UPW NOVEMBER 23 - 30, 2017
COMMENTARY by Ken Makin: Celebrity revelations, sexual allegations show that Hollywood, politics are one big lie
URBAN PRO WEEKLY
VOL. 7 NO. 4
Coliseum Authority’s approval leads to
SHOWDOWN JB Arena decision goes to the commissioners COMMENTARY By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer
An artist’s rendition of the proposed James Brown Arena complex
Race and class in the d’town vs. South Augusta disconnect COMMENTARY By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA We all knew that sooner or later race and class would take their place in any discussion of land, money, taxes and politics here in Augusta. On the surface, the media has done a tolerable job in keeping class and race at arm’s distance in the James Brown Arena dispute which, at times has Continued on next page
AUGUSTA When and if the Augusta commissioners decide to vote on the fate of the proposed $120 million James Brown Arena, what would appear to be a routine agenda tally, may in fact be a vote of confidence for or against Mayor Hardie Davis. Davis’s skill as a political leader will be on display — or perhaps on trial. If he gets six commissioners to buy into his vision, he will have demonstrated superior political instincts and skill. If, on the other hand, he fails to get six or is unable to massage a 5-5 tie vote, he takes a hit on the leadership-board. Let’s be clear, Mayor Davis has spent whatever political capital he has, or expects to get, in pushing through his vision for the city, which, some would argue, gets brighter as it passes through South Augusta. A loss on the Regency Mall vote at next Tuesday’s commission meeting won’t mean much if it’s just a reflection of discomfort felt by some commissioners about the genuine willingness on behalf of the mall owners to negotiate seriously. In this instance, the devil is in the details. The commissioners may say, we don’t like this deal, let’s see if we can do better. At that point, a very interest-
ing question arises. Who will continue the discussion with the mall owners? In previous administrations, that assignment would be given to then cit y administrator Fred Russell. Mayor Hardie Davis It’s hard to believe that they would task current city administrator Janice Allen Jackson with that task. Her plate is already full. On the other hand, I can’t see commissioners like Sammy Sias, Ben Hasan or Marion Williams passing up an opportunity to work on any subcommittee that would be formed to negotiate with the mall owners. I think it’s clear that a majority of the commissioners would support the Regency Mall location under the right terms. Whether or not the mall owners are serious about dealing with the city remains to be seen. What is very likely to happen is that the matter will be tabled while the comContinued on next page