(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.)
So much to cover so little time to do it.
Let me do what I should have done last week and wish Ms. Sylvia a speedy recovery. I’m not just saying that because I’m tired of Joe Edge’s pontifications, but what is Augusta Media without a Sylvia Cooper column?
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I also don’t like the fact that Joe will beat me to the scoop sometimes.
I must say that the Hardie Davis professor job is no surprise. When a local politico brought the announcement to my attention, I just kind of laughed it off. However, Edge made me giggle with the comment about the “dead fish wrapped in a copy of the current Augusta Chronicle.” If you missed it, PLEASE go check it out.
There were a few wins locally with some school systems and, of course, there were a few… well I knew it was coming.
In reference to wins.
I am not upset with the McDuffie School System for implementing a rule that anyone under the age of 16 would have to attend football games with a parent. This will bring a level of safety for all participants. With an increase in incidents—not just at school events but also in our community—this is an added layer of protection that gives parents first-hand accountability. This should let those responsible for juveniles see how they behave either at games or at home if they are not willing to go with them to the games.
I also heard that Venus Cain requested on the Richmond County School Board agenda a discussion of students only being allowed to carry clear bags in school. I am not opposed to that either!
This will allow for safety for one of our most vulnerable populations. By no means do I believe this will end young people making poor choices and bringing stuff that is not allowed to schools. However, I am sure this will make students think twice before they so.
Remember this is on the agenda for discussion, so we will see what comes of it. I can tell you this, Ms. Cain has done her homework, and she has looked at other school systems that already have such policies in place. How a policy like this can be implemented, and how it can improve overall safety is yet to be seen. One thing for sure, it will bring a lot of talking points for everyone involved.
Speaking of talking points…
I have to make reference to not much being said about any incidents these past few weeks in the Richmond County Schools. We have since learned that it’s wasn’t that things didn’t happen; they were just not shared with the media. I find this to be very disappointing in the fact that it gives the impression there is something to hide.
We have to be careful when this happens because, as you will quickly learn, people will go looking for things. I know that’s true for me. That’s when I pull out the magnifying glass.
Allow me to bring everyone up to date on some recent school-related incidents in Richmond County. There have been a couple of weapon incidents and an incident dealing with a student taking a picture of another student while they were using the restroom—and reportedly airdropped to the entire school. To the credit of the Richmond County School System, I was told they did send statements out to parents. I feel these are incidents that our community should be made aware of, too, and doing so could possibly help reinforce good behavior so another child would not do the same thing.
MORE: Michael Meyers: The Continuing Saga of “As The Robes Turn.”
Let’s not forget the poor sign choice by the Westside student who attended the Westside vs Aquinas game. The sign he was photographed holding said, “Win or Lose at least I’m NOT CATHOLIC”. Now what if they were playing W. D. Mohammed Caliphs – which is a private school in the heart of Atlanta. I wonder if they would have made a sign then and what would it have said? Hmmmmm…
Seems as if newcomer Tyrique Robinson will have plenty to work on when he joins the school board in January 2023. He and Walter Eubanks were able to qualify without opposition for the November election. Twenty year old Robinson, once he is elected, will become, from all accounts, the youngest elected official in Augusta history. Eubanks didn’t draw any challengers, which some are saying is not because of the great work he has done but because no one really cares anymore.
Let’s take a moment to address a weekly commentary contributor in reference to my early defense of Hardie Davis. Make no mistake, and I have made it very clear: I had plenty of hope in his “reign” as Mayor.
Let’s not forget that 75% of voters elected him in his initial run (with 4 people in the race), and 56% in his re-election campaign (which many perceived to be the white vs black race based on the makeup of the electorate).
As things began to circulate about the going’s on within the Office of Mayor, the only thing I asked was that information not be one-sided. Many times I would give the responses, which was given to me, about issues brought up so at least we could hear what the other side had to say.
As things begin to unravel, I still had hope that maybe there would be a light at the end of this tunnel.
There are only about 100 days or so left in this current administration. I hope, like many others, we will be able to ride this wave and that nothing else will shake out to cause us anymore discourse than what we already face. We are saying so long to some who I believe really gave good work, and there are some who need a good swift kick in the —— let’s just hope they never show their faces again.
I didn’t get to cover another dirt bike related death and all the talk surrounding Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and their chase policy. Make sure to leave your comments below in reference to how you feel about going to a “no chase policy” and about dirt bikes in the road.
Now, let’s talk about all the names being thrown around about who takes Judge Craig’s seat once he officially announces his retirement… here I go—getting ahead of myself again.
Michael Meyers is a columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com
