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S ERVING C OLUMBUS , F T. B ENNING , P HENIX C ITY & S URROUNDING A REAS
Inspirational-Informative-Empowering...Your Source For The Truth Vol. 15 Edition 20 Free Thursday June 25, 2020
A View From A Pew
It’s Taken 9 Years But Change Has Finally Come! Greater Columbus Chamber Announces its First Black President and CEO, Jerald Mitchell
Move Preachers, Get Out The Way Page 3
Cavezza Helped Set The Stage for Today
Chamber Announcement Is the Fruition of a Series of Meetings Held 9 Years Ago
Page 4 City Hires New Director
PAGE 5
Robert Landers Selected as Director of the Columbus Civic Center Page 7
JUNE 25, 2020 Really Preachers, How Long Have You Been Living Here? The street committee is talking about the recent press conference that was held last Friday by religious leaders challenging local corporations and organizations to gather together in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement. According to their spokesperson Rev. Dr. Ralph Huling; “We’re seeing all the major corporations across the country, the NFL saying we’ve been wrong. We have not been listening. We need to do a better job of working with the African American community. But in Columbus, Georgia, we’ve been silent. Our corporations have been silent, and the silence is deafening.” According to the street committee this has to be filed under “Really Preachers!” or “Somebody didn’t do their homework” or better yet, “How Long have you been living here? Immediately following the press conference two of our local corporations issued statements Synovus representative Lee Underwood said: “Our CEO, Kessel Stelling, offered a public statement about systemic racism that you can read here. Today, in recognition of Juneteenth, we’ve given all team members an additional day of paid time off -- a “Day of Purpose” – that can be taken for activism, educational opportunities, volunteer efforts help others, or in any way that connects their purpose with meaningful action. And we have a long, long history of supporting the Black community and interests through our business and philanthropy.” The Statement form Aflac U.S. President Teresa L. White “Aflac has been a leader in the fight for social justice for 65 years, including today. We don’t just support Black Lives Matter in words, but in deeds. Our workforce is 40% African American and nearly 50% minority. Our Board
of Directors is 30% African American and we have had African American representation on our board since the 1990s. We have African Americans at the highest level of leadership, including our General Counsel and President of Aflac U.S. We were the first company to provide $1 million for the building of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. and more than 50% of our philanthropic expenditures in 2020 are earmarked toward African American institutions and causes including $1 million to Morehouse School of Medicine to study the opioid crisis in rural America and $1.5 million to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center’s Sickle Cell program. In fact, just today, thousands of employees were invited to celebrate diversity and inclusion as we paused for a social justice day of action. We continue to financially support the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington and the local and national NAACP. Aflac opposes any form of bigotry, intolerance or disrespect in our society and any suggestion that our company does not support the national movement for social justice, ending racism and promoting racial harmony is inaccurate.” Talk about egg on your face. Everyone knows that Aflac is noted as one of the most diverse companies in the country if not the world. The street committee is even more surprised given that Elder Ed Dubose who has served as the local and state NAACP president and currently serves on the national board was one of the local pastors who spoke at the press conference. Maybe prior to future press conferences someone will check with the Lord and ask for guidance and discernment.
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COURIER THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2020
A VIEW FROM A PEW
3
Move Preachers, Get Out The Way!
I wasn’t going to say anything but something one of our local pastors said at a recent press conference has been bothering me. Regarding the Black Lives Matter Movement, Reverend Dr. Ralph Huling stated; “We have not arrived, there are things that are left undone and if they are going to be done, it’s going to have to be done by the church. I don’t know about you but it’s hard for me to put my faith in our religious leaders and expect people to follow them when they can only gather eight people for a press conference. I don’t know if you’ve heard this saying before, but my grandmother always told me; “If you love someone, you’ve got to tell them the truth, regardless how it hurts” So, my brethren just know I love you. It’s past time for the church to try and step in and lead these young people. The train has already left the station. They don’t need your leadership; but they do need our support. Three weeks ago, three young ladies were able to mobilize close to a thousand people of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds at a “My Black Has a Purpose” rally at the 311 Center. Two weeks ago, that same group of young people joined a “Black Lives Matter” rally led by a student at Columbus State University and the numbers exceeded the previous event as the two groups walked in solidarity through the street of Uptown Columbus. This past weekend another young man put together a 100 Men in Suits March which brought together over 300 men and boys walking through Uptown in suits on Father’s Day.
Now, because I love you, let me say this. I know we are still quarantined due to COVID19 but when you weren’t, when was the last time you had close to a thousand people at one of your Sunday morning services? Not realistic, OK what about 300 people? Hell, many of you are livestreaming your Sunday services and don’t average any more than 45 viewers and that’s a cumulative number over two hours. Here is some more love. When I saw the eight of you at the press conference, I was looking for the president of the IMA (Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance), Adrian Chester. After all these were the religious leaders of our community. When I called him and asked where he was, I was informed he had not been made aware of the event. That tells me that you can’t even communicate with your own peers so what makes you think you can communicate with these young folks? Look I know it’s hard to take a back seat to these young folks but it’s time to do just that. You had your chance to lead. This revolution is going to leave you behind unless you come to grips with the best you can do, at this point is to provide your wisdom, experience and most important support. And if you really want to help these young people contact the Mayor and Police Chief who you say you have on speed dial and tell them that as religious leaders you will be responsible for any and all future permits that these young people need for their rally’s, marches and or protests. That will be a great start.
Wane A. Hailes
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June 25, 2020
Change Doesn’t Happen Overnight, Sometimes it Takes 9 Years By Wane A. Hailes The Courier For those who may become frustrated because change doesn’t take place immediately, please understand, sometimes, it may not come when you want it but when it does, it’s right on time. In my mind the recent announcement of Jerald Mitchell becoming he first Black person to lead the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce in its 173-year history is the result of a meeting that was held on April 5, 2011.
Request for Proposals RFP No. 20-0026 Inmate Commissary Services for Muscogee County Prison (Annual Contract) Due: Ju1y 10, 2020 – 2:30 PM Sandra Chandler, Buyer RFP No. 20-0027 On-Call Guardrail Installation and Repair Services (Annual Contract) Due: Ju1y 10, 2020 – 2:30 PM Della Lewis, CPPB Buyer Specialist Electronic responses must be submitted via DemandStar by the due date shown above. Specifications may be obtained by visiting the webpage of the Purchasing Division at , notifying the Buyer via email , faxing 706-225-3033, or telephoning 706-225-4087. Andrea J. McCorvey Purchasing Division Manager
Two years earlier the CEO of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce donned a white tablecloth in representation of a Klansman in an attempt to scare a Black Vice President under his employ. When the incident surfaced the CEO, Mike Gaymon, expected the Black community to dismiss his antics as just a “prank” that he was acting as “Casper the Friendly Ghost”. That boat didn’t float. Leaders from various Black organizations and concerned citizens sat down
with members of the Chambers executive committee led by Carmen Cavezza to discuss our concerns regarding Gaymon’s actions. As the result of a series of meetings, a number of solutions were discussed and agreed upon moving forward. One of those was making a concerted effort to hiring more Blacks in top administrative positions with the chamber. Columbus is changing and we are impressed by the response expressed by Pace Halter, board chairman of the
Columbus Chamber when asked about the significance of the Board of Directors hiring the first Black person to lead the organization. “First of all, I just don’t know that it’s relevant,” Halter said. “And second of all, I think if that is the focus, the issue then becomes that the rest of his accomplishments and what qualifies him for the job immediately become less important and secondary. At the end of the day, the decision was made based on that only.”
C OVER S TORY
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THURSDAY April 7, 2011
W E A RE O N T HE R IGHT T RACK community cohesion and trust.
Wane A. Hailes The Courier Two years ago the CEO of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce donned a white tablecloth in representation of a Klansman in an attempt to scare an African-American Vice President under his e m p l o y. W h e n t h e incident surfaced last October the CEO, Mike Gaymon, expected the African-American community to dismiss his antics as just a “prank” that he was acting as “Casper the Friendly Ghost”. We didn’t believe him then and we don’t believe him today. But we believe in us. We believe that Columbus can be better and we believe we are not alone in our thinking. Because of that, today we have reason to believe that this community has the opportunity to change forever for the betterment of all its citizens. Today we have the potential to take an embarrassing event and through a clearer understanding of our culture bring about greater
T oday we believe we can turn Gaymon’s racially insensitive act into a teachable moment as well as a golden opportunity to lead this community forward together. At the same time we can help this community heal from wounds that have gone untreated for years. This past Tuesday April 5, 2011 for the first time various factions, organizations and concerned citizens in the AfricanAmerican community and members of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce’s executive committee, under the leadership of Carmen Cavezza met together minus egos, titles and attitude.
er to demonstrate to the hardcore skeptics from both sides, Black and White, that we as concerned, intelligent, right thinking people can come together seeking a positive outcome that benefits the entire community. That we can walk arm-inarm without seeing eye-to-eye. That we can disagree without being disagreeable. That we can walk away from the table with everyone a winner, our dignity intact.
Change won’t happen overnight but the atmosphere for change is evident as there were a number of positive solutions discussed and mutually agreed upon by all in attendance. We are encouraged that future meetings such as this one, where individuals on both sides remain openminded, open hearted and extremely sincere will allow this community to finally become “One Columbus”.
They came togeth-
Request For Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Bids Notice of Bid Date Revision Morgan Corp. plans to bid the following construction project to be let by the Columbus Consolidated Government:
Project: Wilson Camp Landfill Satilla Closure Location: South Lumpkin Road, Columbus, GA Bid Date: April 27, 2011- 2:30 PM (Revised from April 06, 2011) Morgan Corp. is seeking Subquotes for this project from qualified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Contractors and Suppliers as follows. Items to be subcontracted: Clearing & Grubbing; Erosion Control Items; Seeding & Mulching; Silt Curtain Turbidity Barrier; Hauling of Aggregates; Dirt Materials Supply and Hauling; Hauling Landfill Waste Materials; Polymeric Marine Mattress Installation and/or Materials; Asphalt Pavement Resurfacing; Asbestos Waste Disposal; Engineering Layout. Plans and Specifications are available from the Columbus Consolidated Government, Dept. of Engineering (706/653-4441). Plans and Specifications are also available at local Plan Rooms. Plans and Specifications are also available via e-mail from Morgan Corp. If you have questions or wish to request plan documents, please contact Gary Baumgarner bye-mail or phone as listed below. In order to allow sufficient time for bid preparation and submittal, Subcontractor quotes will be due to Morgan Corp. no later than April 21, 2011. (Revised from April 01,2011) Please submit pricing to Gary Baumgarner via one of the contact options listed below. Morgan Corp. Gary Baumgarner P. O. Box 3555 Spartanburg, SC 29334 Ph: 864 433 8800 Ext. 138 Fax: 8644338808
COVER STORY
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Courier Thursday June 25, 2020
Chamber Names New President and CEO Amazing New Leadership Committed to Building More Resilient Economy
Columbus, GA ––The Greater Columbus, GA Chamber of Commerce announced the new Chamber President and CEO, Jerald Mitchell at a news conference today, Thursday, June 25, 2020 at the PowerHouse in Uptown Columbus. Mitchell comes to the Columbus Chamber from Atlanta, where he’s the Vice President of Economic Development for the Atlanta Beltline Inc. (ABI) The Atlanta Beltline is a development corporation for one of the largest [$4.5 billion] redevelopment projects in the U.S. “Jerald has a unique combination of leadership skills that will be immeasurably valuable to the Chamber and our entire region,” said Chamber Board Chair Pace Halter, President and COO
of the Real Estate Division of the W.C. Bradley Co. “His strategic thinking and visionary outlook will allow Columbus to both build upon past achievements and take our region to amazing new heights.” Billy Blanchard, is the Chair of the CEO Search Committee that selected Mitchell. “The selection process included a group of local leaders who are involved in every aspect of our community. We started last September (2019) with a rigorous process to find the most qualified applicant that would be a good fit for our community. We were delayed by the year-end holiday season and the Covid-19 pandemic, but from the beginning, Jerald stood out as the leader we needed at the Chamber. His history and portfolio of outstanding work at the Beltline and beyond, successfully demonstrates his
belief in the importance of community and economic development and we know it will be a good partnership for all.” As President and CEO of the Greater Columbus, GA Chamber, Mitchell will be the leader in developing and advancing both the Chamber and Columbus 2025 (the region’s strategic plan). “I was drawn to Columbus because the people that I've interacted with in Columbus were clear about the importance of building a more resilient economy and one that is more inclusive. I'm excited about expanding upon what this business community has started and about collaboratively bringing new ideas to the table.” After completing some projects at the ABI, Mitchell will officially begin work
on September 1, 2020. Halter noted to the crowd of about 100 community leaders, “This is an amazing occasion for our community. In partnership with our entire region and state, we are looking forward to the progress our community will make under Jerald’s leadership.” About the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce: The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce is an energetic and visionary organization in the Columbus Region that is committed to building a more prosperous community while preserving the democratic process. Learn more about the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce at , or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@colsgachamber | @choosecolumbusga).
June 25, 2020
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F RIENDSHIP B APTIST C HURCH
831 6 TH AVE C OLUMBUS , G A
Early Worship 8am Breakfast 9am Sunday School 9:30 am Morning Worship 11am Wednesday Prayer Meeting/Bible Study 7pm Thursday Noon Bible Study 12 noon Sunday Child Day Care Services Available For Those Attending Our Worship WEBSITE : friendshipbchurch.org (O FFICE )706.323-6996 (FAX ) 706.322.7596 (PASTOR ’ S HOME )706.561.6733 friendshipbaptistcolumbus@gmail.com or friendshipbc@juno.com Transportation available, must contact church office by Friday at 12:00 noon.
R EV. D R . E MMETT S. A NITON , J R PASTOR
P ROGRESSIVE F UNERAL H OME Evergreen Covington, CEO
4236 St. Mary’s Road Columbus, Georgia
706.685.8023 evergreenfc@mediacombb.net
Metropolitan Baptist Church 1635 5th Avenue . Columbus, Georgia
706.322.1488 Service Sunday School 9:30 A.M Monday Night Tuesday Bible Study Pastor Curtis Crocker, Jr.
Schedule Sunday Worship 11:00 A.M Prayer 6:00 P.M 12:00 P.M & 5:30 P.M
Mission Statement A growing church for growing Christians attempting to grow the Kingdom, one soul at a time.
Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church Corner of 3rd Avenue and 5th Street Rev. Dr. J.H. Flakes Jr. Way Columbus, Georgia 31901 706.324.2055 Rev. J.H. Flakes, III -Pastor Rev. Dr. J.H. Flakes, Jr. - Pastor Emeritus
Courier Thursday June 25, 2020
Page 7
Robert Landers Approved as New Director of The Columbus Civic Center City Manager Isaiah Hugley has selected Ryan Pruett to fill the position of the Columbus Civic Center.
many public/private partnerships were garnered, and attendee numbers increased per event.
Rob Landers comes to CCG with over 10 years’ experience in Event Operations and Venue Management. He has a proven record of successfully overseeing logistics and administration of Events, Security, Guest Services, C r o w d Management, Food Services and Operation.
“Rob’s knowledge, background, and experience in Venue management provides for a good transition for the City of Columbus. He comes highly recommended by my selection committee. I believe he will be a good fit for our communit y, ” s a i d C i t y Manager Isaiah Hugley.
Rob has executed successful events on a large scale at the Mercedes Benz stadium, and the Phillips Arena ranging from 5K-70K attendees. He is certified as a trained Crowd Management Instructor through the International Association of Venue Management; Risk and Incident Certified through the National Center of Spectator sports safety and security and SerSafe Manager, certified through the national Restaurant Association. He has successfully managed budgets exceeding $25M. His emphasis has been in the area of revenue enhancements and spectator experience. We are certain that we will see a strong emphasis on creating a world class venue while ensuring and creating that red-carpet experience. Under his leadership,
“I am thankful to the selection committee and the City of Columbus for this opportunity. My goal is to work with community partners in creating world events for the Columbus Civic Center. I’m look forward to building new relationships and eager to share my passion for producing memorable experiences”, says Rob Landers. Rob was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri but currently resides in the metro Atlanta area. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. He is currently on target to receive a master’s degree in December 2020 from the University of West Alabama in Business Administration. He has been married to Marissa Landers for 5 years Rob and Marissa have 3 children.
Ryan Pruett Approved as New Director of Inspections and Codes By Wane A. Hailes The Courier City Manager Isaiah Hugley has selected Ryan Pruett to fill the position of the Director of the Department of Inspections and Code. The City Manager will go before the Columbus Council for approval of his appointment on Tuesday, July 14th, the next scheduled business meeting of the Council. Ryan Pruett has been with CCG since 2016 and has successfully managed the construction of over $40 million in improvements to City infrastructure to include the River Road Roundabout, South Commons Softball Complex Renovations, Health Department Renovations, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Trail, Bibb Mill Riverwalk, and City Mill Riverwalk. Ryan has over ten years of construction experience as both a contractor and Owner’s Representative. Ryan has worked onprojects for various government agencies including US Army Corp of Engineers, US Department of State and NASA. “ Ryan’s knowledge, background, and experience in construction management will provide for a good transi-
tion to the Inspections & Code Department for the City of Columbus. He comes highly recommended by my selection committee of Deputy City Managers Pam Hodge and Lisa Goodwin, Finance Director Angelica Alexander, and H u m a n Resources D i r e c t o r R e a t h e r Hollowell. I believe he will be a good fit to lead this department,” said City Manager Isaiah Hugley. “I look forward to using my experience and passion for construction to work with the staff of the Inspections and Code Department and our construction industry partners to continue to deliver safe buildings and homes for the citizens and visitors of our community,” said Ryan Pruett. “I would like to thank the City of Columbus for this opportunity to serve the citizens of Columbus in this new role.” Ryan was born and raised in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He is a graduate of Purdue University, where he earned a bachelor ’s degree in Construction Engineering. He has been married to Amanda Pruett for 6 years. Ryan and Amanda have 3 children.