Urban Pro Weekly

AUGUST 21-27 2014

The CSRA’s FREE WEEKLYNEWSPAPERVOL.3 NO.47

NEWS • COMMENTARY ARTS ENTERTAINMENT Urban WPro eekly

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

Nowhere to hideCommissioners have no stomach for tax hike, but no plan ‘B’

Photo by V

incent Hobbs

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Judge promotes new program that targets troubled youth

JUVENILE COURT JUDGE KEITH JOHNSON (center) speaks to a woman attending the CHIN-UPS meet-and-greet at Diamond Lakes Community Center. Felicia Rhodes (R), also pictured, is the CHINS Coordinator for the Richmond County Juvenile Court. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

AUGUSTANewly appointed Juvenile Court

Judge Keith Johnson is making the rounds this month to create aware-ness of a new program in Richmond County that provides services for troubled youth.

Children in Need of Services (CHINS), is a program that’s new to the Augusta, Richmond County Area, but which is already in operation in other jurisdictions.

CHINS is a new approach for

intervening with Children who are currently considered unruly. This includes include children who have committed an act that would not be against the law but for the fact that they are children, such as skipping school, running away from home, and violating curfew. Also included are children who are habitually dis-obedient to their parents and place themselves or others in unsafe cir-cumstances through their behavior. Currently, court intervention with

these children is similar to interven-tion in delinquency cases. CHINS provides a more holistic, service-ori-ented approach to these cases.

Judge Johnson conducted the first community meeting on Tuesday at Diamond Lakes Community Center. Other sessions include, Thursday, August 21 at Bernie Ward Community Center at 6 p.m. and next week at the Henry Brigham Community Center.

Some of the services being offered at this time is: Counseling, Tutoring,

Parenting Classes, Abstinence Training, Food and Clothing Bank, Gang Violent Awareness Classes, Mentoring for Youth and Parents, Managing Anger, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Transportation, Housing and so much more.

CHINS is committed to finding resources and services to meet the Needs of Children. Johnson, was appointed CHINS Judge early this year. Felicia Rhodes, is the CHINS Coordinator.

AUGUSTADistrict 6 Commissioner Joe

Jackson officially resigned his seat on Wednesday citing family and person-al circumstances. Jackson was sched-uled to serve until December 31 of this year which is when his second term as commissioner would have ended.

In a letter to Governor Nathan Deal, Jackson wrote: “It is with deep regret that I submit my letter of resignation as District 6 Commissioner of the consolidated government of Augusta, Georgia, effective August 20, 2014, 5 p.m. . . Although family and personal circumstances prevent me from being

able to serve Augusta the remaining months of my second term. I will con-tinue to support the City of Augusta and consider the nearly eight years I served as District 6 Commissioner as one of the most rewarding experienc-es of my life.”

Jackson lost his wife to breast cancer in April and his departure had been expected by other commissioners.

Jackson leaves the commission just as it is grappling with some huge problems facing that body. Commissioners are authorized to appoint a replacement to fill the rest of Jackson’s term.

The first opportunity that the com-

mission has to make a decision comes on Monday, October 25. That’s the date that the commission is expected to decide on the millage rate for the 2014 budget.

District 6 Commissioner-elect Ben Hasan has said that he is prepared to step in if it is the will of the commis-sion.

Jackson’s replacement’s vote is likely to be instrumental in deciding wheth-er or not there will be a tax increase and the amount. Other critical issues facing the commission involves decid-ing on a 2015 fiscal year budget, fund-ing salary raises for city employees and the police department.

Joe Jackson resignsDistrict 6 commissioner takes early exit

Ben Hasan, winner of the District 6 election this summer, may be appointed to fill Jackson’s unexpired term.

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Mary’s dilemmaIt’s hard out here for the 6th vote

By Frederick Benjamin Sr.UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer

AUGUSTAAs one of the four remaining white

commissioners on the Augusta-Richmond County Commission who will still be around in 2015, District 3 Commissioner Mary Davis finds herself on the horns of a dilemma. She and commissioner Donnie Smith are the only two commissioners who flip-flopped on perhaps the most important vote of the year — wheth-er or not to balance the 2014 budget by increasing taxes on the property owners of Augusta.

Her angst is not unique for an Augusta politician, but she has felt the wrath from the local power bro-kers more than once. She was among the unwilling “co-conspirators” who felt compelled to oust former city administrator Fred Russell 10 months ago. Recently, she joined in on a com-promise decision to raise the millage rate by 1.75 which led to the manda-tory public hearings.

Even before the hearings, she and Smith were being raked over the coals for “caving in” to the pro-tax hike commissioners.

The dilemma that she faces is not

the city finance decision. Her dilem-ma is trying to do the right thing for the health of the city and stay true to her constituents, whose needs and wants may not always align with eco-nomic expediency.

It would be safe to say that she has taken to heart all of the truly heart-tugging tales of struggling Augustans who really can’t find extra money to pay each year to the tax col-lector. Yet, she realizes that the city desperately needs the extra revenue just to remain viable. She realizes that the city can’t cut services enough within the next four months to make up for the $17 million hit that the city took in February and March in the wake of the ice storm.

Like the lone woman who pre-ceded her on the commission, Betty Beard, she finds herself in the posi-tion of striking a compromise for the sake of moving the city forward. With Beard, the issue was economic devel-opment for Laney-Walker Bethlehem in return for supporting the TEE Center. Beard’s decision was contro-versial and angered many of her con-stituents, but she found herself in the

position to “pull the trigger.” It is likely that Davis has experi-

enced buyer’s remorse in both her votes to terminate Russell and voting in favor of raising the millage rate prior to the public hearings, but she has got to find a comfort zone from which to govern.

She shared with the world that she had to pray for guidance in mak-ing the correct decision on Tuesday. While she didn’t reveal whether or not she received the divine direction that she sought, she did push for a compromise on Tuesday. Why not raise the millage rate by 1.5 rather than 1.75, Davis suggested?

Hardly a solution. As Commissioner Marion Williams quickly pointed out, to the folks out there opposed to a tax hike, subtracting .25 mills is no bargain. It’s still a tax hike.

So, what is Mary to do?The city finance experts suggest

that, without a tax increase, the city will fall over the fiscal cliff. And if that happens, all city services will be degraded. There will be no raises for city employees, there will be more furlough days for city employees. Even the Sheriff’s Department, which some commissioners have attempt-ed to make exempt from any cuts,

will see a decline in service simply because, while they won’t be cut, they also won’t receive additional funds to complete Sheriff Roundtree’s mod-ernization initiatives.

Further, parks and recreation cen-ters will be shuttered. The gleaming new buildings will not be properly maintained and the city will be more and more reliant on SPLOST revenues just to keep its head above water.

Davis has to accept the reality of the “damned-if-you-do and damned-if-you-don’t” badge that goes along with being a county commissioner.

To tax or not to tax: that is the question that all 10 commissioners are faced with. The no-tax hike coa-lition lost one of its stalwart support-ers with the premature resignation of Commissioner Joe Jackson this week.

Shhh . . .And then there’s the “racial thing.”

You have four solid votes support-ing the tax increase and they are all black. You have three solid votes opposed to any millage rate increase and they are all white. By supporting any millage rate increase, Davis could be worried about the perception that she is supporting the “black” agenda.

What will Mary do?

Commissioner Mary Davis having a “damned-if-you-do and damned-if-you-don’t” moment before her vote against the 1.75 millage rate increase. Photo by Vincent Hobbs.

POLITICAL COMMENTARY

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Citizens crowd the Augusta Commission chambers during a tax hike hearing. Several voiced their opposition to any tax increase proposal.Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Tax hike opposed by residents;commissioners feel the pressure

By Frederick Benjamin Sr.UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer

AUGUSTAOn Tuesday, the city conducted its

final hearing on the proposed 1.75 millage rate increase that the city voted on two weeks ago. Scores of policemen, former city employees, community activists, businessmen and regular folks took the opportu-nity to lambaste the commissioners for all manner of shortcomings from botched parking deck deals to drastic cuts in services and everything in between.

At the subsequent vote on wheth-er or not to ratify the tax increase, the commissioners decided that they

couldn’t go through with the millage rate increase — at least not the 1.75 rate increase.

That decision has placed the com-mission in a precarious position. It now has to fight against the clock to avoid scuttling the entire process of sending out the annual tax bills in October. The move is illustrative of many on-again, off-again moves with which the commission frequent-ly saddles itself. It is not very much of a stretch to suggest that this com-mission goes out of its way to create dilemmas.

Besides fighting against a rapidly

closing window to get the tax bills circulated on time, the commission has to do something in a few days that they have been able to do for a solid year — balance the budget.

Some commissioners want to compromise on the amount of the millage increase and have suggest-ed decreasing it from 1.75 mills to 1.5. That option has opposition from those commissioners who originally favored an even higher millage rate increase of 2.25 mills.

There’s a lot at stake. City officials including the city administrator and the finance chiefs desperately want the city to pass the tax increase. Some commissioners indicated a willing-ness to keep the millage rate at 2013

levels. That idea was roundly panned by the city’s finance directors who pointed out that doing so would only exacerbate the problem.

Sadly, the jubilation expressed by those attending the tax hearing is likely to be short lived. The city must act on Monday, August 25 or risk throwing the entire tax collection apparatus in disarray.

There are few options (other than some sort of tax hike) that this group of commissioners and career bureaucrats are qualified to success-fully execute. The premature depar-ture of Commissioner Joe Jackson, who voted against the 1.75 millage increase, is an added challenge to the anti-tax hike commissioners.

POLITICAL COMMENTARY

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AUGUSTAWomen’s rights, race, poverty, LBGTQ rights,

animal rights, war, environmental change, and the justice system are the focus of a new gal-lery show on artist activists opening today at The Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art.

Artist Activist is open to the public Thursday, Aug. 14 through Friday, Sept. 5 at the gallery, located in Washington Hall on the Summerville campus of Georgia Regents University. Gallery events include:

Artist Talk with Sue CoeSponsored by Morris Eminent Scholar Bill

WillisThursday, Aug. 28, 5-6 p.m.University Hall, room 170 Opening ReceptionThursday, Aug. 28, 6-7 p.m.Washington Hall, Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art The work featured in Artist Activist inhabits

the intersection between activism and artistic creation, according to Gallery Director Liselott Johnsson.

“Artist Activist explores art’s ability to act as an agent for social change, a forum for political advocacy, and a catalyst for necessary dialogues and debates,” she said. “Representing a wide range of mediums and disciplines, from paint-ing to sculpture to print-making and instal-lation, Artist Activist brings together both national and regional artists, including work from GRU faculty Alan MacTaggart, Chadwick Tolley, and Kristin Casaletto.”

The exhibit includes photographs of women and children by the founder of the Girls Club in Ft. Lauderdale, Francie Bishop Good, as well as Deborah Davidson’s sculptures, which merge the seemingly disparate fields of art and science.

With 11 thought-provoking prints on war and animal rights by iconic activist-artist

Artist activists showcase work at GRU’s Byrd Gallery

By Andrea Gallo

The shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., last week has stirred contrasting reactions from blacks and whites nationwide, a new Pew Research Center study shows.

Blacks are about two times as likely as whites to say Mr. Brown’s shooting by a Ferguson police officer “raises important issues about race that need to be discussed,” according to the survey. Whites were more likely to believe the discussion of race in regard to the shooting has become overplayed.

The divisions are partisan as well as racial. Of all Democrats who were polled, 68% said the shooting has sparked important issues about race that calls for dialogue. Republicans were the opposite, with 61% saying race has garnered too much attention, according to the study.

Ferguson residents have continued to pro-test more than a week after the shooting, often using the rallying cry “hands up don’t shoot.” At times, the protests have sparked looting and vio-lence. On Sunday, a peaceful protest descended into chaos after law-enforcement’s command cen-ter was attacked with Molotov cocktails, police said. Police have turned to using tactics like

throwing tear-gas canisters and smoke devices.Racial demographics also divided people in

whether they thought police responses have been appropriate, the study shows. Among black people, 65% said the police have overstepped in their response to the shooting. White people were more evenly split, with 33% agreeing that the police have gone too far, 32% saying police action had been appropriate and 35% offering no response.

Political and racial barriers also affect people’s confidence in the investigation of Mr. Brown’s shooting. Black people were by far the least confident in the investigation, with 45% saying they have zero confidence and 76% saying they have little or no confidence in the investigation, according to the study. Among Democrats, 38% said they have a fair amount of confidence in the investigation.

Close to half of the white people surveyed said they have a great deal or fair amount of confidence in the investigation. Republicans also were much more likely to have confidence in the investigation, with 65% saying they had at least a fair amount.

The Pew Study took place between August 14 and 17, and surveyed 1,000 adults.

Racial divide in response to Missouri shooting, poll findsBlacks twice as likely as whites to say Michael Brown’s death raises important race issues

Featured artist Sue Coe

Sue Coe and four posters by the notorious Guerrilla Girls, the exhibition presents art by both well-known artists who have devot-ed their careers to creating outspoken and profound work. The exhibition also features emerging artists’ work, such as Boston-based artist Shea Justice’s politically resonant water-colors and Richard Cutrona’s lenticular prints dealing with the United States’ relationship with the Middle East.

From Jason Pramas’ photographs of arrests during Occupy Boston to Rachel Mindrup’s portraits of people with Neurofibromatosis to New York-based artists and LGBTQ activists Carrie Moyer and Sheila Pepe’s collabora-tive installation Women’s History Month Art Stamps, Artist Activist illustrates the power of art to instigate and influence change. In addition, interactive works such as Erik Waterkotte’s installation, which asks viewers to draw or write in a journal in exchange for one of three of his prints, allow viewers to participate in their own form of artistic activ-ism.

The gallery is free and open to the public. For more information, see gru.edu/byrd.

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9UrbanProW

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Greenbrier High School

head volleyball coach

Nicole Abbott instructs her

team before the start of a

match against Grovetown

at the Westside gym. The

Warriors defeated the

Wolfpack with a final score

of 2-1.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Grovetown High School’s Shay Gerald (#17) gets the ball over the net as Westside’s

Callie Huggins (left, #21) attempts to block during a game at the Westside gym. The

Warriors dominated the Patriots with a 2-0 win in the non-conference match.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Greenbrier High School’s Sarah White prepares to serve the ball durig a match against Grovetown at the Westside gym. The Lady Wolfpack, last year’s 2-AAAAA volleyball champions, fell to the Lady Warriors in the final score, 2-1.Photo by Vincent Hobbs

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: Photos by Vincent Hobbs

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WORSHIP Directory

Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church314 Sand Bar Ferry RoadAugusta, Georgia 30901(706) 722- 0553Church School Sunday 9:25amMorning Worship Sunday 11amEvening Worship 6pm (1st & 3rd Sunday) Midday Prayer 12pm WednesdayIntercessory Prayer/Bible Study 6pm Wednesday

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Good Shepherd Baptist ChurchRev. Clarence Moore, Pastor1714 Olive Road / P. O. Box 141 (mailing address) Augusta, GA 30903706/733-0341- Telephone/706/667-0205 – FaxE-mail address: [email protected] address: goodshepherdaugusta.orgChurch Service: 7:45 & 11:00 a.m.Church School: 9:45 a.m. / Prayer Service: 11:00 a.m. – WednesdayBible Study: 9:00 a.m. - Saturday / 7:00 p.m. - Wednesday

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Got Skills?UrbanProWeekly is looking for writers and photographers

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4 Urban WeeklyPro FORUM

By Vincent HobbsSpecial to UrbanProMedia

“I think it’s probably useful for us to review how the funding has gone, how local law enforcement has used grant dollars, to make sure that what they’re -- what they’re purchasing is stuff that they actually need. Because, you know, there is a big difference between our military and our local law enforcement, and we don’t want those lines blurred. That would be contrary to our traditions.” - President Obama, making remarks on the police response in Ferguson during a Monday White House press conference.

The scenes that have unfolded in Ferguson, Missouri in recent days are reminiscent of 1960’s Birmingham, Bull Connor, fire houses and German shep-herd attack dogs. Only this time, it’s tear gas being lobbed into crowds of peace-ful protesters, military sniper rifles aimed at U.S. citizens by armor-clad police, flash grenades being discharged and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and armored person-nel carriers rolling through small-town streets.

The presence of military-grade equip-ment on U.S. city streets and the nega-tive reception from many citizens has echoed all the way to the White House. In a discussion on how to scale back the militarized presence of police in Ferguson, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holden told his deputies, “Tell them to remove the damn tanks!” according to a report in the Wall-Street Journal.

In a letter to the people of Ferguson, Holden wrote, “Good law enforcement requires forging bonds of trust between the police and the public. This trust is all-important, but it is also fragile. It requires that force be used in appro-priate ways. Enforcement priorities and arrest patterns must not lead to dispa-rate treatment under the law, even if such treatment is unintended.”

U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA), a member of the House Armed Services and Judiciary Committees, is on tap to introduce a bill in the House in the next few weeks, the “Stop Militarization Enforcement Act”, to stop the transfer of military equipment to federal, state, tribal and local agencies under what is called the 1033 program.

Earlier this year in March, months before the Ferguson protests, Congressman Johnson and Michael Shank wrote a prophetic opinion piece in USA Today, which opened with the statement, “Something potentially sin-ister is happening across America, and we should stop and take notice before it changes the character of our country forever. County, city and small-town police departments across the country are now acquiring free military-grade weapons that could possibly be used against the very citizens and taxpayers that not only fund their departments

Lines blurred? Militarization of local police across U.S. facing blowback

but who the police are charged with protecting.”

“The program currently lacks seri-ous oversight and accountability, and it needs some parameters put in place to define what is appropriate. The legis-lation will ban MRAPs, other armored personnel carriers, drones, assault weapons and aircraft. Finally, the legis-lation will ensure that the Department of Defense undertakes an annual accounting of what’s been transferred, by whom and to whom to prevent mil-itary items from being auctioned on eBay or sold to friends.”

Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), chair-man of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is also concerned about the militarization of local police. In a statement released on Friday, Levin said, ““Congress established this pro-gram out of real concern that local law enforcement agencies were liter-ally outgunned by drug criminals. We intended this equipment to keep police officers and their communities safe from heavily armed drug gangs and terrorist incidents. Before the defense authorization bill comes to the Senate floor, we will review this program to determine if equipment provided by the Defense Department is being used as intended.”

In the ACLU report “War Comes Home - the Excessive Militarization of American Policing”, the ACLU reports “…Policing has become excessively mil-itarized. We can see this in the use of military-style equipment, weapons and tactics designed for the battlefield—to conduct ordinary law enforcement activities. Police officers use these weap-ons routinely, across the United States, to force their way into the people’s homes, disrupting lives and destroying communities.”

The police response in Ferguson could be considered a textbook exam-

ple of the warnings voiced by the ACLU.Former Congressman and U.S.

Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, writing an opinion piece on The Huffington Post website stat-ed, “There is something deep in the American psyche which resents and resists military-style force in our neigh-borhoods. The hard-edged military pose of armored vehicles, heavy duty weaponry, and sound cannons, which can permanently damage hearing, may seem like modern crowd control to some law enforcement officials. But to the people in the community who are on the receiving end, it is an escalation of violence, in real terms and by the law.”

The federal government’s Defense Logistics Agency distributes surplus military equipment as part the 1033 program. The arrangement requires that the equipment be used within one year of the grant. Critics believe that this deadline puts pressure on local law enforcement to use the equip-ment under questionable circumstanc-es - such as the positioning of armored personnel carriers on city streets and the targeting of military-grade sniper rifles used to intimidate peaceful pro-testors in Ferguson.

The decision to end or suspend the program, apart from Congressional intervention, lies in the hands of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. According to a report in “The Hill”, published Tuesday, Hagel has asked staff for additional information on the 1033 program and is currently review-ing the documentation.

While the majority of focus has been on the Pentagon program, the Department of Homeland Security, through FEMA, also has a program in place to funnel military-grade equip-ment and resources to local police, the Homeland Security Grant Program.

This year alone, grants totaling $1.6 billion are slated to be awarded to equip police in the U.S with tactical equipment.

However, oversight is almost non-ex-istent.

In a 2012 audit report from the Inspector General’s Office at DHS, it was stated that, “FEMA did not have a system in place to determine the extent that Homeland Security Grant Program funds enhanced the states’ capabili-ties to prevent, deter, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies before awarding more funds to the states. FEMA did not require states to report progress in achieving milestones as part of the annual application process for Homeland Security Grant Program funds.”

Augusta is one of many U.S. cities that received surplus military equipment for use by law enforce-ment. In July, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office announced that the agency had acquired a bounty of surplus military equipment, including a $733,000 MRAP vehicle and a dozen Humvees. The $3.4 million surplus of military equipment came at reduced cost or no cost to the agency.

In a posting on the RCSO Facebook page, Sheriff Roundtree stated, “However, besides keeping the peace, another Constitutional mandate of the Office of the Sheriff is the rendering of services and protection of property during civil emergencies and natural disasters. That is why approximately 8 months ago, we tasked our Special Projects Division to locate and obtain gov-ernment surplus items that we could convert to local Law Enforcement use. We were awarded our first Items in January of this year. Besides the economic value, one of these acquisitions proved to be invaluable immediately upon their arrival.”

When the February ice storm hit, the RCSO was able to utilize the Humvees right away to transport medical personnel on ice-slicked roads to and from hospitals, rescue stranded citizens and move emer-gency workers to Fort Gordon.

However, Augusta blogger, poet and educator Earl Grey Summers is a bit skeptical about the use of militarized equipment such as the MRAP on the streets. “They would have to show me a threat to Augusta that would require that level of force. We don’t have any type of al-Qaida or Taliban presence in Augusta. There are no incoming rockets, no mines here. What threat would require its use?” — VH

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office sought for and received free sur-plus battle field loot including armored vehicles and Humvees. Photo by Navistar Defense

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CSRA EOA, INCDISABILITIES/MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

SPECIALIST—CENTRAL OFFICESpecific duties are the participation in the Eligibility,

Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance (ERSEA) process. Develops disabilities budgets, monitors the expenditures of the disabilities component, writes and updates disabilities work plan. Coordinates with local, state, national and private agencies and organizations to facilitate the development and continuity of the disabilities area. Must have a clean MVR, able to lift 50 pounds and travel. Must have the ability to communicate effectively, have a basic knowledge of community and resources, understand and implement HHS guidelines and the ability to address public gatherings. Must have a Bachelor Degree in Special Education or related field. Two years experience working with children with disabilities.

RICHMOND AND MCDUFFIE COUNTY AND SYLVANIA HEAD START----BUS DRIVERS

Transport children, provide transportation for parents, keep daily pick up log and bus clean. Must have High School diploma, at least 2 years training/experience in school bus driving and basic maintenance. Must have valid Georgia Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with a “SP” endorsement and an excellent driving record. Good knowledge of the community and the ability to communicate well with pre-school children is helpful.

WRENS, RICHMOND COUNTY, EMANUEL

AND STATESBORO HEAD START---TEACHERSWorks directly with the children using various techniques

and experiences to help each child develop socially, intellectually, physically and emotionally. Makes a complete assessment of each Child’s individual needs. Must have BA degree in Early Childhood Education and three years experience.

RICHMOND COUNTY AND MILLEN HEAD

START—COOK AND COOK AIDE Performs work under supervision of the Cook. Duties

include food storage, cleaning and assisting with food preparation. Washes dishes and other eating and cooking utensils. Practices good personal hygiene. Various other duties as assigned. Food Safe Server Certification a plus. All applicants must have a current physical exam and health card; pre-employment drug screen; a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

QUALIFIED persons send a written notice to the

Personnel Office no later than August 25, 2014. Detailed job descriptions are available in the Personnel Office, 1261 Greene Street, Augusta, GA. Fax 706 722-8565

“AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”

Augusta Regional AirportPublic Input Open House

Wednesday, August 27, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pmAviation Commission Conference Room

1501 Aviation WayAugusta, GA 30906

The Augusta Aviation Commission is updating the Augusta Regional Airport’s 20-year Master Plan. The process to prepare this federally funded Master Plan Update began in January 2014 and will be complete in the Spring of 2015.

The Augusta Regional Airport and Aviation Commission are hosting a Public Input Open House regarding the preparation of the Master Plan Update. The Airport and the Aviation Commission want to keep you informed and receive your feedback on draft concepts that have been developed for the layout of future airport facilities. Representatives of the Airport, the Aviation Commission, and the Consultant Team will be available at the meeting to provide information and answer questions. The Open House will be held in the Aviation Commission’s conference room on the 2ndfloor of the passenger terminal building. Anyone interested in learning more about the Master Plan Update is welcome at any time during the 2-hour open house.

This year alone, grants totaling $1.6 billion are slated to be awarded to equip police in the U.S with tactical equipment.

However, oversight is almost non-ex-istent.

In a 2012 audit report from the Inspector General’s Office at DHS, it was stated that, “FEMA did not have a system in place to determine the extent that Homeland Security Grant Program funds enhanced the states’ capabili-ties to prevent, deter, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies before awarding more funds to the states. FEMA did not require states to report progress in achieving milestones as part of the annual application process for Homeland Security Grant Program funds.”

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MEETING NOTIFICATION

Augusta Aviation Commission

Public MeetingThe Augusta Regional Airport and

Aviation Commission are hosting a Public Input Open House on the evening of August 27th, 2014 between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. and regarding the preparation of the Master Plan Update. The Airport and the Aviation Commission want to keep you informed and receive your feedback on draft concepts that have been developed for the layout of future airport facilities. Representatives of the Airport, the Aviation Commission, and the Consultant Team will be available at the meeting to provide information and answer questions.

The Open House will be held in the Aviation Commission’s conference room on the 2nd floor of the passenger termi-nal building. Anyone interested in learn-ing more about the Master Plan Update is welcome at any time during the 2-hour open house.

Please feel free to contact Airport Administration at 706-798-3236.

Augusta Aviation Commission Finance Committee Meeting

The Augusta Regional Airport Aviation Commission Masters 2014 Sub Committee Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in the FBO Conference Room located at the Private Aviation Services (FBO) at the Airport.

Please feel free to contact Airport Administration at 706-798-3236.

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StressPhysical Inactivity

Family History of Cardiovascular diseaseObesityDiabetes

High Blood PressureHigh Cholesterol

Cigarette Smoking

ARE YOU AT RISK?

HEART ATTACK • BRAIN ATTACK • PREVENT ATTACKEast Central Health DistrictHypertension Management Outreach Program

Richmond County 706.721.5800

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