This past week the District 6 Commissioner Tony Lewis sat as quiet and stoic as a church mouse, not a murmur from him was heard. The topic? The flooding of homes on Argonne Drive.
The last time the flooding issue came up, Lewis proclaimed it to be an act of God. Well, the rain certainly was, but the flooding was the non-action of the Engineering department.
Homeowner Rhonda M. Hann told the commission about the damage to her home and the cost of making it livable again. She said there was no help that came from anywhere except the Red cross.
The cost to remediate, repair and replace was well into the multi-thousands. Hann stated that if it had not been for her good credit score and available credit to her credit cards, she would have nothing nor anywhere to go.
Now, thanks to the city’s recent inaction, she says she is again deeply indebted.
Another homeowner, a Mr. Williams, spoke on his losses as well. He is nowhere near where he was with his home before the flooding.
Flood insurance doesn’t cover all losses for most.
During the recent flooding, help from FEMA was a big NO. The flooding didn’t meet the numbers large enough for them to become involved. Augusta’s Risk Management Department was also a big NO.
What are these homeowners supposed to do?
This is and has been an ongoing problem for many areas of Augusta. Approximately $13.5 million a year is received from homeowners and business owners in the guise of Stormwater fees.
Where does this money really go? Guess those “Your Stormwater Fees at work” signs are costly.
It is way past time for the Augusta Commissioners to gather the guts to call for and pass a motion for a forensic audit.
We should start with and follow through with the Engineering Department that also covers the Augusta Landfill operations and Stormwater operations.
Also, in the wake of Director Maurice McDowell’s sudden departure from Parks and Recreation department, that department should be high on the list for an audit.
Just because Marice McDowell resigned doesn’t mean that’s a closed door. Taxpayers still need to know where and how the funds disappeared and no noticeable work or maintenance was done for years.
Frances Christain spoke before the commission on behalf of his interest being the lessee of the Augusta Marina.
Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse stated it would take an estimated $3 million dollars to repair the Marina, according to the consulting firm that was hired to take an indepth look and make recommendations.
The consultants stated it must be done immediately. Of course they did. Cha Ching $$$$$$$ Somebody is gonna get paid.
Christain stated that the work could be done in sections. The repairs would be somewhere near the $50,000 mark and the full replacement of the docks could be placed on the SPLOST 9 wishlist.
It is remarkable to me that a mere business owner, a mere taxpayer, a mere citizen of Augusta and most of all, a mere VOTER could come up with a viable solution. The question now is whether the city will take his recommendations or form a focus group to study the issue more.
The past couple of weeks I have gone to a few candidate meet and greets and announcements of candidacy for office.
Sandhills held a Black history celebration meet and greet complete with a full soul food buffet. The food was outstanding. Very, very satisfying.
I can’t say the same about a few of the candidates. A couple of them were about as exciting as watching paint dry on a wall.
The most memorable of the evening was Commissioner Bobby Williams.
When his turn at bat came, he showed up and showed out. He knows fully well he has a well liked, respected and strong challenger with Don Clark running against him for district 5.
Bobby Williams sounded much like an old time tent revival preacher trying to save his flock of souls. Only Bobby was trying to save votes.
Williams roamed through the tables where the people were sitting, shouting at the top of his lungs that he was the Commissioner of district 5 his list of accomplishments were bullhorn worthy of respect.
Now, really, would anyone expect anything else from Bully Williams?
Augusta native and longtime resident of downtown Augusta Kevin de l’Aigle, announced that he is a candidate for the district 1 seat.
Mr. de l’Aigle is a vocal downtown advocate and is the founder of the Coalition for Action in Downtown Augusta (CADA). This is a group that actually has boots and hands on the ground when it comes to performing some maintenance in the downtown area.
de l’Aigle actually attends the commission meetings and is not shy about making his feelings known about what he feels is wrong with the Augusta government. He is currently employed by an international company and has business experience.
Kevin is indeed a viable candidate with strong backing from many.
Matt Aitken also announced he is also seeking his old district 1 seat. Aitken is a real estate broker and developer. He and his family are longtime residents and a home owner of downtown Augusta.
In fact, he resides in a home just steps away from the 6th street railroad tracks and the Municipal building.
Aitken is a past sitting commissioner for District 1 and he served very capability. He has ideas on how to move the city forward. This is a person that is also a viable contender for the seat.
Jordan Johnson is currently the commissioner for District 1. Has Johnson done enough to hold onto the seat?
Johnson has been instrumental in getting some parks, streets and a building named after people. Helped redirect tax dollars to non-profits and some would say ‘special interest.’ He has managed to get some street paving accomplished in the Sandhills neighborhood.
Johnson teamed up with Commissioner Sean Frantom and became a fictitious wrestling tag team known as the Arena Boyz and helped get the new arena half cent tax passed.
Again, will this be enough?
The District 1 race will indeed prove interesting. You all just may need to get your galoshes and eye protectors on; there just may be a bit of mud slinging with this race.
Marion Williams held a “Low Country Boil” fundraiser at the Julian Smith Casino.
I have to say how delicious the boil was. It was prepared the proper way and consisted of true boil ingredients: sausage, shrimp, potatoes, crab and corn on the cob. Well over 100 people enjoyed the gathering and fellowship.
As Marion spoke to the people he came up with a theory that only Marion would come up with. While asking for the people’s help in returning to office he stated: “If you ever see a turtle sitting on top of a fence post you know he didn’t get there by himself. He had help.”
Folks, as always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
