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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 25 Free Thursday August 13, 2020
A View From A Pew
Grassroots Activist Brother Love Helps Us Understand The Request for A Citizens Review Board With Subpeona Power
“Sorry But I Am Fresh Out Of Hookups” Page 3
Synovus Honors Smyre
Company Names Scholarship In His Name Page 7 Bishop Responds
Congressman Responds To Ethics Report Page 9 Columbus Cares
$34 Million Available For Local Businesses Page 11
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AUGUST 13, 2020 Really Elaine? Talking About A Waste of Taxpayers Dollars
Request for Proposals RFB No. 21-0009 COVID-19 Facility Decontamination Services/METRA (Annual Contract) Due: September 9, 2020 – 2:30 PM Heather Biddle, Buyer
According to the street committee on Tuesday Toyia Tucker won a runoff election for District 4 council seat against Elaine Gillispie; 704 votes to 288 votes. The election was not for the 4-year term that begins in January of 2021, she already won that on June 9th during the actual primary where she garnered 3,723 votes to 1,785 vote. This election was held to determine who would serve out the remaining four months of Evelyn Turner Pugh’s term. With Tucker’s win she will take over from Pastor Valerie Thompson who was appointed to serve out Pugh’s term until the June 9th special election. Thompson appeared on the ballot with Tucker and Gillispie of which Tucker won. However, she didn’t meet the 50% plus one vote needed to avoid a runoff. Thompson decided not to compete in the runoff leaving Gillispie who came in a distant 3rd. According to our sources Gillispie initially considered withdrawing as well but then decided to stay in despite her having no chance of winning. Although Gillispie had every right to do so, this was a perfect example of a waste of taxpayers dollars. It cost $55,000 for 992 to make a decision which was inevitable.
The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper *Any editorial content are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper, publisher or staff” The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper 1300 Wynnton Rd Suite 104 Columbus, Georgia 3190 Phone: 706.225.0106 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5747 Columbus, Ga 31906
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RFB No. 21-0005 Pest Control Services (Annual Contract) Due: September 2, 2020 – 2:30 PM Patti Postorino, Buyer 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
COURIER THURSDAY AUGUST 13, 2020
A VIEW FROM A PEW
3
I’m A Black Business Owner And I’m Fresh Out Of Hookups! Why is it that you think Black business owners owe you a “hook up” just because we are Black? If you eat at a Black owned restaurant great, but don’t expect them to throw in that peach cobbler, or extra piece of fish for free. Just because the restaurant is called “Grandma’s Cafe,” doesn’t mean the owner is your Grandma. If you want some free peach cobbler or fish, you need to go home and ask your “Nana” to fix you some. Pay the price on the menu. Why is it you would rather pay $300 to $500 for a name brand suit at Dillard’s, Macy’s or J.C. Penny’s rather than pay $150 to $200 for the exact same name brand suit from a Black business owner? Explain that to me “like I’m a four-year-old.” Why, if you do decide to purchase the suit from the Black business owner do you still insist on a “hook up,” a “discount” a “come on, help a Brotha’ or Sista’ out?” I’d like to see you go to one of the major retail establishments and ask them for a “hook up,” a “discount,” a “come on, help a Brotha or ’Sista’ out”. They’ll help you out alright, they will have security help you right out the door. Black business owners, why, when it comes to advertising your business with the local Black radio station, or local Black newspaper, which, by the way, “targets” the market you want to reach, it’s “ya’ll must be crazy. Ya’ll are too high,” I’m not paying that,” “Can you “hook me up” with some extra spots or an additional ad? All I
have is $150.” Why, after all that crying and whining you will then go down the street and pay ten times that amount of money to advertise on the “Other” radio station, or in the “Other” newspaper that somehow convinces you that they know more about your “target market” and how to increase traffic to your place of business than the Black business professionals you just left. Please tell me why is it, as Black folks we have no problem paying the “Other“ man whatever he asks with no question, but the “Brother man” has to justify his prices and his knowledge. Like Virginia Slims we as a people “have come a long way, baby.” It’s time for us to realize just because it’s “White” doesn’t automatically mean it’s “right”. Most Black business owners aren’t in business to become millionaires. They are in it because they care about the Black community. They are happy if they are at least able to make a decent living. They are happy being able to say they don’t have to work for the “Other” man. Do you think you can allow them to do that without expecting a “hook up?” We will never “get ahead” until we get it “in our heads” that we need to stop asking for a “hook up” and start “hooking up our Black businesses, Black organizations and Black people as a whole. So, the next time you see me, don’t even ask, because I’m fresh out of “Hook Ups.”
Wane A. Hailes
August 13, 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
OPINION
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Thursday August 13, 2020
An Inspiring Straight No Chaser Message By Brother Love SPECIAL NOTE: Hector Rodrigo Arreola (August 2014-January 2017) was the son of Rodrigo of Concepcion Arreola. He cried out 16 times telling police officers that he could not breathe while a 300 pound officer sat on his back. He died while in the custody of the Columbus Police Department. Hector Arreola is our Eric Garner and our George Floyd. His death has now been ruled a homicide. He must not be the forgotten one. His name and all the others should be the battle cry of every local activist seeking police reform and civilian oversight in Columbus, Georgia. Please keep the Arreola family lifted up in your Please also remember our brother Hector Rodrigo Arreola. Let the call ring loud and the message be clear... JUSTICE FOR HECTOR!!!
PART I Just as former-Mayor Teresa Pike Tomlinson hoodwinked the public in 2016 when she stated that a citizens review board with subpoena power in the state of Georgia was unconstitutional according to the law, now there are others attempting to hoodwink the public into believing the false notion that citizens are not qualified or trustworthy to have subpoena power. Strange thing, as fact is often stranger than fiction, those of whom I make
reference to are some of the same people suggesting Sisters United go and better educate themselves on the facts. I say to them that they should either go better educate themselves so they will know what they are talking about, or maybe they should just be more truthful about what they put out to the public. For those truth seekers among you, know that we already have a board of citizens with subpoena power as the Columbus City Council. That board of our fellow citizens is called the Personnel Review Board, and, as stated, it definitely has subpoena power, which has never been any problem. The PRB had subpoena power long before the Public Safety Advisory Commission was formed or even thought of. The current Mayor and most all of the councilors know that, or they certainly should know it by now. I know it to be the truth, and have known it for quite some time. As a competent and dedicated community activist it has been my job to know these things, and not just to know but to report as much of the facts and the truth as I discover or can uncover. I write it, but it is up to you to get around whatever your personal prejudice or dislike happens to be and read it. The truth I tell is the truth that I have always told. The Personnel Review Board with subpoena power can uphold or overturn the disciplinary decisions of an elected or appointed official in charge of an office or department within the Columbus Consolidated Government. I am telling you that a CCG employee that has been terminated by the executive official in charge of an office or department can appeal the disciplinary action to the PRB. The PRB could review the matter and concur with the decision to terminate the employee. Now, what you must understand is that the very same PRB could
review the case, hear from the employee and all other witnesses, and then decide to overturn the decision to terminate the employee. The chief executive official, be that person appointed or elected, has no further say in the matter. It is the end of the story.
disciplinary action imposed by the Chief of Police on any police officer or civilian employee of CPD. The proposed board is a non-disciplinary board as has been requested for seventeen (17) years. No one has ever asked anything other than a non-disciplinary board, and certainly not anyone I have been associated with or supported.
The chief executive has no appeal after the PRB renders an official decision. The employee has no further appeal after the board renders its decision. I have witness it turn out both ways. The decision is a binding decision on all parties concerned. This means that even an elected official can suspend an employee for three (3) days and the PRB could overturn that decision and send the employee straight back to work, and, get this, with or without or back pay.
The ordinance sponsored by Councilor Clairmont Jerry "Pops" Barnes calls for a board that will only review "closed" cases, especially those involving the use of deadly force or excessive force, and submit a non-binding recommendation to the Mayor, Chief of Police, and the City Council in a report. That non-binding recommendation may concur or be nonconcurring with the disciplinary action, but it hardly matters. The recommendation is advisory only. Whatever the Chief of Police has decided should be done in the case has been done and is the final word. There is not a thing any one, two, or all eleven board members together can do even if they wanted to. So exactly how is that the threat they are telling the public and fellow law enforcement officers that it is to their careers?
The PRB is quite a powerful board of citizens with subpoena power that works just fine. There have not been any problems or complaints about the PRB having power far beyond that of the power to subpoena. The Chief of Police or the Fraternal Order or Police or the Police Benevolent Association have not complained about the PRB having the all the power and authority it has plus power subpoena power. The Personnel Review Board cannot fire an employee, but it can make sure you remained fired and looking for a new job. Comparatively, a citizens review board, which in my opinion it should be referred to as, having subpoena power as proposed will have absolutely no power to exact any punishment whatsoever against any Columbus Police Department officer, or to overturn any
There is no double-jeopardy attached to the proposed citizens review board with subpoena power as the public is being led to believe. There can be no illegal secondary disciplinary action due to pressure from the CRB. That is all false, but they have the audacity to insult your intelligence just saying things they know are not true. Good police officers should be afraid of the ones amongst them spreading this propaganda, and maybe they are in some ways if you think about. Many are probably very afraid of being ostracized and being called a traitor if they don't fall in line, which is actually even more reason for greater civilian oversight with permanent subpoena power. (Message continued in Part II)
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COVER STORY
Thursday August 13, 2020
Synovus Contributes $1M to UNCF, Names Scholarship to Honor Rep. Calvin Smyre sistent racial and educational inequalities,” said Kessel D. Stelling, Synovus chairman and CEO. “Synovus is deeply committed to taking action, and we’re proud to support UNCF and its vital work to close these gaps through education. “We also couldn’t be more pleased to honor the legacy of our friend Calvin Smyre, who has dedicated his life to public service for the people of Columbus and the entire state of Georgia. Calvin represents the best of the banking industry and Synovus and is the epitome of HBCU excellence.”
Synovus today announced a $1 million contribution to UNCF for the establishment of The Synovus/Calvin Smyre Scholarship Fund. The fund will provide scholarships for African American students to attend historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other institutions of higher education in Synovus’ five-state footprint. “Our country has been bluntly reminded of the work that remains to ensure equal opportunities and to address persistent racial and educational inequalities” “Our country has been bluntly reminded of the work that remains to ensure equal opportunities and to address per-
One scholarship annually will be designated for a student enrolled at Smyre’s beloved alma mater, Fort Valley State University (FVSU), an HBCU in Fort Valley, GA, where he serves as Chairman of the FVSU Foundation. A Columbus native, Smyre represents Columbus-Muscogee County in the Georgia House of Representatives. He was elected in 1974 and, as a 46year veteran, is the longest-serving member of the Georgia General Assembly. Smyre’s legislative record includes authoring the bill making Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a state holiday, co-sponsoring the historic legislation creating a new Georgia state flag, crafting legislation authorizing the HOPE Scholarship Program, and co-sponsoring HB 426, the Georgia Hate Crimes Act, which was recently signed into law.
in such a meaningful way.” Smyre joined Synovus in 1976 as a management trainee and retired in 2014 as executive vice president of corporate affairs. “Synovus is a valued partner of UNCF and this contribution is a powerful validation of our work to support HBCUs and improve the lives of HBCU students,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF’s president and CEO. “It is also a fitting tribute to State Representative Smyre, who has made many invaluable contributions for decades as a public servant and a supporter of both the UNCF and our member HBCUs.” “This has certainly come full circle for me,” said Representative Smyre. “Everyone who knows me understands my passion for financially assisting students seeking higher education. I have committed my life to pursuing equality and improving the quality of life in Georgia throughout my career in the Georgia House of Representatives and my work on behalf of UNCF. I’m especially proud of my four decades-long association with UNCF to help further its mission of providing access to higher education for African Americans in my hometown of Columbus and across the country. And I am now honored to be the namesake of Synovus’ generous gift and clear commitment to increasing educational opportunities for African Americans across the Southeast. Synovus has long been a special part of my life, and I am both humbled and grateful to be recognized
Synovus Financial Corp. is a financial services company based in Columbus, Georgia, with approximately $54 billion in assets. Synovus provides commercial and retail banking, investment, and mortgage services through 294 branches in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. Synovus Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Synovus, has been recognized as one of the country’s “Most Reputable Banks” by American Banker and the Reputation Institute. Synovus is on the web at synovus.com, and on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. About UNCF UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.”® Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter @UNCF.
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COMMUNITY IMA Food Distribution
Thursday August 13, 2020
COVER STORY
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Thursday August 13, 2020
Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Responds to Ethics Committee Report who has dedicated her life in service to the community. In addition, she is dealing with a debilitating and incurable health issue. Any disparaging accusations towards her, true or not from the congressman, would not play well at all, especially in this community. When he gets through this, and he will, for those of you who abandoned him during this time, if you notice me giving you the side eye the next time I see you “under the tent” you’ll know why. On the following pages is the Congressman’s response to the findings of the ethics committee report.
By Wane A. Hailes The Courier I have to tell you as I write this, I am angry, I’m perturbed, and I’m vexed. I have all of these emotions because of the sudden lack of support, consideration and confidence in Congressman Sanford D. Bishop. A man we all know is beyond reproach when it comes to knowingly doing anything unethical regarding his position as our congressman. I am not saying he is perfect, and in spite of how bad the report may seem, I am more than comfortable stating once again, without a shadow of doubt, he would not knowingly do anything unethical that would embarrass himself, his family or the constituents of the 2nd Congressional District he represents. What specifically angers me, however, are those individuals who have known him longer than me who have been quick to “jump ship”, bow to gossip and innuendo, and result to whispering behind his back. These are some of the same individuals who have spent the Tuskegee/Morehouse and Fountain City HBCU Classics under his tent eating his food and celebrating the annual events. The bottom line…sure the buck stops with him. When you are working with and for the government rules and regulations change constantly, weekly, monthly, yearly and with different administrations. Because of the constant changes he has to depend on the people he hires to do their job and make sure he is always in compliance. Unfortunately, according to the findings of the ethics committee after an extensive investigation he is in a lose, lose situation. If he tries to defend himself it will only appear as though he is throwing his employee under the bus. Like him, she is an individual who is well beloved and one
Dear Chairman Deutch and Ranking Member Marchant: We write on behalf of Representative Sanford Bishop, in response to the Report and Findings in this review, transmitted by the Office of Congressional Ethics (“OCE”) and provided by the Committee on Ethics to Representative Bishop. We ask that the Committee release this response to the public, along with the Report and Findings. INTRODUCTION The Report and Findings present deficiencies in the recordkeeping, reporting and compliance functions of Representative Bishop’s principal campaign committee, Sanford Bishop for Congress (“the Campaign”), that persisted over an extended period of time. However, as the Findings show, Representative Bishop has acknowledged these deficiencies and taken steps to correct them. Before the OCE notified Representative Bishop of the review, after the Campaign’s current treasurer returned from a Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) training seminar that the Congressman urged her to attend, the Congressman initiated efforts to bring the Campaign into compliance. When the OCE review began, Representative Bishop cooperated completely. After that review ended, the Congressman and his Campaign continued to take remedial measures, even during the disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The remedial measures taken by Representative Bishop have included
the following: - The issuance of personal checks by the Congressman to the Campaign for reimbursement of dues payments and certain other expenses; - The training and installation of a new treasurer to oversee the Campaign’s activities; - The engagement of an outside compliance firm, headed by an expert with thirty-seven years of experience, to prepare and file the Campaign’s reports with the FEC; - The performance of a complete financial reconciliation of the Campaign’s activities, to culminate in the filing of comprehensive amendments to the Campaign’s FEC reports during the period covered by OCE’s review; - The termination of automated campaign payments for monthly bills at Green Island Country Club, Inc. and Stonebridge Golf and Country Club— which the Campaign used for its annual flagship fundraising event, and which Representative Bishop used for other campaign and officially-connected purposes; and - To avoid any question regarding his compliance as to the four annual constituent events questioned by OCE’s report, despite their clear officially-connected purpose, the issuance of a personal check in the amount of $16,087.87 to reimburse the U.S. Treasury for the costs of these events. The OCE recognizes that Representative Bishop “cooperated with the review” and “exhibited a genuine desire to correct certain issues that arose during the course of his review.” OCE Findings ¶ 5. Having fully cooperated with the OCE, Representative Bishop is prepared to work with the Committee toward an appropriate resolution to this matter. Representative Bishop acknowledges that mistakes were made by his campaign and that he should have provided better oversight on these matters. This is a responsibility he does not take lightly, and he intends to make sure careless errors like this never happen again. Serving the people of Georgia’s Second Congressional District is the greatest honor of his life and Representative Bishop will continue to focus on addressing the important needs of his constituents during this incredibly chal-
lenging time. DISCUSSION Representative Bishop has represented Georgia’s Second Congressional District since his election in 1992. Over the years, the flagship fundraising event for his campaign, Sanford Bishop for Congress (the “Campaign”) has been a golf tournament which was held initially at Stonebridge Golf and Country Club in Albany, Georgia and then at Green Island Country Club in Columbus, Georgia. The Campaign paid for the costs of these events. The Campaign’s reports were prepared and filed by its treasurer, who had served in that role since 1993. After the treasurer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, which slowly progressed, the Campaign engaged another individual as her assistant, with the intention of ultimately having her succeed the treasurer. At Representative Bishop’s request, in August 2019, before the OCE review began or was known to him, the thenassistant treasurer attended the Federal Election Commission’s Regional Conference in Chicago, Illinois, and participated in the technical workshops designed for Federal Candidates, Parties, and PAC’s. See Report and Findings at ¶¶ 35-36. Immediately upon her return from the conference, she informed Representative Bishop that she became aware that some practices of the Campaign appeared to be inconsistent with FEC guidelines. Id. ¶ 39. Because the then-treasurer’s condition had worsened considerably in the preceding months, and Representative Bishop had now been made aware that there were questions about the Campaign’s compliance with FEC guidelines, Representative Bishop initiated steps to bring his campaign into compliance and promoted the assistant to the role of treasurer on September 9, 2019. See id. at ¶ 40. Seven days later, on September 16, 2019, OCE initiated a preliminary review regarding whether Representative Bishop’s Campaign “reported campaign disbursements that may not have been legitimate and verifiable campaign expenditures attributable to bona fide campaign or political See Bishop Continues Page 10
Page 10 purposes.” See OCE Initiation of a Preliminary Review. Immediately upon receipt of OCE’s Notice of Preliminary Review, Representative Bishop advised OCE that he intended to fully cooperate with the review and the requests for information. See id. at ¶ 5. And as noted by OCE in the Report and Findings, Representative Bishop and the new treasurer fully cooperated with the OCE’s requests for information by producing all responsive documents and records that they could locate. See id. at ¶ 42. In addition, Representative Bishop and the new treasurer made themselves available for interviews by OCE. Representative Bishop responded to each of OCE’s requests to the best of his ability, knowledge, information, and belief.
The evidence developed by OCE supports Representative Bishop’s lack of bad faith. See id. at ¶ 41. During the review, however, it became clear to him that while many of the expenses paid for by the Campaign were related to bona fide campaign and official activities, others were not. See id. at ¶ 5. For example, while the Campaign properly paid for the costs associated the golf fundraising events, it also paid for Representative Bishop’s memberships at the Stonebridge and Green Island Country Clubs, which he used to build and maintain relationships with his constituents and donors. Although Representative Bishop was not aware at the time, he now understands that
BISHOP CONTINUED... Campaign funds should not be used to pay for memberships at country clubs. To respond to these issues, before the OCE review had even concluded, Representative Bishop began the process of taking remedial steps necessary to bring his campaign into full compliance: First, the new treasurer continues to fill her role and has received the proper training to ensure that all campaign expenditures are properly made and fully documented. Second, following the document production and interview phases of OCE’s review, Representative Bishop engaged our law firm to conduct a full review of the Campaign’s bank and financial information and its FEC reports from 2013 to the present date so that the Campaign can file amended reports with the FEC and take any other necessary corrective measures. The Campaign is accordingly filing comprehensive amendments with the FEC to its past reports. Third, Representative Bishop has terminated the practice of using Campaign funds to pay for membership dues at Green Island Country Club and Stonebridge Golf and Country Club. Representative Bishop now pays personally for all such memberships and he has reimbursed his Campaign for dues payments and other disburse-
ments made to these country clubs. Fourth, Representative Bishop retained Whitney Wyatt Burns, one of the most experienced compliance consultants in the Washington D.C. area, with thirtyseven years of experience, to prepare and file the Campaign’s FEC reports going forward. Fifth, on December 31, 2019, Representative Bishop reimbursed the Campaign for the amount that his wife mistakenly withdrew from his Campaign account in April 2019. See id. ¶ 89. Sixth, on June 2, 2020, Representative Bishop reimbursed the U.S. Treasury for the cost of the four annual constituent events for which he paid using t h e M e m b e r ’s R e p r e s e n t a t i o n a l Allowance (the “MRA”), and which OCE disputed. Although OCE briefly asked during the interview about the annual event, Representative Bishop did not know that the event’s eligibility for MRA payment was at issue until after the review was over. Representative Bishop had no opportunity to confront this late charge against him, even though House rules require OCE to provide him with a description of the specific matter and a statement of the nature of the review, and even though they provide further that OCE should act in accordance with constitutional rights and protections. Had Representative Bishop been given the opportunity to confront this charge, he would have maintained that, when he held the annual events, he understood that payment from the MRA was permissible, because the events
Thursday August 13, 2020 included official programming. The events allowed his district staff to meet constituents, including field representatives who normally work only in certain of the 29 counties comprising his district, and thus do not normally interact with constituents from the other counties. The attendees included local elected officials, ministers, sheriffs, community leaders and other constituents. Still, Representative Bishop chose to reimburse the Treasury voluntarily for these events. While he believed at the time that MRA payment was permissible, he seeks to resolve any question regarding the propriety of the payments by making the reimbursement. Although Representative Bishop believes his reading of the application of the governing regulation was reasonable, he does not seek to dispute the matter further. Rather, he would prefer to accept that his understanding was disputed and take the remedial step of correcting it. Representative Bishop is committed to bring his Campaign into full compliance and to avoid mistakes in the future. We are prepared to work with him toward that end, and to cooperate with the Committee toward a proper resolution of the allegations transmitted by OCE. Thank you for your consideration. Very truly yours, Brian G. Svoboda Aria C. Branch Counsel to Representative Sanford Bishop
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COVER STORY
Thursday August 13, 2020
Columbus Cares Covid Relief Fund...$34 Mil Available to Local Small Businesses By Wane A. Hailes The Courier The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) provides vital resources to local organizations for recovery of COVID-19 necessary related expenses that are
not reimbursed by any other source. The federal funds for CARES has been sent to the state of Georgia, and those monies will be distributed through the Columbus, GA Consolidated Government. (CCG) CCG will awards funds available
through CARES to non-profit agencies, small businesses; arts organizations; community assistance organizations and medical/health organizations. The requirement that expenditures be incurred ‘due to’ the public health emergency means that expenditures must be used for actions taken to respond
to the public health emergency. Eligible expenses must be: - COVID-19 necessary related expenses - Expenses NOT reimbursed by any other source
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COMMUNITY IMA Food Distribution
Thursday August 13, 2020
Pagina 2
13 de agosto 2020
COVER STORY
Lo que debe saber sobre las consultas detales para el regreso a la escuela sultas dentales han cambiado en la era de la COVID-19. Al hacer su cita, pregunte acerca de los procedimientos de la sala de espera, si puede volver con su hijo y otras consideraciones.
(StatePoint) A medida que las escuelas en todo el país deciden cómo se reabrirán para el semestre de otoño, es importante programar la consulta dental de su hijo para asegurarse de que tenga una buena salud bucal. “Una visita de regreso a la escuela puede ayudar a detectar y ocuparse de cualquier problema de modo que su hijo no tenga que faltar a clases una vez que comience la escuela. También es un buen momento para volver al buen camino si algunos de los hábitos dentales de su hijo se han apartado un tanto de las rutinas normales”, dice la Dra. Ruchi Sahota, portavoz de la Asociación Dental Estadounidense (ADA).
Según la Dra. Sahota y los expertos de la ADA, éstas son algunas cosas que los padres deben tener en cuenta: • Pida cita a tiempo: Muchos dentistas están viendo diariamente a menos pacientes que antes de que los consultorios dentales se cerraran a principios de este año para consultas de rutina. Esto tiene por objeto garantizar que se sigan todos los protocolos de orientación y seguridad basados en la ciencia. Tenga esto en cuenta esto y llame para programar una cita tan pronto como sea posible. Esto ayudará a garantizar que su hijo entre antes de que comience la escuela. • Sepa qué debe esperar: Las con-
“Algunas cosas del consultorio dental pueden verse diferentes, así que hable con su hijo antes de la cita y hágale saber que estos cambios están en vigor a fin de mantener a las personas seguras. Por ejemplo, su dentista puede estar usando diferentes equipos de protección como mascarillas que cubran una mayor superficie de su rostro, así como gafas, pantallas faciales y batas”, dice la Dra. Sahota. “Todo puede parecerle extraño a su hijo, pero una conversación previamente puede ayudar a tranquilizarlo. Recuérdele que debajo de la mascarilla y la pantalla sigue estando su mismo médico”. • Por qué son importantes las revisiones: La mala salud bucal puede tener un efecto perjudicial en la calidad de vida y el futuro de un niño; no obstante, la prevención y la detección temprana de los trastornos dentales pueden ayudar a evitar el dolor, problemas para comer, dificultad para hablar y ausencias escolares.
dentales son más comunes de lo que puede imaginar. La caries dental (picadura) es uno de los trastornos crónicos más comunes de la infancia en los Estados Unidos, según informan los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades, donde alrededor de uno de cada cinco niños de 5 a 11 años de edad tiene al menos un diente cariado no atendido. En la consulta, pregúntele a su dentista sobre la salud dental general de su hijo, así como si detectó alguna caries. Éste también es un buen momento para preguntar acerca de los selladores, que pueden reducir el riesgo de caries en un 80 por ciento. Si su hijo practica deportes, una consulta dental también es una oportunidad de que su dentista revise el desgaste y ajuste de su protector bucal. Puede encontrar a un dentista cerca de usted visitando FindaDentist.ada.org. Para obtener más consejos y recursos de salud dental, visite MouthHealthy.org. Para enviar a su hijo a clase con una sonrisa sana, es importante programar una visita dental para el regreso a la escuela. No sólo es algo exigido por algunos distritos escolares, sino que es esencial para la salud oral y general.
Tenga en cuenta que los problemas
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S ERVING C OLUMBUS , F T. B ENNING , P HENIX C ITY & S URROUNDING A REAS
La voz de la comunidad hispana Vol. 15
Edición 25 Gratis
Jueves 13 de agosto 2020
Lo que debe saber sobre las consultas dentales para el regreso a la escuela
Médico forense Reglas La muerte de Héctor Arreola es un homicidio.
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