(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column of those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.)
What an IMPORTANT week this is. Don’t forget early voting started this week. Please take the time out of your busy day and go to the polls.This election is probably one of the most IMPORTANT elections in Augusta’s recent history.
As much as I could state the differences in candidates, what each of us must do is vote our heart’s conviction. I will say this. Don’t be swayed by several critics, and it seems it’s the SAME three or four each time. That’s not a consensus. We are lucky to live in a country where we can exercise our right to vote.
Our votes matter, and we have an opportunity to select our leaders without being dictated to. You can display your dislike for anyone you wish; however, at the end of the day, the candidates who win should be the representatives of the people who voted for them as well as the individuals who didn’t, which brings me no my next point about Augusta. One thing we need to work on as a community is forgiveness.
“Politics are bull$:@! – people need to stop taking it personally. Stop being mad at people who don’t support you and move on. Whomever wins the elections, let’s support them – make our city better.” – JR Riles
I had to go by and see J.R. Riles — “The Godfather of Augusta Politics” – as we approach this runoff election. I went to ask for his predictions after the low voter turnout we just saw in the primary. He stated that he supports Steven Kendrick’s campaign and hopes he wins. However, he quickly turned from that and stated that regardless of the outcome, we need to be ready to move forward. Augusta has always seemed to me — and I have seen this first hand — a very revenge-seeking town.
MORE: Michael Meyers: Election boards did good job in primary
When people don’t vote or support candidate, the person who didn’t receive the support holds a grudge. Election after election, and even in office, you will see things done against others who didn’t support Candidate X. This is definitely something that can hinder the growth of a community.
I have seen commissioners and board members vote against a great idea for our city out of spite. We have to to stop doing this and do things that will help our community grow.
This is something that concerns me about the proposed Regency Mall revitalization project being a success.
If Kendrick wins, how many people will still condemn the project just because they have a problem with him?
As a community, we have to be careful in wishing bad on projects as people who are thinking about relocating here are watching. What would they say if they read what some people wrote?
We have or have had people who are saying how bad anything at the mall site would be, yet they were trying to do their own projects there. Remember, let’s not kill our community or the projects that might come to our city. Let’s do things to help it grow. We can disagree with an idea and voice our opinions, but let’s not do everything in our power — as some seem hell-bent on doing — to destroy things that could possibly bring positivity to this place.
Back to the original point. Whether Garnett Johnson wins or Kendrick wins, at the end of the day, one them will be my mayor, and I am going to do my best to support him. That should be the goal for all of us.
While you are participating in early voting, if you haven’t already…
Charlie Bailey is running for lieutenant governor in the runoff on the democratic ballot.
Actually there are several races on the Democratic ballot that went into runoffs. This should be quite interesting, and it’s going to be hard to predict considering the inevitable low turnout.
I asked some politico’s what their predictions were for turnout. Most of them said between 12% and 17%. I will be very surprised if we make it to 17%. I’m thinking more on the lines of about 10-12%. We shall see.
This community will see higher than what would normally come out only because the local runoffs are interesting to some. Remember District 2 and District 10 commissioners have a race and that will draw particular interest for some. However, it’s unfortunate that District 2 numbers will be low. They are historically low for regular elections and even lower for runoff/special elections, which is unfortunate because this community seems to be the one that has the most to say and has the greatest disrepair. I blame that on under-representation.
One last note on Augusta and the impending change. I’m afraid this may be the last of the elections in which some of the districts or the commissioner seats look as they do now. The building and construction that is going on will definitely change the political landscape as it relates to representation.
Houses and apartments being built and homes for some are being demolished. As people are being forced to move, our districts will look significantly different. This has already being seen downtown in Districts 1 and 2 near the medical community. It looks totally different than it did 10 years ago. Precincts are being moved around and put in other places. Case in point— Harper Franklin is now in District 5. Those are game changers and you should watch how this plays out. It may not happen by next election, but just give it a few years.
Now just a little note on recent violence in this community. This weekend we saw two young men get killed. One in a neighborhood and one on a major community thoroughfare. One kid white and one kid black. i was very disappointed to see some of the comments that followed different reports. Which, depending on who was involved the comments, seem to lean a certain way. Let me give you an example for you to chew on under each report.
MORE: Michael Meyers: Congratulations to the Augusta Press for its Georgia Press Association awards
One person stated, “All they do is kill each other.” Under a different report I saw, “People can’t go anywhere and it’s safe; he was just trying to have a good time.”
Anytime we lose someone to gun violence it truly affects our entire community. The bad part is it could happen to any of us at anytime. Which brings me to my next point. Do I think any kind of gun reform could have prevented the incidents that happen this weekend? NO.
Do I believe something needs to be done? YES.
We all have to work together to come up with solutions that will keep our community safe. There is no need for finger-pointing. What we need are solutions. I personally do not believe there is a need for big automatic weapons such as the ones that are usually used in school shootings. I also don’t believe the punishment is oftentimes severe enough for people who commit gun crimes.
So, this is a problem on both sides; however, what do we do to fix it is the question. We talk about solutions and talk about things that need to be done, yet are any of us willing to do what needs to be done or even help come up with real solutions? Feel free to drop your suggestions below—would love to know how some of you feel. My grandpa would say, “Everybody want to go to heaven, but don’t nobody want to die.” We want the end result but not the work.
Sorry let me get off that soap box for a minute – we need to get back to local stuff.
So, people close to all parties say after information and evidence was turned over, it has required the FBI to now become involved in the procedings. Which answers for some people why they were in the Marble Palace last week. However, when did bribery allegations become part of…here I go getting ahead of myself again.
Michael Meyers is a columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com
