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The CSRA’s FREE WEEKLY

Newspaper VOL.2 NO.48 VOL.2 NO.18 The CSRA’s

ENTERTAINMENT AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

Photo Photos

by Vincent

by Vincent HobbsHobbs

‘Drew’ Dawson: A new path for public radio in Augusta The high cost of REBRANDING Laney-Walker-Bethlehem

UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

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Look Here!

SO WHAT’S HAPPENING

Legendary golfer Jim Dent joins effort to manage ‘The Patch’ AUGUSTA Legendary PGA golfer Jim Dent has joined the effort to revitalize Augusta’s municipal golf course known as “The Patch.” According to Anthony Griffin, CEO of Griffin Athletics International, Inc., (GAII), Mr. Dent has agreed to lend his prestige and resources to Griffin’s offer to rehabilitate and manage The Patch.

On Tuesday, the Augusta city commissioners agreed to put all of the various management, lease, or purchase orders for The Patch back on the table for consideration.

Two weeks ago, in a surprise outcome, Paul Simon’s First Tee proposal failed to get enough votes to pass. At the same time, Mr. Griffin made his initial pitch to manage the beleaguered municipal golf course. Griffin’s ambitious package proposed a complete rebranding of The Patch to include the building of covered driving range, a full-service restaurant, a second-story coffee shop with attached hitting booth, a complete golf practice facility and course rehabilitation. Mr. Griffin assured the city that his financial backers would not require the city to spend a cent for at least 18 months.

According to Griffin, he and Mr. Dent only recently met after the golfer had learned of Mr. Griffin’s bold initiative. After very little discussion, Mr. Dent agreed that he was on board.

“I’ve got the key to the city,” Mr. Dent reportedly told Mr. Griffin, “and I plan to use it.”

Griffin, a Grovetown resident, and Dent will be in town this weekend and early next week participating in the 5th Annual Paine College Golf

Tournament after which they will make a joint statement.

According to Griffin, Dent will assist in drafting an RFP to be submitted to the city for consideration. Dent also plans to speak with the mayor and city commissioners about GAII’s plans to revitalize and reinvigorate golf at The Patch.

Dent’s association with The Patch is a part of local golf lore. Dent grew up playing at The Patch.

“This is the first place that I shot in the 60’s,” Dent said about his posting a 69 score on the 71-par city golf course.

Dent played on the PGA Regular Tour for 18 years, from 1971-1989. He also played on the PGA Champions Tour for 17 years which equals 35 years of experience on the PGA Tour. Today at the youthful age of 73, he still plays a good game of golf.

Dent is excited about the possibilities inherent in Griffin’s vision. “His plan will be great and the golf course could be known as the City of Augusta’s National Public Golf Course and it would be my honor as a Lifetime PGA member to represent The Patch. The new Metroplex Complex idea is a great plan that will bring money back to the course. This facility has great character. All it needs is a little love and care and true golf lovers like Mr. Griffin.”

Dent is an alumnus of Paine College and continues to have close ties to the school’s golf program.

If the plan is approved. The idea is to make the Patch the new Home Course for the Lions Golf teams. But as he continues bringing in outside partners he still wants to involve the First Tee program.

Inaugural Ann N. Johnson UNCF Jazz Festival, Sept. 8 The Augusta United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Campaign is thrilled to announce its Inaugural Ann N. Johnson UNCF Jazz Festival, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 8, 2013, at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater. This historic outdoor venue is located at 1 Ninth Street in downtown Augusta, Georgia. The location of this momentous event is named in tribute of the international opera star and Augusta native, Jessye Norman.

The UNCF Jazz Festival’s chair, Ann N. Johnson, has been a community pillar within the greater Augusta area for over 40 years. Paine College, the presenting host of the festival, has always been in the heart of Mrs. Johnson, who has been a loyal supporter of the College a number of years.

“For 130 years, Paine has produced stellar leaders in various leadership positions and careers,” shared Mrs. Johnson. “Having served more than 35 years in higher education at Paine College, I have learned first-hand the talents and intellectual abilities of many deserving students, and the impact of receiving UNCF scholarships had on their lives”.

Tickets, now available for purchase, are $25 in advance and $35 on the day of the scholarship event. To purchase tickets for this event, contact Leadra Collins, Augusta UNCF Campaign Coordinator, at 706.821.8233 or lcollins@paine.edu.

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UrbanProWeekly LLC Mailing Address: 3529 Monte Carlo Drive Augusta, Georgia 30906

Publisher Ben Hasan 706-394-9411 Managing Editor Frederick Benjamin Sr. 706-836-2018

Jazz at the Common Llewon Nowell + Karen Gordon Augusta Big Band Aggregate Doc Easton & Friend Garden City Jazz will be presenting its annual Labor Day Jazz Event, PopUpJazz, at 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 1, 2013, at the Augusta Common (836 Broad Street) in downtown Augusta, Georgia. For one night only, the venue will be transformed into a popup jazz club. Patrons are invited to bring their own seating or reserve a table.

A pop-up is a shop, restaurant, bar, or gallery that literally “pops up” in a temporary venue for a limited time only. It’s fleeting, its exclusive, it’s here today, gone tomorrow. Karen Gordon, founder of Garden City Jazz decided that a pop-up club would be a unique feature to close out the summer. She also sees it as an opportunity to test the market.

“Like jazz music, a pop-up lives in the moment,” said Gordon, founder of Garden City Jazz. “And while I love music in non-traditional spaces, I’m constantly asked when Augusta will have a jazz club. This seems to be a step in the right direction. If we get this right, then we’ll begin to look at something a little more permanent.”

Garden City Jazz presents several programs annually in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), providing performance opportunities for area jazz musicians and music students, while promoting awareness of the historical and cultural significance of jazz music.

PopupJazz is free to attend. Guests are invited to bring their own seating and picnic for a night of great jazz music in a unique setting. A limited number of tables of 6 are available. Sponsorships and vendors welcomed. To reserve a table, contact Karen Gordon at (762) 233-5299 or kgordon@gardencityjazz.com or visit http://popupjazz13.bpt.me

Gethsemane celebrates Christian Men & Women Rejoicing, Praying and Giving Thanks Gethsemane Baptist Church, 1485 Wrightsboro Road, celebrated its Annual Men’s and Women’s program on Sunday, August 18 at 10 a.m.

The speaker for the occasion was the Rev. Brenda G. Strong, associate minister who delivered the sermon on “It’s time to come together.”

The Rev. Dr. Ronald Strong is the pastor.

Sales & Marketing Phone: 706-394-9411 Photography and Social Media Courtesy of Vincent Hobbs

email: Ben Hasan bzhasan54@yahoo.com Frederick Benjamin Sr. editor@urbanproweekly.com Vincent Hobbs coolveestudio@gmail.com

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UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

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The City

Chester Wheeler, (L) the city’s Housing and Development director must defend his $2.5 million loan request. Photo by Vincent Hobbs.

Wheeler draws fire for high ‘rebranding’ costs Patching up ‘The Patch’ Golf enthusiasts I.W. McKiney (L), Theodore Pounds (center) and Truman Woo (R) discuss golf laser sights on Wednesday at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course, known as “The Patch”. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

$2.5 million loan request challenged.

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA Usually, whatever Chester wants, Chester gets. That was not the case, however, at Tuesday’s (August 20) commission meeting. A seemingly routine request from Chester Wheeler’s Housing and Community Development department was yanked from the consent agenda and by a 8-2 vote relegated “back to committee.”

Wheeler is requesting $2.5 million from the city to keep from running out of money for the city’s flagship Laney-Walker Revitalization Effort.

At this week’s commission meeting, some commissioners expressed shock and dismay when Wheeler began to break down the high cost of rebranding two blighted inner city neighborhoods.

If the money is not forthcoming in a couple of weeks, the project faces “serious financial consequences,” Wheeler said.

Nevertheless, by sending the matter “back to committee,” there’s little chance that Wheeler would get that money in time to avoid those consequences.

“If you think you are going to get six signatures [in that 2-week time frame], you’re not as smart as I thought you were,” Commissioner Marion Williams said.

Commissioners Joe Jackson, Donnie Smith and Wayne Guilfoyle appeared to have done their homework as regards the department’s expenditures on “staffing” costs.

Commissioner Jackson started the ball rolling with this question: “What do you pay in consulting fees a month?”

Wheeler responded, “I pay $45,000 per month. I had, at one time, the highest number of nine employees

that were not on my staff. I now have seven employees that are not on my staff that provide project management services.”

That response clearly did not please Jackson who chided the department head by asking, “How much more do we need in consulting? . . . Even if it’s just $65,000 per month, you’re looking at $660,000 a year that could be better spent elsewhere in the community.” Jackson predicted that, at the rate they were going, there would be no money left after a couple of more years.

Clearly annoyed, Wheeler shot back, “Commissioner, real estate development is a very technical endeavor.”

Donnie Smith entered the questioning with this: “Are we paying $6,000 per month in marketing?”

“Yes, we are,” Wheeler replied.

Smith continued. “So, we’re paying $72,000 a year in marketing and yet every house we have down there is already sold — what are we marketing?

“Our requirement was to “rebrand” the neighborhood,” Wheeler stated.

“The neighborhood when was started was a very blighted neighborhood and there are large pockets of it still today. It required a complete rebranding of the neighborhood so that persons that are interested in moving back in will have some comfort level of security and all of the other things that will bring about a safe quality of life in a neighborhood that unfortunately lost it over the years. That is not something that a real estate company does. They do not rebrand neighborhoods.”

Commissioners also expressed skepticism over Wheeler’s assertion that his agency self-financed the sale of two of the 19 properties that have been sold. At the next committee meeting, Wheeler must defend his loan request.

Municipal course in limbo

By Vincent Hobbs

AUGUSTA The late afternoon sun filters a warm breeze as golfers prepare their clubs for a quick round on the greens. Golden sunlight colors the grass as light conversation is carried in the air. Summer insects dart and dance across the landscape.

It appears to be a perfect day for golf – except for the bare patchwork of greens, weed-infused sand traps, and less than pristine views at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course.

“The Patch” has been in limbo, desperately seeking a commander-in-chief to take control and develop it into the landmark golf course that it has the potential to become. Those who would take those reins have come and gone – the Scotsman Brian Hendry got the boot a year ago after missing several lease payments, the Kelly brothers (Dennis, Pat and Ryan) bailed when their initial proposal got torpedoed by the Augusta Commission after they requested repairs to the facility. It can be said that the City of Augusta has treated “The Patch” like an unloved stepchild. City leaders have doled out a pauper’s budget to run the course, despite $250,000 in SPLOST money that was allocated for the course.

Longtime amateur golfer I.W. McKinney, a retiree from the VA Medical Center, has played rounds at “The Patch” for over five years. “I play out here three or four days a week. They cut the grass, and that’s about it. And they don’t cut the grass on a regular basis. It’s almost like they want the golf course to fail.”

“It’s an excellent golf course, it’s been around for a long time, it has a lot of history, and we cannot understand why they don’t get up and do something about it.

The natatorium (Augusta Aquatic Center) is not failing, it’s not going into disarray, the tennis court is not failing or going into disarray – so why “The Patch”?

McKinney commented.

A proposal for First Tee to partner with the city and run the course was rejected.

Businessman Anthony Griffin of Griffin Athletics International made a bold and insightful presentation to commissioners in which his company would invest $5 million to run “The Patch” over a 15-20 year stretch or even buy the property outright. Non-commitment abounded in the Commission chambers.

“It’s been one excuse after another.

If I had my druthers, every one of them would be out of office. And three of them want to run for mayor? You’ve got to be kidding me,” McKinney concluded.

Now there’s a new twist – Griffin has partnered with former PGA Champion and Paine College alumnus Jim Dent.

The twelve-time PGA Champions Tour winner will offer resources and input to get “The Patch” back on track. According to a report from WAGT-26, Dent would like for the municipal course to be the new home golf course for the Paine College Lions as well.

Truman Woo, a retired mathematics professor at Augusta State University, was happy to see some slight improvement at the course from last month. “A month ago the fairways were not that good, and now the greens are better too.” He expressed that the course had been in pretty bad shape in previous months.

The attraction of “The Patch” is that it is a course on home turf, open and available to anyone with a love for golf -amateurs or pros, seniors or teens. There is tremendous potential for the facility - and this is the part that is most frustrating to some golfers who play the course regularly – not seeing any substantial investment in that potential.

McKinney observed, “If they spent money and kept it up, the golf course could be a shining example of a municipal golf course that could rate and stand against any other municipal course in the state or even in this region. For some reason our elected officials don’t want this golf course to make it.”

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“I’ve spent many hours prayerfully considering my entrance into the Augusta mayoral race with my family, and I am excited to announce the start of my campaign today. It has been an honor to represent Richmond County as a state lawmaker, but as a longtime resident of Augusta, my heart is calling me to serve at home.

I look forward to visiting and working with Augusta citizens during my campaign to create a brighter future for Augusta,” Davis said.

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. . . joins Alvin Mason and Helen Blocker-Adams AUGUSTA In May, Helen Blocker-Adams announced that she will run in the 2014 mayoral race. Blocker-Adams said, recently, that she has been having campaign meetings and is ver y confident of victor y.

Blocker-Adams became the second candidate to announce for Mayor following Augusta Commissioner Alvin Mason.

Blocker-Adams narrowly missed out on a mayoral runoff race in 2005 to fill the one-year unexpired term of Bob Young. She got 23 percent of the vote, and Deke Copenhaver got 25 percent. She endorsed Copenhaver over theninterim mayor Willie Mays.

She runs a marketing and event planning company and The Southeast Enterprise Institute, a nonprofit human advocacy and youth leadership development organization. Until recently, Blocker-Adams was host of a local radio talk show on WKZK.

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Local News

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UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

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UPW Sports

Westside High School volleyball coach David Bradberry (R) advises the Lady Patriots during a match against Lucy C. Laney High School.

The Lady Patriots dominated the Lady Wildcats, winning the first game 25-22 and the second game 25-10, with a final 2-0 score at the Laney gym. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

LANEY H.S. vs. WESTSIDE H.S. LADY PATRIOTS ROLL

Westside High School volleyball player Enya Spicer (#8) yells support for her teammates during a game against Lucy C. Laney High School. Spicer played the libero position in this game. The Lady Patriots dominated the Lady Wildcats, with a 2-0 final win at the Laney gym. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

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Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Meet Andrew “Drew” Dawson Andrew “Drew” Dawson boasts an extensive background in radio and is taking the helm at WACG-FM (90.7 FM), GRU’s public radio station, which is owned by Georgia Public Broadcasting. UPW sat down with Dawson and got his take on his new position and the future of WACG-FM. UPW: You’ve been recently named Station Manager and host of GPB-Augusta. What excites you the most about embarking on your new position?

Andrew DAWSON: We’re reimagining the station, we’re doing a reboot. To be selected from all of the candidates for this position, is a really exciting opportunity. This is a very exciting time to be at the radio station.

UPW: As a transplant from Boston, what are your first impressions of Augusta so far?

Andrew DAWSON: My first impressions are extraordinarily positive.

One of the things I suspect many people don’t realize is the vast difference between Southern hospitality and what you get up North. When I first flew into to town, the woman at the rental car counter was so warm and friendly; the people at the hotel where I was staying were warm, friendly and helpful. When I went to dinner that first night, the waitress actually stopped to chat – things like that don’t happen up North.

When we finally moved here, my wife and I were trying to unload this U-Haul truck (we had been in the neighborhood for literally an hour and a half) when two of our neigh-

bors came out, introduced themselves, helped us unload the truck, and then when we were all tired and sweaty, they offered to bring us some iced tea! I was so grateful for those acts of kindness and those acts of hospitality which would be extraordinarily uncommon in the Northern parts of this country.

My first impression is that Augusta is a very warm and friendly place with people who are genuine and care about their neighbors, and it’s a great first impression – it’s a great start.

UPW: What are some of your immediate goals to revitalize WACG-FM? Andrew DAWSON: The immediate goals are in the planning mode.

What we’ve got here is somewhat of a blank slate. The immediate goals are to engage in some planning and evaluation steps. We’ve had some tremendous technical issues and the first thing to do is address the technical issues with the signal and then move forward in assessing what we’re doing for programming. On GPB Augusta (WACG), there’s a wonderful audience that is very passionate about the classical music that we play middays; there are people who are deeply curious about the newsand-information programs; and there are people who depend on us for in-

ed to do. I pursued it as a teenager and in my college years and into my professional career. In fact, the only thing I’ve been paid for that wasn’t broadcast-related was flipping burgers at Wendy’s as a part-time job when I was very young. Broadcast has been in my life for quite a long time.

depth news reporting.

UPW: What are some of the major We’re going to try and build an NPR-quality station that is specifi- changes you have seen in radio cally tuned to Augusta’s needs and broadcasting during your career? concerns.

Andrew DAWSON: You can begin UPW: Referring to your work with a look at the listener preference as Features Reporter and News for FM over AM. When I started, virtuAnchor with The Virtual News ally everything you wanted to listen Center, will you utilize that expe- to was on AM, then that turned over rience to enhance delivery of local to FM. Then we’ve seen the development of non-localized radio where content on WACG to listeners? the program originates from hubs in Andrew DAWSON: I’ve been in markets that are far away. You’re getthe radio business for thirty years, ting generic morning shows with local and all of the experience I’ve gained cut-ins and syndicated satellite feeds. through those years (from stations Then we’ve seen the onset of internet in Syracuse, NY, Hartford, CT, and listening services, like Pandora.

Most recently, we’ve seen the introall the other places I’ve worked over duction of communication between the years) will be beneficial in forming the decisions and the actions listeners and radio stations through that we’ll take here. The work I did social media, which is one of the best at Virtual News Center will certainly things that ever happened. It’s better to engage the listeners and have contribute to that knowledge base. conversations – and the introduction UPW: Why did radio broadcast- of digital platforms for mobile listening become the medium of choice ing and listening online, allow you to listen to your favorite radio station for you in your career path? wherever you are in the country.

Who knows what will be next?

Andrew DAWSON: I knew that I wanted to be in radio from the time Broadcasters are starting to realize that I was in my mid-teens. Growing that the key to serving their markets is up outside of Boston and listening local content. What’s being re-inventto the college radio stations for MIT ed are ways to inject local content and Emerson College — and some of back into local radio stations, even the local commercial radio stations, I Continued on next page realized early on – that’s what I want-

though the primary program sources may be national and remote in nature.

UPW: The internet has opened up opportunities for amateur radio broadcasters to develop worldwide audiences. There are dozens of online services that allow anyone to create their own internet radio station. To what extent has this impacted traditional radio broadcasts over the airwaves?

Andrew DAWSON: That’s a good question. It certainly has divided the pie. The more choices you have, the thinner the pie gets sliced. I think it has given “terrestrial” broadcasters insight into what the future holds for programming trends, music trends and which information is being appreciated at the grass-roots level. It is almost a research tool for “terrestrial” broadcasters. The people at the grass-roots level have the ability to develop trends and spot trends - even before “terrestrial” broadcasters see these trends. It’s contributing to the “pie” and to the choices that listeners have – it raises the bar for all of us, to be more aware of trends and to look for more opportunities to serve our listeners.

UPW: What steps will WACG take to create more interest among GRU students to listen in to the radio station?

Andrew DAWSON: We’re going to become more active and visible on campus, in the Augusta community and at events. There’ll be a greater breadth of programming pulled from GPB and more local programs. We’ll be engaging in social media to engage students and also get support from the GRU Office of Communications and Marketing to be able to effectively communicate to students what’s available at the radio station.

UPW: What would you like for the community to know about the new WACG-FM? Andrew DAWSON: We provide highquality public radio programming through Georgia Public Broadcasting and we’ll also provide a mix of local programming to meet the needs of the local listening audience. We’ll keep important community programs such as the “Reading Service for the Blind” on-air. We’ll endeavor to build a radio station that is focused on the needs of the community and serves them with an NPR-quality product.

— Interview by Vincent Hobbs

Get Urban Pro Weekly at your local Circle K store In Augusta

5K Walk/Run planned to combat Childhood

Bring the whole family for a day of fun, exercise and health information AUGUSTA A study was released last year that ranked Georgia #2 in childhood obesity and an event is being planned to bring awareness to this chronic problem. The 1st Annual National Childhood Obesity Awareness 5K Walk/Run will be held Saturday, September 14, 2013 8:00 a.m. At The Kroc Center, 1833 Broad Street in Augusta.

“We want entire families to come to our event filled with fun, information, education on health, nutrition and fitness,” said

organizer Helen Blocker-Adams.

In addition to the 5k walk/run, it will be a day of fun, exercise, healthy cooking demonstrations, health, fitness and nutrition Vendors, Zumba, exercise demonstrations, Health Education information, Jumpin’ Inflatables for the kids, a tour of fire truck and meet Firemen and so much more, she added.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

And the walk will begin at 8:00 a.m. A variety of prizes will be given away; there will be a raff le for a pair of boys and girls tennis

shoes, health and nutrition coupons, and healthy food samples.

Advance registration is going on now and forms can be found at w w w.helenblockeradams.com – Ages 15 and up registration is $20; 10 – 14 years old is $10 and 9 years old and under is Free.

Registration for 14 years and up receives a T-shirt, snacks and bottled water. Registration will be available the day of the event, but we can’t guarantee a T-shirt.

T-shirts, while they last, will also be available for sale the day of the event.

9 UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

DAWSON from page 8

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UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

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Free food, fun and entertainment. Water activities for the kids – bring swim trunks and a towel.

Also, enjoy video games, adult activities & games including basketball-shootout. Prizes available.

Location: Jamestown Community Center, 3647 Karleen Road. (off Tobacco Rd, at the CITGO gas station).

Date: Saturday, 24 August 2013 Time: 12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM For information call (706) 8405240 or (706) 790-1805.

Sponsored by the Sandridge Community Association, the Richmond County Neighborhood Associations Alliance

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706-793-0806

Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. or Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Cherry Tree Crossing Community Center 1694 Hunter Street The Richmond County Neighborhood Alliance will provide very important information concerning your move into private sector housing communities. You must attend to get the information.

You can attend on either of the dates and times above.

Refreshments Will Be Served

Monday, August 26, 2013, Gordon Lakes Golf Club at Ft. Gordon, Georgia. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and shotgun start time is 11:00 a.m. The registration fee for the tournament is $125 per individual and $375 per team. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, green fee, golf cart, brunch sponsored by Chick-Fil-A of

North Augusta, SC, beverages by Augusta Coca Cola Bottling Company and 19th Hole Awards Reception sponsored by Outback Steakhouse.

For more information on registration or the 5th Annual Golf Tournament, please contact Frances Wimberly at 706.396.8171 or fwimberly@paine.edu.

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Independent Cruise & Vacation Specialist

5th Annual Paine College Golf Tournament

The Mini Roll-Off

Rick Smith

Jennifer Norman-Dixon

Lidia Harris Broker

Licensed in GA & SC

Locally Owned and Operated

Direct: 706-836.0034 Office: 706.755.2335 Fax: 706.755.2337 lharrisrealestate@comcast.net www.lnhrealestate.com

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More than just a flower shop Church Décor Special Sentiments Wedding Ensembles

Seasonal Arrangements Conventions and meetings Funeral Arrangements

“Flowers For All Occasions” Levi and Mattie Bush, owners

When in need of flowers stop by to see these lovely people. They do it right!

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UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

COMMUNITY BRIEFING

Annual Community Day

SANITATION SERVICE

Community Corner

11

Commentary

UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

12

Austin Rhodes: The most dangerous man in Augusta

by Corey Washington I have now been in Augusta for twenty-two years. Over that period of time, I have seen many petty political squabbles and consistent race baiting. (Sometimes these events occur at the same time.)

With a slightly larger black community and a powerful white conservative media base, you have the recipe for constant and volatile racial friction. There was a time when I thought that the Augusta Chronicle was at the forefront of stoking the flames of racial division. But, as time has gone on, I have come to realize that one man has done more to hinder the progress of race relations in Augusta than any other entity in Augusta. I am not talking about Billy Morris, Charles Walker, Tom Grant, Ryan B, Champ Walker, or Tony Powers. I am talking about the self-professed ‘king’ of all Augusta media — Austin Rhodes.

Austin Rhodes has inserted himself in just about every racial controversy in the Augusta area. If something is not racial, don’t worry, by the time Austin gets wind of it, it will be. Austin always goes to his anonymous sources to dig up some dirt. Pretty soon, he is on his radio show, Facebook page, or column in the Metro Spirit stirring up the pot. Austin seems to relish and live for controversies involving race.

Austin does not restrict himself to local issues; he even takes national issues and puts local spins on it. Austin gets his marching orders

from the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Neil Boortz, Don Imus, and the gamut of conservative T.V. personalities on Fox News. Just like the time he parroted Don Imus’ “nappy headed ho” comment to apply to the black lady involved in the Duke Lacrosse scandal. Locally, Austin referred to a little boy as “pee-pee” or “wee-wee” boy on the air. He constantly ridiculed this family, even going so far as to give their address out on the air.

Can Austin take it as well as he can give it out? Apparently not! He recently had an Augusta man arrested for threatening to slap him on Facebook. This man did not say he was going to look for Austin to harm him, he said if he saw Austin on the street that he would slap him. Austin also saw fit to complain about kids in Richmond Co. eating breakfast and lunch for free. It did not matter that these were federal funds paying for all of this. Austin did not want our local kids to be fed for free. I wonder if Austin has been speaking out on federal monies being wasted on countless wars. I doubt it. Austin’s modus operandi is to pick on the weak, poorly represented, and disadvantaged.

Let’s talk about Austin’s most recent episode. Austin seems to be friendly with law enforcement. He always seems to get all of the scoops before everyone else. You can tell there are people within law enforcement leaking information to him.

Right on cue, Austin threw him-

self into a controversy involving a law enforcement officer hitting a young man in the head with a flashlight. Austin immediately came up with all sorts of excuses as to why an officer was justified in hitting a 90 lb. youth in the head while surrounded by other officers. Nobody’s life was in danger, but Austin’s whole argument was that the young man should not have ran.

In his Metro Spirit column, Austin turned his criticism to Sheriff Roundtree, Officers Christian Gandy, and Robert Partain. Austin talks as if he knows something, but all of his info is coming from unnamed sources within the police dept. With Austin picking and choosing which officers of the law to support, you have to ask yourself the question: Is Austin a friend of law enforcement, or a friend of the almighty dollar? Is Austin trying to fight for justice for Bryan McDuffie, or just looking out for #1? Whenever a controversy appears involving race, ask: “What’s in it for Austin Rhodes?” The answer will always be ratings, which equals money.

Am I calling for a boycott of Austin’s radio show? Nope! I am already doing that. Should his sponsors be boycotted? Not necessarily. The way to take down Austin is to either marginalize him or ignore him. If his actions are so egregious, then chastise him publicly, and move on. Don’t get into a back and forth with him.

If it were not for his friends in law

enforcement leaking him information, Austin would be seen for what he really is, an entertainer. Austin Rhodes is a Shock Jock and needs to be treated as such. He does not do any real investigative journalism; he just goes to the rumor mill. Stop treating Austin Rhodes like he’s Walter Cronkite or some other respected journalist.

After reading all of this you may still be saying to yourself: “Austin Rhodes is a nuisance, but he’s not the most dangerous man in Augusta.” What makes Austin the most dangerous man in Augusta is his ubiquitous activity in the Augusta media. He’s on radio, print, and social media. He is subconsciously influencing many Augustans who are in positions of power.

Furthermore, his very financial existence hinges on the amount of chaos and division he can cause in the CSR A. Emperor Rhodes fiddles while Augusta burns. And he always blames it on the Christians. Austin is like a kid who throws a rock in a crowd and then hides his hands. He is this area’s #1 provocateur. When you go to work, do you think about how much dirt you can dig up? Or, do you just try to put in an honest day’s work? Can you imagine an Austin Rhodes show without racial friction? If you don’t remember anything else from this article, just remember this simple equation: Race + controversy + Austin = $$$$. That is why Austin Rhodes is the most dangerous man in Augusta.

Tyranny in the Tarheel State

By Kristie Robin Johnson Some very cool things have originated in North Carolina. It’s the state that first introduced the world to Michael Jordan. Charlotte, also known as the Queen City, has become a beacon for advancement and opportunity and a national example of minority progress.

North Carolina is also the home of NASCAR, legendary barbeque recipes, and the college basketball team that so many us love to hate- the Duke Blue Devils. Unfortunately, our neighbors to the north have given us something much more sinister to hate this summer.

Taking its cue from the Supreme Court’s recent controversial ruling on the 1964 Voting Rights Act, the Republican controlled North Carolina state legislature passed

some of the most restrictive voting laws that the United States has seen since the Voting Rights Act was first adopted. The law requires citizens to present a government issued ID when voting; makes Sunday voting a thing of the past; severely cuts early voting; and effectively attempts to silence the voice of young voters by making student ID cards an unacceptable identification for voting.

North Carolina’s governor recently signed these sweeping measures into law. Supporters of these measures cite a fictional epidemic of voter fraud as the rationale for such restrictive measures even though there have been virtually no voter fraud convictions in recent decades.

These folks would like us to believe that they are simply trying to protect Americans most valued right, when, in fact, they are driven by

political motives.

North Carolina is a microcosm of the nation as a whole. In the past twenty-five years, it has become more racially, ideologically, and spiritually diverse, as has much of the nation. These progressive steps forward are a threat to the lifeline of the conservative agenda. And it’s no secret that conservative efforts at courting young voters, minority voters, and female voters have been futile at best and nonexistent at worst. So what’s a political party to do? The new Republican strategy seems to be “if they won’t join us; we’ll beat them”. Instead of reshaping the party platform to be more considerate and inclusive, their plan is to just make it harder for their opposition to exercise their right to vote. Make no mistake about it, this is active voter suppression.

Why should North Carolina matter to the rest of us? It matters because if this strategy proves to be successful in the midterm elections, without hesitation, those same voter suppression strategies will be enacted in several other states with like-minded state legislatures. It is already happening in many areas. What can we do about it? First, educate yourself. Find out who your local representatives are and make it clear that you will not support such actions. Second, educate others. Make sure that your friends and family are informed and active. Finally, vote! Let’s make it clear that no amount of scheming and plotting will muffle our collective voice. So keep your eyes fixed on Carolina, your heart set on justice, and your mind focused on victory.

13 UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

PATHWAYS HEAD START (Richmond County)

Clerk Typist Responsible for work performed under the supervision of the Center Director. Duties include tasks necessary to maintain effective office routine. Proofs and types all correspondence, organizes and maintains a filing system.

Handles all day to day office activities. Performs other duties for the good of the Agency as required. Operates office machines, copiers, computer hardware and software, including word processors, and other machines.

Must be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds or more.

Business College graduate required. Must have at least one-year typing with a minimum of 50 wpm and clerical experience. Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

QALIFIED applicants interested in applying for these positions must send a written notice to the Personnel Office no later than August 30, 2013. Detailed job descriptions are available in the Personnel Office, 1261 Greene Street, Augusta, GA. Fax 706 722-8565

Make sure that you listen to AJ on Fridays from 1-3 pm on WKZK 103.7 FM & 1600 AM The Spirit of Gospel For all of your advertising needs contact me at (706)306.5009 or mswright26@gmail.com

Notice to the Public Please be advised that effective 6pm (EST) Tuesday, September 3, 2013 The Housing Authority will close all Public Housing Waiting Lists.

Equal Housing Opportunity The Housing Authority of the City of Augusta By: Jacob L. Oglesby, Executive Director Mission Statement: To promote adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity and a suitable living environment free from discrimination.

UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

14

ARE YOU AT RISK?

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

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Every person has the capacity and potential to lead. We all desire to live a life of purpose.

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August 5 - 30, 2013 Monday - Thursday 9 am - 5 pm Courses Offered • Creation Therapy • Principles of Church Growth • Counseling the Codependent • Principles and Methods for Missions • Temperament Case Studies • The Age of Reformation • Cognitive Therapy Techniques • Witnessing In Our Age • Quality, Ethics, and Legal Issues • Personal Soul Winning in Christian Counseling • Local Church Home Fellowships • Conflict Management For more Information: Admissions Office, Ms. Lekesha Joyner, Registrar 706.793.0091 or ljoyner@broadwaybaptist.com

Campus location: Broadway Baptist Church 2323 Barton Chapel Road, Augusta, Ga 30906 Visit us at www.mocai-aug.org Join us on Facebook: Mount Olivet Certified Academic Institution

S t a r t F u l f i l l i n g Yo u r C a l l i n g B y C o n t a c t i n g U s To d a y !

UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

Mount Olivet

16 UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 22 - 31, 2013

THE LAW OFFICE OF

Frails & Wilson ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Experienced Representation

Real Estate Transactions Personal Injury Bankruptcy Social Security Disability Probate • Domestic Randolph Frails

Edwin Wilson

Aimee Sanders

Criminal Defenses

706-855-6715

211 Pleasant Home Road • Suite A1 • Augusta, GA

IRS or State Tax Problems?

Don’t be taken by some of the companies you see on TV. Many will take upfront fees before they even know the extent of your tax problems. And, more often than not, they will do very little to resolve your case.

Make the smart choice with Tax Wize Financial for all of your income tax needs.

(706) 305-1412 “Admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service”

At Tax Wize Financial, as a part of our initial free consultation, we will conduct an in depth analysis of your account with the IRS or State agency to determine the extent of your tax problems. After we have determined what courses of action should be taken to resolve your problems we will outline the services for you and provide you with an estimated cost for those services.

OuR SeRVIceS IncluDe: • Preparation and filing of federal current and past years tax returns, including all necessary states.

• negotiating the release of wage garnishments, levies, liens and other intrusive IRS actions.

• Installment Agreements • Offer-In-compromise • IRS audit examination preparation and representation.

Just to name a few!