Augusta Commissioner Alvin Mason resigns, citing health and divine message

Augusta Commissioner Alvin Mason speaks to a reporter in the parking lot at Augusta Municipal Building Sept. 10. Staff photo by Susan McCord

Augusta Commissioner Alvin Mason speaks to a reporter in the parking lot at Augusta Municipal Building Sept. 10. Staff photo by Susan McCord

Date: June 18, 2025

Augusta Commissioner Alvin Mason announced his resignation Tuesday, delivering the unexpected news from behind the dais.

He made the announcement toward the end of a lengthy speech that began with his comments in support of keeping the name of James Brown on the new arena being built. Coliseum officials have called it “The New Augusta Arena” amid discussion of selling naming rights.

Mason spoke out in favor of keeping the name two weeks ago. The commission voted unanimously to draft a letter of solidarity in support of the name. Interim General Counsel Jim Plunkett presented the letter Tuesday. 

Since he spoke out, Mason said he’d been contacted by national news agencies and appeared on a local broadcast.

“My goal and my hope was to not bring a black eye to and national attention to Augusta, Ga.,” he said.

During his remarks, Mason spoke about receiving a message over the weekend that led him to step down. He said he went to bed Friday and did not wake up until Sunday.

God spoke to him and said, “rest,” so he rested more, he said. Then Monday, “The rest of it came in: Resign today. Your job has been done. Your mission has been accomplished.”

Mason was out on medical leave for several months last year after having major spine surgery. He said Tuesday he didn’t feel well. “I don’t feel as good as I look,” he said.

His resignation leaves a vacancy among the 10 commissioners and mayor. Mason has about a year and a half left on his third complete term representing District 4.

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The Author

Susan McCord is a veteran journalist and writer who began her career at publications in Asheville, N.C. She spent nearly a decade at newspapers across rural southwest Georgia, then returned to her Augusta hometown for a position at the print daily. She’s a graduate of the Academy of Richmond County and the University of Georgia. Susan is dedicated to transparency and ethics, both in her work and in the beats she covers. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including a Ravitch Fiscal Reporting Fellowship, first place for hard news writing from the Georgia Press Association and the Morris Communications Community Service Award.

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