Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

November 6 - 12, 2014 VOL. 4 NO. 9

CSRA Transportation Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

Conference features Phaedra Parks

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 View Urbanproweekly on Facebook

FOR THE

ASK

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On Friday, Nov. 21, the CSRA Business League, Inc. along with AB Beverage of Augusta will present its 3rd Annual Women Empowerment Conference featuring Entertainment Attorney, Producer and Actress Mrs. Phaedra Parks.

The conference begins at 10 a.m. and will end at 3 p.m. at the Ray & Joan Kroc Center, 1833 Broad Street,

Augusta, Georgia 30901.

Workshops to assist in growing your business and a panel discussion featuring successful Business Women of the CSRA is also scheduled. Lunch will be served. $25.00 ticket (includes lunch); $50.00 (includes lunch, Signed Book and Photo). For additional information, please call 706 722 - 0994.

The Medical Minute airs on GPS Tune in to Georgia Public Broadcasting network to listen to “The Medical Minute,“ a 60-second health news feature on the research and expertise of Georgia Regents University physicians and staff.

The series will air locally on WACGFM 90.7 on Saturdays and Sundays at 8:18 a.m.; 1:20 and 5:18 p.m.

”The Medical Minute” is voiced by Dr. Joseph Hobbs, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Primary Care at the Medical College of Georgia at GRU, where he also serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine.

For more information contact GPB-Augusta Station Manager Drew Dawson at 706-731-7091.

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

THE CITY

Commissioners Mary Davis and Ben Hasan at Tuesday’s commission meeting. Neither commissioner was in office when the city agreed in 2011 to safely relocate families from the contaminated Hyde Park neighborhood. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

The Hyde Park Challenge

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UPW Political Analyst

AUGUSTA Hyde Park, the environmental calamity in South Augusta, a stone’s throw from Gordon Highway, has evolved from the classic case of benign neglect from the mid 1980s to the, all too common, case of “bureaucratic project stagnation” in today’s city government.

In 2011, the city signed off on a phased relocation project of the families that lived in the neighborhood which had been plagued by unexplained illnesses and deaths.

Throughout the years, experts have debated the causal relationship between the deaths and the polluted soil and drainage ditches that crisscrossed the community, but

everyone seemed to agree that a community that was encircled by a junkyard, a railway line, and an industrial ceramics plant on one side, a power plant on another, a brickyard and a second railway on a third, and a highway on the remaining side, would be vulnerable to a whole range of environmental mishaps.

So, finally, after years of protests and more and more funerals due to terminal illnesses in the neighborhood, the city was poised to do the right thing — even though it didn’t have the money.

Around 2012, the city began the first phase of a three-phased Hyde Park relocation process. Phase 1 has not yet been completed and the project’s managers have run out of money.

That happens a lot, especially in the Housing and Development sphere of operation where there are swirling streams of money (most of it federal) to fund various blockgrant type of grassroots projects.

The Housing and Development Department is working with the city engineers on the relocation project.

On Tuesday, at the request of Commissioner Marion Williams, the Hyde Park handlers — City Engineer Abie Ladsen and Housing and Development Director Chester Wheeler — gave the commissioners an update.

Ladsen told commissioners at Tuesday’s regular meeting that the original cost of the project was for $8 million, but that only $2 million was approved for SPLOST VI. According to Ladsen, another $2 mil-

lion was rounded up and the land acquisition phase of the project was launched in 2012.

At the time, Ladsen said, he noted that the land acquisition could take anywhere from four to five years. He told commissioners that things were proceeding ahead of schedule, but they needed more money.

After listening to the update, Commissioner Marion Williams expressed exasperation that more couldn’t have been done sooner.

He warned that the 70 or so families that still remain have been further endangered by the multitude of abandoned buildings that are everywhere.

“This is too much, too long for the people who are remaining,” Continued on next page

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POLITICS

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Hyde Park from page 3 Williams said. “My concern is that people ae living less well than animals right now in Hyde Park. It is high time that we got serious with what these people are dealing with.”

Commissioner Bill Fennoy complained to his fellow commissioners that “in other neighborhoods, projects are started and completed. And here we are stuck.”

“We have created a dangerous situation for the residents that are still over there,” Fennoy said.

What Williams and Fennoy are complaining about is “bureaucratic project stagnation,” but unfortunately, there’s nothing that can be done about it, but try to come up with the money from somewhere. So that’s exactly what the commission voted to do.

Ladsen, Wheeler and the Finance Department are to research current and future projects (including SPLOST) to see where money can be diverted to the Hyde Park relocation project.

That’s just the start. If they do identify the source of the funds, they have to figure out how to legally apply them to the desired projects.

On the other hand, the commissioners have to identify where any additional funds can be pulled from the 2014 budget and then address the amount that is needed to continue the project into 2015.

The 2015 budget discussions are being held weekly and already certain departments are complaining that they don’t have enough to make to the end of 2014.

That the Hyde Park relocation would eventually run into trouble should have surprised no one. What began as an underfunded SPLOST VI project was tied to subsequent SPLOST projects which the voters recently rejected.

When SPLOST VII went down in flames in this summer’s election cycle, it should have been apparent to someone — if only Ladsen and Wheeler, that there would have to be an addition-

al funding source if the Hyde Park project was ever going to get finished.

According to Ladsen, Phase 1 is 75 percent completed; Phase 2 is 13 percent completed.

There have been some high-spirited discussions this season about the need to raise more money, but none of them mentioned Hyde Park.

Somehow with all of the attention paid to the ice storm dramatics, the millage-rate increase and the relaxation of the excise tax, the Hyde Park dilemma fell through the cracks.

That such an important initiative could fall through the cracks is proof that the city needs a full-time administrator — sooner, rather than later.

Let’s hope that the new regime that takes power on January 1, 2015 is up to the challenge.

Leadership from the top on these types of issues is critical.

Let’s hope the new administra- Will the relocation of Hyde Park residents become a priority for the new commission in January? tor has some ideas.

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY The Richmond County School System will accept bids and request for proposals until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, for the following: Replacement School Bus Tires RFP #14-687

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 including 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

2 Locations: 1125 Druid Park Ave. • 2583 Tobacco Road Bid specifications may be obtained by contacting Amy Bauman Augusta, GA 30904 Hephzibah, GA 30815

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.

MEDICAL VILLA PHARMACY WE TAKE

• Georgia medicaid • Insurance plans • Charge cards • WIC vouchers

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

Marshall Curtis, Pharmacist/Owner Baron Curtis, Pharmacist

FREE DELIVERY SERVICE

706-722-7355

GRU Women’s golf team gains in national ranking

5 UrbanProWeekly • NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2014

By Vincent Hobbs AUGUSTA The GRU women’s golf team has made an impressive start to their 2014-2015 tournament season, ranking number 21 in the nation in the latest statistics from Golfstat.com for NCAA Division 1 teams. That’s right, the entire nation.

Led by powerhouse player Eunice Yi, a sophomore who formerly attended Lakeside High School in Evans, this rise in the Lady Jags ranking was achieved after securing a second-place finish in the Palmetto Intercollegiate Tournament, held at the Turtle Point Golf Course in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, on October 26th-28th. Yi came in third place in the tournament, with a tournament score of 215 (-1).

Also finishing in the top 25 at the tournament were teammates Josefine Nyqvist, Jessica Haigwood, and Teresa Caballer Hernani.

“We’re pretty successful and it’s been a great season,” Yi said during a recent interview with UPW. “All of us get along great and we have three new freshmen, who have been great additions to our team.”

New freshmen recruits include Lexi Bollant from Buffalo, Minnesota; Maggie Ashmore from Kingston, Georgia; and Sonya Knebel from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

“All of us are improving and we’re excited for next season,” Yi said.

“Hopefully we’ll get a win. We came close a couple of times. I think we’ll pull out a couple of wins next semester and make it to regionals and hopefully the nationals.”

Yi, who is 19 years old and 5’5” tall, packs such amazing power into her drive shot – even birds would be wise to take cover when her ball slices through the air. She’s only been playing the game for five years, picking up her first club at age fourteen.

Her love for the game as a young

GRU golfer Eunice Yi practices her drive shot on the Jaguars practice field at the J. Fleming Norvell Golf House. Yi, a sophmore, came in third place at the Palmetto Intercollegiate tournament and the Jaguars placed second overall at the competition. The Lady Jags defeated Furman University, as well as 18 other schools, to clench the second-place finish. Photo by Vincent Hobbs teen led to standout achievements at Lakeside High School in Evans, including winning the GHSA Class AAAAA individual competition in May 2013 and leading the Lady Panthers to the state title.

“Golf is something where I can get away from everything,” Yi shared. “It sounds corny, but I’m just in my own world. It’s not like it’s relaxing, it’s really intense – but I just like the competitiveness of it and it’s a unique sport. All kinds of people can play it, different ages, and everyone can play.

It’s fun and I love it!”

With the fall schedule now complete, the Lady Jags will return to tournament competition on Sunday, February 15th to compete in the Lady Puerto Rico Classic, held at Rio Mar Resort in Grande, Puerto Rico.

The GRU women’s golf team is coached by Kory Thompson, who has is now in her fourth season as head coach, after being appointed

to the position in 2011.

“The main key is to try to get each player to improve every day.

We’ve seen a huge improvement in our short game drills during practice,” Thompson said.

Thompson is optimistic about the latest Golfstat.com rating for the team. “We’re pretty excited about it. It’s huge for our team and it’s just the beginning for us.

We have a really young team and that’s exciting to see.”

GRU golfer Josefine Nyqvist practices on the putting green at the Jaguars practice field at the J. Fleming Norvell Golf House. Nyqvist, a sophmore from Sweden, finished in the top 25 at the Palmetto Intercollegiate tournament and the Jaguars placed second overall at the competition.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

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Walter Lawton started CSRA Transportation in 2003 with just Driver Education classes. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

CSRA Transportation • 706.860.6800 • 3351 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta, GA

Truck drivers are in demand, but you must be trained When did CSRA Transportation start and what was your main service at that time?

We started in December 2003. Our main service at that time was a Driver’s Education Program.

How have your course offerings expanded?

Since 2003 we have added Commercial Driving License Training for Class A and B Vehicles. Certificate and Non Certificate courses are available.

Are there many job openings for commercial truck drivers?

There are many job openings for Class A CDL’s, mainly OTR Jobs. Local jobs are available for Class A; there is a request for experienced drivers (1 to 2 years of experience).

Are there any prerequisites to be entered into the truck-driving course?

For the Class B non certificate course you must have a Learner’s Permit. For all courses you must have a valid driver license for Georgia or South Carolina.

What is the CDL License and what does it qualify the holder to operate?

CDL stands for Commercial Driver License. The licenses are divided into Classes. Class A CDL which are for the operation of the following vehicles: Tractor-trailer, dump truck, cement truck, trash truck and box truck.

Class B CDL are for the following vehicles: Dump truck, cement truck and box truck. Operating school bus and commercial buses is an Class B CDL but with endorsement of school bus and passenger.

Walter Lawton (L), owner of CSRA Transportation, talks to students as they look at the engine on one of the trucks used for student training. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

When are your courses offered and is there a registration period?

Courses are held every other month (rotation of Class A and B courses). Yes, there is a registration period.

How long does it take to get the hours required by the state of Georgia?

The course for Class A Certificate Programs is 161 hours of training that equals to 4 weeks of Training. Class B Certificate Program is 71 hours of training that equals to 2 weeks of Training.

Are classes small and do the students have to bring any special equipment?

Classes are small. 5 Students max to each instructor.

Gloves are required the first day of skill training.

What about costs?

Class A CDL Certificate Program is $4,500.00 Class B CDL Certificate Program is $3,100.00 Do you assist those who complete the course to find jobs?

Yes. We have trucking companies that pre-hire our students Do you do training for any public entities?

Yes. With stipulations.

This student classroom at CSRA Transportation is used for student instruction on large vehicle driving, such as tractor trailers and buses. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

7 UrbanProWeekly • NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2014

URBAN ProFILE: CSRA TRANSPORTATION Owner: Walter Lawton

UrbanProWeekly - NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2014

8 Apartments starting at $449

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

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

“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

Your Health Should Matter

By Helen Blocker Adams Most of the political campaigns are over, but there is still another campaign starting in a matter of days. Its a healthcare issue that impacts everyone, one way or another. Last year the roll out of The Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare) was met with anxiety, distaste, relief, thanks and MANY problems. But despite the challenges, it’s been reported that over 8 million people nationwide, over 300,000 Georgians, who didn’t have it before, obtained healthcare insurance. Yes, the numbers were smaller than expected. This is an access to health care, preventive care and saving lives issue.

Here is what the law says about The Affordable Care Act. “It puts consumers back in charge of their health care.

Under the law, a new “Patient’s Bill of Rights” gives the American people the stability and flexibility they need to make informed choices about their health”. The Affordable Care Act is working to make health care more affordable, accessible and of a higher quality, for families, seniors, businesses, and taxpayers alike. This includes

previously uninsured Americans, and Americans who had insurance that didn’t provide them adequate coverage and security”.

Notice the word ‘affordable’ in the title of the law? Too many see this as a government freebie, but it’s not. Yes, there will be some who may have to pay a nominal monthly premium, but there may be a deductible that must come out of their pocket. Of course, there are those who might have a monthly premium of $26, but that same person could have a maximum deductible of $4,500. If you’ve ever been to the doctor, for any reason, you can see this is a wonderful opportunity for families to have peace of mind.

I know what it’s like to be sick and not have adequate funds to go to the hospital or a prompt care. How many have heard people say ‘I can’t afford to be sick?’ What do most of us do if we do get sick? We tough it out, we buy over the counter medicine and we pray harder than ever for God to heal us before we get any worse. Painful scenario, but true. When senior citizens have to make a decision between prescription medicine or to keep their

CSRA TransporTaTion (706) 860-6800

Learn to drive commercial vehicles

Step UP to a NEW CAREER

CDL Classes Starting Every Month Certification and non Certification Classes Available Also: We continue to provide the finest Driver Education classes 3351 Wrightsboro Rd. Bldg. 300, Suite 301 walter@csratransportationcdl.com Augusta, GA 30909

lights on, I believe that is a sad commentary for the greatest nation on the planet.

In the next few weeks, you will see a new campaign of advertisements, commentary, and publicity for the second Obamacare Open Enrollment phase, which begins November 15, 2014 and ends February 15, 2015. So if you don’t have healthcare insurance, you can enroll and find out if you qualify for subsidy and/or cost sharing for health insurance through the Marketplace.

Send an email to championaccesshealth@gmail.com or call 706.726.7529 and a representative will contact you, request a little information and follow back up with you with several proposed affordable health care plans.

Then the choice is yours. I read the other day that here in the CSRA there are 120,000 uninsured people and of those 20,000 are Hispanics. The need is there. The help is there.

Helen Blocker-Adams is an educator, author, empowerment speaker, and healthy lifestyle advocate. She can be reached at hba@hbagroup-intl.com

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TBA Trowell Builders & Associates Designers • Builders Planners

Sanctuary Multi-Purpose Buildings Renovations P.O. Box 211886 Augusta, Ga 30917 1.800.546.2685 Fax 706.738.6328 email: tbamakedreams@aol.com

LOOKING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE? The ACA (OBAMACARE) OPEN Enrollment period for 2015 coverage is November 15, 2014 to February 15, 2015

I can help you find the plan that best meets your needs. If you qualify, financial help is available to help with your premiums.

All plans include:

n$0 preventive care (check-ups, immunizations & more) nBrand-name and generic prescription drug benefits nInpatient hospital, outpatient care and emergency room coverage Don’t call a toll free number for help!

Get assistance by calling or visiting a local experienced agent:

Eloise Meardith • 706-771-9522

UrbanProWeekly • NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2014

LIVING

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CHURCH

WORSHIP

Tabernacle’s Fall Fire Revival Kicks off with Rev. Dr. Lance Watson AUGUSTA Tabernacle Baptist Church presents its Fall Fire Revival, every Thursday, November 6th -20th.

The revival will take place at Tabernacle Baptist Church each Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Each year, Tabernacle Baptist Church invites some of the best preachers from throughout the Nation to deliver impactful messages.

The revival will kickoff with Rev. Dr. Lance Watson. He serves as Senior Pastor of the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia and chief visionary for its corporate affiliates, Destiny Child Development Center, Saint

Paul’s Community Foundation and Nia, Inc. of Greater Richmond. He is the host of the telecast “Positive Power,” seen nationally on The Word Network. Saint Paul’s has been noted by the Virginia General Baptist Association as one of the fastest growing churches in Virginia and as one of the fastest growing churches in the nation by Outreach Magazine. Saint Paul’s is a multi-site ministry with three locations (Henrico, Richmond and Petersburg) and plans underway to open an additional location in the near future. Follow Pastor Watson on Twitter and Facebook.

The revival will continue with Dr. William H. Curtis of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 13th and conclude with Rev. Dr. F. Bruce Williams of Bates Memorial Baptist Church, in Louisville, KY on November 20th.

For more information about Tabernacle Baptist Church’s Fall Fire Revival or to join us LIVE via Streaming Faith, visit http://www.tbcaugusta.org For more information, contact Tabernacle Baptist Church at (706) 724-1230 or visit the Tabernacle Baptist Church website at www. tbcaugusta.org.

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 • NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2014

ARE YOU AT RISK?

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