This past Tuesday, at the Augusta Commission meeting, the wheels on the bus were certainly going round and round; it was clear that the bus was running over the interim Central Services Director Ron Lampkin.
Not only did the bus run over him, but it was backed up and ran over him again.
Now, it was not exactly clear who was actually driving the bus. Even with the bright lights of the commission chambers, the transparency is not always clear.
Lampkin had placed several items on the Administrative Services Committee, nine to be exact; eight that were deemed emergencies and one item was for roofing that totaled a combined $348,118.80.
A further request for $42,000 was made to address the Augusta Common electrical distribution system. Question: why is this all of a sudden an emergency when it has been going on for years?
An emergency request was turned in for structural assessment of the marble panels of the Municipal Building in the amount of $216,752.
Another emergency request was made for replacement of all deck, ADA ramps, staircases and railings at the Diamond Lakes Tennis Courts in the amount of $191,850.
Commissioner Branden Garrett asked Lampkin why was this an emergency and the same replacements for the Boat House weren’t?
Lampkin replied that the Boat House had been shut down. OK, give him that one.
There was also a change order for $25,000 to continue assessments of the marble panels on the Municipal Building.
The grand total of the request made by Lamkin totaled $823,720.80
Lampkin may have fueled the bus, but here is were the wheels begin to turn.
Garrett asked the Procurement Director Geri Sams if the agenda item number six, the Diamond Lakes item, came through procurement deemed as an emergency?
Sams answered by saying: “Mister Commissioner, unfortunately the procurements, most of the procurements, you have in front of you came to me in the spirit it is being read to you today. And when I received them, they were either already done or about to be done. They were asked to be placed on the agenda.”
Garrett asked again in reference to the question about was this deemed an emergency procurement?
Sams: “By the department director, yes.”
Garrett then asked: ” Is this the normal procedure?”
Sams: “No.”
Somewhere in that conversation it was stated that there had to be three people involved in deeming something an emergency, the administrator, Procurement Department director and a constitutional officer.
That policy clearly was not followed.
Lampkin went on a high powered defense stating, and even showing everyone to see, that his requests were stated and worded exactly the same as when Takiyah Douse was Central Services director. Upon looking at the request, the only difference were the names on the documents, Douse and Lampkin.
Lampkin stated he was following the policy in place long before he got there.
The only other Central Services director that has come before Lampkin was Douse. When that department was created, Douse was promoted and placed as director. So, Lampkin is correct in that statement.
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle wanted to ask a question, but was cut off by committee Chairperson Francine Scott, who stated that the going back and forth had gone on long enough.
Douse, of course, had to defend her part in all of this pretty much stating that Lampkin had misspoken about policy and procedures. As always, her hands were clean.
Commissioner Sean Frantom, to paraphrase, stated he was tired of all of the misinformation and the blaming and finger pointing. He thought that a meeting comprised of the interim administrator, interim Central Services director and the Procurement Department director and some commissioners should be held to get to the bottom of this and all get on the same page. He stated that he would be available to be a part of that discussion.
Commissioner Scott agreed and stated a meeting would be scheduled and the date and time announced. Well, that was Tuesday. The meeting took place the following day, Wednesday.
Yes, indeedy, that quick. But wait! Let’ s take a look at who was in attendance.
There was Douse, Sams, Lampkin and Garrett as mayor pro tem. The commissioners involved were Francine Scott and Jordan Johnson, both members of the Administrative Services Committee.
There were no other commissioners attending the meeting. The ones that I spoke with didn’t get an invite. It seems like the right people were in place, minus Commissioner Garrett, to do a slam dunk on Lampkin.
As of this column’s deadline, I have not heard of the outcome. However, it is only a matter of time before the inevitable occurs.
Mr. Lampkin, send out your resume and make plans to leave Augusta’s government. When Douse doesn’t get the administrator’s job she will need a place to go back to and Central Services will most likely be the place.
Now, this is just my opinion and observation, but it ain’t far fetched.
Let’s touch on the election that is going on in Augusta at this current time. It seems there are more Democrats voting in Augusta than usual.
Could it be that Republicans and independents are choosing the Democratic ballet?
Could it be that they want to choose who they want to be sheriff of Richmond County and also who they want to be the district attorney of Augusta? Could it be that they have seen some of the non-binding questions the Democratic party wants answered so as to gain substance?
Both parties have the question as to the mayor having a vote. So, if one chooses to vote on the Democratic ticket so they can have a voice, then grab the Democratic ballot. Come November you are Republican again and can have a choice vote.
Ah, what a tangled political web is being weaved. Sometimes it is necessary to break rank to stop the cycle.
During a political campaign, voters will often hear candidates say some of the oddest things and make some statements that sound meaningful, important and solid but in the long term reality is but mere “word salad.”
One candidate was telling all that would hear how important a resume and experience is. Check his opponent’s history and check his, he claims, and people would see that he is the best choice.
Well, not so fast. Let’s take a little look see.
Now if you are looking for a dentist, doctor or attorney, yes, by all means their record and experience is of the upmost importance.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a room addition to be added to your house, you don’t look for the person with the best resume and experience at building swimming pools.
They may have 20 years experience at digging holes of all sizes and shapes. They may be the best in the business when it comes to water Ph balance, but they can’t hammer a nail without hitting a finger. So who you gonna hire? It’s comparing apples to oranges.
A prime example was back when the city was looking for a new Augusta Landfill director.
There were many applicants and one that caught the eye of the Engineering Director Hameed Malik. He wanted this man because his credentials were impeccable.
On paper the candidate was the top of the mountain.
There was just a small problem. He had been given a choice from his previous city job to resign or be terminated and the commissioners had not been given that information. All they had to do was get the minutes of the prior work city’s meeting minutes and they would have known; but that would have required extra work on the part of the commissioners.
The man was hired, lasted about four or five months and was released. Great resume, no practical performance.
Look at everything when choosing a candidate to vote for. Look for who you feel will work best for the things your district and your city wants and needs. It may be selfish but ask what is the candidate going to do for you as a person and tax payer. You will have to decide.
Folks, as always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
