Many years ago, the Augusta Commission tossed out the arcane “gentlemen’s agreement” that stated if the mayor was White, then the mayor pro tem would be Black and vice versa.
Opinion
The election of Joe Bowles to the position when Deke Copenhaver was mayor put an end to that so-called “tradition.” Since then, race has not been a factor in choosing the mayor pro tem.
One tradition that has remained is that once a mayor pro tem candidate garners the required six votes, a second vote is held to make the official vote unanimous. It is meant as a sign of courtesy, respect and unity.
That tradition remained until last week’s election of Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Garrett.
The vote to make it unanimous failed with Bobby Williams abstaining and Stacy Pulliam and Jordan Johnson voting no.
We must give Pulliam the benefit of the doubt since she is a political newcomer and perhaps didn’t fully understand why the commission was holding a second vote. However, Williams and Johnson knew exactly what they were doing. They were being spiteful.
What is not clear is what Garrett has done to Williams and Johnson to warrant such disrespect. Perhaps the move was retaliatory for his hawkish concern for how taxpayer funds were spent amongst a commission and mayor that had blatant disregard for financial ethos. Both Williams and Johnson refused to hold the previous mayor accountable.
Garrett is one of the most affable and down-to-Earth commissioners and has grown into his leadership position without being controversial or combative. Williams, got into a fist fight with a constituent in the commission lobby and Johnson continuously claims his blight ordinance is working despite not one property being affected by the ordinance to date.
Hopefully, Pulliam was confused on the vote and her action was not foreshadowing what can be expected from her for the next four years. It is high time that Williams and Johnson realize the era of playground politics has come to an end. The adults are in charge now, and temper tantrums will are both unseemly and inappropriate for political leaders.
