An Augusta Commission committee Monday told Leadership Augusta to go back to the drawing board with its request to honor former Augusta Mayor Charles A. DeVaney with a plaque on Riverwalk Augusta.
The bronze plaque Leadership Augusta proposed for the riverwalk on the levee at Eighth Street would have stated: "Riverwalk Augusta, a memorial to the life and vision of Charles A. DeVaney, 1952-2007, Mayor of Augusta 1984-1995. Presented by his friends in Leadership Augusta," according to Ted Hussey, who made the proposal to the public services committee.
Committee Chairman J.R. Hatney said he had no problem with the plaque honoring Mr. DeVaney for his life and leadership but that the riverwalk was not the late mayor's vision.
"He provided the leadership to carry it out, but it was not his vision," Mr. Hatney said. "That part should come off."
Commissioner Joe Bowles said he has reservations about honoring Mr. DeVaney without also honoring former Mayor Ed McIntyre when both were integrally involved in the riverwalk project.
Mayor Pro Tem Betty Beard said she also had a few concerns about the plaque.
"I do feel he did a great deal for the city," she said of Mr. DeVaney. "He worked at Augusta State. Maybe that would be a more appropriate place for this plaque."
Mr. Bowles proposed sending the request back to Leadership Augusta and asking it to seriously consider honoring both mayors.
Commissioner Don Grantham objected, saying he thought commissioners were telling Leadership Augusta that they didn't respect what it was asking them to do "based on what was accomplished at riverwalk."
"And granted this particular mayor was in place at that time, so are we saying we don't care what's there, or we don't care to put a plaque up for this particular deceased mayor?" Mr. Grantham said. "Granted we all know and realize there were some concerns at that time regarding riverwalk, as to how the financing was done, but that being said, that's still a pretty strong statement to make, that we don't want to honor someone that has given their time and leadership to accomplishing something such as riverwalk."
Mr. Grantham suggested approving the honor for Mr. DeVaney and then asking Leadership Augusta to bring back a request for a similar plaque for Mr. McIntyre.
"I think tying them both together is really not a good idea," he said.
Mr. Grantham's substitute motion did not receive a second.
Mr. Hussey said Leadership Augusta particularly wanted to honor Mr. DeVaney because he was very active in its programs.
"He would lead the history debate and explain what it was that was making Augusta great to the people that have come forward in the Leadership Augusta program," he said. "And that's why we picked Charles DeVaney."
"Is there a chance you could find another location for this?" Mrs. Beard asked.
"I'm sure we could, but ..." Mr. Hussey said.
Mrs. Beard then said if plans for the plaque go forward, she would like for Mr. DeVaney's tenure as mayor be researched before the final decision is made.
"But the fact of it is, I did work with Mayor DeVaney, and I respect him a great deal, and I do think there is a place for him," she said. "I'm not quite sure that the riverwalk at this time is the place unless it's done for both."
Mr. Bowles' motion passed 3-1, with Mr. Grantham voting against it.
Reach Sylvia Cooper at (706) 823-3228 or sylvia.cooper@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
The commission signed the death warrant on the civic center
by naming it after someone who was awife beater, convicted
drug user and convict, now you want to honor someone who
not only was asking for bribes but was convicted and serve
time. Let's honor people of good morals and not the ones
that think they are above the law.
The plaque should be @ Augusta State. This a veiled attempt to give a buddy a place in history, at taxpayer expense. Additionally, this (Riverwalk) so-called vision belongs to Mcintyre but "they" want to change history. The minority commissioners, who remember what happen back then, should not allow such revisionist history to take place on their watch. In my view, they
"nailed" this backdoor attempt to improve a former mayor's legacy. And give credit, where credit is due...
I agree just4us. If Ed McIntyre hadn't made bad decisions about accepting those kickbacks, Augusta would be a much better city today. He had the vision of the Riverwalk, and people keep trying to give Devaney credit. Thanks, commissioners for making the right call.
Pofwe....What does someones sexuality have to do with anything? Life is too short to be a hater, but you seem to look for reasons to hate. Would you prefer all the homosexuals in the world to be "out"? Something tells me that you would hate them all the more.
There's a card? Is it a "get out of the closet free" card? Let him rest. He was a good man.
Good for Joe Bowles. That's the kind of leadership Augusta really needs.
Let's keep being like Washington, DC city politics, if someone does one thing well and is then a caught red handed covicted criminal you are going to honor him with a plaque do you put his conviction dated and release date. Then start a wall of shame for Augusta on rivverwalk and put everyone in 4th street on the plaque.
and the circle continues...Augusta is a doomed city....lets honor all the freakin criminals..after all it IS augusta....let em have it folks ..................................
I wonder how many of you knew Charles personnally? He had a passion for Augusta, Richmond County and Georgia that surpassed anything we have had since. He was intellegent, cultured, and unbiased. He gave a good impression of Augusta when people met him and to me that is the first thing a leader should be if you want growth. I never heard Disgusta when he was in office. He would not want a plaque in his honor if it caused conflict. He is honored and remembered by those of us that knew him. Rest in peace Charles, job well done.
The problem with most of us (I did say most and us) is that we want to judge people on what they done wrong, and not what they have done that was good. If a person makes a mistake and redeems themselves then I say honor them. They both should be honored for the riverwalk coming to be.
I agree with peachkeen. I met the former Mayor several times and found him to be nothing but for Augusta and McEntyre was for himself. It goes to show that anytime a white man wants something in Augusta the blacks say no and vice-versa. I hate this commission and I hate the politics and I am getting to hate Augusta because some people think that we should all bend over and kiss their backsides. Well I have noithing to do with the 60's...either 1860's or 1960's and most of the people who are complaining if the truth be told dont even have slavery in their family. I tell ya what...lets just give Augusta to them and be done with it. They wont be happy until we do.
Let's not forget that the city went bankrupt under his watch,making consolidation possible and we all see how well that worked out. And don't forget he (the city) borrowed money from the airport to float the city; against the law. Thanks for making Richmond Co.-Augusta the great city that it has become. What a vision!
Kudos for Joe Bowles, for not standing by and allowing a mockery to take place.Somebody need to remind Mr. Grantham that he was elected to do the leading.They should have sent him packing with the others.Mayor Devaney had his flaws, but he deserves a place of honor.The day he passed we lost real champion for our community.Ed McIntyre had his flaws as well, but still he deserves full credit for his idea,and also deserve a place of honor.Both men are sorely missed.He that is without sin, go ahead, cast the first stone.
Lordy, lordy. Everything has to be a black/white issue! It's not like the man didn't work with Leadership Augusta. If an agency that McIntyre worked with wants to give him a plaque somewhere that he was involved in, go for it. And no one needs to complain. By the way, whatever happened to Devaney's wife?
Hey Whyme,please tell me who is Leadership Augusta and who elected them?Also, why would you want to give somebody credit for something everybody knows they did not concieve? You and others also need to stop using the Lord's name in vain.
Y'all just keep fighting past racism with new racism (i.e. put it at Augusta State?! What, do only white people go to school there now?!) and you will continue to be the laughing stock of the State. Plus, many, many African-Americans are proud graduates of Leadership Augusta; did you stop and think about that?! Honor the man - he deserves it. I hate to see the memory of a civic leader who asked for absolutely nothing in return besmurched like this. Sad, very sad. RIP, Mr. Mayor. Whyme is right; let Mac's supporters propose, support, and build a shrine to him.
There would be no RiverWalk without Ed.....Will the first perfect person, please step forward.... and It's not about race, but it is about what is RIGHT!!!!....
Has anybody looked at ThE River Walk lately? What a vision. Now, look across the river. That's a vision.
We need to name the next jail after Ed McEntire.
The Riverwalk goes back to McIntyre... DeVaney was able to take up the mantle and bring it to fruition.. why not give credit to both former mayors who have since passed away..isn't that fair?
You're right HillGuy. Regardless of the reason behind it, McIntyre initiated the work on the Riverwalk. It was fortunate Devaney was available to finish the job. Both were important to the project and both should be honored for their contributions.
If Leadership Augusta would BUY or LEASE a piece of property, they could put their plaque there without the taxpayers' involvement. But I do not support plaques honoring politicians cluttering up Riverwalk.