There has been a foul odor lingering in the air over Augusta. NO, it’s not coming from a paper mill, meat processing plant or any other manufacturing facility. Most think the stench is emanating from the Municipal Building, especially from the Commission Chambers.
Many may believe it’s from the many, many erroneous decisions that they make. It is quite obvious that the majority of the seated commissioners vote to approve their own special interest and damn what the taxpayers want.
All voters are not taxpayers. Yes, they do pay sales tax, but not necessarily property tax.
The renaming and naming of a ballfield, a building and the Augusta Riverwalk was actually embarrassing to watch. The vote was so important to one commissioner that he actually showed back up in chambers after missing a few weeks due to personal reasons. He did ask for a “point of privilege” to thank the many people that helped and stood by him during this pressing time.
One commissioner, Brandon Garrett of District 8, was absent. He had called to say he wouldn’t be in attendance; but, no explanation was given.
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle stated he had received many calls and had talked with several people who were opposed to all of the naming and renaming and motioned for all three agenda items to be tabled. Commissioner Catherine McKnight seconded the motion.
Of course, that caused a stir among the commissioners. Commissioner Francine Scott had stated that she had gotten negative feedback from some people, but the feedback was more positive than negative, she said.
Since the majority of the commissioners knew how the vote would go, no protest nor a substitute motion was made. The motion failed with only Commissioners Guilfoyle, McKnight and Frantom voting yes to table.
Therefore, each of the three namings were voted on separately. Commissioner Bobby Williams called for a roll call vote. He said he wanted the general public to know who was voting Yes and who was voting No.
Each item for naming or renaming was approved with a vote of six YES and three NO.
Yes votes were Commissioners Lewis, Pulliam, Scott, Mason, Johnson and Williams. It was comical at the loudness of Williams’ YES votes.
NO votes were Commissioners Guilfoyle, Frantom and McKnight.
Folks, it is quite clear and painfully obvious that the majority of commissioners could not care less what the citizens think, unless they are pandering for election votes.
Once they are in office, they couldn’t care less again.
I once placed on the agenda for the mayor’s and commissioner’s oath of office to be read before the commission and in chambers for the public to be reminded. Mayor Hardie Davis struck down the reading of the oath stating it was unnecessary, because everyone knew what they swore to. The difference is, swearing to do and actually doing what you swore to do.
I guess the next name change proposed will be the changing of the Augusta Municipal Building. Maybe Commissioner Pulliam can create yet another useless workshop so they can come up with a name. Something like, “The Hardie Davis Government Complex.”
Here is a unique idea. Stop naming buildings, parks and roadways after people. That way no one is offended and the names won’t have to be changed at taxpayers expense.
Catherine McKnight has become the commission’s Timex Watch. They continually give her a beating and she keeps on ticking. Every time she tries to do something for her district 3, they find 38 different reasons to say NO.
In fact, every time McKnight tries to do something positive for Augusta, they find ways to block her initiatives.
This time she has tackled a multi-years long problem with the irrigation system for the three sections of center islands on Henry Street. The watering system stays broken and not operating most of the time. Henry Street has the distinction of being both in district 3 and part in district 1.
Trying to solve this issue goes back to the time that Mary Davis was district 3 commissioner and Grady Smith was district 10. When I went in as district 10 commissioner the fight continued. When McKnight came in as commissioner for district 3, we still couldn’t get anything done.
Now, McKnight is fighting again. And again, getting nowhere.
The latest was this past week when the Parks and Recreation Director Maurice McDowell stated that there was no funding for irrigation. He said that SPLOST had $3 million for the irrigation issues for Diamond Lakes and Eisenhower Park that had to be completed first. If any money was left over, it could be redesignated for the Henry Street project. Again, the project is years away if there is any money left.
An inquiry was asked as to the expected cost, but McDowell didn’t give an exact because he in reality couldn’t. However he did estimate it to be in the $225,000 range. Then a motion was made to get bids on the project. That was quickly struck down because that wouldn’t be following proper procedure. Any reason is a good reason to say NO.
Anyone that knows an iota about PVC pipe and connectors, sprinkler heads and electric pumps knows that the job could come in under $25,000. The electric power is already there.
However, it seems that when a project is bid, the same people seem to be in the mix.
Now if this wasn’t bad enough, Commissioner Sean Frantom asked why Parks and Recreation was handling this issue instead of the Engineering Department. The excuses and finger pointing was almost as entertaining as the explanations a husband would give if he came home at midnight with lipstick on his collar.
It continues to be a mystery as to how we have all of the fees, taxes and different SPLOST and still can’t get certain things accomplished. Maybe in the coming weeks we can put some numbers together and share them with you all.
We also have to dive into the arena C-SPLOST and take a look at how that is being put together.
Speaking of name changes, if they do ever want a name change for the Municipal Building, it should be “The Big Top.” They certainly have turned this government into a circus.
Folks, as always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
