Disclaimer: The opinions stated in this column are solely the views of the author separate from The Augusta Press.
Let us start by me correcting some initials I used last week… it’s the JQC (Judicial Qualification Commission) and not the JQQ that she sent the comp – I mean – that’s the, let’s just say that is where the inquisition was sent to in reference to Chief Judge Watkins. Let’s also understand, and this is so very important, that it was immediately dismissed and not even really considered.
I was told that when they came to town to begin to seek information about the matter, after speaking to a few people they packed it up and headed right back out of town. However, I suggest you stay tuned for all the full details – as I dig into this even more. The funny thing about this entire situation is that I have more members of the bar calling me and giving me even more information about this credibility attack than I can handle. What I love most is the fact that some involved are asking people who am I talking about – then the person they asked knows exactly who it is and then calls me and tells me they asked.
Anyway – again this will continue to develop, and I really enjoy the fact that I know and a lot of you know, but they are reading every week waiting to see their name.
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If you haven’t had a chance to see the fight video from Glenn Hills Middle on the Austin Rhodes’ Show page – go check it out. Now I’m not saying watch it for the fight but more for the comments.
The mother is enraged and afraid that nothing will be done about this situation. I do believe that there will be plenty done – just not enough. This seems to be a common thread in the Richmond County School system, and at times it seems like it’s more important to have butts in seats then to make sure kids, faculty and staff are safe. I can’t tell you the number of fights I have seen that have taken place over the last year and the lack of discipline to possibly get situations like this under control.
An alternative school is in place, but it seems to be a last resort, and even then it’s made to comfortable, by all accounts for offending parties involved. Even to the point of providing additional bus services to kids just to make sure they can get there. I’m told the initial plan was to call it a Center and not a school – was done intentionally, to not be responsible for providing transportation. That plan was immediately shot down and even referred to as racist.
This most recent event, or at least this most recent event that has been brought to the public eye, is one of the most egregious attacks I have seen on someone who looks defenseless and is in a place where the adult in charge can’t do anything to help. What’s even worst is the fact that there are kids standing around watching all of this take place – did I mention it was a young man beating up a girl?
Needless to say – this situation has left a lasting impression and calls for immediate action by many in the community. Let’s just hope that the school board members listen to their constituents and say enough is enough. We need programs in and around schools that will help us never have to see anything like this happen again.
Leadership met and considered a gang investigator and some social media investigators to help nip some of this in the bud before it hits the schools – well, we all can see where that went. There is a serious gang issue in the schools, and it needs to be addressed – but more importantly it needs to be dealt with.
Let’s not even bring up the fact that male teachers are not going anywhere near a school. There’s a number of reasons WHY – let me address a few and then we will move on.
Lack of support – there have been incidents where male teachers have been crucified for breaking up fights, and in some cases, just trying to get control of situations. Another thing is that at anytime, an allegation can be made, and their name instantly becomes mud. Even when things are cleared up – it’s really hard to live down those types of accusations.
MORE: Michael Meyers: Addressing emails
Either way, it’s an uphill battle, and there are still numerous internal issues that the board is facing and will be facing soon.
The need for proactive board members who are effective is very present – the days of just sitting back and saying “let’s just pray about it” are over. Even the Bible says, “Faith without actions is dead.”
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Let’s pause a moment and interrupt this wonderful column right now as I was about to hit the apex to say a few things about the Columbia Sheriff’s race again. After attending the Columbia County Chamber event last week – there are tons of people who really love the sheriff, and it shows. Shoutout to Columbia County Commission Chairman Doug Duncan for chatting with me for a moment and also for asking me, “What kind of trouble are you going to get yourself in this week?”
I will say this – I got an email from a Columbia County resident who I would say was notable, who was not happy with my column and the nice things I said about Sheriff Whittle. There’s more to come in that saga – but for right now, ”That’s all folks.” I will end this part by saying this – as of right now, I feel the sheriff could take all comers in a race if it was held today.
Let me begin to wrap this up and move right along into something else – Odie Donald turned in his resignation, and I hate to say I told you so – but I told you so. That’s for a few of my readers who messaged me or emailed me asking where was he going. I told them – he would probably end up back in Atlanta. I can remember him being very supportive of the new mayor, and Odie is very progressive thinking.
I have to applaud him for his time here, and I believe he was able to get somethings done. In my eyes, he left it better than he found it – that means a lot. And don’t any of you even bring up the mayor of Augusta – because there are somethings you just can’t do anything about. They should have had a clue – when he never set up residence in Augusta. Some of them didn’t even know that; that’s not a swipe at them – that’s a swipe at all of us.
However, I’m excited that we can finally have a – I would say local be the real administrator this time. I mean we had a local before, but she came from somewhere else, but to have another local person, and it be someone who knows this place and she – here I go getting ahead of myself again.
Michael Meyers is a columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com
