Why is so much media attention paid to the A-RC Coliseum Authority and so little in-depth media attention paid to our local judicial and public educational systems?
The Augusta area has had its hands full trying to rebuild its once-considerable legislative clout in Atlanta.
But it's not exactly helping matters that the area's legislative delegation is tying its own hands.
The seven-member delegation from Richmond County has hardly met as a unit. In fact, the only formal meeting they've had this entire legislative session was to set the rules at the beginning.
Some years, the delegation might meet weekly.
Apparently, the rules include "don't communicate": Not only are the five Augusta representatives and two senators not meeting, they're not communicating by e-mail very well.
On Feb. 25, Sen. Ed Tarver sent out an e-mail suggesting legislative changes to the county Coliseum Authority. Only one other delegation member responded, and Tarver says he ended up having to see other responses in the newspaper.
More recently, he sent out an e-mail to his colleagues and others in Augusta suggesting a meeting to discuss the city's problems meeting EPA standards for air quality. A day later, he'd heard back only from a chamber official.
"The delegation is not communicating at all," said one observer.
That's no way for a local legislative delegation to get ahead, especially Augusta's.
For one thing, six of the seven members are Democratic, while the General Assembly is controlled by Republicans. For another thing, the city's political clout was essentially burned to the ground a few years ago when three area high-profile public officials were convicted of a laundry list of crimes in separate cases. The most devastating blow was when former state Senate majority leader and potential gubernatorial candidate Charles Walker engaged in a web of corruption that got him booted from the Senate and netted him 10 years in a federal prison.
It would have been difficult enough for the city to rebuild such political clout if our legislative delegation had been acting as a cohesive unit. It has not. Far from it.
We branded this the "do-nothing delegation" last year when it failed to get even one thing done: reform the dysfunctional Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority. They had three months to do it, and failed utterly.
Amazingly, with another year to work on it, the delegation hasn't accomplished it this year, either -- and doesn't seem to have even put in as much effort as last year.
The sticking point appears to be a desire on the part of some of our state lawmakers to keep the power to appoint members to the Coliseum Authority. Others, such as Rep. Barbara Sims, can't find any reason for state lawmakers to have that power. Neither can we.
Delegation Chairman Quincy Murphy says members' schedules have been difficult to meet around. Sims actually agrees, saying Murphy has tried to arrange meetings.
Sims also says there isn't a push by the public this year like there was last year to reform the Coliseum Authority -- whose image has been vastly improved by hiring a firm to manage the James Brown Arena and bring in new acts and shows.
Still, the delegation is unnecessarily divided, and it's not helping matters. Murphy says Sims has been "dictatorial" in her stance that legislators not be able to appoint Coliseum Authority members. Surprisingly, Sims agrees -- saying she is standing fast on that position.
But, she notes, she's the only one who's changed her position significantly since last year, when she pushed for complete elimination of the Coliseum Authority.
Despite two years of inaction, Murphy says a Coliseum Authority bill could still be passed in this session's remaining 10 days.
As for the delegation's working relationship, Murphy says "we've been more unified than one would believe." As to why it hasn't been more unified, he says, "I can tell you I'm not going to take the blame for that. I will not accept total responsibility for that."
Somebody needs to.
Who, if not our elected leaders?
Comments
Why is so much media attention paid to the A-RC Coliseum Authority and so little in-depth media attention paid to our local judicial and public educational systems?
Fumigate it to run the roaches out of the building since it seems impossible to get them out any other way. Next give the building to Augusta State University and let the state take care of it via the college. The state may even consider it a trade for the GA Golf Hall of Fame land.
I called this on the last article they did on the delegation. I said that it looks like there is no communication and it seems I was right. It is interesting that no local bills were porduced in two sessions (Not that is bad at all really!) and that you hear very little out of them. The party (Dem or Rep) really has nothing to do with a city's ability to get cash either. The Chairman of appropriations grew up in Augusta and lives right next door in Columbia County, Ben Harbin. Rep. Harbin is a good man and if we needed something we would get it I am sure. Most of the time the legislators are not to blame if they don't bring us some pork, if we don't ASK for it. When I was on the Animal Control Authority I asked Senator Don Cheeks and Senator Charles Walker to get the carcass incenerator paid for by the State through the Dept. of Agriculture and they did it! All they said was, "Send us the amount and exactly what it is for and we will get it." And they did. So I would say not passing bills is not a bad thing and if we want stuff we need to ask for it. But they need to communicate for sure.
I find it odd the local delegation doesn't communicate better, especially since they're mostly of one party.
You get what you elect. Sims and Hardie Davis are the only two members of the Augusta delegation who have demonstrated any ability at all. Pariahs Quincy Murphy and Ed Tarver are both woefully ineffective, and the remaining two house members and one senator are not even worth mentioning by name.
ColCo, Senator J.B. Powell is a damn good man. Not sure who you were thinking was the other Senator but you must be confused.
Have been an observer of his for years and am not impressed or confused at all. Jack Hill and Eric johnson are to the south, Johnny Grant to the west, Bill Jackson, Bill Cowsert and Ralph Hudgens to the north. All these are good men and effective leaders. They all also happen to be republicans.
J.B. Powell and good man in the same sentence? A combination of contradictory and incongruous words.
The reason there is no communication among the representatives and senators is Mr. Tarver's use of email. Most of the Richmond County delegation doesn't have enough sense to turn on a computer! And they are entrusted to do the voters' bidding? You want to know whom they listen to? A small group of political would-have-beens lurking in smoke filled rooms in south Augusta striking deals. Always been like that. Only the names and faces have changed.
Rep. Murphy is chairman of the delegation and has provcided poor leadership. I hope someone else is elected chairman before the next session.
A lot of us feel we aren't represented in the state house nor the senate. We need to find some persons to run against these guys.
I fail to see the wisdom of the electorate to vote for a majority DIMocRAT delegation when both the Legislature and the Governor are Repubican. Indeed, you get what you vote for-BimbObama is another prime example.
The only person that is doing something about the problems in Augusta and Atlanta is Gloria Frazier. The other people on the Georgia side of the Savannah are just worthless crap.
I am always amazed at how citizens in Augusta are so quick to judge others. It is as though everyone else is wrong and the AC and those who side with them are right. Rep. Sims, stated Mr. Murphy has tried to call a meeting, so the blame cannort be that of the chairman. I agree with Mr. Owens in regards to communications, however to say they cannot turn on a computer is a bit too much. I believe the problem is ego's and the AC is attempting to shine a light on the chairman as the problem. It really appears that Sen. Tarver is the problem, why has he not attended a meeting to talk about his plans, the AC is not telling the full story. Only Sen. Tarver and Rep. SIms are quoted, nothing from the other members. Who cares about the ACA when the economy is in a tailspin, and besides, it is the media and the Morris group entertainment team trying to get the group disbanded. I see nothing wrong with the delegation, I do see the AC continuing to see issues in Black and White, times have change and until we all see each other as equals, we will continue to read stories such as this and other stories in regards to matters that are not a concern to many in these tough economic times.
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