The tax payers of Augusta have got to love the entertainment value of the Augusta Commission’s weekly legal meeting that goes on before the scheduled committee meetings.
We all seem to tune in to watch an empty room appear on screen; or, in my case, sit inside an empty room for an hour listening for the possibility of hearing falling marble outside.
You know what I am talking about: the meeting that they are supposed to be dealing, consulting, talking about and then settling issues dealing with personnel, real estate and various lawsuit minutiae.
In real life, we have no earthly idea what they are doing. They could be discussing anything, including how to spend your money on whatever floats their boat on that given day.
Oh yes. More than just routine real estate business is getting done while they enjoy a catered lunch.
This past Tuesday, they voted to give $5 million to have “skin in the game” to MCG, or AU Health, so that a new research facility building can be built. One reason always given is the jobs it will create, as if that shields them from having to have an open meeting because they are discussing “potential personnel.”
Now while that may be true why wasn’t there even a whisper of this being talked about before the public, since it is supposedly good news? And for neither the Augusta Commissioners nor anyone from Augusta University answering any questions the media asked, well, while this isn’t the National Enquirer, enquiring minds want to know answers and a few more details about whose “skin” we are putting in the game.
How many of you remember the television show named “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” To enlighten those that may have never watched it, the program was hosted by Drew Carey and had four comedians as a panel.
The premise of the show was for the panel to be given a subject or scenario and the panelist would then ad-lib or improvise a skit. It would most often be funny as well as confusing, while making absolutely no sense.
This past Tuesday turned into Augusta’s version of ” Whose Line Is It Anyway” and it mostly centered around the Engineering Department.
Former Commissioner Moses Todd addressed the commission about the spending of the Augusta Landfill fees. The fees cover everything from garbage pickup service, landfill operation, mosquito control cost, street sweeping service, blight demolition, vacant lot maintenance and storm water projects.
Wait? Stormwater projects?
Aren’t we taxpayers already being charged a separate fee in the form of the stormwater fee for the stormwater found flowing in the stormwater sewers? Would I be remiss in asking, since the county has a dedicated stormwater fund, why is it being charged-off to the landfill, and where is all the taxpayer-charged stormwater fees going? Half of it is already slated for salaries, that much I know.
When the commissioners started asking detailed questions yet wanting short, but detailed, answers, the Engineering Director, Hameed Malik, when into a non-scripted “Whose Line Is It Anyway” improv.
“Bottom line” was the phrase most often used, you know the one about not having even beer money for a champagne toast; Malik’s act came off as a parody, alright, and not the funny kind.
Malik stated that anyone was free to look at the reports and finance directions. Yes, even Moses Todd and John Clarke were welcomed to look at them, Malik pointed out.
Well, I did look at them while sitting as a commissioner. I didn’t like them then and got no real support in changing anything at that time. I have looked at them since being off the commission, as has Moses Todd.
This is the reason that the monies are still being questioned. That is one thing that Todd, Former Commissioner Ben Hasan and I have in common. We have been close enough to those ledgers that we know there are always questions to be asked. Citizens, you should take some time and look at them for yourself.
Just for a quick reference pertaining to the funds. The landfill had $1 million in funding for demolition. The Landbank also had $1 million in demolition funding. There was supposed to be a third entity with $1 million in demolition funding, but who got what is still debatable.
The landfill was given the task of cutting overgrown lots and then reclaiming the cost by adding the cost to the properties tax bill. Are you still with me?
The $500,000 cost of mosquito control was to come from stormwater fees as well as the $1 million for the street sweeping program.
And all this is somehow connected to the cost of garbage pick up service?
I was informed that mosquito control was “a call as needed service.” I can only say that I have never seen them spraying. That’s not to say they don’t, but I see mosquitos in my neighborhood all the time, but no spray-trucks. Am I supposed to be the one to call?
“Uh, yeah, is this 311? Yeah, I would like to report a mosquito sighting.”
I have seen the street sweeper in my neighborhood once. Yes, once. Guess what? The brushes weren’t even down. They were just doing a drive through. And how can this program be successful when cars are always parked along curbing? No one to my knowledge knows the sweeping schedule. I personally saw one a couple of years ago. I do not believe it has ever been followed. Again, I can be wrong. Have you had your street and curbs cleaned lately or ever?
When the item for garbage rate approval came up before the commission. Then Malik went all the way over to the other podium as if he needed a new set or camera angle. That was amusing to me, since it seemed that he wanted to distance himself from Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle, Moses Todd and myself; it looked as if he were looking for friendlier territory.
He really didn’t find it for he was standing before Commissioner Sean Frantom. Even Commissioner Guilfoyle mentioned the going to the other podium as a humorous remark. The director assured Commissioner Guilfoyle there was nothing meant by the switching podiums.
The reasons for the rate increase and the negotiation of different rates was something to watch. It was like watching Charlie Chaplin Little Tramp explain microeconomics, he even had graphs! And power points!
The rate of even a $4 a month increase was mentioned almost as desperation, as it seemed all that mattered was an increase of any size. For a moment, I thought Malik might start panhandling.
Just this taxpayer’s opinion, but maybe a new streamlined and consolidated direction is in order for the Engineering Department. A forensic audit would certainly answer a lot of questions within Augusta’s government. Parks and Recreation and Engineering to include the Landfill and Stormwater operations.
Augusta now has a $1.4 billion budget. Maybe, if a real hard effort is made not to make any adjustments or cost cutting programs, and to allow the same certain department directors to go unchecked, the next budget could be $2 billion.
I say that in jest, but it’s not out of line.
Augusta has a fine leader in Mayor Garnett Johnson. Augusta also has a fine city Administrator with Tameka Allen; however, they need 10 financial savvy commissioners to work with them and not a few that work against them to protects sacred cows that are long in the hoof.
Come Jan. 1, 2025 there will be two newly elected Commissioners joining our government. District 5 will be Don Clark and District 7 will be Tina Slendak. Both come with the qualifications needed to help lead this city.
The big question will be, will they be allowed to?
Speaking of Clark, I sincerely hope that he will continue, along with former Augusta Mayor Bob Young, in the endeavor to bring a Veteran’s Cemetery to Augusta. They have the much needed land where the cemetery will be formed, and they are on the state’s short list for approval.
We all know how that forward momentum can swing back in the blink of an eye. The funding must be secured or all that hard work up to this point will have been for naught. So, let’s all get behind these veterans to get the cemetery for all of our veterans.
Tina Slendak comes to the commission with a history of managerial skills and experience. She is not a follower, but someone that can study an issue, ask questions, research, learn and then come to her own conclusion.
There is but one month left in the year and this past year has been interesting to say the least. Thanksgiving has passed and I along with everyone else has given thanks for the blessing that we have received. Many also give thanks on a daily basis as it should be.
Folks, as always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
