Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

DECEMBER 25 - 31, 2014 VOL. 4 NO. 16

good cop bad cop

When it comes to pop culture, cops have always gotten the short end of the stick. Pulp magazines from the 40s, rock lyrics from the 60s, blaxploitation movies in the 70s, gangsta rap of the 80s, and the digital media of the new millenium all cast a tarnished glow on the excesses of policing.

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 25 - 31

2014

2

Apartments starting at $449

Specializing In Colon Hydrotherapy

Providence Place

8th Anniversary Specials $20 Off Colon Hydrotherapy $10 Off Bath and Oxygen Sauna

706-793-2180

2205 Southgate Dr. • Augusta,GA 30906 $200.00 OFF FIRST MONTH’S RENT * SELECTED UNITS 1 bedroom/1 bath starting at $449 2 bedroom/1 bath starting at $475 energy efficient

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

•Fully equipped kitchens •Mini-blinds • Pool • Laundry facilities •Total electric central heat and air •Washer/dryer connections in some •On-site courtesy officer

•Near Ft. Gordon •Gas heat/hot water heaters •Playground •Picnic area/grills

DIRECTIONS

Road. Property is on the left.

Take I-520 to Deans Bridge Road North. Turn right on Richmond Hll

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

SELECTED UNITS

Shanta Johnson

706-733-5000

First Colon Cleansing Center In Augusta

Removal of Toxins and Impurities for Optimal Health 2045 Central Avenue, Augusta, Ga 30904 EssentialCleansingCenter.com

3

Pop culture unkind to the police In the wake of recent killings both of and by police, a national discussion on building trust between the police and the community has begun. Unfortunately, decades of police mistrust and misconduct has been amplified by the nation’s pop culture. Instead of acknowledging that reality, right-wing zealots blame Obama and Al Sharpton.

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer When it comes to pop culture, cops have always gotten the short end of the stick. Pulp magazines from the 40s, rock lyrics from the 60s, blaxploitation movies in the 70s, gangsta rap of the 80s, and the digital media of the new millennium all cast the police in a negative light.

The influence of pop culture in forming attitudes toward society in general and the police in particular cannot be overstated. Those who devour pop culture in the form of music lyrics, movies, novels, posters and t-shirts are likely to be forming attitudes toward the police that they don’t think about.

Stereotypes about the police abound. Pop culture is never very nuanced. Police are rarely portrayed in pop culture as normal human beings with fears and anxieties and insecurities like the rest of us. Instead you’ve got the corrupt cop, the crooked cop, the racist cop, the killer cop and the drug running cop.

Cops are further dehumanized because they are seen as agents of an oppressive system. Disrespect for the law is as American as the Fourth of July and it started a long time ago.

The five-cent and dime novels of the late 1890s through the 1920s glorified outlaws of the Old West.

During the heyday of the pulp novels in the 30s and 40s crime novels reigned supreme. James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson were just a couple of the antiheroes that did battle with the cops.

Even pop fiction heroes who battled criminals in the pages of crime novels in the 50s were mistrustful of the career cop. Popular fiction glorifies the role of mavericks who have bolted from the established police organizations and who became private investigators who came to view the police as suspiciously as they did the real crooks.

Pulp fiction historian Geoffrey Obrien reflects on the psyche of one of pop literature’s favorite private investigators — Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer.

“With the police Hammer has a love-hate relationship. He despises the when they kowtow to corrupt politicians or allow their hands to be tied by legal scruples, but acknowledges that fundamentally they fight the good fight,” he writes When black writers began to come to the fore in the 50s and 60s, they portrayed the police as racist occupiers of the black community.

Richard Wright, Chester Himes, Iceberg Slim, Donald Goines and others wrote novels that portrayed the police in a most negative light.

Blaxploitation films like Sweet Sweetback’s Badass Song, Superfly and Black Caesar reveled in shootouts between black protagonists (often criminals) and the police. Dead police were everywhere and the audiences cheered.

Central to those plot lines were corrupt and racist politicians who used the police to do their dirty work.

In the turbulent sixties in the midst of urban rebellions that saw the rise of underground newspapers circulated in the nation’s inner cities, the police were frequently portrayed in an adversarial relationship with the community.

In alternative newspapers like The Black Panther and Muhammad Speaks of the Nation of Islam, police were often portrayed as inhuman beasts who preyed on the black community.

Movement artist Emory Douglas was responsible for much of the iconic art that appeared in each edition of the Black Panther newspaper. In one of his cartoons he portrays a police officer as a pig in uniform holding an assault rifle. He portrays a state policeman and a national guard soldier in the same manner. At the time it was accepted as an apt representation of police brutality which was rampant in

Many Americans have grown up with a negative attitude toward the police. These negative attitudes toward the police have been reinforced through various genres of music, literature, activist journalism and the world wide web. the 60s and 70s.

The rock music of the period played its part. Anti-establishment lyrics and sentiment were paramount in rock’s early days. The police, of course, represented the establishment.

Mick Jagger once wrote in one of his rock anthems, “All the cops are criminals and all the sinners saints.”

In later movies of the late 80s and 90s, filmmakers including Spike Lee and Mario Van Peebles came out with movies (Malcolm X and The Black Panthers) that included scenes where armed and unarmed black men faced down hostile police officers.

More modern films also examined police life from within the police ranks and none of it was pretty.

Sly Stallone’s Cop City was a perfect portrayal of police criminality in New York City and plot lines that involved internal affairs investigations of dirty cops were prevalent. An earlier film starring Al Pacino as Serpico outlined police who were above the law.

The advent of hip hop music and culture blew through the nation’s inner cities and suburbs with anti-police images and themes.

The iconic rap group NWA launched the careers of such entertainment heavyweights as Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. One of their most popular rap anthems was “F*** Tha Police.”

People loved it.

Police are never looked upon as knights errant who appear to rescue damsels in distress. They are more likely to be represented as agents of a paramilitary organization whose very presence spells trouble.

The events that are playing out on our TV screens and cell phones and online devices throw in stark relief the divide that has occurred between the police and the community.

The unfortunate thing is that those decades of negative portrayals of police and policing are being ignored and instead the protests that have been occuring across the country from San Francisco, to Boston to GRU in Augusta, Georgia are somehow being blamed for giving the police a bad name. Further right-wing conservatives embrace the silly notion that Barack Obama and Al Sharpton are responsible for giving the cops a bad name.

UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

UPW FORUM COMMENTARY

NEWS

CITY

UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 25 - 31

2014

4

Augusta commissioners “Hap” Harris (L) and Grady Smith. One is in the running to be the next mayor pro tem and one has no chance.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

What the heck is the mayor pro tem?

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UPW Staff Writer One of the first things that the new commission will do on January 6, 2015 is to elect a new mayor pro tem. Outgoing mayor pro tem Corey Johnson held the post for two years, the limit for that position.

To those that rarely follow the goings on in city government, the election of the mayor pro tem is no big deal, but to the commissioners, there’s a lot riding on the selection.

Here’s a brief primer culled with help from the city charter about the mayor pro tem: What does pro tem mean?

Pro tem is short for the Latin

phrase pro tempore which best translates as “for the time being.”

This phrase is often used to describe a person who acts as a placeholder in the absence of a superior. In the present case, the mayor pro tem acts in place of the mayor of Augusta.

How is the mayor pro tem selected?

The mayor pro tem is voted on by the ten commissioners at the first meeting of the new year (Jan. 6, 2015). Six votes elects the mayor pro tem.

What should one look for in a mayor pro tem?

The mayor pro tem positions probably should go to commissioners who are experienced in floor debate; who are familiar with the content and application of relevant rules and precedents and who have a reputation for fairness among their colleagues. But that’s not always the overriding criterion in local politics.

What are the duties of the mayor pro tem?

The mayor pro tem shall preside at commission meetings in the absence of the mayor and perform such other duties as may be entrusted to the office of the mayor pro tem. Even while presiding over the commission meeting in the absence of the mayor, the mayor pro tem can still vote on issues that come before the commission.

The mayor and the mayor pro tem are responsible for recommending to the commission the committee heads as well as assigning members to the various committees.

If the mayor and the mayor pro tem don’t agree on those assignments, the commission steps in and makes those decisions. The mayor does not have the right to vote on the appointment of any member to a committee.

Are there any perks for the mayor pro tem?

The mayor pro tem gets a $10,000 boost in annual salary over and above the normal salary (about $1250.00 per month).

COMMENTARY

The mayor pro tem Who’s hot, who’s not

Grady Smith

Frontrunners

Mary Davis

Bill Fennoy

Grady Smith, Mary Davis, and Bill Fennoy,

Long shots No chance

By Frederick Benjamin UPW Political Analyst AUGUSTA Okay, let’s get it on. Who will be the next mayor pro tem for Augusta?

Urban Pro Weekly has not polled the commissioners on whom they may or may not support, so what follows is pure speculation — albeit a calculated speculation.

It’s significant to note that even in 2015, race could be a factor in the commission’s decision.

This will be the first order of duty by new the commission composed of six blacks and four whites.

It matters to some commissioners whether the mayor pro tem will be black or white. I’m guessing that the next mayor pro tem will probably be

Marion Williams, Ben Hasan, Bill Lockett, Wayne Guilfoyle Hap Harris, Sammy Sias, Dennis Williams chosen from among the white commissioners. Why? Because at least one commissioner has indicated that because there is a black mayor, black administrator, and a black majority on the commission, the mayor pro tem should not be black.

So far, there are indications that Commissioner Grady Smith would like to have the position. Mary Davis has also let it be known that she would serve if chosen. That’s important because to serve as mayor pro tem, a commissioner must have enough free time to be able to do whatever is needed in the mayor’s absence.

Among the African American members, Bill Lockett and Bill Fennoy have been known to be in the running.

As noted in the headlines, the front-

runners, according to this analyst, include Grady Smith, Mary Davis and Bill Fennoy.

Why? Smith has to be considered because he is a senior member of the commission and has a reputation for being a man of his word.

Davis should also be considered a frontrunner. Her appeal includes her professional demeanor, her grasp of the issues and her willingness to vote on tough issues.

Fennoy should be considered a frontrunner because he may have garnered enough support to put him over the top and he is passionate on the issues that matter most.

Commissioner Lockett is a veteran lawmaker, but also has detractors. At the present time, he doesn’t seem to have the votes needed to land him the

UPW

URBANPROWEEKLY.COM

Published by

Urban Pro Weekly LLC 3529 Monte Carlo Drive Augusta, GA 30906 Executive Publisher BEN HASAN 706-394-9411 bzhasan54@yahoo.com Executive Managing Editor FREDERICK BENJAMIN SR. 706-306-4647 editor@urbanproweekly.com Sales & Marketing 706-394-9411 Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media

5 UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

POLITICS

position, but that could change once the process starts.

Marion Williams and Wayne Guilfoyle have both served as mayor pro tem in the past. Both however, are eligible to serve again if picked. Neither has lobbied for the position. Commissioner Hasan has just joined the commission, but that does not preclude his selection. He, also, has not lobbied for the position.

Hap Harris may be leaving the commission if he does not win a special election for District 7 that will be held in March 2015. Others who will not be in the running include Sammy Sias and Dennis Williams who have yet to serve a day on the commission.

So who will be the next mayor pro tem? Commissioners are being quiet for now, but the persons who would appear to have the trust among the most commissioners includes Grady Smith and Bill Fennoy.

My guess is that either of those two would be voted on first. If neither of them get the votes needed, then my guess would be that Mary Davis would be the compromise selection.

At some point, commissioners who can’t get their first choice selected, might upset the predictions and simply vote for someone who they feels can do the least harm. That could pave the way for someone like Lockett or even Hasan.

SPORTS Game Day

UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 25 - 31

2014

6

GRU Augusta basketball guard Keith Crump (#0) keeps the pressure on Montevallo University’s Ryan May (#22) during a Peach Belt Conference game at Christenberry Fieldhouse. Crump, an alumnus of Josey High School, is a sophmore at GRU. The Jaguars fell to the Falcons 72 - 67 in the final score.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

GRU Augusta cheerleaders motivate the crowd during a Peach Belt Conference game at Christenberry Fieldhouse against Montevallo University. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

GRU Augusta’s Henry McCarthy takes flight as he jumps up for a shot during a Peach Belt Conference game against Montevallo University at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jaguars fell to the Falcons 72 - 67 in the final score. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

7

Santa Claus is coming to the Children’s Hospital of Georgia for young patients who are unable to be home to celebrate the holidays.

Santa and his helpers will be on hand at 10:45 a.m. on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014 in the lobby.

On Sale Now

Z Z Best Tees

Short sleeve tees and hoods. Individual sales. Group discounts available. Wholesale available with Tax Identification Number.

(762) 233-2988

Notice to the Public Augusta Housing Authority Public Housing Program Effective Thursday, January 1, 2015, the Augusta Housing Authority will be accepting online applications only for the Elderly Public Housing Program waiting list. The waiting list will be opened for all applicants age 55 and older. Elderly families that require a two bedroom unit are encouraged to make application and all members of the family must be age 55 and older to be eligible. Applications will only be accepted by completing the on-line application at www.augustapha.org.

Equal Housing Opportunity The Housing Authority of the City of Augusta, Georgia By: Jacob Oglesby, Executive Director

1144 Druid Park Ave. Augusta,Ga. 30901 zzbesttees@gmail.com

You don’t have You don’t have to live with to live with BACK PAIN or any other kind BACK PAIN of discomfort, including headaches,

or any other kind of discomfort, neck stiffness, shoulder pain, muscle ncluding headaches, neck stiffness, tension, shoulder pain, muscle tension, sleep sleep difficulty or hand difficulty or Brice hand numbness/weakness. numbness/weakness.

Dr. Cal 706-736-5551

Drug Testing Now Available!

Most Insurance Accepted

1132 Druid Park Ave, Augusta, GA 30904

Park Ave. • 2583 Tobacco Road 04 Hephzibah, GA 30815

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

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY The Richmond County School System will accept bids and request for proposals until 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 20, 2015, for the following:

1. E-Rate 18 (2015) Data/Voice Networking, Digital Media Equipment and Integrated Communications Systems for Morgan Road Middle School Form 470 # 790730001276728 2. E-Rate 18 (2015) Network Infrastructure (54 Schools) Form 470 # 298960001276729

Bid specifications may be obtained by contacting Amy Bauman in the Business Office at 706-826-1298, on our web site at www.rcboe.org, or at the Richmond County School System, Central Office, 864 Broad Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, Georgia 30901.

The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY By: Dr. Angela D. Pringle, Secretary

UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

Here comes Santa Claus to Children’s Hospital of Georgia

New commissioners to be sworn in Dec. 29 District 6 Commissioner Ben Hasan will be taking his second oath of office in only four months when he along with District 2 Commissioner Dennis Williams and District 4 Commissioner Sammie L. Sias participate in the Oath of Office Ceremony on Monday, Dec. 29, 2014.

The ceremony will be held in the Lee Beard Commission Chamber in the Municipal Building at 11 a.m.

State Court Judge David Watkins will administer the oath to Mr. Hasan: Probate Judge Harry B. James will administer the oath of office to Dennis Williams and Superior Court Judge Carl C. Brown will administer the oath to Mr. Sias.

Mayor-Elect Hardie Davis Inauguration Celebration Hands Across Augusta Day of Community Service

Interfaith Worship Service

2015 Inauguration Ceremony

2015 Inaugural Reception

On January 3rd, 2015, the city will come together to kick off the Inauguration weekend along with the administration of Augusta’s 84th Mayor for Hands Across Augusta.

On January 4th, 2015 citizens from all faiths will come together to worship and share in a time of encouragement for this city, its leaders and Mayor-Elect Hardie Davis.

On January 5th, 2015 the city will come together to witness Mayor-Elect Hardie Davis take the Oath of Office as the 84th Mayor of Augusta, Georgia.

On Januar y 5th, 2015 Mayor Hardie Davis and First Lady Evett Davis will join participants at the Inaugural Celebration.

Hands Across Augusta Saturday, January 3 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Venue: TBD

Interfaith Worship Service Sunday, January 4 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Venue: Beulah Grove Baptist POC: Rev. Larry Fryer, 706-399-1292

2015 Inauguration Ceremony Monday, January 5 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Venue: Gilbert Lambuth Memorial Chapel

2015 Inaugural Reception Monday, January 5 6:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Venue: Sacred Heart Cultural Center

For more information contact Tonia Gibbons, 706-664-7710 ~ Toniagibbons@outlook.com

FOR THE

ASK

UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 25 - 31

2014

8

TEST

YOU REFUSED AN HIV TEST TODAY . . .

• You are missing an opportunity to take care of your health and the health of others • Georgia recommends yearly HIV tests to help keep you healthy • By not taking the HIV test, you may have a medical condition that you and your doctor don’t know about • People who know their HIV status can make sure they don’t give HIV to other people • As many as 50% of people do not know their HIV Status

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

Accredited and State Approved

“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

Train to become a Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) Phlebotomy Technician or Pharmacy Technician 1755 Gordon Hwy, Suite E • Augusta, GA 30904 For Enrollment Information,

Call (706)736-9225

Fax: (706) 736-0995

Visit www.tendercareschool.comcastbiz.net

One Smile Away Inc.

“Making life better one smile at a time” Tyjuan Williams, DMD • Dentist

4045 Jimmie Dyess Parkway Suite 103, Augusta, GA 30909

706.868.4200 phone 706.868.4717 fax

Credit & Debt Help? *EMERGENCY DIAL 911 *WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORT *STRETCHER VAN TRANSPORT *SENIOR MONITORING SYSTEM

(706) 792-9292 WWW.GOLDCROSSEMS.COM

&Truthe Institute

Your Solution!

706-772-4727

UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

Tender Care Training Center

9

UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 25 - 31

2014

10

CHURCH

WORSHIP

Tabernacle Baptist Church EMANCIPATION DAY CELEBRATION PROGRAM The Augusta Lincoln League Emancipation Celebration Program will be held Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Rev. Herman “Skip” Mason, Pastor of Trinity CME Church will be the speaker. The League is a local public service organization that supports higher education by providing scholarships to post-secondary school students (college students). The League is soliciting your financial support in one of the following categories: Platinum $500 plus; Gold $400; Silver 300; Bronze $200; Donations: $100; Patrons: Mr. & Mrs. $20 and $10. Please make check payable to Augusta Lincoln League. Please give contributions to Deacon Liz Wilhite; Mrs. Queenie Lawton or Mr. Paul Thompkins. Thank you for your support.

Rev. Herman “Skip” Mason

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.

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 • DECEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

ARE YOU AT RISK?

11

THE LAW OFFICE OF

Frails & Wilson

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Experienced Representation

UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 25 - 31

2014

12

Randolph Frails

Real Estate Transactions Personal Injury Wrongful Death Business Litigation Probate • Domestic Medical Malpractice Fire & Burn Injuries Kelli J. Spencer Aimee Pickett Sanders Edwin Wilson 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

211 Pleasant Home Road • Suite A1 • Augusta, GA • 706-855-6715 • www.frailswilsonlaw.com

Rise ‘n’ Dine at Maryland’s Fried Chicken

Breakfast Served from

7:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Monday - Friday Starting on January 5, 2015

12 Broad St, Augusta 706-722-2051