UPW - Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

AUGUST 29 - SEPT. 11, 2022 • VOL. 11 NO. 2

KEN MAKIN COMMENTARY

“No child left behind” Abandoned AUGUSTA I.T. DEPARTMENT GETS NOTICED

City’s online services among the best

Augusta’s Land Bank Director Shawn Edwards SHAWN EDWARDS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AUGUSTA, GEORGIA LAND BANK AUTHORITY, poses for a photo on Broad Street downtown. The land bank works in conjunction with various city departments to facilitate the construction of affordable housing by non-profit community development organizations and private developers. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

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MAKIN’ A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin

If we want to save the children, we must see them first

T

wo weeks ago, my dad and I watched a local news report about the Richmond County School System entitled “The invisible children vanish from the classroom – again”. It was a report about the fates of homeless children who “went missing” in local schools.

The most heartbreaking commentary of the report came from a mother of four: “It’s frustrating because I have kids that need to be in school, so they don’t end up homeless at 15 years old and destitute. …They’ve got to get an education.”

There are countless concerns which I have about this situation, the highest

S

of which involves the quality of life for Black folks in Augusta. I’ve previously expressed in this space how rampant homelessness and reckless capitalism have factored into more crime, and worse, hopelessness.

That is only part of the tale, though.

The pressing concern as it relates to this story is how RCSS officials can continue to conduct business as thousands of children are disappearing off of their rolls. Local news suggested those children are “invisible.” I understand the intent, but I wouldn’t dare call them invisible. Thrown away by the local government? Most certainly.

Suggesting the children are “invisi-

Movers & Shakers

amson “S.C.” Toe as the newly appointed Assistant Conductor of the Augusta Symphony! S.C. currently serves as the Director of Music at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church where he conducts the choirs, works with the clergy and staff in worship preparation, and enjoys leading the congregation in joyful praise through music. He previously was the Music Director at the United Methodist Church in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania while also working as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Pittsburgh Renaissance City Choir. Welcome to the Augusta Symphony!

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

ble” adds to the destiny inflicted upon them by RCSS – “out of sight, out of mind,” is how the saying goes. That is a troublesome way to approach student enrichment, because the children we ignore today become the adults of tomorrow.

No child left behind. What happened to this attitude in our schools?

The irony of the phrase, which was the name of the education-based law from 2002-2015, was that it showed how schools are not only penalized for low scores, but also exposed the lack of funding for education. “No child left behind” should be the mantra of the village that responds to homeless

children with love and resources.

Instead, capitalism instructs officials to wipe the indigent from the rolls in the name of test scores and funding.

Public education is in crisis mode – and the burden of responsibility isn’t just on our teachers. It’s the responsibility of the village as well.

Ken Makin is the host of Makin’ A Difference and a freelance writer for ESPN and The Christian Science Monitor, among other outlets. Look him up on Facebook at Makin’ A Difference, and you can also send him an email with your thoughts at makinadifferenceshow@gmail.com.

Augusta Transit Management to host career fair on Sept. 7 Augusta Transit Management, also known as RATP Dev USA, Inc. and service provider for Augusta Transit, will host a career fair from 10am – 4pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 2844 Regency Boulevard.

Individuals with a Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will be offered bus operator

positions on-the-spot, a sign-up bonus, and excellent benefits.

Augusta Transit is committed to enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors in Richmond County through providing sustainable and safe transit services.

Media interested in covering this topic should contact Public Information Manager Danielle Harris at 706-564-3460.

$20K GRANT WILL CREATE FOOD PANTRY

Samson “S.C.” Toe

Augusta Technical College is honored to be one of only two colleges in the nation to receive a $20,000 Impact Grant to start a food pantry on our campus for students! Thanks to TargetX for granting us this award and special thanks to employees Kaylei Martin and Melissa Redmond-Burch for leading this effort. Go Cougars!

PUBLISHER Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency LLC http://www.growingaugusta.co/UPW +1 (706) 751-2537 SALES & MARKETING http://www.growingaugusta.co/UPW +1 (762) 233-5299

CONTRIBUTORS • K.L. Gordon • Ken Makin • Vincent Hobbs • Menia L. Chester • Frederick Benjamin Sr. Layout/Design : UrbanProMedia

AUGUSTA The Augusta, Georgia Information Technology Department has been recognized as the 2022 winner of the Government Management Information Sciences (GMIS) G2 Business Award presented by GMIS International. GMIS International is the leading professional association for government IT professionals, representing nearly 450 public sector agencies in 35 states and 8 countries.

This award recognizes Augusta’s IT department for its implementation of an Open Data Catalog Hub webpage.

This project generated significant benefits for business both local and from other cities by providing spatial data easily available in downloadable format. The customers for the system include engineering firms, power companies, land surveyors, architecture Firms, data analysts, and realtors.

Augusta’s IT department is set

to receive the award during the 2022 GMIS International Annual Conference held on August 21-24, 2022, in Philadelphia.

“We are honored to receive this recognition because it speaks to our team’s dedication to harnessing new technology to enhance the services we provide our clients,” said Chief Information Officer Tameka Allen.

“I applaud the hard work of

our government’s Information Technology team as they continue to implement initiatives that streamline our services and strengthen the relationships we have with our partners,” added Augusta, Georgia Interim Administrator Takiyah A. Douse.

The Georgia GMIS also recognized the department’s Open Data Catalog Hub webpage with the G2 Business Award during their spring conference.

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Augusta IT Department’s new online service receives statewide and international recognition

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Patients needed for Dental Hygiene Student Clinic Augusta University Dental Hygiene students provide quality dental cleanings in the dental hygiene student clinic under faculty supervision. All services are provided at reduced fees.

For more information, please email jflanigan@augusta.edu

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Mayor Davis proclaims August as Black Business and Black Philanthropy Month

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Commissioner Jordan Johnson, Ronic West, Mayor Hardie Davis with students from DeKel mPact Services.

Mayor Hardie Davis, Ronic West, president of GABCC flanked by organization members.

Q&A Shawn Edwards

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

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DIRECTOR Augusta, Georgia Land Bank Authority UPW: What is a land bank and what is the Augusta, Georgia Land Bank Authority’s main mission in Augusta-Richmond?

EDWARDS: A land bank is a public authority created to hold, manage, and develop tax delinquent, vacant, abandoned and dilapidated properties. Land banks act as a legal and financial mechanism to transform vacant, abandoned, and tax-foreclosed property back to a productive use. In addition, a land bank is a powerful locational incentive that encourages redevelopment in distressed, blighted communities that generally have little available land. The Augusta, Georgia Land Bank Authority’s (AGLBA) mission is to collaborate with the City of AugustaRichmond County on community and economic development projects by providing land to be used in the production of affordable housing for low and moderate income households.

UPW: What are some of the ways that the land bank acquires property?

EDWARDS: Land banks use various approaches to acquire properties, which inevitably have a profound impact on the overall nature and extent of the operations of the land bank. Although the AGLBA receives most of its properties as a result of tax foreclosures, it is key to the Augusta Georgia Land Bank’s operations that it have the authority to acquire properties from three other possible sources. First, a land

bank should be able to acquire other publicly owned properties from the local government, whether acquired years earlier as a result of foreclosure proceedings or properties that have become surplus.

Second, a land bank should have the discretion to acquire properties through voluntary donations and transfers from private owners. Thirdly the Land Bank has the authority, to purchase or lease on the open market.

it controls?

EDWARDS: The AGLBA is held to the same standard as any private property owner as it pertains to code enforcement (meaning property condition), as well as upkeep UPW: Does the land bank own and maintenance. Additionally, the all the property in the land AGLBA maintains insurance on bank? structures to avoid liability.

EDWARDS: Although titled in the name of the Augusta Georgia Land Bank Authority, approximately 50% of the parcels held currently are held on behalf of the city of Augusta Richmond County’s Housing and Community Development Department. The AGLBA also holds property for other city departments including Engineering and Utilities. These properties are not marketed as available for sale to the general public as they are held for specific city projects in the future.

UPW: Does the land bank ever sell or auction any property in the land bank?

EDWARDS: All properties held in the name of the AGLBA on public lists are available for sale.

UPW: Is the ALBA responsible for the upkeep and environmental impact of the properties

UPW: Does the land bank have any plans to develop affordable housing on its own and then sell or rent that housing?

EDWA R DS: The AGLBA did present to the Richmond County Commission in May of this year a request for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the purpose of directly developing affordable, quality housing. These properties slated for that specific funding infusion were presented under a concept of living wage housing for sale. This would have entailed the acquisition of tax delinquent, abandoned properties for rehabilitation and sale on the open market. However, some neighborhoods may have required the inclusion of rental properties as clients transitioned to home ownership. Private investors would have leveraged these funds and thus created truly mixed-income neighborhoods of various housing types.

UPW: What are the AGLBA’s short-term goals?

EDWARDS: The AGLBA in the short term will continue to work with private investors for the development of housing throughout Richmond County. It is this group that is the primary client type of the Land Bank, as they seek to create wealth through real estate. Policies have been adopted by the board of directors to ensure that communities are not gentrified as these investors create new housing opportunities. And continued communication with community leaders is an essential step taken by the Land Bank to guarantee that native populations are not displaced.

UPW: What about its longer-term goals?

EDWARDS: The future is bright for the AGLBA, as we continue to be a leader in our industry. Not only in the advocacy for low to moderate income families and households seeking to establish longterm generational wealth through real estate. But also in the creative solutions utilized to leverage government funding. We will continue to seek additional funds to grow Augusta’s population and seek, as always, to remain fiscally responsible to our commitment to both com-

munity and our mission.

UPW: What is the current / or projected budget for the AGLBA?

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UPW: How can the public view a list of all the ALBA properties?

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EDWARDS: The AGLBA is categorized as a non governmental organization (NGO) with Richmond County and receives an annual infusion of approximately $140,000 annually.

However, with requests like that of ARPA funding the Land Bank seeks to be more aggressive in its mission to

re mediate blight and will continue to seek both local, state, and federal funding options to meet this goal.

EDWARDS: The AGLBA public listing is available on the city of Augusta’s website at https://www. aug ustaga.gov/ DocumentCenter/ V i e w / 61 14 / A G L B A - P r o p e r t i e s Listing?bidId=

Augusta, Georgia Land Bank Authority offers conference for investors The Augusta, Georgia Land Bank Authority (AGLBA) has announced that they will host the 2nd Annual Augusta Land Development Conference on October 4th and October 7th at the Augusta Marriott Convention Center. In its inaugural year, investors and non-profit organizations were presented the chance to hear from city leadership, private market industry leaders and developers/investors alike on the various elements of residential development and opportunities in Augusta. This four-day conference will expound on those project opportunities including those created from the Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant award, Fort Gordon’s Growth Marketing Plan, and additional development of the Georgia Cyber Center Nathan

Deal Campus for Innovation.

Leading in the region and state is a goal of the AGLBA. From partnering with nonprofit organizations in application for the Georgia Investments in Housing Grant Program to requesting American Rescue Plan Act funds for the remediation of blight utilizing private market leveraged rehabilitation funds, using innovative approaches to community building provides an opportunity to demonstrate strategies for achieving the mission.

Interested parties are encouraged to register for the conference at ldconference.com. Space is limited.

For additional information, please contact Ashleigh Neville at 706.432.5272.

Operation Lifted Cloud Event August 30 and 31st 7 am - 7 pm.

Greater Young Zion Baptist Church 405 Sand Bar Ferry Road Augusta, GA 30901

Augusta Landfill has new Operating Hours To streamline services at the Augusta Landfill, Augusta, Georgia’s Environmental Services Department has updated the operating hours at the landfill. View the new schedule below, which will go into effect on August 1, 2022.

Monday – Friday Saturday Saturday

5:00am to 4:00pm 6:00am to 10:00am 6:00am to 12:00pm

All customers Landfill Field Ops. only Customer Drop Off only

The Augusta Landfill is located at 4330 Deans Bridge Road. For more information, call 706-592-3200.

Lifting State Court Misdemeanor Warrants!

Come by this 2-day event where the purpose is to clear up qualifying outstanding bench warrants that may be affecting your privileges!

Pre-register for this in-person event from now until July 29, 2022. If you are eligible you will get notice on August 1, 2022. Individuals who participate in this event will get 75% off of Fines!!

THE GOAL OF THIS EVENT IS NOT TO ARREST INDIVIDUALS Richmond County Sheriff’s Office • Solicitor-General’s Officer Richmond County State Court • Augusta Public Defender’s Office Richmond County Clerk of Court • CSRA Probation Event Questions (706) 261-0427 • Application Questions: (706) 821-1084 Apply: https://www.augustaga.gov/3045/Operation-Lifted-Cloud

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Latrell’s Yellow Pepper Jelly Live your best life! That is my motto. My name is Menia L. Chester, I am a chef and owner of Desserts by Latrell and Southern Jazz and Sweets.

The week we are going to talk about peppers! What are you going to do will the abundance that you have from your garden? Make pepper jelly of course. It is easy and simply delicious! You can serve this on a biscuit or melt it a little and pour it on top of a block of cream cheese then serve it with crackers. Enjoy!

Latrelle’s Yellow Pepper Jelly 3 large yellow bell peppers 2 hot peppers 1-1/2 cups white distilled vinegar (5%) 6 cups sugar 1 pouch (3 ounces) liquid pectin DIRECTIONS Special Note: Wear plastic gloves and do not touch your face while handling hot peppers. For more questions on canning please visit National Center for Home Food Preservation’s website.

PROCEDURE: 1. Wash and rinse half-pint canning jars--keep them hot in a boiling water canner until ready to fill. Prepare lids and ring bands according to manufacturer’s directions.

TO PREPARE PEPPER JUICE — 2. Wash all peppers thoroughly; remove stems and seeds from the peppers.

3. Place sweet and hot peppers in a blender or food processor. Add enough vinegar to purée the peppers, then purée.

4. Combine the pepper-vinegar mixture and remaining vinegar into an 8- or 10-quart saucepan. Heat to a boil; then boil for 10 minutes.

5. Remove from heat and strain through a jelly bag into a bowl.

(Several layers of cheesecloth may be used.)

TO MAKE JELLY — 6. Measure 2-1/4 cups of the strained pepper-vinegar juice into the 8- to 10-quart saucepan. Stir in sugar until dissolved and return mixture to a boil. Add the pectin, return to a full rolling boil and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; skim off foam quickly.

7. Fill hot jelly immediately into hot, pre-sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4inch headspace. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel. Apply and

adjust prepared lids.

8. Process filled jars in a boiling water canner for 5 minutes.

9. Let processed jars cool, undisturbed, 12 to 24 hours and check to ensure that the lid is sealed.

If you have questions, would like to see other recipes, or learn about events by Latrell, please visit: www. southernjazzandsweets.com and remember…live your best life!

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text UPW to (706) 528-6855

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God’s Word Is The Cure For Unbelief In these perilous days and times,everyone needs the Word Of God. There is so much grief,strife,envy, depression and lack of empathy amongst ourselves. Simply put, everybody is going through something;whether it be a trial, a test, or a tribulation.

Life reminds us of realities;and it has a way of catching up with us.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,but the end thereof are the ways of death”. (Proverbs 14:12 KJV). What are you to do when you are experiencing a trial? There is no sin in becoming tired and weary. However; there is sin in giving up and losing hope. The world is not our friend,and it treats us as if there is no God. So how does one cope with his/her dilemma? Faith is the answer; which means being sure of the things we hope for knowing that something is real even if we don’t see it physically.

(Hebrews 11:1, NIV). When you put your trust in God; you are totally relying on him, and not your trials or your circumstances.

When you study and understand God’s word; you grow stronger spiritually. God’s word only works in the supernatural,and not in the natural realm. Mentally, we could never think like God because he is so sovereign. Remember this: Trouble does not last always.

— Thurman K. Brown

Thurman K. Brown tkbrownjr382@gmail.com (803) 979-7032 Film Photography Spiritual Writings

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TAKENOTE

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MAKE PLANS TO VISIT AUGUSTA MINI THEATRE ON OCTOBER 8, 2022!

This year, Augusta Mini Theatre celebrates 47 years of service!!!

Our Drive Thru Celebration will be a festival of jubilation!!

With fun activities, and special surprises, throughout the event, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!

HOUSING: The Augusta Housing Authority announces applications being accepted for conventional public housing for three, four, and five bedroom housing. This wait list is open indefinitely or until further notice. Apps also accepted for the Project-Base Voucher program for one and two bedrooms at The Legacy at Walton Oaks, for seniors 55 and older. This wait list is open until Dec. 30, 2022. Submit preliminary online applications for either program on www.augustapha.org or call 706-312-3173 if you need assistance.

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