UPW Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

Tyrone Brooks responds to federal indictment; resigns after 3 decades as state legislator

APRIL 16 - 22, 2015 VOL. 4 NO. 31

Abuse by private probation companies pits Richmond County against the poor Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

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COMMENTARY

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 16 - 22,

NEWS

3

2015

Augusta attorney Jack Long must be credited for raising awareness of abuses by private probation companies. Photo by Brant Sanderlin, AJC.

Poor must pay fees or be jailed for misdemeanors U.S. Justice Department asked to look into private probation company abuses here

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA What does Ferguson, Missouri and Augusta, Georgia have in common?

They both have aspects of their criminal justice systems that assess fees for petty offenses to people who can least afford to pay them.

In both Ferguson and Augusta one can wind up in jail if one doesn’t have money to pay the fines.

The U.S. Supreme Court decades ago ruled that “debtors prisons” were unconstitutional, yet through technicalities, collusion or ignorance among local judges and state legis-

lators, low-income citizens can find themselves in jail for unpaid fees.

In Ferguson the feds said that the system was designed to generate revenue and in Augusta, a local attorney dubbed the practice “cash register probation.”

Here’s how it works in Ferguson and Augusta. If you are charged with a minor infraction — say a speeding ticket or public intoxication — you will be assessed a fine. For most folks that’s an inconvenience, but if you are unemployed, or just struggling financially, it’s a big deal.

If you cannot pay the fine in full — right then and there — in Augusta, you are turned over to a private pro-

bation company. Yes, you are placed on probation!

And once in the clutches of the private “for-profit” probation company, your fees can double or triple or quadruple beyond your ability to make the monthly payments. In essence, you are charged for the right of the private “for-profit” probation company to “supervise” your “probation.”

If you cannot pay, you are threatened with jail — and many do wind up there.

Georgia leads the nation in the use of private probation companies.

Why? Because the private probation “hustlers” offer their services for free.

It wasn’t always this way. Georgia

started using these probation companies in 1991. In Richmond County, Sentinel Offender Services is the big dog. Statewide, critics of these services suggest that about 80 percent of those on probation are in the clutches of these for-profit probation services. And these companies rake in millions ($80 million is the estimate) each year from those who can least afford to pay. On any given day the total number of people on probation with private companies could exceed 175,000, according to Human Rights Watch, an organization that has documented abuses under the system.

Continued on the next page

UrbanProWeekly - APRIL 16 - 22, 2015

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Probation from page 3 Thanks to organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Human Rights Watch, the Southern Center, independent journalists and private attorneys like Augusta’s Jack Long and John Bell, these private probation companies and the municipalities that have grown to rely on them (Richmond County and Columbia County), moves are being made to level the playing field.

Augusta Chronicle writer Sandy Hodson has covered these challenges quite comprehensively.

Local attorney John Long recently reached out to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder about the activities of Sentinel Offender Services. According to Hodson, Long cited the case of Hills McGee, a disabled veteran living on $250 a month, who wound up in jail because he couldn’t pay Sentinel a $180 fee.

Long wrote to Holder that the McGee case is just one example of how Richmond County’s criminal justice system is being corrupted by looking upon courts as “profit centers.”

Sentinel operates in Richmond County under Georgia law by the pleasure of the Richmond County courts and with the blessings of the Richmond County Commission.

Each year, State Court Judge Richard Slaby must come before the commissioners to get the Sentinel contract approved. And each year he is successful.

Long asked Holder to investigate the use of private probation companies in Richmond County and the state.

In 2014 the Georgia state legislature passed legislation that actually

UPW

URBANPROWEEKLY.COM

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Urban Pro Weekly LLC 3529 Monte Carlo Drive Augusta, GA 30906 Executive Publisher BEN HASAN 706-394-9411 bzhasan54@yahoo.com

gave the private probation companies greater powers and decreased transparency.

That they could pull that off is a testament to the lobbying prowess of these private probation companies.

These companies have a “license to steal” and the larger ones are awash with cash and they know how to use it to lobby the state legislature and local governments to keep them in the fold.

Organizations like the Community Corrections Association of Georgia (CCAG) boast as members the CSRA Probation Service Inc. and Sentinel Offender Services and they are active on behalf of their clients.

To his credit, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal vetoed the 2014 legislation and formed a bipartisan council to propose changes in the criminal justice system. He then asked the council to follow up on a state audit’s finding that the ways courts oversaw misdemeanor probation led to abuse.

This year new legislation did pass both the state House and Senate. Deal is likely to sign that legislation. The new legislation includes language that reflects the council’s reform recommendations for better oversight and transparency and places a cap on the fees to private companies that oversee “pay only” probation. The new legislation stresses that the judges must determine an offenders ability to pay and waive or modify fees and penalties for the indigent.

Although this legislation, should it be signed into law, is a step in the right direction, it is little comfort to those who feel that judges should have been doing this all along.

It still permits the private probation industry to flourish in Richmond County and elsewhere in the state.

Executive Managing Editor FREDERICK BENJAMIN SR. 706-306-4647 editor@urbanproweekly.com Sales & Marketing 706-394-9411 Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media View Urbanproweekly on Facebook

DeKalb settles lawsuit over jailing of poor defendants

By Carrie Teegardin The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ATLANTA DeKalb County has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit accusing it of improperly jailing poor people who couldn’t afford misdemeanor probation plans at Recorder’s Court.

The settlement comes as DeKalb County is restructuring its courts as required under new legislation that eliminates its Recorder’s Court and transfers its traffic cases to DeKalb County State Court.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the federal lawsuit in January on behalf of 19-year-old Kevin Thompson, who was placed on probation because he didn’t have enough money to immediately pay a fine for a driving offense.

A 1983 U.S. Supreme Court case prohibits judges from revoking probation for a failure to pay if a defendant is indigent and the failure to pay is not willful.

Yet when Thompson failed to come up with $838 to pay off fines and fees during 30 days on probation, a Recorder’s Court judge sent him to jail.

Under the settlement announced Thursday, DeKalb County did not admit wrongdoing. But DeKalb and the other defendants, which include the court’s chief judge and the probation company Judicial Correction Services, agreed to pay $70,000. The defendants also agreed to implement a system to protect poor defendants from improper jailings and make sure they are aware of their right to an attorney.

Being poor is not a crime, and these measures will help ensure that people’s freedom will not rest on their ability to pay traffic fines and fees they cannot afford,” said ACLU attorney Nusrat Choudhury.

Unlike most states, Georgia places many people on probation not because they need supervision, but because they simply need time to pay off traffic fines. The overall cost of an offense often doubles once probation fees are added to the tab.

Reforms for Georgia’s entire misdemeanor probation system are now being considered by the General Assembly. Pending legislation includes a clear requirement that the state’s judges examine a defendant’s finances

before revoking probation for a failure to pay.

Choudhury said part of the settlement of the DeKalb case involves the adoption of a “bench card” to instruct judges on how to determine a defendant’s ability to pay. The card will also offer alternatives to jail. She said this and other elements of the settlement could be adopted by other courts.

The court restructuring in DeKalb also could create a model for other courts in handling defendants too poor to pay traffic fines, even though its probation system is not what led the General Assembly to restructure the county’s courts.

Recent questions about whether DeKalb Recorder’s Court actually had jurisdiction over state traffic offenses prompted passage of a bill to create a new traffic division in DeKalb County State Court and close the Recorder’s Court. Gov. Nathan Deal signed the legislation earlier this month.

But the restructuring has prompted a different approach to processing traffic cases. DeKalb Recorder’s Court outsourced its probation work to a for-profit company and placed thousands of people on “pay only” probation with the company every year.

As it begins to process cases, the new traffic division of DeKalb County State Court isn’t placing people on probation if they need time to pay a traffic fine. Instead, Chief Judge Wayne Purdom has prescribed a program that is deferring sentences for two- or sixweek periods if people need time to pay. The system seems to be working, Purdom said.

“So far we have only had follow-up calendars on the two-week resets,” Purdom said. “Most of these folks are people who have said they can pay the fine by the next paycheck. They are doing so at a 90 percent rate.”

Purdom said he should have a better of idea by July of how well the new system will work in the long run, but he said he expects to cut in half the number of referrals to probation for payment only.

“The folks who do wind up on probation — mostly to do community service in lieu of a fine when they are unable to pay the fine by the deferred sentencing date — will be monitored by the DeKalb County probation rather than a private probation company,” Purdom said.

5

THE CITY

State civil rights icon resigns from legislature State Rep. Tyrone Brooks stepping down in wake of federal indictment for financial misconduct.

a pre-sentencing report be prepared within 70 days. Afterward, acting U.S. Attorney John Horn declined to say whether his office will recommend Brooks serve time in prison.

The government accused Brooks of systematically defrauding corporate and personal donors, from whom he solicited contributions

for a pair of organizations he led.

He asked for, and often received, large corporate checks from Atlanta business titans Coca-Cola, Georgia Pacific Corp., Georgia Power and Northside Hospital to fund his work through the Universal Humanities charity and the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials.

TEXT OF REP. BROOKS’ LETTER After 35 enjoyable and successful years in the Georgia House of Representatives, I have decided to shift my priorities and transition back to fulltime Civil Human Rights work. I have decided to make the Moore’s Ford Bridge Lynching’s in Monroe, GA, my number #1 priority.

After leading the 12th Annual March on The Bridge on Saturday, April 4th, commemorating the 47th Anniversary of my Leader and Hero Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I made my final decision on Easter Sunday at the square in downtown Covington while remembering the 1970 movement, where I was almost killed

by Sheriff Henry Odum Jr. Moore’s Ford is special because it’s been a part of my life since 1968.

As you know, it was on Dr. King’s agenda from 1946 to 1968. So many of my colleagues involved in this movement have just recently passed . . . plus many more others are declining in health. Other Moore’s Ford suspects and witness are also passing away rapidly.

That’s why I have to devote all my time and energy to this movement before my time is up.

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ATLANTA State Rep. Tyrone Brooks resigned his seat in the House last Thursday (April 9, 2015), hours before pleading guilty to one count of federal tax fraud and no contest to five more charges of mail and wire fraud.

Thursday’s hearing marks the close of a criminal case that began with a 30-count indictment more than two years ago. Brooks was hired as a young man by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. over 40 years ago.

The veteran Atlanta Democrat and civil rights worker showed little emotion as he answered dozens of questions from U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg and left without speaking to reporters.

Brooks faces up to three years in federal prison for the tax charge and 20 years for each of the mail and wire fraud charges, as well as up to $1.5 million in fines plus restitution.

He will not learn his sentence for several months. Totenberg ordered

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 16 - 22,

NEWS

UrbanProWeekly - APRIL 16 - 22, 2015

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South Augusta Federally Qualified Health Center Joins the fight for Rural Health

( t J o s c Z d ( g D

What if we told you there are two medical facilities within a short drive that meet or exceeds the standards of any healthcare organizations providing primary healthcare services within the South Eastern United States. What if we told you your financial status or language were nonfactors in your ability to access these services. Well, that is what we are telling you.

Medical Associates Plus (MAP) is a state of the art Federally Qualified Health Center. The Organization received the designation from the United States Department of Health and Human Services in 2007, the first in Augusta. The team of Physicians, Physicians Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and supporting staff offer a multitude of services vital to healthcare

for South Augusta and the surrounding area. The Organization is fully committed to improving healthcare in Rural Georgia. Treatment and screening of heart disease in women ( heart disease causes 1 in 3 deaths every year for women), Cancer and other Disease Examinations, Preventive Physicals, Chronic Care Management which includes Hypertension, Diabetes and Obesity, and Women’s Health (Pap Smears and Referrals for Mammograms) are all within the grasp of our community. The in-house pharmacy provides easy access to life saving and preventative medication without the effort of travelling to an alternate location. There is also a dental office at the Augusta location of MAP. Chief Executive Officer J.R. Richards and MAP’s

Leadership Team is confident the potent combination of education and access to affordable healthcare services will be a formidable foe against illness and disease in the CSRA. The tandem of Dr. Angela Overstreet-Wright, Chief Medical Officer and Dr. James Ford and their staff will serve on the front lines of the relentless battle against some of the health disparities that have plagued our society.

Our mission is to provide quality and affordable primary health care to residents of Greater Augusta and the surrounding areas.

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Please make an appointment or schedule a visit at the following locations: 2467 Golden Camp Road, Augusta, GA 30906 (706) 790-4440 501 East Broad Street, Wrens, GA 30833 (706) 547-2559

2015

Laney and Hephzibah soccer players battle for control of the ball during a game at Laney stadium.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

7 UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 16 - 22,

(Above) GRU softball pitcher Haley Birkle winds up for the pitch during the second game of a double-header against Lander at the Diamond Jags field. GRU defeated the Lady Bearcats in both games; 9-3 in game one and 4-3 in game two. It was Pink Out for Strikeout Cancer Day, sponsored by the Zeta Tau Alpha Greek organization of GRU to support cancer awareness. The Jags wore their pink-alternate jerseys and the ZTA’s were on site to give out information and prizes, while accepting donations towards fighting cancer.

(Below) GRU softball catcher Mallory Ferguson gets one right in the glove during the second game of a double-header against Lander at the Diamond Jags field. Photos by Vincent Hobbs

SPORTS

UrbanProWeekly - APRIL 16 - 22, 2015

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MUSIC

Enigmatic Music of Celia Gary

The

Musician Celia Gary poses for a photo in downtown Augusta. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Sometimes an old soul finds a place of expression in youth; a young mind and young voice that translates a generation of human existence into simple lyrics that touch, transform and restore. With raw, earthy vocals and clean instrumentations that reveal a spiritual depth far beyond her years, vocalist Celia Gary is that old soul, a true dichotomy in the making. Her music transcends What is the appeal of performing on stage and sharing your music with others?

In the beginning, it was something other than appealing – the act of getting up on stage and exposing myself as a musician and vocalist.

As time has passed, I have grown to love what I do at an immense level, sharing reflections from my soul with the world. Stage or no stage, sharing my music is what fuels my existence.

I create songs and can play them for myself — but, to share is something unifying and vulnerable. It keeps me humble, it keeps me grounded and it keeps me thankful.

When did you first become serious about your music?

I first became serious about music when I was a junior in college. I was recording my first EP (extended play) album “Harmony” in the midst

young angst and enters the realm of wisdom through pain and triumph, celebrated with licks on an acoustic guitar.

The 24-year-old USC-Aiken graduate, who is a wellknown face at many Augusta music venues, spent some time with UPW to share her story and to let us know what’s on the horizon in her music career.

— Interview by Vincent Hobbs of finals week and I was releasing it to the world. I was gigging every weekend and putting a large amount of effort into my music as a career. It became more than just a pasttime or a hobby.

Many artists share their personal trials, challenges and triumphs through their particular medium of expression, such as creating music or writing. Has

creating music been a catharsis for your own personal life?

In every way, shape, and form — yes, it is a catharsis. Instead of holding every experience inside, I have the ability to manifest it into someone somewhat tangible. Life is a wave; there will be ups and downs for all of us. My healing is in creating music; I hope in others, their healing will be in listening to my music. We all need help along

9

unveiling her new CD on Saturday, January 18th, 8

House, 230 8th Street (corner of 8th and Ellis). The launch party has a $5 cover charge, which will include a copy of the CD for her fans.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs this beautiful journey called life.

Music is extremely powerful – it can uplift a person’s spirit; it can immediately take a person back to a past memory; it can soothe anxious thoughts; it can literally heal a broken heart – and it can make people jump up and dance.

Why do you think that music is such a versatile force in this world?

I think part of the power is how music can strip away our ideologies and identities, while simultaneously unifying us through feeling and emotion. We all experience the same emotions throughout our lifetimes and that is something that each of us has in common. Music connects us to our inner self and helps to mend old wounds or reminds us of how we were feeling on that beautiful sunny day. It exposes our pains without blame or pointing fingers, it asks questions without expecting answers and it reminds us who we were and who we are becoming.

Who are some of the biggest

influences on your music?

I listen to all sorts of artists and am inspired by an array of musicians. It is hard to pinpoint just one. I have always been inspired by The Beatles.

They have a wide range of genres, themes, and countless songs that I consider timeless. Their music grew with them over the years and that inspires me. Some female artists that have been an influence on me are Feist, Sharon Van Etten, and Catpower. These ladies are where I want to be musically – they create beautiful and soothing music and make a living on their craft. Other than that, I am sure any band or musician I am listening to at the time of creating a song influences me in some way.

Which song is your all-time favorite creation? Why? Out of the songs I have created, I’d have to go with Enigmatic. It encompasses where I am in my life right now and how I see the world.

It sparks wonder and mystery of our existence. I wrote it on the ukulele which is pretty awesome.

Do you play other instruments?

I originally played the piano actually. I don’t own a piano anymore but when I am around one, I can dabble. I play the guitar mostly but I also own a few interesting instruments that I enjoy playing around with, like the banjo, the ukulele, the xylophone, the tambourine, the melodica and the harmonica. I enjoy learning and playing with any musical instrument, even if I’m not all that great at it.

You recently completed a new CD, Enigmatic, with the launch date slated for April 18th. What can your fans expect with this new release?

I am ecstatic to finally be releasing my first full-length album to everyone! This is a combination of two years of living and writing.

I decided to take on this project myself. I did all of the writing, recording, mixing, and album art. I got the album mastered by Shawn Guess, aka The Digital God, to help polish it all off. This is a raw, handcrafted album full of different pieces of my existence and reminiscent

messages from my soul. I can’t wait to share it with you!

Do you have any upcoming performances that you’d like to share with our readers?

My upcoming gigs in town are: Friday, April 17th at Helga’s starting at 10PM Saturday, April 18th at Humanitree House at 8PM **CD RELEASE*** Thursday, April 23rd at Edgar’s Grille at 6PM Friday, April 24th at Whole Foods at 7PM Saturday, April 25th at Birddog Cafe at 7PM I hope to see you at one of my shows before I head off on tour in late April!

2015

pm at Humanitree

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 16 - 22,

Celia Gary will be

UrbanProWeekly - APRIL 16 - 22, 2015

10

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HAPPENINGS

Malaika Favorite and Anthony Kellman at the Morris Museum of Art Malaika Favorite (left) and Tony Kellman

On Saturday, April 18 the Poetry Society of South Carolina Regional Seminar will feature Malaika Favorite and Anthony Kellman at the Morris Museum of Art. A mixture of reading presentations and writing exercises, the seminar is team-led by Malaika Favorite and Anthony Kellman. Professor Kellman teaches English and creative writing at Georgia Regents University and is the longest-serving director of the nationally and internationally recognized Sandhills Writers Conference & Series.

Malaika Favorite is a Fulbright visual artist fellow and poet who has

given art shows regionally, nationally, and internationally and whose art works can be found in major national collections. She works mainly in oil, acrylic, and water color, and has experimented with folded canvas and the written word.

Anthony Kellman is a poet, novelist, and musician. He’s the originator of the Caribbean poetic form, Tuk Verse; has published five books of poetry including Limestone, the first epic poem from the island of Barbados; two novels; and four musical CDs. He’s a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship.

Young Democrats’ Activities April 17 - 19 Young Democrats of GA Convention at the University of Georgia. Register at georgiayds.org

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April 18 Richmond County Democratic Party Breakfast with Senator Harold Jones at the Holiday Inn Gordon Highway; 9:00 am.

April 22 Earth Day. Volunteer with YDARC on Earth Day for Clean Community Day! YDARC will collect liter along Mack Lane in South Augusta.

1:00pm-3:00pm April 24 YDARC Monthly Meeting with State Representatives and Senator Harold Jones. 601 Broad Street. 7:00 pm Meet and Greet, 7:30 Call to Order

Hephzibah, GA 30815 Phone 706-925-2929 Toll Free (877-790-6082 Fax 404-601-4492

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April 18 10 am - 1 pm at the Morris Museum of Art

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12

UPW FORUM COMMENTARY by EARL GREY SUMMERS

The ATL Cheating Scandal: Teachers were screwed

I

f you’ve heard about the recent jailing of 11 teachers involved in the Atlanta cheating scandal, if you’re one of the people out there who is shaming these teachers as being terrible examples to our children for cheating, then you are on the outside and outskirts of an education discussion that is so much more important.

How can I put this— you are holding a two-piece swimwear protest at a global warming conference. Follow me.

I grieve for these fellow teachers, I truly do. My coworkers and I had many discussions about them when the scandal first broke. This is what outsiders — looking in — don’t realize: what these teachers did is simply have a broken reaction to a broken system, which is almost natural. Like a spouse who murders their abusive significant other in self-defense.

In this system, testing is all.

Why? Because, thanks to No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top, the focus of education has shifted from the enlightenment and enrichment of our students to making adequate yearly progress and other such “measurable objectives”.

It’s all about performance on standardized testing — your students could be brilliant and talented in any number of ways, but if they don’t perform on standardized tests, you’re a “bad teacher”, and your school loses funding.

And often, for struggling schools, the state/national standards (it changes so much I don’t bother to follow) are too high to meet adequately within the short span of time allotted. With

a time, so just as the guillotine would come down, the “It’s all about performance on clock would reset. Thank God for state board inconstandardized testing — your sistency, huh…

But, ya know, one day I students could be brilliant found myself in the posiand talented in any number of tion of having to grade some of the tests created ways, but if they don’t perform by the “people upstairs”. on standardized tests, you’re a Tests full of spelling errors, questions that “bad teacher”, and your school failed to list the correct loses funding.” answers, illegible/unreadable maps, all sorts of jobs on the line, with funding on the nonsense. And it occurred to me… line, and with unreasonable standards they’re just tests. They’re just pieces to meet, many educators are left with of paper with printer ink on them. two options— do the best they can And I had a thought. and get anything from fired to trans“Burn the tests. Those teachers ferred to professionally scolded for should’ve burned the tests. Just take things beyond their control, or do the the whole stack, put ’em in a basket, “worst thing imaginable” and cheat the and set ’em on fire.” broken system.

Why not? If you’re gonna break the The teachers in this scandal chose law, might as well break it in half, the latter. right? What’s more morally reprehenJust so we’re on the same page here, sible: cheating to meet an unrealistic neither of these options is meant to quota in front of and with your stube seen as acceptable, by the way; all dents, or exercising civil disobedience the options range between greater and and refusing to take part in a broken lesser evils. system that unfairly targets and punMy coworkers and I had some very ishes those who are doing their best somber moments sitting around the with subpar conditions? teacher’s lounge table and trying to Sometimes the more radical course is wrap our minds around this scandal. the more respectable course. How do Honestly, though at a different school, you fix a broken system if you always we faced a lot of the same threats that meet its demands, even symbolically? these teachers in Atlanta faced; we To fix a broken system, you first stop didn’t cheat, but our saving grace was feeding into it. Stop participating in that the “new plan coming down the it. Stop cooperating with it. Whether pipe” never lasted more than 2 years at by burning the tests, trashing the tests,

refusing to administer the tests— the point is, putting the tests back in the tests’ proper place— as an evaluation of student growth and understanding, and not as a tool to merit or demerit educators.

I’d rather go to jail for noncompliance than to go to jail for trying too hard to appease the monster.

If you get nothing else from this, understand: these teachers were screwed no matter what. If they had been honest, their students would have fallen short and they would’ve been punished. Because they cheated, they were jailed.

Either way, the 21st Century Classroom wins, because the point is to eventually remove the human element from the classroom in favor of a cheaper, digitally-based education. Private educational consultants love this. Standardized testing companies love this. State school boards love this. Any excuse they can find to say “Teachers are inadequate” works toward the agenda of shifting to a business model of education.

Instead, at some point, teachers need to say, “This system is inadequate; greed has no place in the classroom.”

But, as we see here, the worst thing we can do as teachers is attempt to placate the system in a way that undermines the nobleness of our profession and our personal characters.

Cheating is not the way. But I do understand the pressure that makes us want to resort to such things. @earlgreysummers on Twitter

LETTERS Ignore slick marketing of alcohol; getting drunk kills On May 27, 2014, in Augusta, Georgia, Michael Paul Acord, 53, was victimized by the effects of alcohol. Intoxicated, he crashed his Harley-Davidson motorcycle into a parked trucked. Michael was not alone. He had a passenger named, Regina Lynn Allen, 44, who later died from her injuries.

On April 2, 2015, Mr. Acord committed suicide.

Michael Paul Acord and Regina Lynn Allen never had a chance. Michael was like a little child playing with a loaded gun. Alcohol was the loaded gun.

Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down vital functions; resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions, and the inability to react quickly. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines alcohol as a drink such as whis-

key, vodka, wine, or beer containing ethanol.

Ethanol is not harmless. It is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid that is the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors. It is used as fuel in automobiles. Ethanol is commonly called alcohol or spirits. Its purpose is not to make one spiritual, but to intoxicate. Intoxication is a state in which a person’s normal capacity to act or reason is inhibited by the effects of alcohol.

The only way a person can control the effects of alcohol is not to drink alcohol. Once a person drinks alcohol, it is absorbed in the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. At this point the alcohol controls the person. The alcohol is lord and master.

Unfortunately, people under the influence of alcohol will do things they normally would not do while sober. They frequently ignore safety, moral, legal, or social norms. Intoxicated, they will attempt to operate a motorcycle, car, or truck. Sometimes it ends well, but many times it ends tragic.

The deaths of Michael Paul Acord and Regina Lynn Allen must not be in vain. Their lives mattered. Your life matters. Be courageous and choose to be sober. Do not be persuaded to drink alcohol by deceptive, slick, heartless advertising slogans such as drink responsibly or know when to say when. Don’t drink alcohol, period!

Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA, 706-231-1831

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WORSHIP

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 16 - 22,

CHURCH

Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church PRAYER BREAKFAST:

Sunday, April 18, 8:30 a.m.

Guest Speaker: Rev. Vivian Hambrick, (Live River Baptist Church)

2015

GALILEE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH SPRING REVIVAL, APRIL 27 - 29, 7 PM. 931 Cedar Street, Augusta, GA

Sunday School 8:30 am Morning Worship Services: 9:45 am Evening Worship Services 6 pm (4th Sunday) Bible Study: 6pm (Mondays) Midday Bible Study: 12pm (Tuesdays) Prayer Services: 6pm (Wednesdays) Celebrate Recovery: 6pm (Fridays) and 12pm (Mondays) 2323 Barton Chapel Road • Augusta,GA 30906 706.790.8185 / 706.922.8186 (fax) Visit Us @ www.broadwaybaptistaug.org • Join us on facebook Dr. C. William Joyner, Jr. Senior Pastor

Start your calling today! Mount Olivet Certified Academic Institution 706.793.0091 • 706.793.0335 • www.mocai-aug.org

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

Rev. Clarence Moore, Pastor 1714 Olive Road / P. O. Box 141 (mailing address) Augusta, GA 30903 706/733-0341- Telephone/706/667-0205 – Fax E-mail address: admin@goodshepherdaugusta.org Web address: goodshepherdaugusta.org Rev. Clarence Moore Church Service: 7:45 & 11:00 a.m.

Church School: 9:45 a.m. / Prayer Service: 11:00 a.m. – Wednesday Bible Study: 9:00 a.m. - Saturday / 7:00 p.m. - Wednesday

Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church

314 Sand Bar Ferry Road Augusta, Georgia 30901 (706) 722- 0553 Church School Sunday 9:25am Morning Worship Sunday 11am Evening Worship 6pm (1st & 3rd Sunday) Midday Prayer 12pm Wednesday Intercessory Prayer/Bible Study 6pm Wednesday

The CSRA Clergy Board of Directors

Board of Coalition Pastors P.O. Box 16013 Bishop Rosa L. Williams, Pastor

Radio Broadcast: Sundays • WKZK 103.7 FM at 7:30 a.m.

Augusta, GA. 30919-2013 Bishop L.A. Green, Sr., Chairman

UrbanProWeekly - APRIL 16 - 22, 2015

14

2015 Sacred Heart Garden Festival April 24 – 26, 2015 At Sacred Heart…be inspired by lush landscape and floral exhibits, learn from well-known speakers, shop the extensive vendor market and tour spectacular private gardens. New events this year include Jazz by Moonlight with Wine and Beer Tasting on Friday night, Augusta Family Magazine Children’s Day on Saturday, Butterfly Experience and MORE! A world of garden discoveries awaits you at the 2015 Sacred Heart Garden Festival.

GARDEN FESTIVAL HOURS

Tender Care Training Center Accredited and State Approved

Train to become a Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) Phlebotomy Technician or Pharmacy Technician

Friday, April 24, 9 AM - 8 PM; Saturday, April 25, 9 AM - 5 PM; Sunday, April 26, 12 PM - 5 PM $25 three day ticket - Includes Sacred Heart Exhibits, Garden Market, Speakers Series, Moonlight Jazz and Garden Tour $10 one day pass - Sacred Heart Exhibits, Garden Market, Speaker Series, Moonlight Jazz

1755 Gordon Hwy, Suite E • Augusta, GA 30904 For Enrollment Information,

Call (706)736-9225

Fax: (706) 736-0995

Visit www.tendercareschool.comcastbiz.net

TOUR OF GARDENS

Friday - Sunday, April 24 - 26, 12 PM - 5 PM $25 three day ticket - Includes Sacred Heart Exhibits, Garden Market, Speaker Series, Moonlight Jazz and Garden Tour

Jazz by Moonlight with Wine & Beer Tasting Friday, April 24, 5 PM - 8 PM (Free for ticketholders or $5; cash bar) Unwind with smooth jazz and a glass of wine, our signature drink or a sampling of craft beers provided by AB Beverage.

Augusta Family Magazine Children’s Day Saturday, April 25, 12 PM – 5 PM Children will delight in the day’s activities designed just for them! Butterflies, scavenger hunts, face painting and more will certainly bring life to gardening for children of all ages

2015 SPEAKER SCHEDULE

(Included with both tickets and held at Sacred Heart Cultural Center)

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 9:30 AM: Jeff Ross, Blackberry Farm: Eating Between the Rows 10:30 AM: Sara Henderson, Oakland Cemetery Gardens Heirloom Flowers: Passing the Test of Time 11:30 AM: Bill Smith, William T. Smith & Associates, Landscape Architects: Parterres to Parties: Elements of Garden Design 12:30 PM: Wesley Cadle, Wesley Cadle Designs

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

9:30 AM: Ted Stephens, Nurseries Caroliniana, SC 10:30 AM: Allan Armitage, Horticulturist. Writer. Traveler Plants Mothers (And Grandmothers) Will Love To Show Their Kids 11:30 AM: Jim Burke, South Carolina Bluebird Society Enjoying Bluebirds in Your Yard 1& 3:00PM: Bill Robinson, Occasion Butterflies

For Tickets and Information: www.sacredheartaugusta.org Sacred Heart Cultural Center is located at 1301 Greene Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901; 706-826-4700

Family Fun Fitness Program Come out and move your body!

It’s time to get active! Bring your kids and the family for fitness and fun. A personal trainer will show your family how to stay active and healthy. You’ll also get FREE fitness supplies. The program is open to all fitness levels. Classes take place twice a month. You must be a Peach State Health member to participate in the program.

Location: New Bethlehem Community Center 1336 Conklin Avenue, Augusta, GA 30901

Time: 1pm-2pm Fitness Dates: Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

April 18, 2015 April 25, 2015

May 16, 2015 May 23, 2015

June 13, 2015 June 20, 2015

Session 4

Session 5

Session 6

Session 7

July 18, 2015 July 25, 2015

August 15, 2015 August 22, 2015

September 5, 2015 September 12, 2015

October 10, 2015 October 24, 2015

For more information and to sign up call: (800) 704-1484 TDD/TTY: (800) 255-0056

pshp.com © 2015 Peach State Health Plan. All rights reserved.

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 16 - 22,

ARE YOU AT RISK?

15

2015

Stress Physical Inactivity Family History of Cardiovascular disease Obesity Diabetes High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Cigarette Smoking HEART ATTACK • BRAIN ATTACK • PREVENT ATTACK East Central Health District Hypertension Management Outreach Program

Richmond County 706.721.5800

UrbanProWeekly - APRIL 16 - 22, 2015

16

THE LAW OFFICE OF

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ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Experienced Representation

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211 Pleasant Home Road • Suite A1 • Augusta, GA • 706-855-6715 • www.frailswilsonlaw.com

“One-Stop Construction & Yard Maintenance Services” Our Office Provides: Architectural Drafting & Construction • Custom Church Builder • Custom Home Builder • Yard Maintenance • Metal Buildings Larry L. McCord Can Provide All Your Design and Construction Needs All Under One Roof

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