10 M E T R O
PU
Democratic Primary August 20th
NC
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51
S P I R I T A U G 1 2 0 0 2
An independent voice... our kind of representative.
“Economic stability for Augusta will be my top priority in Atlanta.”
• Bachelor Of Economics from Davidson College
- Bo Hunter -
• Admitted to the bar in 1982
• Graduate - University of Georgia School Of Law
• Elected - Richmond County Solicitor 1988-1992 and re-elected 1992-1996.
JOBS
• CREATE economic empowerment zones outside Atlanta • BRING industries and higher paying jobs to Augusta through tax incentives
EDUCATION
• TRAIN a skilled workforce from within this community through cooperation between our technical schools and industry
TRANSPORTATION
• CONTINUE to develop our transportation corridors to open up Augusta to the rest of the region Paid for by the Committee to Elect Bo Hunter - Tommy Tucker, Treasurer
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Opinion: Insider
Young’s Implosion Produces Another Opponent
A
ugusta Mayor Bob Young has been hammered for the past several weeks over his letter of recommendation for former Augusta Fire Chief Ronnie Few and his subsequent feeble explanations of why he wrote such a glowing endorsement. One person who has been observing the situation is local businessman Bobby Ross and, according to him, he is fed up and wants to do something about it. He vows to oppose Young and any other candidate for the job of mayor. (See the Guest Column on Page 8.) Ross flirted with the idea several months ago, going so far as to Bob Young publicly announce that he would run, talking with community leaders, meeting with businesspeople, and seeking advice from political insiders about how to mount a campaign. After serious consideration and subsequent talks with Young, Ross decided not to proceed with his plans and came out publicly for Young. Now, he says he can’t sit idly by and watch the city fall into the abyss. Ross flatly states that, regardless of what happens, he is in this race to stay. He must stay in the race this time. Otherwise he loses all credibility. That’s bad news for Young. With former state Rep. Robin Williams already in the race, perennial candidate Brian Green making noise about entering the contest, and former Mayor Ed McIntyre playing political “cat and mouse” about his intentions, Young has enough to worry about without another candidate entering the race, especially when that candidate will appeal to some of Young’s previous supporters. Regardless of the number of votes Ross garners in the election, the majority of those votes will come from Young. Speaking of Mayoral Candidates Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority board member Bonnie Ruben has indicated that she has been approached to run for mayor and is considering it. Her interest in the possibility surBonnie Ruben faced after Augusta Commissioner Lee Beard informed Ruben that he was replacing her on the authority. Beard was apparently upset with Ruben’s vote to oust Civic Center Manager Reggie Williams. Ruben’s term has expired but Beard has not made a new appointment. It is his prerogative to replace her at any time. Supposedly, Beard will appoint someone
else at the Aug. 6 meeting of the Augusta Commission. Ruben indicated in her public statements that her interest in the mayor’s job would likely depend on the outcome of that meeting, a not-so-veiled challenge to Beard’s decision to replace her. Apparently, she thinks the commissioners may vote to keep her. Don’t bet on it. Generally, commissioners have a gentleman’s agreement to vote unanimously in favor of appointments to boards and authorities made by their fellow commissioners. Don’t expect anything different this time. Even though some commissioners may want to keep Ruben, a change in protocol could begin an argumentative process whereby any commissioner’s appointment could come under challenge. Chaos will ensue if that happens. There is enough divisiveness already. The commissioners are astute enough, hopefully, to move on and not add this particular selection process to the long list of contentious issues facing them. We’ll see. Bye-Bye Brian Quinsey Columbia County insiders are furious at the revelation that Columbia County Chamber executive Brian Quinsey donated $2,000 to state Sen. Charles Walker. The controversial senator does not even represent Brian Quinsey Columbia County. Plus, Walker is a Democrat while Columbia County is solidly Republican. Not to mention that Walker is despised by a large number of Columbia County Republicans. What was Quinsey thinking? He wasn’t. Columbia County News-Times Publisher Barry Paschal lambasted Quinsey in a recent column, citing that state Sen. Don Cheeks (D-23) and state Sen. Joey Brush (R-24) actually represent portions of the county, yet Quinsey didn’t donate a nickel to either of them. According to the article, Cheeks was especially chapped at Quinsey and vowed to give money to Walker’s opponent, Randy Hall, in November. The shaky relationship between Columbia County and Richmond County, especially in the area of economic development, is reason enough for any public official in Columbia County not to give money to Walker. For a chamber official to donate that much money to Walker is political suicide. Columbia County insiders are spreading the word that Quinsey has to go. Several candidates for public office this year will likely make the matter an issue. Reliable sources within the county doubt that Quinsey will survive long-term. Don’t be surprised if his resignation is accepted within the next few months. Quinsey is toast. —The views expressed in this column are the views of The Insider and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.