Woodrow Wison was three years old when Abraham Lincoln was elected President. I don't think it impressed him too much. I'd save the money for that iron fence if that's the main reason.
The Augusta Commission heard a long line of entreaties Thursday as it compiles a project list for the next special-purpose sales tax vote.
Commissioners didn't have to give answers right away.
"We have a monumental task in front of us," Commissioner Alvin Mason said. "And I wish we could approve all these projects, but unfortunately that's not the case."
City Administrator Fred Russell is recommending the SPLOST 6 package total around $160 million so it can be collected in four years. The working list totaled $641.2 million last week, and Mr. Russell said he's already pared down $563.6 million in infrastructure projects to the $180 million to $185 million range.
Another $77.6 million had been requested by outside agencies such as development authorities, museums, arts groups and other nonprofits. Fifteen of them made pitches to commissioners Thursday.
Imperial Theatre Executive Director Charles Scavullo asked for $2.2 million for a new heating and air conditioning system, $300,000 for roofing and waterproofing, $65,000 for a new fire curtain and $50,000 to replace fire escapes that aren't up to code.
The Augusta Symphony withdrew an earlier request for $24.8 million for a theatre district project and instead asked for $12 million to restore the Miller Theatre and $2 million for Augusta Mini Theatre. A previous request from Augusta Landmarks Inc., sought $9 million for the Miller, which symphony President-elect Joe Huff said owner Peter Knox will donate.
Augusta Museum of History Director Nancy Glaser showed a musical slide presentation with James Brown's I Got You (I Feel Good) and Papa's Got a Brand New Bag playing to photos of his exhibit. Ms. Glaser asked for $12.4 million toward a $16 million building wing that would showcase such Augusta-rooted figures as author Erskine Caldwell, golfer Larry Mize, opera singer Jessye Norman, gospel singer Amy Grant, actress Butterfly McQueen and former Chicago Bears lineman William "The Refrigerator" Perry.
Historic Augusta asked for $214,000 for interior and exterior renovations to the Woodrow Wilson and Joseph R. Lamar boyhood homes, including installing a replica of the iron fence where the future President Wilson stood when he heard news that Abraham Lincoln had been elected.
Looking over the list after the meeting, Commissioner Corey Johnson struggled to say which projects should be denied. Considering the state of the economy, perhaps the Miller Theatre or a $6.5 million request from Paine College for a community health building could go, he said.
"I think all of them have a meaningful purpose," Mr. Johnson said. "It's very difficult."
Mr. Mason sternly told Mr. Russell on Thursday that, before he makes a decision, he wants a full accounting report on expenditures and progress made on past SPLOST projects. He said he wants to know which projects haven't started, which are stalled, which are duplicated on the SPLOST 6 list, which went over budget and who the contractors were, and what funds have been diverted and whether the commission approved it.
Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225 or johnny.edwards@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Woodrow Wison was three years old when Abraham Lincoln was elected President. I don't think it impressed him too much. I'd save the money for that iron fence if that's the main reason.
I'm still awaiting the proposals for community development in the Bethlehem and Turpin Hills areas if we are going to be doing significant projects that can bring jobs and other opportunities to our city by improving on existing entities.
The Augusta Mini Theater just got a brand new building, mostly paid for by free funds. I know it took a while, but they are in their new place. Another $2 million???
I just don't get it. All these facilities are PRIVATELY owned by organizations with no appointed members from the general public. Additionally, there is no limitations or oversight on their operation by elected officials. In 1776 they called this "taxation without representation" today its called nom-profit. Just what do the citizens (those are the ones paying get for their taxes) actually receive for their taxes? In watching the Comcast a few days ago, many of our non-profits actually refuse to provide their budhets or information to the commissioners, yet we still fund them! My suggestion would be to rewrite the current city code to spell out what a non-profit must do to receive tax money, then the city should force them to post a bond to insure that the facility being funded will have at least a caretaker maintenance provision, further, the city ought to have an office to account for all the property that the citizens own, and lastly the city should demand that all boards be composed of appointed citizens to insure that "Joe or June the plumber" is represented when it comes to spending his/her moneys.
We have failing infrastructure needs and anything above the ground besides pavement should be postponed until the the next go around.
joebowles: Last week we read another report about not being able to make budget and 20 employees being laid off. Today in this newspaper there are pictures of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro-Tem, City Administrator, other A-RC and RCBOE officials, and employees and their families at a Richmond County Employee Christmas Party. If you look at the pictures you will such luxury as boiled shrimp, Chivas Regal, other liquor, and beer. Was this paid for out of our tax money?
Larry Mize? Nothing but a flash in the pan. Just got lucky. Never did anything in golf to speak of, couldn't market a pair of socks. And you people want money so he can get his share of fame. Absolutely crazy.
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