Does it not seem that Augusta can’t get over one totally messed up situation before another one comes along and takes the focus?
Maybe the Augusta Film Company could negotiate a production company to create a reality TV show. It could be a weekly program entitled, “As Augusta Goes.”
The stalemate of the hiring of a city administrator is ongoing and no decision is in the foreseeable future.
At a meeting held this past week by the Coalition for Action in Downtown Augusta (CADA), Interim City Administrator Takiyah Douse’s husband was in attendance. He had a personal response to CADA’s founder Kevin de l’Aigle ‘s statement concerning his spouse, Mrs. Douse.
Mr. de l’aigle had stated that Douse was not only unqualified for the position, but also mistakenly stated that she also lived out of state. I was there and was privy to the exchange. It was tense although neither raised their voices.
Mr. Douse stated the reasons he felt that qualified his wife for the position citing her background in the banking business, the years working for the city of Augusta, her directorship of the newly formed Central Services, negotiating of a new ambulance contract and crafting the $1.2 billion dollar city budget, as proof of his wife’s abilities.
He sounded just a bit like her business agent, but I have to give Mr. Douse credit where credit is due. He defended his wife as he should have.
Brad Owens of the media site Augusta Today live streamed the entire meeting. Take a look. It’s interesting.
De l’Aigle did apologize for being mistaken about Douse’s residency.
Now Augusta has the marina fiasco to deal with. There was word that a decision to cut all electricity and water off to the docked boats had been made and that that decision was about as popular as head lice in a hair salon.
This is not entirely a new issue.
Boat owner Carson Bryan stated that the electrical box for his slip sparked fire. This was reported in July of 2023.
The city is supposed to be responsible for the maintenance of the marina, just as for Riverwalk.
There are other maintenance issues that have also not been attended to, such as the docks themselves being in need of board replacements. As always, Augusta has to hire a consultant to delve into studying the issue.
The consultants then come up with a solution to solve the problems that will cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars instead of a few thousands.
Do Diamond Lake’s restrooms ring a bell? Over a million dollars spent because they had to refix the first fix. Then they had to spend another $140,000 for additional repairs.
Well, back to the marina.
According to e-mails sent back and forth between the powers that be, and an e-mail dated Sept. 15, 2023 sent out by Interim Central Services Director Ron Lampkin confirmed that the interim administrator informed all to stop work at the marina.
So, as all can see, this is not just a recent issue.
Since people reside on some of the boats full time, others on the weekends and a couple are even Airbnb’s, wouldn’t cutting the water and electricity off be illegal?
Has Land Bank Director Shawn Edwards gone into hiding?
Since his outrageous spending was made public, not a whisper has been heard. He must be taking legal advice: Well, it’s not a done deal, and the shovels continue to dig.
The political races are heating up, and there are some interesting candidates. I have heard no out and out promises, but have heard a lot of bravado about what they would be doing if elected.
There are still a couple of possible candidates that have not announced intentions as of yet. We will just wait a little longer before we get a full roster of candidates.
Remember The Arena Boyz? The tag team duo of Commissioners Sean Frantom and Jordan Johnson? Well, I heard a rumor that they may make an appearance at the WWE Road to WrestleMania show March 16 at the James Brown Arena.
Question is, what will they be doing? Surely not attempting to actually wrestle another team. That would be a sight and certainly worth the price of a ticket.
Maybe they could perform a skit of how they are gonna tear down the old arena, just the two of them, and build another bigger and better one.
Folks, as always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
