In the midst of the controversy over the fate of the historic Old First Baptist Church, the Chairperson of the Board, Tara Conway, has resigned, effective immediately.
Conway was a central figure in what local landowner Joe Edge described as a “campaign to bully people and weaponize the legal process that comes with owning historic properties.”
Edge, who co-owns the Greene Street property and is also publisher and an owner of The Augusta Press, contends that Conway along with members of Historic Augusta, Inc., a separate non-profit agency have abused their power in an attempt to compel Edge to donate the property.
“She used her position to try and settle old scores, in her mind. But this time, she and (attorney) George Bush from Historic Augusta got caught in the act,” Edge said.
MORE: Fate of historic church remains undetermined
In a discussion before the Augusta Commission on Feb.4, Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle stated that he had received complaints about the HPC and read from a constituent letter that accused the board of “hostility, a superior attitude and an unwillingness to compromise.”
Conway continued to be defiant in her resignation letter to commissioners:
“It has become clear that many of the City of Augusta Commissioners and the city staff do not respect preservation or the commission tasked with preserving the city’s legacy.
I will no longer tolerate my name and character, as well as the reputation of HPC and its volunteer members, being attacked and slandered,” Conway wrote.
MORE: Owners file demolition application for old First Baptist Church
District 3 Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice, who appointed Conway to the HPC in March of 2021, said that the resignation was probably for the best, considering that the Augusta Commission is looking to institute reforms at the HPC.
“I thought she brought a lot to the table when I appointed her and I certainly wish her well in her future endeavors. This is unfortunate, because it could have been avoided and like all of us either elected or appointed, HPC members serve the taxpayers of Augusta and we don’t want to see this happen to anyone else,” Smith-Rice said.
Conway could not be reached for comment.
MORE: Board cites owner of historic Baptist church for upkeep issues
