Augusta, GA

I-TEAM: Here’s why the Augusta mayor’s vote is on the ballot

Published

8 months ago

May 20, 2024

Press Room

I-TEAM: Here’s why the Augusta mayor’s vote is on the ballot

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Tuesday could also mean a big change in the Augusta government.

Voters will decide on a change to the charter by voting either yes or no to giving the mayor a vote at the commission.

The charter was created when the county and city became one government nearly three decades ago.

Think of it as the game rules for the Augusta government — game rules are very different than any other consolidated government in the state of Georgia.

Politics is like tennis.

It’s your play when the ball is in your court. But Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government rules of the game are like no other in Georgia.

Players can skip a match to delay the game.

In January 2023, Commissioner Bobby Williams chose not to vote.

Voting no would have given an even split, giving the mayor the tie-breaking vote. A yes vote would have approved the contract but since he abstained, he stopped dead in the water.

In 2023, a standstill over naming an EMS provider last year.

Clerk: Mr. Bobby Williams?

Williams: Abstain.

In 2024, there was a standstill over naming an administrator this year.

“We went through the process of hiring an administrator through the process that’s in the charter and we followed it to a T,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom.

The charter: A legal playbook of power born from a marriage between city and county 27 years ago.

In a May commission meeting, Commissioner Bobby Williams said: “You had basically five white districts and five black districts and to get the sixth vote someone had to work across the aisle.”

Augusta-Richmond County is one of eight consolidated governments in Georgia — one of the four with a mayor.

MORE FROM THE I-TEAM:

The balance of power varies.

The mayors of Athens-Clark and Macon-Bibb have veto powers over the commission.

Mayors of Augusta-Richmond and Columbus-Muscogee have limited power, but Columbus has a county manager responsible for the hiring, firing and management of department heads.

That power falls on our commissioners, meaning each department head answers to ten bosses.

Commissioner Tony Lewis: “Is it a reflection that you are not doing your job, or your department is not doing their job, or things are getting by your department? I mean help me out.”

Donna Williams, finance director, said: “I will certainly take ownership over anything I have control over.”

Meaning commissioners only answer to commissioners.

Commissioner Brandon Garrett said: “I’m just trying to understand we as elected officials are personally able to make changes to building projects that are taking place in our district.”

Commissioner Sean Frantom said: “I think it’s important the citizens support a charter review and I’m convinced, or someone will bring it up in the next few months because it needs to be reviewed.”

For more than two years, an interim administrator has led the city. For more than two years, an interim director has led Central Services in her absence.

The longer time goes by, the longer the line of dominoes.

A Newman Tennis Center spokesperson said, “The neglect of Newman hurt our local players but cost Richmond County millions.”

It wasn’t the conditions or the loss of a tournament, it was an EEO complaint that cost the parks and rec director his job.

Earlier this month, another resignation — the city attorney.

Four of the city’s top leadership positions are now empty left to commissioners to fill.

Frantom said: “I truly believe we need to be more of a city manager form of government. I believe the manager ought to have the ability to do the hiring and firing of the 16-17 department heads that we hire.”

The Carl Vinson Institute of Government presented information to commissioners about changing the role of administrator to county manager in the charter.

A year later, there’s been no movement by commissioners.

Now, there’s a new idea and a new game rule.

“This allows the voters of Richmond County to decide what’s best for their government, not the Commission,” said Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The best players will tell you the only way to win a game is by serving.

We asked Mayor Johnson what’s his first priority if voters vote yes on Tuesday.

He said it’s to make a motion to partner with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government for a charter review.

Carl Vinson Institute of Government, part of the University of Georgia, creates policies and charters for local governments in Georgia.

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Augusta, GA

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple cars crashed due to winter weather conditions on I-20 in the CSRA early Friday morning, according to authorities.

On I-20 in Augusta, the road conditions at the Washington Road exit were hazardous, according to our reporter on the interstate.

Our reporter saw another wreck on the Bobby Jones overpass from I-520 to I-20 at 10:35 a.m. We’ve reached out to learn more.

Across the river, on I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

On I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

We have reached out to learn more.

Dispatch told us crews were on the scene of a multiple-car crash on I-20 eastbound at the Walton Way extension ramp at 9:25 a.m.

Officials say at least two vehicles were involved, but more were reported, and they are unsure how many exactly.

They did however say more vehicles became involved after sliding on the road from weather conditions.

Dispatch says they are unsure of any injuries or if any lanes were blocked.

Augusta, GA

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

Published

17 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The new Wayfair outlet is now open at the Augusta Exchange.

You will be able to find furniture and home décor at the location that used to be a Buy Buy Baby store.

It’s the latest store to open in the Augusta area.

One customer we spoke with says he thinks the store will be here for a while as it brings something different to the area.

“People are here spending money and they are here to make their house look better. I never thought I would be a dude in his 40s in an outlet, me in an outlet. But I did it today and I think it’s good,” said Carlton Ferguson.

It’s welcome news for fans of the Augusta Exchange, which has seen a bevy of closures in the past couple of years, including Subway, Genghis Grill, O’Charley’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby and Christmas Tree Shops.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There can be big time disaster emergencies in Augusta, but an emergency management director is not a full-time position for the city.

“I think lessons learned from Hurricane Helene, we desperately need it as we try to recover our city as we try to prepare from the next storm,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The consolidation bill gives the mayor the authority to name an EMA director.

But for the last 20 years, the mayors have called on the fire chief to pull double duty while getting supplement pay.

But at the Mayor Johnson’s request, commissioners have approved beginning the process to hire a full time EMA director.

“You want to make sure that when disasters come, we are 100 percent fully prepared,” said Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.

“A city our size deserves someone who is full time committed to that role that helps with our storm preparedness,” said Mayor Johnson.

But when commissioners approved this year’s budget in November, funding for a new EMA director was not a part of it.

“You talking about cutting budgets but yet you’re talking about increasing personnel. It comes with a cost,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.

“It will pay for itself as we go through this recovery for Hurricane Helene, as we try to see out grant opportunities and funding opportunities for reimbursement,” said the Mayor.

For sure the city has not seen its last emergency, now the city is seeking a permanent director to manage it.

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