Urban Pro Weekly

UPW

DONE DEAL: Grady Smith is mayor pro tem

URBAN PRO WEEKLY

JANUARY 8 - 14, 2015

New team set to run Augusta

VOL. 4 NO. 17

AUGUSTA MAYOR HARDIE DAVIS PRESIDES OVER HIS FIRST CITY COMMISSION MEETING. Photos by Vincent Hobbs

DISTRICT 6 - BEN HASAN

DISTRICT 4 - SAMMY SIAS

DISTRICT 2 - DENNIS WILLIAMS

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

2015

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UrbanProWeekly - JANURARY 8 - 14

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Kenietha, Reidsville, Ga. Business

THE T.W. JOSEY HIGH SCHOOL “SONIC BOOM OF THE SOUTH” perform during a basketball game against Glenn Hills at the Josey gym while they rock commemorative t-shirts proclaiming 50 years of the Josey marching band tradition started by Dr. Charles Smith. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Swearing in of Mayor Hardie Davis caps off weekend of Inauguration activities Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis was the focus of the swearing in at Paine College on Monday, January 5, 2015. Pictured (left to right) are Davis, his wife, Evett Davis, son Benjamin, Augusta Circuit Judge Sheryl Jolly and the Rev. Angel Maestre.

The event was the culmination of a weekend of Inauguration Activities that included a day of community service, a worship service at Beulah Grove Baptist Church and a reception at Sacred Heart Cultural Center Photo courtesy of Linda Williams

3 UrbanProWeekly • JANUARY 8 - 14, 2015

50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE TW JOSEY’S SONIC BOOM OF THE SOUTH

POLITICS

COMMENTARY

UrbanProWeekly - JANURARY 8 - 14

2015

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The rise of Grady Smith

DONE DEAL

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Political Analyst

AUGUSTA People started talking about “the deal” that would make District 10 Commissioner Grady Smith mayor pro tem back in September of 2014.

Those who have been paying attention recall that it started after District 7 commissioner Donnie Smith unceremoniously resigned his post.

District 7 hopefuls and their various cheerleaders in the media immediately moved to head off any unilateral move on the part of Smith to handpick his friend, Hap Harris, to become the interim district 7 commissioner.

Chief among the Smith bashers was Sonny Pittman, chairman of the West Augusta Alliance. Pittman’s chief complaint about Smith seemed to be that

he had “sold out” to an unnamed faction on the commission for an unnamed reward in the future.

Folks were throwing around terms like “horse trading”, “backroom deals” and basically trashing the political process that has been a staple in Augusta politics for as long as anyone can remember.

Well, Smith successfully steered Harris into the District 7 seat and then became mayor pro tem to boot.

Let the chorus of “boos” start anew.

Most folks, however, appear to want to look past the obvious. Smith couldn’t have placed Harris in the district 7 seat without help from others and he certainly couldn’t have become mayor pro tem without help from others.

Despite his brusque exterior and ‘good ol boy persona,’ those who

Grady Smith by Vincent Hobbs

GRADY SMITH OUTPACES BILL LOCKETT AND MARY DAVIS TO LAND THE MAYOR PRO TEM SPOT

supported his pick for interim district 7 commissioner and who supported him for mayor pro tem say that they never have to worry about where he stands. No one would ever accuse Smith of being “politically correct” and would certainly not describe his politics as “progressive.”

Smith’s greatest asset appears to be his homespun persona and “nose” for where the power dust settles. More importantly, if he says something, he generally follows through.

Smith’s new role as a power broker comes at a most unlikely time under the most unlikely circumstances.

Under the Fred Russell-Deke Copenhaver regime, Smith was a “soldier.” He helped to beat back every progressive move that lawmakers like Alvin Mason, J.R. Hatney and Bill Lockett tried to make. Smith was 100

percent supporter all the Tee Center shenanigans, restructuring schemes and outsourcing debacles hatched by the likes of Joe Bowles, Jerry Brigham, Joe Jackson and their handlers. He was a team player and the powers that be could always count on his vote.

Those who recently showed support for Smith know that he can think for himself, so he won’t be anyone’s tool or fool. But they also know that he won’t tell them one thing and then do the opposite. (That has been known to happen among the commissioners past and present).

Another quality that Smith appears to have is that he’s not ambitious.

He doesn’t appear to have the desire to be the one pulling the strings.

Give him his share and he’ll pull his Continued on next page

Committee Chairpersons for Augusta Commission

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, Bill Lockett

by Vincent Hobbs

Done deal from p. 4 weight, but don’t think about crossing him or underestimating his intelligence.

Politics is a game and politicians are players, so what’s so bad about getting into the spirit of the game?

Smith knows how to play the game and that’s good for his constituents.

Call it “horse-trading” if you like.

Getting down and dirty is how you mine political capital.

In order to become Mayor pro tem and enjoy the boost in prestige and purchasing power, Smith had to beat out fellow commissioners Bill Lockett and Mary Davis.

The fact that Augusta has a black sheriff, a black solicitor general, a black mayor, a black city administra-

Mary Davis by Vincent Hobbs

Drug Testing Now Available!

706-736-5551 tor and a majority African American Most Insurance Accepted commission strongly suggested to more than a couple of commissioners 1132 Druid Park Ave, Augusta, GA 30904 that they didn’t really need a1125 black 2 Locations: Druid Park Ave. • 2583 Tobacco Road mayor pro tem. So, onAugusta, that basis GA 30904 Hephzibah, GA 30815 alone, Bill Lockett, who is black, was the longest shot.

On the other hand, Mary Davis was WE TAKE not black (and thus in the running).

The problem with the Davis push is • Georgia medicaid • Insurance plans that there wasn’t much steam behind • Charge cards • WIC vouchers it. Her name was placed in the hat

by Wayne Guilfoyle. Had the Grady Smith nomination run into trouble, FREE it is likely that Davis would have preDELIVERY vailed. However, unlike Smith, Davis is thought to be ambitious (though, SERVICE Marshall Curtis, not in a bad way). Clearly, the majority Pharmacist/Owner of commissioners, however, felt that Smith could be the more effective ally.

Baron Curtis, Pharmacist

MEDICAL VILLA PHARMACY

New governing team starts year off by changing city law AUGUSTA Mayor Hardie Davis got his first taste of commission politics with the gavel in his hand and after a few false starts in parliamentary procedure, it was pretty smooth sailing.

One of the things that will take some getting used to is Davis’ penchant for declaring, “stand at ease” every time the proceedings came to a pause.

Davis was joined on this maiden voyage by commissioners Sammy Sias and Dennis Williams. Ben Hasan, also began serving his own term.

Prior to this week, Hasan had been serving out the unexpired term of former District 6 commissioner Joe Jackson.

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

Dr. Cal

One of the first things the new commission did was to amend the city code to allow the mayor to choose his own staff.

Since it was done unanimously, a second reading was waived.

The move cleared the way for Deke Copenhaver’s former secretary, Natasha McFarley to move over and work out of the Clerk of Commission’s office. Mayor Davis can now select his own staff without going through the city’s Human Resources Department.

The move, however, did not increase the mayor’s operating budget.

Commissioners also voted on new committee assignments and chairpersons. The real test will be when those committees get down to work.

706-722-7355

UPW

URBANPROWEEKLY.COM

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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 View Urbanproweekly on Facebook

UrbanProWeekly • JANUARY 8 - 14, 2015

Administrative Services - Marion Williams Engineering Services - Bill Fennoy Finance - Wayne Guilfoyle Public Safety - Bill Lockett Public Service - Mary Davis

5

Qualifying to Open Monday for Augusta Commission District 7 Qualifying for the Special Election in Augusta Commission District 7 for the unexpired term of Donnie Smith, resigned will open Monday, January 12, 2015 at 9:00 AM and will close Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 12:00 NOON. The balance of the term of office will expire on December 31, 2016.

Qualifying will take place in the Board of Elections Office, 535 Telfair Street, Suite 500, Augusta, Georgia.

The qualifying fee for the office of Augusta Commission is $360.00. In order to be eligible to seek the office of Augusta Commission a person must be at least 21 years of age, must have been a resident of the State of Georgia for at least two years immediately prior to the date of the election and must have been a resident of the district for at least one year immediately prior to the date of the election. The date of the Special Election will be Tuesday, March 17, 2015.

A runoff, if necessary, will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, February 17, 2015.

For more information regarding qualifying, please contact the Board of Elections Office at (706) 821-2340.

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ART

PERFECT STORM ENRICHMENT CENTER

UrbanProWeekly - JANURARY 8 - 14

2015

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Artists Xavier Jones (L) and Sheldon Eastman (R) stand in front of the Old Richmond Academy school, now dubbed as “The Innovation Academy”, which is the site of their art enterprise, Perfect Storm Enrichment Center. Jones and Eastman offer art classes, art mentoring and business logo branding as part of their services. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

the art of innovation

By Vincent Hobbs Artists Xavier Jones and Sheldon Eastman of Perfect Storm Art Enrichment Center are positioned to take the concept of art education into a stratospheric convergence of creativity and opportunity. Since moving their operation into the newly dubbed “Greater Augusta Innovation Academy” on Telfair Street, located at the old Academy of Richmond County school building, the artists have enhanced their focus on teaching a variety of art subjects to eager students.

The pair currently teaches a curriculum that includes, “Introduction to Art Supplies”, “Drawing with

Graphite”, “Basic Drawing – Faces”, “Sequential Art and Manga” and “Character Development.”

Eric Parker, co-founder and innovation engineer at theclubhouse.se, which is the business catalyst for the “Innovation Academy”, is extremely excited to have Jones and Eastman add their expertise to the roster of innovative entrepreneurs. “Xavier and Sheldon are impassioned in what they do, and they work to instill that same passion in their students. They don’t just teach art, they teach ‘why we create art’. I can’t say enough!”

It’s a perfect match for Jones and Eastman. By aligning themselves

with the non-profit business incubator, whose stated goal is “to better the economic circumstances of our community through venture creation based upon humanistic ideals and long term sustainability,” the artists have fused with a resource that recognizes the importance of creative freedom and business mentoring.

Jones and Eastman first collaborated on a comic book titled “Ground Zero”, along with other artists, in the mid 1990’s. The two worked on various projects within the comic book artist community as time passed. ”We never stopped working or reviewing each other’s works, usually meeting

up at the Augusta Book Exchange, now called Comics Books and Games,” said Jones.

Jones shared how the idea of teaming up with Eastman came into being.

“When ‘The Voices of Franklin’ (music and poetry performers) took me on as a partner and I started teaching out of our own gallery, the collaboration with Sheldon got tighter as we published and directed other published works. We also began teaching Manga and Sequential Art together at the library and the Aiken Center for the Arts.”

Continued on next page

CHARITY • Big G Enterprises

Augusta basketball star gives back to community

By Farrell Brown Special to UrbanProWeekly

Garret Siler

Big G Christmas Dinner Giveaway provided meals for kids.

AUGUSTA Former Georgia Regents University basketball player Garret Siler had his third annual Big G Christmas Dinner Giveaway on Christmas Eve. Siler purchased over 100 full course dinners and delivered them to less fortunate families with help from friends, family and community supporters.

“It (Big G Enterprises) is basically me and a couple of my buddies and my parents,” Siler said. “I try to do great things for everybody. Me and my friends we kind of have that same mindset. The city, the area, just the whole community they've done so much for us, we just wanted to do something great for them.”

The dinner giveaway was one of multiple events put on by Siler's Big G Enterprises group. The group is Siler's way of giving back to the community that made and supported him. Big G Enterprises is also looking into beginning a back to school event, Siler said.

Big G Enterprises' biggest event is its annual summer basketball camp. The camp is held at GRU's Christenberry Fieldhouse and welcomes boys and girls ages 8-16. GRU basketball players and coaches assist with the camp.

The profits from the camp go to the

Christmas dinner giveaway.

“I knew Garret when he played basketball at Augusta State,” said Chris Cunningham President of Wife Saver.

“They just called a couple years ago and Garret wanted to do something for the community so we kind of partnered with him and it worked out great. It's getting bigger and bigger.”

The Big G Christmas Dinner Giveaway dinners are purchased from local restaurant Wife Saver at a reduced rate. This year, due to the amount of dinners Big G Enterprises was able to giveaway, Wife Saver provided dinners from two locations in the CSRA. The relationship between Siler and Wife Saver goes back to Siler's days at GRU where Wife Saver is a sponsor.

“We've done a good bit of fund-raising throughout the community of Atlanta, a lot of different business organizations, a couple of doctors I know, a couple of buddies I know that I've played basketball against, Oglethorpe County, as well as throughout the city of Augusta,” Siler said.

This year, Siler received many donations to help with the dinner giveaway.

Siler received support from various Greek organizations like Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, and Zeta Tau Alpha.

“All those different organizations came in and wanted to help and be

a part of something great,” Siler said.

“The organization (Big G Enterprises) the idea of what we're doing is great.

I'm just thankful that everyone came together and we were able to do this great project for the community.”

Siler grew up in Augusta and played high school ball at Richmond Academy before playing for the former Augusta State University Jaguars. Siler would lead the Jaguars to the 2008 Division II National Championship Game. He was an All-Peach Belt Conference selection in both his sophomore and junior year as a Jaguar.

After college, Siler played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association for a season in 2009. Siler also has played for the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks in the 2010 NBA Summer League before eventually signing with the Phoenix Suns. During his time with the Suns, Siler spent a few games with their D-League affiliate, the Iowa Energy.

After being waived from the Suns in 2012, Siler was announced as part of the Washington Wizards' Summer League team. He would eventually sign with the Jiangsu Dragons marking his return to the Chinese Basketball League. In 2013, Siler signed with the Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico.

ART OF INNOVATION from page 8 “That is when the ‘what if we had our own business’ question popped into our heads. We began looking at the possibilities,” Jones explained.

According to Eastman, “There were forces at work, before that, trying to get us together. I am a self-taught artist. I began drawing at the age of eleven. Mostly because my neighbor could draw, so I tried to mimic him.

But the bug took control and I began to study in earnest. I studied comic art and mimicked some of my favorite comic artists - and even submitted sample work to Marvel Comics.”

Eastman said, “In 1993, we created our first comic. Around 2000, I moved to Louisville, Kentucky and enrolled in a commercial art course to learn to apply my skills in a more professional manner. When I returned back to Augusta, I tried to be a professional

freelance artist, but the sequential artist in me (comic art and design) was not quite done.”

A third comic book collaboration with Jones came into being. But the financial reality of trying to make a living in Augusta as an artist took its toll on Eastman.

“After that comic, I needed to get serious about life and finances,” Eastman shared. “I became a Deputy Jailer with the Richmond County Police, a very serious career turn in my life. It took me five years and prayer on bended knee for guidance in the real path my life should take.

God answered me with an open door, back to Xavier Jones. I enrolled into Augusta State University to expand my view of art. Now with an expanded education and experience in sequential art, I instruct young

people, empowering them to excel in their talents or gifts.”

The question of why people have an innate desire to create art is an age-old question. Jones and Eastman are succinct in their answer.

“We create art to communicate Ideas, to express feelings, and to give us well-designed objects, all of which is influenced by nature. Given this understanding, many people are walking around with latent skills, talents and gifts, and if given the opportunity, they can explore their capabilities.”

Teaching is the roadway to help students explore those latent art talents. Jones believes that art enhances motor skills, language development, decision-making, visual learning, inventiveness, improved academic performance and cultural awareness.

Both artists stress the importance of young people getting involved in creating art. After all, it is the definitive goal for Perfect Storm.

“We are providing a cost-effective, community-based, Art Enrichment Program that stimulates and creatively feeds both the student and the environment in which the student lives.”

Big plans are in the making. Jones and Eastman can envision a future where Perfect Storm Art Enrichment Center helps to re-invigorate the local economy by opening up career opportunities for artists-in-the-making. Continued collaboration with art enterprises such as Artist’s Row in downtown and the Greater Augusta Innovation Academy will also expand artistic knowledge and opportunities for CSRA residents.

UrbanProWeekly • JANUARY 8 - 14, 2015

SPORTS

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SPORTS

Game Day

UrbanProWeekly - JANURARY 8 - 14

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T.W. Josey High School girls basketball coach Jawan Bailey advises his team during a game against Glenn Hills at the Josey gym. The Lady Eagles defeated the Lady Spartans 39-37 in a close match. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Glenn Hills High School basketballl player Aaron Williamson attempts to score during a game against T.W. Josey at the Josey gym. Williamson is a senior student.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Josey vs. Glenn Hills 1.6.15 Lady Eagles 39 Eagles 76

Lady Spartans 37 Spartans 64

T.W. Josey High School cheerleaders rally the crowd during a game against Glenn Hills at the Josey gym.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

11 UrbanProWeekly • JANUARY 8 - 14, 2015

MLK DAY EVENTS

Keeping the dream alive Keynote Speaker Cornel West will be the keynote speaker at the Progressive Religious Coalition’s Eighth Annual Interfaith MLK Service.

Dr. Cornel West to headline MLK lineup One of the country’s most outspoken social activists, Cornel West, will speak at the Progressive Religious Coalition of Augusta’s eighth annual Interfaith Service of Celebration.

The celebration is held annually in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. will be held this year at Paine College’s Gilbert-Lambuth Chapel on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 5 p.m.. The theme is Keeping

the Dream Alive: Why Dr. King Still Matters.

West is a professor of philosphy and Christian practice at Union Theolo­ gical Seminary in New York. He previously taught at Harvard, Yale and Prince­ton.

He has written 19 books and edited 13, and is a frequent guest on the Bill Maher Show, The Colbert Report, CNN and C-SPAN, as well as

THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR Date: Friday, January 16, 2015, 12 noon Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel Each year, Augusta Technical College, Georgia Regents University and Paine College come together to celebrate the life and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through this celebration, the institutions encourage the community to reflect upon the teachings of Dr. King and his work for peace and equal rights for all people throughout the world.

This year, Paine College will host the event. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Julius Scott, champion of education and social change. Dr. Scott previously served as Paine College president. Having met Dr. King at Brown University in the 1960’s, remaining friends with Martin Luther King Jr. and his family, as well as serving as Director of the Martin Luther King. Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Rev. Dr. Julius Scott has spent a lifetime being an outspoken proponent of peace, nonviolence and civil rights.

co-host of Smiley and West with Tavis Smiley.

Also appearing on the program will be Wycliffe Gordon, World-class jazz musician, educator, and GRU artist inresidence. The Rob Foster Quartet and the Davidson Fine Arts Chorale, directed by Dr. Tim Powell, will also be on the progrsam.

For more information, go online at prc-augusta. org.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE Date: Monday, January 19, 2015 - 11:00 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church, Augusta The Rev. Charles E. Goodman Jr., speaker; guests include Mayor Hardie Davis, former Mayor Deke Copenhaver, county commissioners, Sheriff Richard Roundtree, Fire Chief Chris James, Richmond County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Angela Pringle, New City Administrator Ms. Janice Jackson and Solicitor General Kelly McIntyre The First Presbyterian Church is located at 642 Telfair St., 30901 Augusta, Georgia DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ANNUAL CELEBRATION Date: Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.

Carrie J. Mays Community Center located at 1014 11th Ave. This event is hosted & sponsored by Augusta Recreation, Parks & Facilities Department and WKZK Gospel Radio Station 1600 AM & 103.7 FM. Bishop Rosa L. Williams, Speaker. Come out and enjoy the celebration and remember Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream and keep his legacy alive. For more information, please contact 706-821-1754.

ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARADE Date: Saturday, January 17, 2015, 11:00 a.m. Downtown Augusta The City of Augusta & NAACP Augusta Branch are presenting the event. The event is sponsored by Power 107 & 96.3 Kiss FM and will be featuring church groups, dance groups, floats, bands, civic groups, and schools. The Theme: All In For Justice & Equality Parade Route: Line up and start at Dyess Park Community Center located at 902 James Brown Blvd., it will proceed from there south on James Brown Blvd, then going west onto Wrightsboro Road, then North onto Augusta Ave. From there the parade will travel east onto Laney Walker Blvd, then North onto 11th street and finally east onto D’Antignac Street.

For more information, please contact (706) 821-1754.

12 2015

Reserve space now for the

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UrbanProWeekly - JANURARY 8 - 14

2015 Martin Luther King Jr. Edition & Black History Month Editions MLK Edition published on January 15, 2015 Black History Editions published the entire month of February Full Page 250.00 Half Page 125.00 1/4 Page 75.00 All prices include color

Call Ben Hasan at 706-394-9411 or email: bzhasan54@ yahoo.com

LETTERS

Reader says custodians not respected in Richmond County schools Dear Editor, The mentality of the principal at Sue Reynolds Elementary School in Augusta, Georgia is typical of the old school. The subordinate who dared to confront the principal with legitimate issues was promptly transferred from the school without notice before the 2014 Christmas holiday break. The following letter to Dr. Cheri Ogden was written by the school custodian.

Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA,

To: Dr. Cheri Ogden, Principal, Sue Reynolds Elementary School Date: 12-01-2014 Subject: Notice of Concerns/ Complaints Dear, Dr. Ogden, In accordance with the guidance set forth in the Richmond County School System Employee Handbook, 2014-2015, I wish to informally share my working condition/environment concerns.

First, Monday, October 6, 2014 was my first workday at Sue Reynolds Elementary School as a full time Richmond County School System custodian. To my surprise, I received no new employee orientation from the school leadership. No one bothered to inform me of fire evacuation procedures, school lockdown procedures, security procedures, safety procedures particular to the school, proper clock-in, clock out procedures, etc. My orientation consisted of here is a broom; mop and bucket, now

get to work. In addition, for two weeks I was being treated like a substitute custodian. I was instructed to account for my time on a form used by substitute workers, even though I informed the book keeper otherwise. After two weeks and repeated requests, it became obvious I was not going to be issued a badge to clockin and out. Therefore, dismayed, I took it upon myself to go downtown to the RCBOE Human Resource and Continued on next page

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WORSHIP

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.

Custodians not respected from page 12 payroll departments to make sure my employment status was correct in the system. After confirming that I was indeed a full-time employee, the HR coordinator, Mr. Russo, called the Sue Reynolds book keeper so that I could finally receive a badge.

Second, I’ve been working as custodian at Sue Reynolds for eight weeks and have yet to receive the necessary keys to access all my areas of responsibility. I, Ms. Lively, and Mr. Blount have repeatedly asked Mr. Harris for copies of the necessary keys. As of the date of this letter, I still do not have

the necessary keys needed to carry out my assigned custodial duties. On a daily basis, I must repeatedly interrupt my coworkers from their custodial duties to unlock doors that give me access to my areas of responsibility.

Furthermore, when asked I am unable to assist teachers to unlock classroom doors or other rooms in a timely manner. Because of this repeated oversight/neglect, I feel marginalized and not a welcomed or valued worker at Sue Reynolds. I do not believe it is asking too much to be respected and accepted in the same way as my

coworkers. Nevertheless, this has not diminished work my ethic or desire to do my best at my assigned duties. The teachers whom I serve have shared their appreciation for the results of my work.

Third, custodians are consuming an inordinate amount of time repeatedly addressing issues of vandalism, property damage, defacement, and trashing of the lunchroom and classrooms. It appears most of the acts of mayhem and misdeeds are directly related to a lack of student supervision and discipline. Unsupervised students have repeatedly used wads of toilet tissue, paper towels, and

other objects to stop up urinals and commodes. Also, students have ripped soap dispensers off restroom walls.

They even attempted to pull urinals from the walls. Recently, before the Thanksgiving holiday break, a stall door was completely ripped off the frame in the boy’s restroom next to the lunchroom. Furthermore, in the girl’s restroom located in the 4th and 5th grade hallway, the stall walls were completely covered with graffiti. All this happened because students were left unsupervised. These preventable, repeated occurrences consume time Continued on next page

UrbanProWeekly • JANUARY 8 - 14, 2015

CHURCH

UrbanProWeekly - JANURARY 8 - 14

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not respected from page 13

that could be used for more value added purposes.

In the Employee Handbook on page 23, under the heading of Discipline, it states, Teachers are expected to assist in monitoring behavior before and after school, between classes, at lunch and at school events, and to redirect students as necessary, as well as report inappropriate student conduct to the principal or other administrator. Also, on page 24 under the heading of Supervision of Students, it states, the teacher is responsible for constant supervision of students. At no time during the school day should students be left unsupervised.

This lack of discipline and effective supervision are contributing factors to the lunchroom being repeatedly trashed during student lunch breaks.

Because of this situation, custodians have been assigned to “attend” the lunch room at the beginning of the student lunch break instead of at the end. Normally, custodians have used the student lunch time to enter classrooms to dust, clean bathrooms, change ceiling light bulbs, replace damaged ceiling towels etc.

Fourth, in the Employee Handbook on page 21 under the heading of

Condition of Classrooms, it states, the teacher shall be careful that no part of the school building, furniture, or apparatus is defaced or injured. Each teacher shall also keep their assigned room thoroughly clean, well ventilated, at the proper temperature, and orderly. That means at the end of the day when students are dismissed, pencils, pens, scissors, markers, textbooks, binders, clothing, pieces of uneaten food, wrappers, notebook paper, and miscellaneous debris should not be left scattered all over the classroom floor. Furthermore, there are many classrooms in which both trash cans are full, yet there is still an abundance of debris on the floor. Moreover, habitual food consumption in the classroom has contributed to the roach problem in many classrooms. Also, in order to facilitate desk top cleaning, floor sweeping and mopping chairs ought to be stacked. Some teachers are being helpful by stacking chairs prior to student dismissal. Custodians could provide a higher level of service to their teacher customers during normal work hours if classrooms were more orderly at the end of the day.

Finally, when it comes to communicating information, custodians are

considered an afterthought. When events are planned which require custodial support, custodians are usually notified at the last minute. There is little to no time for custodians to formulate a plan action to reorganize their workload in order to adequately respond to the added demands. For example, during the recent PTA event custodians were asked at the last minute to set out chairs in the gym as well as open the wall which separates the gym and lunchroom. Had custodians been given reasonable advance notice, the last minute scramble to set up

chairs could have been avoided. Plus, the unsafe situation created which placed parents and children at risk by moving a motor driven wall in a crowded room would not have taken place.

Nevertheless, no matter what the situation, custodians will continue to be flexible and strive to provide a safe and sanitary school building.

Thank you, Dr. Ogden, for allowing me opportunity to share my concerns.

Kevin Palmer, Custodian, Sue Reynolds Elementary School

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