(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column of those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.)
As the political races heat up some are HOTTER than others, especially the Augusta mayor’s race.
There seems to be two candidates who are getting all the attention: Business Owner Garnett Johnson and former Tax Commissioner Steven Kendrick.
They are without doubt the two front-runners in this race, so it shouldn’tcome as a surprise that all the shots from media, community and other local interest (campaign teams, current and former politicians) are aimed at those two, and most are at only one: Steven Kendrick.
Everyone seems to be mute on Garnett Johnson, with the exception of some soft pellet shots directed at Johnson and some of the others who are running. The potential for Scud missiles aimed at the likely front runner, Kendrick, seems to have fizzle out somewhat—like a cheap firecracker in the rain.
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The latest shot across the bow involved the Lake Olmstead Stadium not being ready because of structural issues. Those issues caused the concert scheduled for Masters week to be canceled, and the people who are now waiting for refunds are getting impatient.
This somehow was framed as directly related to Kendrick and his lack of empathy for those still awaiting refunds. If you were to see the initial social media postings, you would have thought no one had received a refund as of yet. However, that theory has changed quickly as some people state they have received a refund. The uproar was highly misleading.
This lead quickly to Cal Wray, president of the ARCEDA, putting out that fire and issuing a statement to clear things up, and he reiterated support for quick refunds.
I took the time to reach out to ascertain why the city would turn over the stadium to this group to run. The response came back quickly, stating that the city still has control of the stadium and never relinquished it. The media coverage of this situation and subsequent social media postings unlocked a lot of back and forth between supporters of Kendrick’s and others. The commenting—if you missed it— were worth every read. If you missed it, take a moment and search social media. I am sure you will find it to be quite amusing and filled with things that will make you even laugh out loud.
You can’t be everything to everybody
One comment under a post I thought worth repeating was that of prominent and well-respected attorney Brandon Dial. I spoke with Dial about his long comment inquiring about what seems to be a bombshell of thoughts. Dial stated to me, “Just like the video I saw earlier this week stated, ‘Do you know the real Garnett Johnson?’”
Here are Brandon Dial’s comments in a nutshell after I asked him to send them to me:
“THERE’S AN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
“TRYING TO CREATE A CONTROVERSY WHERE ONE DOES NOT EXIST TO DIVERT ATTENTION
The local media has an awful piece out against mayoral front runner, Steven Kendrick, attempting to deflect from the elephant in the room standing right next to Garnett Johnson.
“Steven Kendrick believes in Augusta. He wants our city to grow, prosper and thrive. When the big three-day concert event was announced at Lake Olmstead, he supported it because he knew it could lead to future similar events. He deeply cares about our city’s success, like all other locals, he was unhappy the event was cancelled. Kendrick is demanding that the promoter give refunds ASAP. People who paid by credit card should report the charges so as to expedite their reimbursement.
“They are deflecting attention from a real story.
“AFTER Brian Kemp signed the voter suppression bill, Garnett and his wife donated a total of $15,000 to Brian Kemp’s 2022 re-election campaign against Stacy Abrams. And not by coincidence it seems, an employee of Johnson’s company also donated $10,000 the exact same day to Brian Kemp’s 2022 re-election campaign.
“Why? Either Garnett Johnson wants Kemp to beat Abrams in November and continue to be our Governor, or he was thanking Governor Kemp for appointing him to the Board of Directors to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, or both. Most people in the know, believe that there are people who have led the highly successful Development Authority and would have made a much better choice for Augusta and the state of Georgia because of their experience.
“$25,000 on one day. That’s more than thousands of Augustans make per year.
“When is the news media going to ask whether Johnson backs Kemp or Abrams? Where is the media on whether Johnson supports the voter suppression bill Kemp signed or not? Where is the media on asking if it was a ‘donation coincidence’ that Johnson, his family and employee donated $25,000 to Governor Kemp’s 2022 re-election campaign on the same day?
“Kendrick has the financial backing of people from all over the city. Black leaders, White leaders, Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals. People throughout the community know Kendrick cares about Augusta, and he will change the present toxic culture in the Mayor’s Office on Day One.
“Garnett Johnson is largely self-funded. Johnson is a good businessman who has made a fortune, but he has never articulated why he wants to take a pay-cut to be Mayor? What’s the motivation—the title, the power, the control, or some true desire to help our city?
“We have recently suffered through an ego-focused mayorship, for the GOOD of this City and It’s FUTURE. Let’s elect someone who’s Augusta-focused.
“VOTE FOR KENDRICK. Difference. Day. One.”
Make sure to leave your comments below about Mr. Dials take as I sure you will.
Big endorsement from former Mayor Young
I had the privilege to speak with Former Mayor Bob Young this past week about his endorsement of Former Commissioner Marion Williams. Former Mayor Young stated without any hesitation that he feels Marion is the best person for the job. With his 16 years of experience on the commission, Young feels that Williams will know exactly what to do when he becomes mayor. There’s a lot of speculation as to WHY this connection and endorsement. I will leave that up to each of you to figure out.
“He understands the power the mayor really has,” Young stated.
He also let me know that Marion will not have to try to learn or figure out what he can or can not do.
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The conversation took a bit of turn as I talked about watching a movie then all of a sudden seeing him in it. We laughed as the former mayor recalled me sending him a message asking was that him. I’m sure he’s enjoying a semi-retired life as he—I would say—still wheels and deals by making positive impacts throughout the community.
Before I let the former mayor go, I had to know why a staunch Republican like himself would support a loud liberal like Marion Williams?
He reminded me that in non-partisan elections you get to vote for whomever you want to—across party lines. Young also made it very clear that over his career as a Republican, he has voted outside of his party for people he thought would do a good job.
I wonder if he had any influence with former chair of the Richmond County Republican Party, Dave Barbee’s support for Marion as well? Barbee and Williams make very strange bedfellows to say the least.
Get up off that thang
Big ups to Augusta and of course Deanna Brown Thomas as she continues to keep the legacy of her Father alive. When you talk about Augusta anywhere in the world, two things people talk about: the Masters and James Brown.
Because of his rich legacy and the impact he made and continues to make—in this community and around the world—it was easy to understand why thousands recently turned out to celebrate the late James Brown’s birthday in The Commons.
Everyone has to enjoy seeing people have a good time, and what we should enjoy even more, is seeing people have a good time with someone we are all connected to. All of us should feel the connection to The Godfather of Soul, whether you have ever met him, or if you were as lucky as I have been to be in his presence a few times.
Here’s to hoping that tradition continues and becomes an even bigger event over time.
When two columnist get together…
I had the honor to spend sometime with Sylvia Cooper this week. We were actually taking pictures for an upcoming article that will run in a publication. As usual, when I saw her and she saw me, we greeted each other with hugs and talked about each other’s columns.
I can always quote things back to her; she says as I read them a couple of times each week. I’m hoping to get the status she holds one day. You have to admit, though, that everyone gets up on Sunday mornings waiting to see what Sylvia has to say.
Sylvia Cooper is the Matriarch of Media in Augusta, and that will forever be her title. What I appreciate the most about her is that while we are usually on opposite sides of the fence, our friendship and respect for each other has never changed.
Sylvia will call me with a question, and you better believe I will call her for questions. What I love even more is when she pours into me a little nugget for me to hold on to, that will make me better. She has been doing this for a while, so I consider her to be the master and I the pupil.
During our visit we talked about my kids and what they were doing now. Later she called me and said, “I like it when you interject your kids into the column. You always have good little stories about them or things from your sermon. Keep doing that—it makes for good reading.”
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So with that being said, let me give you a little snippet from a recent sermon as I told a story about two my sons.
During the pandemic on one of those boring days, I decided to take my sons out for a ride in the country to check on the church.
We had been riding for a while and Miso—after eating quite of bit of junk food—had to go to the bathroom.
So we decided to stop by the church and take a moment (if you know what I mean). When we arrived at the church, Miso and Cam jumped out of the car and darted to the church door.
When they got to the door, Miso pulled on the handles to open the door because, normally, when we get there, the church is already open. But soon he realized it was locked. He became very distraught and upset and then said to his brother, “Cam, we can’t get inside because the door is locked.”
I never will forget the reply Cameron gave his little brother as he put his hand on Miso’s shoulder. He said, “Don’t worry Miso, Dad has the key.”
I know there are some people that might be in some dark places right now, but we all need to put our hand on someone’s shoulder and tell them, “Don’t worry, because our Daddy has the key.”
Now, speaking of needing keys. We must address the closing of another housing project and where will the tenants be relocated.
With all the building going up on the South Side of town, there is… here I go getting ahead of myself again.
Michael Meyers is a columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com
