In its September meeting Wednesday, Sept. 5, the Augusta Planning Commission welcomed citizens to speak their peace about the prospect of renaming three properties in the city: the Utilities Building, one of the baseball fields at Diamond Lakes Park and Augusta Riverwalk Park.
E. Marlow McIntyre Jr. has petitioned the city to rename Eighth Street Plaza and Augusta Riverwalk Park after his late father, former mayor Edward M. McIntyre Sr.
“His contribution to the Augusta Riverwalk is what led to the suggestion for the renaming,” said Augusta-Richmond County Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse to the commissioners, on behalf of McIntyre Jr., who was not present at the meeting. “This is in recognition of his contributions.”
Several residents attended the public hearing to share with the county their opinion on the matter of renaming the Riverwalk. Most of the controversy surrounding the proposed name change is due to the former mayor’s federal conviction in 1984 for extortion.
“I just cannot see naming this landmark, this key thing in our city, after a convicted felon,” said Dan Funsch, one resident spoke in opposition. “I know Mayor McIntyre did many good things, but in my view, his record is tarnished.”
Another resident, Tommy Adams, stated his opposition to a renaming that removed Augusta from its name.
Arlene White, who would later speak during the other two public hearings, shared a similar sentiment, saying that while “we all enjoy the fruits of the labor of Mr. McIntyre,” the county should refrain from naming buildings or spaces after individuals.
“We have wonderful, wonderful people here in Augusta-Richmond County, and for every one person we can think of to name something, there are five more that would be equally well,” said White. “We have the Augusta Regional Airport, and that tells us where it is and what it does… The only people who really benefit from the change of names are the sign painters.”
Rick Johnson, a former Augusta resident, spoke in favor of the renaming, referring to McIntyre as a “visionary” and insisting that his reputation and credibility throughout Georgia were “not tarnished.”
Former Augusta Commissioner William Fennoy also spoke at the hearing, in defense of changing the Riverwalk’s name.
“He made a mistake. We all make mistakes. But I don’t think that the mistakes that he made should interfere with him being honored,” said Fennoy. “He needs to be remembered and acknowledged for the great job that he did. He supported unity between all the communities in Richmond County.”
Fennoy would return to expound on his own request to the city rename the Utilities Building after the late Tom Weidemeier, who served as Augusta Utilities Department Director before passing away from COVID in 2020.
“He was a great city employee,” Fennoy said. “He was someone that was genuinely concerned about the issues that were going on, not only in the east Augusta neighborhood, but all over the city and every time he had an opportunity to address those issues, he did so without hesitation.”
With the exception of White, who would again criticize the practicing of renaming publicly owned spaces after persons, no one spoke in opposition to the petitions to rename the Utilities Department Building, or to rename one of the baseball fields in Diamond Lakes Regional Park after former Augusta Commissioner Andy Cheek, who passed away in March of this year.
The hearings were only to grant opportunity for the public to offer input, and so the Planning Commission did not vote to make any recommendations regarding the proposed name changes. The Augusta Commission is scheduled to decide on all three petitions, with more opportunities for public comment, in its meeting on Sept. 19.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
