Generally speaking, when interviewing candidates and asking each the same roster of questions, a clear choice for the job emerges.
This was not the case with candidates we interviewed for Richmond County Tax Commissioner and School Board. Candidates for those races each each is more than qualified and brings his or her own unique skills to the table.
After much thoughtful deliberation, we have reached the required unanimous vote for endorsements in all of the Augusta-Richmond County races, but the board believes that all of the candidates should receive a moment in the spotlight.
Therefore, along with our endorsements, we are highlighting all of the candidates that chose to sit down and speak with the editorial board.
Tax Commissioner Endorsement – Chris Johnson (Incumbent)
Well over a decade ago, former Tax Commissioner Steven Kendrick began streamlining and modernizing the office to make it one of the most, if not the most, efficient departments in the city. Chris Johnson was at his side the entire time.
When Kendrick stepped down to run for mayor, Johnson slid easily into the position and continues to innovate by enhancing the online payment features, increasing operational hours, adding payment drop-boxes and has even taken over the collection duties for the Utilities Department.
We found Johnson to be the most qualified candidate and should remain tax commissioner.
Veronica Brown, currently employed as finance director for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, is also running for tax commissioner. Brown also favors more modernization of the tax-paying process and believes the tax commissioner should be engaged in the community explaining the various exemptions available, especially to the elderly.
Rounding out the ballot is Sanford Lloyd, a CPA and former IRS employee. Lloyd would like to add the option of allowing citizens to pay property taxes monthly, rather than get hit with a large bill near the end of the year.
District 2 School Board Endorsement – Yiet Knight
Yiet Knight has 24 years experience in childcare, including as a case worker for DFACS. What elevates Knight above the other candidates, in our estimation, is the fact that she managed to keep her locations of Universal Child Center and Universal Learning Academy open and thriving during the Covid shutdown.
As students continue to struggle to get back up to speed after the pandemic, Knight has the right skillset to assist them. Knight has also identified adult literacy as a problem and rightly states that if parents have trouble reading, their children will likely struggle as well. Knight’s ideas of launching adult literacy programs would naturally benefit the entire community.
We feel that Knight’s passion and track record of removing barriers makes her the right candidate for the job.
Incumbent School Board Trustee and Chairman Charlie Hannah has, in our opinion, been an excellent public servant on the school board. However, positions such as these can be a rather long commitment or a stepping stone to higher office. Hannah has indicated, through running in the 2022 mayoral race, he does have his sights set for higher office. Therefore, we feel it is best that Hannah hand over the reins on the school board.
Meanwhile, no one can say a disparaging word against Larry Fryer as his decades long commitment to the youth of our community has raised him to iconic status. However, simply put, we feel electing Fryer to the school board and making him one of ten votes would actually hinder him at doing what he does best. We hope that Fryer will continue his efforts working with the judicial system, school system and law enforcement as he is living proof that one does not need a title to improve lives.
District 7 School Board Endorsement – Charlie Walker (Incumbent)
Charlie Walker has something no other school board contender has right now: Walker has two children currently in the Richmond County school system. Walker was at ground zero on two sides affected by the Covid pandemic, as a school board policymaker and as a parent having to deal with lockdown learning.
In his first term, Walker wisely said he preferred to be a listener. Rather than attempting to be the loudest voice in the room, Walker preferred to learn the ropes of his position and that strategy has paid off. It is very clear that Walker has a very broad grasp of the issues regarding the school system. Also, his congenial nature and outgoing character make him the perfect person to facilitate communication between the Board of Education and the local legislative delegation.
We feel that Charlie Walker is the right fit for district 7.
Also running for the seat is newcomer Brittiany Broadwater. While Broadwater recently moved to Augusta, she is engaged, knowledgeable on the issues and feels she has the right qualifications to be an influencer of change on the school board.
However, the timing is simply not right, and in our estimation, Broadwater needs a bit of time to continue to learn more about the Augusta community, its culture and its issues before attempting to step into a leadership role. Do not count Broadwater out for the future, though, as she is certainly a star on the rise.
Super District 9 School Board Endorsement – Venus Cain (Incumbent)
Super District 9 School Board Endorsement – Venus Cain (Incumbent)
Venus Cain can come across as a doting grandmother, compassionate cancer survivor and as an Army drill instructor all at once; she is that “Auntie” in church with a spatula in her purse should someone act up.
Cain does not mince words and has proven since first being elected in 2006 that she feels the position on the school board is not about her, but about the kids.
The outspoken Cain was against the legislative delegation giving raises to school board members, stating flatly that she had a full time job and that taxpayer dollars should be spent on the students and not the school board. That is a rare virtue seen in politics.
Generally, this editorial board would be on the side of term limits and would shy away endorsing someone who has held a seat for 15 years; however, in the case of Cain, we unanimously recommend that voters keep her right where she is.
Christopher Mulliens, who is also running for super district 9, was unable to participate in the interview and endorsement process.
