(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column of those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.)
That may not mean anything to some of you, but it means the world to me. I don’t mind being referred to as the glue: the tie that binds; the resolve that figures it out. We miss fathers. The world misses fathers.
In the wake of recent violence with five deaths in the week locally, I am hopeful that we can renew our commitment to what is right. Let’s take our obligations a little more seriously and work to help someone—ANYONE. In doing that, I am sure we can make this place just a little better. Belated Happy Father’s Day to all fathers and thanks for what you still do.
Now let me get off my soap box and get down to the brass tacks of local talk.
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Let me preface the next sections by saying – I AM A COLUMNIST.
I get to write about things I hear and things I know. The intro before my column is TAP’s way of saying “This guy is liable to say anything and these are his views. We don’t always agree, but we let Mike write anyway because he may see things from a different angle than we do at times.”
Let’s all take a moment to thank Joe Edge again for his vision to start such a paper to cover local news and all the people behind the scenes that keep this engine going.
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The Mayor’s State of the City Address
Did we mentioned it was his last address? It was held at Augusta Tech. People in attendance wanted to make sure I knew, and hit me up immediately, saying he could have held it at in his office.
Reportedly, the attendance was down, and many people, from my understanding, only came to see if he would shed any light on what was really going on. They were disappointed, of course.
I will say this. Mayor Davis came in nearly eight years ago, busting at the seams with enthusiasm and great ideas. He was immediately hit with ridicule and the common church talk of “that’s not how we do it.” Many of us—including myself— had high hopes for the state legislator-turned-mayor.
And, we must admit that Mayor Davis’s tenure was not all bad.
He truly did a great job as our chief spokesperson and was a great abroad representative of our fair city. He has always been well spoken and definitely looks the part. Not until recently have certain actions come under a microscope and questions been asked. However, according to Mayor Davis himself, he has truly left Augusta in a better place than it was when he took over.
As recently as this week, I had someone come to me and say, “You told us the mayor would be leaving ….possibly early.”
Well, that was the plan! The document that was shared by Austin Rhodes and talked about in-depth by Ms. Sylvia showed us he had bigger plans. They just somehow got pushed aside when the people figured out Stacey Abrams would be running and then all the other stuff came out about the Mayor’s Office.
As we close out this part of our political life, let’s not wish bad on anyone. That makes us just as evil as we assume they are.
However, let’s hope that as it relates to our city, we do not get another bump upside our head; that affects us all.
I think I read in this paper someone quoted: “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.”
Well Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Let’s just let the Almighty take it from here.
To Step Outside of Augusta for a Moment
I would like to address the comments about Sheriff Williams (Burke County). I called the sheriff and had a conversation about what was going on so I could try to address it in this column. Let me try to wrap this up with a bow …. There has been an ongoing dispute about budgetary issues and authority between Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams and the Burke County Board of Commissioners and County Manager, Merv Waldrop.
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Williams believes the commission should give him his portion of the county budget and allow him to spend it as he deems appropriate, while the county commission believes it is responsible for the fiscal affairs of the county government. I worked in a sheriff’s office – the sheriff can do what he wants with his money.
So recently, Sheriff Williams’ control of $425,000 in funding came under scrutiny when the county auditor asked for documents related to a separate account the sheriff’s office had maintained since October 2021. The sheriff signed a contract with Plant Vogtle for $375,000 to provide law enforcement services on roads leading to and from the plant while reducing crashes, crashes with injuries, and fatalities.
The contract allowed Sheriff Williams to engage in public safety campaigns designed to achieve those goals. Williams said they are allowed by Plant Vogtle to use the money for law enforcement purposes at their discretion, so long as the stated purposes are done.
The Waynesboro Housing Authority and Director Brent Meeks signed a contract for $50,000 with Sheriff Williams to provide law enforcement services in each of the six public housing areas. The contract requires security services, cleaning of trash services by inmates, banning unwanted persons, filing data reports on criminal activity, and utilizing law enforcement resources to reduce crime.
Williams said he had received the Plant Vogtle donation on two occasions as sheriff and had contracted with the Housing Authority for five years in the same capacity.
Williams said, “They have always been very satisfied with our services and have never complained about the way the funds were utilized. I think it speaks volumes about our mutual trust and the job we are doing at reducing crime and improving the lives of those we serve. We have used the funds to engage our youth, hire, train and retain qualified deputies and support staff, build relationships and partnerships between law enforcement and the community, provided community cookouts, popsicles with police, summer night lights basketball events, gang, and violence prevention workshops, and professional development for law enforcement.”
Williams said while some may question his spending on out-of-town trips or donations to non-profit organizations, he is committed to improving the quality of life for those persons in his employ and those whom he is sworn to serve.
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Last point on this from our conversation.
The sheriff stated these matters are not issues for other surrounding sheriffs because they are not micromanaged to this degree. He said those sheriffs have the understanding with their county managers/administrators that they are in control of their budgets and personnel.
Williams said it is difficult to imagine that Sheriff Roundtree, Sheriff Whittle, or Sheriff Hunt do not have a business credit card or that they have to deal with a lot of bureaucracy when deciding to do business with a contractor for services provided by the sheriff’s office.
Williams said they are in talks with their lawyers, The Hull Barrett firm, and they believe they are within their authority to control donated funds, which the county has authority to audit. He said if it is determined they should give the funds over to the county to be placed in his office’s budget, and then he is willing to do so.
Williams said this oversight has caused them to look differently at how they will keep records going forward. I’m pretty sure this will be resolved soon and the sheriff can get back to doing what he does best, and that’s keep Burke County safe.
I asked people out there how they felt about this or their thoughts on the issues. Either they didn’t know what I was talking about or didn’t care because as one “Seasoned Citizen” said to me – “We love the Sheriff, and he is good.”
Ok, back to Augusta talk and election wrap up
Regardless of election outcomes, let’s all make one resolution to work hard for a better Augusta—it’s our home. We should always make sure home is taken care of. I believe like anyone, that most people who will throw their name in the hat to run should be applauded.
I am excited for Augusta’s future and what’s on the horizon. Let’s be supportive and, as I said in the past, hope for the best outcome and let’s not wish for the demise of anyone.
Hoping one of our elected officials fail is like hoping the pilot of our plane crashes…that just ain’t right.
Now did we cover the FBI and who they have been talking to, or am I getting ahead of myself again?
I will say this: it involves current elected officials, not so former elected officials, and current employees. Some were told to leave—if you get what I’m saying…
Michael Meyers is a columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com
