U W rban Pro NEWS • COMMENTARY
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The CSRA’s FREE WEEKLY
Newspaper VOL.2 NO.37 VOL.2 NO.18 The CSRA’s
JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
AMBULANCE
WARS? RC FIRE DEPT. vs GOLD CROSS EMS
A SALUTE TO THE PARADE OF QUARTETS
STREET ART
ART WITH AN EYE FOR PEOPLE
POLITICAL STUFF
THOUHTS ON THE BRADLEY MANNING TRIAL
Once again Augusta is embroiled in a contract dispute. Commissioners on both sides of the argument are digging in for an intense battle.
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UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
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THIS WEEK! AROUND TOWN TAKE NOTE My Sister, My Friend presents
“MAN - UP”
A day of grooming…heart, mind, body, and soul. On Saturday, June 15, 2013 @ 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. At the Augusta Regional Library, 823 Telfair Street, Augusta, GA 30901 Admission: Free. Lunch provided; Haircuts provided to first 20 men. For more information, please call 404 – 694 – 0964.
TALENT SEARCH “Youth Got Talent” Fundraiser Talent Show for Aiken County
A colorful mural in downtown Augusta near the intersection of Sixth Street and Greene Street represents a collaboration between artists and building owners to help beautify the city. The artistic
revitalization project is spearheaded by Schweitzer Art Glass and Syd Padgett of Oddfellows Gallery. The mural project is being completed in stages. Photo by Vincent Hobbs
GATHERINGS
Thurmond is Business League speaker The CSR A Business League will celebrate its 43rd Anniversary on Friday, 21 June 2013 with Interim DeKalb County Superintendent of Schools, Former Georgia Labor Commissioner and Paine College Alumnus the Honorable Michael Thurmond as the keynote speaker. The Banquet will begin at 7:00 pm and will be held at the Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites. Tickets for the Banquet may be
purchased for $50.00 and they are available at the CSR A Business League office located at 821 12th Street in Augusta or from any member of the CSR A Business League Board of Directors. Businesses may advertise in sthe souvernir publication. Email information to ellisalbright@businessleague.org or mail to 821 12th Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901.
Michael Thurmond, former Georgia Labor Commissioner
McInytre is Senior Luncheon Guest Speaker
A Senior Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 from 11:30am 1:00 pm, at The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, 1116 Phillips Street Augusta, Georgia. Cost of the Luncheon is $10. RSVP by calling 706-724-3576. Make reservations by 12:00 noon, Monday June 10th. Kellie Kenner McIntyre is the Richmond County Solicitor-General.
Rep. Al Williams will keynote Baptist Convention
Rep. Al Williams D-Savannah
Kellie McIntyre Solicitor General
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UrbanProWeekly LLC Mailing Address: 3529 Monte Carlo Drive Augusta, Georgia 30906
The Tenth District of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia is sponsoring its annual Recognition’s Banquet on June 14, 2013 at 7 p.m at the Diamond Lakes Complex on Windsor Spring Road in Hephzibah Georgia. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Building on a Firm Foundation: Bridging The Leadership Ga.” The guest speaker for the night will be the honorable Georgia State Representative Al Williams from Savannah Georgia. For information, call 706-831-2132.
Publisher Ben Hasan 706-394-9411 Managing Editor Frederick Benjamin Sr. 706-836-2018
Sales & Marketing Phone: 706-394-9411 Photography and Social Media Courtesy of Vincent Hobbs
On Thursday, June 27, 2013 at the Aiken Performing Arts Academy at 6 p.m. 130 Avery Lane Aiken, SC 29802. Twenty acts will perform talents including singing, dancing, musicals, drama, and spoken word poetry. Performers are youth in the Middle and High schools within Aiken County. $6 admission charge. Request an entry form at info@destinyleaders.org or call Shirlonda Evans at 803426-1159. The event will also feature a talent showcase and free door prizes. Raffle prizes, food, and drinks will be sold during the show to help with fundraising. To find out more about Destiny Leaders and the Youth Got Talent Fundraiser, Email: info@destinyleaders. org; www.destinyleaders. com
DANCE RECITAL
The Cutno Dance Center will host its 18th Dance Recital on Sat. June 8th at 2:30 p.m and 5:30 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Tickets are $13 for students and $15 for adults. For more information on the Show and School call 706-364-3442 or go to cutnodance.com.
email: Ben Hasan bzhasan54@yahoo.com Frederick Benjamin Sr. editor@urbanproweekly.com Vincent Hobbs coolveestudio@gmail.com
3 UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
Augusta Solid Waste would like to welcome you as a new customer to our “Cleaner. Greener. Smarter.” program!
INFORMATION ABOUT
Your new service includes: Augusta has initiated a new centralized call center for all non-emergency issues. Have a question or suggestion?...call 311
One day a week pickups for services, with all collections made on the same day: Garbage, Recycling, Yard Waste and Bulk Waste
For additional questions regarding your new garbage service
Incentives for you to use at local businesses as rewards for recycling.
If you live more than 300 feet from the right-of-way to discuss your service options
Expanded county-wide service area, with exceptions for the city limits of Hephzibah and Blythe.
To request a recycling cart
Collection services provided to vacant/ unoccupied properties for yard and bulk waste to keep the neighborhoods clean.
To request additional garbage carts
www.AugustaSolidWaste.com
New community events including neighborhood clean-ups, educational programs and volunteer litter collections. Also, tire collections will now be done during monthly community events! All garbage trucks are fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG) – cleaner and quieter. Reinvesting in the community with a local small business utilization goal of 25% of total contract value.
UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
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The City IN THE NEWS
City reverses course on ambulance rebid By Frederick Benjamin Urban Pro Weekly Writer
Monique Braswell Council of PTAs President
Braswell blasts state PTA head and seeks apology from superintendent AUGUSTA Monique Braswell is not one to “suffer fools lightly.” The Richmond County Council of PTAs president has landed in the news recently over the disputed presidency of a local PTA at a South Augusta Elementary School and allegations of “misuse” of that school’s PTA bank account. Now that the state PTA has conducted an audit which has cleared Braswell of misappropriation of funds, Braswell wants to clear the air publicly. Locally, she has called on Superintendent Frank Roberson to apologize over the manner in which he conducted an investigation into the Willis Foreman Elementary’s PTA bank account. Braswell had assumed the office of treasurer of that organization. In addition, Braswell has fired of a letter to the State PTA Board of Directors asking for the immediate firing of Georgia PTA President Donna Kosicki. In the letter, Braswell expressed “concern and exasperation regarding the habitually unethical and detrimental actions” Kosicki. In the letter, Braswell alleged that Kosicki has “engaged in numerous activities that have produced a loss of confidence, and caused stress, slowed progress, and weakened the morale of the PTA in District 8.” Roberson declined to offer an apology to Braswell stating that he never accused her of stealing anything.
AUGUSTA The dispute between Gold Cross EMS and the Richmond County Fire Department took an unexpected turn on Tuesday when the commission voted 6-4 to withdraw the Request for Proposals which it agreed to earlier this year. The move to repeal the RFP had been spearheaded by Commissioner Marion Williams who along with support from Commissioner Donnie Smith. Although it has been couched in somewhat benign language about compliance with existing contract obligations and lack of accountability in the current contract, the dispute at its core is about who will control the county’s emergency ambulance service in the future. The trend has been for urban fire departments to take over the dispatching and provision of emergency ambulance services — a role that the RCFD has embraced. Gold Cross EMS received the $1.9 million contract
Commissioner Marion Williams has been dogged in his determination to get the RFP for ambulance services repealed. in 2005; they are in the last year of their contract. The contract is set to automatically renew unless it is placed out for bids. In February, the commissioners voted 9-1 (Commissioner Joe Jackson voted against the measure) to re-bid the city’s ambulance contract. Augusta Fire Chief Chris James has been critical of
the 2005 contract with Gold Cross EMS, saying it is too vague to be policed, but commissioners insisted their decision at the time was routine and had nothing to do with the company’s service. “What was needed in 2005 may not necessarily be the things we need in 2014,” Mason said back in February. At the time, representa-
tives of Aug usta ambulance companies South Star and Capital City were present for the meeting, and a South Star spokesman said the firm likely would bid on the contract. The mover to repeal the RFP had to be good news for Gold Cross CEO Vince Brog don said he had been “disappointed, because we’ve done an excellent job.”
Judge: It’s time to lift desegregation order AUGUSTA Senior U.S. District Judge Dudley H. Bowen has ordered a June 17 hearing in which he would like for all parties involved in the 1964 desegregation lawsuit to attend and show cause why the suit should not be closed. It has been 49 years since the filing of Robert L. Acree v. the Richmond County Board of Education. This would not be the first time that there has been discussion about ending the federal court order that forced desegregation of education in Augusta. The two sides have struggled to meet since 1964, when the first lawsuit was filed, and 1972, when the courts forced integration. Bowens’ call for a hearing
of this nature is unprecedented in this case. For years, the system has be desegregated, but it has been up to the two parties in the dispute to make a move to lift the court order. There have always been persistent legal obstacles. In the past, there has been a strong ``fear factor,’’ about ending the case prematurely. The Richmond County board of education must vote to let school board attorney Pete Fletcher ask the courts to end the order. The school system has always been very close to ending the lawsuit. Here’s what former Superintendent Charles Larke said about it back in the 1990s. ``I guess it’s been a way of life, it’s been so long,’’
said Superintendent Charles Larke. ``I think there is a fear from some people that if we were to come out, there might be some things to reverse and hurt minorities.’’ Attorney for the plaintiffs, Attorney Ben Allen, said at the time. ``You may have a situation that’s developed that both communities may feel comfortable with the lawsuit still in place. It’s a convenient out for everybody, black and white,’’ Mr. Allen said. ``I guess I shouldn’t say that.’’ Today, no one doubts that the desegregation has been complete. That’s what makes Bowen’s call for a hearing that much more compelling. The Richmond County
school system is majority black, with black and white students in classes together, led by principals and assistant principals of both races. The system is guided by a black superintendent and black and white administrators. In the year 2013, one has to wonder why the school board and the plaintiffs attorneys hadn’t already moved to close the suit. Even before the judge’s proactive move, the trustees could have ordered Mr. Fletcher to petition the U.S. District Court to release Richmond County schools from court supervision. Up until now, all the board has allowed Mr. Fletcher to do is negotiate with Mr. Allen toward resolving the case.
Anatomy of obstruction
Past failures put disparity study on path to nowhere By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA This week, the city received an update from Yvonne Gentry, the city’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Director, on the progress of implementing recommendations from the most recent disparity study (2009). Ms. Gentry has been making these kinds of reports at least once a year for the past several years and always with the same result. Nothing happens. Well, almost nothing. The reports will sometimes elicit enough interest from commissioners to where they will listen and then ask City Administrator Fred Russell or the city attorney to research something or other — again — always with the same result nothing happens. Commissioner Marion Williams appears to have taken the lead to ensure that matters relating to increased inclusion of local women and minority vendors remains on the front burner. That has not been an easy slog.
Efforts toward implementing recommendations offered by the most recent disparity study has met with persistent and determined resistance which has ranged in some instances from outright hostility to benign neglect. The votes have too often aligned themselve along racial lines. Over the past several years, there have never been enough white votes on the commission to put any teeth into an aggressive move to empower women and minority business owners. So far in 2013, there has been movement, but little progress. The problem is that after years and months of stalling, the sunset provision (5-year limit) on the latest disparity study will soon kick in. When that happens, the data collected from the 2009 study will become useless and the process will have to begin all over again — at a cost of at least $500,000 — the cost of the last study. Gentry said that her efforts have been hampered by insufficient data collection from the city’s current prime contract holders. In January, Gentry outlined a plan
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of action which the commission has yet to follow. In part, it says: The 2009 Disparity Study revealed compelling evidence of discrimination in ARC marketplace. To implement all of the recommendations several things need to occur.
1. Develop an ordinance and regulations to implement the recommendations. 2. Partition the judge to remove the enjoinment. 3. Implement and complete collection of prime and sub-contractor data.
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UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
Local News
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UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
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Community News
Legendary broadcast PARADE OF QUARTETS TO BE HONORED FOR LONGEVITY
(Above) Broadcast Pioneers - Steve Manderson and Henry L. Howard. (Right) Compelling guests are staple on POQ. Attorney Harold Jones and co-host Karlton Howard. On Friday, June 7, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to the longest running TV show in the state of Georgia, Augusta’s The Parade of Quartets. The Annual GABBY Awards are designed to salute broadcasters throughout the state that engage in compelling content, personalities and community service. On each and every count, Augusta’s Parade of Quartets qualifies. Speakers will include Atlanta Mayor
Kasim Reed, National Association of Broadcasters President Gordon Smith, Georgia Homeland Security Director Charley English, Josh Caray and Pete van Wieren. The Honors Night Program starts at 6 p.m. and this year will be held at Georgia Public Broadcasting headquarters in Midtown Atlanta. The event will be hosted by Hall of Fame Broadcaster Monica Pearson. “Over 90 percent of Georgians receive their news, weather and emergency
information from our state’s over-the-air radio and television broadcasters every day and this is the night we all come together to recognize our excellence and community service,” according to GAB President Bob Houghton. GAB will give its Georgian Of The Year Award to Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. Long-time Columbus Broadcast Executive Lee Brantley and former
Braves Announcers Pete van Wieren and the late Skip Caray will be inducted into the GAB Hall of Fame. Community Service Awards will be awarded to broadcasters by the Georgia National Guard and Operation Lifesaver. For more information about this year’s GAB Honors Night, contact Kathy Haugen at GAB at 770-395-7200 or via email at khaugen@gab.org.
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Community News
7
&TOAST
On Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Augusta Mini Theatre at 2458 Deans Bridge Road, The Augusta Mini Theatre will present its 4th Annual Hot Roast & Toast. This year’s featured guest is Robert “Flash” Gordon. Tickets are $50 and tables are $500. For tickets call (706) 7220598 or visit www.augustaminitheatre.com. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Maria McKie Butler Memorial College Book Scholarship. Leslie Vandenabeele, a certified Athletic Trainer for the Georgia Regents Sports Medicine Center
Robert “Flash” Gordon at work. Photo by Vincent Hobbs
GRU trainer earns teaching award
Smooth/Pop • Classic • Big Band • Fusion/Funk • Contemporary • Blues
AUGUSTA Leslie Vandenabeele, a certified Athletic Trainer for the Georgia Regents Sports Medicine Center, has been 8th St. Bulkhead (8th St. Entrance of the Riverwalk) given the First Year Teacher of the Year Award at Midland Valley High School. th Vandenabeele, who also holds a master’s degree in education, introduced the health science curriculum to the 8:00pm :: $6 (kids under 13 admitted free) :: (706) 495-6238 :: (706) 821-1754 school during the 2012-2013 academic year. Georgia Regents Sports Medicine STYLE: *-smooth/pop +-classic @-big band !-fusion /funk <-contemporary =-blues Center has provided athletic training services for Midland Valley since 2003, and in 2009 implemented a sports medicine curriculum at the school. The health science curriculum was added last fall because of increased student interest in health professions educa-for not smoking – for keeping your conversations down – for keeping your pets quiet and on a leash. tion. Because Georgia Regents MedicalThank you for supporting our musicians, vendors and sponsors. Calendar of jazz events is online at Center is an academic health center,gardencityjazz.com. Visit www.rainedout.com for text weather alerts. Vandenabeele is able to integrate clinical disciplines such as cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, and emergency medicine into the classroom to expose students to the many potential careers@ May 05: Georgia Regents University Conservatory Jazz Band + Stallings Island Middle in health care. + May 12: John Hobbs - Mothers Day Tribute Vandenabeele, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a! May 19: JAMP Masters + Afro Cubop Quartet Level 1 Titleist Performance Institute* May 26: Garden City Jazz 3 Certified Golf Fitness Instructor, previously held positions at Palm Beach Institute of Sports Medicine in Boca*Jun 02: Matthew Davis Band Raton, Fla., Ducktails Pediatric Therapy and Wellness in Evans, and at University@ Jun 09: ABBA - Augusta Big Band Aggregate Hospital. She received a bachelor’s! Jun 16: David Heath Project degree in athletic training from North Georgia College and State University+ Jun 23: Piano Jazz Feature in Dahlonega and a master’s degree in education from former Augusta State< Jun 30: Patrick Arthur Trio University. As part of the region’s only academ-! Jul 07: Funk You ic health center, the Georgia Regents Sports Medicine Center follows a com-= Jul 14: Buzz Clifford Thank; you for not smoking – for keeping your conversations down – prehensive approach, integrating worldkeeping Trio your pets quiet and on a leash. Thank you for supporting + Jul 21: Edwin Gfor Hamilton class clinical care, leading-edge research our musicians, vendors and sponsors. Calendar of jazz events is online and training programs designed to keep< Jul 28: Courtland Saxon & Desire patients active and injury-free. The cenat gardencityjazz.com. Visit www.rainedout.com for text weather alerts. ter is staffed by board-certified sports medicine physicians and orthopedic= Aug 04: Tony Williams & Blues Express surgeons; licensed physical therapists, * Aug 11: Preston&Weston specializing in sports and activity-related injuries; and certified athletic train-* Aug 18: Sounds Unlimited ers, who work with area teams and organizations to evaluate and diagnose* Aug 25: quietSTORM musculoskeletal problems.
2013 Candlelight Jazz Concert Series Sundays @ the River Stage @ 8 Street JUNE 9
Thank You:
ABBA
Augusta Big Band Aggregate JUNE 16
David Heath Project JUNE 23
PIano Jazz Feature JUNE 30
Patrick Arthur Trio
UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
ROAST
UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
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The Nation
NAACP protest against NC GOP draws 1,000, over 100 arrested NAACP protest: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has been holding weekly protests in Raleigh since mid-April, and what started with 17 arrests and tens of supporters back then has grown every week, bringing the total number of arrests to nearly 300 after five weeks of protests. RALEIGH, N.C. More than 100 people were arrested Monday at the largest demonstration yet of the North Carolina NA ACP’s weeks-long protest of the conservative policies of the Republican-led General Assembly. Police estimated that roughly 1,000 people attended a rally late Monday afternoon behind the Legislative Building on Halifax Mall. Hundreds then entered the building. Upwards of 150 people were arrested outside the doors to the state Senate chambers, where demonstrators chanted, sang and delivered speeches decrying what they called a regressive agenda that
The Rev. William Barber (l.) of the NC NAACP and Pastor Mary Petty of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church (c.) wave at a rally on Halifax Mall as the Monday protests are held at the General Assembly in Raleigh, NC on June 3. Chris Seward/The News & Observer/AP neglects the poor. Activist groups estimated the crowd at about 1,600. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has been holding weekly pro-
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tests in Raleigh since mid-April, and what started with 17 arrests and tens of supporters back then has grown every week, bringing the total number of arrests to nearly 300 after five weeks of protests.
Groups ranging from abortionrights supporters to environmentalists and public educators have joined the rallies, which have attracted people from Greensboro to Rocky Mount.
FIRST FRIDAY IN JUNE
SOME LIKE IT HOT The Greater Augusta Arts Council is pleased to, once again, present a celebration of First Friday. Join us for a full-bodied and ravishing Marilyn Monroeinspired “Some like it Hot” First Friday. This month the event will take place on June 7, 2013, from 5 -9 p.m. on Broad Street. Highlights of this month’s events include: •A fashion show to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Curvitude Boutique’s opening. Help the lovely ladies of Curvitude celebrate as models grace the runway. There will be refreshments to follow the performance and a “25% Off” sale at the store after the show. 11th & Broad Street. 5-8PM •Book signing by Jackie Cummings Koski, author of award-winning book, “Money Letters 2 My Daughter” at Hamilton Book Store. Jackie proudly hails from the CSRA and is a 1992 graduate of Augusta State University. 209 James Brown Blvd. 5-8PM •M.A.D. Studios hosts
“Freaky Friday” with live performances from Chris Hardy and Emily Middlecat. 307 1/2 11th St. 7PM. $5 admission. •Zimmerman Gallery celebrating Jeff Birchill’s recent admission into the prestigious Society of Animal Artists. Stop by for a chat with Jeff and a viewing of his work. 1006 Broad Street. 5-9PM. •Free Art Friday, an event running all day long featuring a hide-and-seek game. Participating artists create a unique work which will be hidden on a walking path through Broad Street. Anyone who finds a piece is its new owner! This week’s art theme is “Dead Musicians” to go with the theme of Sky City, featuring work from Jay Jacobs, and Alternative Artwork’s dual art shows. Elvis will make an appearance to pass out walking maps of the area between Sky City and the JB White’s Building, as well as promoting Free Art Friday in Augusta. Check the Free
Art Friday Facebook page for clues, the walking map and more information! Broad St. 5PM Join Arts Council staff at this month’s featured restaurant, Rooster’s Beak at 990 Broad Street, for dinner during First Friday! Check our Facebook afterward for pictures and a review. Recurring events include cake tasting at Big Day Cakes Bakery, belly dancing by Eastern Star Dance Company and Friends, a Pyroteque performance after dark and eXtreme Theatre Games show at Le Chat Noir. All of our recurring events and performances constitute the backbone of our event as well as the loyal vendors and artists who set up on Broad Street for the evening. •First Friday is a family friendly event that is free and open to the public. For information on this event, as well as other events, visit www.augustaarts.com or contact Jamie Lowe by phone at 706-826-4702, extension 4.
Livin’ OutLoud
Managing the Artist Ego
A
t a recent ‘meet and greet’ appearance in Detroit, Keshia Cole decided to arrive 2 ½ hours late. Her fans were forced to stand in the cold and rain for a total of 4 hours. Her reason was because she didn’t receive the “special water” that she requested before going on stage. Instead of apologizing, Ms. Cole told her audience, “At this point in my career, if you not rockin’ with me, you can get out.” If I were one of Keshia Cole’s fans, my first impression from this would be instant frustration. In my opinion, here is the classic example of an artist’s ego being built up to the point where she doesn’t care about the very fan base that got her to stardom. Her publicist or someone in her entourage should have made sure that things were lined up so she could arrive in a timely manner. Either that, or cancel the appointment completely for a later date! As an artist, it’s important to make sure your ego is in check. Being humble goes a very long way when it comes to people choosing to support you and the art you create. An artistic professional puts in long hours main-
taining their brand from creating the actual product to promotion to showcasing the art at various events. At the same time, your audience should be given the respect they deserve when they make the time to come out and support you! The old saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” If the buying public gets a negative opinion of you and your art indirectly by you showing up late to events, not having quality promotion materials, or even the statements that are broadcasted through interviews through the media, you might have a hard time convincing them that your art is worthy of supporting. A healthy confidence in your artistic efforts is what people in the creative industry often strive for. Take pride in what you create and showcase it in the best light possible. A great way to manage your public image and your ego is to tell your audience of the positive facts that surround your art other than bragging and boasting about things that may or may not be true. Give back to those that have helped you get to the success you have and watch that goodwill come back to you!
9 UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
Living The Arts
Artistic Commentary By LadyVee
UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
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Police Bulletin Board
Ten-year police veteran fired DEPUTY ACCUSED OF MISHANDLING CONFISCATED ITEMS INCLUDING MARIJUANA, PISTOL & CASH. On May 29th 2013 The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a complaint on one of its officers Deputy Wade Smith. The investigation dealt with the improper handling and recovery of property seized from a defendant in a case investigated by Deputy Smith on November 2nd, 2012. During the investigation it was learned that Deputy Smith confiscated a large amount of Marijuana, money, and a handgun and did not document this in any report or recover the property correctly. Deputy Smith advised that the narcotics were destroyed, the weapon was discarded and all of the cash was turned over to a relative
of the defendant. The Internal investigation could find no evidence to support Deputy Smith’s claim as to the disposition of said property. As a result, it was determined at a minimum that Deputy Wade Smith violated Sheriff’s Office policy and procedures and was terminated as of today. Upon completion of the investigation, the entire findings will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for review and possible prosecution. This is still an active investigation; therefore certain items related to Deputy Wade’s personnel file cannot be released at this time. Deputy Wade Smith had been with the Sheriff’s Office since 03/02/2002.
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Deputies, citizens can gain ‘child safety tech’ status The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has teamed up with the University of Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute, funded by a grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in an effort to certify RCSO Deputies and other local individuals as Child Passenger Safety Technicians.
The Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification Program Course will be holding classes from June 4-7, 2013 at The Foundation Club in Augusta, Georgia. This course is taught using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s curriculum and is designed to provide participants with the
knowledge and technical skills to become certified as a Child Passenger Safety Technician. On Friday, June 7th from 8:30 am until 11am, the Target store located at 235 Robert C Daniel Jr Parkway has graciously agreed to be the host location for complimentary child and booster seat safety inspections.
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11 a talented group of young men and groomed them to reach their potential. That is what coaching is all about,” Paine director of athletics Tim Duncan stated. “We would not be here if not for the unwavering support of the Paine College Golf Committee and the participants of our annual tournament.”
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Paine College Golf’s impending dynasty? There’s been very little fanfare about it, but, very quietly, Paine College has laid the foundation for a veritiable dynasty in SIAC golf. Boasting the top coach, Herman Belton, and the top player, Carlos Solis, in the SIAC year-end standings, the Paine golfers also walked away with the SIAC golf title — for the second straight year. Just in case you missed it here’s the latest by this golf juggernaut. “Paine College shot 321 in the final round at Jones Creek Golf Club
on Tuesday to win the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Golf Classic by 24 strokes over More house and repeat as conference champions. “Paine’s Carlos Solis claimed medalist honors with a 36-hole total of 150. Teammates Jerrell Hubbard (155) and Victor Tapia (157) were second and third, respectively. All three were named to the alltournament team, and Belton was named SIAC Golf Coach of the Year.” “Our guys were extremely focused
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UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
on the task at hand, they fought through adversity this year and that growth helped them become champions. I am tremendously proud of their effort,” head coach Herman Belton said. The Lions finished with a two-day total of 643. “I am ecstatic about the job that Coach Belton did this year. He had
Commentary
UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
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“The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naive and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who loves his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair.” –H.L. Mencken
Protesters march during a rally in support of Army Pfc. Bradley Manning outside of Fort Meade, Md., Saturday, June 1, 2013. Manning, who faced a court martial beginning June 3, is accused of sending hundreds of thousands of classified records to WikiLeaks while working as an intelligence analyst in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Leaving truth outside at Bradley Manning’s trial by Medea Benjamin and Ann Wright It was an early morning, getting out to Ft. Meade, Maryland by 7am to join the group of hearty activists standing out on the rain, greeting the journalists coming into the Bradley Manning hearing with chants of “Whistleblowing is not a crime, Free Bradley Manning.” The activists, many with groups like The Bradley Manning Support Committee, Veterans for Peace, CODEPINK and Iraq Vets Against the War, had come from all over the country to show support for Manning during the upcoming weeks of the trial. After a stint at the bullhorn, we got into the car to drive onto the base and get on line to try to get into the courtroom or the overflow room. With Ann Wright’s retired military ID, we got to bypass the long line of cars snaking around the checkpoint and breeze right in. About a dozen people were already on line, in the rain. Some were well-known characters, like professor Cornell West, author Chris Hedges, lawyer Michael Ratner and ACLU lawyer Ben Wisner; others were individuals who had come from as far
away as Ireland and Mexico to support Manning. It’s great that court martial trials are open to the public. But it’s absurd that this epic trial is being held in a tiny courtroom that only fits a total of 50 people. “It’s a trial of the century being conducted in a shoebox,” complained attorney Michael Ratner. Only 16 spaces were allocated to the public; the rest had to go to an overflow theatre that seated about 100, or a trailer next to the courtroom with room for 35. The press had a separate room where they could bring their computers and phones, although they were not allowed to transmit anything during the trial—just during the breaks. Going through security for the courtroom, we were not allowed to bring any electronics. And there was a bit of a dust-up around t-shirts: some people with slogans on their shirts were made to turn them inside out, while others escaped the censors. It seems that “LOVE”, “Peace” and “Stay Human” could sneak by, but “TRUTH” and “Free Bradley” didn’t make it. Once inside, we immediately saw the back of Bradley Manning’s shaved head, and
his wire-rimmed glasses jutting out from the side. “He looks just like my grandson,” said CODEPINK Barbara Briggs from Sebastapol, California. “How tragic that this 25-yearold is facing life in prison.” It was also sad to see that almost none of Manning’s family was there—only an aunt and cousin. Manning had requested a court-martial by judge rather than by a jury of his peers.The judge, Colonel Denise Lind, said last month she would close parts of the trial to the public to protect classified material. The Prosecution presented its opening statement using an extensive power point that detailed the charges and specifications, and a brief synopsis that the testimony each witness will give. The Prosecution said that FPC Manning had purposefully aided and abetted the enemy through the Wikileaks documents that Manning downloaded. He concluded by saying that Osama bin Laden requested and received a copy of internal U.S. military logs of the war in Afghanistan from another member of al-Qaeda. The Defense’s opening statement responded that Manning is young and naïve but with
good intentions. Manning’s attorney David Coombs said Manning thought that the public should know what goes on in war and how one’s government operates. He was troubled by the response of the government to requests for information from the Reuters news agency concerning the deaths of their journalists from an Apache helicopter attack (the video now known as Collateral Murder), as well as the 2009 Gharani air strike that killed 150 civilians. Coombs insisted that Manning made the documents available for the public, not for the enemy, and that the documents leaked were largely publicly available information with no critical intelligence sources. At a pretrial hearing in February, Manning admitted to 10 offenses that could land him 20 years in prison. But the government insisted on upping the ante by accusing him of “aiding the enemy”—a charge that could result in life in prison. The court-martial may take 2 or 3 months to complete the presentation of evidence for the 12 counts to which Manning has not plead guilty. Numerous secret witnesses will be testifying for the prosecution.
While the “aiding the enemy” charge is going to be very difficult to prove, Michael Ratner, the president emeritus of the Center for Constitutional Rights, said the fact that the government is pursuing this charge “sends a message to every soldier and every journalist that they are literally taking their lives in their hands if they dare speak out against wrongdoing.” Manning’s trial, which is slated to last three months, is the most stark example of the Obama administration’s relentless stance against whistleblowers. “This president has the tried to prosecute six whistleblowers under the Espionage Act, twice as many as all previous presidencies combined,” said Cornell West. “President Obama is determined to stop the public from knowing about government wrongdoing.” In pretrial proceedings, Manning said his motivation was to “spark a domestic debate over the role of the military and our foreign policy in general.” Certainly that debate is long overdue. So is the debate about right of the public to be informed about what our governments are doing in our name.
Private prison profits soar; lockups view themselves as inmate landlords By Nicole Flatow A major U.S. private prison operator known for inmate abuse, violations, and disregard for the truth reported a 56-percent spike in profit in the first quarter of 2013, due in part to its new strategy for drastically reducing its taxes,
the Associated Press reports. During a conference call touting its success, representatives at GEO Group boasted that the company continues to have “solid occupancy rates in mid to high 90s” and that they are optimistic “regarding the outlook for the indus-
try,” in part due to a “growing offender population.” Following a trend of corporations achieving dramatic tax reductions by becoming a real estate investment trust (REIT) – a mechanism historically reserved for firms holding real estate as
an investment — both GEO and fellow prison operator Corrections Corporation of America successfully persuaded the Internal Revenue Service recently that they are essentially holding real estate, analogizing prisoners to renters paid for by the government.
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Sealed proposals from contractors will be received for the Glenn Hills High School Renovations, Re-Roofing and Gymnasium Addition Project by the County Board of Education of Richmond County at the address below until 3:00 p.m. local time, Thursday, June 27, 2013, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read. No extension of the bidding period will be made.
OF RICHMOND COUNTY The Richmond County School System will accept bids and request for proposals until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, for the following:
A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. local time in the Board Conference Room, Richmond County Board of Education, 864 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901.
Murphey Middle School Asbestos Abatement and Demolition
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Drawings and project manual on this work may be examined at the Department of Maintenance and Facilities, Richmond County Board of Education, 1781 15th Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901.
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Project No. B-12-003-5805
Bid specifications may be obtained by contacting Amy ce P rofessionals Bauman the Business Office 706-826-1298, on our Life Health in Bonds Commercial atNeed Insurance? Bidding documents may be obtained at the Office of the web site at www.rcboe.org, or at the Richmond County
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Architect: Cheatham, Fletcher, Scott Architects, 420 ½ 8th Street, Augusta, GA 30901 (706.724.2668). Applications for documents together with refundable deposit of $500.00 (payable to the architect) per set should be filed promptly with The Richmond County School System reserves the right the Architect. Bidding materials will be forwarded (shipping to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and charges collect) as soon as possible. The full amount of deposit informalities. 706.560.9997 faxfor one set will be refunded to each prime contractor who submits a bona fide bid upon return of such set in good condition within COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ten (10) days after date of opening bids. All other deposits will be 2636-C Tobacco Rd JyNelle Handy, Agent refunded with deductions approximating cost of reproduction of OF RICHMOND COUNTY Hephzibah, GA 30815 INFO@INS-PROS.COM documents upon return of same in good condition within ten (10) days after date of opening bid. By: Dr. Frank G. Roberson, Secretary
School System, Central Office, 864 Broad Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, Georgia 30901.
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706.560.9990
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990
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Rd 815
JyNelle Handy, Agent
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Contract, if awarded, will be on a lump sum basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of thirty-five (35) days after time has been called on the date of opening.
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Bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not less than 5% of the base bid. Personal checks, certified checks, letters of credit, etc., are not acceptable. The successful bidder will Auto Home Life Health Bonds Commercial be required to furnish performance and payment bonds in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price.
Need Insurance? 706.560.9990 The Richmond County Board of Education reserves the right to ce P rofessionals I nsurance P rofessionals 706.560.9997 fax We Can Help! Life Health Bonds Commercial reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities. BID LIST: JyNelle Handy, Agent The Richmond County Board of Education maintains
2636-C Tobacco Rd Hephzibah, GA 30815
a bid list for many categories that are let for bid each year. Contact Amy Bauman in the Business Office (706) 826-1298 or at baumaam@rcboe.org if you need additional information faxconcerning the bid list.
nce? 706.560.9990 706.560.9997 p!
INFO@INS-PROS.COM
To promote local participation, a database of sub-contractors, 2636-C Tobacco Rd JyNelle Handy, Agent suppliers, and vendors has been developed by the Program Hephzibah, GA 30815 INFO@INS-PROS.COM
990 i I nsurance P rofessionals p x
Manager, GMK Associates. Contact Jeanine Usry with GMK Associates at (706) 826 -1127 for location to review and obtain Auto Home Life Health Bonds Commercial this database.
Need Insurance? Bids shall be submitted and addressed to: Rd JyNelle Handy, Agent We Can Help! 815 INFO@INS-PROS.COM Dr. Frank G. Roberson, Superintendent County Board of Education of Richmond County
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706.560.9990 706.560.9997 fax
2636-C Tobacco Rd Hephzibah, GA 30815
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UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
INVITATION TO BID
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UrbanProWeekly • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
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Your Money • Your Business
When diversity matters, get professional help With recent passage of the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) in the 13 county region around Augusta it is vitally important that our tax dollars being spent be representative of the community. Of those 13 counties, seven have a minority population of over 51 percent. In Richmond County, 59 percent of the residents are minority which means that a significant amount of tax dollars will come from this community (US Census Bureau Quick Facts 2013). Over a 10-year period, $841 million will be collected and fund projects which will include airports, highways, bridges and public transits. This increase in construction equates to economic growth, not to mention jobs in the community. How does this information tie back to business diversity? Business Diversity (also known as Supplier Diversity), in short, is the inclusion of minorities and women in contracting/procurement opportunities. The purpose of these programs is to provide equal access to opportunities for qualified businesses that might not have been given a chance otherwise. Business Diversity Programs can be seen mostly in governments. Federal, state, or local governments may have diversity requirements as part of their funding packages. Some major corporations also have supplier diversity programs as part of their social responsibility to consumers and in recognition of a diverse community. If over 51 percent of a community is minority and contributing major tax dollars to the region, it is only fair to take into consideration the needs of that community. Business Diversity is a mechanism for social responsibility in the community which, in essence, takes in consideration the community’s needs. The utilization of minority and woman-owned businesses directly impacts those in the community surrounding a particular business. By diversifying contracting/procurement activity, agencies begin to break down barriers to inclusion. Jobs near that business are created because services have increased which necessitates more people to work. Products are being bought and produced to keep up with the demand. The more demand for products and services, the more people required, which means more jobs being created in the community. How is Business Diversity working in your community? Let us help! Patterson-Brown & Associates is in the business of building, bridging, and sustaining relationships between small, minority, and women-owned businesses and connecting them with governmental entities and large corporations. Patterson-Brown & Associates is a business diversity consulting firm with specializations in contract compliance and business diversity strategies. Brenda Brown is Principal & Business Development Director at
Patterson-Brown & Associates is a business diversity consulting firm with specializations in contract compliance and business diversity Patterson-Brown & Associates. She can be reached at (706) 945-2173 or
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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 • JUNE 6 - 12, 2013
ARE YOU AT RISK?
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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.
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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.
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