Why are they looking the other way for the lack of business license but not for scalpers? How is scalping a more serious crime? I'd bet many scalpers are probably also violating this law as well.
For 51 weeks of the year, Augusta-Richmond County officials frown on any person operating a business without a license.
Back | Next ![Augusta resident Jeannette Nash solicits for her family's "tips only" shuttle service between Gate 9 and parking lots on Wheeler Road about 1 1/2 miles away. County officials frown on the unlicensed shuttle services, but so far have not taken action to stop them. DAMON CLINE/STAFFDAMON CLINE Damon Cline/Staff](http://chronicle.augusta.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/editorial/images/spotted/44/449698.jpg "Augusta resident Jeannette Nash solicits for her family's "tips only" shuttle service between Gate 9 and parking lots on Wheeler Road about 1 1/2 miles away. County officials frown on the unlicensed shuttle services, but so far have not taken action to stop them. DAMON CLINE/STAFFDAMON CLINE Damon Cline/Staff")
Guess which week is the exception?
County officials said they have more important things to worry about than Armand Law selling soda and bottled water to Masters Week visitors near Gate 9 for a buck apiece.
Technically, the Augusta State University junior and the dozens of other wildcat vendors around the course's periphery should have business licenses. But unless they cause a problem for visitors or licensed businesses, they are given a pass.
"Is it the worst thing in the world? Probably not," said Rob Sherman, the director of the county's License and Inspection Department. "What we're trying to do is make everybody happy."
Mr. Law, who on a good day might sell $200 worth of drinks, said he has had a business license off and on during the four years he has parked his cooler near Gate 9, less than 20 yards from sheriff's deputies directing traffic. He would not say whether he obtained a license this year, but added that he has never had problems with county officials or the police.
"If you're just nice and smile once in a while, people aren't really going to hassle you," he said.
Mr. Sherman said the ice-chest vendors will be asked to move if they are close enough to compete with a licensed vendor.
"That's when it becomes a problem," he said.
Area residents seem to be finding new ways to make a buck each year. Mr. Sherman said he was unaware that several people outside the course are operating shuttle services for course visitors who are having to park as far away as Wheeler Road, about 11/2 miles from the nearest gate. The operators are apparently trying to skirt county taxi and shuttle ordinances by asking for "tips," not charging a fare.
"We just tell them they can give us whatever they want to give us," said Jeannette Nash, whose family shuttles visitors back and forth between Gate 9 and the Wheeler Road lots in a seven-passenger van.
Mr. Sherman said he will investigate the shuttle services because he is concerned they are operating without the proper licenses and insurance.
Officials have long groused about homeowners turning their residences into commercial operations during the week, but are mostly powerless to do anything about people such as Jerry Thacker, whose Berckmans Road home is turned into a corporate hospitality center, complete with catering and full bar service. His 2Q-acre tract has been a paid parking lot since 1991.
"You're allowed to rent your home two weeks each year," Mr. Thacker said, citing the federal tax code on rental income.
Bottom line, officials say, the space is needed.
"It's Masters Week," Mr. Sherman said. "People have got to park somewhere."
Reach Damon Cline at (706) 823-3486 or damon.cline@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Why are they looking the other way for the lack of business license but not for scalpers? How is scalping a more serious crime? I'd bet many scalpers are probably also violating this law as well.
And the news on NBC Augusta showed at least one of the scalpers being led away in handcuffs. Funiest thing was the fact that he had gotten arrested last year too. As long as you are 2700 feet away from the venue, you can sell your tickets or badges. I'm all for the street vendors selling water and things. But, I would want to make sure the shuttle providers, didn't just sign up with SafeAuto - minimum coverage, for the minimum price -- that could give us all a black eye.
When it's the government's job to promote fair economic activity, what sense does it make to require people who, for the OTHER 51 weeks of the year DON'T operate any sort of 'business', to get a business license which is largely based on YEARLY sales anyway? Are we really whining about at-most $10 from these street vendors? I think we have more reason to complain that there is only one week a year when we DO have good economic activity. We ought to be asking how we can make the other 51 weeks of the year like this one rather than how we can make this one week like the other 51 less-profitable weeks.
Let these guys make a few bucks off the Masters. Everyone else is with pumped up prices.
In addition to the city looking the other way, I guess the IRS looks the other way on income tax and the state of Georgia on sales tax. But I agree with Jack, let the little guy make a few bucks.
Let the owners of CREAM, Club 3000, or one of the urban radio stations put up a temporary hospitality house that was out to make money, and served alcohol without a license...I bet that rule would change PRET-TY fast!
Like Chris Rock says, "...but it's ALRIGHT if it's ALL WHITE!" lol
AGNC has reached a new low in finding ways to screw the locals during Masters week. Many National Hills residents have for years made a few dollars by parking cars in their yards. This year, with the acquisition of many homes, the AGNC has turned the area into a FREE parking lot and with the help of Richmond County Sheriff's Dept have detoured traffic from Washington Road onto Stanley Drive to THEIR lots. They've also changed pedestrian flow to the new gate on Berckmanns road to sway drivers to their lots instead of the homes along Eisenhower drive.
Yes, it's official. AGNC now owns Richmond County. Why do you think our property taxes have gone up?
Humble, I wish that was the case. Maybe this town would run smoother if ANGC "owned" Richmond County. We wouldn't have to deal with the BS politics of the commission and the JB Arena Authority. It's only 1 week out of a whole year. Just build a bridge and get over it. And about Eisenhower Dr. you still have the traffic being diverted from Riverwatch that comes from Calhoun when they close I-20 exit so whats your point?
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