This past Tuesday as I left the Commission chambers, I could not help but think of the group Fleetwood Mac. Why? Because they had a hit song entitled “Little Lies.” A lyric in the song is “Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies.”
Now, in no way am I implying that any of Augusta’s department directors or the interim administrator would ever tell a flat out lie or mistruth. But in my personal opinion, they use the largest box of crayons known to man to color the truth.
Whenever an explanation of any financial issue arises, the powers that be throw Finance Director Donna Williams to the wolves. She is left to defend others’ less than stellar financial actions.
Williams is not in a position of approving each and every transaction by the department directors. It seems no one is.
At the last Finance Committee meeting, it was quite evident that the Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse wanted no part of answering any question. She kept her head down and her back to Williams.
Yes, yes, yes, the Gang of Five approves.
Don’t think for a second that I am throwing stones at Williams and then sticking my hands in my pockets. I’m not. If you listen closely at what Williams says, she is really explaining as to how the misdeeds take place.
Fixing the issues is beyond her power. No matter how hard she endeavors to do so. It actually starts with the administrator to oversee and halt these actions.
Don’t ask Procurement Director Geri Sams a question if you don’t want an honest and direct answer. She doesn’t play, she doesn’t mince words and she has proven time and again that she is not afraid of any elected official.
Commissioner Sean Frantom was on target with questioning the outrageous spending of prior Parks and Recreation Director Maurice McDowell. It looks like McDowell and the Augusta Land Bank’s Shawn Edwards went to the same class on finance.
You know, the one where the professor wears shiny suits, smokes a big cigar and is enjoying an aged bourbon while teaching class.
Don’t be surprised if Frantom doesn’t bring back an agenda item calling for an in-depth audit of the Parks and Recreation Department’s finances. In fact, Frantom has promised that is coming next.
Pay close attention as to which commissioners balk at the idea and vote NO.
Commissioner Stacy Pulliam asked what was the progress on the Department “Standard Operating Procedures” audit that she asked for. As usual, the Gang of Five are getting the parameters together to pander to their select crowd.
Here is a fun fact. It wasn’t Commissioner Pulliam that asked for an SOP audit, but Commissioner Catherine McKnight.
McKnight had been asking for a forensic audit, but was made to settle for the lessor audit instead. It can be a sure bet that McKnight will vote YES to Frantom’s motion.
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle asked city Attorney Wayne Brown for the rules and laws to be explained regarding an abstain stance during voting.
City Attorney Wayne Brown came with a full explanation. He was taking no chances of being blamed for the unfavorable outcome of his answer.
So, loaded with the copies of the laws, the articles of law with citations, the section numbers, as well as the latest and updated book of Robert’s Rules, Brown explained why Commissioner Bobby Williams and any commissioner that chooses to do so can abstain without explanation.
Many of us were all under the same thought set: There must be an actual conflict of interest with an issue for one to abstain, such as a real estate matter, or a personnel matter.
Not so, says Brown. One can abstain for no other reason than “because.”
So until some commissioners are replaced, the citizens of Augusta will continue to be held hostage by the infamous Gang of Five.
Commissioner Guilfoyle also inquired as to why no action had been taken on a few construction trailers that are on property not properly zoned for them.
It appears that Guilfoyle asked about this situation back in June of 2023 and no action was taken. So again, explanation?
Planning and Zoning Director Carla Delaney addressed the reasoning behind no action being taken.
A bundle of excuses were given. Out of state owners are to blame, the trailers were put there without permission and without proper zoning.
Delaney maintained that it would cost Augusta too much money to have the trailers removed to another location, with the cost being somewhere in the area of $20,000. She even fretted that there was nowhere to move them.
On and on the excuses went. No answers, but have no worry, Delaney will get right on it. Perhaps she can offer vouchers to the trailer owners, so that they can be repurposed as tiny homes for vagrants.
Don’t forget that Delaney is the director that took away her agent’s protective vests, refuses to enforce code violations that happen on the weekend and wants the taxpayers to pay to have absentee property owner’s grass cut.
The best scenario would be to place all code enforcement under the Marshal’s Department. They know how to do the job and Delaney would do better to just step away.
Take a close look at your utility bill. The Utilities Department is up to its old tricks again.
When someone complains about the higher than normal charges, they still use the same ole lame excuse, “you must have a water leak.”
Now, it’s also the cost of sewage. I guess the excuse this time is “we got tired of taking in all of your crap for nickels and dimes, now ya’ll are really gonna pay.”
I suppose this must be why the Utilities Department has a budget surplus.
Taxpayers have to suck up a 3% price rate increase, yet no better service is offered.
There are still areas of our city that are in dire need of new pipes and sewer hookup; however, no pipes can be laid until the streets are repaved. I see little to no repaving occurring, so I feel safe in stating that no new pipes are being laid.
The excuses are never ending.
Here comes a most bizarre part of the meeting last Tuesday: The solid waste monetary issue. It seems that the question is with Waste Management’s contract that they did not wish to renew. However, they did accept an extended extension of the contract.
Here is where it gets really odd. It would appear that the company is in arrears of penalty and fine payments to Augusta for nearly $100,000. But, instead of paying the city what is owed, they will be getting additional payments of $21.86 per month for each household they service.
This means that the company will be receiving an additional $1.4 million for 18 months. Now if this isn’t in itself odd, this interim administrator’s input is.
Douse yammered on with something to the point that Augusta will be paying this, not the citizens. Where does she think the money comes from?
In hindsight, this is nothing new when it comes to some of Augusta’s leadership.
Remember the $1 million that the library owed to the city? That money got paid back with a very unusual motion that actually passed; and if the Feds find out, taxpayers will likely be on the hook just like we are with the IRS and millions owed to that agency over failure to file correct paperwork.
Commissioner Williams made a motion that would be in essence to pretend to give the library a million dollars out of the Covid relief funds and pretend the library used that money to repay Augusta.
In actuality, no money changed hands and a million dollar debt was erased. WOW. Using this rationale, we could all pretend to pay our utility bills and the balance on the bill should be zero.
Election time is drawing near and the candidates are hawking their wares, or issues I should say. There are a few viable candidates that can be elected if people vote for experience and abilities instead of the same tired old reasons.
TAP has a couple of readers who claim to love our city, but continue to back the same people in office that have brought about a downturn for our city. It is their right to do so. However, don’t berate the people that disagree with you. It is also their choice.
Since I personally live and have maintained my home in district seven since 1977, I’ll start with my district.
There are but two candidates in the race to fill the seat that will be vacated by Commissioner Sean Frantom.
It’s certainly not impressive to not know or remember the name of the busiest and most visible road in the district for which you are running for a seat. It is not an avenue or street, it’s a state highway. Your opponent knows the name, having been a lifelong resident of Augusta and mostly district seven.
Having stated you have lived in many cities, does this mean Augusta is but one more step along the opportunity trail? Your opponent will continue to live in National Hills. Inquiring voters want to know.
Speaking of change. It is most likely that if Sean Frantom could be elected to a third term, he would certainly be re-elected. In all probability, unopposed. That is how beloved this hometown man is. Sean is a doer, not a talk about it person.
It’s Easter and a time for reflection. Please everyone have a peaceful and loving day with family and friends.
Folks, as always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
