Tuesdays are always a mixed bag of surprises.
The judge’s gavel fell this past Tuesday June, 20, 2023. Convicted ex-commissioner Sammie Sias received a three year prison term. A federal prison sentence has no early release, therefore Mr. Sias will serve the full three years. The federal prison where the term will be served is yet to be determined.
In the words of Forrest Gump, “That’s all I have to say about that.” For now.
Also this past Tuesday, The Augusta Press lead investigative reporter, Scott Hudson, had the opportunity to address the governing body of the Augusta government. As he spoke of the importance of upholding the laws, transparency and accountability to and for the citizens, I sat and listened to Mr Hudson’s impassioned message from my usual front row seat. From this vantage point I can also observe the movements and expressions of the anointed, excuse me, elected officials and city employees.
Most took the talk in stride, making no facial expressions or erratic chair or body movements. Most, but not all. As Hudson addressed the governing body of the responsibilities of our government, Commissioners Jordon Johnson, Bobby Williams and even Alvin Mason appeared to be irritated.
After Hudson had ended his statement, Mayor Johnson asked if anyone had any questions. The queue showed Commissioner Boddy Williams therefore the mayor called on Williams, who mumbled “it’s not worth it” and asked no question.
For once Commissioner Williams, good choice.
The Planning and Zoning Department along with some members of the Planning and Zoning Commission seem to find great delight in making some investors to Augusta’s building investments jump through ridiculous hoops to get things accomplished.
Add in the input from the department directors who work to oversee some of the process, and it becomes a nightmare. It a wonder how Augusta has attracted the developers it has.
This past Tuesday, Ryan Sanders, a representative for the redevelopment of the years-long empty Marion building located on Broad Street in the downtown sector was before the commission. The firm he represents is building over 50 apartment units in the building. The bottom floor will be retail space.
The problem was and remains the parking for this building. Planning and Zoning came up with 28 needed parking spaces. The developer would have to buy additional space to accomplish this, or they could lease space from the Reynolds Street parking deck.
Sanders made an excellent point, stating that when the building was a high-rise office building there was no designated parking and more people worked in and visited the building on a daily basis than what would be now. Sanders argued that to keep putting undue burdens on developers would eventually stop them from wanting to purchase the empty buildings for redevelopment.
What the gentleman stated seemed to have made sense to Commissioners Garrett, McKnight and Guilfoyle, as they voted against the directive for designated spaces. The other seven commissioners voted to continue to place burdens upon certain developers.
A great example of undue added expense and burden placed on an investor and developer became known as the “Nightmare on Augusta Avenue”.
For years, the residents along Augusta Avenue complained to all who would listen of the problems they were having with parking issues. The students and employees of the Medical College parked in front of every house on the block and even blocked some driveways.
Some parked so the garbage collectors couldn’t reach the cans leaving many full and overflowing with trash.
Michael Thurman, owner and president of Mcgillicuddy Rental Properties acquired a vacant, overgrown and flood prone property on Augusta Avenue to build a parking lot. Thurman has been a longtime resident of Augusta district one. If fact, he ran for that commission seat. He is an investor and, yes, saw an opportunity that may turn a dollar while helping the community solve a problem.
It hurdle after hurdle and added expense after added expense.
The land in question, for some reason, was not connected correctly to the drainage system; therefore, Thurman incurred that cost. The city also had him install an underground retention system. The property was in the shape of a horseshoe therefore requiring one entrance in and one exit.
Not only did the city place hurdles in the path, but some of the residents did not want the lot improved, even after much complaining about the street parking.
Thurman made it clear that after 5 p.m., and the residents could park until 8 a.m. for free. They could also park for free on the weekends and when they had visitors at night and weekends, they could also park for free. This was not a requirement from the city; this was done freely by Thurman because of his involvement and dedication to this city and residents.
The lot is now landscaped beautifully and well lighted, but it took a titanic pair of scissors to cut through the red-tape.
After months of hearing nothing from the Homeless Task Force, a report was given to the commission by two leaders of the group. Brittany Burnett and Donald Evans gleefully and enthusiastically spoke of all the rental assistance and utility assistance they have given to the people to keep them in their homes and from being evicted or in the dark. The numbers of course were thrown in there to may it sound impressive.
Where did the funding come from? That wasn’t, for me at least, clearly spelled out.
Burnett and Evans did touch on the fact that it took several encounters with the street people to get them to take advantage of the multitude of services they could provide, but never once did they mention the fact that many of the street people just did not want the services.
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle was the only commissioner with the fortitude to address the very real issue of some homeless appearing people were panhandling as a job. It seems as if they work the off ramps in shifts leaving their daily trash for someone else to clean up.
What Commissioner Guilfoyle stated is worth looking at.
The next time you pull up when coming off an off ramp, pay close attention to detain with some of the panhandlers. With some you will see that their shoes are fairly new and not worn out. Some will have on new ballcaps, clean tee shirts and pants. Some will be on crutches but when you see them later at another location they will be no longer on crutches and walking just fine.
Everybody has a story. Maybe by listening to the real story, the reason why someone is living on the street will become clearer. Many are there because they choose to be. Some are there because of continued addictions and others are there because of mental illness.
You can build a tiny home for someone and come back in a month, and it will be trashed and they will be gone. It is sad, but a fact.
Some fall right back into homelessness because of continued addictions. Rehab doesn’t work, church doesn’t work and giving them a handout of money sure doesn’t work. What will?
Some homeless will never find peace because of not taking their prescribed medications. They self-medicate. The law does not allow forced medication; therefore, their struggle will continue.
I certainly don’t have the answer. I don’t think anyone truly does.
But there is a certainty, as long as people hand out money just to make themselves feel better or to be left alone, the problem will remain. To aid and abet is to continue to be a part of the problem, not any form of solution. Sometimes you have to be strong enough to say, NO. Sometimes that shows more love and compassion than a Yes.
Let’s end this column on a bright note. Last week I attended the stage play Freaky Friday. A musical produced by the Augusta Players. Austin Rhodes is absolutely correct whenever he talks about their stage performances being fantastic because it was truly so.
The production was performed by the students in drama programs of our schools. the oldest performer just turned 18. The play was performed at Davison Fine Arts Magnet School. The auditorium there is ideal for stage productions.
To see and listen to these students who have dedicated themselves to hard work and continued practice and rehearsals was refreshing and those kids are to be commended. The parents and guardians of these students as well. It’s not always easy to get the students to where they need to be and on time all of the time.
