(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column of those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.)
Let me apologize in advance for the sudden change. Because of me, and only me, my column will now be a Wednesday column. My church schedule makes it hard for me to get out what I want to in the time frame I want to, as I also have to wait for certain things to finish processing. So, look for me in Wednesday’s paper for now on.
The Peach Jam is in town. As residents of Richmond County, all we can do is sit back and look at all the revenue that we could possibly be taking in here in Augusta.
Don’t get me wrong. I know we definitely will be able to experience some of the economic impact by this event. However, we really missed a major opportunity by not having a facility like that or even better in Augusta. Remember that the baseball park was ours to build first, but we swung and missed on that one big time.
I recently made mention of changing the Regency Mall area into a casino, and it provided a bit of a buzz.
Then I posted an event I attended in Atlanta where there was a tournament going on that had 42 floors of basketball at one time and that created mayhem on my Facebook and Inbox.
The Peach Jam is expected to have about an $8 million impact in our community. Just imagine if we could create a facility that could provide that type of impact year round. It’s totally possible!
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Lake Point Sports Complex is in Emerson, Ga. If you’ve never heard of it, please Google it. They have ongoing events — both indoors and outdoors. The complex has 12 basketball floors, eight baseball and softball fields, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, rugby, football and soccer. The facility boasts that they can serve athletes in more than 30 sports year round.
Having said the latter, it’s time for us to have some foresight and do things that move this community forward and improve our quality of life.
As we speak of moving forward, NOW IS THE TIME.
I was sent a message about Columbia County that referred to its 2035 Plan or 2035 Vision.
In layman’s terms, it basically says they will not build anymore or add anything else to Columbia County until the year 2035. That’s because Columbia County is looking to make sure they have infrastructure in place to maintain what they have and what they would like to create.
Now, I’m sure someone will get me straight on the details in the comments, and feel free to do just that. Either way, I understand the premise of what they are doing and would absolutely love this opportunity for Augusta.
Let me leave a few nuggets of numbers in your brain.
Between 2010 and 2018, Columbia County’s population grew from 89K to 154k. That’s a 72% increase in a span of eight years. Augusta’s population went from 199k to 201K.
Please drop your thoughts concerning this population growth in the comments; at least why you believe this happened. I also read that in Richmond County last year, we built 300 new homes. Columbia County built 1,300. That’s a huge revenue advantage for Columbia County.
I have heard that when people move to this community, they are all told — mostly by real estate agents — to move to Columbia County. I would just like an understanding of why that is said; I mean you still have to come to Augusta to work.
So, back to my original point. Let’s use this time wisely and elect movers and shakers who can help us grow during this period.
The plan for basically — no new developments — is in place for one area, and we need to be trying to figure out how to invite people here.
I’ll tell you one way NOT to do it is to let them see actual good ideas shot down in flames. But, that’s for the next column.
Now since I brought up elections let me clear the air about a few things I mentioned last week.
I’m making reference to the tax commissioner’s race and possible candidates. I said someone was mentioned and didn’t say the name. That someone is Wayne Howard.
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The comment actually came to me as people were discussing possible candidates. They stated it would take someone with tons of name recognition and a great background to possibly beat Chris Johnson. Most people feel as if Charlie Hannah possibly can’t do it.
Well, after speaking with Mr. Howard, he stated that he had not discussed running for that seat with anyone. He loves what he does, representing the people of Augusta. He is a personal hero of mine (just like his father was for me), and he has known me my entire life.
I will tell you at another time about how his dad, the late Rep.Henry Howard, took me to be a page in the House when I was about 12 years old. When I say he took me—he picked me up and drove me in his car and took me.
Well, in the past week, another name surfaced as a possible candidate, and I reached out to him to ask if he’s thinking about running.
That name is Marion Williams and his comment was, “Mike, anything is possible, and I’m not done serving the people.” So I don’t know if that’s a yes or a maybe or what? I do know his campaign signs are interchangeable. (That’s a little inside joke for some.)
Either way, I still believe we are getting set for a very interesting November.
One last thing. Commissioner Sias’s trial will begin next week, I am told. I’m sure every seat in that courtroom will be filled as people wait to see what current elected officials, and former and current employees will be called as witnesses.
Now, how does that “plead the fifth” testifying thing work for those facing possible…here I go getting ahead of myself again.
