What a wild and tumultuous past week Augusta had —everything from a shootout that left two people dead and 12 arrested on murder charges to an Augusta fire department lieutenant running over one of the dead bodies and dragging the body for approximately 51 feet.
With this being as what is regarded as a mass shooting the story went viral. Evey media outlet from New York to California covered it and made Augusta sound as a city that you would not want to live.
However, the situation that occurred on Sand Bar Ferry Road was not a mass shooting. It was more like gunfire at the OK Corral.
Also, last week, the Augusta Commission Finance Committee choose to fund a basketball team with a $250,000 gift from the pockets of the city taxpayers. This came about when the Georgia Soul Organization team owner, Ernesia Wright, went before the committee on May 16 to pitch for the need for funding to give support to the team.
Finance Chairman District 1 Commissioner Jordon Johnson made a suggested motion for the city administrator to find a funding source for this to happen. It was seconded and passed by a 3 to 1 vote. The three YES votes were made by Johnson, Pulliam and Scott. Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle voted NO.
This vote moved the measure forward to the commission on the consent agenda.
This past Tuesday, May 16, this agenda item was not pulled for discussion. This allowed the motion to move forward without objection. Commissioner Jordon Johnson was not present in chambers, but he did call in and vote over the telephone.
I guess commissioner Johnson felt the need to reach out and touch someone.
The someones he touched were the taxpayers for a quarter of a million dollars for a gift to support the team. But folks, you still gotta buy a ticket to the games.
Also this past week’s commission meeting had David Anderson on the delegation to discuss a medical cannabis dispensary for Augusta. Actually a Mr. Bradshaw, chief operating officer for Botanical Sciences addressed the commission on Anderson’s behalf. Bradshaw spoke of the need and the help it would provide to the nearly 15,000 people who would benefit from the cannabis dispensary. Also spoke of a partnership with Paine College, which is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Bradshaw stated they were currently working closely with Cheryl Evans Jones and Michael Thurmond.
Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones is the 17th president of Paine College. Michael Thurmond, who Mr. Bradshaw referred to, is believed to be Attorney Michael Thurmond and the chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Paine College.
Guess if you’re a name dropper, best to drop the biggest names you got.
Even though this cannabis dispensary wasn’t up for a vote. No commissioner had any questions but one lone commissioner, and that was District 6’s Tony Lewis.
After five and a half months of being pretty much as quiet as a bump on a swamp log, Commissioner Lewis certainly had a lot to say about this subject.
“Inunderstand that you’re going to be partnering with Paine College, and that makes me gleam because I am a graduate of Paine College, and I know how important partnering with Paine College is with any entity that’s going to help provide some sustainability and some economic relief to Paine College,” Lewis said.
And he continued:
“What I did not hear you say was what would be the economic impact or the revenue generated by your company on an annual basis here in Augusta, Ga. And if you could answer that question and my second question is what would be the minority participation in your company as you seek to come here to do business in the Augusta area?”
Bradshaw gave a jumbled and convoluted answer at best; he spoke about scholarships and work programs, about giving 20% of business venture opportunities to minorities, but was very vague about total revenues.
Now, if indeed Paine College is going to be in partnership with a for-profit company and receive benefits from that company’s profits, will that cause Paine College to lose its non-profit, tax-exempt status?
The 15,000 number that was stated for the people in need of cannabis struck yours truly as being a mite low number, especially in a city with a population of about 204,000 people.
To us less medically sophisticated folks who use slang words such as weed, grass, chronic, herb and pot think that number would be higher. At least one would think that considering the contact highs you can get by merely walking around downtown or riding on Washington Road with your windows down.
Forrest Gump’s Mother said, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” That seems to be the way it is with elected officials.
With Mayor Deke Copenhaver, you got the whole box. Unlike many elected politicians, Deke was always straight forward with the truth. He let the chips fall where they may. He was a mayor with a vision. A dreamer of things that could make Augusta better for her people.
Copenhaver managed to get many of his visions accomplished with the help of the commissioners who worked with him. He was a soft-spoken man who led by example, not mere words. Deke is still that same man today.
As mayor, he was the first to recognize that Augusta could become a huge player in the movie making business. He worked with others to make that a reality. Augusta today has become a city where many movies have been filmed with many more to come.
To this day, Mayor Copenhaver keeps moving and being involved, and he is always cordial with time to stop and say hello and have a quick word or two with those that wish to.
At this time in his life he finds himself in a battle with one of the biggest challenges of his life, cancer. We all know he will beat this foe. With his family and friends beside and behind him, the cancer has no chance of prevailing.
Here’s to wishing a speedy recovery and return to good health. All the best whishes. Get back to work. Augusta still needs your vision, compassion and leadership.
