Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

DECEMBER 4-10, 2014 VOL. 4 NO. 13

City housing czar takes early exit in wake of Hyde Park relocation debacle CHESTER WHEELER, head of the city’s Housing and Community Development Department suddenly resigned this week. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

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UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 4 - 10, 2014

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CITY

DA’s role in investigation questioned by Harvey family In a nod toward the national mood, the Augusta Commission supports the family of the man who died after being tased by RCSO deputies.

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA Family members of an Augusta man who died in police custody after being subdued with a taser is questioning the grand jury proceedings and the conduct of District Attorney Ashley Wright.

The case deals the investigation of three Richmond County deputies involved in the death of 39-year old George Harvey. Harvey was black and two of the officers involved with the case are African Americans.

At the time, the incident revived the debate over whether tasers are viable nonlethal alternatives. Now, however, the questions arising have to do with the grand jury proceedings and the evidence that they considered.

Alvera Harvey, sister of George Harvey came before the Augusta commission on Tuesday wanting to know what options were open to her in her quest for a more forthcoming explanation of why a Richmond County grand jury did not pursue charges against the officers involved in the June 30, 2013 incident where her brother died after being tased

by Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) deputies.

Harvey and other family members feel that Wright’s behavior and statements to them indicated that she had no interest in pursuing prosecution of the officers involved. She also stated that Wright intentionally misled them into believing that they would receive a transcript of the grand jury

proceedings.

According to reports by the RCSO, on Saturday, June 30, two deputies were attempting to apprehend Harvey when a struggle ensued.

Once in custody, the man went into cardiac arrest. Medical personnel were notified and CPR was conducted on Harvey. Harvey was taken to Georgia Regents Hospital where he died. The coroner at the time, Grover Tuten, said that the death was a homicide as opposed to accidental or natural causes.

As in all such cases involving the death of a citizen, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was notified and conducted an investigation.

After the investigation, the GBI turned its report over to the DA’s office and it was shared with a grand jury. The grand jury saw no need to prosecute the deputies.

Harvey told commissioners that she was told by District Attorney Wright that she would have to wait several months before she would be able to receive a transcript of the grand jury proceeding. After nearly a near had passed she was told by the DA’s office that no transcription existed.

“We were told by DA Wright that there was no transcript because there is no recorder for state cases,” Alvera told commissioners. “DA Wright should have known of this at the time she told us that we could get a transcript. Wouldn’t she have known this before she told us we could get one?” she asked.

The Harvey family has questions about what was told to the grand jury. After all, they argued, there

were witnesses present that Wright never attempted to interview.

Harvey said, “We asked her [Wright] who were the witnesses that testified at the grand jury proceeding. She said that the witnesses were the officers involved and statements from the GBI. When we asked her did she speak to any other witnesses, such as George’s fiancée, who was there at the time or my other brother who was also at the scene, her response was that she read the statement from the GBI and didn’t need to speak to anybody personally.”

Then she said, “I feel that Ms. Wright had already made up her mind not to prosecute and that she only gave to the grand jury what she wanted them to see to make the case turn out in her favor. That is why we are here today to ask what our options are as far as having another DA to look over evidence in the case for possible prosecution of officers involved.”

At the time, the three deputies involved had been placed on administrative leave. Their names are Prizette Presberry, Mathew Sanderson and Chadrick Scott.

“We don’t feel that the officers involved intended for a death to occur,” Alvera said. “But, there was a certain amount of hostility that may have been present because my brother had been being belligerent to the officers.”

Harvey wanted it to be known that her brother, according to witnesses, was not tased just one time, but multiple times.

According to the coroner, Harvey went into cardiac arrest after being tased and died 45 minutes later.

A video tape of the incident exists.

It was supplied by woman, Cheryl Otey, who recorded the tasing on her cell phone. According to Otey, Harvey was tased more than twice.

The family was appealing to the commission for assistance in obtaining a hearing before another grand jury. After being told by Mayor Deke Copenhaver that the county was powerless to help, Commissioner Alvin Mason and others expressed their concern that the family had the right to feel that everything possible was being done to see that justice was served.

“At no time should we not allow citizens an opportunity to express themselves. Even though we have no jurisdiction, we do hold the purse strings,” Mason said. “There is possibility as individuals or as the commission as a whole that we can assist the family in seeking guidance or even just a letter of support to have someone else hear the evidence in the case. We need to exhaust all avenues so a family can get some peace of mind one way or another.”

After expressions of support from Commissioners Williams, Johnson, and Fennoy, Mason made a motion that was unanimously passed.

The gist of the motion was that city administrator Janice Allen Jackson should meet with the Harvey family and to see what, if anything, the commission could do to facilitate their desire for another panel to hear the evidence.

UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 4 - 10, 2014

NEWS

UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 4 - 10, 2014

4

NEWS

THE CITY

Commissioners pass 2015 budget; storm water fee in the mix; cuts to outside agencies avoided

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA City administrator Janice Allen Jackson was given high marks by some commissioners for her efforts in securing support for the 2015 budget. The annual dance of give-andtake won the support of seven of the 10 commissioners.

Those who could not sign off on the document (even though as a “dynamic” document, it allows for adjustments throughout the first six months of the new year) included Wayne Guilfoyle, Grady Smith and Hap Harris. The dissenters expressed dismay at the inclusion of the storm water fee which is expected to cost

UPW

the taxpayers $6 - $7 per month. They would have liked to have seen further cuts to city services.

Most city officials, including Jackson, support the implementation of the fee along with the majority of the commissioners.

Supporters of the fee say it could raise about $5 million for direct stormwater system maintenance and infrastructure improvements in 2015 and nearly twice that much the next year. Implementation of the fee is not until July 2015. Until that time the city expects to spend time and money in educating a skeptical public on its importance.

A presentation by representatives of Savannah Riverkeepers, an environmental group, suggests that not

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keeping up with federal guidelines as relates to stormwater management could be prohibitably costly for the city.

Commissioner Bill Fennoy whose District 1 constituents have been plagued by floods for decades was happy to lend his support to the effort.

Commissioner Guilfoyle complained that his rural constituents, whose drainage system are mere ditches, should have been exempt from the fee, following the example of Columbia County.

The budget plan avoids cuts to outside agencies, leaves out a request from mayor-elect Hardie Davis for $150,000 for projected staffing needs and includes raises for the Sheriff’s

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Janice Allen Jackson. Her first budget presentation was a hit. department.

There are significant increases for costs incurred for overall staffing upgrades. About $420,000 are included for new employees and salary upgrades for The Board of Elections, the Clerk of Commission, Human Resources, the Tax Assessor, State Court and RCCI. The Marshal’s office will receive $88,600 for salary upgrades and the plan will put aside $125,000 to establish an office of compliance with the Americans for Disabilities Act. The budget also includes $100,000 for an assessment of the city’s Recreation, Parks and Facilities department to determine facilities or programs that might be eliminated, with leftover funds going to assess other departments.

Outside agencies can breathe easier as their allotments were set at the current 2014 levels. Those agencies that asked for increases, however, were not accommodated.

Jackson appears committed to recommending expenditures on efforts which will ultimately identify those areas in county government where there are inefficiencies due to mismanagement or not having qualified personnel in place.

5

COMMENTARY

Chester Wheeler resigns amid Hyde Park debacle

City revitalization czar takes early exit

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Political Analyst AUGUSTA The much vaunted Laney-Walker Bethlehem Revitalization program had one name and one face — that of Chester Wheeler, director of the city’s Housing and Community Development Department. On Tuesday, Wheeler quietly turned in his resignation to commissioners.

Although sudden, the resignation was not a surprise. Wheeler’s stock had been declining since September in 2013 when he became the focus of intense scrutiny by Augusta commissioners for budget shortfalls and accountability issues surrounding the award-winning LWB housing initiative.

More recently, however, Wheeler found himself in the center of the firestorm racing through the bankrupt Hyde Park relocation effort.

Once upon a time, Wheeler had the ear and protection of former city administrator Fred Russell and was deemed pretty much “untouchable” while the former city administrator was at the helm.

Under Russell’s watchful eye and with the gushing endorsement of Mayor Deke Copenhaver, Wheeler ruled supreme in his realm. The arcane rules and regulations that accompanied the millions of dollars in federal grant-money that he shepherded through the city coffers kept outside meddlers at arm’s length. Wheeler was able to use access to information as a weapon against those who were too inquisitive about what he did and how he did it. Transparency was not one of his strong suits.

Wheeler began to stumble a couple

Chester Wheeler (L) has resigned. Photo by Vincent Hobbs of weeks ago following angry inquiries from Hyde Park residents followed by commissioners who wanted a more thorough accounting of how over $4 million of special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) funds had been spent. Wheeler’s HCD department was the lead agency handling the relocation of the Hyde Park residents. He

and city engineer Abie Ladson had been petitioning the commissioners for more funds to complete the Hyde Park project.

Commissioners became fed up when it was discovered that Wheeler had used SPLOST funds to build two private homes ostensibly for the relocation of Hyde Park residents. On

the heels of months and months of questionable moves made by Wheeler, the calls for his replacement became louder and louder until he saw the writing on the wall and let it be known that, if he could secure a sixmonth severance package, he would be on his way.

Commissioners accepted his resignation, okayed the severence package and waived the 90-notification requirement to make his resignation effective immediately.

Hawthorne Welcher, a HCD staffer, will act as interim director.

In the past, Wheeler has come under fire for his use of consultants in lieu of city employees. At one point Wheeler told commissioners that his monthly payroll for consultants and management services exceeded $65,000 per month. On top of that, he was paying over $6,000 per month on marketing services.

At the time, Russell, a key supporter and operative in the revitalization effort, touted the national recognition that the effort had received, but relented that perhaps it was time for more of the money to be directed toward “bricks and mortar” instead of consulting.

Wheeler was also criticized for exaggerating the revitalization’s efforts at attracting private resources. According to Wheeler, his efforts attracted 10 private dollars for every single dollar spent by the city.

Upon closer examination, it was discovered that the real level was closer to 1:1.

Wheeler defended his spending by saying it was the cost needed to rebrand the Laney-Walker neighborhood.

UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 4 - 10, 2014

POLITICS

Augusta Mini Theatre, Inc. Community Arts & Life Skills School PRESENTS “BE MORE THAN HIPS” A Salute To The Work Of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Written and Directed by Tyrone J. Butler Friday, January 16, 2015 - Feb. 22, 2015 Judith Simon Drama Studio (on the Campus of Augusta Mini Theatre) ADMISSION: Adults - $13.00 Students/Children (ages 2-18) - $10.00

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UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 4 - 10, 2014

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Attention Small Businesses The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Department for the City of Augusta

7TH ANNUAL EXPO “Building Strategic Alliances while Cultivating Entrepreneurial Thinking” Wednesday, December 10th, 2014 from 9:00am to 1:00pm at the Boathouse Community Center, Augusta, Ga. 30901.

Guest Speakers will be Ms. Kimberly King from the Georgia Department of Transportation and Dr. Anthony (Tony) Robinson from Georgia Regents University. This event is free to the public.

To register online please go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7th_Business_Expo.

For additional information and to register contact: Yvonne Gentry at (706)821-2406 or Ygentry@augustaga.gov

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Ask your doctor if you have questions about taking the test You can always change your mind and get tested FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HIV VISIT WWW.ECPHD.COM OR CALL 706/667-4342 TO SCHEDULE YOUR HIV TEST

“Discovering the Story of Your House,” Dec. 9 Tuesday, 2 p.m., Main branch downtown library.

Erick Montgomery of Historic Augusta will demonstrate how to research your current property or the old family homestead. Learn

how to find and effectively utilize maps, city directories, plats and land lottery records when undertaking area and genealogical research.

Complete required pre-registration for this FREE class by calling the Georgia Room at 706-826-1511.

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SPORTS HS HOOPS Evans High School head basketball coach Kevin Kenny (center) advises the team during a timeout in a game against Aquinas High School on Friday.

The game was part of the festivities for the ‘100 Black Men

100 Black Men of Augusta continue Thanksgiving fundraising tradition

by Farrell Brown Special to UrbanProWeekly For the last 21 years the 100 Black Men of Augusta, Incorporated have had their Annual Thanksgiving Basketball Classic and it’s become their biggest fundraiser. The event serves as a season opener for the participating high school teams.

The annual classic also helps the 100 Black Men of Augusta, Incorporated’s overall goal of collecting scholarship money to help send students to college. The 100 Black Men mentor youth of all ages, genders and races but predominantly focus on young African American males. The group looks to provide positive male role models for children that grow up without one in the home. The 100 Black Men’s motto

is “What they see is what they’ll be.”

“We try to incorporate that father image with the kids,” Quarles said.

“We take them anywhere. From games, all the collegiate games and Classics around here. We take them to museums. Twice a month on Saturdays we meet. It’s our ‘Saturday Academy’. We focus on health awareness, community involvement as well as educational growth.”

The 100 Black Men of Augusta Inc., mentor the children that join the organization and also broaden their horizons with new experiences and opportunities, Quarles said. The mentees have taken trips to museums and other Classics for other sports. They go on Spring Break trips to the Masters golf tournament. They took a trip to CIA headquarters outside of Washington

D.C., and also saw the D.C. Monuments a couple years ago. They take community service trips including helping with the annual Nike Peach Jam tournament in North Augusta.

“We just try to hit that at risk youth,” Quarles said. “Those youth that are in need and, of course, our main objective is to target families where there’s no man in the house. Someone that’s looking for that father image and the mentoring role. For the majority of our kids, there’s no dad in the house.”

The 100 Black Men of Augusta, Inc., scholarship started with “$500 a kid and is now up to $1500 a kid when they graduate”, Quarles said.

Fundraising efforts also include grants, membership dues, a golf tournament and a scholarship dance. The 100 Black Men have five mentees graduating high

school in May and will be benefiting from the funds raised. Entry into the group starts with an application process, Quarles said.

“The majority of these teams playing are starting the season,” Quarles said.

“That’s why we don’t (decide) a champion. We just give everybody an opportunity to play two games and it’s an opportunity to play against two teams that they don’t play during the season.”

The annual classic is mostly for the CSRA high school teams but the 100 Black Men do reach try to reach outside of the area for participants. One year a high school from Miami participated and another year saw the famed Oak Hill Academy from Virginia compete. Both Laney and Glenn Hills Continued on next page

9

Embracing the challenge – wheelchair basketball

by Vincent Hobbs Special to UrbanProWeekly Basketball can be a tough sport to play.

Running up and down a court, facing hard-playing defensive players who would absolutely love to steal your ball and facing aggressive players, whose sole goal is to crush your team, is all part of the game.

Imagine facing those challenges in a wheelchair.

Basketball fans were treated to an exhibition of wheelchair basketball during the “100 Black Men Thanksgiving Basketball Classic” held at Paine College’s HEAL Complex on Friday and Saturday. The team, the Augusta Bulldogs, battled against a team of young men who are part of the “100 Black Men” organization. At the end of the matchup, the Bulldogs emerged as victors.

The Augusta Bulldogs, a Division III NWBA team (National Wheelchair Basketball Association) is composed of CSRA basketball players with physical disabilities who compete against teams in Spartanburg, Charlotte, Columbia, and Charleston. A major conference tournament will be held in March 2015 as part of the Carolina Conference of the NWBA. The team participates in competitive play under the umbrella of Champions Made from Adversity (CMFA), a non-profit organization headquartered in Evans that “exists to help advance the lives of those with physical disabilities through sport and leisure activities”, according to their website. CMFA sponsors the Bulldogs, providing equipment for the players during basketball games and they cover transportation and travel costs to players when the team travels out-of-town.

Pam Wooten, CMFA Community Programs Manager said, “The Bulldogs have been an organized team for more years than I even know!

CMFA has been around since 2007 and we’ve been a part of the NWBA for at least that long.”

Wooten, who is affectionately known as the ‘team mom’, also functions as the team rep and even jumps in as assistant coach when needed.

“This team inspires me, because not only do they overcome adversity, but they help to build each other up and are always interested in pro-

Cole Wooten (#2), playing for the Augusta Bulldogs wheelchair basketball team, prepares to pass the ball during an exhibition game against a team of young men from the ‘100 Black Men’ organization.

The Bulldogs claimed the win in the final score. Photo by Vincent Hobbs (More photos on p. 13) moting awareness throughout the community. There is not much that slows this team down and they are always surprising me with their abilities,” Wooten shared.

The team practices on Wednesdays at Garrett Gymnasium on Eisenhower Drive. The next home game is January 3, 2015 at 1pm. The games are free and open to the public.

Wheelchair basketball plays under the same rules as regular basketball and the court size and nets are the same. The only difference is that athletes compete in wheelchairs, with wheels that are calibrated to angle out to provide more speed and maneuverability than a normal wheelchair.

The sport originated in the mid-1940’s from VA Hospitals where World War II disabled vets sought entertainment through playing various sports. Eventually

morphing into organized teams, the NWBA currently boasts a total of 192 teams across the USA and has given rise to wheelchair basketball teams across the world.

In addition to basketball, CMFA engages disabled athletes in sports such as wheelchair rugby, adaptive cycling, archery, swimming, tennis and golf. Over 100 athletes in the CSRA participate in the programs and over 400 community volunteers lend their time to the organization.

“We are always in need of volunteers or donations,” said Wooten. An upcoming event is the Fourth Annual Chilly Chili Cookoff!, taking place on January 24th at Evans Towne Center Park. The event helps to raise donations for the various programs that CMFA offers to physically-challenged CSRA residents. There will also be competitions for soup, stew and cornbread.

Basketball Tournament from page 8 appeared at the classic to begin their respective state championship seasons. This year saw participation from Thompson High School and Augusta Christian High School for the first time as well as Osborne High School from Marietta, Ga. The first day saw the Cross Creek

Razorbacks fall to the Butler Bulldogs.

The Glenn Hills Spartans defeated the North Augusta Yellowjackets.

The Aquinas Fightin’ Irish defeated the Evans Knights. The Richmond Academy Musketeers defeated the Thomson Bulldogs. The TW Josey Eagles lost to the Osborne Cardinals.

There was also a wheelchair basketball game pitting the Augusta Bulldogs or the Champions Made From Adversity organization against members of the 100 Black Men of Augusta, Inc. This game was a fundraiser for the CMFA. The second day action featured the Thomson Bulldogs lost to the TW

Josey Eagles. The Evan Knights lost to the Glenn Hills Spartans. The Osborne Cardinals defeated the Richmond Academy Musketeers. The North Augusta Yellowjackets defeated the Augusta Christian Lions. The Butler Bulldogs defeated the Aquinas Fightin’ Irish.

UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 4 - 10, 2014

SPORTS Wheelchair HOOPS

UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 4 - 10, 2014

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GRU student retention and graduation rates are on the rise, according to a recent report from school administrators.GRU’s retention rate among freshmen who return for their sophomore year has risen over 3% since fall 2011, and six-year graduation rates have seen a 7% increase since 2012.

Officials attribute these improvements to a series of high-impact, proactive services targeted to keeping students on track to graduate.

One of those initiatives, ‘4 Years 4 U,’ launched in fall 2013 and centers on a two-way dialogue between freshman and sophomore students and the university’s newly augmented advising staff, along with a flat tuition model that incentivizes students to enroll for 15 hours, the pace needed to graduate in four years.

In fall 2012, only 8%of freshmen attempted 15 or more credit hours and fewer than four percent succeeded. In fall 2013, aided by ‘4 Years 4 U’ counseling, 71% of freshmen attempted 15 or more credit hours and 42 percent succeeded.

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UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 4 - 10, 2014

12

CHURCH

WORSHIP

Tabernacle Baptist Church

Glorious Praise Worship Center

CHILDREN’S YOUTH MINISTRY will have their Annual Christmas Play on Wednesday, December 10th at 7:00 P.M. in the Family Life Center. Everyone is invited to attend.

FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY DEC 9TH: 10am – Celebration Sunday @ Glorious Praise. One of our many favorite times throughout the month is being able to come together to worship and yes . . . eat!

MISSIONARY MINISTRY cordially invites Mothers of the Church, Senior Saints and Retirees to their ANNUAL HOLIDAY LUNCHEON on Saturday, December 13th at 12:00 Noon in the Fellowship Hall in the Church. Please sign up downstairs after each service at the Information Table.

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY Join us Sunday Morning @ 11am for Bible Study.

Don’t forget the 2nd Sunday of every month is fellowship Sunday. Worship will start at 10am and food and fellowship will follow.

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

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

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

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

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

Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church

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

Bishop Rosa L. Williams, Pastor

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

Wheelchair Hoops

Don’t Miss

Creative Impressions to present Annual “Behold The Star” Production Barefoot Productions, Inc./ Creative Impressions will present its annual “Behold The Star” production on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The performance will take place at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre at Georgia Regents University. General admission for the matinee performance is $15 and $20 for the evening performance. Student, youth and group rates are also available.

“Behold The Star” is a spectacular four set musical and dance production that mixes classical and contemporary selections from Peter J. Wihousky to Kirk Franklin. Each performance celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and embodies the spirit of Christmas. This year’s performance will also feature special guest performances.

“The talent displayed in this performance is unparalleled,” said Trey McLaughlin, Director of Creative Impressions. “Our youth prepare all year long for this performance that will without a doubt blow you away and leave you in the Christmas spirit.”

Barefoot Productions, Inc./ Creative Impressions was founded in 1996 by Evelyn D. Ellis. The cho-

Mike Sims (L), playing for the Augusta Bulldogs wheelchair basketball team, laughs while he makes a defensive move on the court during an exhibition game against a team of young men from the ‘100 Black Men’ organization. The game was part of the festivities for the ‘100 Black Men Thansgiving Basketball Classic’, held at Paine College’s HEAL Complex on Saturday and Sunday (Nov.28, 29). The Bulldogs claimed the win in the final score. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

MEETINGS Richmond County Board of Elections December 8, 2014 Regular Monthly Meeting 6:00 P.M. 5th Floor Conference Room 530 Greene Street, Room 535 Augusta, GA, 30901

ral ensemble consists of teenagers of diverse backgrounds led by a local music education professional who is assisted by parents and other professionals and community leaders.

Creative Impressions instills pride and esthetic appreciation; promotes positive work habits and responsible behavior; educates, empowers and expands cultural awareness.

The vision of its participants is raised as the youth advance to seek higher educational goals and other positive life experiences. Through weekly training sessions, a focus on excellence, a belief in youth development, community support, hard work, and committed leadership, the organization is turning visions of possibilities into exciting realities.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre Box Office at 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA. You purchase tickets online by visiting http://www. gru.edu/maxwelltheatre/ You can also purchase tickets by contacting Shanita Tolbert at (706) 664-9022 or Gayle McLaughlin at (706) 589-8214. For more information about Creative Impressions, visit www.creative- impressions.org

13 UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 4 - 10, 2014

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UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 4 - 10, 2014

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CITY WATCH HOUSING

A “Now Leasing” sign sits in front of a new housing development, Bailey Village Homes (L), on Wrightsboro Road in downtown Augusta. The new houses are located in an area of the city that also has dozens of dilapidated homes (R) in the urban core. Photos by Vincent Hobbs

Study: Augusta most affordable; most impoverished

by Vincent Hobbs Augusta was recently named as one of the most affordable housing markets in the United States, as determined by Coldwell Banker’s annual Home Listing 2014 Report. According to the real estate website, the report is based on “market data for nearly 2,000 real estate markets nationwide, analyzing more than 51,000 similar-sized four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes.” Augusta came in at number eight on the ranking.

The other cities listed as having the most affordable housing markets include Utica, New York (10); Cheektowaga, New York (9); Waukegan, Illinois (7); Buffalo, New York (6); Lithonia, Georgia (5); Lake Wales, Florida (4); Park Forest, Illinois (3); Riverdale, Georgia (2); and Cleveland, Ohio (1).

The average home in Augusta lists for $98,233. The state average is $196,186.

But the numbers, and the ranking, may not reflect true affordability for many Augustans.

In the 2009 report, “The Re-Emergence of Concentrated Poverty: Metropolitan Trends in

the 2000s”, the Brookings Institute revealed that almost 40,000 Augustans live in extreme-poverty neighborhoods, defined as neighborhoods where at least 40 percent of individuals live below the poverty line. In a 2014 update to this report, Brookings ranks Augusta as 6th in the nation for the high percentage of poor people living in “high poverty or distressed neighborhoods”.

For Augusta, the “Most Affordable” designation bestowed by Coldwell Banker could potentially mean that many Augustans are just too poor to pay for higher income properties.

The Center for Housing Policy recently conducted a nationwide survey of fast-growing metropolitan regions and concluded that the majority of new construction for housing is focused on families who have middle-to-upper income rather than low- to moderate-income.

According to federal guidelines, a household should spend no more than 30% of total income for housing and utilities. In a report released by the Center for Housing Policy, over 13 million US families paid over half of their income for housing and many

Augusta families are included in this number. When low-to-moderate-income families spend that amount of money for housing, there isn’t much left over for basic necessities such as food, clothing, and medical expenses. Affordability is not the factor, but rather survivability.

There is also the affordability distinction between homes for sale and homes for rent.

The Fair Market Rent (FMR) in Georgia is $730 for a two-bedroom apartment, according to HUD’s 2014 Fair Market Rent Documentation.

A household would have to earn $29,200 annually to afford this home without paying more than 30% of income on housing. That translates to an hourly wage of $14.04 per hour, 40 hours a week for 52 weeks.

The state of housing in the urban core is a dichotomy. Pockets of the city are seeing a renaissance of new construction, while other areas continue to be neglected. A quick trip down a few streets reveal flashy “For Sale” signs sitting in front of abandoned, dilapidated properties.

Boarded-up windows and scattered trash complete the look of ramshack-

le neglect.

On Wrightsboro Road, near 12th Street, one can find run-down, needto-be-torn-down homes for sale, while a few feet away sit sparkling new rentals. Bailey Village Homes, a pastel-colored collection of two-story, two-bedroom spaces, is ready to receive new occupants. The new homes, composed of twenty detached and semi-detached units, rent for $875 or $950 per month.

Twiggs Street near the 9th Street intersection is witnessing new home construction as well; while around the corner on Maple Street, a row of ancient houses continue to sit as empty broken shells, haunted by their slow decay into ruin.

Another glimmer of revitalization in the urban core is the new construction taking place on apartments that sit next to the Augusta Canal on Walton Way, slated to be completed in May 2015. The project, called Canal Side, will feature 106 apartments with both one and two-bedroom units.

Are these new homes in the urban core affordable for many of Augusta’s residents? That lingering question remains.

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