Augusta is getting a new arena. Congratulations to the mayor, commissioners, Coliseum Authority, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sports Authority, Downtown Development Authority, the Augusta Economic Development Authority, state representees and the Chambers of Commerce that pushed the measure past the finish line.
All of those groups worked very hard and were dedicated to the same goal, to pass that 1/2 cent C-SPLOST and build a shiny new arena.
Just think of what that arena will do for Augusta. It will help to continue to revitalize downtown.
The new arena will host bigger acts, it will be a tourist boom, it will attract more business and large manufacturers that will hire hundreds if not thousands of people.
At least that’s what they’re saying.
Well, we will all just have to wait and see if that pans out the way it was hyped. Many are still wondering where that other 1/2 cent is going since no one charges in half pennies.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all of the aforementioned worked as hard as they did for a total improvement of Augusta’s infrastructure as they did for a new arena? Think of how not only the taxpayer’s and resident’s that pay for it would feel, but also the visitors to the ‘Garden City.’
It would be nice if streets and roads are getting paved, grass cut, retention ponds maintained, drainage ditches actually maintained to do the intended job, repairs made to the trip hazard sidewalks, trees and bushes trimmed and maintained and broken curbs replaced.
All of the above would help attract more business, manufacturing and tourists which might make citizens proud of their city and cause those who call the city ‘Disgusta’ to be considered as just Negative Nellies with an ax to grind.
The approval of the 2024 city budget is upon us at $1.16 billion. Much of the increase is to give pay raises to underperforming directors and city employees. Non-government organizations are also receiving more money and there has been no action on the request from District 10 Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle to find cuts in the budget.
Go figure.
When commissioners Guilfoyle and District Three Commissioner Catherine McKnight made motions to reduce the budget by 1.5% and then even settled for .75%, the motions were defeated.
District One Commissioner Jordan Johnson, again thinking himself to be the most intelligent person in the room, started demanding that McKnight give the interim administrator directions on what to cut.
Johnson also would not shut his trap when addressed by the mayor to stop talking over everyone.
Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse is in over her head, we all know that. She thinks she knows what she’s doing but in reality, she doesn’t have a clue how to run a city.
Douse is a nice person that is being led down the wrong path by the Gang of Five with the hopes she will be rewarded with the permanent position.
However, my sources tell me that is about as likely as space aliens landing on the Fifth Street Bridge. My bad, it’s called the “Freedom Bridge” now.
Those that direct Douse are bound and determined to get her hired as permanent city administrator. They will oppose every choice that Mayor Johnson will choose.
However, after a pointed editorial was run in The Augusta Press, City Attorney Wayne Brown was forced to go on the record by Guilfoyle and confirm that Mayor Garnett Johnson is the only one that can nominate candidates.
I have to give credit to The Augusta Press for handing the mayor the ace card he needed.
When commissioners came out of executive session, where I am told the search for a new administrator was discussed, a visibly ruffled District Five Commissioner Bobby “Bully” Williams emerged and asked for a “personal point of privilege.” Either District Eight Commissioner Brandon Garrett or Guilfoyle objected, I could not tell which one did from my vantage point on the computer screen, but the usually blustery Williams clamped his mouth shut.
Perhaps, the adults are finally taking charge of the playground.
The backlash has already started concerning $1.75 million allocated for a zip line across the Savannah River and some type of adventure park on the water. Now, remember that the voters approved this item along with $5 million seed money for a water park in SPLOST 8.
SPLOST 8 had so much special interest pork and not enough for projects that would sustain themselves that as a commissioner, I voted NO when it was passed to go on the ballot.
The commission passed it and it did indeed go to the voters. It is really too bad that the line items can’t be voted on separately and not the total package. That would change things completely.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the current proposal. I will not support anything such as a zip line or water park that will be run by the city of Augusta, especially if the responsibility is given to the Parks and Recreation Department.
Now, let’s be real clear here, the zip line project proposed by the city is a totally different project from the whitewater park proposed by the Canal Authority on the Augusta Canal that has been in the planning stages since Scott Hudson proposed it way back in 2008.
Hudson envisioned that some day the Augusta Canal could one day look like “the Augusta National without the golf course,” and be filled with outdoor recreational activities that would make Augusta a mecca of eco-tourism.
Thankfully, Dayton Sherrouse and the Canal Authority followed Hudson’s advice and the canal area is a wonderful asset to the community that just keeps getting better.
The city of Augusta’s zip line project is a totally different matter.
As Commissioner Frantom stated during a commission meeting, a group of us commissioners went to Columbus, Ga. to take a look at that city’s white water park and zip line operation. It was both an educational and fun trip.
While I chose the white water rafting, Frantom chose the zip line. Frantom also chose to record himself as he zipped across the Chattahoochee River to the banks of Alabama and back.
Not only can Frantom impersonate professional wrestlers, he also did a mean Wile E Coyote impression as he crashed at the end of the zip line. It was like watching Wile E. chasing the Roadrunner and crashing into the painted tunnel on a solid rock.
Just a note, if you happen to go white water rafting and someone suggests it would be great television news for everyone to jump into the water, DON’T DO IT!
Well, the sad part is that if the Corp of Engineers and Savannah Riverkeeper has their way, the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam will be demolished and people will be zip Lining across mud flats and there will be no boating on the river, much less any rafting.
The city of Augusta, North Augusta, the Army Corp of Engineers and the Savannah Riverkeeper are all at a “wait and see” standoff. Augusta and North Augusta are, in a manner of speaking, being held hostage.
North Augusta has taken a firm stand for the keeping of the dam and maintaining the river water level. Augusta has taken the wait and see and “don’t rock the boat” attitude, and the city doesn’t want to get anyone riled up that’s already fighting to tear the dam down.
The Savannah Riverkeeper organization helped cause this mess over a fish species that is not even endangered.
Go figure.
Here’s an idea: There’s about 12.5 acres of riverfront property that has a 100-year lease that was given to the Savannah Riverkeeper, or River Karen, as many people call her (Tonya Bonitatibus).
If anyone looks closely at the lease, they may see that the lease automatically renews itself at midnight on Dec. 31 of every year for those 100 years. That is if the city or the lessee doesn’t decide to cancel it for reason with notice.
This property is just waiting for development, and, under Georgia law, the lease is not valid.
Just maybe, the Downtown Development Authority or the Augusta Economic Development folks could entice someone like Great Wolf Lodge to come and develop the property. Keep Augusta’s Procurement department and legal staff out of it and offer the company the $5 million and tax incentives.
That company could bring a hotel, water park, restaurant, lounge and meeting rooms with beautiful views of the Savannah River. They would bring jobs and the knowledge to correctly operate it successfully as they have in other locations.
Oh well. That was just an elusive thought.
As always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
