So much to cover so little time. So where do we start?
Yes that’s right – the Columbia County Sheriff and the more-than-an hour it took for Austin Rhodes to cover it on his show.
Sheriff Clay Whittle is not retiring – yet! He actually already announced his intentions on running for the next cycle. This is to the liking of many supporters and community leaders in Columbia County. Let’s just say this – my phone was going off the hook for the next two days about the sheriff; and apparently his was, too.
Not a single person I spoke with had a negative thing to say about him and was hoping he would stay another 25 years. I do really appreciate, and I’m sure the sheriff appreciates also, the outpouring of love and support that followed the column.
I also appreciate the heads up for who the possible replacement will be and let’s just say – everyone I spoke with gave me the same name for who it will be.
[adrotate banner=”55″]
Also let me make sure to thank Austin Rhodes for taking the time to explain to the all the callers and listeners. I was only covering what was said to me as I am a columnist. I also appreciate his comment of future help: “Next time your ass decides to start a ruckus in Columbia County – check with me first.”
If you haven’t heard, it seems that a steakhouse or actually a few more great restaurants are headed to south Augusta. This was mentioned as Steven Kendrick was making his mayoral announcement and then he again brought it up again at his recent highly attended fish fry.
The excitement was all the buzz, and let me just say this – I saw a lady get pretty upset about not getting a sign at the fish fry. I asked why didn’t they have enough signs for the attendees – the response from the sign distributor – we thought 1,000 would be enough. Now if we can get his supporters to stop putting signs in the right of way for the Marshal to pickup, but that won’t be a problem for one candidate who just keeps moving his one sign from place to place.
MORE: Michael Meyers: Addressing emails
I did receive an email asking me to expound on the possible candidates for state court judge to fill retiring Judge David Watkins seat on the bench. And I will definitely be covering that over the next few weeks. I mentioned Attorney Ashanti Lilley to a very seasoned and well-loved bar member, as she has been the topic of many conversations since she announced.
I asked the bar member what her thoughts were “on Lilley’s ability to run for this seat and be a strong contender?”
In no uncertain terms, she explained to me that Ashanti has experience in Richmond County State Court from all sides. She further said that Lilley has practiced in that court as a defense attorney and prosecutor and had served in an administrative role for state court over the last 12 years. She even provided thoughts on how instrumental Lilley was in developing Richmond County’s DUI Court and State Court Veteran’s Court from ground up. She said Lilley has actively worked on current projects such as Fresh Start and creating an online traffic court. Without a doubt she definitely knows her way around the Richmond County State Court system.
I responded, “Why would anyone else run against that?”
Then I remembered who was trying to put someone in against her. I will get back to that in a moment.
In other great news – I was so happy to hear that Richmond County Schools have become a 1-to-1 system.
For those who have no clue what that means, it means that there is an internet capable device and internet for every single student in the school system if and when needed. This helps ensure that there are many options for consistent learning regardless of the ever-changing climate of our community. I must say with all the things that can come across as a negative, this is definitely a win for our school system and should be celebrated.
MORE: Michael Meyers: Not a preacher, activist or politician in sight
Now if we can just get information in a timely manner from them about — never mind. I believe the school board members will be addressing that topic very shortly.
Look for changes in the department to come.
While we are addressing the school system- seems as if Board Member Wayne Frazier stirred up a hornet’s nest, talking about CRT last week. Well Brad Owens is the hornet, and he shared something that Frazier said, and let me just say last I looked 200 comments later – it was still going.
I don’t know much about this Critical Race Theory, but I would love to hear some of your opinions on it. I would also like to know whether you believe it’s something that should be taught in schools?
We should ALL be about teaching accurate history — the good and bad— if it’s accurate and documented history. The word theory has no place in the last sentence.
[adrotate banner=”15″]
Before we get out of here, I brought this up last week and then had quite a few comments and emails about Commissioner Jordan Johnson’s approach to homelessness. Let me say this, I understand his concern, and believe me it’s a holistic approach.
I sat down with him over the weekend and was trying to compile possibly a story to the best of my ability to let everyone understand. He has done some thoughtful planning — a strategic approach and understands the importance of mental health in this. He referenced Commissioner Francine Scott, her ability to plan and receiving advice on certain topics within this conversation.
Anyway – stay tuned for more updates on this as it develops. I am sure this will bring tons of talk to our community.
Speaking of talking — seems as if this city is not catching a break in violence. If anyone reading has a solution, please feel free to drop it below. We are seeing constant increases and it seems we are not hearing enough from our elected officials about possible solutions, but we will cover more of that in an upcoming piece.
Because I have to make sure we get to this state court saga, that continues and is boiling over with hate and greed. It seems as if this Judicial Inquiry was initiated from the inside!! Can you believe that? The inside – well with I’m sure there was a little outside influence to help drive the car.
I was planning on covering this last week – but I was waiting on my documents from the JQQ. Thanks to one of my readers – Secret Squirrel for getting me the inside track on how to retrieve some of this.
However, to no surprise the name that appeared for trying to hurt a retiring senior judge’s reputation to see it for myself was still a bit shocking, do people really stoop this low? Then I thought about it this is just like when they tried to – here I go again getting ahead of myself.
Michael Meyers is a columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com
