urban pro weekly - nov. 1, 2012

NOVEMBER 1 - 7, 2012NEWS • COMMENTARY ARTS ENTERTAINMENT Urban WeeklyPro Newspaper

The CSRA’s

FREEWEEKLY

VOL.2 NO.9

Hours - 7am-7pm Monday-Saturday

Local Towing SpecialLocal Towing Special $45.00

(within 15 miles)

Local Towing SpecialLocal Towing Special

www.pandgtowing.com

Charles LyonsInjustice, law and politics in Augusta

CITYCLASSICREMIX It’s All About The Pageantry • Photos by Vincent Hobbs

Photo by V

incent Hobbs

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TBATrowell Builders & Associates

Designers • Builders • Planners

SanctuaryMulti-Purpose Buildings

Renovations

P.O. Box 211886 Augusta, Ga 309171.800.546.2685 • Fax 706.738.6328email: [email protected]

PublisherBen Hasan

706-394-9411

Managing EditorFrederick Benjamin Sr.

706-836-2018

UrbanProWeekly LLC

Mailing Address:3529 Monte Carlo DriveAugusta, Georgia 30906

Urban WeeklyPro Sales & MarketingPhone: 706-394-9411

New Media ConsultantDirector of Photography

Vincent Hobbs

email:Ben Hasan

[email protected]

Frederick Benjamin [email protected]

Vincent [email protected]

Paid for by Lamar-Milledge Elementary School PTA

Vote Charter School Amendment

NO

NO-1-

Provides for improving student achievement and parental involvement through more public charter school options.

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

Paid for by Murphy Middle School PTA


NO

NO-1-



Rev. Albert L. SmithFuneral Director/Owner

“Serving with Dignity and Integrity”

•Affordable Prices•Traditional Services•Direct Burials•Cremations•Domestic & International Shipping•Pre-planning•Grief Counseling•Notary Public

723 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30901

Peoples Funeral Home

706-724-1885

GHSU to celebrate Nat’l Allied Health Professions Week

Students and faculty in the Georgia Health Sciences University College of Allied Health Sciences will celebrate National Allied Health Professions Week Nov. 4-10.

“Allied health professionals are essential members of the increasingly complex health care team,” said Dean Andrew Balas. “Their diverse skills will continue to be in high demand as the population ages.”

Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver will issue a proclamation for the week at his office Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 10:30 a.m. Balas and allied health stu-dents will attend.

Allied health professions boast some of the fastest growing occupa-tions in the country. In Georgia, they are expected to account for more than 430,000 jobs by 2016. Of the top 30 occupations from all industries pro-jected to grow the fastest in the next 10 years nationwide, half are allied health professions.

For information, visit www.georgia-health.edu/alliedhealth or call the College of Allied Health Sciences at 706-721-2621.

It’s All About the Show!

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eekly • NOVEMBER 1-7, 2012

At HBCU Football Classics,

An off-the-field strategy session

Augusta City Classic Albany State vs Benedict10.27.12 Laney Stadium

Cheering for the Albany State Golden Rams

Steppin’ through the line.

Swag majors

Photos by Vincent Hobbs

(At Right) Dancing for victory!

It’s All About the Show!

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UPW: Where were you born and where did you spend your high school years?

LYONS: I was born in Athens, Georgia, and my family moved to Augusta when I entered third grade. I graduated from Westside High School here in Augusta.

UPW: Did you always plan on being a lawyer or was it something that else that drew you to the profession?

LYONS: I did not always plan on being an attorney. That decision was made after several years in college of attempting to find what I believed I could be fairly good at.

UPW: Where did you study law and why did you decide to become a trial lawyer?

LYONS: I graduated from the University of South Carolina, School of Law. I thought that being a lawyer meant going to court. So early in my practice I was trying cases.

UPW: We often hear that young defense attorneys straight out of law school are very idealistic but that after a few years of experience tend to modify their expectations of the criminal justice system. Did that happen to you?

LYONS: As with most young lawyers, I believed that I could win every case. I believed that the criminal justice system was a just system. Unfortunately it isn’t. Just as people are treated differently based upon their social sta-tus in the community, the same treatment can exist in the administration of justice.

UPW: What would be your single most important piece of advice to a young person who was contem-plating a career in law?

LYONS: Young people entering the legal profession should realize that practicing law can be challenging. The profession comes with a great deal of mental and emo-tional stress. If you don’t handle stress well, this certainly is not the job for you.

UPW: In this digital age, most professions have had to make adjustments. Has the advent of the information explosion changed the way you practice law from, say, 15 years ago?

LYONS: The access to information from your smart phone, laptop, or tablet can reduce or completely elimi-nate time wasted searching through hardcopy books or documents. You can do research anywhere you can access and internet connection.

UPW: What are the challenges faced by African American attorneys practicing in the CSRA?

LYONS: The lack of business opportunities both in the pri-vate and governmental sectors. There is legal work here, both private and governmental in which African American attorneys never get the opportunity to participate in. For the most part, merit has nothing to do with it. It appears that the connected attorneys get these opportunities.

UPW: The recent failure to place African Americans on the Juvenile Court bench has some people calling for a separation of the Juvenile Court from the Superior Court system. How do you feel about that failure in diversity and the prospect of a separate Juvenile court system?

LYONS: In Georgia, Juvenile Court judges are selected by the majority of Superior Court Judges in that judicial circuit. That is the law in Georgia. We are not in a position to change the selection process. Nor are we in the posi-tion presently on the state level to change the process of selection. This issue will have to be addressed by thoughtful reflection, and not by inadvertent reaction. I believe having differing insights increase the likelihood of problem solving.

UPW: You have been a key player in the Richard Roundtree Sheriff’s campaign. Have you been active in other campaigns and why do you feel it was necessary to get involved in the Roundtree campaign?LYONS: This was the first time that I had an active role in a political campaign. I have been involved in other campaigns but not like the

Roundtree campaign. I had not planned on being involved in the campaign on the level that I eventually was involved. The campaign is big-ger than Richard Roundtree. That is something Richard always said.

Richmond County is a Democratic County. There is no reason why genuine Democrats should not be elected. The game had to end in Richmond County where candidates just say that they are Democrats and expect actual Democrats to vote for them, although they are in the flesh, Republicans. These Demo-Republicans had to be called out. The commu-nity had to be made aware that these people were not Democrats. How could you ask for the trust of Democrats in the Democratic Primary when you were just pretending to be a Democrat? Especially where your voting record clearly indicated that you were in fact a Republican. It had to be done and I found myself doing it.

We knew that Richard Roundtree winning the Democratic Nomination for Sheriff would awak-en African Americans in Richmond County. We wanted to dispel the notion that African Americans did not vote and that they would not return to the polls to vote in a runoff.

It was a team effort. I am particularly proud that two other African American attorneys,

Charles H.S. Lyons

Charles H.S. Lyons III: “I believed that the criminal justice system was a just system. Unfortunately it isn’t.” Photo by Vincent Hobbs

A career in law; a passion for fairness

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Harold Jones and Randy Frail’s roles were critical in Roundtree’s victory. It was a team effort. I say that mod-estly, but truthfully. Each one of us brought something different to the table. Harold’s campaign knowledge and strategy was crucial. If I am not mistaken, Harold wrote all the ads that we ran. Randy focused on fun-draising as well as strategy. We all did countless hours of legal research. Richard is a great candidate. He’s smart. He knows law enforcement inside and out. I can tell you, he is the most qualified person running for Sheriff in Richmond County hands down. I ended up being the one to challenge the opposition on their positions. The four of us dealt with every critical issue in this campaign.

The main thing was that Richard trusted our advice and thankfully, most of our advice was right. I speak about these attorneys because I believe that African American Attorneys in this town are so underappreciated.

And I will never forget the hard work of the ten or so ever faithful volun-teers that have given their hearts and souls to this campaign. The people who consistently braved the one hun-dred plus degree days to knock on doors and hold signs and do every-thing that had to be done to get this campaign to this point. I wish I could name them all here. They deserve so much praise.

UPW: Have you ever been approached to run for political office and would you ever consider entering politics as a candidate?

LYONS: I have been asked count-less times when I was going to run for office. I was definitely interested early in my career but not committed. Since my participation in Roundtree’s campaign, I have been asked about running quite a few times. I have learned now that you can’t rule any-thing out.

Harold V. Jones IIATTORNEY AT LAW

SHEPARD, PLUNKETT, HAMILTON & BOUDREAUX, LLP

429 Walker StreetUpper Level

Augusta, GA 30901

Phone 706-722-6200Fax 706 722-4817

[email protected]

Criminal Law • Divorce • Personal Injury • Employment Law

Charles H.S. Lyons, III has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 1985, and a member of the State Bar of South Carolina since 1986. Charles H.S. Lyons, III is a 1985 graduate of the University of South Carolina, School of Law.

Charles Lyons Law Firm was established in Augusta, Georgia in 1994. The Law Office of Charles H.S. Lyons, III primarily prac-tices in the area of criminal defense, personal injury, and worker’s compensation. The law firm also engages in civil litigation.

From his downtown law offices at 336 Telfair Street in Augusta, Charles Lyons defends those accused of crimes. He is also involved in politics. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

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Paid for by The Richmond County Council of PTAs

Vote

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H. SCOTT ALLEN(Incumbent) Democrat

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PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL

AMENDMENTS

YES

NO

- 1 -


House Resolution No. 1162Act No. 762Ga. L. 2012, p. 1364


YES

NO

- 2 -

Allows the state to save taxpayer funds through multi-year real estate rental agreements.

Senate Resolution No. 84Act No. 761Ga. L. 2012, p. 1363

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide for a reduction in the state's operating costs by allowing the General Assembly to authorize certain state agencies to enter into multiyear rental agreements?”

Charter School Amendment

NO

NO

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H. SCOTT ALLEN(Incumbent) Democrat

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CHARLES E. EVANS(Incumbent) Republican

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JOHNNY R. STEVENS(Incumbent)

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PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL

AMENDMENTS

YES

NO

- 1 -


House Resolution No. 1162Act No. 762Ga. L. 2012, p. 1364


YES

NO

- 2 -

Allows the state to save taxpayer funds through multi-year real estate rental agreements.

Senate Resolution No. 84Act No. 761Ga. L. 2012, p. 1363

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide for a reduction in the state's operating costs by allowing the General Assembly to authorize certain state agencies to enter into multiyear rental agreements?”

-1-

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NEW LOCATIONMost major insurance accepted

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Paid for by Hephzibah Elementary School PTA


NO

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Quick Way Flower Shop

(706) 736-8491 • 1(888) 239-3999www.quickwayflowershop.com

“Flowers For All Occasions”Levi and Mattie Bush, owners

1335 Druid Park AvenueAugusta, Georgia 30904

When in need of flowers stop by to see these lovely people. They do it right!

More than just a flower shopChurch Décor

Special SentimentsWedding Ensembles

Seasonal ArrangementsConventions and meetingsFuneral Arrangements

The Computer GuyComputers Done Right, Free Diagnostic Check

2658 C Barton Chapel Rd.Augusta, GA

ClarencePC TECH

[email protected]

Paid for by Deer Chase Elementary School PTA


NO

NO-1-



ELECT

DONNIE SMITHAugusta Commission District 7

Putting Augusta First

PERSONALWest Augusta resident for 21 yearsMember Harmony Baptist ChurchAttends St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

PROFESSIONALCertified law enforcement officerGeorgia State PatrolLieutenant of AdministrationManages 5 State Patrol PostsServes on Richmond County Police Academy Board

ENDORSEMENTSAugusta Firefighters Association • Carpenter’s Association of Augusta

Homebuilder’s Asso. of Augusta

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VOTEHAROLD V. JONES IIDistrict 9 CommissionerQUALIFICATIONS:Former Solicitor GeneralFormer Chairman of the Greater Augusta Arts CouncilLifetime member NAACPMember, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

Working Together to Move Augusta Forward

AUGUSTAPaine College’s School of Arts and

Sciences will host its 15th Annual Conference on the Harlem Renaissance. The conference will take place on November 7, 2012 and conclude November 9, 2012, at the Double Tree Hotel (2651 Perimeter Pkwy, Augusta, GA) and Paine College Campus. The conference is open to the public at a fee of $35 per day to include attendance to lecture sessions, lunch, and additional refreshments.

This year’s conference participants will witness a special tribute to Evelyn G. Etheridge, founder of the Conference by Paine College’s Sigma Omicron Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society Members. As an instruc-tor of Honors Composition and Black Literature, Professor Etheridge brought passion, vigor and a no-nonsense approach to teaching. She earned sev-eral Teacher of the Year awards for her dedication and enthusiasm.

The keynote speaker for the Conference will be Daniel Omotosho Black, author of Twelve Gates to the City and Perfect Peace. Upon graduation from Clark College (Magna Cum Laude in 1988), he was granted a full graduate fellow-ship to Temple University in pursuit of a Ph.D. in African-American Studies. As a tenured Associate Professor, he now aims to provide an example of young African Americans of the importance of self-knowledge and communal commit-ment. A book signing and reception with the artists will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2012 at 7 pm at Paine House, located on 1238 Beman Street,

Paine to sponsor Harlem Renaissance conferenceAugusta, Ga.

Also during the Conference, an Artist Talk, Exhibition, and Reception, featuring the works of Paine College Art Professor Nancy Bookhart Artist is slated for Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 5 pm at the Doubletree Hotel.

The School of Arts and Sciences consists of three departments

that offer the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. These departments include the Department of Humanities, Department of Mathematics, Sciences, and Technology, and Department of Social Sciences.

For specific questions about con-ference attendance, contact the

Office of Dean Emily Allen-Williams (School of Arts and Sciences) at 706-821-8326.

For more information on Paine College, please visit: http://www.paine.edu/

Or contact the Office of Communications & Marketing at (706) 821-8322, (803) 524-3195, or [email protected].

HIGHER EDUCATION

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MARION WILLIAMSMARION WILLIAMS“Leadership that you can depend on”

A leader that you can count on to speak for you in Augusta!

Super District 9 CommissionerCan I have your Vote?

A certified Augusta-Richmond County Commissioner for 8 years

Served 2 consecutive years as Mayor Pro Tem

Paid for by the committee to elect Marion Williams

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Paid for by Barton Chapel Elementary School PTA


NO

NO-1-



Paid for by Diamond Lakes Elementary School PTA


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Jennifer Norman-DixonIndependent Cruise

& Vacation Specialist

Hephzibah, GA 30815Phone 706-925-2929

Toll Free (877-790-6082Fax 404-601-4492

Email:[email protected]/jdixon

Tender Care Training School

Certified Nurse Asst. TrainingPhlebotomy Training

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1140 Druid Park Ave.Augusta, GA 30904

OFFICE HOURS

TUES-FRI. 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM

State Approved

Phone: (706)736-9225Fax: (706)736-0995

DVA from page 10

EXPERIENCE

KNOWLEDGE

DEDICATION

COMPASSION

ELECTHARRY JAMES

Probate Judge

FAIR AND IMPARTIAL

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Harry James

NOVEMBER 6, 2012

Former Municipal Court JudgeFormer City of Augusta Sta� AttorneySolicitor Richmond County Magistrate CourtFounding Chairman: Augusta Land Bank Auth.Former Board of Director: The United Way and the Senior Citizens CouncilBoard Member: Augusta Historic Preservation Auth.

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 20129:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

5th Annual Business Expo

The Boathouse Center101 Riverfront DriveAugusta, GeorgiaFree to the Public • Lunch Provided

www.augustaga.gov/businessexpo“Open Door to Opportunity”530 Greene Street, Suite 305Augusta, Georgia 30901

Office (706) 824-2406 Fax (706)[email protected] RSVP

Hosted by the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise: Local Small Business Opportunity Program

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2664 Tobacco Rd., Ste A,Hephzibah, GA 30815www.taxwize.net

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READERS’ FORUM:

Continued on page 13

Urban WeeklyPro ForumBlacks caught up in Colorado pot laws

Charter School Amendment - A bad idea

I fully support the candidacy of Kellie Kenner McIntyre for Richmond County State Court Solicitor-General and urge all eligible citizens to vote for her in the general election on November 6th.

As many voters may know, the Solicitor’s office is charged with prose-cuting criminal offenses such as domes-tic violence, DUI and theft. These are kind of crimes that touch the lives of almost every family at one time or another. It’s vital that this office has strong leadership to ensure it is being run effectively. Mrs. McIntyre has both the extensive professional experience and knowledge of community to pro-

vide just such leadership. A native Augustan and trained social

worker, Mrs. McIntyre began her career in Fulton County’s court system as a vic-tim’s advocate and social services coor-dinator. So she knows first-hand the devastating impact ineffective prosecu-tion can have on families. As a Solicitor-General with a background in social work and family courts, I fully expect Mrs. McIntyre to bring special focus on youth offenders and domestic vio-lence cases, which unfortunately remain severe problems in our community.

After earning a law degree and work-ing as a staff attorney for the Fulton

County courts, Mrs. McIntyre returned to Augusta and assumed a position as an Assistant Solicitor-General in the Richmond County State Court. Upon her return, she also immediately become involved in her local communi-ty, serving as a commission member on the Augusta Regional Airport Aviation Commission an a board member for the Augusta African-American Historical Society and Richmond/Burke County Training Authority.

As a former prospector in the office she is now pursuing to lead, Mrs. McIntyre has a keen awareness of the problems that need to be addressed in

that office and will work to improve its efficiency, promote sentencing fairness and alternatives, and steward a more service-oriented professionalism among the staff attorneys.

I have known Mrs. McIntyre her entire life and have always admired her tenacity, honesty and integrity. Along with her experience and stellar cre-dentials, I fully expect her to bring those personal characteristics to the Solicitor’s office on behalf of the people of Richmond County.

Tracy E. Williams, Jr.

LETTERSReader urges support for Kellie McIntyre

By Stenson Willard

In the months leading towards the November 6TH elections Gov. Nathan Deal paved the way for House Resolution 1162 to be on the ballot. This potentially devastating amendment has been persuasively worded to appear as something beneficial to our local educa-tional community.

In deceptive jargon, the amendment proposes to “give more educational options to families” by allowing charter schools to be established without the approval of the local educational board. This allows for-profit organizations to usher in charter schools that would directly “compete” with local schools for children attendance and the slim pool of tax dollars barely available to local schools already.

This would, in essence, privatize the local educational system. Charter schools would become the schools of prestige, while public schools become

the place for special needs and low income children not meeting the “stan-dard” of private charter school criteria. According to other opposition towards the amendment, the fear is that these charter schools would cater their curric-ulum towards student types other than low-income or special need children, conversely creating a dual-educational system segregated and protected by law.

A state panel located in Atlanta would decide what schools come to your local community even if the local school board objects.

In a recent debate by panelist oppos-ing and supporting HR 1162, the Augusta Chronicle quoted Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School principal Tonia Mason saying, “It’s not about charter schools, it’s about who chooses to approve those applications.”

Mason’s opposition to the amendment is clear. Charter schools have a place in education when the local school boards have input on how the finances are used,

according to sources from the Richmond County Retired Educators Association.

National for-profit charter manage-ment companies are not accountable for student achievement. These compa-nies are secretive with how they utilize taxpayers’ resources unlike transparent public schools. Yet, it is these companies that push the amendment.

Questions have never been answered about how the state can afford to fund new state charter schools, considering budget reductions that plague schools already. The ongoing budget cuts hurt educators and pupils. Important pro-grams such as art, music and physical education would disappear. Many local school districts are already ushered to the edge of bankruptcy, and any more revenue-loss would be crushing.

We should be outraged at the thought of people suggesting that there are no good options in public education for our children. People who suggest that the problems in public education can

only be fixed by taking from its fund-ing and giving it to newer “better more competitive” schools with discrimina-tory practices are not the kind of people who should be representing our chil-dren.. That notion makes no sense.

Unfortunately this is not so unex-pected since Medicare, Social Security and Education are the last three tax-payer strong-holds that for-profit com-panies continue to salivate over since the decline of our nations’ manufactur-ing, and outsourcing of, pretty much, everything else..

As a result of this legislation there will be a large population of children unable to meet the criteria of these for-profit schools and will inevitably be “pushed out” of the educational process’ with no hope of furthering their education. This would make entering the collegiate level of education nearly impossible, and render a generation of children

By Art Way

A report released today by the Marijuana Arrest Research Project revealed the extent of mari-juana prohibition in Colorado and its devastating costs to our communities.

In the last 25 years, 210,000 peo-ple were arrested for marijuana pos-session. More than half of these arrests took place from 2001-2010. Marijuana possession arrests in Colorado rose sharply over the past 25 years -- from 4,000 in 1986 to 10,500 in 2010. Despite the increased show of force over the last decade, Colorado’s crackdown has not decreased use or availability -- the stated goals of pro-hibition.

Young adults bear the brunt of mar-ijuana enforcement measures. Eighty-six percent of those arrested were age 34 or younger, 79 percent were 29 or younger, and 69 percent were 24 or younger. Science has now conclu-

sively debunked the theory that mari-juana is a gateway to other drugs, but these numbers show that marijuana arrests are indeed a gateway into the criminal justice system for many oth-erwise law-abiding young people.

The resources invested by Colorado to maintain this approach comes at a stern cost to taxpayers. Reports estimate that Colorado spends $40 to $60 million on marijuana prohibition every year,

Colorado -- like many other states across the country -- funnels dispro-portionately high numbers of blacks and Latinos into the criminal justice system, and even jail in certain juris-dictions. Black people are arrested at three times the rate of whites, while Latinos are arrested at 1.5 times the rate of whites. Even in Colorado counties where the black population is less than 5 percent, the arrest rate was double that of whites.

The mostly young, poor adults who

receive the label of drug offender understand all too well why many are now referring to the war on drugs as “the new Jim Crow.” Marijuana pos-session arrests create easily-accessible criminal records, which can be found on the Internet by employers, land-lords, schools, credit agencies, licens-ing boards and banks. As a result, the consequence of being labeled a drug offender is a lifelong barrier to employment, housing and education for those who already have a tough road ahead.

California NAACP President Alice Huffman describes the hypocrisy of marijuana prohibition well:

“Our recent history is filled with elected officials (including our cur-rent president), business leaders and others who have admitted using marijuana and was nonetheless able to lead productive lives. How many would have been able to do so if they were subjected to current law

enforcement practices?”These very practices distract and

divert limited law enforcement resources from combating serious, violent crime. Many law enforcement professionals agree that marijuana prohibition is detrimental to overall public safety and that it destroys the relationship between law enforce-ment and the communities they serve.

Marijuana prohibition is counter-productive to the health and public safety of our communities, fuels a mas-sive, violent underground economy, wastes billions of dollars in scarce law enforcement resources, and makes criminals out of millions of otherwise law-abiding citizens. It’s time to bring marijuana out of the shadows and under the rule of law -- and Colorado is suited to lead the way.

Art Way is the Colorado Manager of the Drug Policy Alliance.

This piece first appeared on the Drug Policy Alliance Blog.

13UrbanProW


Blacks caught up in Colorado pot laws

Charter School Amendment from page 12

Charter School Amendment - A bad idea

An Open Letter to: Cherry Tree Crossing Residents

The purpose of this writing is to bring awareness and knowledge to the residents of Cherry Tree housing com-plex. As you probably know by now, it is pretty much a done deal that residents of Cherry Tree will be relocated due to the decisions made by others to demol-ish the housing complex and replace it with a mix-use development complex. Whether you agree with that decision is not relevant at this point, as you do not have any say in that process. But what is relevant is the decision that you will be required to make as to where you will live in the future.

You will have to make a choice between moving to other existing public housing and accepting a voucher for pri-vate rental housing. It is very important that you “choose wisely”. In order to do that you must be knowledgeable about this process and fully understand the choices that are before you. Regardless of your feelings on having to move, an opportunity exists to better the living arrangements for you and your family, and maybe more importantly, to change the mindset that can come with living in public housing.

It is so important that you begin immediately understanding the options that you have so that you can make a decision that will best benefit you and your family. Let me begin with a best case “projected timeline” for Cherry Tree Crossing demolition and future development. In December 2012 an application for demolition will be submitted to Housing and Urban Development (HUD). By spring of 2013 it is expected that the application will be approved. At that point 90-day vacate letters will be sent to residents of Cherry Tree. By the summer of 2013 residents will begin to move. By the fall of 2015 construction will begin on the new development at Cherry Tree.

So between now and the summer of 2013 there are a number of things that you must look at very closely in your decision making process. If you choose to move into another public housing complex it will work pretty much the same as it currently works at Cherry Tree. However, you don’t have the authority to decide which housing complex you will move into. If you have children you may have to transfer schools. If you rely on public transporta-

tion you may be moved to an area that has a limited bus line or no bus trans-portation at all.

If you choose to accept a voucher for private rental housing, it can be a little more complicated so you real-ly have to “choose wisely”. A voucher pays for a portion of the rent and it is stated that you can move anywhere in Augusta-Richmond-County that will accept Section 8. The reality is that only certain areas of town are going to accept Section 8 vouchers for rent. In other words the likelihood of you moving to West Augusta with a Section 8 voucher is slim to none. East and parts of South Augusta are the primary areas where these voucher rentals are accepted.

Let’s say you qualify for a voucher for $750.00 and so you got out looking for private housing with that voucher. Clearly you will not be able to afford housing in West Augusta. However, it is possible to find housing in East or South Augusta for that amount or a little more. If the private rental is more than the voucher then you are required to make up the difference. So using our previous example, if you find a private rental that will accept a Section 8 voucher and you have been approved for $750.00 but the private rental costs $1,000.00 then you are responsible for the difference $250.00 every month. You will also be responsible for any rental deposits that are required as well as any deposits for your utilities, water, gas, electric, phone, and cable.

In addition, if you rely solely on public transportation be sure to find a private rental that is on or near the bus line as the bus does not run in the majority of South Augusta. Also be aware that with private rental housing you are respon-sible for the upkeep of the property. This includes keeping your yard clean, cutting your own grass, bushes, and tak-ing out your garbage.

Much of the maintenance that needs to be done inside of the private rent-al will be your responsibility as well. If your toilet is not working properly there is not a maintenance man who is going to come in right away and fix it. Depending on the private rental con-tract that may be something that you are responsible for, or there may be a significant delay in getting to you to get it repaired from the homeowner or

rental agent.I mention these things not to scare

you from private rental but to prepare you for what you will have to deal with in the private sector. If you are prepared then there will be a better chance of suc-cess. Many neighborhoods in the private sector have covenants or Neighborhood Associations which spell out certain things that you can and cannot do in the neighborhood. This is important to know when seeking private rental. Some of the biggest complaints about section 8 rentals are that they play loud music, cars are parked on the grass, beer bottles and other debris is thrown in the yard, and grass is not kept up. In addition, there is a feeling among many that crime rises when Section 8 residents move in. This does not apply to all that use Section 8. But a few make it bad for the many.

If you have school aged children it will be important to check out the school that they will go to as a result of your move. They may have to attend a different school than where they cur-rently attend. This could cause some adjustment issues for the kids or it could be just what they needed to excel. Please take advantage of the Relocation Education Assistance that is offered by the Augusta Housing Authority. Do not be afraid to ask questions. This is your move! It could literally change the course of your life and your children’s lives!

Cherry Tree is going to be demol-

ished. It is just a matter of time. But what we also need to demolish is the mindset and thought process that some accept as a result of living in public housing. When given the opportunity, take advantage of it. I am a product of public housing, and Section 8. It made a big difference in my life. Not only did I get an opportunity to move out of the public housing complex into private housing, but I also began to think and act differently and I became a produc-tive part of society instead of a victim of my circumstance. That is why I am writ-ing this editorial to give back and show you that there is real hope, no matter the motives of others.

All that I ask is that you be mindful and get educated now on the reloca-tion process. Make sure during your counseling with the housing authority that you address some of the issues that I have spoken about and that you get a clear understanding of what is expected of you in this process. It is likely that I will see some of you out in the district that I represent. I will assist you where I can. But at the end of the day you have to be prepared to be accountable and responsible for you and your fam-ily members’ actions. Personal respon-sibility is a major key to a successful move regardless of the decision that you make. Remember “choose wisely”.

Alvin D. Mason Augusta-RichmondCountyCommissioner District 4

“Choose Wisely” from Alvin D. Mason, Commissioner District 4

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strapped under a glass ceiling with prohibitive expectations. This would put us back into pre-civil right levels of discrimination, sharpened by classism and buried in educational processes involving our children.

As a community we must oppose this amendment. Following is a list of orga-nizations who oppose Amendment 1:

Georgia Association of Educational Leaders; Georgia Association of Educators; Georgia Association of School Psychologists; Georgia Music Educators Asso.; Georgia Parent Teacher Association; Georgia Retired Educators Asso.; Georgia School Boards Asso.; Georgia School Superintendents Asso.; League of Women Voters of GA; Legislative Black Caucus of GA; NAACP GA State Conference; Prof. Asso. of Georgia Educators; Southern

Education Foundation.According to www.legis.ga.gov,

Georgia State Schools Superintendent Dr. John Barge, a Republican, has announced his opposition to the mea-sure, saying, “I cannot support the cre-ation of a new and costly state bureau-cracy that takes away local control of schools and unnecessarily duplicates the good work already being done by local districts, the Georgia Department of Education, and the state Board of Education. What’s more, this constitu-tional amendment would direct tax-payer dollars into the pockets of out-of-state, for-profit charter school com-panies whose schools perform no bet-ter than traditional public schools and locally approved charter schools (and worse, in some cases).”

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The North Jenkins County Volunteer Fire Department recently donated a fire truck to the Augusta Technical College Foundation for use in the Fire Sciences Technology Program.

The gift was spearheaded by Millen’s own Mike Lane who led the organization of the North Jenkins County Volunteer Fire Department. His passion for this field of work continues to show as he often brings gifts to many people.

Augusta Tech’s Fire Science Technology program responds to the needs of fire departments to provide critical educa-tional opportunities to employees who either strive for advancement or have assumed greater roles and responsibili-ties.

The fire truck being donated to the college is a 1979 Ford Emergency One Pumper in great condition. Volunteers drove the truck to Augusta Technical College and presented it to Jerry Asbach, the department chair.

“This is an incredible gift that will serve as a hands-on tool for the students in their training. We are very excited and grateful for this donation,” Asbach said.

Science Technology and the Emergency Medical Technology programs are sup-ported by many employees of the fire and emergency medical workforce in the counties served by the program. They help in training, serve on advisory boards and in various other capacities.

Those interested in these programs or any of the 100 or more programs offered, can visit www.augustatech.edu or at any of our locations. Augusta Tech is locat-

ed in Augusta, Grovetown, Thomson, and Waynesboro. The Fire Science Technology program is housed on the Augusta campus at 3200 Augusta Tech Drive. Spring Semester starts January 8, 2013.

Augusta Tech receives new fire truck as gift

Augusta Tech gets new fire engine for student program.

15UrbanProW


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urban pro weekly - nov. 1, 2012

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