(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column of those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.)
Let’s get right in the mix of things and try to cover this past week in Augusta.
With all the ups and downs we saw — just like always — I don’t know if we will have time to cover it all. I do want to shout out to Ms. Sylvia and her reference to “getting ahead of myself” in her column. That even made me chuckle a bit.
Good news for a governmental agency for a change.
We have the absolute best Board of Elections. A few weeks ago I mentioned how great our board of elections is and told you there was a story to back it up. Well, this story even involves me and someone I know very well.
One of my grandmothers always gets her ballot using the absentee process. My mother would submit the request and the ballot is mailed out to her. The same request was done for this past primary election. However, with only a few days left until the election, the absentee ballot had not reached my grandmother.
My mother reached out, and I reached out also to inquire about the request. We both received the same response, “It was never received and with that being the case, a ballot would not be issued.”
My mom assured them that the application had been returned to them, that in fact, it had been hand delivered.
I spoke with Travis Doss, the elections director. He expressed his apologies and explained that based on the fact that there was no information located and within the time frame, there was nothing that could be done. He said that the integrity of the election was at stake if they made an allowance without any proof. I could hear the frustration in his voice on what could be a possible mistake, and he wanted to make sure we knew that he would not leave any stone unturned as he found out what could have happened.
A few hours later Mr. Doss contacted us to let us know that the application had been found—he had people looking in very specific places based on our conversation. He would overnight by mail the actual ballot (it could not be picked up) and it could be dropped off at the office, and it would be counted as long as it was done correctly.
I want to thank Travis and his entire office for not only resolving the issue, but explaining why, based on the initial information nothing could be done. Let me state for the record that we never asked him to break the rules or to send it to us anyway. It was a matter of principle, and the election had to be done the right way. We are blessed to have such a professional running out elections.
Speaking of elections…
Tuesday was a wild night. I must admit that based on previous elections in Augusta, you never really know how things will turn out.
Let me again congratulate those who are willing to stick their necks out there to run for office. Win or lose, that is no easy task. Let’s also extend a super job well done to those who came out on top once the dust settled Tuesday night.
Stacey Pulliam put an absolute whipping down in District 2. She was way ahead of everyone after the primary and carried that momentum right over into the runoff. I asked a few people how and why that happened because it’s always said that “whoever comes in second, wins the runoff”.
However, as Commissioner Jordan Johnson stated on his Facebook page, “Stacey Pulliam broke the run-off curse in Augusta.”
We are looking forward to great things from Commissioner-elect Pulliam.
The election night momentum continued for the former, and now returning Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle in winning the District 10 seat. Initially, those who live within that district told me they “really didn’t care; either would be fine.” Well election night showed that they were going with Wayne.
By the way, I spoke with Commissioner-Elect Guilfoyle this week and asked if he had a message he would like to relay to the voters of Augusta. Wayne replied, “Just tell them I said, thank you.”
I asked one of my good Republican friends what happened election night, why the change for the runoff. She stated, “It was a tough choice because I know John (Clarke) and stood behind him last time even after that ridiculous FB stuff. Wayne took the time to have lunch with me. I was impressed with him. John, I never heard a word from, not even a text, asking for support. I actually voted for John the first time, but not in the runoff.”
Well, be that as it may, I had some supporters from the area who said they are hoping this is not the end for John. He lives in District 7 and maybe he will run for that seat. Commissioner Frantom has two years left in his term, and his seat will be up for grabs. So maybe we will see the return of John Clarke, and he also has six months left in this term to continue the work he started.
Wayne Guilfoyle won his election by 1,701 votes and Mayor-elect Garnett Johnson won his election by 1697. Was this a coincidence? I think not! It was very strategic and everyone involved has to admit that Garnett worked extremely hard.
I asked some politicos what happened, and I asked people on both sides of the spectrum about the outcome. The overwhelming response is they believe several things appear as missteps on Kendrick’s part and the ability of Johnson to appeal to people from all sections pulled him through. Every turn, every place you saw Garnett Johnson. He said to me before he announced in his office, “Mike, people may not know me, but no one will outwork me.”
I spoke with Garnett Johnson the day after the election to congratulate him and ask for a comment as I prepared my column. He stated, “I am humbled and grateful to be elected Mayor of Augusta. Now the work starts…it’s time for our community to unite in an effort to make Augusta better.”
Mayor-elect Garnett also assured me that he has started the process in making Augusta better. I saw one of his announcements about a Community Policing, in reference to safer and cleaner streets. All of Augusta can be excited and happy about that, especially with the amount of violence over the recent weeks.
As stated before in the column and just as I said to Garnett this week, I am proud that he ran and hopeful for the future. I want him to be successful, and I believe that he will make a great Mayor. He also let me know that his door is open for this entire community; he is Augusta’s mayor.
Now I hope in this climate with everything that is going on we can truly move this entire community forward. In the past, this city has always been a grudge city—holding grudges. If someone didn’t support you or if your person didn’t win, you’d wish for his or her demise. That doesn’t do any of us any good. Some readers wrote comments stating how they hope for the opponents’ demise. That’s sad!
Now, I think something that we all need to work on and figure out a cure for is SUPER LOW TURNOUT. Less than 20% came out to cast votes in such an important election, and that speaks miserably for our city. As a community, we have to do better. I saw one precinct had a total of four— yes four — people turnout. So, does that mean that people are not interested or was there no excitement around this election?
I saw where Former Mayor Bob Young basically said that over 80% of the people in Augusta didn’t care. Maybe with this new administration and with the excitement that has sparked a lot of interest lately, this can and will change. Let’s all get together and cheer for Augusta.
Recently someone messaged me to ask if I had any information about the Sias trial. Unfortunately I don’t, except it seems as if the FBI is getting prepared and calling in witnesses.
Wait. I’m sorry. That might be for the other elected official they are getting ready…here, I go again, getting ahead of myself.
Michael Meyers is a columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com
