Urban Pro Weekly

RCSO seeks help in deadly hit’n’run case

U W rban Pro NEWS • COMMENTARY

CITY SERVICES EXPAND

New Tag Office features drive-thru service.

THIS WEEKEND

ARTS

eekly

ENTERTAINMENT

The CSRA’s FREE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER VOL.3 NO.32

APRIL 24 - 30 2014

ACLU LAWSUIT:

May 20 date for commissoner & mayor elections is unconstitutional

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

2 Apartments starting at $425

Providence Place 706-793-2180

2205 Southgate Dr. • Augusta,GA 30906 $50.00 OFF FIRST FOUR MONTH’S RENT * SELECTED UNITS 1 bedroom/1 bath starting at $425 2 bedroom/1 bath starting at $475 2 bedroom/1 bath starting at $475 energy efficient

DIRECTIONS Take I-520 to Deans Bridge Road North.

Turn right on Richmond Hll Road.

Property is on the left.

OFFICE HOURS Mon-Fri 9-5:30; 1st Sat of month 10-3

2 bedroom/ 1 1/2 bath Townhome starting at $550 * Certain restrictions may apply Call office for details

“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

•Fully equipped kitchens •Mini-blinds •Pool •Laundry facilities •Total electric central heat and air •Washer and dryer connections in some •On-site courtesy officer •Near Ft. Gordon •Gas heat/hot water heaters •Playground •Picnic area/grills SELECTED UNITS

The Place . . . is the place to be!

Your choice for comprehensive long or short term nursing care and rehabilitation services. Open for admissions 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.

The Place At Deans Bridge 3235 Deans Bridge Rd. Augusta, GA 30906 706-798-1430

Nursing and Rehabilitation

The Place At Martinez 409 Pleasant Home Rd. Augusta, GA 30907 706-863-6030

MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to provide excellent quality of care and services to our residents, families and community.

The CITY

3 UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

Campaign signs dot the roadway at the intersection of Windsor Spring Road and Meadowbrook Drive in south Augusta. Most of the signs that have begun to saturate neighborhood yards and roadways are for the 20 candidates in the running for the mayor’s or commission races. Whether those races will remain on the May 20 ballot will be up to a 3-judge federal panel. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Voting lawsuit only targets mayor & commission races

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA Voting rights lawsuits are generally cheered by African-American politicians in the Augusta area. That was the case when a federal judge redrew the lines in a redistricting lawsuit in 2012 which created an additional majority-black commission (District 6). The recent filing (April 18, 2014) of the latest voting rights lawsuit caught many local candidates off guard although the majority of African-American candidates probably knew that the lawsuit had been contemplated.

The timing of the lawsuit (30-days before the May 20 election) places the candidates in an ambivalent state. While most are supportive of

any efforts to combat efforts to suppress the African-American vote (all of the mayoral candidates are lifetime members of the NAACP according to sources from that organization), they realized immediately that, if successsful, this action will not be without its costs. Most of the candidates for local city offices have already spent money and expended limited resources with the May 20 date in mind and are mindful of the confusion that the timing of the lawsuit has created.

The confusion stems from the fact that there are many more races on the May 20 ballot than just the citybased races. The State Senate race which includes Harold Jones, Elmyria Chivers and Corey Johnson are not affected by the lawsuit.

Also not affected is the controversial SPLOST 7 referendum. Then

there are the primary contests for the U.S. Congress as well as a host of ballot items to be considered by the electorate on May 20.

The Executive Director of the Richmond County Board of Elections Lynn Bailey is very concerned about widespread confusion.

“What is getting lost in this discussion is the fact that only two offices (mayor, county commissioner) are affected. All the others will go forward as usual on May 20,” Bailey said.

Bailey also stressed that the lawsuit does not request a new qualifying period. She also indicated that state law prohibits reopening the qualifying period.

Bailey said that she had not yet tabulated the cost in case the suit was successful.

“All of the local voting machines

are ready to deploy. Any change would mean some reprogramming and added expense.”

Bailey estimates that the cost for the current election is right at $100,000.

The lawsuit which will be guided through the courts by the Georgia Office of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seeks to remove the mayoral and commission district races from the May 20, 2014 ballot.

The suit will be relying heavily on the U.S. Justice Department’s objection to moving Richmond County’s municipal elections from November where they have traditionally been held to May. The Justice Department objection was based on the section of the Voting Rights Act not covered by the Supreme Court’s decision which limited certain Section 5 preclearance requirements.

ACLU’s McDonald handling lawsuit

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA The lead attorney in the lawsuit challenging the inclusion of the mayor and commission seats on the May 20 ballot says there was no strategy involved in the timing of the lawsuit.

Laughlin McDonald, the veteran Voting Rights expert for the ACLU, told UrbanProWeekly today that he tried over a month ago to get the process started.

“We wrote a letter on March 21 to Lynn Bailey asking when the municipal elections would be held. We didn’t get response from her until March 28 that they would be held on May 20, 2014.

As soon as we got that date confirmed we starting our process,” McDonald said.

ACLU lead attorney and Voting Rights expert Laughlin McDonald.

When asked of the possibility of having the city and mayoral candidates on the May 20 election and then reverting back to the November election the next year he said, “That would be up to the discretion of the court.”

Overall, he said, the impact of moving the election back to November would be minimal. Those candidates

who have already spent money haven’t wasted it. There will be an election — it’s just unclear when at this point.

McDonald will argue that the city never should have moved the election from November in the first place despite the action that the Georgia legislature took earlier this year when it moved the statewide primary election date from July to May (HB310).

The lawsuit references comments made by Georgia’s Deputy Legislative Counsel H. Jeff Lanier who “wrote to Representative Wayne Howard that while the coverage formula of Section 5 was held to be unconstitutional in Shelby County, the DOJ objection to the 2012 amendment is “still valid, and elections for the AugustaRichmond County Commission and Mayor “can continue to he held in November.”

Shelby County is a reference to the landmark Supreme Court Decision (Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder) which invalidated a particular section of the Section 5 coverage formula for “being based on decades-old data and eradicated practices.” The “2012 amendment” refers to Georgia General Assembly’s first attempt to move Augusta’s elections from November to the spring prior to the 2012 general election.

The DOJ blocked that move and the ACLU will argue that nothing has happened (not even the Supreme Court decision in Shelby) to overturn that objection.

Further, Deputy Counsel Lanier, in his letter to Howard, said that the legislature’s change in the statewide primary “did not affect municipal elections.”

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

4

LAW AND ORDER

Clemency criteria to be broadened Changes aimed at inmates serving time for nonviolent drug crime.

By Eric Tucker Associated Press WASHINGTON The Justice Department is broadening the criteria it will use in evaluating clemency petitions from certain federal prisoners and expects the changes to result in thousands of new applications, Attorney General Eric Holder said Monday.

The new criteria, which will be detailed later this week and are aimed at inmates serving time for nonviolent drug offenses, are intended to lead to a reduction in the nation’s federal prison population and “ensure that those who have paid their debts have a chance to become productive citizens,” Holder said in a video message.

The announcement is part of an ongoing Obama administration push to re-evaluate sentences for drug crimes that officials believe were unduly harsh and were imposed under old federal guidelines that treated convictions for crack cocaine offenses more punitively than those involving the powder form of the drug.

In December, for instance, President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of eight drug prisoners — including six who were serving life sentences — and the Justice Department in January

publicly encouraged defense lawyers from around the country to help low-level, nonviolent drug offenders prepare petitions for clemency.

The Justice Department evaluates clemency applications for the president’s review, taking into account factors such as the seriousness of the crime, the person’s acceptance of responsibility and behavior since the conviction, and any input from the prosecutors who handled the case.

Historically, the overwhelming majority of requests for pardons and sentence commutations are not granted, a trend that has continued in the Obama administration.

But with the use of new criteria in deciding when to recommend a clemency petition to the president, the Justice Department expects to receive thousands of new applications and may assign dozens of lawyers to handle those applications, Holder said.

“The White House has indicated it wants to consider additional clemency applications, to restore a degree of justice, fairness, and proportionality for deserving individuals who do not pose a threat to public safety. The Justice Department is committed to recommending as many qualified applicants as possible,” Holder said.

Early Voting Starts On April 28, 2014 April 28 - May 2

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Main Office, Bd. of Elections, 530 Green Street

May 5 - May 9

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Main Office, Bd. of Elections, 530 Green Street

Saturday May 10

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Main Office Bd of Elections Diamond Lakes Comm. Ctr. Warren Road Comm. Ctr. Henry Brigham Comm. Ctr.

May 12 - May 16

8:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Main Office, Bd. of Elections

Political Forum Commission Districts and Senate Dist. 22 Tues., April 29, 6:30 pm The Augusta Branch NAACP, in conjunction with New Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, and Psi Omega Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., will sponsor a political candidates forum for State Senate District 22, Commission District 2 and Commission District 4. Candidates for these contested races have confirmed their participation.

Kimberley Scott, WJBF-TV 6 News Anchor has been confirmed as one of the moderators.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m.

The purpose of the event is to pro-

vide an opportunity for voters and citizens in the community to hear the candidates platform, and to engage by asking questions regarding their candidacy and issues in the community.

New Zion Hill is located at 3237 1/2 Deans Bridge Road in Augusta.

Additionally, information will be available that can assist voters on precinct changes an updated voting information on the May 20, 2014 Election Day. For Information Call: 706-284-0275 (Dr. Smith)706-8400508 (Renaldo Woolfolk)

Augusta Branch NAACP Media Advisory

April 23, 2014 than in November when voter turnThe Augusta Branch NAACP, in out and participation is higher among conjunction with the Georgia State African Americans.

Conference NAACP is in full support The rationale is to insure the pubof the recent lawsuit filed by Augusta lic that due to the proposed change residents with the ACLU. in election dates, there must not be It is the opinion of the State and any form of regression or voter supLocal NAACP, that there must be a pression against American voters and resolution and closure from the fed- citizens in the Augusta community. eral court.

Dr. Charles J Smith Sr fee, subscribers can watch local proThis must be done to determine the President, Augusta Branch NAACP gramming including news, weather validity of holding the non-partisan Dr. Francys Johnson, President and live events such as the Olympics municipal elections in May, rather Georgia State Conference NAACP and the Oscars.

For many so-called cord cutters, Aereo provides the missing piece that, in addition to services such as Netflix and Hulu, makes it possible to ditch Leroy Stokes III pricey cable TV packages.

President/C.E.O. C.S.F.P. “Every American has the right to Chartered Senior Financial Planner watch over-the-air broadcast TV for free 401 K - I.R.A. Rollover Specialist • T.S.A. Rollover Specialist over an antenna,” said Virginia Lam, Aereo’s vice president of communicaAre your investments tions and government relations. But TAX SERVICES AVAILABLE guaranteed to never go down with cable, she said, “There is an artifidue to market downturn? cial pay wall that confines you to paying Cynthia Harris for bundle access” instead of just the CPA & Tax Specialist over-the-air local channels. “Aereo just Does your investments Tax Services Start At 4995 provides consumers with an alternative guarantee you an income for in a marketplace that has not had a lot the rest of your life? of choice or competition in the past,” she said.

If you answered, No, 706-650-7012 (o) • 706-832-5973 (c) Broadcasters have good reason to to any of these questions, be concerned. If the court rules that 4404 Columbia Rd., Suite 100 please give us a call.

Aereo’s service is legal, that will endanMartinez, GA 30907 ger the hefty retransmission fees they website: gradientfg.com receive from cable companies.

Court to hear case against video service

By Vera Bergengruen McCaltchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON The recent Supreme Court showdown pitting start-up video service Aereo against U.S. broadcasters has everyone from the White House to cloud computing advocates filing briefs and taking sides.

All parties agree on one thing: No matter what the court decides, it’s likely to be a landmark copyright case with implications far beyond the company’s future — from the way you pay for television to whether your use of Google Drive will be affected.

Broadcasters including ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox have been trying to shut down Aereo since the service launched in 2012, claiming it steals their copyrighted content.

Aereo lets users stream and record live over-the-air TV to their computers, phones and tablets by providing them with dime-sized antennas and online “cloud” storage. For a monthly

U W rban Pro

eekly

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

Universal Wealth Management Group

Publisher Ben Hasan 706-394-9411 Managing Editor Frederick Benjamin Sr. 706-306-4647

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

Directory

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

WORSHIP

5

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

Bishop Rosa L. Williams, Pastor

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

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

Sunday Morning Services 10 am Wednesday Services 7 pm 2070 Brown Road, Hephzibah, GA 30815 (706) 592-9221 | www.alwc.net

Daily Morning Prayer

6:30 a.m. - 6:45 a.m.

218-548-1625 • Access Code 2331#

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

You don’t have to live with BACK PAIN

or any other kind of discomfort, including headaches, neck stiffness, shoulder pain, muscle tension, sleep ������������������������������������

Got Skills?

UrbanProWeekly is looking for experienced freelancers

706-736-5551 2 Locations: 1125Available!

Druid Park Ave.•�� Road ACCEPTED M2583 OSTTobacco INSURANCE Drug Testing Now Augusta, GA 30904 Hephzibah, GA 30815 1132 Druid Park Ave, Augusta, GA

FREE CREDIT HELP

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

6

Inga N. Hicks, PC Attorney At Law Uncompromised Representation and Unmatched Results

Criminal Defense Personal Injury Family Law Wills NACCURATE

706-814-5998

J Sears Company LLC FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS      

INACCURATE BANKRUPTCIES INCOMPLETE INFO TAX LIENS STUDENT LOANS INCORRECT INFO CHARGE OFFS

4137 Columbia Rd., Suite C, Martinez, GA 30907

     

OUT OF DATE INFO JUDGMENTS MEDICAL BILLS COLLECTIONS INQUIRIES DEBT & MORE……….

www.jsearscompany.com

Building a model community through trust

Fish Fry Ben HASAN Hosted by District 6 Candidate

Thursday, May 1, 2014

5:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Gracewood Community Center

DONATION 15.00 For Tickets Call:

706-421-7568 or 706-394-9411 Please purchase tickets in advance No tickets will be for sale at the door

Always moving our community into the future

7 UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014 The West Augusta Tag Office is located on Washington Road in the Publix Shopping Center. The office features a new drive-thru for tag renewals and will have expanded hours during the summer months. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

West Augusta office offers drive-thru service

By Vincent Hobbs Special to UrbanProWeekly Tucked away on a corner next to a nail salon in the Publix Shopping Center on Washington Road is Augusta’s newest tag office. The West Augusta facility opened last Wednesday to serve customers residing in the west side of the city. It replaces the site formerly on Laney-Walker Blvd.

Richmond County Tax Commissioner Steven Kendrick is excited about the positive effect the move has made in the community.

“We moved one week ago and, already, we’re matching the traffic levels of our previous location.” Kendrick said.

“The community has welcomed us with their words and presence. We also are seeing people from all across our area who are using our services in this office.

Most mention that they planned their visit based on other errands or business on this side of town.”

Customers who need tag services are greeted by friendly title clerks in a sparkling new facility painted in pastel colors. Five title clerk stations are available for customer transactions, as well as a drive-thru window for simple transactions such as a tag renewal.

During the summer, expanded hours will also be available for customers.

Kendrick is implementing changes to ensure that the customer experience is fast and efficient.

“Besides the new drive-thru window, we will introduce our new customer management system this fall and we think this will provide taxpayers a

Deena Allen, a title clerk at the new West Augusta Tag Office, helps customer Denzel Shaw (R).

Photo by Vincent Hobbs much needed opportunity to get the Bigger plans are also in the works Orchard Road and Rosier Road in late most skilled tag agent for their issue for South Augusta.

September and we plan to continue the first time,” Kendrick stated. “ We “We are pleased to announce that the same great service we provide in are constantly training to make sure our 2029 Lumpkin Road office will that location as well, “Kendrick said. our employees are knowledgeable and be relocating to a roomier and more Customers who live downtown can ask better questions of taxpayers so modern office this fall. We are sched- still take care of their tag office needs that we can get them the right infor- uled to move into the Bi-Lo shop- at the Tax Commissioner’s office in the mation the first time.” ping center on the corner of Peach Municipal Building on Greene Street.

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

8

Get Out The House!

Begin your weekend this Friday night with a Moonlight Music Cruise along the Augusta Canal. This live performance aboard the Canal’s Petersburg boats will feature She N She, an acoustic Indie/ folk rock band. Visit AugustaCanal.com to book your music cruise today.

For sports fans, come out and root for the home team, the Augusta GreenJackets, this Friday night as they take on the Ashville Tourists. GreenJackets games are a fun and affordable family activity. Visit GreenJacketsBaseball.com for more information.

Start your Saturday at the Augusta Market by the Savannah River. Open each Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. during the months of March through December.

Next climb aboard the Historic Trolley Tours of Augusta! Tours offer a first class seat for learning Augusta’s unique history. Tours are offered each Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and include a tour of the Augusta Museum of History.

Trolley tours depart from the Augusta Visitor Center, located at 560 Reynolds Street in downtown Augusta, inside the Augusta Museum of History. Call the Augusta Visitor Center at 706-724-4067.

Be inspired at the Sacred Heart Garden Festival in the Garden City this weekend featuring lush landscape exhibits, learn from well-known speakers, shop the extensive vendor market, and enjoy the Augusta Council of Garden Club’s Small Standard Flower Show.

Or maybe you prefer to partake in the excitement in the air and on the ground at the 21st Annual Boshear’s Skyfest at Daniel Field Airport held on Saturday and Sunday.

Paint the town at the Morris Museum of Art’s Art Rock! Social Canvas along the Augusta Riverwalk this Saturday. Join the fun at art-making stations, participate in the gallery scavenger hunt, and help paint a giant canvas. This event is free and fun for all ages.

Earth Day Augusta will also be celebrated this Saturday at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. rain or shine. Don’t miss this day of funfilled events such as the Swamp Stomp and Gator Hike. Free for the public.

Finish the weekend off by exploring the historic and natural surroundings of the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area on Discovery Walks conducted by subject-matter specialists this Sunday at 3 p.m. This week’s topic will be Happy 100th Anniversary Butt Memorial Bridge. This centennial anniversary of the bridge dedication to Titanic hero, Major Archibald Butt spans the canal at 15th Street.

For a list of more fun-filled weekends or general events in Augusta check out VisitAugusta.com.

Marian T. Ebron, M.D. Internal Medicine and Esthetic Medicine Board Certified internal MediCine Certified in Botox & derMal fillers

Specializing in: Hypercholesterolemia Hypertension Diabetes Connective Tissue Disorder Thyroid Diseases Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder

alSo Specializing in: Esthetic Medical Procedures Beauty and Wellness Enhancement Anti-Aging and Youth Regeneration Skin/Dermal/Rejuvenation Non-Surgical Face Lift Botox & Dermal Fillers

You are beautiful ~ Show the world Call For Free Esthetic Consultation Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. – 9 AM - 5 PM 2047 Central Avenue • Augusta, GA 30904

New Patients Are Welcome

706-738-7557

Participating Provider For most Insurance Companies

Don’t forget to vote on May 20th

Trust the experts

for your income taxes •Outstanding Service •Same Day Tax Preparation •No wait Express Drop-Off Service •One Day Refund Anticipation Loans •Electronic Filing Service with NO up-front fees •Free State Tax Return Preparation with Federal Return

1139 Druid Park Avenue Augusta, Georgia 30904-5849 (706) 736-4601 438 Hampton Avenue Aiken, South Carolina (803) 502-0149

ip

I nsurance Professionals

Insurance?

A-Tech Business Center I nsurance P rofessionals Can Help!

(706) 796-1986

I nsurance Professionals 9

Auto Home Life Health Bonds  Commercial

I nsuranc i p We Can Help!

Need Insurance?

Auto Home Life Health Bonds  Commercial

wilma.moffett@ymail.com

ip

Insurance?

560.9990

Can Help!

560.9997 fax

6-C Tobacco Rd zibah, GA 30815

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

Offices For Rent

Auto Home Life Health Bonds  Commercial

Auto Home L

Need Insuran 706.560.9990 Insurance P rofessionals I nsurance P rofessionals We Can Help   

3114 Augusta 706.560.9997 TechAuto Drive Home Life Health Bonds Commercial  fax  Augusta, GA JyNelle Handy, Agent 2636-C Tobacco Rd JyNelle Han 30906 Hephzibah, GA 30815 INFO@INS-PROS.COM INFO@INS-P

NeedContact Insurance?

706.560.99 Manager:  706.560.9997 fax WeWilma Can Help!

Moffett

560.9990

560.9997 fax

6-C Tobacco Rd zibah, GA 30815

JyNelle Handy, Agent



INFO@INS-PROS.COM 706.560.9990 Tender Care Training I nsurance Professionals Center

2636-C Tobacco R Hephzibah, GA 308

I nsurance P rofessionals i p    706.560.9997 fax

Auto Home Life HealthAccredited  Bonds  Commercial  and State Approved

Auto Home Life Health Bonds  Commercial

Train to become a  Insurance?

Need Insurance?

(CNA) Tobacco Rd Certified Nurse’s Assistant2636-C JyNelle Handy, Agent Can Help! Phlebotomy Technician We Can Help!

Hephzibah, GA 30815  INFO@INS-PROS.COM   or Pharmacy Technician

ip

560.9990 I nsurance Professionals

706.560.9990

New Location Auto Home  Commercial 560.9997 fax  Life Health Bonds 1755 Gordon Hwy, Suite E Augusta, GA 30904

6-C Tobacco Rd zibah, GA 30815

Insurance?

Can Help!

560.9990

706.560.9997 fax

JyNelle Handy, Agent INFO@INS-PROS.COM

Call (706)736-9225

I nsurance Professionals

Auto Home Life Health Bonds  Commercial

560.9997 I nsurancefaxProfessionals Need Insurance? ip

We Can Help!

6-C Tobacco Rd JyNelle Handy, Agent zibah, GA 30815 * Commercial * INFO@INS-PROS.COM Residential Land * Investments

INFO@INS-P

We Can Help

706.560.99

Auto Home Life Health Bonds  Commercial

2636-C Tobacco R Hephzibah, GA 308

Need Insurance?

We Can Help!

706.560.9990

“First Time Home Buyers Welcome” fax 560.9990 706.560.9997

706.560.9990 706.560.9997 fax Specializing In JyNelle Handy, Agent 2636-C Tobacco Rd JyNelle Han Colon Hydrotherapy INFO@INS-PROS.COM Hephzibah, GA 30815

560.9997 fax

2636-C Tobacco Rd Hephzibah, GA 30815 INFO@INS-PROS.COM

ip

I nsurance Professionals

6-C Tobacco Rd zibah, GA 30815

JyNelle Han

I nsurance 706.560.9997 Professionalsfax

Auto Home Life Health Bonds  Commercial

Can Help!

Auto Home L

Need Insuran

INFO@INS-PROS.COM

Fax: (706) 736-0995

Visit www.tendercareschool.comcastbiz.net

Insurance?

I nsuranc

2636-C Tobacco Rd Hephzibah, GA 30815

For Enrollment Information,

ip



JyNelle Handy, Agent

I nsuranc

INFO@INS-P

First Colon Cleansing Center Auto Home L In Augusta

Auto Home Life Health Bonds  Commercial

Debra Henderson McCord, Broker Insurance?

ip

25 Years Experience Can Help!

IAutonsurance Professionals For All Your  Real Estate Needs! Call HomeUs LifeToday Health Bonds Commercial

Need Insuran

Removal of Toxins and Impurities for Optimal HealthHelp We Can

I706-733-5000 nsurance Professionals

I nsurance Professionals 706.560.99 i 560.9990 p Insurance?

Need Insurance?

706-564-4898

560.9997 fax Can Help!

6-C Tobacco Rd Ofc: 706-945-0675 560.9990 zibah, GA 30815

560.9997 fax

6-C Tobacco Rd zibah, GA 30815

Auto Home Life Health Bonds  Commercial

Shanta Johnson

Responding Auto Home LifeConditions Health Bonds  CommercialTo Colon Hydrotherapy

Cited by Rheumatologist, Arthur E. Brawer, M.D. 706.560.9997 We Can Help!

Need Insurance?

JyNelle Handy, Agent

d.mccord25@comcast.net

Enhances Weight Loss • Allergies • Acne • Constipation • Irritable Bowel • Gas/Bloating • Asthma • Chronic Fatigue •2636-C Spastic Colon • Tobacco R Potbelly • Body Odor • Headaches • ImprovesHephzibah, Sexual Health GA 308

We Can Help!

INFO@INS-PROS.COM

JyNelle Handy, Agent

fax

706.560.9990

706.560.9997 fax 2045 Central Avenue, Augusta, Ga 30904

EssentialCleansingCenter.com 2636-C Tobacco Rd Hephzibah, GA 30815

JyNelle Han

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

10

RCSO seeks public’s help in deadly hit-and-run incident The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Division is currently investigating a hit and run fatality crash that occurred on Saturday, April 12 2014 at 11:39 pm.

Two juvenile pedestrians (who have been listed as Ped#1 and Ped#2) were attempting to cross the east-

Prescription Drug ‘Take Back’ set for Saturday On Saturday April 26th, 2014 between 1000 and 1400 hours, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency’s national program will be hosting a Pharmaceutical (Drug) “Take Back” at two locations.

The pharmaceutical drop box will be accepting unused prescription drugs and / or expired prescription drugs (Only). The pharmaceutical drop boxes will be stored at the following locations Saturday April 26th, 2014 from 1000 to 1400 hours.

•CVS - 15th Street and Walton Way Augusta, GA 30904 •CVS - Peach Orchard Road and Lumpkin Road Augusta, GA 30906

bound lanes of the 1400 block of Gordon Hwy (between Old Savannah Road and Doug Barnard Pkwy) when they were both struck by a vehicle. The vehicle that struck the juveniles failed to stop. Ped#2 was then struck by two additional vehicles who also failed to stop. Ped#2 was pro-

nounced deceased at the scene, and Ped#1 was transported to GRU for serious injuries.

The Sheriff’s Office is looking for a 1993-1997 Toyota Corolla. The vehicle will have front end and driver side damage. The driver side headlight lens will be damaged along with the

Augusta Aviation Commission Marketing Sub Committee

driver’s side view mirror. The “Toyota Emblem” will also be missing from the front area of the vehicle. The vehicle may have aftermarket gold trim around the base of it.

Contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 821-1483 or (706) 821-1080.

TBA

Meeting The Augusta Regional Airport Aviation Commission Marketing Sub Committee Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. in the Executive Conference Room located in Administration on the 2nd floor of the Airport.

Trowell Builders & Associates Designers • Builders • Planners

Sanctuary Multi-Purpose Buildings Renovations

3450 Peach Orchard Rd Augusta, GA 30906

Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Unused drugs that are flushed can contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

P.O. Box 211886 Augusta, Ga 30917 1.800.546.2685 • Fax 706.738.6328 email: tbamakedreams@aol.com

MEDICAL VILLA PHARMACY WE TAKE: •Georgia medicaid •Insurance plans •Charge cards •WIC vouchers Marshall Curtis, Pharmacist/Owner Baron Curtis, Pharmacist

FREE DELIVERY SERVICE

706-722-7355

Harold V. Jones II ATTORNEY AT LAW

Criminal Law • Divorce • Personal Injury • Employment Law

706-432-9028

407 Sixth Street Augusta, GA 30901 haroldjoneslawoffice@gmail.com

11 UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014 HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS: (Left) Westside High School’s Nick Navarre, a sophmore, returns the ball during a singles playoff match at Newman Tennis Center.

(Above) Westside’s Keaton Craw, a senior, returns the ball during a doubles playoff match at Newman Tennis Center. The GHSA state tennis finals will be held in Jonesboro on May 10th at the Clayton County International Park Tennis Center. Photos by Vincent Hobbs

Diggin’ the Past In honor of Georgia Archaeology month, the Augusta Museum of History and Augusta Archaeological Society presents family-friendly activities devoted to Archaeology Day on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the 1797 Ezekiel Harris House​, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.​ “Providing opportunities to learn and to celebrate the past is ​very important to the mission of the Museum. Visitors will see firsthand artifacts and experience demonstrations of how items were made and used in daily life,” said Nancy Glaser, Executive Director of the Augusta Museum of History.

Archaeologists will be on hand to identify and classify prehistoric and historic artifacts and artifact collections; PaleoIndian and Dalton period projectile points will be formally recorded; and artifacts from local historic sites will be on display, including artifacts from the Ezekiel Harris House. Children will enjoy flint knapping and primitive weapon demonstrations and all visitors will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the 1797 Ezekiel Harris House.

Admission for this Harris House event is FREE. The 1797 Ezekiel Harris House is located at 1822 Broad Street in the Harrisburg neighborhood. In case of rain, Archaeology Day will be held at the Augusta Museum of History.

On view in the Museum of History’s Augusta’s Story are artifacts from the digs at Stallings Island. Stallings Island was a major settlement of Late Archaic Native Americans from 4,500 to 3,500 years ago. Located in the Savannah River eight miles upstream from Augusta, the sixteen-acre island is the namesake of Stallings Culture and its hallmark pottery, Stallings fiber-tempered wares, the oldest pottery in North America.

Lucy C. Laney 7th SUPER REUNION

Laney grads, attendees, faculty (retired also) & Friends May 23 - 27, 2014 Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites

Call Betty Dunn @ 706-796-0904 or bettye_bop@yahoo.com

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

12

U W rban Pro

eekly

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Commentary

BY KRISTIE ROBIN JOHNSON

ROLLING STONES T his past Sunday hundreds of millions of believers all over the world paused to celebrate Easter, one of the highest holidays in the Christian faith. And I think that most would agree that Easter, much like Christmas, has morphed into an ultra-commercialized, profit driven marketing campaign designed to enrich candy makers and big-box retailers. As we recover from chocolate bunnies, brightly colored eggs, and overpriced pastel outfits, it’s important for all of us — both believers and nonbelievers — to reflect upon the deeper universal truths that all too often get lost in the grandiosity of the day.

A few weeks ago I attended a workshop at my place of employment. The focus of the workshop centered on creating robust and sound departmental objectives that result in effective and measurable learning outcomes for students. If you are not employed in edu-

cation, this can sound like nonsensical jargon. In layman’s terms, we learned to find more creative ways to help students succeed.

During the workshop, the facilitator used a biblical analogy to illustrate our mission. He referenced the story of Lazarus. He reminded us that just before Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead, Jesus instructed onlookers to remove the stone from Lazarus’ tomb.

Biblical history teaches us that Jesus is a miracle worker. So why didn’t he just use his powers to move the stone? Our facilitator explained that it is critical that we all take part in the miracle.

Jesus included the onlookers when it clearly wasn’t necessary to deliberately make the resurrection of Lazarus a community effort. As so many of us paused to recognize the resurrection of Christ this week, we should also understand the role that each of us can play in the everyday miracles that surround us.

While we may not be able to raise the dead, we can move some proverbial stones. Whether its motivating students, feeding the hungry, raising awareness about an injustice, or just listening to a friend in need, every act of service that we commit — be it large or small — is rolling a stone away. Every time that we help to move a barrier, challenge, fear, or doubt from someone’s path, we are taking an active part in miracle working. Sometimes it can seem insignificant and even thankless. But it is always worth the effort because the impact that we have on others has the potential to be profound and life changing.

One such stone was moved in my life many years ago as an undergrad at the former Augusta State University where I had just completed my first semester.

I was a transfer from Georgia State University where I spent the previous years wasting a colossal amount of time and talent (not to mention my moth-

er’s money). Unfortunately, my transfer grades reflected this fact. I stood in line at Augusta State waiting to be advised.

It was finally my turn. I do not remember the lady’s name, but when I sat down, she reviewed my abysmal transfer grade point average, then looked at my recent glowing Dean’s list grades. She lifted her eyes from the paper and with the deepest sincerity she said “You should be proud of yourself. I’m proud of you”. We’d never met a day in our lives; and we would never meet again. Her words of encouragement stayed with me and became the reassuring boost that I needed to be successful. Her words changed my outlook and my life was never the same.

So I urge you to take some time today to be a part of somebody’s miracle. You won’t regret it.

by Peter Hart When US military strikes kill civilians, it seems there’s always someone ready to claim that US weaponry doesn’t kill anyone who doesn’t deserve it.

Over the weekend, there were reports that noncombatants were among the dead after the US carried out drone strikes in Yemen on what were said to be suspected Al-Qaeda affiliates. And, sure enough, one of the first CNN segments managed to find someone to deny that this could happen.

On CNN Newsroom (4/19/14), host Fredricka Whitfield interviewed Christopher Hill, former US ambassador to Iraq: WHITFIELD: So in your view, how significant is this strike, hitting three wellknown operatives?

HILL: Well, first of all, I think our services do quite a job tracking these people. And, you know, coming a few days after that brazen effort by the Al-Qaeda leadership to show that they›re around, we, I think, demonstrated that we can hunt them down.

I have seen a number of these strikes, and it is amazing how accurate and how well-targeted they are. I mean, the idea that innocents are being killed, it’s really not the case.

But even by initial government accounts coming out of Yemen, that first strike did in fact kill three civilians, as CNN (4/19/14) and plenty of other outlets were reporting.

But even when that issue of civilian deaths came up, there was a curious spin on the news. Here’s how Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr (4/19/14) explained it: It looks like three civilians were killed, and that is always a big problem for the United States, because the government of Yemen is very sensitive to these drone strikes.

Perhaps one could see the US govern- account that backed the official line– ment killing innocent people as a “big ”Most of the dead appeared to be people problem” even if those people’s government was not “very sensitive” to the issue of a foreign military killing its citizens by remote control?

On the other hand, CNN terrorism analyst Peter Bergen (4/20/14) did point out on the following day that there are reasons to be skeptical of any of the official claims: You know, one of the themes of the program is if you’re a military-age male in an area where a drone strike is happening, the US will often regard you as a combatant when often that is not the case. Not every military-age male is, in fact, part of Al-Qaeda in Yemen.

Nonetheless, the reporting on shadowy military strikes that are part of a program that US government does not officially speak about is bound to rely on mostly unnamed government officials, either here in the US or in Yemen.

Just look at today’s New York Times story (4/22/14), with the headline “US Drones and Yemeni Forces Kill Qaeda-Linked Fighters, Officials Say.” The paper explains that those targeted were “militants who were planning to attack civilian and military facilities, government officials said in a statement.”

The Times report, entirely reliant on official sources, seemed to acknowledge its own limitations: Given that the administration would not even confirm that American drones carried out the strikes over the weekend, it was unclear how the people targeted in the strike posed a threat to Americans.

While it’s possible that the strikes are indeed targeting and killing terrorists on the verge of launching attacks, history suggests that initial claims can be flat-out wrong.

When a US drone struck a wedding convoy in Yemen last December, for example, the Timesoffered a sketchy

suspected of being militants linked to Al-Qaeda,” the paper explained.

KristieRobinJo@gmail.com @KristieRobinJ on Twitter

In Yemen drones don’t kill innocents

s e y t

e e . y u

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT The Richmond County School System is currently receiving applications for school bus drivers. Positions are available immediately. The Richmond County School System will train all hired employees for these positions for the required license endorsements. The Richmond County Board of Education offers excellent benefits and work hours that are compatible with alternate careers.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, possess a valid drivers’ license, good driving record, consent to undergo a drug screening, and a GCIC/NCIC Criminal history inquiry.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 10 months.

TO APPLY: Qualified applicants must submit an electronic application. Visit the Board website @ www. rcboe.org to apply. The Richmond County Public School System does not discriminate in employment or services on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, gender, disability or religion.

SCHOOL BUS TECHNICIAN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OF RICHMOND COUNTY The Richmond County School System is currently receiving applications for school bus technicians.

The Richmond County School System will accept Applicant must have experience in the following: bids and request for proposals until 3:00 p.m. on general automotive, bus & truck repair, diagnostics tuneWednesday, May 14, 2014, for the following: ups, transmission replacement, front end repairs, drive line repairs, differential repairs, exhaust system repairs, air brake systems, electrical repairs and other Lot chassis 1. Maintenance and Facilities Parking repairs. Pavement Project No. P2014-005

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be at least 21 years age, have a may highbeschool education or experience Bidofspecifications obtained by contacting Amy in the area of (diesel and gasoline Bauman in automotive the Businesstechnician Office at 706-826-1298, on our web at www.rcboe.org, or at the Richmond engines) andsite possess a valid drivers’ license (obtain CDL School System, 864 Broad withCounty endorsements within 3Central monthsOffice, of employment).

Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, Georgia 30901.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 months

TO APPLY: Qualified applicants must submit an The Richmond County System reserves electronic application.

VisitSchool the Board website @ www. the right to reject any and all bids and to waive rcboe.org to apply. The Richmond County Public School technicalities and informalities.

System does not discriminate in employment or services on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, gender, disability or religion.

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY By: Dr. Frank G. Roberson, Secretary

Sealed proposals from contractors will be received for the Hephzibah Middle School Renovations and Additions Project by the County Board of Education of Richmond County at the address below until 3:00 p.m. local time, on Thursday, May 15, 2014 , at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read. No extension of the bidding period will be made.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 3:45 p.m. local time in the auditorium of Hephzibah Middle School, 2427 Mims Road, Hephzibah, Georgia, 30815.

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.

Bidding documents may be obtained at the office of the architect, Cheatham, Fletcher, Scott Architects, 420 ½ Eighth Street, Augusta, GA 30901. Applications for documents together with refundable deposit of $350.00 (payable to the architect) per set should be filed promptly with the architect. Bidding material will be forwarded (shipping charges collect) as soon as possible. The full amount of deposit for one set will be refunded to each prime contractor who submits a bona fide bid upon return of such set in good condition within ten (10) days after date of opening bids. All other deposits will be refunded with deductions approximating cost of reproduction of documents upon return of same in good condition within ten (10) days after date of opening bid.

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.

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 be required to furnish performance and payment bonds in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price.

The Richmond County Board of Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.

BID LIST: The Richmond County Board of Education maintains 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@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us for additional information concerning the bid list.

To promote local participation, a database of sub-contractors, suppliers, and vendors has been developed by the Program Manager, GMK Associates. Contact Jeanine Usry with GMK Associates at (706) 826-1127 for location to review and obtain this database Bids shall be submitted and addressed to:

Dr. Frank G. Roberson, Superintendent Richmond County School System 864 Broad Street Augusta, Georgia 30901 Attention: Mr. C. Gene Spires, Controller

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

t n -

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER

INVITATION TO BID

13

UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

14

Pick up the latest edition of UrbanProWeekly at a

location near your home.

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 24 - 30, 2014

ARE YOU AT RISK?

15

16 UrbanProWeekly • APRIL 24 - 30, 2014

THE LAW OFFICE OF

Frails & Wilson ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Experienced Representation

Real Estate Transactions Personal Injury Bankruptcy Business Litigation Probate • Domestic Criminal Defense To u g h P r o b l e m s N e e d To u g h L a w y e r s

Randolph Frails

Kelli J. Spencer

Aimee Pickett Sanders

Edwin Wilson

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!