Probably like some of yours, my days seem to run together. I’m told that I need to do a better job of meeting deadlines. So, if you don’t like what I say this week, blame the editor-in-chief!
While you are taking your usual look at this column — and I am pleased and honored with the readership numbers for my column, by the way — let me make sure I talk about how proud I am of my lovely wife. Monica has written her first book, and this is her second publication. Monica is already an Amazon international best-seller. With the uncertain times we are in, there is nothing better than having a prayer book. My wife has published a book of prayers for all people and seasons of life. I believe everyone can benefit from this entire book, so make sure to go to booksbymonica.com and order a copy. It is guaranteed to hit the spot. If you can’t tell that I’m a proud husband, you must be living in a different world.
More from Michael Meyers: Who’s Running, Who’s Not and What’s the Deal With Redistricting
Onto this week’s main issues: schools are not going to shutdown because of COVID-19; they are going to shut down because of violence. Almost each day this week, there has been an incident of violence posted on the internet. If you missed any of them, check out The Jail Report.
It’s very sad. It goes from parents fighting to constant fights between students. This year is starting out as one that may need a hard reset. I spoke with Dr. Wayne Frazier — who has always been the most outspoken board member — about this school year. Dr. Frazier told me that as a retired first sergeant, he understands preparation.
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“Dr. Bradshaw and leadership have done an outstanding job getting things in order for this upcoming school year,” Frazier said.
This was a bit surprising to me, considering I have heard about entire grades being told to stay home. We also saw an entire school get sent home for two weeks. As a parent, I believe we all need to prepare for what is coming.
When I asked Dr. Frazier if parents should be prepared for the possibility of the entire system shutting down again, he said, “Parents should always be prepared. That is the biggest issue we have in our community. We need to make sure our parents are involved.”
He went on to say that the system needs more community partners to help in cases like that. Before we got off the phone, he wanted to stress that he feels an even bigger problem is the audacity of the school board to request for millage rates to go up even with the school system not performing better. I rebutted by saying that maybe if they had more money, then they could do better. He said to me, “If the citizens would hold their board members accountable, then maybe they would do something.”
Frazier went on to discuss how he communicates with his community. The conversation was great, and he was very clear that the violence you see in the schools this year so far didn’t exist last year when there were fewer students present. I asked another board member why there are so many fights or why so much violence this year so far, and that person said these kids had been locked up in a house for an entire school year.
Each board member I spoke with this week, and in the last few weeks, all said they felt the number one issue was communication. Even last year it was an issue, and it seems to be starting up again this year too, that problem of getting the message out. When is it ok to say something? What can you say?
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My answer to that? Board members: you are elected — say what you want to. Board members: you work for the people.
I guess where Richmond County has its issues with violence, Columbia County Schools is having its issues with positive COVID-19 cases and parents sending their kids to school anyway. That isn’t safe and causes so many other issues. Do they even take time to read the CDC recommendations?
Now, when Richmond County shuts down, it won’t be just because of COVID-19, it will be mainly because teachers are tired. They hear all the people getting sick, and these kids are bad as hell.
More from Michael Meyers: On Mask Mandates, Redistricting and the Judicial Split
I was very proud to hear about the city passing the increased minimum wage and increasing the allotment to public safety. There are lots of ways this could be better, but this is a good start. Let’s understand, $15 is not a living wage and especially not now in Augusta, with the prices going up for housing and all the other essential items for living. We can not dispute that there needs to be an increase to overall minimum wage. It’s amazing to see people want an increase in social security but don’t want to see an increase for people making minimum wage.
Either way, that’s a big win for the city of Augusta, the commissioners and the mayor… now let’s try to understand why two key people have left the mayor’s office in less than 30 days. I’m hearing one went on to bigger and better things, working for Sen. Warnock — somewhat of a risk, given the Senator faces serious challenges from the Republicans in the next election — and the other person, I’m waiting to get this fiery resignation letter that was submitted after they were told to leave and… WAIT! Here I am getting ahead of myself again.
Michael Meyers is a Columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com.
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