In the 1975 movie classic “Network,” news anchor Howard Beale galvanized his viewers to raise their voices and shout from their windows, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”
That sounds like something the taxpayers of Augusta should be doing.
This past week’s committee meetings were something to partake in by watching and listening intently. Just reading about it or watching brief news clips does in no way paint the complete picture. It is like the old saying, “You had to be there to see it.”
I was there to see it, front row, left of the dais in seat number nine.
Let’s take the committee’s agendas in the order with which they were presented. First comes the verdict from the special called meeting to adopt a resolution for the Housing Authority of the City of Augusta to issue bonds to finance facilities located in Augusta, Ga.
These facilities turn out to be the Bon Air Apartments and the downtown Richmond Summit Apartments applying for tax credits for the sum of $28 million. This was approved by HUD and, finally, the commission.
Remember the publicity that was had when Commissioner Catherine McKnight was trying to get some help in getting the Bon Air cleaned up?
McKnight even had the threat of trespass prosecution placed against her in order to keep her out of the building and off the property, and she finally forced the owners from Texas to come here and discuss the matter. As usual she was up against the wall and unable to make headway.
Enter Congressman Rick Allen, and from there he led the charge and McKnight stepped back just a bit.
Well, let’s all stand back and watch this unfold.
Public Services had all of the agenda items consented and moved forward to full commission.
Public Safety didn’t have a quorum, therefore all of the agenda items were sent to full commission.
Administrative Services consented most of the agenda to full commission. However, the single most interesting one was the ongoing Trane and NVS debacle.
Remember the work order change request that had the work already performed and completed before a change order approval was requested? It is the same company involved and under the same guidance of the interim Central Services Director Ron Lampkin.
A short, informational presentation was made; but alas, it was the same smoke and mirrors. The only difference was that the company getting the money actually had the voice on the phone from New York, actually showing up here in Augusta.
Because there were questions to be asked and things to be learned about this dog and pony show, there was a ”Lunch and Learn” event scheduled. When Commissioner Frantom asked who would be attending the meeting, the scramble began.
“Pipe down Mr. Frantom. There was an email sent out to all of the commissioners with all of the information.”
Now, as usual, not everyone received the email. A little cover up began that it was an oversight as some received the email, while some did not. No need to show the email, it’s all corrected. Seems that the problem may have been that the only ones to receive the email was the Gang of Five.
The Engineering Committee agenda was consented to the full commission but for two items requested by Commissioner Stacy Pulliam. The items pertained to paving of streets and filling potholes by the Engineering Department, and the other was the maintenance of city owned lots, right of ways and ditches.
As we all know, no one knows who is doing what, so that saga continues.The usual non-answers were given. In other words, same old same. Nothing getting done. The entire charade was just to make it appear the problems were being addressed.
Next comes the Finance Committee. The committee voted to reinstate the 1% budget reduction that Mayor Garnett Johnson had called to be implemented within all of the departments.
Then came the mayor’s request for reimbursement for the Mayor’s Office expenses placed on his personal credit card.
Let me set the table for this one. The Finance Committee is chaired by Commissioner Jordan Johnson, and the co-chair is Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle. The other two members are Commissioners Stacy Pulliam and Tony Lewis.
The Gang of Five are in full control of this committee. Three of the five sit on the Finance Committee.
The same group that fought the Mayor’s getting a vote now controls the Finance Committee, and anyone that keeps up with Augusta’s government’s goings-on, already knew how this was going to play out. There were no surprises or disappointments.
The three commissioners followed the script flawlessly while the supporting cast, Finance Director Donna Williams and City Attorney Wayne Brown, only answered the questions that were asked of them.
Now, we all know that you can get the answer you want by the way in which you ask the question. Mayor Hardie Davis was supreme at this method, and it looks like Commissioner Johnson learned his lessons well.
When the mayor was campaigning for office, he stated that he would use his own money for travel and expenses and that he would turn in the receipts for reimbursement. Everyone was aware of that and didn’t seem to have an issue with him doing that as they have reimbursed him in the past.
All during his first year in office, he did exactly that. There was no issue or problem. The mayor has been following the same pattern again this year. Now, all of a sudden, it is a problem. The question should be “Why?”
Mayor Johnson has about $45,000 he is asking to be reimbursed. The Finance Committee with the finance director’s backing says the method that the mayor is using is “outside existing policy.” If that is the case, why was he reimbursed all of last year?
Later, it was indicated that there was really no policy about personal credit cards being reimbursed. Which is it?
The Finance Committee wants the mayor to use a city issued charge card. The city cards have a monthly spending limit of $5,000. The city issued “P-Cards” have a $500 a day limit. The committee wants the mayor to have to use the Augusta Procurement Office for special purchases, such as the teleprompter for use by the First Lady, Jill Biden, when she visited the city and that had to be bought for $4,000.
Now, some of us know how well that would have worked out. It would have followed the same pattern as the Procurement’s city financial audit of the Recreation Department.
The question should be asked, “Why What happened to all of the equipment that the preceding Mayor Davis bought for his personal media room?” The one he used to record speeches and whatever else he wanted to use it for. Surely there was a teleprompter there somewhere, or could it have ended up in Davis’ city provided storage unit?
The city attorney was asked a question about who is responsible for payment of a credit card. Attorney Brown indicated that the person or entity whose name the credit card was issued to is responsible to pay the balance.
Just my opinion, but it seems that they are trying to stick the mayor for payment of the expenses he charged for legitimate city business. I guess that is his punishment for the voting citizens voting for him to have a vote.
Maybe if they don’t reimburse him, he can sue the city. We all know they settle all lawsuits out of court.
Well, it’s still up in the air, the committee voted to hold the matter over until the next Finance Committee meeting. Notice that they did not send it to the full commission as requested by Commissioner Guilfoyle, there is too much juice to be squeezed out of this political olive.
Folks, as always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
