Column: Meyers connects with Augusta Press readers for two years

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.) 

“It was all a dream …” in my Notorious B.I.G. voice. I don’t know how many of the readers will get that, but just Google it. 

TAP is 2 years old, and it seems like just yesterday I was getting a call from Scott Hudson asking me if I would be interested in writing a weekly column. He stated, and I’m paraphrasing a bit, “Your name was given to us as someone who would be a good contributor, and I want to know if you would interested.” To which I immediately replied that it sounds like a good idea but that  I would get back to him. 

Opinion

As with any big decisions in my life, I pray about them, talk to Monica and seek wise counsel. In the case of wise counsel, for me that’s the guy I often refer to in my column as my dad (Henry Ingram). Of course my wife was 100% supportive as she is for most of my decisions, and Mr. Ingram had a few questions. 

Basically he wanted to know what this whole paper thing was about and wanted to make sure I was doing it for the right reasons. I explained that with the Chronicle being on its last leg and basically no local news, a group of people thought that Augusta needed a real local alternative.

I would write a weekly column. I could say whatever I wanted to and there would be no leash as to me having to worry about the publisher holding me hostage. (Which was always the allegedly reported case at our old hometown institution).

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Let me say this. I was immediately honored to be in the company of columnists such as Austin Rhodes, our local radio show host who is known to piss people off regularly, and the great Ms. Sylvia Cooper, who needs no introduction. I knew that from time-to-time I would stir the political atmosphere in Augusta with thought-provoking columns; however, I did not realize how many people actually read my columns.

Either way, here I am two years later, and I’m not yet as popular as Ms. Sylvia, but she does read my columns every week.

My goal as never been to be the Black columnist for the Augusta Press but to be another voice for those who may not be as represented at times, especially in major media. TAP is major media in this community and based on the number of awards we won last year, major media according to the Georgia Press Association. 

At the beginning of this, I was called everything from a bigot to an Uncle Tom. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is an opportunity to provide my truth and my perspective.

I appreciate TAP for giving me that opportunity, and I look forward to many more columns ahead. Also I saw Ms. Sylvia this week, and as always we greeted each other with a big hug and kiss. I just love that little lady. 

Ok, let me get off that soap box. However, before I do, thank you to all the readers who subscribe and to the ones who don’t subscribe, but share our stories. We can see that and track it as well. #ALittleHumor.

The biggest issue in last weeks’ commission meeting—which is still abuzz—is the city administrator’s job and the change in the job requirements. If you missed that check TAP’s editorial about it.  

I am definitely in favor of giving people a chance; however, if requirements are changed for this position, I believe we can look at possible changes across the board. Which explains why Scott Hudson never got an A in Dr. van Tuyll’s class. That actually had nothing to do with that post, but you should definitely read that article as well. 

     Speaking of getting an “A” 

MORE: Editorial: Changing the city administrator requirements is a bad move

I ran across an article in a National Public Safety publication about Commissioner Brandon Garrett. Larry Bracken, who serves as the president of the Augusta River Chapter and has been at the forefront of working on issues with Garrett, was interviewed for the article. 

Bracken said, “Since being elected, [Garrett] has worked tirelessly to achieve better pay and retirement for all law enforcement officers in our city.”

He continued, “In the past couple of years, when some elected officials turned their backs on law enforcement, Commissioner Garrett stood up for the men and women in blue and has never wavered. He is not only a good friend to law enforcement, but also the constituents he serves.”  

I want to congratulate Commissioner Garrett and remind him he is still not the most popular Garrett in the house. 

Special congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Larry Fryer on another successful MLK Day celebration. He has worked hard to continue to grow this event and turn it into a premier event in this community and state. The Rev. Dr. Fryer is still working very hard to get a MLK statue placed in the city and has done an outstanding job in raising money for it. He has expressed his interest in and determination to receive funding from the city to accomplish this. 

I pulled my column back to add this part. Please keep the Augusta firefighters who were involved in the vehicle turnover Monday, Jan. 16 in your prayers for a speedy recovery. 

We we are less than 90 days away from opening day for the Augusta Greenjackets. As season ticket holders, this makes us very excited! If you haven’t had a chance to take in a game, you need to make your way over to the best baseball field in the minor leagues. It is truly experience. Someone asked me if it would be the same if it was in Augusta? I said absolutely… 

Last week I mentioned an announcement, and I believe it’s getting close to time; just wondering how this will affect media in Augusta. If the Chronicle closes that only leaves us with…here I go, getting ahead of myself again. 

Michael Meyers is a columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com