As we kick off this week’s column, let’s attempt to address some of the comments and emails I receive — all while making sure to provide a level of transparency on the topics of today.
Last week, I made reference to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and its approach to attacking the issues we were having at the time. Bottom line — Sheriff Richard Roundtree did a good job. The person of interest in the case was arrested and is being held. This does not remove the fact that TAP had to do what they had to do – file a lawsuit – so that we could receive information like any other news organization.
[adrotate banner=”15″]
I believe as Americans and especially in this community — some people get so much hate in their heart about a subject, person or situation, they are no longer objective. People can even be doing something right and agree with what you would normally do, but because some draw a different opinion, that person is just wrong regardless of the facts. That’s called HATE. You should really try to work on that.
I made a comment on Facebook a while ago when Donald Trump was our president. I said, “Cheering for Presidents Trump’s failure is the equivalent to me hoping the pilot crashes my plane.” I may not agree with all the things he did and definitely didn’t agree with all the things he said, but he was still my president.
So, if we can tune our thoughts and keep at a high level, maybe sometime the person or persons that we find repulsive can actually do things that were right. Then, we can leave the hate to actions and things that truly deserve it.
On to the next thing that have people in an uproar about and most really don’t understand: the mayor’s office.
Someone said, “Why doesn’t your paper do like the local TV news here did last week?”
My response, “When did you start your subscription?”
TAP was the first to do an investigation and publish its findings, maybe two months ago.
I also know recently more inquiries were sent in, but we all may be waiting a while for a response considering his office is a bit empty. This coming after the departure of the most recent chief of staff. It’s OK; I hear where she landed is full of opportunity.
Ohhhhhhh! Since Ms. Sylvia brought this up last week, I need to address it, too. The homeless task force — I’m very big on trying to help people who can’t help themselves. I had a very long and extensive meeting with a county commissioner on this very topic. Mental health and addressing it was his top concern in reference to the fight on homelessness. Commissioner Jordan Johnson has, in my mind, a very comprehensive plan, but the low hanging fruit must be tackled first. So, I would encourage people to sit back and give this thing a chance to work out.
I must agree with Ms. Sylvia. We must do things for small business in our community and work on efforts that help companies locally to help people locally. The thing about that, this was an issue long before this Homeless Task Force. Most of that help or lack thereof emanates from a different county department that is having some level of scrutiny from inside and has had its share of issues in the past. Actually to the tune of nearly $8 million missing from money designated, to help with community development and housing. I’m sure TAP will be starting to do a little research into this real soon. What should draw the most concern for those that this may impact is the level of inner office cooperation and the closed door conversation about this matter with decision makers.
[adrotate banner=”55″]
Speaking of making decisions. That endorsement I referred to last week should be coming out at anytime now. It involves Judge Ashley Wright and will definitely turn some heads. Well, it will turn the heads of some who may be undecided. I did some polling of people that I felt were politically astute, and let’s just say I don’t believe color lines will blur this race at all. Which leads me to my next statement — I wish this was always the case. Back to Judge Wright. I can say that across diverse communities, momentum mounts as people learn of her reputation as a “tough-minded judge with a tender heart.” That came from a dear friend of mine who is a member of the bar.
Let me wrap of this comment by saying this — with the growing support, any opponent enters that race at his or her own peril. Basically, don’t let somebody push you out there into water you won’t be able to swim in.
Now potential candidates being named in different races in no particular order – you have to let me know how you feel about this. I’m only bringing this up because it was brought up to me just this week. So, as rumors fly that the sheriff of Columbia County plans to retire, I’m hearing that three names have been circulating. Pat Clayton, which we all have heard and Grovetown Mayor Gary Jones. The next name came as a bit of surprise; not because of credentials, but just because I didn’t expect to hear the name — Scott Peebles. Well, I was going to cover more races – but I’m running out of space.
Wait — we can’t leave without addressing this State Court judge saga that has been in this column the last couple of weeks. I know some people who are waiting to see what’s next – WELL, guess you have to keep holding on. It’s OK, because this column is kind of like a quote I heard in passing – “In politics, you have no permanent friends and no permanent enemies.”
Here I go again getting ahead of myself.
Michael Meyers is a Columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com
