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INSI ER INSIDER@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM
Insider is an anonymous, opinion-based examination of the hidden details of Augusta politics and personalities.
Pickin’ and Grinnin’
Since the last November’s mayoral election, where Mayor Deke managed to use his incumbency to avoid too much messiness with challenger Lori Davis, earning 64 percent to Davis’ 18, things between the two have been relatively
quiet, at least publically. But signs are showing that things might be taking a turn. In an email sent by Davis to Deke, a selection of commissioners and most media outlets, Davis accused a city employee of “dropping the ball” and being a “problem employee.” The email, addressed to “All” was dated 8:21 p.m. Saturday, July 2. The subject line of the email read: Yet Another Incompetent City Employee. The issue involves the wife of a retired Richmond County firefighter, who found out her husband did not have insurance when she tried to fill a prescription. “She called Blue Cross Blue Shield,” Davis wrote of the woman, “and they also confirmed that the insurance had been discontinued. After directing her to
today and took the time to garner good information with regards to how we are addressing it. When folks who work for the city who are not on the clock and are taking personal time (see below) to deal with this step up to the plate, I feel your indictment of our city’s employees as incompetent is completely disrespectful to the people who work so hard for our city every day and whose efforts often go unrecognized. Please do our city employees a favor and get all of the facts before you accuse them all of being incompetent.” There’s no telling what else might be on the horizon for these two, but one thing is for sure: Time might heal all wounds, but it sure doesn’t stop us from picking at the scabs.
call her Commissioner, as well as Fred Russell, she finally got a call from an HR Staff Member, who is responsible for seeing that these insurance bills are paid. Obviously, [the staff member] dropped the ball. I have also been made aware that [the staff member] has been a problem employee. This is a horrible situation which could leave many retirees over the 4th of July weekend without any coverage. If this is true, she should be fired. Please let me know what measures will be taken to rectify this situation.” Mayor Deke responded in a 9:05 email, attaching an email from HR Manager Robby Burns to HR Director Rod Powell saying that ADP file apparently caused the cancellation. “Lori, I learned of the situation earlier
What the What? Jeff Gorelick’s appearance at last Thursday’s commission meeting was oddly absurd, even by Augusta standards. Rather than begging for more downtown-based events like the USA Cycling National Championships to help fill his Broad Street Ramada, Gorelick chose to ask to commission to form an ad hoc committee to look for other locations for such events. Huh? Seems the chronic complainer is playing the selfless employer card. After the usual self-congratulatory
puffery was out of the way (“I got 26 calls, not because I’m a leader downtown, but I guess because I’m the biggest and oldest downtown. I’ve been here a long time. Rubens has been here 114 years, come August 1st”), Gorelick informed everyone that his beef with the city was because he had to close Rubens because of the race. “That’s an issue because [my employees] need the money,” the told the commission. “I couldn’t bring them into work and still be a good businessman.”
Summer Sale
50%
OFF
As Mr. Gorelick mentioned, Ruben’s was a ghost town during the bike races Friday. Wait. No… sorry, check that. This photo was actually taken Tuesday at 2 p.m. Not Friday. They were open. We regret the error. telling his employees to stay home makes him any less of a businessman than telling them to come in.
While such compassion is commendable, the Spirit wonders why, given Rubens’ trickling traffic volume,
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