Dana Bedden was asked what the biggest challenge would be for the next superintendent of Richmond County schools.
What do you suppose he said? Closing schools? Cutting the budget? Dealing with parents? Employee morale? Finding his way around Augusta?
Nope. Dealing with the negativity.
Now, Dr. Bedden, who's leaving this summer after three years to head the Irving, Texas, school district, didn't say who or what he meant. But none of the reporters in the room seemed to need to ask.
Part of his thinking may be that the media are to blame. If so, he can mark us down in the "strongly disagree" category. No superintendents ever like bad news about their schools. But it's the media's job to reflect reality. For our part, though, we're dead sure that upbeat school stories have far outnumbered the negative.
To Bedden's credit, he was a breath of early spring compared to his predecessor's administration, which openly warred with the news media, once threatened a reporter with arrest and even sought binding mediation with them.
But part of Bedden's message was much clearer and worth taking note of: Augusta doesn't appreciate itself nearly as much as it should.
Bedden said outsiders seem to see more readily that this area is a diamond waiting to be polished, and should by all rights be the second-most influential municipality in Georgia.
"We need to act like it," he said.
Put us in the "strongly agree" column on that one.
And while we need to report about, and face head-on, the problems in our schools -- underachievement, gangs, parental negligence -- we don't disagree with the outgoing superintendent that our schools are probably much better than their image might suggest. Bedden says he has seen the gleam of limitless potential in the eyes of kindergarteners. "You can't tell me we don't have smart kids."
No one is saying that, of course. The only question is how we unlock that potential.
But Bedden's exhortation to feel good about Augusta goes way beyond the schools. We agree that, beyond the useful pointing out of certain shortcomings, there's too often more grousing than is warranted.
The truth is, we've got it good here. Maybe too good to be fair.
The climate is more than agreeable, the landscape inviting, the river majestic, the cost of living inordinately affordable and the local economy infinitely more stable and insulated from the caprice of national and international ebbs and flows than most places.
Indeed, a new report says Augusta lost fewer jobs in the recession and is growing faster than most other cities. The report by the Brookings Institution ranked the Augusta-Aiken area 18th in the nation in economic performance for the last quarter of 2009.
None of that takes into account what's on the way, either: more than $100 million in projects downtown alone, and a third airline bullish enough on the area to start service here.
If this were a Hollywood script, it might be tabbed the feel-good movie of the year.
A few years ago, area boosters wanted to borrow James Brown's line with the slogan, "We feel good!"
That's real climate change.
If Augusta is such a paradise, then why is Bedden leaving for Texas?
As far as the economy goes... Augusta NEVER experieced the boom of the dot.com ere.. Growth has pretty much been in single digits, and mostly below 5% for the last 20 years.. so there was no bottom to fall out in the local economy since there was no boom to begin with.
Emerydan says; "If Augusta is such a paradise, then why is Bedden leaving for Texas?"
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Wait until he spends a few seasons there. He'll wish he had stayed in Augusta.
Hmmm... That's a tough question, Emery. If I had a spouse and three young children, I wouldn't wait until the last minute to find a job either. Most would call that responsible to have a job and support your family. Most school systems hire superintendents in the spring, so that they are in place in the summer and ready to begin the new school year. Waiting until this summer to line up a job would be silly if not irresponsible because there would be no superintendent openings at that point.
But then again, a negative comment only proves Dr. Bedden's point. How ironic.
The irony is that Bedden is lecturing the locals one what a great place this is and how we don't appreciate what they have, yet he is the one flying the coop after just 2 years for greener pastures in texas... now that's irony.
I'm not a big fan of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, but Austin is an incredible place.
I had the opportunity to live in many places during my Army time. There were lots of beautiful places, big and small cities. With my work, I could have gone anywhere in the country to work, but I chose here. I work in a field where there’s a world class facility here, yet I drive to work in 20 minutes and can sit on my dock every day and look back up the hill at my house with the palm trees around it. Or I can take the boat out on the portion of the river between Thurmond Dam and Stevens Creek. It’s a huge, lake like portion of the river with world class bass fishing and clean water. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t thank my lucky stars that I’m here.
Insiderinfo, are you saying Bedden left because he wasn't offered a contract? He knew very well the BOE was going to renew his contract. The truth is that he had been applying for jobs in other places almost from the time he arrived here. He did a good job here, but he certainly wasn't forced out by any stretch of the imagination as he hinted at and as you seem to infer. Best to wish him well and stay positive as he suggested instead of slamming ourselves for things that weren't our fault.
Good points Riverman. While Augusta has it's share of problems, the quality of life here is much better then your average metro area. Dr. Bedden left because the timing was right for him to go and the offer to good to pass up. We wish him well in his new location. Lets hope we find someone like him as a replacement.
I lived in Irving,TX for 3 yrs. and I can tell you it was awful. I was so glad to get back to Augusta. He may feel the same way. But I understand him looking out for his family. I do agree we have a lot to be thankful for here and we would be better to focus on the positive than the negative.
Augusta has a HUGE subsidy population and for years was ruled by the Walker political cabal. Our difficult charter was written by this cabal and explains some of the problems we have as a result of having no city leader. The result of these two problems? The productive are disgusted with the subsidized, and having to support this scourge on society, and the movers and shakers that are trying to drag Augusta into the 21st century are frustrated by the leaderless, and apparently confused, political system we enjoy here. If these two subjects aren't addressed, we'll continue to do the same as we always have and just hope for different results. "Diamond in the rough" may be as good as it's going to get.
Ignorance and Apathy are thy parents Augusta. "I wish I was in the land of cotton, Ole times in Augusta are always rotten; Move away, move away, move citizens.
I read the Brookings Report. It's interesting how different interpretations can be put on it.
What I see is this. The Augusta economy was depressed and stagnant. It missed out on all that economic growth. Cities are supposed to make money in the good times, to build up their reserves to help them through the bad times. Augusta never did that.
Augusta has negative job loss, an increase in the unemployment rate, a very small (0.4%) increase in real GMP, and a drop in home prices. And this article seems to think that's great. No, it's not. Because Augusta didn't have any wiggle room to start with.
And the bad times haven't hit bottom.
Housing drives the American economy. When house prices fall, that's never a good thing.
There is a group of Augustans who seem to think that tourism should be the new economy in Augusta- at a time where tourism is down sharply.
There seems to be this belief that a new ballpark would solve all of Augusta's problems.
Well, ball games are not a necessity, it's a discretionary income item. It's entertainment. And with discretionary income, you'll spend it one way or another. People will still spend that money, it just won't be on hot dogs and peanuts. I don't know of anyone in Augusta that will say "I had the choice to go to (the beach, etc.), and I stayed home in Augusta to watch the Green Jackets play. That's better than going to (the beach, etc.)" That discretionary income opportunity isn't strong enough to divert people from going somewhere else.
And that's the real crux of the problem. There are too many very strong competitors for tourism dollars in a 3 hour radius of Augusta, for Augusta to ever become a strong tourist destination. And that will never change. There has to be something unique about Augusta, something that will lure them to Augusta- and that doesn't exist, except for one week in April.
Just because you want something to be a certain way, doesn't mean other people will agree with you. The Golf Hall of Fame, Discovery Place, the Riverwalk, the proposed trolley *snort*- all of these were supposed to be huge and turn Augusta around. And they haven't. The ballpark will be the same way.
Why doesn't Augusta market itself as an ideal retirement destination? Because it is. Too little efforts are being made in that direction. Market heavily to Florida and Rust Belt states. Market heavily to California. That's not sexy, that's dealing with a bunch of old folks, but that could start a housing boom- and that would do far more to improve Augusta than a ball park.
"The climate is more than agreeable, the landscape inviting, the river majestic, the cost of living inordinately affordable and the local economy infinitely more stable and insulated from the caprice of national and international ebbs and flows than most places." This is true- so MARKET it.
Cliff, Maybe, just maybe the subsidy population will start to die off and the children will realize there is more to life than living on the government plantation. All in all I like Augusta and just do not worry myself with people with that mentality. Jack Connell and Charles Walker set up this bad form of government that favored only the democrats. But with Walker in jail, Jack in a nursing home and the Commission change, maybe it can be changed in the near future. That would help everything.
Corgi, that is what Aiken, SC did. Horses and retirement and it has grown alot. Good government and good productive smart people.
WW1949, I'd like to believe the children of subsidy descent would see the problem with that life, but with our government education system (especially here) being what it is, I don't see them throwing off the "addiction" of the "free ride". Without changing our charter I don't see us getting a city leader either. I note these situations in my posts but still have hopes that they will change. Our surrounding municipalities are moving smoothly and efficiently into the future. Evans, Martinez, North Augusta, and Aiken are all showing the way. Until the two major road blocks are removed for A-RC, I suspect we'll remain on a closed loop.
Corgimom, I've not read the report but I believe you may be referring to just the city proper of Augusta with those statistics, not the metro area. That's not fair. Even fast growing cities experienced the majority of their growth in the suburbs. There are exceptions (such as Atlanta and Washington, D.C., where people have flocked back to the city centers), but they are exceptions.
There were good and bad point made on this thread, some in the same post. But remember the point of the editorial is not giving into the negativism.
As a few of us said, the CSRA is a place that has been insulated from the big swings in the economy during this depression equaling economic bust. Communities that depend on government for jobs always ride a subdued wave. For example, Washington D.C. is now the hottest city in America for jobs. Why find something negative in our unique situation?
We have one of the best housing markets in the country, yet, it is true, prices are dropping somewhat. That’s because the sky is falling in the rest of the country when it comes to home prices, but here all we need is a little umbrella.
The CSRA is a place where many visit. Sure it’s mainly golf, tennis, horses, hunting, fishing and sailing on the lake, but why negate the value of those activities? You certainly don’t get the cheap motel staying, Disney World worshippers where the attractions are designed for those with IQ’s of about 80 here. It is a wealthier, more refined crowd that comes here to enjoy our year round activities and the company of similar people.
Augusta will be what Augusta is until everyone decides to throw the entire city/county council out and start over with people who prefer to work together to make the area better. Instead we have a bunch of folks who believe in entitlements and handouts based on race, friend ships, and business relationships and fight among themselves to spend more for their particular group.
Dealing with the Negativity. Good point Dr. Bedden, if there is negativity abounding then nothing positive ever gets done. Augusta, like its paper, is such a negative area that it is sometimes difficult to find the positives, but they are there!
Lawpig, since the report lists it as Augusta GA-SC, I believe that means the metro area.
When sales tax revenue is down- and it is- that's a very bad sign. That sales tax revenue is very liquid- a municipality only has to wait a short time to receive it, and it's necessary for cash flow- and when it doesn't meet projections, that's a sign that things are pretty rough.
Having a very low cost of housing isn't a good thing- unless you're a home buyer. It means that the local economy is not doing well. Richmond County has had a net loss of population, which you never want to see; the US population is growing rapidly. When you put all the indicators together, it doesn't indicate a position of growth or strength, regardless of what the AC or the Chamber of Commerce says. Or Countyman.
But what do you expect them to say, especially with Masters coming up? Their position is understandable.
GAterp, see, I disagree with you. You have to identify problems before you can ever expect to solve them. Augusta didn't get this way overnight; it's been on a slow, steady decline since the 1980's.
If you continually take the position "everything's great, everything's fine, you're disloyal to Augusta if you say anything against it"- that is the same mentality that has gotten Augusta where it is now.
People think it's great that the RC schools now have a 70% graduation rate. That is awful, especially in this day and age, where a high school diploma is now a necessity.
The high school that I attended in California (where the educational system is in terrible trouble) had, last year, a graduation rate of 98%. It had a exit test rate of 100% passing. There are 2800 students in the school. It is 71% white, 29% minorities, 14% economically disadvantaged, 6% ESL, 9% students with disabilities.
Do you see why 70% is abysmal? That means, statistically speaking, that of the 33,000 students in the system this year, approximately 10,000 of them will not get diplomas. And people think Augusta is doing well?
Climate change in Augusta means which way the wind is blowing that day.
Strange he commented about Kindergarteners but didn't say much about High Schoolers. I am still waiting yo find out what he actually did for 3 years? We are listed in the GA DOE as not making AYP. I do know one thing, where he is going, the people demand answers and a transparent budget. Further, they demand citizen input for all major issues facing the school system.
Corgi. Please don't post figures for readers. They have a very hard time dealing with hard data and facts. But I agree with what you said exactly. But what do we expect when we hire someone who only has teaching experience (coach and assistant coach aren't teaching positions in my book) 17 years ago and who taught health classes.
Augusta and Richmond county are gaining thousands of people a year. 2007-2008 Richmond county added more people than every county in metro Augusta. In percentage Columbia grew by .3 faster. I know Richmond county grew faster than Aiken county did in percentage 2007-2008. Richmond county will probably grow the fastest in percentage in the future. Unless Edgefield or Mcduffie beat it out. 2007-2008 metro Augusta gained 6,000 people. Richmond county gained 2,000 of the 6,000. Burke, Aiken, Mcduffie, Edgefield and Columbia spilt the remaining 4,000.
Don't you NOTICE most of the new/planned construction in metro Augusta. It's located in Richmond county. Hyatt Place, Sheraton, Four Points By Sheraton, Holiday Inn Express, Carolina Ale House, Hibachi Grill, Forever 21, Emporium condos, Apple, Buy Buy Baby, Cheddars, the lofts on James Brown Boulevard, sutherland mill, martha lester school, green building, the construction btw ADP and T-Mobile, etc.
Village at Riverwatch and Wheeler Town park are both in West Augusta. So Gander Mountain, Costco, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Starplex Cinema, Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris, Pizza Extreme, Nothern Tool, Dave and Busters, Bass Pro, or whatever stores come. They're going to the Richmond county tax base.
It's the year 2010. People can keep focusing on the past. All I know is in 2010 Augusta, Richmond county, and the metro are growing real good. With the city of Augusta leading the way.
Forbes, Businessweek, Robert Sumichrast dean of the business college at the University of Georgia. They ALL see how Augusta is growing unlike no other.
The CITY of Augusta will OUTPERFORM the state of GA in 2010?
'Augusta will do better, though, sheltered from the worst of the recession moreso than the rest of Georgia. “I think Augusta has a bright future. For a number of reasons, we’re expecting the state to lag behind. Augusta should outperform the state as a whole,” Mr. Sumichrast said.'
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/latest/lat_704619.shtml?v=1636
Alot of cities would love to get this national recognition.
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/09/0917_booming_housing_markets/7.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/11/1105_next_25_job_markets_to_reco...
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/10/1022_40_strongest_us_metro_econo...
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/07/housing-cities-realestate-forbeslife-cx...
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/08/0811_strongest_housing_markets/2...
Why did Augusta get a third airline recently? When other cities are losing passengers and flights. Because in 2010 Richmond county is growing unlike no other.
Incomes for educated workers are growing fastest in these metros.
GA had two cities. Augusta #44 and Atlanta #63
Median pay 2005 - Median pay 2009
Augusta $46,300 - $50,700
Atlanta $56,200 - $60,500
Median pay trend since december 2005-unemployment
Augusta 9.54% - 9.5%
Atlanta 7.66% - 10.4%
http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/15/income-cities-rich-lifestyle-real-estat...
Augusta vs our competitors
1. Greenville $55,500
2. Greensboro $52,600
3. Augusta $50,700
4. Charleston $50,600
5. Chattanooga $49,600
6. Jackson $47,800
7. Columbia $47,700
I'll let the 2010 census provide the facts. Nothing will be left to say when the census shows ALL the growth.
Augusta has several stores not in Columbia, Greenville, Charleston?
Augusta crushes Savannah, Macon, and Columbus in upscale retail?
Augusta got Apple and Imax before Greenville?
Augusta has Imax, Sephora, Apple, PF Changs, Jared Galleria of Jewelry, etc? Columbia has none of these stores/restaurants?
Augusta got a third airline in a recession?
Why does Jim Jacoby(developer of Atlantic station) want to invest millions into downtown Augusta?
Why did Takoshushi open in Evans?
Why did Habachi Grill Express and another restaurant open near Regency Mall and Southgate shopping center in South Augusta?
Why is Colony Plaza adding 3 acres of development to the shopping center in South Augusta?
Why is Carolina Ale House, Hibachi Grill, and Cuisine Fusion opening in West Augusta?
Why is Five Guys and Einstein Bagels opening in Aiken?
Hmm.... I wonder why??? Well not really because I've seen all the new neighborhood around the metro.
Emerydan
Emerydan
Saturday, Mar. 20 11:20 PM
new
* Report
The irony is that Bedden is lecturing the locals one what a great place this is and how we don't appreciate what they have, yet he is the one flying the coop after just 2 years for greener pastures in texas... now that's irony.
Emerydan, if you're gong to blabber here, at least get your stuff straight. Dr Bedden has been here 3 years and dhas one a great job trying to straighten out what Larke screwed up. He stated that had the RCBOE had presented a new contract earlier, he may have stayed. With no contract, why not accept another school district offering more money?
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