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Center considers name change for credibility
Web posted Wednesday, February 23, 2005
By Tom Corwin
| Staff Writer
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Once the site of a federal investigation over the alleged theft of millions by former administrators, the new head of an Augusta mental health center has an idea about changing the facility's reputation: Change the name.
At a meeting Tuesday night of the board that oversees Community Mental Health Center of East Central Georgia, recently installed CEO Charles Williamson suggested a new name would mean a new beginning.
"Something that would symbolize a fresh start for us," he said.
The center's previous CEO, Mike Brockman, former state Rep. Robin Williams and three others are scheduled to face trial in April on federal charges that they conspired to steal about $2 million from the center.
"It's given us a black eye in some circles," Mr. Williamson said, even though none of the current leadership was responsible for it.
His idea is to open up the renaming process to the public and possibly have a contest for schoolchildren to help design a new logo.
The center has continued to struggle financially and last month about 40 positions were cut, although only about 20 full- or part-time employees were affected, Mr. Williamson said. Although the center is running a $1.7 million deficit, Chief Financial Officer Stan Markowski said that should be down to about $100,000 by the end of next month.
"We have hopeful expectations that by the time we get to June 30 (the end of the fiscal year), we'll break even," Mr. Williamson said.
The center leadership was also upbeat about passing a recent inspection and receiving a three-year certification from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
The board also welcomed two new members:
• Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, a public defender in Augusta who will go into private practice next month.
• Nora McMannon, a teacher and therapist with Sand Hills Psychoeducational Center in Thomson.
Reach Tom Corwin at (706) 823-3213 or tom.corwin@augustachronicle.com.
NEW NAME
If you would like to give Community Mental Health Center input on how it should choose a new name, call (706) 432-4891.
--From the Wednesday, February 23, 2005 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle
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