Augusta Parks and Recreation Director Maurice McDowell resigned Tuesday while the Augusta Commission was unable to agree on a city administrator hire, after an extended closed-door session.
The commission voted to accept the resignation of McDowell, who has served as recreation director since the death of interim director Ron Houck in 2021. McDowell received a three-month severance package for his time as director.
McDowell, who testified on behalf of former commissioner Sammie Sias at his federal trial, had come under fire over upkeep at city facilities such as the Boathouse, city cemeteries and Diamond Lakes Regional Park, as well as for numerous resignations that took place among the department’s longtime employees. Commissioner Bobby Williams was the one vote in opposition to his resignation.
The vote to hire an administrator was highly contentious, with Mayor Garnett Johnson voting to break a 5-5 tie against hiring interim administrator Takiyah Douse, a former employee of his mayoral contest rival, Steven Kendrick, for the permanent position.
For Johnson’s pick, IT Director Tameka Allen, a former deputy administrator under Mayor Deke Copenhaver-era administrator Fred Russell, Williams abstained from voting to prevent Johnson from breaking a 5-5 tie in favor of Allen.
Commissioner Tony Lewis, who voted for Douse, the interim administrator for two years, said she’d “scored the higher score of all the candidates” that search firm Developmental Associates used and was “clearly the best person for the job.”
Lewis questioned Johnson’s push to get a vote on all commission items, which goes before Augusta voters in a referendum May 21, based on his vote against Douse.
“For you to take this personal aim at me is certainly disheartening,” Johnson responded. “I only have one vote, and I ask for an equal vote as that of my colleagues.”
Commissioner Sean Frantom, who favored Allen, said the city CIO had served as deputy administrator for over nine years and should have been hired in 2014 after she served as interim administrator in the wake of Russell’s termination. After a national search, the commission voted to hire Janice Allen Jackson to serve, which she did until 2019.
Williams, who supported Douse, said the interim had “at least 19 points” over her closest competitor in the search firm’s rankings.
The Augusta Press has requested any rankings or score sheets tied to the search from city leaders, but been denied.
Commissioner Jordan Johnson, who supports Douse, said the situation was the result of “nasty politics” brewing among city leaders.
“We are sitting here publicly dividing two amazing Black women,” he said.
Commissioner Alvin Mason, who backed Allen, said he’d had the opportunity to see both candidates in action, while serving two prior terms on the commission and now.
Mason said he observed in Allen a better relationship with department directors.
Commissioner Brandon Garrett, who favored Allen, said both women had done “a fantastic job” in the role, while a former commissioner had warned against hiring “somebody that strong,” Allen, for the position.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
