It’s like we missed an entire week.
I wrote a remembrance piece in honor of Sept. 11, which received basically no comments.Here I am thinking I might at least get an “attaboy” or “that’s very nice”…. instead I got crickets.
I had another local writer say to me, “This shows the point that most people in the area want to read about the tension and division.”
I believe he was right, because it seems there are more comments when things are raunchy.
More from Michael Meyers: As Augusta Turns
Well, let’s get to the topics of the day – let’s begin with something I brought up the prior week. I need to go back and give Commissioner McKnight her just due in reference to talking about the homeless issue.
She got a hold of me – like her dad use to when he wanted to make sure I understood something. She must have also taken some lessons from Venus Cain about the best approach to get me straight. She showed me over a dozen pictures of homeless and talked issues that needed to be address in reference to homeless across our city – from every corner.
[adrotate banner=”54″]
I asked why she didn’t bring this up, and she reminded me that when she tried, she was cut off and shut down. She has assured me that this was not the end, and she would be attending those task force meetings.
So, I wanted to make sure I cleared that up – because until you have a 5’4 commissioner stop you in your tracks, to tell you how you were wrong and threatened to tell your grandma on you; you will never know the level of fear that was in that moment.
Commissioner Mason’s appointment should have only come as a surprise for those that pay no attention to Augusta politics. Not only was Mason prepared that day for the vote – everybody was in attendance to view the swearing in, even those who were in strong opposition to his appointment, Even before Sammie was told to stay home, Mason was the front-runner for the seat and the front-runner for the upcoming election next year.
There is absolutely no learning curve for this staunch politician. He knows Augusta politics well and is definitely a game changer. I believe his greatest credit is that he is a “peopletician” (made that word up). He is big on the people – he always takes your call, and more importantly he calls you back.
I was excited to see Mason talk about cigar bars and bring them up in his very first meeting. This topic is at the forefront of many conversations in Augusta and could really be something that can impact downtown business.
Speaking of downtown business, I would really like to know the readers’ take on the battle finally ending about the strip clubs. Local businessman and Augusta Press Publisher Joe Edge made it his business to get the county to follow the law, and now we may be seeing the end of strip clubs in downtown Augusta. With that being said, talks are already underway about South Augusta getting its first strip club.
Remember that is where the new red light district will go – in the somewhat industrial areas. No need to be alarmed for the people in South Augusta – many residents don’t believe people will drive out that far for “live entertainment.” That’s why the Civic Center was a bad idea for Regency Mall, right?
[adrotate banner=”13″]
Commissioner Dollar Bill – I mean Commissioner Clark is all over entertainment, activities and events for Augusta. He was at Arts in the Heart. He attended a couple of other community events and even took time to sit down with a local community organization to jump start a golf tournament to raise money for scholarships. I asked someone from the meeting how it went. They sung Clark’s praises and said he had lots of great ideas. They continued by saying more importantly, he listened.
One more thing before I get out of here: the monument issue is not over….remember those words. That issue will be out front again very soon, but possibly from a different view. I believe that there will be a good consensus that comes forward with a real solution, and it will come from Commissioner Hasan. I have always said he is the most studied of the Commission. I believe he reads every page of that book every week and has an opinion on every single thing.
More from Michael Meyers: COVID-19 Not the Only Threat to Richmond County Schools
Don’t believe me – just walk up and ask him how he feels about any item. He will run it down from front to back. If it’s been there before, he will tell you how the vote went and what, if any possible scenarios, could play out. They always considered Marion Williams “the Dean” of the Commission, well let me introduce to you the Provost: Ben Hasan.
So, now about this disheartening email sent by a West Augusta lady seemingly attacking a county commissioner for trying to protect his family from COVID-19 – there I go getting ahead of myself again. No, but really, Lady, – kids should be off limits.
Michael Meyers is a Columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com.
[adrotate banner=”51″]
