I thought we were getting rid of Marion Williams! He's like a bad penny.
Whether former Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams built more bridges than he burned with his colleagues while serving on the board should be determined today.
District 2 Commissioner Corey Johnson has recommended the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Richmond County Planning Commission. Six of the 10 commissioners must approve the recommendation for it to become effective.
Mr. Johnson said he appointed Mr. Williams because he knows a lot about planning and he lives in District 2.
"Now we have people on the board that don't know anything about the agency they're overseeing, and they don't take the time to learn," he said.
Mr. Williams, who represented District 2 and endorsed Mr. Johnson in November's election, was the commission's liaison to the planning commission from 2004 through 2008. He was on the Augusta Commission for eight years and served as mayor pro tem two years.
When his term as mayor pro tem ended, he abstained on the commission vote to choose a successor, thus preventing any candidate from getting the required six votes, and refused to give up the seat.
Mr. Williams is never at a loss for words and does not hesitate to speak his mind. As a commissioner, he challenged the status quo and criticized his colleagues and the administration from top to bottom. He also championed building a drag strip in south Augusta, a project so unpopular with many residents that it has remained in limbo.
Commissioners Jerry Brigham and Joe Bowles both indicated they would not vote for the appointment, but Commissioner Calvin Holland said Mr. Williams' eight years on the city commission have given him the knowledge and experience to be a great planning commission member.
"He will be a tremendous asset to the planning commission," he said.
Mr. Johnson has also recommended the appointment of James Germany to the Human Relations Commission; Frank Bowman to the Augusta Aviation Commission; and Charles W. Paschal to the Augusta-Richmond County Board of Zoning Appeals.
Other items on today's meeting agenda include:
- A resolution by Mr. Brigham requesting the Richmond County legislative delegation to restructure the Coliseum Authority.
- A resolution from Commissioner Don Grantham asking the legislative delegation to call for a referendum on increasing the local option sales tax by a penny to pay for enhanced public safety, transit and property-tax relief. The proposal, which would raise the total sales tax in Richmond County to 8 cents, did not receive a recommendation from the commission's Administrative Services Committee last week.
- Amending the city's leash law ordinance to provide for a dog park and rules with a decision to be made regarding the admission of children under age 4 when dogs are present.
Reach Sylvia Cooper at (706) 823-3228 or sylvia.cooper@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
I thought we were getting rid of Marion Williams! He's like a bad penny.
No, no, no, no, no, no! If any of these guys vote for Williams, they are stupid fools. That's the bottom line. I do think that Mr. Williams COULD bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position, but having him there is just NOT worth it. He is a cancer, and he will make himself known in a short amount of time in a disruptive, confrontational, and disruptive way. I'm sure the people in the press love the idea of Williams becoming involved in this way again, because it would surely give them much more to write about! Please, vote no on this clown.
No, NO, NO, definitely NO. Marion Williams made Augusta the laughing stock of GA, and all the south. He is a "wanta be" big shot. If being a minister of God is not satisfactory to him, he should get on his knees and stay there til he comes to know the God he says he preaches about. Marion Williams is a cancer to this city. No one is so important that others are not better.
Wow.... Although Corey Johnson is still fresh to the Commission, it looks as if he could actually be more ridiculous in his opinions and ideas than Marion Williams ever was. What is the problem with District 2, that they keep electing Commissioners of this caliber?
You have got to be kidding. If Augusta wants to undo all the progress it has made in recent months, go ahead and appoint him. I thought he was planning to run against Ed Tarver for the Senate seat.
Are you kidding me!!!!!Corey johnson you are a lier and a fraud....you told the people of your district that you were different.............People of district 2 should rise up and demand that the fraud be replaced.
Marion Williams will be nothing but a disruption on this board. No board or commission can make any progress with this man being part of it. How could anyone make this recommendation after all of the problems and conflicts this man created as a commissioner. This is simply payback for Marion supporting Johnson in the election. Stupid!!
I am all for the penny tax if it will be used for law enforcement and property tax relief. It is time payment fpr services were spread among all citizens and not just the property owners.
As for Marion Williams, I say no. I do not see anything but disruption with him around. Shame on you Mr. Johnson.
Coery Johnson is an idiot for nominating the number one antagonistic comissioner that has ever been on the County Comission. I only hope the rest of the comissioners have enough sense to keep him out.
"When his term as mayor pro tem ended, he abstained on the commission vote to choose a successor, thus preventing any candidate from getting the required six votes, and refused to give up the seat. "
If the commission approves Marion Williams to the planning commission, it will PROVE that bozos continue to live and breathe in Augusta government, and this commission is no better than the last.
Just a brother trying to help another brother that endorsed him to start with. Birds of feather flock together....it was just a matter of time. Now we will see what the commission is really made of.
To fd1962. Have you ever heard of the free enterprise system. Competition is good and keeps prices down. Duh! Regarding Williams and Johnson, this is nothing new. Support someone who wins an election and you get rewarded. It's how American politics work, so get over it.
If Marion Williams gets back on the city/county payroll it'll be an indication of no improvement with this new commission over the previous one.
Keep Marion Williams out of the city/county business.
It is interesting how player haters spend their time expressing all the hate they have in their hearts (typing).
And wisdomofyears change your name because you don't wear it well.
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