Current and former Augusta mayors and commissioners turned out Tuesday to support former commissioner Matt Aitken in his bid to reclaim the District 1 seat.
At a news conference, Aitken’s wife, Melissa, introduced him as a frugal man who “just cares about people” and cares about “other people’s money.”
Aitken brings to three the number of hopefuls for the downtown-area district represented by incumbent Jordan Johnson. Downtown activist Kevin de l’Aigle also is seeking the seat.
Aitken, who served on the commission from 2010-2012, said the centerpiece of his platform is economic development.
On the commission during the early days of what was known as the TEE Center, he recalled “how much heat we took for that.” Gridlock had kept the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center from moving forward, while the public had many doubts about the terms of the deal.
But now, “we need to expand it,” Aitken said.
City assets in disrepair, such as the former GreenJackets stadium, city marina and boathouse “should be catalysts for economic horsepower and dollars for our city,” he said. Similarly, Augusta Recreation and Parks events can bring visitors and dollars to the area, he said.
Aitken, who served on the board of the Salvation Army, has always been open about his struggles in his 20s with drugs that culminated with time in prison, where he became a Christian. Aitken said he’ll use that background to address Augusta’s homelessness problem.
“I had to overcome a lot of things in my personal life, so I know what it takes for men and women to overcome some of those setbacks in life,” he said.
In the small crowd gathered at Aitken’s house were Mayor Garnett Johnson, former mayor Deke Copenhaver, commissioners Alvin Mason and Wayne Guilfoyle, former commissioners Joe Bowles and John Clarke, as well as lobbyist Butch Gallop and campaign manager Ed Presnell.
Johnson said his appearance was “not an endorsement” of Aitken in the May 21 election, but that the two were family friends whose children attended the same school.
“I’m simply here as a friend and a parent, and I won’t be endorsing any candidates, not in any race,” Johnson said. “I just like that our democracy has become stronger when we have competition.”
Copenhaver, who served as mayor when Aitken, Mason and Guilfoyle were in office, said the group worked together well at the time.
“I had the pleasure of working with Matt when he was a commissioner. We had a great team at that point; we had commissioners that were willing to work together,” Copenhaver said. “We built a new convention center, a new library, a new law enforcement center. That’s what it takes to get all these buildings built,” he said.
Aitken’s single term was the only time since consolidation that the commission had a 6-4 white majority.
Guilfoyle said Aitken was easy to work with.
“I’ve served with Matt before. He’s truly honest; he cares about this community, the city and wants to see it progress and has the mindset to see it happen,” Guilfoyle said. “He’s accessible. He’ll always answer his phone, which is more than you can ask for.”
Mason said he doesn’t “make endorsements,” but that Aitken was a good friend.
“I would have no problem with Matt being on the commission. He has a wealth of experience,” Mason said.
Clark said he attended “because Matt is a friend, and I’m supporting my friend.”
If elected, Aitken may not be the only face from the past to return. Four-term former commissioner Marion Williams held his campaign launch for Super District 9 at the Julian Smith Casino. Williams is challenging District 9 incumbent Francine Scott.
According to video live-streamed from the Thursday event, there in support were Johnson, Guilfoyle, Mason, Clarke and Gallop, as well as commission candidate Don Clark, district attorney candidate Amber Brantley and former administrator Fred Russell.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
