Corporal Gripweed: Local Activist Challenges Operation Rolling Thunder

Tuesday, March 30, 2013

Augusta, GA

By Corporal Gripweed

Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the boisterous sea of liberty.

Thomas Jefferson

Operation Rolling Thunder.

Three words that have been resonating loudly in the ears of CSRA residents for the last few weeks.While there have been many who have raised questions about the legality, constitutionality , and effectiveness of the roadblocks associated with this operation, so far the only measurable difference made, by the RCSO's own admission, is the number of citations written for child restraint violations.

No small matter to be sure, but hardly a great return on the massive investment in man hours and law enforcement resources that could be put to better use in other areas apprehending violent criminals.

While no fan of these roadblocks, I also understand their intent and purpose. The well worn phrase often used by our friends on the left is "if it saves one life it's worth it".To me, this is a monumental oversimplification of the core issue.

At what point do we freely give up liberty in order to protect us from ourselves?.

More than one founding father has been attributed as having said "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither".

This past Thursday local activist and stalwart libertarian Rocky Eades was ensnared in this tricky argument.

Reports are, that upon seeing flashing lights and noticing stopped traffic, Mr. Eades decided to avoid the area and seek an alternative route. In doing so, he brought down the wrath of the Georgia State Patrol who pursued him, stopped his vehicle and asked why he avoided their roadblock. Rocky reportedly answered, that he saw the lights, thought it may be an accident and was merely trying to avoid being stuck in traffic. A plausible explanation to anyone with an ounce of common sense…But remember we are dealing with "Operation Rolling Thunder"...So his explanation was not good enough for the officers on duty that day. Further reports state that Mr. Eades and a passenger were "rousted" from the vehicle and treated as criminals from this point on. Guilty until proven innocent I suppose.

Mr. Eades was ultimately arrested for "obstruction of an officer" and his passenger was allowed to drive Mr. Eades vehicle home after passing a blood alcohol test.

From what I've heard Rocky is reasonable, intelligent and in this case may know the law better than those who were sworn to uphold it. I also believe he has retained counsel and should pursue the matter vigorously.

Of course, there are two sides to every story and the side of law enforcement should be heard before any judgements are made.

To be sure, the vast majority of law enforcement officers are hard working honest public servants who want to do just that; serve the public. And they may have acted within  the law in this case, but I wonder if this time they let their zeal to arrest someone they ASSUMED to be guilty of DUI, get the better of them.

While it is certainly true that it is the job of law enforcement to keep the roads safe, should law enforcement have the authority to arrest a citizen merely for the act of avoiding contact with them when they have done nothing illegal?

Safety vs. liberty……that is the question.

Stay Tuned.

C.G.

Corporal Gripweed: Sometimes Gridlock is Good

Monday, February 11, 2013
Augusta, GA
By Corporal Gripweed

"That which is right will become popular,and that which is wrong will soon lose its temporary popularity, and sink into disgrace".

                Thomas Paine.

There are certain words and phrases that have become popular in recent political discourse. Words like; moderate and bipartisanship . Phrases such as "reaching across the aisle", and "avoiding gridlock."

   Gridlock…I've always loved that word…Thomas Jefferson wrote  that "Government which governs least, governs best".

I submit that in some cases, gridlock is a good thing. The recent vote on the TEE Center skywalk which would connect the parking deck to the TEE Center across Reynolds Street, is a perfect example.The Commission voted 4-4 to deny funding for the project. 

In this case, the so-called "boogeyman" of gridlock worked as it should have. It is no secret that I, and many of my compatriots here at CityStink.net have never thought this project to be a wise use of taxpayer monies, especially given the fact that we were to absorb all of the expenditures but reap virtually none of the profit, if any. Under the current contract with Augusta Riverfront LLC, the owners of the Marriott and the contracted manager of the TEE Center, the taxpayers are guaranteed only a measly 5% of the catering receipts after a $400,000 threshold is reached. 

This last point is a slap in the face to taxpayers as we have already spent $1.4 million on the kitchen that will do the catering. My guess is, this threshold will not be met regularly, meaning that the city (the taxpayers) receives 0%. But what is more distressing is the fact that two of Augusta's "freshman" Commissioners, Mary Davis, and Donnie Smith voted, "No," on the motion to deny the expenditure for the skywalk , which means they are in favor of spending more money we don't have for something we don't need.

So much for the Augusta Chronicle's glowing assessment that Mrs. Davis and Mr. Smith would quote,"shake up the Commission". Already they have shown who they are working for. And in this case it does not seem to be the taxpayers.

On the other side of the equation we have the other two newly elected Commissioners, Marion Williams and Bill Fennoy. Because I'm a conservative, I'm guessing that my political ideas on a national level are very much different than theirs, but on this one they got it right. In particular, Mr. Williams who rightfully pointed out that we should not spend money we don't have on something that hasn't yet shown itself to be worthy of that expenditure. Sounds prudent to me. In this case Mr Williams sounds like the fiscal conservative.

On top of all of this we are supposed to believe that well educated executives and those bright enough to be conventioneers can't cross a semi-busy street in a modest sized city where there are two crosswalks with signals?…Indeed.

My suggestion is, if Billy Morris, Paul Simon and Augusta Riverfront LLC truly appreciate the incredible $65 million gift given to them by ARC taxpayers and facilitated by city administrator Fred Russell with the help of outside counsel Jim Plunkett ,then they should be willing to pay for their own skywalk. After all, they are already advertising the facility as the "Marriott Convention Center".

Moreover, we the taxpayers, could very well be on the hook for the yearly management plan of the TEE Center, soon to be voted on by the new Augusta Commission. A worrisome prospect given the recent exuberance by some commissioners to hand over the keys to the public treasury to the detriment of the citizens of Augusta.

My advice to newly elected Commissioners, who recently voted for re- opening the city's purse, yet again,would be; To rethink your stance…And do what's right…not what you think might be popular among the "ruling elite" .***
CG

Corporal Gripweed: Commission Should Pull the Plug on the BID/CADI

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Augusta, GA

By Corporal Gripweed

"If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development"

                                   Aristotle

Today,  December 18th, in the Commission chambers, there may be a vote to decide the future of the troubled BID/CADI program....or maybe not.

As of this writing, it is unclear if the Director of the DDA, Ms. Margaret Woodard, has the necessary signatures of downtown property owners to even bring the issue before the Commission... If not, the BID will die a  whimpering  death at the stroke of midnight on December 31st, as it should.

What began as a five year experiment with a Business Improvement District,  has turned into a failed program, that has been mismanaged from the very start, beginning with the way it was sold to downtown businesses and property owners.

Ostensibly it was promoted to be primarily a security force of off duty officers and trained security professionals to augment RCSO during large downtown events. The bonus would be that graffiti removal and cursory clean-up would be provided when needed as well.

This, however, would not be free. Property owners would have to pay another separate tax on top of those already paid to provide these extra services. But here's the kicker: each property owner got a vote for each property that they owned, so the largest property owners got the most votes and of course they were most likely to be able to afford the tax. Giving the "little guy" virtually no say in whether this extra program was needed, much less whether they could afford it. And small business owners who leased their space got no vote at all, but ended up having the new tax tacked on to their rent anyway.

 So, the petition was circulated among those who were in favor, and those who were on record as opposed were ignored and kept out of the process. In fact, the BID was gerrymandered in such a way to insure that property owners who were opposed where excluded altogether. Most businesses east of 6th street were excluded.  The BID does not cover all of downtown, but rather a a select portion that the DDA believed they could  convince a slight 51% of property owners to approve. You see.. if it did included all of the recognized Central Business District, it would have never come close to getting the needed signatures for approval.  

So... no surprise as to the result...The BID was passed --- to the tune of over $350,000 a year which the DDA exclusively controls. There have been no audits or accounting as to how this money has been spent. After 5 years, we are talking about at least $1,750,000!!

The DDA rewards its cronies at the expense of others

Fast forward to this year:

After the failure of the program to address clean-up after this years St. Patrick's Day Parade, some people in the community began to question  the program and in particular the leadership of Ms. Woodard.

It has become obvious  that this program has been mismanaged from the very beginning. The promises made to property owners concerning security-- the MAJOR selling point of the BID 5 years ago-- were never implemented.

At best, the  BID/CADI has become nothing more than a perfunctory garbage pickup service that even Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle said "had been done (previously) as well by prisoners". Any graffiti removal was performed at businesses who liked the program (aka cronies of the DDA) and NOT performed at those who opposed it...even though they pay the tax as well, lending further credence to the cries of favoritism within the DDA.

DDA Director Margaret Woodard

It's no secret that this writer and City Stink  are not fans of Ms. Woodard and the DDA, but I would go further and ask that the Board of Directors of the DDA, which includes Paul King,  be called out concerning their obvious lack of fiduciary duty. They are responsible for handling hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer monies and have failed in that  duty.

 If Ms. Woodard is able to get the needed signatures to bring this before the Commission for a vote,  I sincerely hope enough Commissioners will understand that there is no need  to renew this unneeded and mismanaged program. If somehow she does manage to pull out of thin air the bare minimum of signatures needed at the last minute, commissioners should realize that this does not indicate support of the majority of business and property owners downtown. What instead it does represent is a rigged attempt to make it appear that way.

At this point, the reputation of the DDA is so tarnished, that  the next logical step is to replace Ms. Woodard with someone who has the confidence of downtown business owners and who can effectively do the job of actually promoting downtown development and economic retention. Woodard  has failed to to this. The other option is to completely defund the DDA bureaucracy to ensure that it receives no more support from county taxpayers. What value are south Augusta taxpayers getting from having their money diverted to bureaucracies like the DDA anyway? Certainly that money could be better spent elsewhere, right? 

One need only look at the beginning and the development of this program to understand why it turned out the way it has -- .its failure rests squarely upon the shoulders of the current Director of the DDA and its officers. It was sold on deception and is only serving to put an extra burden on small downtown business owners. Commissioners would be wise to pull the plug on this failure and completely reevaluate the role of the DDA altogether.***

CG

Corporal Gripweed: District 1 Runoff Leaves Voters Little Choice

Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Augusta, GA
By Corporal Gripweed

  "Constantly choosing the lesser of  two evils is still choosing evil."

                                                                                        Jerry Garcia

  

It's down to two candidates in the undecided District 1 race for Richmond County Commission..On the one hand we have incumbent Matt Aitken, and on the other, challenger Bill Fennoy.

With about  a week to go before the decision is made, I do not envy the voters of District 1. How can it be that in one of the most important districts in the county, that includes downtown  and the manufacturing facilities downriver, that this is the best that can be done? Both men have proven themselves to be interested in public service.

Fennoy serving on the Coliseum Authority, and Aitken currently serving on the commission, but neither man has a track record of particular achievement to be touted as "praiseworthy" as it relates to public service.

As someone who tries to keep up politically ,while not allowing it to rule my daily life, I have two distinct memories of each man respectively. Fennoy was best known as the man who punched activist Woody Merry in an altercation after a Coliseum Authority meeting. And Aitken was  caught off-guard on camera by WRDW's Chris Thomas, concerning a budget vote, making it painfully obvious that he had no clue what he voted to approve. (see video below)

Fennoy? Who stated publicly that the seat belonged to a "black Obama supporter" or Aitken…who failed to show up at ANY Laney-Walker Overlay meetings…and only attended one of at least four debate forums leading up to the general election. 

A man who maybe, has trouble controlling his temper and doesn't think before he acts….Or a man who graduated from the "Deke Copenhaver" school of milquetoast politics and allows others to do the thinking for him.

Which leaves us with the question…Who will best represent the interests of District 1?

In my opinion….neither, but the reality is that one of these two men will represent District 1 for 4 years.

 One thing is certain. if re-elected Matt Aitken will continue to do as he has in the past... which is to say and do as  he's told by the power brokers pulling his strings. 

 Mr Fennoy may be the more pragmatic choice at this point, as he's never served on Commission and may be just the "roll of the dice" the city needs…because what District 1 HAS had the last few years has been more of a puppet than a leader and an advocate for his constituents.

 It's a shame that such an important district is left with such paltry choices….."the lesser of two evils" indeed.**

CG

*Editor's note: Harrisburg neighborhood activist and former Dist 1 candidate Lori Davis has officially endorsed Bill Fennoy in the Dist. 1 run-off

Corporal Gripweed: Rick Allen the Stronger Candidate to Face Barrow

Monday, August 20, 2012
Augusta, GA
By Corporal Gripweed

"If we would learn what the human race really is at bottom, we need only observe it in election times."

                 Mark Twain

These words have never seemed to be more true, than in the race for the District 12 Congressional seat.. It seems as if the candidates have forgotten Ronald Reagan's famous 11th commandment,  "speak no ill of a fellow Republican." The only exception before the July 31st primary was Maria Sheffield, who ran a clean campaign, and ended up dead last in the voting. 

After a recount, there are only two candidates left standing. Lee Ivey Anderson, and Rick Allen.

So please allow me to handicap the race as I see it:

Lee Anderson has gained the endorsement of the two other candidates, Wright McLeod and Maria Sheffield. Rick Allen is ahead in fundraising. Anderson seems to be very popular in the rural counties which he carried the lion's share of the votes. This stands to reason, as he has extensive political experience dating back to 1985, and more recently as a State Representative since 2008.

Rick Allen is a political neophyte who garnered more support in the urban and suburban parts of the primary race. This, too, makes sense as his construction firm, which has offices in Augusta and Athens, has been awarded large contracts for many public building projects throughout the district. So far a fairly even spread sheet.

But here come the variables:

Will the endorsements of the other two candidates translate into votes? Traditionally, when someone's candidate fails to move forward after a primary, the return rate to vote for the endorsed candidate drops precipitously. Meaning, they are excited for their candidate but not so much for whom their candidate endorses. Also,  factor in that Lee Anderson endorsed the disastrous TSPLOST, which the most populous counties in District 12  (with the exception of Richmond County) voted overwhelmingly against. This makes Sheffield's (a Tea Party candidate) endorsement even more puzzling to me. These two things will definitely haunt Anderson in the run-off on Tuesday..

Rick Allen has the advantage/disadvantage of not having much experience politically. While not necessarily a bad thing, he has much less of a track record to critique and has not had time to build coalitions which can be imperative to getting things done in government. Also, his business has thrived due to lucrative government contracts. At more than one forum he has bragged that over the course of three recessions his company has never had to lay off even one worker. I submit that is because the taxpayers indirectly pay most of his payroll.

As you can see, neither candidate is perfect. Both have their flaws and weaknesses. But, let's remember the goal. For me, as a conservative, the goal is to defeat John Barrow. For both men's strengths and weaknesses, I feel the stronger candidate is Rick Allen. While I love Lee Anderson's "folksy" persona, this will be a liability in debates against a polished incumbent like Barrow. That, and his support of TSPLOST, made up my mind.

Rick was not my first, nor even my second choice, but now that it's between him and Anderson, I feel that Rick has a better shot at defeating Barrow ----- to that end I say we ALL  should follow the "11th commandment" more often and resort to mudslinging less in order to achieve the goal of putting the best person in office, therefore rendering Mark Twain's observation moot ----- But I'm not holding my breath.***

The Grip

Corporal Gripweed: A "Ghost" of its Former Self

The "Spirit" has been rapidly sliding into irrelevancy

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Augusta, GA

By Corporal Gripweed

"Augusta's Independent Voice since 1989"

                Metro Spirit.

I've lived in Augusta all my life. And when The Metropolitan Spirit first showed up on the streets of town in 1989, a lot of Augustans were excited. Finally an alternative paper appeared to give voice to those who wanted to read local issues not covered, or worse, covered poorly by the daily of record.

Through different publishers and editors the paper has managed to stay in print , notwithstanding a few weeks when it was shut down last year. It soon reappeared under the stewardship of former publisher Joe White. I've been a mostly loyal reader. I'm from the old school. I like to have a hard copy in my hands rather then spending all my time tied to a computer screen, so when I could I'd pick up a copy to thumb through; it became a part of a weekly routine.

This week I've had enough. It's time to say "when". When I saw this weeks "Insider" column I knew then that the time had come. Not just because of that column, although  it was  the straw that broke the camel's back for me. It's been a long time coming. It's no secret that the Metro Spirit has become increasingly irrelevant in recent years. It went from being an in depth, investigative paper from the days of original publisher David Vantrease and editor Tom Grant's tenure, to being nothing more than a fatter "Verge", or a skinnier Chronicle, without the good comics

 So why even bother anymore?

Cases in point. The New York Times crossword? Big deal. The "hippy-dippy horoscope?" I can get it online. National political commentary? Let's just say the columnist who has been trying to do THAT the last few weeks has been sophomoric bordering on the idiotic. I won't further embarrass him by naming him, but his byline states that he was ,"once the most un-intimidating bouncer at the Soul Bar". Okay….If I want to listen to those kinds of rants I'll just watch MSNBC for a few minutes.

Downtown happenings? A map in the centerfold with a bunch of pictures and arrows ain't cutting it either. Austin Rhodes? While I'm a conservative and generally agree with him, I can listen to his show to get his take on things, rendering the Spirit irrelevant yet again. Even the whines have lost their luster.  They've become mostly redundant bemoaning things like the  smell in south Augusta and the number of fat women in local bars. Yeah, that's original, and obviously indicates the overall drop in IQ points of the average Metro Spirit reader.

But what really turned me away was, as I mentioned earlier, this weeks Insider. In the old days you could count on the Insider (or at least the paper in general) to be of the sort of advocate that spoke truth to power. Goodness knows Augusta needs more of that these days.

  

Those days are gone.  It has become apparent to me and many of us at CityStink.net and Augusta Today, that publisher Joe White and, in particular news editor Eric Johnson have obviously decided to take a different tack: That of ridiculing those of us who only ask for transparency and truth from public officials.

They have once again taken aim at our own Lori Davis in an attempt to paint her, and by extension, the rest of us, as rabble- rousing nut jobs who should just let Billy Morris, Paul Simon, Deke Copenhaver, Fred Russell, Margaret Woodard and half the Commission continue to run the city as their own little fiefdom. Obviously Joe and Eric think that the Morris/Simon Consortium knows what's best for Augusta than we as average Augustans do.

A part of me can understand their frustration. They haven't broken a hard hitting story in years. Instead, they've had to rely on people like us to do the dirty work to which they then report on the aftermath. So there probably is a bit of "journalistic jealousy". That, combined with the undeniable fact that print media is dying and they are firmly in the crosshairs of that impending reality. But to continue to call themselves an "independent voice" is laughable.

As I said, print media is dying and I'm going  do my part by not picking up the Metro Spirit anymore. The death of this publication can't come quickly enough for me, nor can it come quickly enough for those of us in Augusta who want the REAL truth. Maybe another publication will come along soon to fill the void and give us that truth, not the truth as seen by Joe White and Eric Johnson. ***

CG


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Corporal Gripweed: Health Care Law Threatens Freedom

Wednesday, July 4th, 2012

Augusta, GA

By Corporal Gripweed

Commentary

" As government expands, liberty contracts."

                                         Ronald Reagan

As an opinion columnist for City Stink, I have steadfastly limited my comments to issues of local interest. This week, I feel compelled to break that precedent. Why?

Realizing that the country would be celebrating the two-hundred thirty-sixth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence today, along with the knowledge that the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare was constitutional, made local politics seem a bit trivial by comparison…

As a conservative, I am disheartened to say the least. Not because I think the system we have in place now is perfect. I'm disheartened because our "friends " on the left followed their  usual pattern of putting the issue in the hands of the government, rather than trying to find other solutions to the problem. Which leads me to believe that this whole issue is not, and never was about healthcare nor health insurance. It's goal was to destroy the private healthcare system thereby forcing every one into a single-payer government run program, that will ultimately reduce availability and erode quality for EVERY American. Simply stated,…it puts  power over you and every decision you make concerning your healthcare in the hands of a government that can't even balance it's own checkbook…

In 1927, an American Socialist, Norman Thomas, six time presidential candidate on the Socialist Party ticket said, "The American people will never vote for socialism, but under the name of liberalism,the American people will adopt every fragment of socialism."

  I fear that with this ruling we slip a bit closer to the abyss..

The other side of this equation is the Declaration of Independence.This document heralded the beginning of the "great experiment", known as The United States of America. Now two hundred thirty six years later we celebrate this event with fireworks, picnics, barbecues and ball games. But I wonder….do we really understand it's meaning anymore?

Do we really understand that these men fought  ,and in some cases died,to keep this kind of governmental intrusion out of our daily lives?….Are we confident our children are being taught the principles of representative government and limited federal power put forth in the Constitution? Do most of us understand that the  Revolutionary War was, at it's core, a tax revolt.

Sadly,this seems not to be the case anymore….

President Gerald Ford said, " A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take from you everything you have."

This Independence Day, try to do less celebrating and more soul searching about what kind of country we want to hand down to your heirs.. And please vote accordingly this November. This is arguably the most important election in modern times. It will dictate which direction this country is headed….Our children depend on us getting it right…..as do freedom seeking people all over the world who look to us to be strong, steady and solvent.

Lastly, if our friends on the left are right and Obamacare turns out to be a success (which I seriously doubt) I will have lost a little more freedom and even more  of my hard earned money.

But if conservatives are right and this government uses our healthcare as a way to further erode our freedoms, we've all lost. Liberals, Conservatives …America….***

CG

* Do You Agree or Disagree? Have your say by leaving a comment below or send your own guest column to CityStink@gmail.com**

Agenda 21: The Dark Side of the Mayor's "Sustainable Development" Initiative

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

Augusta, GA

By Corporal Gripweed

Commentary

“I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take this anymore!!”

Howard Beale, from the movie, “Network”  1976

Agenda 21. Ring a bell with anyone? It meant nothing to  me when it was mentioned in conversation recently. A friend remarked it was a program initiated by the United Nations in 1992. We were in the midst of a discussion about the state of the “sustainable development” program touted in recent years by Mayor Deke Copenhaver and various developers and Commissioners.

I consider myself fairly well-read and politically astute, but this Agenda 21 was news to me. I, of course was familiar with the Mayor's recent push to fund studies to ostensibly implement  the Augusta SustainableDevelopment Agenda, or better known as ASDA. But,  I wondered, what did one have to do with the other?

First,let me explain that the ASDA plan involves “green initiatives.” For a conservative like me just the word “green” makes me see red.....It implies that just because I don't want to be forced by the government to use CFL light bulbs and drive a Prius I'm somehow not fit to breathe air. So, What does this have to do with Agenda 21?

After hearing of the program I decided to do my own research. And was astounded at what I found. It seems this particular program was put into place to slowly and subtly force local municipalities and eventually whole regions into compliance of so-called “green” initiatives. The U.N website even spells it out in plain language, it's mission is to,”Limit human behavior and in some cases freedoms, in order to save the planet.”

And all throughout this document the words “sustainable development” are used time and time again. So, what could be wrong with nice, unassuming phrases like "green initiatives" and "sustainable development?" Really nothing. The phrases are fine. It's the motives behind them that bother me and should bother anyone who values freedom. 

All are designed to direct, and in some cases limit our individual rights and freedoms, particularly property rights. Recently passed in a California municipality was an “edict” that no single family dwellings could be built on properties larger than 20 acres. In Augusta's own ASDA, it states, “Halt sewer expansion, keep the southern areas (of Richmond County) rural and continue to infill suburban and urban areas.”

  

Both are “stack'em and pack'em”, theories designed to limit choices and freedoms. Obviously, all this is just fine with our Mayor and his “crony capitalist” pals who have pushed this ASDA for years. Which brings me to my point.....I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take this anymore!

Mr. Mayor....you and members of the Augusta Commission spent $500,000 of our tax money to validate and endorse an edict from the U.N?...The U.N?  Really? 

I can only come up with two reasons why you or anyone with the “power of the purse” would think this a good idea. Either you think it's a good idea to hand over  parts of the CSRA over to the enviro-nuts at the U.N to implement an obviously anti-American, anti-capitalist program to benefit some of your wealthy developer friends, or you have been an unknowing dupe. Either way, it's shameful.

More to the point, I'm hoping, for the sake of the CSRA, that those who supported you in the last election (mostly the RINO-Republican machine) will take a long  look at anyone you've endorsed in the upcoming Commission races.

As for me? If it's an incumbent and they have your endorsement?...I'm voting for the other person.....And I hope others will do their research and find out exactly what “sustainable development” really means....it doesn't mean a continuation of property rights nor personal freedoms....in fact it means quite the opposite....that's why I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take this anymore! What about you?***

CG
Further Reading:
Augusta Sustainable Development Agenda
Agenda 21: The U.N. Blueprint for the 2st Century
Agenda 21 a Plan to Suppress Individual Liberties?
Freedom Advocates: Exposing Agenda 21

***Do you have a story idea, a tip, or would you like to write for City Stink? Then please contact us at: citystink@gmail.com***

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Corporal Gripweed: "Damn the Torpedoes; Full Speed Ahead!"

Monday, April 23, 2012

Augusta, GA

By Corporal Gripweed

“Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead”

               Admiral David Farragut (Battle of Mobile Bay, August 5^th 1864)

              .

It seems of late, that we here in Augusta GA have had our fair share of controversies concerning latent governmental ineptitude. From the TEE Center/parking deck debacle, to the most recent revelations surrounding CHODO shenanigans in the Laney -Walker district, it appears that we have no shortage of city leaders who are willing to look the other way, while deals are made that benefit the few at the expense of  the many. I am continually saddened by the fact that many of these so-called leaders will attempt to  explain away these missteps, by calling those of us  who question their decisions as "divisive".

The fact that mines or “torpedoes”, in Civil War parlance, will be put in the way of any one who seeks the truth is just plain wrong. Sadder yet is the fact that so many people in this county feel that they have no voice and so are powerless to stop the machinations of their “representatives” that they don't attempt to engage government on any level. 

Case in point: The process for awarding the contract to conducting a forensic audit concerning the TEE Center parking deck has been delayed for a third time. More recently, a sitting commissioner has voted in an apparent conflict of interest to have the city repay money his CHODO owes to the federal government.

The ruling “elite” hope we won't attempt to navigate the minefield of connections and incestuous relationships that have “ruled” this city for generations, and to that I say, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.”

Moreover, these same elites also know they have the local mainstream print media, The Augusta Chronicle, as well as the so-called alternative print weekly, The Metro Spirit, solidly in their corner. So they say to themselves, “How can we lose?”

Well ...They WILL lose if we continue to ask questions, expose graft and navigate the minefields that scare the timid, but spur the brave to say, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

If the  ruling class in Augusta loses, the city, and it's citizens win. It is up to concerned citizens to step up and ask questions and DEMAND answers...We here at Augusta Today and City Stink ask for your help in this battle...To continue to ask questions and expect cognitive, coherent answers. This is the bedrock of a representative republic. To expect anything less from our local leaders is tantamount to giving away our rights as citizens.

To any one who wonders whether this is a strategy that will produce results....Admiral Farragut won the battle of Mobile Bay when he roared, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”***

CG

See more Corporal Gripweed columns here--> Corporal Gripweed Commentary

Corporal Gripweed: The Augusta National Continues to Give Back to the Community

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Augusta, GA

By Corporal Gripweed

“The entire world shall be populous with that action which saves one soul from despair”

                                                               Omar Khayyam

It's that time of year again here in Augusta. No, not pollen season, nor the beginning of minor league baseball, Although, those things are either happening or are about to begin. I'm speaking about the venerable Masters Tournament. Always ending on the second Sunday in April, for the last 70 plus years except for interruptions during World War II. 

Many here at City Stink and on the Augusta Today FB page have been critical (and rightfully so) of certain members of the Augusta National Golf Club. There has also been criticism of members of Augusta's so called “pimento cheese plutocracy”, loosely defined as folks who are in positions of power in (and out of) city government who champion causes which help the few rather than the many.

The Famous Masters Pimento Cheese Sandwich

However, this will not be one of those times.....

In baseball parlance, I'm a firm believer in “calling 'em as I see's 'em”. And this time credit should be given where it's due. We can say what we want about certain members of the “Club” and the “plutocracy” but the fact is the Masters Tournament Foundation has given...yes GIVEN , nearly 20 million dollars over the last few years to various local charities. And they've done it voluntarily.

These donations have been administered through the Community Foundation for the CSRA, which has given money to Easter Seals of East Georgia, and the newly built Kroc Center among others. To quote Billy Payne, Chairman of the Augusta National, “Supporting the community that, in turn supports the Masters Tournament is an enduring commitment we take seriously”.

The cynical among us would say, they should give and give more. But as a conservative I would say, it's THEIR money. They can do what they want with it.  More importantly, I'm happy with the fact that it's administered through a private sector foundation and not through yet another inefficient government panel or bureaucracy. All this without taking into account the many millions of dollars pumped into the local economy by hosting one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world.

We here at City Stink and Augusta Today, expend enormous amounts of energy exposing the dark underbelly of the Augusta political scene.

Enjoy The "Tunamint"!

 And we always will....but if you can't find it in your DNA to support the “tunamint” or the club this week, no harm no foul...at least follow Omar's advice and find an opportunity to help someone, somewhere. As the Masters Foundation does to the tune of millions every year.***

CG

The Corporal's Previous Column:
                                                          Who's Supposed to Clean Up This Mess?

Corporal Gripweed: Who's Supposed to Clean Up This Mess?

Monday, March 19, 2012

Augusta, GA

By Corporal Gripweed

"The good will of the governed will be starved if not fed by the good deeds of the governors."

                                                                                      Benjamin Franklin

Poor Richards Almanac, 1753

 My wife and I had the pleasure of attending the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Augusta on Saturday afternoon. The weather was perfect, the crowds were huge and the goodwill (as well as the green beer) was overflowing.

And what a parade it was..Thousands of people downtown..floats, beads, bands, candy.....the whole shebang..

I also had occasion to wave to, (and in some instances to speak with) city leaders. Not to mention, a few of the candidates who are running for various public offices. From my vantage point, everyone was enthusiastic about the turnout, as well as the fact that the downtown area had such an influx of people who hopefully would spend some disposable income while there.

Imagine my surprise to discover that several downtown business owners were less than pleased with the city's preparation concerning the aftermath of Saturday's event. And they voiced their displeasure on Face Book, along with photographic evidence to back their concerns. As late as Sunday afternoon parts of the downtown area still looked like the day after Mardi Gras. Many of these same business owners were saying they would be cleaning up the areas around their shops in preparation to opening on Sunday.

What does this have to do with city government?

Since 2008 Augusta has had in place a program called CADI: Clean Augusta Downtown Initiative. After seeing the chatter on Facebook, I looked into the program. They were instituted to help existing city services while not replacing them. Fine.

And from what I've seen it's not CADI's job to clean up after this sort of an event. But it IS  the job of Augusta-Richmond County to make sure the streets are clean after an event such as this. A few questions come to mind after a debacle of this sort: Who is in charge of cleanup? Is it CADI? Is it the entity who filed the permits for the parade? Is it the city? Who will address the concerns of the business owners downtown? After all, they are the ones who have to clean up their storefronts after being taxed twice. Once as business and property owners and again under the BID agreement which funds CADI.

Or should someone in city government had enough forbearance to have thought of something as simple as having disposable cardboard trash bins available for public use?

  

One thing is for sure: someone, somewhere, somehow failed to anticipate the problem. Therefore, someone failed to formulate a solution. And I would be willing to guess that many downtown business owners are not happy with how the city handled this situation.

  

If this issue isn't addressed by city leaders to the satisfaction of downtown business owners.....the goodwill of the governed will be starved indeed.....***

CG

You Can see video of the mess from WFXG below:

The Corporal's Previous Column:

Examining The District 1 Augusta Commission Race

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Corporal Gripweed: Examining The District 1 Augusta Commission Race

Monday, March 5, 2012

Augusta, GA

By Corporal Gripweed

Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody rather than for somebody.

      Franklin P. Adams

Over the past two weeks, two individuals announced their intention to run for Augusta-Richmond County Commission District 1.

The first was Stanley Hawes: longtime President of the Laney-Walker-Bethlehem Neighborhood Association. The second is Lori Davis: community activist and current President of the West Augusta Alliance. There has been buzz within the community that former District 1 candidate from 2009, Jo'Rae Jenkins may throw her hat into the ring as well, but as of yet there has been no official announcement. Sitting Commissioner Matt Aitken is reportedly in the decision making process as to whether he'll seek a second term as District 1 representative.

   

Barring intervention from the US Department of Justice the election for this seat, as well as all other non-partisan county wide offices will be held in July instead of November. This means we have less time to get to know our candidates this year.

Prior to his announcement, I have to admit I'd never heard of Mr. Hawes. To me this can only mean one of two things: either he has managed to stay out of the spotlight in the local political scene on purpose or he hasn't been very active in the recent past. Neither bodes very well for a District 1 candidate. In politics name recognition is paramount. Which leads me to Ms. Jenkins. Her name has been heard in political circles before. She mounted an unsuccessful campaign to become District 1 commissioner in 2009. But since then her political activity seems to be limited to attending some commission meetings and not much more. There's not a particular issue or movement which I can easily associate with her.

Now on to Lori Davis. Ms. Davis came to prominence in the summer of 2009 when she helped to organize a protest of so-called “chronic nuisance properties” in her neighborhood of Harrisburg. Since then she has been active in various endeavors related to city politics, as well as running for Mayor in 2010. Her name recognition is high but in some circles of the Augusta “elite” she is viewed as an agitator.

Lastly, the incumbent ,Mr. Aitken. Bear in mind Matt has not officially declared his intentions to seek reelection, but one could guess that the power brokers in Richmond County are pulling out all the stops in order to convince him to run. If recent votes by Mr. Aitken are any indication, the Augusta “machine”, also known as "The Cabal",  would love to have Matt stay in office.

He has stirred the ire of many in District 1 because of recent votes that seem to favor the interests of The Cabal, at the expense of the District as a whole. His personal story is compelling and there is vindication in redemption, but I wonder if this is enough for a District that is suffering.

My instincts tell me Lori Davis would be a better commissioner at this point in time. She has no ties to any “elites” or political machines. And with the issues facing this city, an “agitator, or better put, someone willing to ask hard questions, is what District 1 and Augusta needs right now.

Lori has  been a vocal advocate for safer neighborhoods by presenting plans for a return to community-based policing, implementation of a "chronic nuisance property ordinance",  and a more  aggressive code enforcement and inspections department that fast-tracks the removal of cancerous dilapidated properties that are havens for crime. More recently, Lori has been a central figure in exposing the misdeeds and back-room deals over the new Reynolds Street parking deck and TEE Center. Lori has brought it to the attention of commissioners, the media and the public that too often Augusta's government works for the interests of the well-connected few and against the average citizen and taxpayer. She has demonstrated true leadership and the resolve and sense of duty that we should expect from a public servant, but yet rarely get.

So my opinion is....don't vote against Stanley Hawes...don't vote against Jo'Rae Jenkins..don't vote against Matt Aitken......vote FOR Lori Davis. Right now Augusta needs real reform and real change in it's government and Lori Davis possesses the passion and the track record to deliver it. ***

CG

Lori  Davis' campaign website can be found here:---> www.ElectLoriDavis.com

The Corporal's Previous Column:

The Mayor's Call to Limit media Access is a Bad Idea

Related Articles:

• Lori Davis Announces Run for Augusta Commission Seat
• District 1 Race Starting to Shape Up

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Corporal Gripweed: The Mayor's Call to Limit Media Access is a BAD idea.

Friday, Feb. 17, 2012
Augusta, GA
By Corporal Gripweed

“When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself public property.”

Thomas Jefferson-

As I watched a news report about the retreat the Mayor and Commissioners are attending, I was struck by one statement made by Mayor Copenhaver. “I think it would be a good thing for the city to have a centralized source for information.” (Click here watch Chris Thomas' WRDW News Report)*

On the face of it, it does not sound unreasonable, but bear in mind the context of that statement.  The mayor was speaking in terms of LIMITING access to him and our commissioners. This is totally unacceptable to me as a citizen of Richmond County. These men have assumed a public trust and for them to consider limiting who, and/or what can be asked of them in regards to their duties are a slap in the face to anyone who follows local politics. 

I understand the need for a, “centralized source of information.” If I am not mistaken, we already have this. It can be found online at www.augustaga.gov.  Also, there are phone numbers made available to the public which can be used to access information when needed.

For our mayor to even suggest hiring a, “propaganda minister,’ for city leaders is repugnant to me and I am sure to many others, especially in these times of budget cuts, furloughs, and most importantly mistrust of our city leaders. We like to see up close and personal just how informed/uninformed our city leaders actually are.  The press is an ally to the citizen in this regard.

Deke sounds more like Stalin than Thomas Jefferson

You can also be sure that the new position wouldn’t be delegated to some mid-level bureaucrat, but more than likely, another high paid position which the city can ill afford right now. Perhaps a better idea would be to hire someone to help individual commissioners study and understand the issues that they are voting on.  Maybe then commissioners would be better equipped to defend their actions.

Mr. Mayor, do you not see the folly in this suggestion?  Hopefully this sad attempt to limit access to those we’ve elected will die a whimpering death. Some may want to use the rationale that other public officials have spokespeople to disseminate talking points to the press. Fair enough, however this position is mostly created for governors and presidents. You sir, are neither.  You are our locally elected politicians for better or worse, who need to be held accountable by local citizens and local media.

The Mayor wants the city's business conducted in secret

Two other bullet points discussed in the news report allude to the phrases, “We don’t want to be seen at all, and, “Bees work in the dark.” Really? Is this how you gentleman intend to start getting the city’s business done?  Unseen and in the dark? Away from public scrutiny? Out of sight of the very people who put you into office?

I’m sure that would suit the purposes of those who wish to continue to manipulate the system for their benefit, but I hope that when this asinine idea is presented again, commissioners  along with their constituents will see what an incredibly poor public relations move this would be..so that is why I am asking all who read this to contact your Commissioner and your mayor and tell them that this new idea does not fly.  You must remember as elected officials; you have assumed a public trust and you should consider yourselves public servants, which sometimes entails answering difficult questions in difficult situations.  Having a PR person do it for you should not become standard operating procedure.**
CG

Here's a great video representation of what a Ministry of DisInformation might look like (Brazil 1985)

Corporal Gripweed: Do Augusta's Leaders Have Any Sense of Decency?

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012

Augusta, GA

By Corporal Gripweed

“Have you no sense of decency sir...at long last, have you left no sense of decency?”

                          Special Counsel Joseph Welch during the McCarthy hearings...June 4^th ,1954

After watching City Administrator Fred Russell's tortured interview with WRDW's Chris Thomas this past Friday afternoon, I immediately wondered if anyone else in Augusta remembered this quote.

(Watch Chris Thomas' report below)

 It occurred during hearings led by anti-communist crusader Sen. Joseph McCarthy. It was a pivotal moment in the investigation as it effectively shamed and silenced Sen. McCarthy and led to a halt of the so-called “witch hunts” directed at suspected communist sympathizers.

 Augusta needs a moment such as this...

Is there no one besides a few “silly bloggers” and Chris Thomas, who will ask Mr. Russell and our esteemed Mayor, “Have you no sense of decency sirs?”

Will no one on the County Commission attempt to find out what is really behind this hurried attempt to get this deal done regardless of the concerns of citizens? At long last have they no sense of decency?

In light of recent events, it seems that from the outset, the insiders involved in this TEE Center-Parking Deck deal knew that it was a veiled attempt to help Mr William S. Morris III, owner and publisher of the Augusta Chronicle, relieve his crushing debt at the taxpayers expense; aided and abetted by a compliant Commission and a Mayor with ties to Mr. Morris.

If proven to be true it will go down as one of the sorriest episodes in Augusta politics in decades. As I've said in these commentaries before; I don't profess to know enough to say whether these deals were illegal or not. But, at the very least, they seem blatantly unethical.

I'll ask our city leaders once more...have you no sense of decency?

While certain areas of our city languish, these men are making deals to help the wealthiest among us prosper, all the while giving “lip service” to concerned citizens and hiding behind the tired old mantra, “Move the city forward”. Forward for whom? The connected few...that's who.

I'm sure these “gentlemen” never suspected that their machinations would be discovered. After all it's probably been done a hundred times before. This time it got a bit more complicated when “silly” bloggers uncovered the details surrounding what it took to make this deal happen on the quiet. What we see now are clumsy attempts to explain away their motives and actions.

Maybe it will take someone from outside the CSRA , media included, to mount a formal investigation into this whole debacle. For all I know it may already be in the works. Maybe then someone will ask everyone involved in this mess:

Have you no sense of decency? At long last have you left no sense of decency?***
CG
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