Sammie Sias, a retired Army sergeant major and president of the Richmond County Neighborhood Association Alliance, says he'll be a candidate this year for the Augusta Commission's District 4 seat, currently held by Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Mason.
Sias, 55, said he'll make a formal announcement Thursday night at Jamestown Community Center during a meeting of the Sandridge Neighborhood Association, of which he's also president. He is a former member of the Augusta Personnel Board, and he's currently appointed to the Chronic Nuisance Properties Ordinance committee, which is drafting a new city code dealing with landlords and their lawbreaking tenants.
Another possible candidate for the seat, former District 4 Commissioner Bernard Harper, hasn't announced intentions to run, but has been recruiting support. Harper lost the seat to Mason in 2007.
Comments
Although I like Harper, I believe new blood is required if this city is to succeed. Harper was a total looser and did nothing for the district. My family will go to SIAS. At least he is demonstrating an ability to write an ordinance (city code), which is something the current bunch have no idea how to do. Best of luck sammy.
Look for a likely endorsement from Lori Davis and Butch Palmer. Sias, along with Ms Davis, serves on the CNPO subcommittee headed by Joe Bowles. Sias has been very helpful in getting a CNPO passed.
Sias is a complete idiot. He runs Jamestown like his own private Mafia kingdom. I certainly hope the people of District 4 will realize that a loose cannon like Sias will only hurt the people, not help them.
PLEASE, anyone but Alvin " The Self-Proclaimed Savior" Mason!
This will be an interesting race. Mason has tried to position himself as the leader above it all not getting into the dirty work. Sias is all about the detail and dirty work. Which I believe is more fitting of a city councilman in a city the size of Augusta than Mason's attitude. A loss will really shake Mason who if nothing else has a lot of ambition.
I have four questions for both candidates. One - what do you think about free gas cards? Two - what do you think about the TEE? Three - Should we support non-profits at the expense of other functions with taxpayer money? Four - Should taxpayers be represented on boards of directors of the private clubs receiving tax money for their operation?
Good Luck. I think if you want to be 'above the fray' like Deke has been, run for mayor
I like CSMs, they have a well established sense of order, understand a chain of command, and can manage people well.
Brad
For example...Sias controls access to the neighborhoods he deems in the Jamestown Community area. If a neighbor would like a political sign in the yard...well then they ask Sias and if Sias agrees that the political sign (IN THE HOMEOWNERS OWN YARD) is ok, then it stays. If he doesn't like the sign, it goes and you are told that if he ever sees you in HIS neighborhood again, you won't like the result.
CSM or not...we don't need the Sias Mafia on the Augusta Commission
Many neighborhoods have covenants that restrict the placing of signs in yards. Such covenants are there to limit commerical advertising. However, signs for candidates for public office or signs expressing a particular vote for a referendum are political speech and are protected under the first amendment. No neighborhood covenant can legally prevent the placment of a political sign as long as the property owner grants permission.
The next time Sammy Sias tries that stunt, Lakeside, call the Augusta County Marshal's office and they will help you.
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