Back in 1979, singer songwriter Rodney Crowell wrote a song titled, ” An American Dream.” It was recorded by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The song has always been just a slight bone of contention with us born and raised Augustans because of a line written in the song.
Sadly, I fully understand the lyrics nowadays.
“I beg your pardon, mama,
What did you say?
My mind was drifting off
On Martinique Bay.
It’s not that I’m not interested, you see;
Augusta Georgia
Is just no place to be.”
That has become the normal thinking for more and more Augustans, myself included, these days. And why not?
This city government has become more insufficient and inadequate with each passing year with the taxpayer’s best interest not being served. Augustans started leaving years ago for the better-run Columbia and Aiken counties.
I believe there were two reasons for this mass exodus: money and government mismanagement.
When property and school taxes keep going up and up, is there anything else expected but for the taxpayers to seek better locations where their taxes are going to give benefits and returns?
The Richmond County School system ranks toward the bottom of the educational barrel. For years, we citizens have heard the same tired rhetoric from the elected officials on the School Board: ” We need more time and a chance to get the right things done and in place.”
By the way: ” We need more money.” Does that sound familiar?
School leaders make this claim, but all the while using 85% of taxes received on salaries, benefits and retirement and a paltry 5% going to the upkeep and maintenance of school properties.
Don’t forget the school board has funding from ESPLOST, grants, federal, state and the states education lottery. I wonder where all the money is spent and on what? How about a detailed explanation that actually makes sense or maybe even a forensic audit.
The operation and direction of the Augusta city government is truly a textbook of how not to perform the correct things to keep a city financially sound and operating at top efficiency.
The leadership of Augusta seems to have a high priority in hiring the wrong people for any given job, as the leaders have this strange theory that the more money you pay a person, the better the quality of employee you will get. Just how exactly has that worked out? Not too good from where I sit and watch.
Take, for instance, the non-existent bidding war between Augusta and Savannah to hire Odie Donald as city administrator. Augusta called themselves the winner when he agreed to the $240,000 plus 30% backend for benefits totaling about $312,000 a year plus an auto allowance.
And how did that work out? Not too well. Donald created a billion dollar yearly budget and then left town for a better offer.
Another prime example is the Augusta City Engineering director, Hameed Malik. He is paid a yearly salary of $205,581 plus a 30% backend benefits package, totaling about $267,250 a year. He is director over engineering, the city landfill and stormwater fee program. He’s very good at doing as little as possible, while stating there is not enough money or people to do the jobs.
There is a department full of degreed engineers who seem not to be able to design how to repave a roadway. That has to be the case because it’s all contracted out to private firms at a high cost.
Remember the “recycling program” that was not really happening amid the claims that it was, could be heard loud and clear. Remember all of the houses flooding? Commissioner Tony Lewis said, “It’s an act of God.” Actually it was the non-action of the stormwater program for not keeping the drainage ditches and retention ponds cleaned and cleared. That certainly seemed to be the case as seen from the photos and drone footage taken by a private individual.
Now, bear in mind this highly paid employee doesn’t even live in Augusta. He resides in a gated community in Columbia County at last check. Must truly be nice for him.
You can expect a higher rate for sewage cost since North Augusta raised their rate by $6 a month. Since Augusta feels the need to try and keep up with the Jones, the new rate may go up by $12.00 a month. Remember, it’s Augusta.
Good ‘ole Commissioner Bobby Williams has now missed six meetings in a row. Taking the people’s money and giving nothing in return to the degree that it could almost be called theft of services. Remember that was the crime stated to be used against non-paying residents of the motels in Augusta.
I just wonder why the good folks in District 5 aren’t raising hell over this issue.
No worries though as many of the residents of that district remember that Commissioner Catherine McKnight was their commissioner before the redistricting. She is receiving many calls from them and handling what she can. Commissioner-elect Don Clark is also receiving some calls. At least they are receiving some form of representation.
Past Augusta Mayor Bob Young and Commissioner-elect Clark were in chambers last Tuesday to give an update on the efforts of securing a Veterans Cemetery here in Augusta. It appears we have come to the point of everything being in order but the funding source to construct the cemetery.
Commissioner Alvin Mason spoke of the need and honor it would be for the cemetery. McKnight also spoke of the benefit it would be for the cemetery to be here in Augusta.
The commission asked that $13 million be placed on the SPLOST 9 list to be considered for the construction. Once the Veterans Cemetery is constructed, the state of Georgia would then handle all operations and maintenance upkeep costs. The land has already been acquired at the old Gracewood School and Hospital. It is a beautiful location and is as near a perfect location as imaginal.
Mayor Bob Young and Commissioner-elect Clark have worked diligently to make this project happen. Hats off to both for their devotion and dedication to the cause.
Olive Road should be open now. The commission voted to reopen the road and to have the hanging plastic covered chains be placed over the roadway to alert over height trucks to stop and not proceed when the chains are hit. There are already 30 different warning signs, speed bumps, flashing stop lights and caution signs in place now. What’s a few more gonna hurt?
Now, we must give Commissioner Jordan Johnson a bit of credit for asking if the $50,000 to $70,000 for the devices would be better spent in the area for tearing down blighted buildings and road maintenance?
Actually, there is not a set price for the devices because they are not a normal approved traffic device. But no worries Augusta, it’s only your money being spent. Therefore it passed with a unanimous vote of YES.
Here is a novel idea. How about a hefty monetary fine to the driver who hits the overpass bridge. Even bill them for any damages and clean up costs.
Folks, as always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
