atty. Janice Mathis, Vice President, National Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; Mr. Edward Dubose, President Georgia State Conference NAACP; Rev. Samuel Mosteller, President of SCLC, Georgia; Ms. Rita Samuels, Founder and President, GA Coalition of Black Women; Mayor Kenneth Smith, Kingsland, GA, President GA Conf. of Black Mayors; Former Mayor Willie Burns, Washington, Exec. Dir., GA Conf. of Black Mayors; Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Board Chair, SCLC; Rev. Albert Love, Director Love in Action Ministries; Ms. Helen Butler, Director, Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda; Mr. Bill Cannon, Director Georgia Association of Black Contractors. 4:00 p.m. Historic Tour of Macon Tours by Quinton - Professional tour guide by QTard Historic scenes of African American Macon including a stop by the Tubman Museum, the largest African American Museum in the Southeast 8:00 p.m. Evening Entertainment Featuring The Fitness Band at the Midtown Key Club, 435 Third Street, Macon, Georgia 31201. Sunday, October 28, 2012 11:00 a.m. GABEO Closing Worship Service Mount Olive Baptist Church, 957 Oglethorpe Street, Macon, Georgia 31201. The Rev. Timothy Price, Pastor.

Boshears high flyer A plane emits a smokestream and prepares to go into a nosedive during the Boshears Skyfest at Daniel Field on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

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October 20, 2012 (Augusta, GA) - Taylor Kittles, 4, waits in line to get on an inflatable slide at the GA-Carolina State Fair at the Exchange Club Fairgrounds. Photo by Catherine Balducci / Special to UPW

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Tayler Kittles (R), 4, turns the handle on a gumball machine in an attempt to get a red gumball to win a prize at the GA-Carolina State Fair at the Exchange Club Fairgrounds. Looking on (center) is 6-year-old Jeremiah Balducci.

Chief Army Nurse to address GHSU AUGUSTA Maj. Gen. Jimmie O. Keenan, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Public Health Command and Chief of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, will discuss “Army Medicine – Army Health: Leading change to a system for health” at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 in the Lee Auditoria Center at Georgia Health Sciences University. A reception will follow at 4:30 p.m. The lecture is hosted by the GHSU College of Nursing and Alumni Association. Keenan will discuss the health of America and its impact on the military and the movement from health care to health in Army medicine. Keenan, Chief of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps since 2011, serves as special staff and advisor to the U.S. Army Surgeon General on matters pertaining to nursing personnel. She oversees the management, education, training and professional development of nearly 40,000 officers, enlisted and civilian nursing staff. In addition, she develops recommendations for future needs of the Army based on current trends and new developments in nursing clinical practice, education, training, administration and research. In January, Keenan assumed com-

mand of the U.S. A rmy Public Health Command, becoming the first two-star general to assume this role. She is the 12th commander and fourth Army nurse to lead the organization. In her duties, Keenan leads more than Maj. Gen. Jimmie 3,000 soldiers O. Keenan and civilians dedicated to promoting health and preventing disease, injury and disability in soldiers and military retirees, their family members and Army civilians.Keenan earned a master’s degree in nursing administration from GHSU. Keenan has received a Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters and the Army Achievement Medal. For more information, contact Melissa Johnson-Bates at 706-721-1420 or mjbates@georgiahealth.edu.

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UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

Harold V. Jones II

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

WRITE-IN

District Supervisor

For Brier Creek Soil and (Vote for One) Water Conservation District Supervisor

Vote NO JOHNNY R. STEVENS (Vote for One) (Incumbent)

JOHNNY R. STEVENS

Charter School PROPOSED Amendment (Incumbent)

WRITE-IN

CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

-1-

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS -1-

-1Provides for improving student achievement and parental Provides for improving student involvement through more achievement and parental public charter school options. involvement through more public charter options. House Resolution No. school 1162 Act No. 762 House Resolution No. 1162 Ga. L. 2012, p. 1364 Act No. 762

GWENDOLYN BENNETT (1902 - 1981), Untitled (River Landscape), Oil on canvas, 1931.

Paine prof. discovers rare Harlem Renaissance painting AUGUSTA A recent find by Paine College’s Assistant Professor of English, Belinda Wheeler, has many in the literary and arts community talking. Over the summer Dr. Wheeler located the only known painting by African American artist, poet, educator, columnist, and editor Gwendolyn Bennett (1902-1981). Bennett was a significant figure in Harlem during the Renaissance, publishing over twenty two poems, four pieces of cover art, and several short stories in prominent African American journals including Crisis and Opportunity. Bennett also co-edited the literary journal Fire!!, with prominent figures including her good friends Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, and she also wrote an arts column, “The Ebony Flute,”

in Opportunity. Earlier in her career Bennett had won several artistic prizes and scholarships that allowed her to study at the Sorbonne, Academic Julian, and Ecole du Pantheon in Paris between 1924 and 1925. Up until Dr. Wheeler’s discovery, however, most scholars had believed that Bennett had concluded her painting career after she moved to Florida in 1927 to be with her new husband. Dr. Wheeler’s discovery of Bennett’s 1931 oil painting shows that she was still pursuing this creative outlet. “I thought about keeping the painting,” stated Dr. Wheeler, “but it needs to be seen and enjoyed by more than me.” Bennett was passionate about sharing her work and the work of others with a wide audience. To keep it in my office would not do her work justice.”

Ga. L. 2012, p. 1364

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allowthe state or local approval of public charter “Shall Constitution of Georgia be amended schools uponor thelocal request of local to allow state approval of public charter communities?” schools upon the request of local communities?”

YES



NO Paid for by The Richmond County Council of PTAs

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CSRA Innovation Festival @ ASU

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Vote NO

Quick Way Flower Shop 1335 Druid Park Avenue Augusta, Georgia 30904

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“Flowers For All Occasions” Levi and Mattie Bush, owners

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The Computer Guy Computers Done Right, Free Diagnostic Check Clarence PC TECH

2658 C Barton Chapel Rd. Augusta, GA 706.814.7188 computerguyaugusta@live.com

Vote NO

Charter School Amendment

Provides for improving student achievement and parental involvement through more public charter school options.

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

 NO

-1-

Paid for by Hephzibah Elementary School PTA

-1-

Paid for by Deer Chase Elementary School PTA

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

The CSRA Innovation Festival will be regarding your idea or startup business on November 3rd at the Augusta State • Kids’ Korner - games and fun activiUniversity Amphitheatre between the ties for kids of all ages hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The event is open to the entire CSRA, and there will For more information, contact Dr. be activities for families and students of Tony Robinson at tony@csrainnovaall ages. tionfestival.com or isit our website The events at the festival will include www.CSRAInnovationFestival.com the following: •Innovation Competition – build something around the concept of improving mobility •Hackathon - Hack for Education (Nov. 2nd @ 6 p.m. to Nov. 3rd @ 12 p.m.) •I n nov at ion Business Showcase •Affordable Prices display of innovations •Traditional Services by organizations in the CSRA •Direct Burials •Innovation Academic Fair - display •Cremations of innovations by stu•Domestic & dents in the CSRA •Elevator Pitch International Shipping Contest - pitch your business idea in two •Pre-planning minutes or less for •Grief Counseling cash Rev. Albert L. Smith •Coding Day Camp Funeral Director/Owner •Notary Public – learn to program simple code; all ages are welcome •Deconstruction Derby - take apart devices (e.g. televisions) to see how they work • Business Mentor 723 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30901 Table - receive advice

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

Young artist Nic Badilla of Nicadoodle. com, exhibits some of his artwork during PaineFest. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

PaineFest

2 0 12 October 20

The annual PaineFest takes place on the Paine College campus. The event is designed to bring people together of all ages and backgrounds to engage in activities that connect the Paine College community with the broader Augusta community. This year’s theme was “Going from Good to Great in the Community.”

(Above) Students pose for a picture at PaineFest. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

(At right) Lois Dismuke (L) helps 7-year-old Taniya Pitram (R) at the Judy’s Books table during PaineFest.

King Cotton fades into history

n impressive local landmark is being dismantled and its demise closes a chapter in the city’s century long love affair with cotton production and merchandising. The Georgia Carolina Warehouse sits in the center of a residential corner of the Bethlehem neighborhood. It’s entrance is at the intersection of Steiner Avenue and Clay Streets not far from the Bethlehem Community Center. The property was used by the S.M. Whitney Company, one of the city’s original Cotton Factor companies which began operation after the Civil War. All photos by Vincent Hobbs.

(Above) One of the few surviving walls of the huge cotton warehouse and compress operations on the site of the Georgia Carolina Warehouse. Photo by Vincent Hobbs (At right) A single row of warehouse compartments is all that remains of a once thriving cotton warehouse operation. Sitting vacant is an area that could swallow up two or three football fields. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

(At left) Brick structures that date from the 1890s are among the last surviving structures from a bygone era. These buildings sit in the center of a huge area being harvested for bricks. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

Georgia Carolina Warehouse being demolished

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

Vote NO

Charter School Amendment

Provides for improving student achievement and parental involvement through more public charter school options.

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

 NO

-1-

Paid for by Barton Chapel Elementary School PTA

-1-

Paid for by Diamond Lakes Elementary School PTA

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Probate Judge FAIR AND IMPARTIAL Former Municipal Court Judge Former City of Augusta Staff Attorney Solicitor Richmond County Magistrate Court Founding Chairman: Augusta Land Bank Auth. Former Board of Director: The United Way and the Senior Citizens Council Board Member: Augusta Historic Preservation Auth. Paid for by the Committee to Elect Harry James

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

5th Annual Business Expo

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

Special Report: VOTER SUPPRESSION GEORGIA STYLE

The bizarre plight of the Quitman 10+2 By Gloria Tatum (This article was originally published on March 7, 2012) (APN) QUITMAN On Saturday, February 25, 2012, over 500 Georgia citizens marched in support of the Quitman Ten Plus Two. As previously reported by Atlanta Progressive News, the twelve have been accused of voter fraud in a local Board of Education election in Brooks County, Georgia, in 2010. Activists are calling the Quitman case a modern-day civil rights issue involving voter intimidation and voter suppression. Black elected officials and powerful civil rights leaders from across the state and nation are demanding that Gov. Nathan Deal reinstate Board Members Dr. Nancy Dennard, Elizabeth Thomas, and Linda Troutman, whom he suspended in January 2012. Troutman and Thomas had won the election for the Brooks County Board of Education in 2010. The day before Christmas Eve in 2010, they were arrested along with eight other people and charged with alleged voter fraud. They became known as the Quitman Ten. In 2011, two additional people were similarly charged, and the whole group became known as the Quitman Ten plus Two.

In January 2012, Gov. Deal issued an Executive Order removing all three from their positions on the Brooks County Board of Education, thus restoring the White majority on the Board. All three of these women have Masters of Education degrees and years of teaching experience. Individuals representing many organizations were present in Quitman for the “Stop Voter Intimidation and Voter Suppression” March and Rally including the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials (GABEO), Georgia Conference of Black Mayors, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda (GCPA), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Rainbow/ PUSH Coalition, Georgia Chapter of Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Concerned Clergy of Georgia and USA, Association of Black Constructors, Black Caucus of ACCG, and National Action Network. GABEO held their annual winter conference “Living the Dream - Save the Voting Rights Act” in Quitman at the Shumate Street Church of Christ. Rev., Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President Emeritus of the SCLC, and Chair of GCPA, was the keynote speaker.

RICHMOND COUNTY, LOUISVILLE AND WADLEY CSRA EOA HEAD START

“What you have done in Quitman is what we all need to do: organize, cooperate, commiserate, and win some elections. The people in Quitman won an election and the people who lost got mad and then they won it again. Keep on organizing, keep on voting, keep on pulling together, keep on trusting each other, and we’re going to win this struggle,” Rev. Lowery said to the packed church. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” State Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur) said. Jones said the legislative black caucus had a meeting with the Governor where they asked, “Governor, we know you empowered a panel to look into what is happening in Quitman and you acted on their recommendations. One of the members, who sits on that panel, told us that they were only asked to look at what was available in the public domain, and we know you fixed the argument in Quitman, Georgia,” Sen. Jones said. “It is clear to this caucus that the Governor does not know his way out of this mess, but we are here to tell him how to get out. Governor, all we want you to do is reinstate those you removed from the school board and get the hell out of Quitman, Georgia,” Sen. Jones said.

On February 9, 2012, State Rep. Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta) and Sen. Jones sent a letter to US Attorney General Eric Holder to request an investigation into the allegations of election fraud and the resulting indictment of twelve Black residents of Brooks County. The letter also asks the Attorney General to submit a letter requesting that the suspension of the three Black members of the Board of Education be submitted for pre-clearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act before it can be implemented. After a mile march for justice to end voter intimidation and voter suppression from the church to the court house in Quitman, other civil rights leaders spoke. “Tallahassee and Madison County in Florida are dealing with the same problem,” Edward Dubose, President of the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP, said. Indeed, in Madison County, Florida, nine people were arrested and charged with voter fraud in connection with a local school board election in 2010. The arrests happened a few months after a new law was passed in Florida that made it illegal for absentee ballots to be sent anywhere other than a voter’s registered address.

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No�ce to the Public Housing Authority of the�City of Augusta, Georgia

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TEACHER Develops and implements lesson plans, make required home visits and assessment of each Child’s needs. Must have BA degree in Early Childhood Education and three years experience.

Apply to the Personnel Office no later than November 12, 2012. Must have a clean background. We are a drug free workplace. Detailed job descriptions are available, 1261 Greene Street, Augusta, GA. Fax: (706) 722-8565

The Housing Authority of the City of Augusta (AHA) will conduct a Public Hearing on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 9 a.m. in the large board room of the J. Madden Reid Building located at 1435 Walton Way, Augusta, Georgia regarding the Public Housing Agency Plans for FY2013 in accordance with the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (QHWRA) and related U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsequent no�ces.

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Interested par�es can review and obtain a copy of the Dra� �� 2013 Public Housing Agency Plans upon request. For addi�onal informa�on, please contact Sevi Roberson, Director of Management �� at (706)312-3120. �� Equal Housing� Opportunity

The Housing Authority� of the City of Augusta By: Jacob L Oglesby, Execu�ve Director �� Mission Statement: To promote adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity and a suitable living environment free from �� discrimina�on. ��

“AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”

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13 UrbanProWeekly â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 25-31, 2012 The Augusta State Lady Jaguars hosted their first non-conference volleyball tournament with the Jaguar Invitational, winning their match 3-2 against Queens University of Charlotte at Christenberry Fieldhouse on Friday, October 19, 2012. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Jaguar Invitational Volleyball Action The Augusta State Lady Jaguars hosted their first nonconference volleyball tournament with the Jaguar Invitational, winning their match 3-0 against ClarkAtlanta at Christenberry Fieldhouse. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

Augusta aviation history subject of museum talk AUGUSTA As part of its continuing Brown Bag History Series, the Augusta Museum of History presents, Augusta and Aviation History a talk given by Diane Johnston, on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. Her talk will highlight the advances in aviation in Augusta, especially at Augusta Regional Airport, Bush Field. Ms. Johnston was hired as the Director of Marketing for the Augusta Regional Airport in January 2005. Her responsibilities include marketing, public relations and air service development. She has been in the aviation industry for 26 years. Prior to coming to Augusta, Johnston worked at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Panama City Bay County International Airport. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management from Oklahoma State University. She is a licensed pilot and a member of AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) and AAAE (American Association of Airport Executives) where she holds a certified member (CM) designation. The Brown Bag History Series is an educational lecture series provided monthly by the Augusta Museum of History, and is an ideal lunch-time break for downtown professionals, retirees, and students. The lectures are free to Museum members and $3

for non-members. Participants should bring a lunch and the Museum will only be providing beverages. Lunch can begin as early as 11:30 a.m.; the lecture runs from 12:30 – 1:00 p.m.

Vote NO

Mt. Vernon Choir Day The Choirs of the Mount Vernon Baptist Church will be celebrating their 13th Annual Choir Day on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. We are inviting you to come and worship with us to uplift the name of Jesus in song. Rev. Chavas L. Boyd is the Pastor.

Early Voting On Saturday Starts on Oct. 27

Vote NO

Charter School Amendment

Provides for improving student achievement and parental involvement through more public charter school options.

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

 NO

-1-

Paid for by Copeland Elementary School PTA

-1-

Paid for by T. Harry Garrett Elementary School PTA, Inc.

Frails & Wilson ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Vote NO

Charter School Amendment

-1-

Provides for improving student achievement and parental involvement through more public charter school options. Randolph Frails

Edwin Wilson

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“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

 NO Paid for by Monte Sano Elementary School PTA

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15 UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

THE LAW OFFICE OF

UrbanProWeekly â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 25-31, 2012

Working Together to Move Augusta Forward

VOTE

HAROLD V. JONES II

District 9 Commissioner QUALIFICATIONS: Former Solicitor General Former Chairman of the Greater Augusta Arts Council Lifetime member NAACP Member, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.