Congratulations Commissioner Francine Scott for being inducted into the Lucy Craft Laney High School Hall of Fame. Not only was this honor announced at last Tuesday’s commission meeting, the announcement came with an extended “see me” floor show at the meeting.
At the meeting, Commissioner Stacy Pulliam asked for a point of privilege, and it was granted. Pulliam asked that the mayor and all of the commissioners belonging to super district 9 join her on the chamber’s floor front and center.
After all were gathered Pulliam then presented Scott with a bouquet of flowers and congratulated her on her prestigious honor.
Next came the super-duper surprise to all.
Scott was then presented a proclamation from the city listing all of her achievements in her 30 years of government service working in the many different state departments. It was even proclaimed that she got the Augusta Discrimination Ordinance put together and passed.
Pull out the flash bulbs and stop the presses!
I guess the other nine commissioners that met with different people to hear issues and remedies and then together wrote the ordinance didn’t count.
Then to wrap it all up, April 2, 2024 was declared Francine Scott day in the city of Augusta. Returning to her seat she then thanked her colleagues within Super District 9 for standing behind her as she did them. Then she also thanked the rest of the commission.
Some would think that it was all great timing; coming during a run for re-election where Scott faces a challenge from a beloved former commissioner that only sees a vote as right or wrong.
Finally, an in-depth financial audit was approved to be performed on the finances of Parks and Recreation.
It is way past time. I, along with Commissioner Catherine McKnight, called for a forensic audit on multiple occasions only to be denied. Now with only seven months remaining on his term, Commission Sean Frantom stood up straight, held his head high and with a clear firm voice started calling for the audit.
Of course, it was met with all the same rhetoric from the same commissioners. “What are we looking for? The cost will be too high. Why spend $100,000 to find $1.50? It will disrupt the governments operations.”
However, the audit passed with six voting yes and four voting no. The “Gang of Five” had a defector that voted yes. Now could that be a tactical ploy because Commissioner Jordan Johnson is also running for re-election?
According to what Johnson stated, his reasons for voting yes, “to uphold transparency in our government and to strengthen oversight over city spending.” Well, it sounded good anyway.
Politicians can appear to be standing on water if they have learned where the rocks are.
But don’t be too fast at hooraying and back slapping because the audit vote passed. No, no, it still has to go through the Procurement Department for bids from those interested in bidding.
Now, if I were to place a guess as to what firm will come in with the lowest bid, would it be the same firm that has been doing Augusta’s yearly “feel good” audits for nearly a dozen years.
Augusta will furnish them with samples to look into, and as with all Augusta’s audits, it will likely become, “nothing to see here folks, just keep moving.”
How about not furnishing any samples, but let the audit deep dive into every nook and cranny of the Parks and Recreation Department. Then have another audit performed to cover the Engineering Department that also oversees the Stormwater program and the Augusta Landfill operations.
There is always the outside chance that the bid will be too high andyYes votes will turn to no votes. Then maybe another procurement RFP goes out with less scope. This can and likely will be a drawn out process.
The process might just drag on long enough for Frantom to be out of office and so goes the audit. This is why all eyes have to be focused on the audit.
Now, I don’t mean to sound like a skeptic but, we all have seen stranger things happen in Augusta’s government.
Just in case you didn’t hear already who voted NO on getting an audit it was: Commissioners Stacy Pulliam, Tony Lewis, Francine Scott and Bobby Williams. Their devoted followers still sing their praises no matter how ridiculous their track records get.
The Augusta Commission will not be meeting this coming week. The Master’s is in town and the elected will be hobnobbing with the visitors and no one will notice them. How ego-deflating.
Our yearly visitors will have a chance to pay a big piece of the new James Brown Arena construction cost. The new 1/2 cent sales tax went into effect the first of April, just in time for the tournament.
New traffic patterns are also going into effect on Washington Road. It will be interesting to see how this will work out.
Since I have lived in West Augusta on the Richmond-Columbia County line since the early 70’s, the traffic doesn’t bother me. It also doesn’t stop me from getting to wherever I want to go.
In case you wondered, you really don’t have to use Washington Road to get to downtown.
Folks, as always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
