Absent mayor focus of forum

Web posted October 29, 1998

By Sylvia Cooper
Staff Writer

Augusta Mayor Larry Sconyers' absence from a mayoral candidate forum Wednesday gives credence to the old saying, ``If you're not there, they'll talk about you.''

Mr. Sconyers became the topic of debate at the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's forum to discuss inner-city problems when a woman in the audience asked how they would get things done when the mayor has no power.

MAYORS RACE Each week until the Nov. 4 election, The Augusta Chronicle will feature a candidate running for Augusta-Richmond County mayor. Check back each Sunday for a new profile. •Ed McIntyre •Larry Sconyers •Elmer Singley •Moses Todd •Kenneth Winters •Bob Young  Q&A The Chronicle asks each candidate specific questions about their abilities and goals. Here are their answers. •Ed McIntyre •Larry Sconyers •Elmer Singley •Moses Todd •Kenneth Winters •Bob Young  ASK THE CANDIDATES Do you have a question you'd like to ask the mayoral candidates? •Click here

Former Mayor Ed McIntyre said he disagreed with the premise that the mayor has no power.

``The mayor is the executive officer of the city. He has the power with the mayor pro tempore to appoint all committees and subcommittees,'' Mr. McIntyre said.

``It's a matter of leadership. It's a matter of knowing how to bring consensus in a group. It's a matter of presenting a program to the public that the public endorses, and if the public endorses a program, the commissioners will endorse it. Power rests with the ability to lead.''

Mr. Sconyers has often complained he's hamstrung because he does not have a vote on Augusta Commission. The mayor presides at commission meetings.

Mr. Sconyers lobbied Richmond County's legislative delegation to give him a vote and veto power this year, but the state law was not amended.

Former Commissioner Moses Todd said he agreed with Mr. McIntyre.

``The mayor from his bully pulpit can lead this city, and he's got to set the agenda,'' Mr. Todd said. ``It's about leadership.''

Mr. Todd then walked over and picked up Mr. Sconyers' empty chair at the candidates' table and held it by a leg.

``Who's supposed to be in this chair? The mayor of Augusta, Ga.,'' Mr. Todd said. ``Where is he? Why isn't he here? Does he think this part of the community is not worthy of his being here?

``Maybe the mayor's mouthpiece, who was giving me a hard time last night, would like to come up and sit in his chair.''

Mr. Todd was referring to Al Ferguson, who later in the meeting tried to refute candidate Bob Young's interpretation of the city-county consolidation law that outlines the mayor's powers. Augusta and Richmond County governments consolidated in 1996.

Mr. Young, a former TV news anchorman, read parts of the law that state ``the mayor or chairperson shall be the chief executive officer of Richmond County, the city of Augusta.''

``That's the same job description that the governor of Georgia has and the president of the United States has,'' Mr. Young said.

The law also states that the mayor will sign all written contracts entered into by the commission and ensures that all city laws and ordinances are ``faithfully executed.''

``So I submit that the mayor does have authority. The mayor does have power. Anyone who says he doesn't, doesn't know what he's talking about,'' Mr. Young said.

Candidate Kenneth Winters said he wanted to take the question of ``Where is your mayor tonight?'' a step further.

``Where is your commissioner tonight? What is he doing? Why is he not here to represent you?'' Mr. Winters asked.

The meeting was in commission District 1, represented by Commissioner Lee Beard, and it is also in Super District 9, a regional post held by Commissioner Willie Mays.

Mr. Mays did not immediately return a telephone message Wednesday night seeking comment on Mr. Winters' complaint. Mr. Beard's home phone went unanswered.

Later in the meeting, Mr. Ferguson, who said he was at the meeting as an individual, not as Mr. Sconyers' spokesman, tried to read the consolidation law to illustrate a point that the commission, not the mayor, has power.

``The mayor does not set the agenda,'' Mr. Ferguson said.

Mr. Young argued that the mayor has tremendous power.

Mr. Todd said it was ``quite simple.''

He said that after The Augusta Chronicle published a story about Richmond County Animal Control, there was an outpouring of criticism from the community. The newspaper story concerned 10,788 animals being put to death in the facility's gas chamber last year.

``The commission took no action on it, but the mayor used his executive power to shut down the gas chamber at the animal control and implement lethal injections,'' Mr. Todd said. ``That's an example of the mayor's power.''

Mr. Sconyers was not at home Wednesday night, according to his housekeeper, and did not return a page seeking his input into this story.

At the forum, however, the Rev. Otis Smith, who helped organize it, said Mr. Sconyers was the first person he invited. He said he wrote the mayor two letters and talked to him and that Mr. Sconyers told him he was sure it was on his calendar.

Mr. Sconyers later left him a message saying he would be unable to attend because he had a conflict, Mr. Smith said.

The candidates answered questions from the fraternity and the audience for almost two hours about their plans to improve the inner city.

Sylvia Cooper can be reached at (706) 823-3228 or newsroom@augustachronicle.com.