The brakes on the code enforcement vehicles must not be operating to full efficiency. Maybe they only work when the officer is stopping for lunch or at the favorite hiding spot. They sure don’t stop at obvious code violations and write citations for violations.
This column’s accompanying photos were taken on April 10, 2023. They could have been taken three months ago. This issue has been for at least that long in time.
Children live and play in these yards and streets of this Harrisburg community. Some of these citizens have lived in these homes for decades. They have paid for their homes and pay their property taxes. They maintain their properties. Do they not deserve better than this for their investment into Augusta?
Many living in Harrisburg are retired and on fixed incomes. They cannot afford to sell for a lowball price and find a home with the proceeds from a sale. There most assuredly will be a big monetary difference in sell price and buying price.
In a manner of speaking, they are being held hostage. And for a situation not of their making.
This is not an isolated example. From the city transit bus station on Broad Street all the way to Milledge Road at Lake Olmstead is in a state of decay and devastation.
Two rows of brick apartment buildings stand with boarded doors on the lower levels and broken windows on the upper level. Burned out buildings, overgrown yards and lots line the street. Junked cars and used tires along with trash is a constant sight.
The Kroc Center, Harris House and the small park on Broad Street look out of place.
Running parallel to Broad Street are Ellis, Telfair and Green Streets. These streets reflect the same despair.
Yet, nothing is done.
Now, the citizens living along these corridors can help by cleaning up the trash. Throwing trash in the yards is on them. The junk cars are also on the home dweller. However, code enforcement needs to ensure that the violations are being corrected.
Augusta passed a much-touted blight ordinance a couple of years ago. It allows the city to place monetary fines on the offenders and owners of the blighted properties.
It doesn’t seem that it’s working too well. Nothing seems to have changed. How about a public report on what’s happening. What has happened. Tell the public something. While they are at it, how about a report on the lawn and yard equipment rental for the people to keep their yards clean and maintained. How is that program working out?
Instead of a commissioner giving a polished and well rehearsed monologue as to why the taxpayers should build tiny homes for the homeless to live in, maybe a heartfelt effort to help these citizens remain in their homes would be more beneficial.
Commissioner Catherine McKnight had the forensic audit agenda moved to the committee session last week. This was a hold over from the previous commission meeting when Commissioner McKnight had to leave early due to a personal emergency.
The clerk of the commission placed the audit on the Finance Committee. McKnight is not on the four-member committee. Only three members of that committee were in attendance.
Commissioner McKnight stated her reasons for wanting the forensic audit. And as predicted, the naysayers jumped to action quicker than a 7 year old on a pogo stick.
It was the same objection from the same people. What are you looking for? There’s been no indication of any wrongdoing!
It was quite amusing and all-telling when Commissioner Bobby Williams blurted out that, “Sounds like Augusta Press stuff to me. Ain’t that right Mr. Clarke?” Well, The Augusta Press is pressing for transparency and full disclosure for Augusta taxpayers.
Don’t they all just hate it when the light of truth is being shined on them?
Let’s do a short quick review of why a forensic audit should take place. Why wasn’t the non reporting of proper IRS documents caught in the ” clean” yearly audit? This is now costing the taxpayers millions in penalties.
How about the $20,000 that was paid to an unnamed Augusta Ports Authority employee? There are no paid employees of that authority; it’s all volunteers. The finance director stated she did not know who it was paid to.
How was the nearly $16 million dollars in stormwater fees spent? What did the fee produce or build? Who got paid? How much? For what?
Finance Director Donna Williams stated that an audit would not stop any government department from functioning. There may be an inconvenience of sorts, but the department would still operate.
The Grovetown City Forensic audit was discussed in Augusta chambers last week. It was stated that their audit cost them $137,000 to dissect approximately 5,100 utility accounts. What was not discussed was the findings and outcome from their audit.
I reached out to Grovetown Mayor Gary Jones.
Mayor Jones stated the audit was well worth the effort. It was indeed revealed that embezzlement was taking place. It was discovered that nearly $1.5 million had been embezzled. The responsible city employee pleaded guilty to the sum of $ 891,000 dollars for a lighter prison sentence.
So was the audit worth the money? How much more would have been stolen if a forensic audit had not been performed? For me personally, I believe it was well worth the cost. Most major cities change their accounting firms on a regular basis. Most are at the three-year mark, and that way the city gets new eyes on the financials, and it keeps a company from getting too comfortable and embedded.
A forensic audit would also reveal the city employees who are getting paid for no work performed. Any employee can use any time clock at any location to clock in and out. In fact, if a landfill worker is running late for work, all they have to do is stop at a time clock on their way and clock in. That’s stealing time. Also, be aware that the city employees can clock in and out using mobile devices such as cell phones, Ipads and laptops. This was taking place during Covid when employees worked from home. It continues.
Truth be known that the employees can be anywhere and clock in.
It would be interesting to find how many were actually at the lake, beach or mountains having a nice day while they were supposed to be working from home.
There is NO accountability.
Folks, you just can’t make this stuff up.
